By Foday Moriba Conteh

Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Jalloh III, Paramount Chief Member of Parliament for Sambaya Chiefdom in Tonkolili District, has raised concerns over the distribution of surface rent payments made by mining company Leone Rock, calling on the Government of Sierra Leone to urgently investigate the matter.

Speaking on behalf of the people of Sambaya Chiefdom, the Paramount Chief emphasized that while the chiefdom supports constructive dialogue and peaceful engagement, it is currently grappling with what he described as an unfair sharing of surface rent and other mining-related benefits.

He commended Leone Rock as a responsible company that has supported communities within its operational areas. However, he stressed that the issue at hand goes beyond the company and requires government intervention through relevant authorities.

According to Chief Jalloh, although mining activities are fully concentrated in Sambaya Chiefdom, surface rent and other benefits are reportedly being shared among three chiefdoms Sambaya, Simiria, and Dansogoia. He noted that even during the era of London Mining, operations were carried out entirely within Sambaya lands, yet benefits were distributed in the names of the three chiefdoms.

“For over 13 years, the money that is supposed to belong to Sambaya Chiefdom has been shared among three chiefdoms,” he stated. “Mining is taking place in our chiefdom, but when it comes to benefits, they are divided among others.”

He questioned whether the sharing arrangement is based solely on boundary proximity, arguing that shared borders should not automatically entitle neighbouring chiefdoms to equal benefits when mining operations are not taking place on their lands.

Chief Jalloh further alleged that major infrastructure linked to mining operations including company camps and high-rise buildings has been constructed in Dansogoia Chiefdom, while Sambaya, where the bulk of mining occurs, has not received comparable development. He said explanations provided by the company often cite proximity as justification.

Citing official concession data, he stated that Simiria Chiefdom covers 12.34 hectares within the mining concession (0.12 percent), Sambaya covers 5,722.51 hectares (55.49 percent), and Dansogoia covers 4,525.25 hectares (44.39 percent). Based on these figures, he argued that benefits, including surface rent, should be distributed proportionally according to the extent of mining activities and land coverage in each chiefdom.

“What we are asking for is fairness,” he said. “Surface rent and other facilities should be shared according to where mining is actually taking place. A company should pay based on the iron ore mined in each chiefdom.”

The Paramount Chief warned that continued dissatisfaction could create tensions, noting that the chiefdom does not want the situation to escalate to the point of disrupting mining activities.

“We do not want to reach a stage where we stop mining operations. That is why we are appealing to the Government of Sierra Leone to investigate this issue,” he said.

Chief Jalloh disclosed that he has written to several ministries and copied both the Office of the President and the Office of the Vice President seeking intervention.

He concluded by calling on the government to review and clearly separate the entitlements of the three chiefdoms, ensuring that each chiefdom receives benefits that correspond to its contribution within the mining concession.

“We cannot continue to share what rightfully belongs to Sambaya Chiefdom,” he emphasized. “Each chiefdom should benefit according to what is due to it.”

The matter is expected to draw attention from relevant authorities as discussions continue around equitable benefit-sharing in mining communities across the country. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/paramount-chief-of-sambaya-calls-on-government-to-separate-mining-benefits-among-three-chiefdoms/