By Alieu Amara Suwu
As part of its continuous community engagement and strengthening mutual relationship with the relocated communities, Kingho Mining Company Limited through its parent body, Leone Rock Metal Group, together with the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources, has on Saturday 29th October 2022, engaged residents of the relocated communities of Foria, Wondugu, and Ferengbeya, on a peaceful dialogue of social and livelihood programs that are of essence rather than protest, therefore, is more the reason the 10% (485.232 million Leones ) of the over 5.3 billion old Leones 2021 Community Development Agreement (CDA) fund, the company together with community stakeholders is currently embarking on the provision of water facility to relocated communities.
During the relocated community engagement, the Paramount Chief A.B.Y Koroma expressed gratitude to the company for the regular engagement and that the presence of the Minister shows the Company’s concern and it also adds meaning to issues on the ground.
Abu Abu Koroma, Resident Minister, condemned the act of the protest in its entirety and expected community members to be protecting the Company’s properties.
David Panda-Noah, Minister of Internal Affairs, emphasized the promotion of peace, collaboration, and continuous stakeholder engagement to access what the community truly deserves. He urged all community members to remain peaceful at all times.
Musa Timothy Kabba, Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, outlined the great work of Leone Rock Metal Group and thanked them for setting up a formidable community department that seeks to foster peace and brings development to all Leone Rock Metal Group operational communities.
‘Your issues are under discussion and the Ministry will revert soonest but also be reminded that the price of iron ore has drastically dropped and the only source of generating income for the company is through the sale of Iron Ore. Therefore, community members should minimise their requests and give a level playground to LRMG to operate freely,’ said the Minister of Mines.
It could be recalled that in the past months, the company had provided support to the relocated communities, and recently the community team has successfully allocated the fund to improve the water supply situation in communities, the project for women engaged in agricultural activities, and financial support to the outstanding pupils who performed exceptionally in public examinations. Hence it is believed that with the joined efforts of all stakeholders, the relocated communities will be a better place.
