By Ragan M. Conteh

Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) Member of Parliament representing Moyamba District, Hon. Mustapha Sellu, has forwarded a bitter complaint against F S and Shunda-Ore Mining Companies operating in Baguruwa Chiefdom, Moyamba District.

The complaint borders on the violation of the laws of Sierra Leone as well as the company’s failure to adhering to the provisions of mining and environmental laws of the country.

He said the two small-scale mining companies in Moyamba District have been creating problems for residents in the community.

Hon Mustapha Sellu explained to the law house about the bad mining activities being undertaken by F.S Mining and Shunda Ore which have been affecting his people.

He said FS. Mining has 40-foot trailers that are plying that route, raising dust which is not good for the people’s health.

He revealed the Environmental Health Impact Assessment of the country requires that  the company was

to do dust suppression in the mining site as a way of mitigating its hazardous effects on the people but which advice, companies have not heeded or correct.

The MP highlighted provisions in the Mines and Minerals Development Act that explains on how not to make the environment to become hazardous and to always prevent the endangering of stocks, crops, and the community.

“As per this Act, the companies are in contravention of this particular section I have just highlighted,” Hon Sellu said.

He informed the house that he had tried to locate the office of FS Mining but had not been able to do so.

The MP  also spoke about Shunda Ore Company – – the company which also has trailers which

block the main road, and which resulted in motorists being diverted to rather dangerous routes.

He also noted other challenges that his people are facing.

But he admitted not to have made any formal complaint in that regard.

The MP said he had exhausted all avenues geared towards salvaging the situation, adding he had complained thrice to parliament but that no MP showed any willingness to help.

Making his submissions to the complaint of Hon Sellu, the Speaker of parliament, Hon Sengepoh Solomon Thomas, had ordered the Parliamentary Committee on Environment to summon these companies and investigate the issues and report to him within one month period.

“If the environment committee summons the heads of those companies and they refuse to attend the parliamentary summon, let me know that as Speaker, I will get them arrested and bring them to Parliament,” the speaker bragged.

The Speaker also urged the committee to effectively do their work regarding these complaints being raised and report to the chamber of parliament for any considerations.