Marampa Chiefdom and other mining chiefdoms in Tonkolili and Port Loko Districts are at the center of disputes over the management and distribution of the Chiefdom Development Fund (CDF).
In response, the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs (MLGCA) convened a high-level dialogue this week, with Ministoner Ambassador Tamba Lamina calling for an immediate overhaul of the Community Development Committees (CDCs) tasked with administering the funds.
Minister Lamina explained that the roundtable followed government fact-finding visits to the districts, where paramount chiefs highlighted concerns over boundary disputes, inequitable fund allocation, and lack of transparency in mining agreements. “Rather than resolving these concerns piecemeal, we created a collective platform for dialogue to ensure chiefs’ voices are heard and lasting solutions are found,” he said.
The session brought together senior government officials, including the Permanent and Deputy Secretaries of MLGCA, the Resident Minister North-West, the Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, representatives of the National Minerals Agency, and District Officers.
Deputy Minister Umaru Napoleon Koroma of Mines and Mineral Resources emphasized that all minerals belong to the people, held in trust by the state, and that mining revenues must drive national development. He commended the MLGCA for facilitating a platform where chiefs could voice concerns and receive government feedback.
Chiefs from Marampa, Maforkie, Sambaia Bendugu, Dansogoia, and Simira raised pressing issues, including:
Fair distribution of the one percent CDF paid by mining companies,
Direct payment of funds into chiefdom accounts,
Clear boundary demarcations and proper mapping,
Equitable delivery of development projects.
Minister Lamina warned that many CDCs had lost credibility and effectiveness. “If these structures cannot serve the people in an accountable and transparent way, then they must be reformed without delay,” he said.
He assured chiefs that the government would carefully review their grievances and work toward permanent solutions, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring the equitable sharing of mining benefits.
