STATE HOUSE PRESS REPORT

JENKINS JOHNSTON PRESENTS REPORT TO PRESIDENT KOROMA

The Chairman of the Jenkins-Johnston Commission of Enquiry set up to look into the disturbances that caused two deaths and injuries following a fracas between Koidu Holdings and the people, involving security personnel, has presented his report to His Excellency President Ernest Bai Koroma today at State House.

Led by Attorney General & Minister of Justice Serry Kamal, Blyden Jenkins-Johnston said it is a pleasure to report back to the President following their appointment last December in the wake of the riots that left two dead and others injured. He said they were mandated to not only look at the discontent between the people and Koidu Holdings, but to search for the root causes as well. He said although they were appointed on 12^th December 2007,  they travelled to Kono on the 19^th January, met with Paramount Chiefs, and had a church service on 20^th January before actually commencing work on 21^st . They interviewed 42 witnesses and got 79 separate exhibits. Jenkins Johnston said apart from witnesses under oath, they also took statements from more than 30 other people but who were found to be duplicating the other evidence already received.

The Chairman said the evidence they have collected is detailed, containing 105 pages, including proceedings, findings, conclusions and reasons for the conclusions. He said they are presenting a total of 17 recommendations, five relating to the incidence and twelve relating to the causes of the discontentment.

He pointed out that in the course of the deliberations they discovered that the issues they were dealing with went beyond Koidu Holdings to embrace the entire mining policy of the Government of Sierra Leone. He said it is fundamental to note that even though Sierra Leone has been in the mining business for some 75 odd years, there has never been any document, legislative or otherwise, that states or reflects that the minerals belong to the people of Sierra Leone and not to those who have to mine. He said it is the commission’s view that investors should be made to know that there has to be a “reasonable partnership” where the owners must be seen to be benefiting.

Jenkins Johnston hoped that Government will study the report, accept and implement their recommendations. He expressed fear that in the past many commissions of enquiries were appointed by former governments but their reports ended up being locked away and forgotten. He hoped that their report would be made public and its recommendations implemented.

Responding, President Koroma thanked Chairman Jenkins Johnston and the three commissioners for responding to a national call in carrying out their mandate. He said the commission’s activities were being closely followed by both government and the public. He commended the commission for getting the views of all the stakeholders. President Koroma said the report is timely because government is just at the point of reviewing all mining licenses and leases. “We believe Sierra Leone has not been getting a fair share of its riches,” the President said, adding that “this is not to threaten investors but that we should all be partners in development.” The President said Sierra Leone must have something to show as owners of minerals, maintaining that Government will look at what is contained in the report. “On behalf of Government, I’ll accept the report. It will be studied and it will not be shelved,” he assured, adding that the commission was instituted in order to know what happened. He said the report will be acted upon and Government will make its position public through a white paper.

The fracas that prompted the setting up of the enquiry occurred on 13^th December 2007 when demonstrators took to the streets of Kono against Koidu Holdings Ltd (a diamond mining company) after the expiration of a 21-day ultimatum for their grievances to be addressed. The deaths and injuries occurred as a result of security personnel intervention.