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The National Investment Board (NIB), engaged in a comprehensive fact-finding mission to assess the activities of the Rewilding Company, which has been engaged in large-scale reforestation projects in the Bureh, Kasseh, and Maconteh Chiefdoms of Port Loko District.
This mission comes in the wake of complaints lodged by Rewilding Company against a publication by the SILNORF and HEKS, which questioned the company’s operations and its relationship with local communities.
In his statement, Executive Director, NIB, Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy emphasized the institution mandate as a one-stop shop for investment facilitation in Sierra Leone, underscoring the importance of ensuring that all investors uphold the highest standards of community engagement and corporate responsibility. He reiterated that NIB’s role is to ensure that investment-driven projects, such as Rewilding’s reforestation efforts, align with national priorities and contribute meaningfully to local development.
Victor Bangura, Ag. NIB’s Chief Operations Officer, explained the purpose of the fact-finding mission, stressing that the agency’s primary goal is to ensure that Rewilding Company is maintaining positive relationships with the communities it serves. “We are here to listen, observe, and ensure that all stakeholders benefit from the presence of this investment,” Bangura stated, highlighting NIB’s commitment to fair and transparent assessment.
Speaking on behalf of Rewilding Company, Hassan Salieu Gbla, the company’s Coordinator, thanked NIB for their intervention and highlighted the challenges the company faces, particularly with fire hazards that have impacted their operations. Gbla reaffirmed Rewilding’s commitment to working with the communities and contributing to their economic and environmental well-being.
The local community leaders, in turn, expressed gratitude to NIB for their visit and acknowledged the positive contributions Rewilding Company has made since its inception. They encouraged the company to continue in its efforts to support community development and environmental sustainability, stating that their partnership has been mutually beneficial.
A very big thank you to NIB team for their field visit to these communities to get first hand information from the local people themselves. Well done Rewilding Company for such a huge investment in Port Loko District on the reforestation of degraded land that will mitigate global climate change, enhance biodiversity conservation and also contribute to empowering local communities through the payment of annual land leases, providing employment opportunities and supporting community development initiatives.
A very big thank you to NIB team on their field visit to project communities to get first information from the people. Well done Rewilding Company for such a huge investment on reforestation and community development initiatives.