Parliament approves agreement on petroleum exploration

Freetown, 18 June (SLENA): Members of Parliament have unanimously approved the ratification agreement on the addendum to the petroleum exploration between the Government of Sierra Leone and Talisman Oil Company, an international investment oil company.

Presenting the ratification to parliament, the deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, John Arrow Bockarie said Talisman is an international oil organization based in Canada working in 16 countries in the world, saying the company has a wealth of experience in oil exploration or oil drilling.

He said the company has been working with the government in order to attract investors in the oil industry, adding that offices have been established in Freetown and hence, working in partnership with other oil organizations in order to speedily commence the oil exploration in the country.

The minister said the company has done its environmental impact assessment, taking incognizant of international standards and best practices.

Making his contribution on the ratification, Hon. Ibrahim Bundu of the APC said oil exploration is a very difficult venture as well as expensive task to undertake, and that many companies would be coming onboard to engage in the oil business.

Hon Bundu said the ratification would provide huge employment for Sierra Leoneans, pointing out the social and economic benefits and the transfer of knowledge and skills through job training for sierra Leoneans.

Hon. Shirka Sama of the PMDC said since oil exploration would affect his people at Pujehun district, he urged the company to take note of that and device mechanism to compensate potentially affected communities in that part of the country.

On his part, the Acting Minority Leader of the house, Hon. Emmanuel Tommy assured the oil company of the country’s support.

Hon. S.B.B Dumbuya who is Majority Leader of parliament, said the oil ratification is in the best interest of the country and urged all oil companies to consult members of parliament on their operations.

AMK/MFMR/SLENA

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