In a significant move aimed at addressing irregularities in the export of Sand Base Dimension Stones, the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Office of the President, has announced the appointment of Mr. Osman Kabba of Sierra Stone Export Mining Limited as the sole government agent responsible for overseeing the export process.

This decision, outlined in a recent press release, is part of a broader effort to improve transparency, accountability, and environmental compliance while generating much-needed revenue and foreign exchange for the country.

Over the years, the export of Sand Base Dimension Stones has been conducted by individuals, groups, or companies whose primary business registration did not specifically include this activity.

Many exports were labeled as “sample stones,” leading to significant discrepancies in Free on Board (FoB) prices and inconsistent payment of levies and regulatory fees.

This situation raised concerns about the accuracy of revenue data, environmental compliance, and the overall contribution of this sector to the nation’s economy.

The government’s press release highlighted that investments in the sector are not properly reflected in national gross domestic product (GDP) and income statistics, creating further challenges in accounting for the true value of the investment and exports to trading partners.

The disparity in data, revenue generation, and the negative environmental impact underscore the need for a harmonized export process and fiscal regime.

The appointment of Mr. Kabba as the sole agent is seen as a crucial step in rectifying these issues. His role will include conducting a comprehensive survey to determine the level of investment made into the Sand Base Dimension Stones sector, coordinating all exports, and ensuring timely payment of levies into the government’s Consolidated Revenue Fund.

This move is expected to streamline the export regime, improve regulatory compliance, and generate more revenue for the country.

In support of this initiative, the Ministry of Finance, in collaboration with the Ministries of Works and Public Assets, Trade and Industry, and Environment and Climate Change, has been tasked with working alongside the appointed agent to implement these reforms.

The government will also present the details of the fiscal regime for levy payments to Cabinet for consideration.