7 Sierra Leoneans certified as train drivers

After two years of training the main iron ore miner in Sierra Leone, African Minerals has certified seven locals, among them a woman, as “the first fully trained and qualified Sierra Leonean train drivers,” according to a press release from the company. They were among 42 Sierra Leoneans recruited as assistant train drivers and taken through various practical and theoretical courses in driving and operating a train. They are expected to fully sign their first permanent contract with the company requiring them to take over from the foreign train drivers. The release says the remaining 34 are also expected to complete their training and join their colleagues. This comes months after senior company officials met the university and other education stakeholders soliciting their cooperation and support towards the establishment of a skills-training institute in Magburaka and Pepel where the company’s mine and port are located respectively. One of the new graduates, Josephine P. Sesay who is said to be the first female train driver in Sierra Leone, thanked the Rail and Port management for giving her the opportunity to benefit from such training. She encouraged other women not to male dominance in their areas. The African Minerals Director of Communications, Anthony Navo the training of the Sierra Leoneans was a part of the process of “implementing the local content policy” which he said had witnessed the replacement of “a very good number of expatriates” by Sierra Leoneans. (C) Politico 13/08/13