APC MP EXPOSES FINANCE MINISTER
Following the Government Delegation visit, led by the Finance Minister, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, to the three Chiefdoms that own Kasafoni Land, a Member of Parliament representing two of the Chiefdoms has exposed the Minister.
Hon Jawah Sesay of the Opposition All People’s Congress told FM 98.1 Good Morning Salone Program that he is a representative of the two mining chiefdoms that own the Kasafoni land, explaining that they have the largest mining operator, Leone Rock Metal Group, and that they also have Kasafoni, which is the subject of dispute.
He explained that last month Gento Group showed interest, and the company was able to sign a lease agreement and paid surface rent to the land-owning families.
“Government should come out and explain what is the destiny of Gento Group,” he said.
He explained that he was shocked to see huge military presence in the chiefdom, which got other people very scared and intimidated.
“Worst of it is that the Finance Minister just read out a lease agreement without actually engaging with the people,” he revealed.
He noted that they reject such approach as a people, adding that though the government has a right, but they themselves have right to the land.
The Minister, on the other hand, said that he did not go into the chiefdoms with coercion, but the military and police presence were for his personal protection.
Some School of thoughts hold the view that the Minister of Finance was exhibiting desperation in his bid to convince Sierra Leoneans to believe that the 300 million dollars contract signed with a Chinese Company is for the Sierra Leone Government, when in reality, according to the contract, the government of Sierra Leone stand, to gain nothing, other than the so called development of the mining site, whereas the 3% in the contract of the said amount is tied to Mountain View, a company owned by Russian Mafia Igo of the Mineral Wealth Fund. It is believed that part of that 3% is what the Minister and his cronies are allegedly chasing, which, if materialize, they intend to share it, but are rather hiding under the pretext of development for Sierra Leone.