By Abdul Malik Bangura, Public Relations Officer, Kingho Investment Company Limited
Thursday 23rd December 2020/ Bumbuna Town: Paramount Chief of Dansogoia Chiefdom in Tonkolili District, PC Alimamy Bockarie Yalan Koroma has said that Kingho is a company of difference. The PC made this statement during a Christmas and New Year donation ceremony held at the Court Barray of his chiefdom headquarters in Bumbuna Town. Dansogoia together with Sambaia and Simiria are the three (3) chiefdoms where the Tonkolili Iron Ore Mining project is based. Kingho Mining Company Limited is the company with the concession to mine in that area.
Whilst justifying his statement, the Paramount Chief of Dansogoia Chiefdom commented that since taking-over of the Tonkolili Iron Ore Mining Project, Kingho Mining Company has done tremendously well in honouring its Corporate Social Responsibility despite the fact remains that the company is still yet to start full scale operations. He said that he is very optimistic that should Kingho start operation in the future, the company will not only look at donations of food condiment but will further look into educational empowerment by awarding scholarships to students in the 3 operational chiefdoms.
On the area of employment, PC Koroma said he has held several meetings with the management of Kingho Group about the need for a stationed Human Resource (HR) office in the mining communities which will save applicants in those communities from having to travel to Freetown to apply for jobs in the company or those in poor network communities from stressing themselves to apply via email. He said that Kingho Management assured that problem will be solved immediately operations start soonest. He said, based on that assurance, he is fully convinced as he said “I see the willingness of Kingho to address that.”
Furthermore, the PC called on the management of Kingho to roll-out a community sensitization campaign in January so as to engage youths in the mining communities on what Kingho is doing towards empowering them.
During the donation ceremony, the District Council Chairperson of Tonkolili, Madam Yabom Sesay said if Kingho has not yet started full operations but is currently dashing out huge food donations is a sign that the company will do more when its start operation. She said that clearly shows that the company is in the right path to do more. In addition, she urged the company to extend similar goodwill to the entire Tonkolili District and not limiting to its operational areas.
Member of Parliament in Constituency 55 covering Simiria and Dasogoia chiefdoms, Honourable Rose Marie Bangura whilst making her statement thanked the government of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio for the continuing support to the people of his constituency. She assured of their unwavering support towards the success of Kingho stating that the successes of Kingho Mining Company is too tide with the success of her people who are so much anticipating to enjoy from their God’s given minerals.
Speaking on ensuring security at the mining communities, the LUC Northwestern Region, LUC Fambuleh called on the people of the mining communities to work as one. He advised that youths should always choose dialogue to address their grievances. He said, once that results to strike or insurrections, that is enough to shy away investors. Thus, he assured that he will beef-up security not only at the mine sites but also in the various communities.
On behalf of Kingho Mining Company Limited, Simon Shi, briefly said “Kingho Mining Company is here to stay but will only succeed with your support.” He said despite the intention to invest, the company will not achieve its goals without the cooperation of the communities. He assured that Kingho will definitely meet-up the expectations of the people by keeping to its promise.
Representing the government, Resident Minster North, Honorable Abu Abu Koroma said that the government of His Excellency President Maada Bio prides itself on transparency. Against this backdrop, he urged chiefdom authorities to ensure that the donated food items reach the very needy in their communities. He said Kingho Mining Company has done its own, and that utilising the donations for the people is left with the authorities. He called for oneness and love amongst indigenes of the mining communities and said that they should put aside all their differences if they want to achieve their goals.
Other persons who made contributions during the donation ceremony were representatives from Simiria Chiefdom, Sambaia Chiefdom, District Office, and from Member of Parliament Constituency 056 covering Sambaia Chiefdom.
Meanwhile, the donation of 130 bags of rice, 80 bags of onions and 60 five gallons of cooking oil to the 3 mining chiefdoms was not the only to be held by Kingho Group. In the port town of Pepel, in Kamasondo Chiefdom, Kingho Railway and Port Company Limited did similar donation as a mark of its Christmas and New Year donation. In Pepel, the group donated 30 bags of rice, 15 bags of onions and 15 five gallons of cooking oil.
In the coming days, similar donations would be done in railway line communities.
