This is because the National Minerals Agency (NMA) has extended the bidding period to encourage more business people to come forward, according a press conference it recently held in Freetown to provide further information on the status of the precious stone.

According to NMA’s Director General, Sahr Wonday, the diamond was cleaned in the presence of its owner to remove unwanted particles. He added that the diamond’s weight was now officially 709.41 carats.  

He said there were already six bidders who made their intentions known during the original bid period of 29 March to the 25 April this year.

Bidding will now be extended to May this year with the aim of attracting more bidders.

Presidential Spokesman Abdulai Bayraytay promised that the selling of the diamond would be very open and transparent, adding that President Ernest Bai Koroma’s instruction that the diamond be sold in Sierra Leone would be carried out.