By Amin Kef (Ranger)
In a move aimed at assessing the working conditions and welfare of employees at Mackie Stores, a cement packaging and distribution facility located at Ferry Junction, the Minister of Employment, Labour, and Social Security, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, conducted an unannounced visit on October 11, 2023.
Accompanying the Minister on his visit were Madam Fatmata Mustapha, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Occupational Safety and Health Officers, and senior officials of the Ministry. The Minister also took the opportunity to tour the Mackie Cement Processing Factory, currently under construction at Hastings Tollgate.
The man behind the Mackie Group, Romanian business magnate, Ahmed Mackie, who serves as the Managing Director of the Mackie Group and MACCEM Industries SL Limited, is in the advanced stages of constructing a new cement factory. This ambitious project has already created thousands of sustainable job opportunities for unemployed young people in the Hastings community and the broader Western Area Rural District.
Ahmed Mackie shared that the second cement factory plant is set to open its doors on November 1, 2023, with the aim of supplying provinces with affordable cement and improving access to this essential commodity in Sierra Leone’s rural communities.
Notably, even before the completion of the modern cement factory, Mackie had already created thousands of technical and casual jobs for the local rural community. According to Mackie, the company has already recruited over 1,000 workers who will undergo training to operate the factory, which is poised to begin operations in the near future. The factory is projected to have a daily production capacity of 50,000 cement bags for distribution across the nation, with a specific focus on provincial areas.
During his visit, Minister Swaray personally engaged with workers at both sites, actively seeking feedback on their welfare and working conditions. Many workers expressed appreciation for the Management’s efforts, particularly its commitment to raise salaries by the end of October, which comes as a response to the challenges posed by rising economic inflation. They also raised concerns about the need for improvements in medical facilities and worker identification.
Minister Swaray praised the Mackie Group’s substantial investment and expressed hope that Sierra Leone would transition from being a cement importer to an exporter. He highlighted the potential of this investment to generate thousands of direct and indirect job opportunities, aligning with the President’s agenda for job creation.
The Minister concluded by reassuring workers that their concerns would be addressed in the near future during his subsequent visits.
Stakeholders in the Hastings Community applauded MACCEM not only for the ongoing construction of the multi-million-dollar investment but also for the transformative efforts to turn the entire Hastings Community into a thriving economic zone, with the potential to enhance the financial well-being of its residents.
Of significant note is the commitment of MACCEM Industries SL Limited to implementing modern technology to enhance worker safety. Workers will be required to wear protective gear to prevent any potential risks while on duty.
Ahmed Mackie is held in high esteem among his employees for fostering a positive working relationship and ensuring compliance with labor requirements. The Hastings Community’s landowners and stakeholders are appreciative of MACCEM’s contributions and are encouraging more investors to follow Mackie’s example, with the goal of creating sustainable employment and fostering development in the community, which had previously lagged behind in terms of infrastructure.
The surprise inspection by Minister Swaray sheds light on the collaborative efforts between the Government and the private sector to improve working conditions and provide employment opportunities in Sierra Leone. It underscores the importance of investing in local industries to drive economic growth and enhance the livelihoods of the country’s citizens.
