By Ragan M Conteh

On behalf of other tribal authorities and people of  Dansogoia, Sambaia & Diang Chiefdoms, Hon. PC Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Kulio Jalloh III, representing Tonkolili District, had on Thursday 3rd July 2025, tabled a petition in parliament, dubbed as Public Petition.

The Public Petition is urging Parliament and the Government of Sierra Leone to accept, recognise and respect the collective and unanimous resolve of the people and tribal authorities of Dansogoia, Sambaia, and Diang Chiefdoms to enter into a valid lease agreement with the Gento Group of Companies, an indigenous company in Sierra Leone.

“Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members of Parliament, I rise today in my capacity as Paramount Chief Member of Parliament from Tonkolili District as a Lead Petitioner in the matter before us, to formally present the prayers contained in the public petition duly submitted to the office of the Clerk in accordance with Standing Order 17 and the dictates of the rules of procedure.”

“This petition, supported by a cross-section of concerned citizens and rightful landowners of Dansogoia, Sambaia, and Diang Chiefdoms – is rooted in the constitutional rights which afford the people the chance to express their grievances to seek redress through their elected representatives,” the MP said.

He continued by highlighting the following prayers in the petition, which read as  follows:

That Parliament and the Government of Sierra Leone accept, recognise and respect the collective and unanimous resolve of the people and tribal authorities of Dansogoia, Sambaia, and Diang Chiefdoms to enter into a valid lease agreement with the Gento Group of Companies, that Parliament recalls and, where admissible, declare null and void the Sierra Leone Mines and Minerals Development and Management Corporation (Allocated Minerals and Mineral- Related Assets) Regulations, 2024 Statutory Instrument No. 11 of 2024.

That, pursuant to Standing Orders 17 and 70 (5)a, the Public Petitions Committee investigate the SLMMDC’s engagement with the landowners and

that Parliament convenes a special hearing involving stakeholders and community members regarding the Kasafoni Iron Ore Deposit.

The PCMP  appealed on  the Rt. Hon. Speaker and Members of Parliament not to view the petition as a motion against the Government, but rather as an opportunity to demonstrate their collective resolve in addressing the respective concerns of the Chiefdom through legitimate, lawful, and democratic means.

“I respectfully submit this petition for your consideration and pray that the House acts with wisdom, fairness, and urgency on the matter as presented before the House,”he concluded.

The motion on the petition was seconded by Hon. Jawah Sesay of Tonkolili District.

Meanwhile, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, who also doubles as Chairman of the Public Petition Committee, who have slated a meeting on Monday at 2:00:PM to sit on the matter.