Leone Rock Supports SL Parliament with 1,000 Bags of Cement for Office Development

Leone Rock Metal Group, a leading mining company in Sierra Leone, has donated 1,000 bags of cement to the Parliament of Sierra Leone to support the construction of dedicated office spaces for Members of Parliament (MPs). This gesture is aimed at alleviating the accommodation challenges currently faced by MPs, who have long struggled with inadequate office facilities.

The donation was officially presented in a ceremony held at the Speaker’s Conference Room in the Parliament Building, Tower Hill, Freetown. The event was attended by several key stakeholders, including representatives from Leone Rock, parliamentary officials, and members of the media.

During the ceremony, Mr. Gilbert Bosco Nhabay, the Deputy Clerk of Parliament, welcomed Leone Rock’s representatives and expressed his appreciation for the company’s timely and generous contribution. He noted that Parliament has been actively seeking support for the construction of office spaces to address the current lack of adequate accommodation for MPs. Many MPs currently do not have dedicated offices and are forced to work in shared spaces, including the Parliament canteen.

“The donation of 1,000 bags of cement comes at a crucial time for Parliament, as we continue to work toward improving the working conditions of MPs,” said Mr. Nhabay. “This donation represents a significant step in ensuring that our Members of Parliament can carry out their duties in an environment that supports their productivity and effectiveness.”

On behalf of Leone Rock Metal Group, Mr. Ansu Momoh, the Director of Community Affairs, spoke about the company’s commitment to social responsibility. He explained that the cement donation was part of the company’s ongoing efforts to contribute to national development, particularly in areas that support governance and public infrastructure.

“We are proud of our strong relationship with the Parliament of Sierra Leone, and especially with MPs from the Tonkolili District, who have long been partners in our community development efforts,” said Mr. Momoh. “This donation is not just a charitable act, but a recognition of the important role that Parliament plays in the country’s development. We hope that this cement will help kickstart the construction of offices for MPs and contribute to a more efficient and conducive working environment.”

Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, the Leader of Government Business, also expressed his appreciation for the donation. He emphasized that national development is most effective when the private sector and government work together in partnership. Hon. Nyuma praised Leone Rock for its ongoing support to Parliament, especially in the area of infrastructure development, and called on other businesses to follow the company’s example.

“It is essential that we all work together for the betterment of Sierra Leone,” said Hon. Nyuma. “This donation is a testament to the fact that corporate social responsibility can have a meaningful impact on national progress. We hope this partnership will continue to grow as we work toward building a better, more modern Parliament.”

The Deputy Opposition Leader, Hon. Daniel Koroma, also highlighted the urgency of addressing the office space shortage. He pointed out that many MPs have had to make do with inadequate spaces, often resulting in a lack of privacy and the challenges of managing their parliamentary duties effectively. Hon. Koroma praised the donation, acknowledging that it would go a long way in easing some of these difficulties.

“Many MPs currently lack dedicated office spaces, and this affects not only their productivity but also their ability to serve their constituents effectively,” said Hon. Koroma. “We are grateful to Leone Rock for stepping in to help address this pressing issue. This donation will make a significant difference in improving the working conditions of MPs.”

In his remarks, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, thanked Leone Rock on behalf of the Speaker of Parliament and commended the company for its sustained support. He also acknowledged the Chinese government’s contributions to the office construction project, recognizing the importance of international partnerships in supporting national development.

“We have been in discussions with a number of construction companies and cement suppliers, including Leone Rock, to ensure that this project moves forward,” said Hon. Conteh. “We are confident that with this support, we will be able to create the necessary office spaces for MPs and improve the overall working environment in Parliament.”

Hon. Conteh also took the opportunity to share further updates on efforts to modernize the Parliament of Sierra Leone. He disclosed that the former Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament recently donated an electronic attendance system, which will allow staff to log work hours more efficiently and enhance overall accountability within Parliament.

“The modernization of Parliament is an ongoing process, and we are committed to improving both the infrastructure and the security of the premises for MPs and staff alike,” said Hon. Conteh. “This donation is just one of many steps we are taking to ensure that Parliament remains a place where the business of governance can be conducted with the highest standards of professionalism.”

The Deputy Speaker concluded by reiterating Parliament’s commitment to enhancing the working conditions of MPs and ensuring that they have the resources they need to serve their constituents effectively. He also mentioned that Parliament would inform President Julius Maada Bio about the cement donation and other ongoing efforts to improve parliamentary infrastructure.