HRCSL NEWS AND EVENTS

The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) has completed a two - day monitoring exercise on the operations of Seawright Mining Company in Kono district.

The monitoring on Monday 16th and Tuesday 17th September, 2024 is part of the Commission’s mandate to monitor and document violations of human rights in Sierra Leone as provided for in section 7 (2) (f) of the HRCSL Act (No.9) of 2014.

The Commission’s objective of monitoring Seawright Company, is to ascertain its level of compliance with business and human rights standards in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs).

During the exercise, the team which was made of the Director of Business and Human Rights and Labour Relations (BHR&LR), Mr. Abdulai Yollah Bangura and his Deputy, Mr. Moses Massaquoi, the Deputy Director of Gender and Children’s Affairs (DGCA), Mrs. Ann-Marie Balboa, the Deputy Director and Head of the Commission;s Eastern Regional Office, Mr. Vandi Saidu, Senior Human Rights Officer, Mrs. Haja Aminata Bawoh  of  BHR&LR and Human Rights Officer, Cyril Ephraim Keh of BHR&LR, met with representatives of the District Human Rights Committee, residents of the affected communities, Paramount Chief, and Senior Management of Seawright Mining Company.

According to the affected communities (Masundu Village to be specific), the drilling operations of the company has affected their livelihoods as it has taken away their farm lands and economic trees. They also referred to an open pit that is serving as a breeding ground for mosquitoes and the current action of the Management of the company that has led to temporarily laying-off of workers including indigenes working for the company.

The blasting of rocks by the company is also affecting residents as they have to relocate tens of meters away from their original settlement to a safer place far from where the blasting occur.

Paramount Chief of Gbense Chiefdom, where the Company has land concession, Komba Sangor Korgbende Kaimachiande gave an insight into the operations of the company (Seawright), and urged the Commission to get the side of the affected communities. 

During the engagement with the company on Tuesday 17th September, senior officials did a PowerPoint presentation on their operations ranging from infrastructure, environmental compliance, human resource strategy, staff strength and performance records and their corporate social responsibility. Based on earlier discussions with the Affected communities, the team used the opportunity to seek clarification, especially on areas bothering on human rights.

The HRCSL team led by a cross-section of the Company’s Senior Management inspected the company’s mining site, as well as sites for the construction of a Clinic and accommodation for the staff.

©HRCSL Communications Team