Response to the Presidential Address delivered by H.E. President Julius Maada Bio on the occasion of the State Opening of the Fourth Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone on Tuesday 18th May 2021.
History
Our comments relate to the particular areas of interest and concern expressed in our two earlier Press Releases. The land in Black Johnson is an area of significant environmental importance and beauty. It is currently a well known and appreciated tourist beach and is a significant tourism resource.
On 10th May 2021 a Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Press Release, confirmed there was a proposal to construct a fish harbour for Tuna and other bigger fishing vessels there. It also stated there was a plan to build a facility that comprises “a waste management component which will involve recycling of marine and other wastes into useful products”.
These statements caused national and international outcry and have generated much media coverage in Sierra Leone and abroad.
We are seeking to be constructive and helpful in the interest of our national development whilst at the same time protecting our unique national heritage of possessing the best beaches on the West African coastline. It is in this spirit we took careful note of the content H.E. President Julius Maada Bio´s Presidential address and here we make our responses and comments.
Response to the Presidential Address 18th May 2021
Fisheries
Paragraph 78 of the Presidential address We note confirmation that the Government of Sierra Leone has been given a grant of $55 Million grant from the People's Republic of China to construct a fish harbour and ancillary structures.
We welcome the commitment that all “environmental due diligence will be done.”
We note no specific venue has yet been decided upon for this project.
We call for full, transparent Environmental Impact Assessments to be carried out in any area identified as being possible, so that a specific, suitable and sustainable location(s) can be identified objectively.
We welcome the commitment to ensuring full compensation is made to any affected landowners.
We call for any acquisition of property or land be carried out in compliance with Section 21 (1) c ii of the Constitution of Sierra Leone 1991.
This calls on the Government of Sierra Leone to secure the right of anyone with an interest over the property to have a right of access to a court or other independent authority to decide on the legality of the acquisition of the property AND the amount of compensation due AND the prompt payment of any compensation.
As primary stakeholders we accept the President's invitation to engage with the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine resources to make sure the implementation of a Fish Harbour project, ensures correct environmental protection procedures are carried out, is sustainable and only has a beneficial impact on the locality where it is located.
Paragraph 79 of the Presidential address We endorse the statement that addressing environmental issues is critical for sustainable development.
We welcome this Government’s commitment to update sustainable environmental protection legislation.
We are delighted to note that managing and conserving wetlands and furthering community- based environment education are explicitly mentioned in the President’s Address.
TOURISM
Paragraph 98 of the Presidential address We are pleased that there is a commitment to engage with partners and local communities to develop eco-tourism and promote clean and beautiful beaches.
We endorse the President´s assertion that tourism is critical for economic diversification and job creation.
Our own eco-beach tourist resort has consistently been a source of local employment. We have always provided quality training and staff development in the tourist sector.
As a major stakeholder in this field, we would welcome Government engagement with our tourist business to help us promote tourism both in our country and on our beach. Our pristine beach is one that we take pride in maintaining and keeping pollution free.