The Regional Manager of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in Kono, Madam Hawanatu Omotayo Kamara, has called on Paramount Chiefs, Members of Parliament, Government Officials, and Chiefdom Administrators to uphold integrity, transparency, and accountability in the utilization of surface rents paid by large-scale mining companies. She made this statement at the Pan African Rare Company’s surface rent payment ceremony at Fillie Faboe Hall in Koidu City on 27th March 2025.
Hawanatu Omotayo Kamara stressed that funds allocated to the District Council and Constituency Development Funds are public resources that must be accounted for and used appropriately. She clarified the difference between surface rents and the Diamond Area Community Development Fund (DACDF), paid by artisanal miners. She urged transparency in fund utilization and announced that the ACC would monitor expenditures to ensure value for money.
Madam Kamara further noted that the number of surface rent components has been reduced from five to four, increasing landowners’ share from 50% to 70%. She highlighted ACC’s engagements with Chiefdom Development Committees and treasury clerks to enhance accountability and transparency, preventing corruption at the chiefdom level.
She also outlined key offenses in the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 (as amended in 2019), including misappropriation of public funds, failure to declare assets, undue influence over public officers, bribery, and possession of unexplained wealth. She warned that the ACC will monitor the utilization of the surface rents and will hold violators accountable.
The chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Mines, Hon. Saa Emmerson Lamina, emphasized that payment of the surface rents is in compliance with the Mines and Minerals Act of 2009. He outlined the mode of distribution: 70% to landowners, 10% to Paramount Chiefs, 10% to the District Council, and 10% to the Constituency Development Fund. He urged beneficiaries to use the funds wisely and ensure transparency in their implementation.
Hon. Lamina highlighted that payments would be made to Sandor (90%) and Nimikoro (10%) chiefdoms. He reiterated the government’s commitment to poverty alleviation through responsible resource management and compliance with the Sierra Leone Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (SLEITI).
The Paramount Chief of Sandor Chiefdom, Hon. PC Sheku Tejan Fasuluku, commended the ACC for its efforts in combating corruption. He urged all stakeholders to support transparency initiatives and emphasized that corruption can only be minimized if everyone plays their part in fighting it.
