TONKOLILI PARAMOUNT CHIEF LEADS PETITION IN SUPPORT OF LEASE AGREEMENT WITH GENTO GROUP
Parliament to Review Community-Backed Proposal on Kasafoni Iron Ore Project
Freetown, 3rd July 2025 Representing the unified voice of the people and Tribal Authorities of Dansogoia, Sambaia, and Diang Chiefdoms in Tonkolili District, Hon. Paramount Chief Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Kulio Jalloh III on Thursday tabled a formal public petition before the Parliament of Sierra Leone. The petition calls on both Parliament and the Government to honour a locally supported lease agreement between the three chiefdoms and the Gento Group of Companies an indigenous Sierra Leonean enterprise.
Addressing Parliament in his capacity as Paramount Chief Member of Parliament and Lead Petitioner, PC Jalloh invoked Standing Order 17 to present what he described as a constitutionally grounded appeal. The petition, submitted through the Clerk’s Office, reflects what he called the “collective and unanimous resolve” of his people to move forward with the lease agreement and ensure local voices are central in mineral resource governance.
Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, I rise today on behalf of my constituents and fellow landowners to formally present the prayers contained in this petition. This is not an attack on Government, but a legitimate call for justice and recognition of our rights,” PC Jalloh emphasized.
The petition makes the following key appeals:
- That Parliament and Government accept, recognise, and respect the unanimous decision of Dansogoia, Sambaia, and Diang Chiefdoms to enter into a lease agreement with the Gento Group of Companies.
- That Parliament review and, where applicable, annul the Sierra Leone Mines and Minerals Development and Management Corporation (Allocated Minerals and Mineral-Related Assets) Regulations, 2024 Statutory Instrument No. 11 of 2024.
- That, in line with Standing Orders 17 and 70(5)a, the Public Petitions Committee investigate the SLMMDC’s engagement with rightful landowners.
- That Parliament convene a special hearing with community stakeholders regarding the Kasafoni Iron Ore Deposit.
PC Jalloh urged MPs to consider the petition not as a political confrontation, but as a necessary platform to demonstrate Parliament’s responsiveness to grassroots concerns and to uphold democratic processes.
I respectfully submit this petition for your consideration and pray that the House acts with wisdom, fairness, and urgency,” he concluded.
The motion was seconded by Hon. Jawah Sesay, also representing Tonkolili District.
In response, Speaker of Parliament and Chairman of the Public Petitions Committee, Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, announced that the committee will convene a meeting on Monday at 2:00 PM to deliberate on the matter.
