By Abubakarr Harding
As part of executing its Corporate Social Responsibility, the Kingho Mining Company Limited, a subsidiary of Leone Rock Metal Group, has on Thursday 8th September 2022, revealed to residents of the relocated communities of Foria, Wondugu and Ferengbeya that 10% of the over 5.3 billion old Leones 2021 CDA fund has been disbursed to roll out key social and livelihood programmes in the three communities.
The over 530 Million old Leones (now Five Hundred and Thirty Thousand New Leones) were assigned specifically to the three communities who will setup a Committee that will handle the proper and transparent utilization of the fund.
During the event, Section Chief of Ferengbeya, Ibrahim S. Kargbo thanked the Management of the company for its developmental strides and promised to ensure the money is used for the targeted purpose.
The CDA fund was paid by the company to all three mining chiefdoms. It must be noted that the allocation of the 10% was an agreement of all three mining chiefdoms- Sambaia, Dansogoia and Simiria, who disbursed this fund to people of the relocated communities, whose original settlement is where the current mining project is stationed.
Madam Judith Kosseh, the Community Relations Director of the company outlined some of the challenges raised during their previous engagement but said water has been a huge challenge over the years which the company will now want to solve.
Chief Kaprr from Foria expressed gratitude for the percentage and stated that this development will go a long way for them and children yet unborn.
One Foray, who is representing the youth, stated that such fund should be deposited in an independent bank account which can only be accessed by relocated communities.
Salim Sillah, Director in the Office of the CEO reemphasized that LRMG banks on transparency and rapid community engagement to strengthen trust in their operational communities because anything they say as a company is valid as they bank on transparency in their service delivery.
It could be recalled that in the past, the company provided support to the relocated communities for women engaged in agricultural activities, and financial support to outstanding pupils who performed exceptionally in public examinations.
However, this time around, after several engagements with the relocated community people, the community team has successfully allocated the fund to improve the water supply situation. Hence it is believed that with the joint efforts of all stakeholders, the relocated communities will be better settlements.
