By Foday Moriba Conteh
Dr. Hinga Sandy, Minister of Trade and Industry, has on Thursday 4th June 2020, commissioned the Kings Beverages Factory which produces Water and Beverage at Grafton Village in the Western Area Rural District.
In his address, Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Hinga Sandy, commended the Management of the company for the great move which he considers as a move in the right direction and that the Government of President Bio is committed to expand on the production capacity in the Agricultural sector and create the enabling environment for all investors and local business owners to invest in the country.
He disclosed that the 6 to 7 Million dollar investment by Kings Beverages Factory is holistically welcomed by the Government, because it will help in creating more jobs and has the capacity to produce more in order to meet the needs of the local market and export to the West African sub-region, adding that Sierra Leone has signed a lot of Trade agreements within the sub region to continue maintaining trade relationships all in enhancing a business friendly environment stating that Sierra Leone has the space for agriculture and will open the space for competition.
He stated that a vibrant private sector is the driving force for economic growth, income generation, employment and ultimately poverty reduction and that they will promote competitiveness, a fast-growing and liberal economy led by the private sector as it can substantially assist in building the capacity and capability of Sierra Leoneans.
Mrs Frances Piaqie Alghali, Minister of State, Office of the Vice President expressed appreciation to the Management of the Kings Water and Beverage Factory for their investment in the country.
She added that such investment will lead to a corresponding increase in job creation, Government revenue and availability of food, noting that in years gone manufacturing took the lead in Sierra Leone especially at the Wellington Industrial Estate, lamenting that the companies that used to operate there are no longer functioning saying they are happy as a Government is seeing new players coming to invest.
She said that they are aware of the challenges faced by owners of factories in country of which energy is one and disclosed how Government has been working tremendously to improve the Energy sector in the country stating that it could be a reason why Companies like King Production Factory and others are establishing their businesses in the country.
“As a country we need to add value to our local products through industrialization and I hope Kings Beverage and other companies will use our local products like Mango, Pineapple, Banana and other fruits in order to have beverages from our local Agricultural products,” she suggested.
She ended by calling on Government to actively look for ways to work more closely with the private sector and to create an investor friendly environment. In that regard she said the Government has established the National Investment Board (NID) that is chaired by His Excellency President Maada Bio to change the existing ways of doing business.
Surrender Sigh, General Manager Kings Production, expressed gratitude to the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Hinga Sandy, and other Government officials for honouring their invitation and made the event a success.
He said the company at the moment produces Water and Beverage products in the country and they are using the best technology to produce for the local market and also export could boost the country’s economy.
He encouraged Sierra Leoneans to take the business as theirs and embrace the company as their own .
Human Resource Manager, Kings Production, Richmond Somasa, said the company at the moment has employed over 50 youths within the Grafton community. He added that in fulfilment of their Corporate Social Responsibility within the community they have constructed a mini water dam for the communities surrounding Grafton saying such will reduce the constraints faced by residents to access water especially during the dry season.
He added that in order to curtail the spread of the Covid-19 in the country, the company has supported the community with Veronica Buckets, Hand Sanitizers and Face Masks.
One of the Tribal Authorities within the Grafton community commended the company for the support they have been providing to them like the construction of the Mini Dam which he said is benefitting residents of the community. He also thanked them for the donation of Personal Protective Equipment to the community which includes Veronica Buckets, Hand Sanitizers and Face masks further assuring them that the community residents are ready to work with the company in order to bring more developments to their community.
