London Mining Overseas Top Brass visits Sierra Leone

The first Sierra Leonean Managing Director of the Mining Company, David Keili said that the time for politicking was over and called on the people of Marampa chiefdom in the Port Loko district to work very hard for the development of the chiefdom and the country. He therefore appealed to them for their fullest support.

Mr. Kelli told the visiting expatriates to fulfil their promises as the country is in dire need of investment.

The delegates were taken on a conducted tour of the road construction at Mammy Nancy leading to the exploration site where tidings are positioned awaiting processing and on ward transshipments abroad by 2010.

Speaking at the ceremony in Lunsar Township, the Managing Director of the Company, Mr. David Keili told the crowd that the company will soon commence the exportation of iron ore during the quarter year of 2010.

Mr. Keili further explained that he will make sure that the people of Marampa, Masimera and Maforki chiefdoms and Port Loko district in general fully benefit from the harvests of the company

“As a first step we are going to consider employing indigenes of Marampa, Masimera, Maforki and other surrounding chiefdoms in the district. And we are also going to make sure that we earnestly endeavour to improve the living standard of our people through our strong commitment to and implementation of our social corporate responsibility”, he pledged

He also disclosed that there are thirteen projects in the pipeline to be implemented adding that one of them is the construction of the road from Mammy Nancy to ‘Thoufayaeem’ where the jetty will be built.

“This jetty will help the people of the surrounding chiefdoms to transact their daily business adding that the local boat owners will also benefit immensely from the road construction” ,he said.

In his statement, Paramount Chief Bai Kablo Queen II of Marampa Chiefdom said that the coming of the expatriates in his chiefdom was a clear manifestation of the interest the company has for the people of this country and in his chiefdom in particular adding that it was another milestone and a unique opportunity for his people in the district.

“We should all take advantage of and fully use this golden opportunity provided to us by London Mining Company. The Company has initiated and implemented development projects in line with our felt needs including the provision of clean drinking water and they are now on the road construction”, he gleefully said.

He said that the construction of the road and other amenities will not only benefit the present generation but the generation yet unborn. Chief Bai Kablo Queen II called on the youths to be partners in development and to work along with London Mining Company to develop the district and the country in general.

He disclosed that the iron ore company then known as DELCO closed in 1975 that led to a lot of social and economic hardships. He expressed his profound gratitude to the company for resuscitating these facilities at just this initial stage by renovating the health centre and the construction of over 200 water wells within the Maforki Chiefdom.” This is just a taste of greater things to come”, he said

He commended London Mining Company for creating jobs for the youths in the chiefdoms and called on them to cooperate with the company.

According to the Company Country Liaison Officer, Tom Tucker, the company’s expatriates are expected to invest millions of dollars to kick start the iron ore operations. He said if the money is provided, they will employ more people who he said will increase the government revenue generating capacity and drastically reduce the unemployment rate in the country.

“We are going to employ at least one thousand workers which will reduce the unemployment problem in the country. The government will also benefit immensely in terms of revenue collection”, he disclosed.

Hon. A.O Daramy told the delegates that the Memorandum of Understanding between the government and Company has been concluded. He expressed thanks and appreciation to the government for giving the green light to the company to start the exploration of iron ore in the country.

He called on the company to work towards the development of the chiefdom and the country. He pledged his total support and commitment to the company and informed the delegates that he was always ready to work in their interest.

Lawyer Olga Solomon who is an indigene of Marampa chiefdom and also the company’s lawyer told the people of Marampa that her company was genuine and ready to develop both the chiefdom and the country. This she said re-echoes the president’s call for national development and called on the youths in the township to be law abiding and obedient to authorities.

“London Mining is not only here to mine iron ore but to improve the lives of our people at the same time to boost the economy of our country. The government will also earn a lot of revenue from the company which will help reduce the poverty rate in the country. This objective can only be met by being obedient and peaceful”, she concluded.

On their arrival at Thoufayaeem, the expatriates told their counterparts in Sierra Leone that they were very much impressed by the hospitality adding that according to their knowledge and experience Sierra Leone has the best iron ore in the world.

“We will do our best to ensure that the Port Loko community and the country fully benefit from this”, they concluded