By Shadrach Aziz Kamara
Hon. Jawa Sesay, a Member of Parliament representing Tonkolili District, has raised serious concerns about financial mismanagement and lack of transparency in the mining sector, particularly regarding pension contributions, Community Development Funds (CDF), and scholarship allocations for students from mining communities. Speaking in Parliament, he emphasized the need for stronger oversight to ensure that funds meant for local development truly benefit the people.
Hon. Sesay recalled that since 2002, when Parliament established institutions like the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), there have been ongoing issues with pension contributions, especially for workers in mining communities.
He revealed that many employees in Tonkolili are struggling because mining companies fail to properly register them, making it difficult for them to access their pensions upon retirement, adding that, despite his previous discussions with NASSIT officials, little progress has been made in resolving these concerns.
Hon. Sesay highlighted the importance of the Mines and Minerals Development Act, which was revised to enhance compliance and ensure fair revenue distribution.
However, he expressed disappointment that mining companies continue to disregard Members of Parliament and traditional leaders when allocating funds, adding that in 2022, CDF allocations increased significantly from 4.5 billion Leones to 63 billion Leones, yet there is little evidence of how these funds have been used to improve the lives of people in mining communities.
A major concern raised by Hon. Sesay was the lack of fairness in the awarding of scholarships funded by the CDF. He claimed that Members of Parliament from mining districts are often unaware of the selection process, leaving many deserving students without opportunities. “We are receiving numerous complaints from students who apply for these scholarships but are rejected without clear reasons,” he said.
To address these issues, Hon. Sesay called for a special parliamentary meeting with key stakeholders, including the CDF Committee, paramount chiefs, mining companies, and relevant government agencies. He urged fellow MPs from mining districts to submit detailed reports on their concerns so that mining companies could be summoned to Parliament for accountability discussions.
The Speaker of Parliament Hon. Segepoh Thomas responded positively, encouraging all MPs facing similar challenges to submit their grievances before Friday so that a formal meeting with mining companies could be arranged next week. He emphasized that MPs have the right to know and be involved in all activities impacting their communities, ensuring that mining companies operate transparently and fulfill their corporate social responsibilities.
Hon. Sesay concluded by urging the Speaker to empower MPs in mining areas, allowing them to actively participate in Community Development Fund decisions. He warned that if the current issues are not addressed, future governments will struggle to maintain public trust in the mining sector.
