Locals Embrace First Step

SAMSHI Africa, an investment company with plans to setup a steel factory for the processing of iron ore at Rotapr, Rofekah Section, Maforki Chiefdom, Port Loko District has amicably resolved the land issue with the community.

First Step Consultancy Company on Thursday 22nd November, 2012 met with various stakeholders in the chiefdom, including land owners, to amicably resolve the land issue that erupted due to a misunderstanding between the three villages of Rofekah, Lalal Pete and Rotapr.

First Step, a juice production company, is the only investment company in the country without foreign expatriates.

The company has also been contracted by SAMSHI Africa to secure land for its operations.

At the end of the meeting, it was unanimously agreed that residents in the three villages put their differences behind and embrace development in the interest of their respective communities taking cognizance of the fact that President Ernest Koroma has called for Sierra Leoneans to change their attitude as well as encourage investors for the advancement of the country.

It must be recalled that in the past, some unscrupulous individuals frustrated the efforts of investors by duping them.

First Step Country Director, Edward Conteh explained to stakeholders that seven companies bided for the contract to clear the land for topographical survey but not for the commencement of operations and revealed that the contract was won by Osman and Sons Enterprises.

He further disclosed that SAMSHI Africa is an Indian company with Sierra Leone being the first African country that the company has setup business for the processing of iron ore to add more value to the product.

Edward Conteh also enlightened that the misunderstanding was borne out of the fact that the company only paid one village for the land acquired for its operations but assured that the others would be paid and called for the support and cooperation of all.

He went on to appeal to all

to put their differences aside and embrace development guaranteeing that when the company commences operations, it would not only benefit the three communities in its operational areas but the entire country and went on to disclose plans to provide alternative sources of income for people the area.

Most of the people welcomed the company and recalled that in the past some investors were discouraged from operating in the area due to the activities of unscrupulous people and urged all to learn from the past asserting that this is one of the reasons for the backwardness of the district.

Osman Bangura, CEO of Osman and Sons Enterprise, disclosed that the company has undertaken several contracts and performed satisfactorily within the stipulated time and to the terms and conditions that has won the company accolades.

Concluding, he assured that the company would not let down the confidence reposed in it by the people and pledged that it would contribute meaningfully to the development of the country and in the process transform it to an enviable status.

By A. R. Bedor Kamara

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