By Foday Moriba Conteh
In a major move aimed at empowering local communities, Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, alongside Deputy Minister of Local Government, Alfred Jamiru, inaugurated several development projects funded by mining revenues in Kono District on Saturday August 31, 2024. The initiative, known as the Diamond Area Community Development Fund (DACDF), represents a novel approach to ensuring that the benefits of mineral wealth directly reach the local population.
During the launch event, Deputy Minister Napoleon Koroma expressed his enthusiasm about the initiative, highlighting its alignment with President Julius Maada Bio’s broader development goals. “Our minerals are a divine gift and our Government believes in ensuring that the local communities reap the rewards of these natural resources,”  Mines Deputy Minister stated. He further noted that President Bio had mandated the implementation of this project with utmost seriousness and transparency.
Napoleon Koroma also underscored the importance of responsible management of the funds by community leaders and assured that the Government would closely monitor the progress of the projects to ensure effective utilization of the resources.
The DACDF initiative is expected to bring tangible improvements to the Kono District, marking a new chapter in the equitable distribution of mineral wealth in the region.
