Making various commendations marking September 30th 2015 tour of the facilities of Socfin alongside Local Chiefs and other stakeholders, each Parliamentarian after the other praised the company for favorably living up to its social functions carried out starting from April 2011 precisely when Socfin working in collaboration with the Government and local authorities started the establishment of the plantation which has now been accompanied by the completion of the largest oil mill in this part of Africa and now fully operational.

Expressing his impression during and after the tour which took the team to the mill while in operations, to the Socfin Community boli land rice farm cultivation sites, the Management quarters, Hill Station housing the fuel station, Garage/ ware house and other offices, newly handed over workers canteen, the Chairman Parliamentary Committee of Agriculture Hon: Alimamy G Kargbo, was quick to roundly dismiss and lashed out at skeptics and those he described as wicked and dishonest detractors for maliciously criticizing and lying on Socfin, referring to the act as empty and mere political propaganda ploy which has no basis.

Particularly Hon Kargbo challenged those detractors to now take the opportunity to join the bus services to Sahn and see things for themselves.

Hon Kargbo warned detractors to either put up or shut up.

Concluding Hon Kargbo thanks Socfin for hugely complementing the services of Govt. Repeatedly the Committee Chairman and team leader, referred to the work done as massive development projects including the strengthening of food sufficiency as demonstrated by the boli land and IVS rice projects for the people.

Similar expressions were made by various members of the committee all of whom abundantly lavished praise adjectives for the work of Socfin Agricultural Company Sierra Limited.

Again Hon Mohamed K Tholly of the SLPP, constituency 70 of Kakua Chiefdom categorically dismissed lies made against Socfin adding that any politician not in recognition of such a massive investment need to be dismissed for being blind to the need of the people if not their sustainability as Socfin he went on will provide for generations yet unborn.

Welcoming colleague Parliamentarians in his compound, Hon PC BVS Kebbie thanks all for coming and started off by singing the praise of Socfin referring to it as a baby born to his native Malen Chiefdom

For which the Chief showers blessings to the Govt. of President Koroma and further reassured all of Malen Chiefdoms’ continues commitment to the good work of Socfin.

Speaking further Chief Kebbie catalogued the good work of Socfin sighting the company’s positive contributions to the protracted fight against the dreadful Ebola, constructions of community roads and continues repairs of the highways linking Sahn to Pujehun and Koribondo.

Other areas made mention of were constructions and rehabilitation of schools, the payment of community teachers whose names are not on the pay roll, Constructions of water facilities and community barriers, Boli land and IVS rice cultivations for Upper and Lower Malen respectively.

Equally so the Chief thanks Govt. for providing Sahn town with a Govt. bus services plying to and from Freetown for the sum of thirty thousand Leones. Another development he attributed to the Presence of Socfin . Sahn , he went on can also boast of the presence of GT Bank while a technical centre is under construction.

Recounting the advent of Socfin Hon PC BVS Kebbie paid enormous tribute and commendation to the patient and rewarding contributions made by the energetic Country Director Mr. Gerben Haringsma and his closed working partner in the person of Mr. Lewis Shilling who is the Administrative Secretary of Socfin. Sierra Leone

Briefing the Committee shortly before the commencement of the tour, General Manager Mr. Philip Tonks reassured all of Socfin’s ever growing commitment to revamp the country’s’ economy as socfin continues to invest and work with the Govt. and the people of Malen Chiefdom.

During the tours personnel of Socfin staring with the Technical Manager ,Georgois Ntrivas , mill manager, Akwasi Adu Boahen led the team to see the segments of the mill as it operates for which he was commended

Similarly Liaison Officer Mr. Dauda Jayah in details explained the activities of the rice farm while Mr. Gbesay Bojon brifed the committee of the newly incorporated fishing pond project while the Human Resource Manager Mr. Abu Amara from time to time explained the work done.

Earlier the PRO Mr. Easmon Moiguah explained about the Green belt which he stated are portions of land previously leased to Socfin but were turned back for social and other functions of each community.

Read the original article here:www.thespectatornewspaper.sl

The legitimate and rightful Youths Development Organization in Sahn Malen Chiefdom made the statement in the wake of the barbaric and criminal act by a few ill-motivated individuals within the chiefdom.

