Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Government of Sierra Leone is set to take decisive steps to ensure that diamond mining giant Koidu Holdings honours its obligations to its staff and the country, according to Alhaji Alpha Kanu, a former minister and current aide to President Julius Maada Bio.
Speaking in an interview with AYV TV last week, Kanu disclosed that both the Ministry of Labour and the Ministry of Mines will act to enforce the company’s compliance with its commitments.
“The Government, through the Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Mines, is going to take the requisite action to ensure they meet their commitment,” Kanu affirmed.
Kanu noted that while a global slump in diamond prices—caused by the rise of synthetic diamonds—has created challenges for the industry, companies must still follow the proper legal channels if they wish to scale down or cease operations.
“Because of this [drop in diamond prices], people want to lock shop or close business,” he explained. “But there are procedures in the Mines and Minerals Development Act of 2022, as amended.”
He accused Koidu Holdings of not adhering to those procedures, emphasizing that due process must be followed even amid economic pressures.
Highlighting the significance of the mining sector, Kanu pointed to the establishment of the Mineral Wealth Fund as a critical step in ensuring that local communities benefit from mining activities. The Fund is designed to make community members stakeholders in the companies that operate in their areas.
The ongoing concerns about Koidu Holdings reflect broader anxieties over accountability and fair labour practices in Sierra Leone’s extractive industries. As the government pledges oversight, all eyes are now on whether Koidu Holdings will meet its obligations or face regulatory action.
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