25 Pertinent Questions on the SLPP’s 2018 Manifesto Pledges for Improving the Management of Mineral Resources
Dear Citizens of Sierra Leone:
As active members of our society, your opinion and your voice are essential in shaping the future of our nation. We’re reaching out to you today with a set of 25 questions that revolve around an essential subject of our national interest: Improving the Management of Mineral Resources.
The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) outlined a detailed strategy for reforming this vital sector in their “New Direction 2018 Manifesto.” Now, five years later, it is time for us, as the people of Sierra Leone, to evaluate the extent to which they fulfilled these promises.
The questions, divided into distinct categories, will require just a simple “yes” or “no” response. We designed them to be concise and straightforward, focusing on the key points made in the 2018 manifesto. We hope these questions will aid in gaining a clearer understanding of how well the promises align with the realities of the past five years.
Your answers are extremely valuable. They will not only offer insights into the performance of our leaders but also serve as a guide for future actions. Remember, your participation directly contributes to our shared aim of enhancing transparency, accountability, and progress in our beloved nation.
 Legal and Policy Framework
Manifesto Quote: “Review the Mines and Minerals Act 2009 to realign with the Mining Policy and be consistent with international best practices.”
- Was the Mines and Minerals Act 2009 reviewed and realigned with the Mining Policy?
- Were the revisions to the Mines and Minerals Act of 2009 consistent with international best practices?
Natural Resources Management
Manifesto Quote: “Review the relevant law to allow for the establishment of a Natural Resources Account for all revenues generated from extractives.”
- Was the relevant law reviewed to allow for the establishment of a Natural Resources Account for revenues from extractives?
Revenue Decentralization
Manifesto Quote: “Decentralize the mining revenue collection and utilization in line with the increased national decentralization programme under the New Direction.”
- Was mining revenue collection and utilization decentralized?
National Minerals Agency
Manifesto Quote: “Strengthen the National Minerals Agency (NMA).”
- Was the National Minerals Agency (NMA) strengthened?
Revenue Allocation
Manifesto Quote: “Allocate percentages of revenue from the mining sector to education, health, and the general development of mining communities.”
- Were percentages of revenue from the mining sector allocated to education?
- Were percentages of revenue from the mining sector allocated to health?
- Were percentages of revenue from the mining sector allocated to the general development of mining communities?
Transparency
Manifesto Quote: “Ensure full transparency in the sector through complying with the EITI standards, make all contracts public, and provide updated and validated information on tax and other contributions from the mining sector to the government.”
- Was full transparency ensured in the mining sector?
- Were all contracts in the sector made public?
- Were updated and validated information on tax and other contributions from the mining sector provided to the government?
Local Procurement
Manifesto Quote: “Require mining companies to increase procurement of goods and services from Sierra Leone to strengthen trickle-down effects from the mining sector.”
- Were mining companies required to increase their procurement of goods and services from Sierra Leone?
Fair Transactions
Manifesto Quote: “Require transactions between mining companies and their affiliates to be made upon arms-length terms (including pricing), and requiring such transactions to be accompanied by contemporaneous documentation. The government should have the right to review the terms of all such transactions.”
- Were transactions between mining companies and their affiliates made on arms-length terms?
- Were contemporaneous documents required to be present with such transactions?
- Was the government granted the right to review the terms of all such transactions?
Taxation
Manifesto Quote: “Discourage advance taxation except under exceptional circumstances. In such cases, this will be made public and will be within the framework of the national budget.”
- Was advance taxation discouraged except under exceptional circumstances?
- Were such cases made public within the framework of the national budget?
Employment and Training
Manifesto Quote: “Ensure that companies provide meaningful employment for Sierra Leoneans, especially in management positions, and carry out requisite training.”
- Were companies required to provide meaningful employment for Sierra Leoneans?
- Were companies required to carry out the requisite training?
Value Addition
Manifesto Quote: “Put in place policies and mechanisms to support value additions to our mineral resources with a view to generating jobs and additional income to Sierra Leoneans.”
- Were policies and mechanisms put in place to support value additions to mineral resources?
Local Content Policy
Manifesto Quote: “Ensure that all mining companies comply with the local content policy.”
- Were all mining companies required to comply with the local content policy?
In conclusion, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for taking the time to take part in this important exercise. Your willingness to get involved and your invaluable input reaffirm the strength of our democracy.
We appreciate your active engagement in this process. Your voice and your perspective matter as we strive to improve our shared future. Thank you once again for your participation, and here’s to a brighter Sierra Leone, fostered through collective responsibility and action.
We eagerly await your responses and look forward to the insightful discussions they will generate.
Thank you!
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