The youths have vehemently condemned the violence perpetrated against the Plantation Manager and Zone A Manager of Socfin Agricultural Company on Thursday 15th January.

The two managers were brutally attacked and put under gun point close to Bamba village, two miles outside Sahn Malen Chiefdom, by a few hoodlums. “Malen Youths Development Organization view with dismay the malicious and vicious attack on peaceful foreign workers as an act of vandalism tantamount to a calculated and deliberate attempt to put fear in the populace and the entire workforce thereby disrupting the smooth operations of the company which has become the major source of employment for over five thousand mostly youths drawn from across the country,” a press release issued by the organization states.

According to the release, the Malen Youths Development Organization further wants the entire public to know that they constitute the only legitimate registered landowners of Malen Chiefdom who are prepare and ready to continue to relate, cooperate and work with Socfin Agricultural Company.

The youths also want the Government and the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) to leave no stone unturned but to arrest and bring to book the perpetrators of such heinous crime that has the potential to cause greater harm to the chiefdom and the rest of the country.

The passionate youths called on the indigenes of Malen Chiefdom to join force with the view of providing reliable and vital information useful to the ongoing police investigations.

Malen Youths Development Organization also appealed to all peace-loving indigenes to be always prepared to help put out any fire attacks within and outside the plantation.

The organization also entreated indigenes to help contain the deadly Ebola virus by complying with health regulations and refraining from traditional and cultural practices.

Read the original article here: www.thespectatornewspaper.sl

Read the original article here: www.globaltimes-sl.com

Two expatriate staff members of the company were violently attacked on January 15 in a village close to Bamba. One of the staff members, Gordon Paterson was shot in the arm by some unknown persons. The Police have arrested and detained thirteen suspects in connection with the incident.

The Malen Youths Development Organization condemned the attack on the company describing it as “barbaric and inhuman “. The influential Youth group says its membership was appreciative of the good work Socfin was undertaking in their chiefdom and called on the Government to provide adequate security for the company’s personnel and property. They urged all natives of Malen Chiefdom to join forces together to protect Socfin personnel and property.

The organization’s Chairman, Mustapha Fofana paid glowing tributes to Socfin for creating thousands of jobs for youths in Malen Chiefdom.
Mr. Fofana said his group was one hundred percent supportive of the operations of Socfin in their Chiefdom. He described the management of Socfin as “very understanding and cooperative”.

See press release Below.

Press Release

Malen Youths Development Organization hereby roundly condemn Thursday Jan. 15th 2015 barbaric and inhuman act of violence perpetrated against the Plantation Manager, Mr. Gordon Paterson and the Zone A Manager, Mr. Tanguy Denis, both of Socfin Agricultural Company Sierra Leone Limited, with oil palm plantation located in the Malen Chiefdom, Pujehun District. Southern Province.
The two became a subject of gruesome attack when they came under gun firing closed to Bamba village two miles outside Sahn Malen, the Chiefdom Head quarter town on Thursday night between the hours of nine and ten pm while driving onboard company vehicle with registration number AJE 690 shortly after having spearheaded the putting off a fire believed to have been ignited by people yet to be identified by police.
Malen Youths Development Organization view with dismay and shock at the malicious and vicious attack on peaceful workers as an act of vandalism tantamount to calculated and deliberate attempt to put fear into the population and the entire workforce thereby disrupting the smooth operations of the company which has become the major source of employment now put beyond five thousand mostly youths drawn across the country.
The Malen Youths Development Organization further want the entire public to know that they constitutes the only registered true land owners of Malen Chiefdom who are prepare and ready to continue to relate and work together with Socfin Agricultural Company for the benefit of the Chiefdom and its people and Sierra Leone as a whole.
In view of the foregoing Malen Youths Development Organization hereby encourage Government and the Sierra Leone Police to leave no stone unturned but to arrest and bring to book those perpetrators of such a heinous crime which has the potential to cause greater harm to the Chiefdom and the rest of the country.
Having said that Malen Youths Development Organization in turn urges all natives of Malen Chiefdom to join forces with the view of providing reliable and vital information useful to the ongoing police investigations.
Over and above Malen Youths Development Organization want all to know that Socfin Agricultural Company is close to the hearts of peace loving land owners more than ever before and shall continue to live together for the development of all and to help rebuild war torn Pujehun District and Sierra Leone at large.
Lastly Malen Youths Development Organization formerly appeal to all peace loving natives of Malen Chiefdom to be in readiness to help put out fire attacks within and outside the plantation while doing all to help contain the dangerous Ebola outbreak by simply complying with health officers and to observe the protocols in respect of the eradication of the dreadful outbreak.
Long live Socfin Agricultural Company! Long live Malen Youths Development Organization and peace loving natives of Malen Chiefdom!

