AWOKO. Sierra Leone News: Koidu City Council to take OCTEA to court Mayor Emmerson Saa LaminaIn his new years day message marking the start of 2015 and the end of 2014, the Mayor of Koidu New Sembehun City Council Emmerson Saa Lamina said the Council has resolved that they will take legal action against OCTEA Mining Company for failing to pay their taxes. The Mayor said “that the Council with only 45.1% Own Source Revenue generation could not meet its budget line because the OCTÉA Mining Company reluctantly refuses to pay their taxes, and which, to all intents and purpose, is a challenge that works against the success of the Council and the progress of the city as a whole.” Because of this Mayor Lamina said their position is resolute “for the fact that the OCTÉA Mining Company deliberately refuses to demonstrate it’s co-operate social responsibility in the city despite persistent demand through several correspondences, Council is now left with no other alternative than to take legal action against the Company. Enough is enough.” “This negative attitude of the OCTÉA Mining Company is a gross contravention of the agreement signed with the Government of Sierra Leone in 2010”. This action he said also contravenes certain sections of the Local Government Act “which make provisions for property-tax payment. The Agreement clearly states that 2% of profit gained should be allocated to the Koidu New Sembehun City Council; that the Council should take the lead in community development projects and $100,000 USD shall be a contribution to capacity-building, 60% of which should be put aside for the expatriates and 40% for the indigenes with employable skills.” Mayor Emmerson Saa Lamina said he considers OCTÉA’s attitude towards the municipality as “completely against progress,” as the Mining Company, which contract expires in 2030, has several business including using three different camp communities with about 150 multiplexes, canteens, European and African illicit supermarkets, workshops, 50 drilling machines, the second biggest washing plant in Africa which works 180 tons per hour, 10 wheel loader, 7 graders, 7 truck trailers, 22 bulldozers, 45 ADT dumpers and 17 excavators. He complained “It is rather unfortunate, pathetic and very inhuman that a company with all these facilities in permanent engagement cannot pay their taxes to improve the lives of the Koidu people, over 85% of whom are living in abject poverty.” He disclosed that the Company will be responsible for any upheaval because they have deliberately blocked the water way between two major streams- Meiya and Woryie, which are the main outlets of the Gbense market during the rains.” Explaining about the success of the Council for 2014, Mayor Lamina said one of their success was in the procurement of solar lights and accessories for the Peripheral Health Units (PHUs) within the city; restoration of 2 megawatts for Koidu City electrification after almost three decades in abysmal darkness, starting the final stage of the tarmac road in Koidu City by GuicoPres Construction Company, rehabilitation of 3 hospital quarters in the city; provision of one new brand ambulance with support from IRC; procurement of motorbikes for hospital staff; completion of the paediatric ward; completion of the toilet at the holding centre at the city hospital and the provision of computer with accessories for the hospital staff. Also that the Council has rehabilitated three hectares IVS rice at Dorma along with the construction of a pen and stocking it with small ruminants at Simbakoro. Wednesday January 07, 2015
Posted on: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 19:02:33 +0000
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