Addax to Cough up 2.2 Billion Leones
As part of their oversight function, the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Labour and Industrial Relations on Monday 18th September 2017, ordered Addax Bioenergy to pay the sum of 2.2 Billion Leones for failing to adhere and comply with government’s policies and Labour Laws of the country.
The Committee, headed by Hon. Foday I Suma made this order during a weeklong nationwide investigative visit in the provincial headquarter towns of Bo, Kenema and Makeni where it was discovered that Addax Bioenergy has been deducting five percent from workers including ten percent without been paying NASSIT contributions, an action considered as a gross human right violation and government policy regulations.
In his opening remarks, Hon. Dr. Suma stated that; the Policy Regulations Act 2015 established the Committee which comprises Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDA’s), Councils, Institutions and business enterprises in tandem with Section 93 (3) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone in accordance with the Standing Order of Parliament (S O).
On that note, the Committee order Addax BioEnergy to submit relevant documents to enhance inspection and promote critical aspects including Local tax, NRA license, NASSIT contributions as well as comprehensive list of workers, positions, salaries, council registration certificate, requirement of recruitments, foreign requirement of residential and work permit among others. He emphasized on the need to comply with Labour regulations.
Dr. Suma explained that the committee will continue to monitor and supervise every institution.
Deputy Chairman, Hon. Saidu Barbah Kamara representing Constituency 058 in Port-Loko District said, they as the people’s representatives, mandated the Labour Committee in Parliament to investigate activities of various companies as well as NGO’s which is implementing developmental project for and on behalf of Sierra Leoneans.
He maintained that; the Committee is also task with the responsibility of ensuring that companies or institutions probed are accountable to Parliament in order to be able to further explain their roles and responsibilities with regards compliance obligations towards national development in the country.
Responding to the Committee; Addax representative, Festus D Davis and team who failed to submit relevant documents appealed for not been able to present all documents required by the Committee.
The Committee stands down Addax Bioenergy as a result of certain anomalies and irregularities especially non-compliance and refusal to pay NASSIT subscriptions.
By: Mohamed Y. Turay
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