China Kingho donates Ramadan gifts to mining communities in Sierra Leone

Many mining communities within China Kingho operational areas in the North, South and Eastern part of Sierra Leone have received assorted rammadam gifts as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility to locals as they continue to carry out exploration for iron ore and minerals.  (Photo: Mohamed Paul Kamara one of the pioneers of China Kingho’s investment in Sierra Leone making a statement during the handing of  ceremony at Bumpe Gallines Perri Chiefdom Pujehun District )

Some of the vast hectares of land within towns and villages where China Kingho operates are underdeveloped but rich in minerals and the land is also arable for agriculture.

Magbontoso in Kaffu Simira Chiefdom and Gallines Peri, Kpaka and Sulima in Pujehun amongst others in Kenema are predominantly Muslim communities and most of them needed mats to pray and food to eat during this month of Ramadan.

Over a thousand mats and hundreds of bags of rice were distributed in many towns and villages by China Kingho to demonstrate their commitment and determination in working with the local communities they operate.

Speaking at the handing over ceremony Mohamed Paul Kamara one of the pioneers of China Kingho’s investment in Sierra Leone said the company is here to complement the Governments drive in achieving the Agenda for Prosperity.

He said China Kingho is a reliable company that believes in doing business and also developing the people where they operate for economic growth and sustainable development.

He said the company through consultations with local stakeholders decided to provide many bags of rice, prayer mats and cash for the Muslims so that, they can demonstrate the love and togetherness for the successes of China Kingho  investment in to the country.

Mohamed Paul Kamara said “China Kingho will provide 200 scholarships for students pursing under graduate and post graduate courses, for a period of five years,” so as to build the human resource capacity of Sierra Leoneans to enable them secure beneficial employment at the company.

He stated that priority will be giving to locals where the company operates in terms of benefiting from scholarship, employment and community development projects.

He also said that the company has recently constructed several Court Barries, water wells, and constructed schools and assured that they intend to do more for the people.

Before the handing over ceremony of the donation at Magbontoso in the Kaffu Simira Chiefdom, Lecturer at the University of Sierra Leone Fourah Bay College Political Science Department and also a Veteran Diplomat Alimamy Pallo Bangura called on the people to embrace China Kingho for the rapid development of the country.

He said the donation is just the beginning and assured the people that more development will come when the company starts operations and encouraged the people to support and pray for the success of the company operations.

Dr Alimamy Paolo Bangura said China Kingho will connect many chiefdoms within the North, South and East.

He said, “The company intends to invest more into the development of the country but he however cautioned locals to ensure they embrace the company and to also protect their properties.”

Hon. PC Mansa Paki Kabombor 11 Paki –Masabong Chiefdom Bombali District also expressed thanks and appreciation to China Kingho for the timely donation and assured the company that he and his people will remember them in their prayers for development.

He assured that they will support the company in full as they have informed President Koroma accordingly about China Kingho development plans for the country.

In Pujehun at the Bumpe Court Barray Hon. Dixon Momoh Rogers who chaired the ceremony said China Kingho is a responsible company that has respect for people.

 He encouraged the people to support the company in their operations, so that they also can contribute to the development of the country.

 Paramount Chief of Gallines Perri Chiefdom Alhaji Kamara Koroma expressed profound thanks and appreciation to the China Kingho Investment Company limited for the donation adding that the company is here to stay for us to develop together.

He said the company is currently carrying out exploration of iron ore in the chiefdom and when they commence mining operations the people will be consulted and engaged on their development needs and aspirations.

He expressed happiness over the donation and assured that his chiefdom people are committed and determined to embrace China Kingho Investment for a successful business like a win-win situation. He said the relationship between Kingho and the people are great in terms of respect for culture and traditions.

Imams, councilors, youth leaders and local authorities where in jubilant mood during the distribution process, and a proper mechanism was also put in place for the distribution of the rice and mats to all Muslims where China Kingho operates to ensure transparency and accountability.

Locals interviewed by our reporter, was full of commendation for China Kingho for helping the needy and also supporting community development projects like construction of water wells, schools, court barries and provision of solar lights in some communities they operate.

It could be recalled that in May this year in a bid to demonstrate commitment the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources signed a Memorandum of Understanding with China Kingho Energy Group Co., Ltd on the development of mineral resources and industrial sector in Sierra Leone.

Key components of the MOU included, but not limited to plans for the construction of a Mine Development Project, construction of a supporting power facilities, construction of transport and logistics facilities, construction of a railway from Tonkolili iron ore area in the north to Sulima in the south, and construction of an industrial park.

Recently during President Koroma’s visit to China he also met with top executives of the China Kingho and signed several agreements for an estimated investment of $6b into the country.

Saidu Bah

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