In a press release issued by Zoodlabs Ltd., the company has succinctly explained its position with regard payment of royalties to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF).

Zoodlabs Limited’s response follows a newspaper report accusing the company of not paying into the Consolidated Revenue Fund in 2023, an annual fixed fee of US$1,440 (one million four hundred and forty four US Dollars) for the operation, maintenance and commercial management services of the Ace Submarine Fibre Optic Cable Landing Station and the ancillary infrastructure of Sierra Leone,

On the contrary however, Zoodlabs Ltmited in its press release issued on Thursday 19th December, 2024 unequivocally stated that apart from Zoodlabs Limited which is the company whose name features frequently in the press, they actually operate alongside other companies committed to serving Sierra Leone for the past four and half years such as Metrocable, FiberOne, and VULT—each playing a vital role in shaping the country’s digital future.

According to the press release, over the past four and a half years, “we have invested over $35 million in critical infrastructure that was long overdue. This effort wasn’t undertaken because it was easy — it was done because it was necessary.”

In the area of what Zoodlabs has achieved so far in Sierra Leone, the release states that among several achievements, Zoodlabs has modernized infrastructure in Sierra Leone with an investment of $6 million. This upgrade has increased capacity and efficiency and enhanced redundancies to a level unmatched by most ACE cable operators in the region.

The upgrade has also reduced wholesale data prices by Zoodlabs continues to reduce wholesale costs with the hope that these price reductions will filter down and affordable internet becomes a reality for all Sierra Leoneans.

Asked why they are speaking out at this point in time, senior officials at Zooblabs responded by saying that: “Recent narratives in the media have sought to undermine our work and our mission. Let us be clear: this group of companies exists to improve the lives of Sierra Leoneans. Every move we make is guided by the belief that every Sierra Leonean deserves access to affordable internet—a gateway to education, healthcare, employment, entrepreneurship and good governance.

“These attacks on our work are not just attacks on us—they are attempts to stall progress. But we will not waiver. We felt it was important to share this with you because you deserve to know the truth. Shortly we will be taking legal action against a couple of publications. This is necessary in order to set the record straight.”

In what they described as sending a message to all Sierra Leoneans with regards their commitment, the senior officials went further to say: “We are not here to take from Sierra Leone; we are here to build. Our companies stand united in their mission to expand connectivity across the country; to ensure affordable access to the internet for every citizen and we shall continue investing in infrastructure to secure Sierra Leone’s digital future.

“We are saddened that we must make this statement, but our commitment to transparency and progress demands it. We will remain focused on the work that matters: delivering reliable, affordable, and transformative internet access to all Sierra Leoneans.

“Thank you for standing with us as we strive to build a brighter future.”

The message to Sierra Leoneans was signed by Zoodlabs, Metrocable, FiberOne, Vult, and the Entire Team.