By Amin Kef (Ranger)
During a brief engagement with journalists at its Rawdon Street Office in Freetown on the 11th April, 2023, the Head of Choithram Groups, Harish Agnani, disclosed that it is mandatory, according to the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), for companies operating within certain communities to be honouring, on a yearly basis, Constituency Development Community Action Plans.
He further revealed that the two companies situated at Wellington, namely NATCO and Choithram, have been committed to honouring this important statutory obligation to the tune of Le40M every year.
According to him, this year, 2022-2023, because of the prevailing tough economic times most are going through, they thought it but fit to increase the amount from Le40M to Le55M.
He categorically stated that out of the Le55M, Le40M was given in response to the request of residents of the Wellington Community, where the two companies are located, to assist them with the provision of community solar lights maintaining that such will help greatly in improving security, especially at night, which he said is a grave concern for most of the residents who have been complaining of insecurity at night.
Harish further stated that they decided to respond to the request of residents of the community request by contracting a company that has installed lights with powerful beams within the community to the very satisfaction of the residents who applauded the initiative.
“The Le40 Million went towards the installation of solar street lights at strategic locations within the community and by this I mean not just any simple lights but powerful ones,” he reiterated giving assurance that work will commence soon as well as furthering how Le15 Million was handed over to the Member of Parliament representing the Constituency on behalf of the Constituency which brought the total amount given to Le55 Million.
On his part, the Member of Parliament representing Constituency 115 where the two companies are located, Hon Amadu Bah expressed profound gratitude to Choithram for honouring its 2022-2023 statutory obligation to the community. He commended Choithram for their timely honouring or response to their Community Action Plan going further to praise the two companies in his community for all the goodwill assistances it has been offering including providing employment for some community residents amongst other impressive gestures.
“The companies have been compliant in terms of honouring their Corporate Social Responsibility and I want to implore them to continue to do more,” he said adding that residents of Maxwell City, Upper Philip Street, Fular Lane in Peacock Farm are among those who will benefit greatly from the solar lights.
The highpoint of the engagement was the handing over of a cheque of Le15 Million to the Member of Parliament in lieu of honouring its statutory obligation.
