He noted that the project is aim at improvement developmental in the country, and therefore noting that it is the sole responsibility of the Government of Sierra Leone to acquire an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) license, land for quarry, and payment of compensations to project affected person (PAPs) as part of its counterpart contribution to any road projects across in the country.
Mr. Kanu pointed out that they have long acquired the EIA license for the Matotoka Road rehabilitation and construction project in December, 2013.
‘There was a misunderstanding that Salini Impregilo is operating a quarry for the said project without a valid license, and however failing to understand that the quarry f is among that
He said that closing Salini Impregilo will be a plus on the side of the company, as for every time they stop their operations, government suffers a payment of not less than US$ 10,000 a day, and if the said amount is being multiply for days it would be a huge loss of money in the side of the government if the company is closed.
The intended action of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) would only dent the accreditation of Salini Impregilo to it international partners, and it would not affect their stay in the Sierra Leone.
He said as always, contractors normally operate within time limits, and with the maximization of profit as their ultimate aim.
Mr. Kanu spoke on several references on other road projects in the country, while reminiscing on the situation that that occurred between the ‘Ojeh’ society and CRSG in Lungi, as they placed a ban on the construction activity of CRSG in Lungi. The situation he noted was not having any negative impact on the side of the contractors.
‘We have held several discussions with EPA- SL just to find a mean of amicably resolving the issue of payment for EIA license fee’, Mr. Kanu said, while stating categorically that they wanted the public to know that it is not the responsibility of any road contractor to acquire license for its quarry operation, and however noting that the said impasse had been resolved by SLRA and EPA- SL amicably.
