In the context of development, a nation must recognise, appreciate, and support its locals who significantly contribute to the nation’s progress, as this demonstrates respect for local content. For too long, our nation has celebrated foreign investments at the expense of local investments. Now, to showcase Sierra Leone on the global stage of business and investment, we have a capable local entrepreneur, Mohamed Gento Kamara, the CEO of Gento Group.
The Gento Group has secured a mining concession at Kasofoni, which is expected to make a substantial contribution to our economy, especially in terms of employment and inflation, compared to foreign investments. Despite fulfilling all statutory and constitutional obligations to obtain the lease agreement necessary for processing a mining license for the Kasofoni deposit, two government institutions have raised challenges. These challenges are marked by animosity and ill intent, claiming without basis that Gento Group has not obtained the lease agreement properly, lacking statutory and constitutional support for their claims. This situation constitutes a violation of legitimate law, local content policy, and local support, as Gento Group truly represents the interests of the locals.
In response, the people of Kasofoni have petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, contesting the recent pronouncement by the Sierra Leone Mines and Minerals Development and Management Cooperation (SLMMDC) and the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, which grants exclusive ownership to SLMMDC. This decision disregards the statutory and constitutional rights of the indigenes, who originally acquired property rights(land) by birth without any artificial limitations that could unlawfully restrict their full rights. The indigenes have called on Parliament to recognise the lease agreement between the communities of Dansogoia, Sambaia, and Diang Chiefdoms in Tonkolili and Koinadugu District and Gento Group. As a vital arm of government, Parliament has a crucial role in protecting and defending the constitution in the best interest of the people of Sierra Leone.
It has become evident that a foreign company is attempting to leverage government institutions in an effort to obtain the lease agreement in its favour. If this is allowed to happen, it raises serious questions about respect for local content and the constitutional birthright to property.
Gento Group is a locally based company that has made significant contributions to the development of Sierra Leone through job creation, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and economic growth. This track record shows that Gento Group can replicate significant benefits for the people of Koinadugu when mining at Kasofoni begins. To prove its commitment to ensuring the people of Kasofoni benefit from their land, the company has already initiated road construction, established clean water facilities, and undertaken other community service projects that will benefit the residents of Kasofoni and beyond.
As the government seeks investors to stimulate the economy, we have a remarkable opportunity right at our doorstep in Mohamed Gento Kamara, the owner of Gento Group, who can deliver far more benefits than twenty foreign investors combined.
The Kasofoni people state, ‘In the Gento Group, our communities are protected from exploitation and benefit from social entitlements.’ To ensure the success of the Kasofoni people, it is crucial for our government to respect their calls and decisions. The lawful rights to the property that the Kasofoni people have transferred to the Gento Group should be honoured, as they facilitate the smooth mining of resources that can translate into social benefits for the indigenous community.
