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Sierra Leone News: Agric. Minister inspects Palm Oil Plantation in Mattru
Sierra Leone News: Agric. Minister inspects Palm Oil Plantation in Mattru
28/11/2014 (Awoko) - The Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security (MAFFS), Dr. Joseph Sam Sesay has toured the vast expanse of the old and new palm oil plantation sites of the Sierra Leone Palm Oil Production Project in Jong and Sogbini Chiefdoms, Bonthe District.
As part of his assessment of the impact of the deadly Ebola disease on the agricultural sector, Dr. Joseph Sam Sesay also inspected the project store at Gambia village in Mattru Jong which houses various equipments used to ensure the Palm Oil Project becomes a reality.
Speaking during a meeting held at the Ministry of Agriculture offices in the Mattru Township, the Agriculture Minister expressed his delight at making the visit as “the district is very close to the President’s heart.”
He said the Government is committed to bringing developmental projects to the people of Bonthe district aimed at improving their lives; adding that the Palm Oil Project is one of such while appealing for total support of the community and local stakeholders in ensuring successful implementation.
He disclosed that the palm Oil Project would construct Health and Community Centers, Schools, Markets; create more jobs for the youth and other members of the district in addition to the ongoing scholarship scheme being enjoyed by indigenes to pursue tertiary education.
The Minister assured that the Project is here to stay as it is modeled on the world-acclaimed Malaysian example.
The host Paramount Chief of Jong Chiefdom, PC Alhaji A. B. Sheriff III pledged his unwavering support to the implementation of the Palm Oil project. He thanked the President- Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma for addressing the feud that existed between himself as Paramount Chief and former Hon. Syl Gobba.
“Me and my brother are working in peace now to bring the necessary development to our people through the Government,” PC Sheriff stated; adding that the community would render all the needed support for the project to succeed.
He applauded the Agriculture Minister for thinking of his chiefdom in terms of development and referred to him as a “good friend.”
The Presidential Adviser on Agriculture- Dr. Sheku G. Kamara registered that immense interest and love the President has for Bonthe District. He also appealed for total community support for the project which he noted would ensure the district regains its lost glory.
The Assistant District Officer (ADO) of Bonthe, Andrew P. J. Kaipumoh reiterated that his office would ensure that the project gets the necessary boost to thrive while creating a very conducive environment for the officials to carry out their work.
It would be recalled that the Palm Oil Project is funded by the Government of Sierra Leone and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and has over 45,000 hectares of plantation in both Sogbini and Jong Chiefdoms. It is also expected that a Mill would be constructed to process the product in addition to other community development packages for the people of Bonthe district.
As part of his assessment of the impact of the deadly Ebola disease on the agricultural sector, Dr. Joseph Sam Sesay also inspected the project store at Gambia village in Mattru Jong which houses various equipments used to ensure the Palm Oil Project becomes a reality.
Speaking during a meeting held at the Ministry of Agriculture offices in the Mattru Township, the Agriculture Minister expressed his delight at making the visit as “the district is very close to the President’s heart.”
He said the Government is committed to bringing developmental projects to the people of Bonthe district aimed at improving their lives; adding that the Palm Oil Project is one of such while appealing for total support of the community and local stakeholders in ensuring successful implementation.
He disclosed that the palm Oil Project would construct Health and Community Centers, Schools, Markets; create more jobs for the youth and other members of the district in addition to the ongoing scholarship scheme being enjoyed by indigenes to pursue tertiary education.
The Minister assured that the Project is here to stay as it is modeled on the world-acclaimed Malaysian example.
The host Paramount Chief of Jong Chiefdom, PC Alhaji A. B. Sheriff III pledged his unwavering support to the implementation of the Palm Oil project. He thanked the President- Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma for addressing the feud that existed between himself as Paramount Chief and former Hon. Syl Gobba.
“Me and my brother are working in peace now to bring the necessary development to our people through the Government,” PC Sheriff stated; adding that the community would render all the needed support for the project to succeed.
He applauded the Agriculture Minister for thinking of his chiefdom in terms of development and referred to him as a “good friend.”
The Presidential Adviser on Agriculture- Dr. Sheku G. Kamara registered that immense interest and love the President has for Bonthe District. He also appealed for total community support for the project which he noted would ensure the district regains its lost glory.
The Assistant District Officer (ADO) of Bonthe, Andrew P. J. Kaipumoh reiterated that his office would ensure that the project gets the necessary boost to thrive while creating a very conducive environment for the officials to carry out their work.
It would be recalled that the Palm Oil Project is funded by the Government of Sierra Leone and the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) and has over 45,000 hectares of plantation in both Sogbini and Jong Chiefdoms. It is also expected that a Mill would be constructed to process the product in addition to other community development packages for the people of Bonthe district.