The Parliamentary Committee Chairman on Mines and Mineral Resources, Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina has assured that a well harnessed natural resources will strengthen and ensure a resilient Sierra Leone economy.

He was speaking during a familiarization and interactive meeting with staff of the National Minerals Agency(NMA) and Members of the Parliamentary Committee on Mines and Mineral Resources at the former’s New England Ville office in Freetown.

The familiarization and interactive meeting held today, 2nd November 2023 was aimed at aligning the Agency’s policy operations and that of the Parliamentary Committee’s oversight responsibilities in order to ensure they sync in the interest of the nation.

“If we can harness well our natural resources, Sierra Leone is bound to have a resilient economy,” Hon. Lamina asserted, and called for the harmonisation of laws relating to natural resources management for the optimal benefit to the people of Sierra Leone.

He called for the respect of land owner’s rights and the ensuring of due diligence in the authorisation of mining rights and concessions.

MPs asked critical questions with solemn concerns to which the technocrats gave excellent answers.

In a synopsis, after the Chairman of Mines committee commended President Bio for first approving a detailed and comprehensive Artisanal Mining Policy after 90 years of mining with the payment of Le.70 billion of CDA in just a year; Hon. PC Paul N. Saquee, a member of the committee delivered the closing courtesy in few words.