PARLIAMENT RATIFIES AIRPORT AND PORT LEASE AGREEMENTS
The Parliament of Sierra Leone yesterday 11/05/2021 debated and ratified with unanimity two agreements relating to Airport expansion and Kingho Railway and Port Lease.
Presenting the Agreement prior to ratification, Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Timothy Kabba said among other things that the said Agreement came into existence as a result of stakeholders involvement and that the care and maintenance of the railway infrastructure is managed by Kingho Mining Company; under the ownership of the Government of Sierra Leone. He said the Government stands to benefit $2.5 Million.
Contributing, Chairman of the Committee on Mines and Leader of C4C, Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina described the Agreement as “detailed”, adding it would boost the economy by the provision of $2.5 Million and the assets of the said Railway is supervised and owned by the Government of Sierra Leone and the other mining companies operating in the subregion would benefit from the services of the rail and port lease agreement.
Speaking on development devoid of politics, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara praised the Mines Minister for successfully negotiating an out-of-court settlement with SL Mining Company; which he said is a welcome news to the people of Sierra Leone.
Hon. Abdul Kargbo said he worked for African Minerals Limited as an Engineer, adding directly or indirectly Sierra Leoneans benefited from that investment. He decried the idea of halting mining operations with huge drawbacks on the economy. He commended the Mines Minister for revitalizing the mining sector again.
Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Chernor Bah thanked the Minister for bringing the Agreement to Parliament for ratification. Speaking on the need to follow procedures before implementation of Agreements, he talked about huge investments over the years by mining companies regarding the railway infrastructure from Ferengbeya to Pepel under the supervision of the Government of Sierra Leone. He emphasized that “agreements are followed through before operations”.
Concluding, Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma said they are in to change the narrative and that it is people-centered by killing monopoly and allow other companies to invest in the operations of the railway. Speaking on the creation of markets around the operations of the railway, he talked on revenue mobilization and effective oversight by Parliament.
In another development, the Parliament of Sierra Leone has debated and ratified the amendment of deed relating to the build-operate-transfer agreement for the construction, financing and concession of Freetown International Airport. The said Agreement is between the Government of Sierra Leone and SUMMA Airports Sierra Leone Limited.
Presenting the Agreement, Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Rex Bhonopha spoke on the importance of the amendment with a view of taking care of ambiguities that may arise during interpretation and expansion of the facilities to take care of large numbers of passengers.
Acting Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Ibrahim Ben Kargbo spoke on the need for a speedy conclusion of the Airport expansion project and described SUMMA as a “trusted” company in this regard.
Concluding, Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Nyuma called on the Minister to explain in detail the contractual agreement relating to the airport expansion project and talked well on the benefits it will bring to the Republic of Sierra Leone.
Department of Public Relations
Parliament of Sierra Leone
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