The Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma has insisted that The Socfin Corporate Social Responsibility should go the people concerned directly and not “ill-motivated and ill-gotten people.”

He made the assertion on Thursday 14th December, 2023 during the ratification of the Agreement between the government of Sierra Leone and the SCOFIN Agricultural Company (SL) Limited in the Chambers of Parliament.

He described the agreement as positive and non-controversial and called on colleague parliamentarians not to politicize the project, stressing that it should be a people-centered agreement.

He said the government has done a lot of engagements with the company to address its challenges with its investment.

“Everything we asked for was about transparency and the benefit for the people,” he said.

The lawmakers said the company has done a lot, in terms of development citing the enormous employments created for the people of Sierra Leone.

On tax exemption, he said everything is prescribed by law and it’s clear in the agreement.

“The corporate social responsibility should benefit the people and not ill-motivated ones who want to benefit at the expense of the people concerned,” he said.

He went on to emphasize that no intimidation is needed in corporate social responsibility.

On domestic tax, he said the agreement has maintained the ECOWAS tax levied, and appreciated the Trade Minister for doing the needful on the agreement.

Hon. Nyuma said the company is producing oil, but the agreement also spelt out for the production of rice.

On employment and training, he said the agreement would train locals in light of educating them in various skills of disciplines.

“Much is given to the people in the agreement,” he added.

He concluded that the government is people-centered and called on MPs to ratify the agreement.

In his submissions, the Ho.n Musa Fofanah from Kono District said the agreement is non-controversial, but emphasized on the joint Parliamentary Oversight to monitor the company’s activities.

On the Corporate Social Responsibility aspect, he said it would benefit the people of Pujehun District and would also serve as a knowledge transfer.

The opposition leader, Hon. Abdul Kargbo referred to the agreement as non-controversial “But one way to change the dynamic of the dollar is to have policies of direct investment,” he said.

He supported the agreement and assured the opposition’s support, insisting what they want is good for the development of the state.

He welcomed the investment of the Socfin Company and its huge employment for the people of Sierra Leone.

He called for the exchange of knowledge and the transfer of skills with additional training for the locals.

The MP called for the company’s yearly report to government. On taxes, he said the company should pay all its taxes in order to boost revenue mobilization.