๐๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐บ๐ผ๐ป ๐ ๐ผ๐ถ๐ด๐๐ฎ๐ต ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ต๐ป ๐ ๐ฎ๐น๐ฒ๐ป.
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Socfin Agricultural Company Sierra Leone Limited has on Friday 19th August 2022, fully paid the sum of Le562,920 (New Leones) to land owning families of Zone “C” in Malen Chiefdom, Pujehun District in line with the lease agreements between the Lessee and the government of the Republic of Sierra Leone for the period, 5th September 2022 to 4th September 2023.
The amount paid was the 50% portion which is legislated to be paid to the Family Heads in the area of Zone” C” amounting to USD 39,365 and converted to Leones at the very best rate providing 562,920 New Leone. This money was paid in the presence of witnesses and representatives of Government, Civil Society and journalists in Sahn Malen.
Addressing the relevant stakeholders, the General Manager, Socfin Sierra Leone, Mr. Philip Tonks, thanked all for witnessing the payments. The General Manager explained the terms of payments in percentages, starting with 50% going to the Heads of Families, whilst 20% is paid into the Chiefdom Administration account and another 20% is transferred into the Pujehun District Council account, while the remaining 10% is paid to the government account respectively.
Furthermore, the General Manager as usual expressed the wish that a greater percentage of the land lease is paid to land owning families and land users. The General Manager further encouraged government and respective stakeholders to help push for the realization of higher percentage of the land lease to be paid to land owners and users, something the General Manager stated remains closed to the heart of the management of Socfin Sierra Leone. He however said that currently these percentage distributions are legislated and it will require governmentโs intervention to change it.
Concluding, Mr. Philip Tonks disclosed that all of the recipients sign upon receiving their quantum of money and that a copy of the receipts are provided to management for accountability and transparency.
Buttressing the point, the Liaison Manager Mr. Joseph Belmoh, in short, stated that the money is paid to the chiefdom authorities for onward payments to the Heads of Households and that his role is to witness the transfer and will also travel to witness payment to the Heads of Households.
Receiving the money on behalf of PCBVS Kebbie at the special ceremony held , Chiefdom Speaker , SR Moiguah once more commended Socfin for prompt payment, nothing that Socfin is God- giving which has continued to change the narrative of Malen Chiefdom forever. The Chiefdom Speaker in brief outlined the impressive CSR offered by Socfin, including the construction and furnishing of primary and secondary schools. Additionally payments of stipends to teachers whose names are not on government payroll, constructions of roads, repairs of roads, payments of local taxes, cultivations of Boli lands for Lower Malen and IVS for Upper Malen, providing electricity for health facilities as well, as water wells, toilets, building community Barrys across the chiefdom, creations of thousands of jobs for the growing youths population, giving micro funds, amongst many others. Concluding, the Chiefdom Speaker lavished praise adjectives on the Government of H.E President Bio particularly for its overwhelming support to Socfin as a credible investor.
For their parts the Pujehun District ONS Coordinator Festus J Gbanie, ASP Squire KJ, Community Relations & Media Chairman Pujehun, CSO Mr. Swaray, Police Support Officer, Pujehun Division, Agricultural Officer, Mr. Alex Fissan, all praised Socfin for prompt fulfillment of its obligation and further encouraged the land owning families to continue to work with the management of Socfin Sierra Leone for a win- win situation.
Particularly, the police and Ministry of Defense personnel warned all to desist from engaging into any fruit theft, adding that such negative practices have the potential to derail the impressive corporate social responsibilities of the company. Additionally and of tremendous importance, the Pujehun District Civil Society Chairman, Mr. Swaray used the opportunity to debunk the conspiracy theory and unsubstantiated accusations of linking Socfin Sierra Leone to land grabbing, noting that the prompt payments of the land lease is enough practical example of legality and commitment manifested by Socfin Sierra Leone.
