Obtala boosts Kono youths
Obtala Resources PLC, in collaboration with the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Political Affairs, last Thursday launched a community mining scheme in Kono with a focus on how youths can be employed in their various communities so that they can live a better life.
In giving an overview of the community mining project, the Chairman of Obtala Resources PLC, Mr. Frank Scolaro, disclosed that he was part of Sierra Leone Diamond Company, however, he was not happy with the manner in which the whites were treating the black Sierra Leoneans who are the owners of the resources in the country, which is why he has decided to come up with a win-win programme that all the youths in the diamond areas can benefit from. He noted that the Obtala Resources PLC is currently operating in five countries in Africa, emphasizing their determination to meet corporate social responsibilities as stated in the new Mines and Minerals Act, expressing Obtala’s belief in working closely with the community, without which they would not be able to operate. “I will not work in Sierra Leone without the support of the local people,†he stated.
Mr. Scolaro maintained that the process is going to be headed by the three Paramount chiefs of the area, wherein each Paramount chief will employ 150 youths, totaling 450. The company will pay them on a daily basis and will provide all the necessary materials for the different groups. He assured that the work will start on the 29th March this year.
The Chairman disclosed that the company will also invest in football’s development in the district by building a football academy in Kono, and that they will provide opportunities for the best 6 players to go and play with football teams in England.
The Minister of Mineral Resources and Political Affairs, Alpha Kanu, who was also the Chairman of the programme, expressed thanks to Obtala for financing the project and stated that this was in line with President Koroma’s ‘Agenda for Change’ and that the ministry welcomed the idea because youth unemployment is a great concern of the President. Alpha Kanu also called on other mining companies to replicate such a wonderful project in their areas of operation.
The Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Minkailu Mansaray, briefly remarked that his ministry is working hard to make sure that the youths gain employment, and ‘this is a people’s project.’ He also said that the chiefs have a very important role in making sure that the project succeeds in their chiefdom.
In his response, the representative of the paramount chiefs, PC Shako A.T. Fasuluku Sonsiama III of Sandor Chiefdom, thanked the Government of Sierra Leone and Obtala for bringing the wonderful initiative to their chiefdom, assuring cooperation and a determination to ensure that the initiative succeeds. “Any chief who does not want jobs for his people is not a right chief,†he maintained.
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The closing remarks were given by the Kono Local Council Chairman, Governor John Yambasu, who thanked both the government and Obtala Resources PLC for making the programme a reality, showing that the government has a real concern for the people. “Kono will now get a football academy,†he elatedly stated.
The programme was graced by all the Paramount chiefs in the Kono District, the Youth Leader in Kono, and the Managing Director of African Minerals Limited, among others. The Managing Director of Obtala Resources PLC, Mr. Simon Rollason, gave the vote of thanks.
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