August 11, 2016 By Ibrahim Tarawallie
Logistic and Procurement Manager at AMR Gold Company has asserted that the mining outfit was always ready to support the laws and policies of the government, which seek to improve the extractive industry in the country.
Eshaka Sidibay was making a brief statement at the Bintumani Hotel during a conference organised by the government, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) to raise awareness and educate mining/exploration companies, civil society and lawyers, among others, on the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources’ preparedness to develop a new Core Minerals Policy.
He thanked the organisers for providing them with the unique opportunity to be a part of the Core Minerals Policy development conference and pledged his company’s fullest support to the development of the policy.
While presenting a paper on the topic: “The AMV: Introducing Africa’s Road Map for Sustainable Exploitation and Utilisation of Mineral Wealth in Africa,” Paul Msoma said the AMV conference seeks to introduce the AMDC to stakeholders and enhance collaborative relationships, enhance collaboration and networking among stakeholders in the extractive sector, with regards the domestication of the African Mining Vision(AMV).
According to him, AMV was formally adopted by African heads of state in 2009, adding that, the AMV is the continent’s own response to tackling the paradox of great mineral wealth existing side-by-side with real life challenges.
Giving a synoptic background to the Sierra Leone Core Minerals Policy Preparation Process, Daniel Gbondo, from the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources, said the new policy would look at building human and institutional capacity of the state, mineral sector governance, and the challenges of building human and institutional capacity in Sierra Leone.
He underscored that the AMV could potentially benefit Sierra Leone, adding that domesticating it was very key to all African states. He stated that AMV focuses on advocacy and communications work-stream, which according to him was an opportunity to connect the AMDC and implementing countries to introduce the AMV.