The PCs & the District Council (DC) will together disburse the rent to the beneficiaries, based on sec 34 of the MMA & the PC will collect the landowners’ -50%, his own -15% & the Chiefdoms Admin – 15%. Sadly enough, two of the four PCs had passed away and their Regent Chiefs (Caretaker Chiefs) received the advices for their chiefdoms.

The respective DCs received their 15% & the 10% for Constituency Development Fund will remain in the DC’s account until the new MPs take office. In the past the CDF for MPs were paid into their personal accounts. SLEITI is advocating for immediate termination of this practice.

The communities had anxiously wait to receive their payments as Shandong is experiencing a decline in mining activities & low exports due to low iron ore prices in the commodities market. PC ABY Koroma appealed to SD Steel to repair/maintain their main road & provide monthly support to their Bumbuna radio station.

In the same ceremony, the community people were handed their long awaited relocated communities documentations for their lands & individual houses after a long wait.

Statements were made by the Shandong, EPA & SLEITI representatives. Surface rent payment continues in the Bombali and Port Loko Districts.