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In a recent session, the Parliament of Sierra Leone formally ratified the agreement between Chinese company Kingho Ports and Rail Company Ltd and the Government of Sierra Leone on the Pepel Port and Rail project.
This development follows the expiration of the previous lease agreement with Kingho Railway and Port Company Limited. A new deal has been approved with another company, ARISE IIP.
The minority leader, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, has called for an investigation into the dealings between the Government of Sierra Leone and ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms Limited (AriseIIP), expressing concerns about its potential to embarrass the country.
In January 2021, the government signed a two-year lease agreement with Kingho Railway and Port Company Limited for the management and rehabilitation of the railway and port between Tonkolili and Pepel. Following the expiration of this agreement in January 2023, the government received an attractive offer from ARISE Integrated Industrial Platforms Limited. This company pledged significant investments in facility development and ensuring fair competition among iron ore mining companies.
The Cabinet, led by the President, approved the deal with ARISE in January 2023, emphasizing the potential benefits for the country. However, just last month, the Government of Sierra Leone mutually canceled the Port and Rail Agreement with ARISE IIP, paving the way for Kingho’s return to the project.
One of the biggest mistake the government of this country has ever made is this one. Kingho mining company limited is not good for this country, infact what they rely and believe on is bribing. Chinese people will spend one million dollar when they know that they will get more than nine hundred million dollars for a particular thing. The government should not have terminated the contract it has with Arise IIP. It should have worked with the two companies simultaneously so as time goes on, the government will know which company is good for this country.
This is a big mistake on the side of the government, kingho should have just operates the mines and Arise IIP the port and rail so that other mining companies like Marampa and CTC will have access to the rail and port. But by giving the contract to Kingho the rail will be monopolized.