By Abdul Malik Bangura
In line with his agenda to provide for the very vulnerable Sierra Leoneans, Ambassador Omrie Michael Golley has successfully procured a total of fifty (50) tractors to support cacao production in Sierra Leone.
50 RX35 Sonalika tractor procured to support cacao production in Sierra Leone
This was confirmed by the National Coordinator of Gbotima Seenava Organisation- a fully registered and operational Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) operating in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone, Mr Joseph Brima Kpukumu during their organisation’s three days working visit to their agricultural sites in four (4) communities in Gbane Chiefdom, Kono District, same Eastern Province of Sierra Leone.
Gbotima Seenava Organisation and some farmers
Whilst explaining on behalf of Ambassador Omrie Golley who is a major financier in several agricultural projects in that part of the country, Mr. Kpukumu confirmed that the fomer Ambassador who served under the previous government of Ernest Bai Koroma is a patriot who believes in helping the poor and vulnerable by creating ways for their sustenance. He said the very renowned UK based lawyer, Ambassador Omrie Golley who is the current CEO/Chairman Board of Directors of Afric-Asia Asset Holdings Limited based in the London, United Kingdom, is working tirelessly with other colleagues from other countries to revamp the aspect of cocoa production in Sierra Leone.
Ambassador Omrie Golley, current CEO/Chairman Board of Directors of Afric-Asia Asset Holdings Limited based in London, UK
Dilating on the moves done so far, Mr Kpukumu said the investors will focus on other agricultural areas, but are prioritising cocoa production for now, and thus the reason why they have bought 50 tractors for now at a cost of USD 8500 (eight thousand five hundred US Dollars) each.
He said the tractors would be used to buy cocoa produce in the villages where they are grown, thus saving poor farmers the excruciating burden for traveling to bigger cities to solicit buyers. He said the project will also involve getting planting seeds to farmers and later on buying from them after they have harvested their produce at a more competitive prices to incentivize farmers further.
He added that the project will also reduce the high rate of unemployed youths in the cities because many will return to their communities in the rural areas to indulge in agricultural activities.
On his side, the lead person of the projects in Gbane Chiefdom, Kono District, Mr. Edwin Gongor said Ambassador Omrie Golley is his friend in UK and that it was the latter who urged him to come and invest his time and efforts in agricultural activities in his home chiefdom. He said he has already started an agricultural project with support from Ambassador Omrie Golley to start farming activities in his chiefdom. He said this project is also keen on Gari production in Kono, Bo, Moyamba and Kailahun districts. He said, Ambassador Omrie Golley also sponsor his in the farming of rice, yam, cassava and ginger. He however raised that the most paramount concern issue for them now is the road infrastructure for the transportation of their products to the cities, but nonetheless expressed optimism that that could be addressed.
Chief Aiah Williams of Wandama Village expressed his joy over the implementation of the project. He said as natives that are willing to expand their farming activities from 12 hectares of land to 30 hectares in the coming year.
Moijoeh Kaikai, Chairman of Gbotima Seenava Organisation said Ambassador Omrie Golley is the sole funder of their agricultural project. He commended Eddie for his relentless effort in carrying on with the project and the successful implementation of the project.
Massa Kallon, Chairlady of Gbotima Seenava Organisation said she is from Nongowa Chiefdom, Kenema District, same Eastern Sierra Leone, but that the group comprises of farmers of all districts in the southern and eastern regions of the country. She called on the women to give their best in actualizing these agricultural projects and urged them to work in tandem with men for the sustenance of agriculture in Sierra Leone.
Meanwhile, it could be recalled that, one of the main opposition All peoples Congress (APC) former ambassadors, Omrie Michael Golley who served as Sierra Leone Ambassador to the Republic of South Korea had earlier promised to reactivate his contacts by bringing onboard all of them through his Afric-Asia Asset Holdings Limited to ensure that all key players of Sierra Leone political system work together for the betterment of the people. It is against this backdrop that he is funding several agricultural projects across major areas in Sierra Leone.
