Defence Committee Probes RSLAF’s 500-Acre Cashew Drive

By Lemuella Tarawallie, Parliamentary Correspondent

The Parliamentary Committee on Defence, led by its Chairman Hon. Alex Mattia Rogers and Deputy Chair Hon. (Rtd.) Captain Sylvester Bioma, on Saturday, 23rd August 2025, carried out an oversight visit to the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) North-West 500-acre cashew intercropping project in Port Loko District.

The cashew initiative, championed by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Adara Bangura, is a flagship project aimed at boosting food security while enhancing the welfare of military personnel. It forms part of a broader strategy to promote agricultural self-sufficiency within the armed forces.

During the visit, Hon. Alex Mattia Rogers emphasized that while the Committee’s primary mandate is legislation and representation in Parliament, its oversight function is crucial in ensuring the welfare and sustainability of military initiatives. He stressed that the welfare of soldiers remains a top priority for the Committee.

Private Mansaray, who supervises the Port Loko cashew farm, outlined key challenges faced at the site, particularly the lack of safe drinking water. In response, Hon. Sulaiman Marrah Conteh proposed the establishment of a borehole to provide a permanent solution to the water problem, ensuring smooth operations of the project.

The oversight mission also extended to visits at the 4 Infantry Brigade personnel in Tekoh Barracks (Makeni), the 5 Infantry Brigade Headquarters in Gondama Barracks (Bo District, Southern Province), and the 2 Infantry Brigade in Kenema District (Eastern Province).