By Nasratu Kargbo
Leader of the Opposition Abdul Kargbo said he would like an investigation mounted over the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources’ handling of the Arise IIP Rail and Port agreement which was not honoured, saying it was an embarrassment to the nation.
Kargbo made this statement whilst debating the Rail and Port Lease agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone and Kingho Railway and Port Company.
He explained that the Government through the mines ministry on the 17th of January 2023 went into agreement with Arise IIP but later went against it. “I personally think an investigation should be done to restore investors’ confidence and for investors to note that when they are treated unfairly by any arm of government the person will not be dismissed with the back of the hand, that proper diligence will be done,” he said.
Kargbo spoke on the relevance of trust and confidence when it comes to doing business with the country, noting that Sierra Leone is a small nation and therefore needs investors to come and help develop it.
The MP said that for an investor to do business in a country, they would have to do thorough research on the country, explaining that it would not look good for the country with what has happened to Arise.
He said he believes that no investor will be happy with the Ministry of Mines after signing an agreement and later going against it.
“Other investors will nurture the perception that when they come to Sierra Leone they will be treated the same way,” Kargbo said.
He notified the Speaker Chernor Abass Bundu Ph.D that he would forward a motion for a formal investigation as to why the government took that decision.
The MP however noted that the agreement with Kingho is good for the nation, highlighting the good things the agreement brings.
Leader of Government Business Mathew S. Nyuma whilst responding to Abdul Kargbo said all agreements should be brought to Parliament, noting that the legislative arm is responsible for ratifying agreements. He explained that there are three arms of government and that if Arise IIP signed an agreement with the executive arm; they are not responsible for that. Nyuma said they are independent arms.
Parliament had on the 9th November 2023 ratified the Lease agreement between Kingho and the Government of Sierra Leone.
The issue of who should be awarded control of the rail and port has been a controversial one. There has been intense competition between the two companies over the facility which Kingho eventually ended up getting.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (15/11/23)