Read the original article here: www.globaltimes-sl.com

The People’s Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) erstwhile Member of Parliament from Pujehun District has been extremely troublesome and obstinately obdurate in his behaviour towards landowners, chiefdom and district authorities, and the Socfin Agricultural Company (SL) Limited since its establishment in the Sahn Malen Chiefdom. Former Hon. Sheka Sama has on many occasions mobilized remnants of PMDC villains to embark on nefarious and riotous activities that would discredit the Socfin Agricultural Company (SL) Limited as well as the chiefdom and district authorities that legitimately endorsed the operation of the company in Sahn Malen Chiefdom, Pujehun District. But Sheka Sama has finally been exposed by supporters of the so-called MALOA organization he illegitimately formed to disrupt the operations of Socfin Agricultural Company (SL) Limited in the chiefdom.

The one-million-dollar question on the lips of many concerned Sierra Leoneans is why Sheka Sama, who is ought to know better as former lawmaker, could resort to deliberately damaging the reputation of a company that is not only bringing development to Sahn Malen Chiefdom but also creating job opportunities for the indigenes of Pujehun District in particular and the people of Sierra Leone in general? Something must be fundamentally wrong with the erstwhile legislator whose cohorts have abandoned him midstream, having realized that his devilish intentions were detrimental to the development of Sahn Malen and its people who benefiting tremendously from the operations of Socfin Agricultural Company (SL) Limited).

Apart from misleading the general public that his recent trip to Paris was on the invitation of the Management of the agricultural company, one of his nefarious deeds together with his MALOA supporters has been exposed to the greatest disappointment and dismay of the people of Pujehun District. It is shocking that Sheka Sama had the temerity to order his recalcitrant supporters of MALOA to poison River Malen with DDT on the pretext that it was the Socfin Agricultural Company (SL) Limited that polluted the river which caused the death of thousands of fishes as reported by villages on the bank of the river such as Kortumahun, Massao and Ngumgbuma. This diabolic incident engineered by Sheka Sama caused the intervention of the Environment Protection Agency – Sierra Leone (EPA-SL) which accused the company of polluting the river. But following a thorough investigation by the state agency, it was discovered that the former PMDC parliamentarian was the mastermind of the river pollution after he was exposed by his so-called MALOA supporters who have now seen reason to wholeheartedly back the operations of the company in their chiefdom. One of those who confessed poisoning the river, which serves as a boundary between Sahn Malen Chiefdom and Bum Chiefdom in the Bonthe District, was a PMDC Councillor who had earlier alleged that they would poison the river and blame it on the company.

The incident took place in February this year and after a though investigation, EPA-SL exonerated Socfin Agricultural Company (SL) Limited of any wrongdoing. And contrary to the deliberate lies being traded by Sheka Sama about the company, EPA-SL was also satisfied that the company was in full compliance of conditions set by the state agency such as public disclosure, registration, environmental protection and many others.

These ugly developments that have been taken place in Sahn Malen were the handiwork of Sheka Sama and his recalcitrant PMDC youths whom he had been leading like a herdsman. In the process, he had annoyed not only the company and his people but the rest of Pujehun District. But now that he has failed woefully in all his endeavours to blackmail and discredit Socfin Agricultural Company (SL) Limited, he has finally called for a truce despite the company and the chiefdom authorities have no grouse against him but his behaviour which is unacceptable and incomprehensible.

