By Foday Moriba Conteh
During an auspicious and well attended ceremony held on Sunday 29th January, 2023 at the Port Loko District Council, the Community Trading Company (CTC) has paid the sum of1.9 billion Leones as Surface Rent to land owners and stakeholders of Maforki and Marampa Chiefdoms in Port Loko District.
In his address, the Country Manager of CTC Mining Company Sierra Leone, Fassally Tawarallie, intimated that CTC is a Turkish based Mining Company which is now in Sierra Leone to undertake Bauxite mining in Port Loko District.
Heinformed residents that Bauxite is a substance or an element needed for aluminium and steel production, adding that Bauxite is a Mineral which has been found in Port Loko District for over 52 years underscoring how CTC will embark on mining the mineral and make it a reality in terms of production.
Fassally Tawarallie also stated that according to the 2009 Mining Act Mining Companies are required to pay surface rents to locals in the community where those Mining Companies are operating.
He furthered how they are all converging to fulfill that provision of the 2009 Mining Actadding that the Community Trading Company is proud to pronounce that it has come to pay the sum of 1.9 billion Leones as Surface Rentto land owners and stakeholders of Maforki and Marampa Chiefdoms in Port Loko District.
The Country Manager also intimated that the company is anticipating its maiden export in the next ninety days.
He said massive deployment of machineries and manpower has commenced in order to deliver for the people of Port Loko and for Sierra Leone by extension.
The Paramount Chief of Marampa Chiefdom, Port Loko District, PC Bai Koblo Queen II, extended profound thanks and appreciation to President Bio for making such possible especially in such difficult times.
He continued how the payment of the surface rent will positively impact the lives ofresidents within the two chiefdoms.
PC Bai Koblo Queen IIgave assurances that the primary host communities would surely benefit from the surface rent.
He said the payment of the surface rent is just the beginning of the many opportunities the company is going to avail residents such as livelihood support, job creation among others.
The Paramount Chief concluded by guaranteeing residents and Sierra Leoneans that the company is there to stay and that, they as local authorities should ensure that the people benefit from the opportunities.
The ResidentMinister for North-Western Region, who doubled as Chairman of the event, Alhaji Alpha Kanu, expressed elation over the payment of the surface rent adding that Port Loko has been waiting for 52 years for such an opportunity.
Alpha Kanu encouraged residents and host ParamountChiefs to support the company for a successful outcome.
He assured the company, on behalf of President Bio’s led Government, that they have given their blessings for the company tooperate.
Closing the ceremony was the official handing over of the cheques to the land owners and stakeholders of Maforki and Marampa Chiefdoms
