By Ragan M. Conteh

Tonkolili district had an historic event on Wednesday 4th June 2025.

It was about the newly elected Paramount Chief Member of parliament, Hon. Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Jalloh, commonly known as Musa Bendugu and who gave Mohamed Gento Kamara warmly welcome at his home district of Sambaia Benedugu Chiefdom.

The triumphant entry by Mr Gento in the Chiefdom was as a result of PC MP’s recent election in parliament of Sierra Leone as well as to introduce Mohamed Gento Kamara to his people. Mr Gento Kamara is a popular business man in Sierra Leone.

It could be recalled that, Majority of the Sambaia Bendugu residents on 3rd June 2021 elected Musa Bendugu as Paramount Chief and since he won the election, the Hon PC has changed not only political dynamics of his chiefdom but also the development trajectory of Tonkolili District.

The remarkable ceremony on Wednesday was witnessed by thousands of residents, authorities of government, MPs, councilors, chiefs and communities leaders across the Tonkolili district.

Hon. Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Jalloh’s welcoming statement also serves as a demonstration to his relentless efforts in changing the development narratives and the welfare of Sambaia people.

The event took a momentum U-turn when the Chief Executive Officer of the Gento Group of Companies, Mohamed Gento Kamara was formally introduced to the mammoth crowd.

Thousands including youths, women and stakeholders showered songs of praise for the home coming of the Paramount Chief, Musa Bendugu with Gento Kamara.

Commencing the ceremony, the chairman of the ceremony who also doubles as the All Peoples Congress (APC) Member of parliament, Hon Jaward Sesay who also hails from the chiefdom acknowledged the outstanding contribution of Hon PC Bendugu of Sambaia Chiefdom.

MP Sesay expressed satisfaction to the PC MP Musa Bendugu for making the dream of the people in the chiefdom come true.

He alluded to the fact that taking Mohamed Gento Kamara to Sambaia Bendugu is like seeking to uplifting the lives of the people and by removing them off from poverty stream.

He said his triumphant entry to the chiefdom is also a demonstration of the love the people have for the PC MP, therefore urging residents to refrain from violence and bad politics but to think of the development of their community.

“We are not here for politics but to show solidarity and support to the PC MP,” he said.

Addressing thousands of Sambaia Chiefdom, residents, the Paramount Chief Member of Parliament, representing Tonkolili District, Hon Alhaji Musa Bendugu expressed satisfaction for the unwavering support showed to him by the people of his Chiefdom as well as the entire Tonkolili District.

“My visit is not only to showcase my strength but to introduce a very reputable and notable business tycoon Mohamed Gento Kamara,” he said.

As a way to show a landmark move for local resource ownership, three chiefdoms in Tonkolili District have officially signed a land lease agreement with Gento Group to develop the mineral-rich Kasafoni Land.

The deal was announced during the homecoming of Paramount Chief MP Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Kulio Jalloh III in Bendugu Town where he and Mohamed Gento Kamara were warmly welcomed by land owners.

During the ceremony the Hon Paramount Chief MP declared the people’s full support for Gento Group of Companies, thus rejecting the foreign companies that have failed them.

Several stakeholders including section chiefs, youths, women, MPs and all stakeholders endorsed Gento Group as the rightful, local investor to take over the Kasafoni mines in their communities.

“We’ve approved Gento. No other investor is welcome here. In fact, Mohamed Gento Kamara’s name has changed to Gento Bendugu,” stakeholders all said.

Several district stakeholders while giving out statements praised PC Bendugu.