𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐎𝐟 𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐀𝐭 𝐍𝐌𝐀

The former Director General of the National Minerals Resources (NMA) and current Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Daniel Mattai yesterday officially handed over to his successor, Ing. Hadji Dabo to begin his official tenure of the political leadership at the NMA as members of staff bid farewell to his predecessor.

During the official handing over ceremony at the NMA Headquarters at New England in Freetown Thursday, Mr Mattai noted that his successor Mr Dabo had taken over at a time when the NMA was effectively and professionally managed with a functioning, credible, and distinguished leadership team that included Ing. Dabo as the then Board Chairman of the NMA Board of Directors.

Mr Mattai handed over what he described as a ‘noteworthy strategic plan’ that summarised everything his leadership achieved in four years and five months as the Director General of the NMA to his successor whom he described as a mentor and role model.

He said he had left a mark at the Agency since his appointment in February 2019, without elaborating on the achievements. While at the helm of affairs, he said he did not see himself as the leader; rather, he was an integral part of a team that achieved a lot.

As a result, he thanked the team especially the Board of Directors headed by the incoming Director General whom he said is meticulous and had a reputation of discipline.

The Director General, Ing. Hadji Dabo said his predecessor had laid the foundation for his incoming administration as the Minister said the NMA is in a better position than it was when he assumed office at the helm in 2019, thanking him for setting examples and standards, including discipline.

Ing. Dabo promised to instil discipline and improve on what has been achieved already by his predecessor. “We will maintain the standards and strive for a better.”

Furthermore, Ing. Dabo assured seamless coordination between the supervisory ministry and its professional and technical wing – the absence of which they said had almost paralyzed the sector, depriving the country and its people of benefiting from the mineral endowment.

Elsewhere, the Chairman of the NMA Board of Directors is Alhaji Mustapha Turay. He was a Board Member for over four years before he placed the new Director General, who was the then Board Chairman.