By Esther Wright
A high-level delegation from the Ministry of Trade and Industry, on August 27, 2024 led by Deputy Minister, Fatmata Kargbo, visited SABCO Sardine Company in Jui at the East End Freetown, in response to social media reports alleging that the company had improperly disposed of expired sardines.
The visit included key figures such as Paul Kaisam, Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau; Johor Bah, his Deputy, Lawrence Bassie, CEO of the National Consumers Protection Commission (NCPC) and representatives from the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, among others.
The inspection was prompted by public outcry and online rumors that SABCO Sardine Company had discarded expired sardines at the Bomeh dumping site. The Ministry aimed to address these concerns and verify the accuracy of the claims.
During a roundtable discussion with SABCO’s Management, Deputy Minister , Fatmata Kargbo highlighted the company’s significant role in supporting President Bio’s “Feed Salone” initiative, which is part of his Big Five priorities. She commended SABCO for its contributions to the country’s development since its factory commissioning in February.
SABCO’s Secretary, Miss Zainab, clarified that the materials dumped at Bomeh were not expired sardines but waste products such as fish heads, scales and tails. She emphasized that this disposal process adheres to City Council regulations and has been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other relevant bodies.
Miss Zainab expressed her surprise at the misinformation circulating about the company, insisting that SABCO has consistently engaged with the EPA to ensure proper waste management.
Following the meeting, the Deputy Minister, Fatmata Kargbo and her team toured the SABCO facility. They observed the production process and were satisfied with the company’s adherence to safety and operational standards.
She thanked SABCO’s Management for their transparency and assured continued Government support also emphasizing the Ministry’s commitment to regularly monitoring the company’s operations to maintain public trust and safety.
It should be noted that the allegations reported stemmed from unsuccessful efforts to verify the information with SABCO Sardine Company officials. The claims were based on observations of the company’s vehicle at the Bomeh Dumping Site and the subsequent dumping activities. Despite repeated attempts to contact the company’s representatives for confirmation or comment, they did not respond to phone calls and failed to address the allegations.
