“Today is a remarkable day for us we are very happy and proud of what we have sacrificed over the past two years we are trying accumulate what we are trying to do with and manage to get what we are able to get.” Basudeb Datta added.
He furthered that they would be able to compete in the market with other bauxite extracting company around the world, adding that with large exporting it would evitable boost the country’s economy.
Regional Head, Environment Protection Agency Aiah Kembay said their major concerns has to do with safety and that part of their mandate has to do with providing oversight in the mining areas. He reiterated that it happened to be their responsibility to protect the environment including the marine. He called on the management to effectively monitor the fleets in order to prevent accident.
Paramount chief of upper Banta Tommy Jombla applauded the company for their improvement. He pointed out that with large bauxite exporting it would definitely benefit the people and the town.
Paramount Chief Tommy Jombla stated that the VIMETCO Company has also been supporting the community, stressing that with huge profit for the company it would definitely reflect on the community in a good way.
Paramount Chief Jibao Nyama Russell II of lower Banta commended the company for involving community stakeholders in each and every activity they have been undertaken as they have been excluded by the other company. He explained that it has been a big development for their community.
He said the fleets are the first time they have witnessed such big investment in their chiefdom and that it would create employment for the youth.
Disclosing the cost of the two fleets the Chief Finance Officer, VIMETCO Abdul Bangura said the company spent 31 billion Leones to acquire them, adding it was in house generated fund, that they did not take lone from anyone.
Chief Inspector of Mines, National Mineral Agency Mohamed Bah commended VIMETCO for it tremendous improvement in the mining sector. He said the Marine operation is a key in the mining operation and that the fleet will improve the output of the company that can translate to economic development for the country.
The commissioning of the fleets was witnessed Environment Protection Agency, National Mineral Agency, Paramount chiefs, navy officers, police and community stakeholders, in which libation was poured as a way of asking for good fortune.
