AML donates, meets stakeholders in Pepel
Executive Chairman of African Minerals (SL) Limited, AML, has met with stakeholders of the Pepel and donated learning materials to all primary schools in the community hosting the company’s facilities.
Gibril Bangura said while the gesture was part of the company’s continued support to host communities across the mines, rail and port operations, the meeting at the Club House, one of four development projects being done, was proof of their corporate social responsibilities.
“When we set out some five years ago very few people believed in us and the project, but we have allayed their fears. Today again we are here, like always, to thank the people for hosting us by giving 800 packets of pens, pencils, chalks and books; 500 sets of desks and chairs, 12 sets of high quality office tables and chairs to boost education,” he said.
He urged the gathering, especially the youth, to be patient and follow their hearts, attributing the company’s success to the hopes and patience they had and still have.
Gibril noted that Ferengbeya, which hosts the flagship Tonkolili mines, and Pepel, where the company’s rail and port facilities are coordinated, have provided jobs more than any other area in the country had done. That, he said, also meant that most locals of those areas were employed in line with the AML’s employment policies.
“To those youth still looking for jobs, be patient. I have had to personally intervene and instantly employ over 60 young men and women redundant by a contractor just so that we keep people satisfied,” he said, and promised that in the meantime all community development projects, including those on hold, would be completed in the coming weeks.
On-going projects include the Club House in Pepel town, a multipurpose complex for recreational activities, a bar and relaxation facilities with a hall for conferences and high profile meetings. Also being undertaken were the health centre, which when completed would have its facilities upgraded to include a dispensary and a lab; the market was being built to include stalls for traders to keep their wares.
The Executive Chairman introduced Laura Cramphorn, in charge of sustainability development, to ensure self-reliance through the introduction and implementation of projects that have long lasting impact on the community and its people.
Member of Parliament for the area, Hon. Kombor Kamara, said the meeting was an opportunity to thank the Executive chairman and his team for their continued support to his people.
Like the regent chief Pa Alimamy Kekurr of Maforki, Paramount Chief Bai Maro Ngbator of Lokomasama said they had come to appreciate the intervention of AML in the overall development of their chiefdoms over the years.
“When I became chief I initially had some problems understanding the level of support we get from the company. Now I know,” said PC Ngbator.
Youth leader Abu Bakarr Sesay called for more jobs, while Councillor Paul Idriss Kamara of Ward 174 Rogbere and Constituency 50 in Marampa appealed for more apprenticeship opportunities so that those uneducated young job seekers would learn on the job.
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