Sheka Sama also claimed in the media that the agricultural company was not treating its workers fairly, but that also has been proven wrong as the company is among those with better terms and conditions of service for the local workers. He did all of this to blackmail the company so that the people of Sahn Malen would rise against it thereby disrupting its operations in the chiefdom, but it has boomeranged.

What Sheka Sama should know is that his nefarious activities against the operations of Socfin Agricultural Company (SL) Limited are criminal. It is a fully registered company and everything about its operations is legitimate. The landowners of Sahn Malen have expressed their satisfaction with the company which has provided job opportunities for many of their indigenes and people from other parts of Pujehun District and even beyond. Sheka Sama’s untoward behaviour is anathema to development which he failed to take to Sahn Malen when he was a Member of Parliament. He is therefore advised in his best interest to either shape up or ship out.

Read the original article here: www.thespectatornewspaper.sl

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) License has been granted to SAC on the 19 January 2012, renewed on the 19 is a very costly but necessary license. This licence is issued according to the compliance of the Company within the “Terms and Conditions on the issuance of an EIA Licence” which describes the requirements needed to achieve compliance with the EIA Licence. Any failure to comply to the certification would attract the necessary penalties and lead to the suspension, cancellation or revocation of Environmental Permit. The conditions of assessments differ in two areas, the theoretical and the implementation. Environmental Management and monitoring reports are sent quarterly and yearly to the EPA describing every activity the company undertakes and the mitigation measures put in place (with timelines and costing) to avoid or reduce the impacts. The reports should include the program and plan on the following topics:

• General and Hazardous Waste Management
• Occupational Health and Safety Management
• Community Benefits and Development Action Plan
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• Legal and International Regulatory Requirements
• Water, Soil, Air and Noise Monitoring Report
• Soil Erosion Management
• Water Resource Management
• Oil and Hydrocarbon Management
• Energy Management
• Environmental Incident Management

According to the residents, a town which was considered as an eerie chiefdom has metamorphosed into a works yard due to the timely intervention of the company and that of their diligent and hard working Paramount Chief. Chiefdom Speaker of Sahn-Malen Chiefdom explained to this medium that the people of Malen chiefdom are wholeheartedly please with the presence of the company and the developmental projects the company is doing in the chiefdom. “We are actually thrilled by the developmental projects we are seeing in Sahn-Malen chiefdom”, he said.
“We are appealing to all detractors to stop carrying negative stories about the company, we the stakeholders and people of Malen Chiefdom are elated with the company operations.

Chief Moiguah was also cheerful to make known to the public that the so-called Malen Affected Land Owners Association (MALOA) does not have any recognition in the chiefdom, and the public should give them deaf ears. “80% of this individuals posing to be land owners are not, they are doing monkey business in the chiefdom”. He said. The Chiefdom Speaker ended up by appealing to the storytellers to think Sierra Leone and not their individual beliefs.

General Manager of Socfin Agricultural Company Philip Tonks, continues to reiterates the company corporate social responsibility in Pujehun District as massive to the people of Sahn-Malen Chiefdom and the district as a whole. He also assured the chiefdom authority of their continued supports to the chiefdom whenever the need arises. Philip also appreciate the local authorities in Malen for their unreserved support towards the company and also make known that SAC is operating in a open forum for Sierra Leoneans to see the transparency of the company. The construction of water-wells, community roads, public toilets, extension of the clinics, and central mosque for the chiefdom are all evident of the facts that the company is yielding to its corporate social responsibility.

ING. Sven Van Den Broucke, head of projects Socfin Agricultural Company stated that the Mill has been designed for a total processing of 60tons fruits per hour, of which the first phase is 30ton/hr which will be extended. The extraction rate of oil he said will be around 22%, the mill will provide its own electricity, a steam boiler (20ton/hr steam) that runs on the fibers of the fruits, which will be used for keeping the whole process sterile and to also generate a turbine. The capacity of the turbine is 1,8MW, which will produce in the first phase 1.2MW of electricity. An oil storage of 4200 ton on site, a kernel storage of 600M on site also. The Mill which is nearly in completion is one of the biggest in West Africa.
by Cecil Cole Showers Jnr

Read full article here: www.thespectatornewspaper.sl

Below is a Press Release Issued out by Local Chiefs of Malen Chiefdom.

