June 1, 2016
Citigate Commodities Trading Limited has restated its desire to fully honour their corporate social responsibility towards host communities where it is at present executing diamond mining projects. The company is poised to add value to these communities and to ensure their overall development, says Folarin Adedayo, the company’s Chief Operations Officer and Country Director.
“We don’t see ourselves as foreign investors, we see ourselves as one of you. We are looking forward to a better tomorrow and we would like to build the future with you all,” declared Mr. Adedayor, while launching the company’s exploration licenses in the Nimikoro and Kamara chiefdoms in Kono district, Sierra Leone.
The launch took place at the Diamond Lodge Hotel, Airfield Junction, Yengema in Kono on Saturday, 21st May, 2016. The ceremony was graced by dignitaries including local authorities, residents from the two chiefdoms, officials from the mines office, government officials and other district stakeholders.
Mr. Adedayo explained that Citigate operates in three continents in the world and that the official launch of the Safa Afrique diamond mining project was a huge opportunity for its portfolio and the nation as a whole. He thanked Paramount Chiefs as custodians of the land and people and for giving Citigate “the opportunity to develop their mineral rights and the chance to benefit and promote the communities in the Kono district”.
Paramount Chief of Kamara Chiefdom, PC Melvin Ngakai, said he was pleased to have Citigate operate in his chiefdom in the midst of high rate of poverty and unemployment. He expressed hope that when the company would have moved from exploration to large scale mining they will help employ our youths, contribute to the growth of the economy and support community development programs . He then pledged the cooperation and support of his sub chiefs and the people in his chiefdom towards the operations of Citigate.
PC Dalton A. Bona of Nimikoro chiefdom said that as local authorities they needed serious investors like Citigate to come and create job facilities, boost the economy, develop communities and the nation. He requested the company to help provide social amenities while they undertake their exploration activities, adding “we approach an era wherein everyday things grow. We need development in infrastructure, capacity building so that there will be self-reliance.”
Regional Manager of National Minerals Agency in Kono, Arnold Warren Nottidge, reminded the people that they need investors as government alone could not make people benefit fully from their natural resources.
Member of Parliament representing Constituency 022, Hon. Sahr Samba welcomed Citigate to the district, adding that unemployment was high and that there was need for capacity building programmes. He lamented that communities need health and other facilities that would make life better for the people.
The ceremony was climaxed by cultural performance and raffle draw for a Galaxy J5 phone, which was won by one Andrew Kamara.