tony and frank, page-10

Corporate plot to sink African Minerals.
5/2/10
Author: SEM
Sierra Leone News.

Everywhere in the world where big cooperate institutions exist and want to strive, often at the expense of rival institutions, there is bound to be what is termed as corporate war that is most times fought with what ever available weapon ranging from blackmail, deplorable and senseless media stunts and often crude and physical frontal attacks all in a bid to put a contesting rival institution out of business or placed in the corner.

One of the few corporate institutions that has emerged in post war Sierra Leone that is capable to awaken our country from the endless shade of economic slumber African Minerals Limited has just at the embryo of its exploit in the country begun tasting its own speck such malicious and flimsy attacks in a bid to apparently discourage the revered investor from casting his dice with Sierra Leone.

Photo : Frank Timis, Chairman, African Minerals.

That at best may not concern a lot of people, but the reason why many of have taken interest in the whole show is the public interest implication that have been borne out of such insidious and ill-motivated attacks. The rationale behind issues raised in the attack on the company like that of the childhood drug life of its Chief Executive Officer are very difficult to understand and as such could not be made to be understood in any way except for the fact that the media would want to blackmail and discourage the mans interest in the country, a situation if achieved definitely will lead to immense loss to not just the government but also the mass generation of jobless and starving youths that have relied on the companys establishment and operation to survive.

Another reason why such attacks could be seen as ill motivated is the fact that some media that may be apparently serving the caprices of other corporate institutions; is that the company has been accused of posing or creating fronts that are never real and as such is hoodwinking the government and people of Sierra Leone.
But if conning the people and government of Sierra Leone would mean that roads traversing the country will be constructed, rail trains brought back, ports constructed; our youths gain employment than ever before, governments revenue, royalties and taxes collected have the virtual raise; then we might as well implore and entreat the God Almighty to be sending such rogues as Frank Timis who are bound to better our lives more than every before.

We might have this piece of advice for Frank Timis and his dedicated team of Sierra Leonean core that have decided to contribute in no small terms to the development of the country that life in Sierra Leone: that this must be a surprise as such disparaging tendencies exist everywhere and to in particular note that some of our compatriots are hardcore opportunists and that if permitted will take advantage of situation to get their way regardless of the consequence of their action to national good. So like the president of the republic has told you guys: go on with you activities and be sure to let it reflect on Sierra Leone as a people and as well as the state.

Youths and the African Minerals wealth.
10/2/10
Author: Madieu Jalloh - SEM

Employment is when we get people to work and engage their minds in doing useful things. As the youth population in the country forms the bulk of the Sierra Leonean society, it is good that structures are put in place to empower them in all spheres of growth and development.

This will squarely mean that youth employment becomes the centre piece in the Presidents now popular the agenda for change he uses to wheel development in the country. Talking about agenda for change, have we asked ourselves how many Sierra Leonean youths are employed? Youths every where they find themselves in the world form the stake of society and as such must be given the needed attention.

They are the spindle that spins of our economic and social progress. Thus, it is imperative upon government and other stakeholders to make youth employment the crop and focus of their discussions and development endeavours in order to maintain a peaceful cohesive society and a stable economy growth.

Two weeks ago the front pages of our local tabloids have been reporting on the launch of the African Minerals and Magnetite Company at Ferengbeya, Tonkolili Districts. Reports ranging from scathing criticisms and as to the benefit the iron mining will accrue for the average Sierra Leoneans marred the front pages of some ill motivated newspapers. But the fact remains that to many frustrated Sierra Leoneans, the iron Ore mining is a welcome idea as for many youths to be employed. And the unnecessary criticisms levied against the Chief Executive Officer , Mr Frank Timis and the country Director of African Minerals Mr. Moseray Fadika have got nothing to do with the youths of this country as all what they care for is employment that will improve on their lives. But if it comes to it and the seeming opposition to the seeming opposition to these people pay in the negative way, then the interest of the youths have been tampered with and as such will hinder progress to a reasonable extent.

In fact, to many Sierra Leoneans and outsiders alike, Mr. Moseray Fadika is a role model and a true indigene, for the very fact that he has the ability to lure foreign investors to come improve on the socio-economic conditions of youths is a novel and a savored undertaken. Imagine a situation where 20,000 youths are gainfully employed in the various areas of the iron mines; it will definitely be a laudable and unprecedented achievement for this country.

Moreover, to many patriotic Sierra Leoneans who have been fortunate to meet with Mr. Fadika and have heard other people speak of him have regard for him as a hero who is desperate to hoist the countrys economic flag into the SKY. Mr. Fadika and others who are spearheading the deal of African Minerals are heroes indeed as when compared to other Sierra Leoneans who have had similar opportunities like them but they ended up investing in other countries.

Pondering over this enormous unemployment rate among youths in Sierra Leone, ones curiosity might lead him or her as to asking whether the education acquired in schools and tertiary institutions have benefited them at all. Because at the end of every academic year, new crop of graduates add to the population of the already unemployed mass of youths which has in no smaller way compounded and exacerbated the bizarre unemployment situation in the country.

Taking a keener look at the Skyrocketing unemployment rate in Sierra Leone, government and stakeholders should see youth unemployment as a priority agendum in the agenda for change. Until that is done, the campaign for agenda for change is a futile effort that is bound towards an uncontrollable nemesis; and in the same vein also, until a vast majority of youths in Sierra Leone are gainfully employed the call for the agenda for change can be likened to a white elephant just as we have witnessed failed government policies in the past.

Obviously, we cannot talk about agenda for change when those who deserve the change are aimlessly and hopelessly roaming the ghettoes in the country. Government should galvanize support and means to fast-track youth employment if the goals for agenda for change is to be achieved in Sierra Leone; as change is only effective when it starts with the youths.

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