SPECIAL PRESS RELEASE MADE BY THE LOCAL CHIEFS OF MALEN CHIEFDOM DATED 30TH MARCH 2014.

The local Chiefs of Malen Chiefdom hereby express thanks and appreciation to the Government of Sierra Leone for its supportive role accorded to the ongoing operations of Socfin Agricultural Company Sierra Leone Limited as an Agricultural investor’s busy carrying out its economic and development activities in Malen Chiefdom in the Pujehun District.

The local Chiefs and the peace loving people of Malen Chiefdom will as usual continue to cooperate and extend open hands to all law abiding functional local and international NGOs but view with total dismay and profound shock the uncompromising attitude to Green Scenery which has continue to hold meetings otherwise considered as confrontational and unacceptable as it has systematically promoted discord by working alongside unregistered groups including MALOA.

And inline of the foregoing the local Chiefs are left with no option but to call on all law abiding residents of Malen Chiefdom to henceforth stop from attending meetings and doing business with Green Scenery with the view of putting an out all end to illegal activities perpetrated by Green Scenery as recently evident with the visit of the Parliamentary Committee of both land and Agriculture which was occasioned with the failure of the Executive Director of Green Scenery Joseph Rahall to provide documentary evidence irrespective of the activities of Socfin.

Notwithstanding Malen Chiefdom remains open and receptive to all genuine operating NGOs in line with Government activities but not the likes of Green Scenery which uses entities like MALOA to push forward its agenda as it has continue to hold clandestine meetings only to put natives of Malen Chiefdom apart.

In conclusion, the local Chiefs and people of Malen Chiefdom want to make abundantly clear that they will continue to partner with aspirations of Socfin for better development undertaking.

Read the original article here: www.thespectatornewspaper.sl

A press release issued by the Malen local authorities called on all law – abiding citizens resident in the chiefdom not to attend town hall meetings summoned by Green Scenery officials. They also advised Malen citizens not to do any business with Green Scenery and its officials operating in the chiefdom.

The local authorities say they will continue to work and cooperate fully with NGOs that are law – abiding. They condemned the confrontational attitude that is being promoted by Green Scenery in the Malen Chiefdom.

The Paramount Chief of Malen Chiefdom, Hon. BVS Kebbie has described the uncompromising attitude of Green Scenery as “totally unacceptable”.

The Executive Director of Green Scenery in Sierra Leone, Joseph Rahall is accused of misleading Parliament on the activities of Socfin Agricultural Company operating in the Malen Chiefdom.

A Parliamentary spokesman said last night that Green Scenery had a difficult relationship with some senior members of both the Lands and Agriculture oversight committees in Parliament.

Joseph Rahall, a former Secondary School teacher and journalist with the For Di People Newspaper was not readily available for comment last night.

Read the original article here: www.globaltimes-sl.com

After meetings with several of the so-called aggrieved land owners, it came out that, all along, Green Scenery had based their reports and accusations about the operations of SAC on a cocktail of lies supplied by some discredited individuals claiming to be members of the group MALOA (Malen Land Owners Association) led by Hon. Shiaka Sama.

Green Scenery has been publicly accused by one of the local authorities of trying to create unrest in their Chiefdom by allegedly supporting rebellious groups like MALOA. Various other Parliamentarians and many others made contributions in total condemnation of the behaviour and the handiwork of Green Scenery Director (Joseph Rahal).

The Parliamentary Committees expressed congratulation for Socfin for living up to its Corporate Social Responsibility, particularly for the rice cultivation project started since 2011 which aims to provide food sufficiency in Malen and beyond.

This visit has exposed the activities of some of these so-called NGOs. Green Scenery has lost credibility in Sierra Leone and MALOA is no longer considered as a credible advocacy group because of its biased approaches against Socfin.

Rear more articles about the subject here:

1. www.thespectatornewspaper.sl
2. www.globaltimes-sl.com
3. www.globaltimes-sl.com