The Diamond Development Initiative (DDI), Local Non-Governmental Organisation has launched its Land Reclamation Project in Kono District.

The project aims at bringing sanity, order and rebranding of the diamond sector in Sierra Leone.

Speaking at the official launch held at the Youth Centre in Koidu City on Thursday 31st January 2019, the Country Programme Manager, Mr. Joseph Mboka explained that his organization engages mining communities to enlighten them about international best practices in the sector.

He went on to state that one of DDI’s objectives is to reverse the bad image of the country as one that produces “Blood Diamonds” to a place that enjoys peace and stability in a with a well-regulated mining industry.

The Diamond Development Initiative (DDI)offers training and guidelines as to the rightful conduct of mining in Kono district while discouraging the use of child miners; acquires legal licensing for and also provides basic equipment to facilitate smooth operations of miners.

The Project Officer of DDI, Mr. Mansaray disclosed that they have 16 certified sites under the project that would be issued with certificates out of the 26 provisional sites in the six mining chiefdoms in the Kono district.

The objectives of the Land Reclamation Project he informed are to improve the condition of artisanal mining communities; conducting chiefdom and district wide sensitization while targeting 90 sites overall with 30 prioritised yearly.

The Project Officer emphasized that the reclaimed lands are not for construction houses or garages but to offer alternative livelihood activities to the community people through agriculture etc.

“We hope that the Government would learn from the impact of this project and incorporate the lessons learnt,” Mansaray said.
Mohamed Gaima, the Regional Manager of the National Minerals Agency (NMA), in his statement said that the mining sector has not been well regulated in the past while emphasizing that security and livelihood alternatives are very paramount.

He noted that with the project has to be community-led in order to achieve its objectives and also incorporating other stakeholders in the mining sector.
Gaima noted that the artisanal mining sector is fraught with challenges and advised the management of DDI to focus on human settlement, heath, security and alternative livelihoods of mining communities.

The NMA Regional Manager pledged the full support of his institution toward making the project successful.
Arthur Kargbo, the Executive Director of Advocate for Social Justice and Development (ASJD), another local NGO operating in Kono District, maintained that this project would bridge the gap between targeted communities and the Government; adding that those communities should be fully involved and lead the project.

“The National Minerals Agency and the Ministry of Mines should be an integral part of this land reclamation project to achieve set objectives,” Arthur Kargbo said while assuring of ASJD’s support at all times.

The Senior Regional Environment Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ibrahim M. Turaynoted that development is an integral part of human life and that mining is part of it too.

“The DDI project stems from the glaring environmental problems in the country and mined out pits are a huge menace to our communities and this requires the input of the community people to tackle it,” Turay stated. He urged DDI to consistently sensitise the people about the project and assured of EPA’s commitment to ensuring the project becomes worthwhile.

The Chairman of Kono Diamond and Gold Dealers Association, Prince Saquee said he trusts the objectives of the land reclamation project and the management of DDI as they mean well for Kono District.

He cautioned that DDI should ensure that the community people own up to the project as their willingness to rebuild the district I key to the success of the project.

Prince Saquee appealed to DDI to employ the youth in the district land reclamation exercise as a way of job creation.

The District Agriculture Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Kono District- LaminMbogbain delivering his keynote address to officially launch the project stated that the President of Sierra Leone Julius MaadaBio has prioritized agriculture and providing the political will for the sector to thrive and flourish.

He noted that his Ministry cannot work alone but needs other development partners like DDI amongst other in the sector to make a significant impact.

“Land Reclamation is very significant in Kono district and the country as a whole,” Mbogba stated; adding that the Agriculture Ministry is willing and committed to supporting DDI’s initiative.

Mohamed Jabbie, a representative of the Paramount Chief of Gbense Chiefdom, appealed for close collaboration between DDI and the chiefdom authorities in addition to school pupils so that they would ensure the project succeeds and learn the best mining practices going forward.

Representatives of the Paramount Chiefs of Tankoro and Nimikoro Chiefdoms re-echoed similar thoughts of the timeliness of the DDI land Reclamation project in the district while assuring that they would be completely involved from the initial stage to the closing phase to enhance a thorough implementation.

A demonstration was done at one of the target mined out sites at Briwo Motors, Old Yengema Road in Koidu City to give an idea to stakeholders on how the project would be implemented.