He said he is very much convinced that the project will materialize considering the initial intervention put into the process by setting up a formidable team comprising of MPs, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, senior lecturers and students from the Aquaculture Department of Njala University College and from the print and electronic media.
This team he went on to say extensively visited various fishing farms/institutions in Ghana and Nigeria.
He emphasized that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Seawright Mining Company, Dr. Alfred Seawright is in high gear to kick-start the project in the country provided the enabling business climate/environment is created.
“This is where government is expected to play a friendly policy intervention to enable Seawright Mining Company easy access to implement the project. The team deserves praise and commendation for hard work done,” Hon. Alex Mattia Rogers said.
Bonthe District Constituency 092 Hon. Alice Jebbeh Kumabeh described the tour as a wonderful one because of its relevance to the country and people.
“The trip is over, but actions will justify the trip, be rest assured of the political will, thanks to the investors and the strong team that put ideas into actions,” he said.
Hon. Tom Isaac Tucker of Constituency 022 Kono District said Sierra Leone needs to do a lot from what they have seen in other countries if at all we want sustainable fish farming in the country.
He pointed out that all we can do as a country is to give Seawright the necessary support to ensure that their project are sustainable; not only in mining but also on how they can give back to the community and help the country.
“If we have other mining companies doing what Seawright is doing, we would have another story within the mining sector,” Hon. Tom Isaac Tucker said.
Head of Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Management at Njala University, Dr. Olufemi Olapade is now working on a comprehensive report to be submitted to the company’s CEO, Dr. Alfred Seawright, in consultation with Members of Parliament, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and other key stakeholders.
He added that they are putting together their experiences in Ghana and Nigeria and that the report will showcase the capacities of the two great countries with regard fish farming potential, adding that they came into contact with a host of technical people in Ghana and Nigeria.
“This is great; don’t forget that tax holidays for key inputs suppliers and moratorium for Seawright Mining to operate unhindered by acts and policies. This effort though business in nature is meant to uplift our people livelihood,” Dr. Olufemi Olapade maintained.
Meanwhile, Seawright Mining is operating as an exploration company in Nimiyama and Goroma Mende chiefdoms in Kono and Kenema districts respectively.
