By Amin Kef Sesay
Following a recent case in which a security guard attached to Gorilla Security Company was caught inside the mining site protected by Protec Security Agency, several Sierra Leoneans inside and outside of the country have commented on Social Media saying: “This is not the way and manner to go, if you want to remove one security agency to replace it with another.”
Another commentator wrote: “You said Protec acted unlawfully by beating the Gorilla security personnel, but you want Kingho to act unlawfully to terminate an existing contract with Protec.”?
Another wrote: “The case at hand is one of assault; not a breach of contract. Seek criminal remedy if you believe your guy was manhandled.”
“You want Protec to be kicked out so that Gorilla would be given the contract. Is that even fair to your moral reasoning,” asked another commentator.
Another commentator argued that the staffs working for Protec Security are 98% Sierra Leoneans. So what is your issue regarding Local Content,” the commentator asked, adding “You guys at times are very unfair to the cause of journalism.”
“Do you even think about what will be of the over 98% Sierra Leonean personnel working for Protec for years now, since the days of Shandong, if their contract is terminated,” was the question raised by another Social Media commentator.
Against that background, it is now crystal clear that, while efforts are being made by some sectors of the public to instil discipline, integrity and respect into the affairs of investors and other institutions working hard for the progress of Sierra Leone in terms of industrial development and job creation, there seems to be another group or groups propagating lies, in order to distort the truth and create mischief, so that they can run this country as usual in collusion with crooked politicians.
As a responsible and accountable media institution, we owe allegiance to the people of Sierra Leone and will not stop at anything to unveil the truth!
Reports from Tonkolili District indicate that quite recently, a guard working with Gorilla Protection Security Company, Ibrahim Kargbo was caught inside the TIO site that is directly protected by personnel of Protec Security Agency.
It should be noted that since Protec Security Agency posted its guards to various mining concessions and other establishments in Tonkolili District and in other districts across Sierra Leone, there have been no breaches in any manner. The Protec Security Agency has observed and respected its mandate; respected and observed human rights and generally enhanced and supported development in its areas of operation.
It therefore comes as a rude shock that following the arrest of a security guard working for Gorilla Security Company, efforts are being made by a local tabloid to twist the truth and put Protec Security agency in bad light, when the facts are there to reveal that it was the Gorilla Security Company guard that was caught infiltrating into an area he had no business.
The defaulting Gorilla Security Company guard was caught inside the TIO Site with a machete and was NOT WEARING the Uniform of Gorilla Security Company and he was considered as an intruder firstly and was not arrested because he is working for any other security agency as some blatantly claim.
Our investigations further revealed that the efforts to debunk The Calabash Newspaper’s unveiling of the truth about this incident to the government and to the general public, are being supported by unscrupulous people’s, who for one selfish reason or the other, want the contract awarded to Protec Security Agency thrashed.
Several observers commenting on social media described the situation as one which stinks of unsavoury politics and arm-twisting tactics to remove Protec Security Agency that is providing transparent, accountable and unquestionable security services, and replace them with a private security service provider that has a questionable character and background.
This diabolic act has been described by residents of Tonkolili District, who repose much confidence in Protec Security Agency, as sabotage on the hard-earned reputation of the management of Protec Security Agency, adding that, apart from their normal security services, the agency also performs its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), not only in Tonkolili District, but in all the other areas they have a presence.
Residents of Tonkolili District have in many ways debunked lies doing the round on Social Media and on other platforms that after his arrest, the culprit was beaten by Protec Security Agency personnel. “This is totally false, because we were there and we saw what happened. After the intruder was arrested, he was questioned, treated with respect before being handed over to the appropriate authority. In no way was he beaten, molested or manhandled. Those that are going about propagating this lie are enemies of progress,” said a senior member of the Tonkolili District Council, who prefers anonymity.
The source applauded the professional conduct of Protec Security Guards and called on the management of Gorilla Security Company to ensure that disciplinary action is taken against their defaulting staff.
