REPORT ON STAKEHOLDERS SENSITIZATION MEETINGS ON DEFORESTATION AND
MINING IN MOYAMBA PUJEHUN DISTRICTS
21&23 October, 2013
Prepared and Submitted by:
Ibrahim M. Turay
Senior Regional Environment Officer
EPA-SL, Southern Region

Report on Stakeholders Sensitization Meetings on Deforestation and Mining
Outline of Report

Introduction

Purpose and Objectives

Participating Stakeholders

Presentations

Stakeholders Statements

Discussions and Action Points

General recommendations
In Moyamba and Pujehun Districts
Introduction
The Environmental issues of deforestation and Mining are now widespread in all regions and districts of
Sierra Leone. The Environment Protection Agency-Sierra Leone (EPA-SL) as the government agency responsible for the effective protection and management of the Sierra Leone environment embarks on stakeholders’ sensitization as one of its strategies in raising awareness on the issues of deforestation and Mining.
In pursuit of the above, the EPA-SL Southern region organized stakeholders’ sensitization meetings on deforestation and mining in Moyamba and Pujehun districts headquarter towns respectively in October
2013.The meeting in Moyamba was conducted at the resource centre of the Moyamba District Council
(MDC) while the meeting in Pujehun was conducted in the district Library hall.
Purpose and Objectives
The purpose of the meetings was to sensitize stakeholders on the environmental issues of deforestation and mining in Moyamba and Pujehun districts. The objectives include:
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To provide an understanding of the EPA-SL mandate;
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To establish the environmental impacts of deforestation and mining in Moyamba and Pujehun districts;

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To encourage stakeholders develop action points in tackling the issues of deforestation and mining in Moyamba and Pujehun districts.
Participating Stakeholders
The Stakeholders who participated in the meetings included the Paramount chiefs of the host chiefdoms
(PC Foday M. Gulama of Kaiyamba chiefdom in Moyamba district; and Acting PC Foday B. Kaikai of
Kpanga Kabonde chiefdom in Pujehun district); the Moyamba District Officer, Mr. Prince Soriba;
Councilors; Moyamba and Pujehun districts councils chairmen’s representatives including Environment
Officers; representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security (MAFFS), Civil society, SOCFIN, Sierra Leone Police, Health, and media representatives.
Presentations
Presentation by the SREO, South on the Issues and Impacts of Deforestation and Mining to
Stakeholders in Moyamba (left) and Pujehun (right)
The presentation was done in two fold by the Senior Regional Environment officer-Southern region, Mr.
Ibrahim M. Turay. First the mandate of EPA-SL was presented with emphasis on the functions and structure of the organization. The second and main part of the presentation was on the “Environmental
Issues and impacts of Deforestation and Mining”. This presentation gave highlights on the causes/drivers of deforestation and mining; and common issues and impacts of deforestation and mining.
Stakeholders’ Statements
Moyamba
PC Foday M. Gulama
PC Foday M. Gulama of Kaiyamba chiefdom noted that we need to go back on the drawing board as there is no policy implementation in forests conservation because the land owners are disgruntled for

the nonpayment of the land lease; the lack of policy implementation can be easily seen by the fact that
Forest guards are not operational.
The Paramount Chief also noted that companies are getting cheap agreements in Sierra Leone ; we should make laws that we can implement; Government should help local authorities in implementing bye-laws; and that experience had shown him that in Europe everything was under control.
District Agriculture Officer’s Representative
Mr. Abraham Margai the head of crops said that the top-bottom approach is still prevailing in our governance system and cited the situation in which they, the authorities, saw the Biodiversity project
operating in Moyamba without any information of their presence. He noted that even though there is no environmental policy on deforestation, Rutile mining company should be controlled to have little impact on agriculture and that the corporate social responsibility of companies should go beyond where the company operates. Mr. Margai also said that the issue of indiscriminate logging should be looked into with regards the reasons why Forest guards were effective before and now ineffective but are more interested in manning the check points.
District Officer (DO)
The District Officer Mr. Soriba who also served as the meeting’s Chairman started by clarifying that the law providing for corporate social responsibility is limited to the area of the company’s operation. He further went on to say that there is a need to look into our laws in relation to corporate social responsibility.
Mr. Soriba, District Officer making his Statement

He said that due to the apparent weakness of our Parliament, civil society needs to argument the efforts of parliament. He said that there is the need for EPA-SL to work with Paramount Chiefs in implementing environmental laws.
Moyamba District Council (MDC) Environment Officer
The Environment and Social Officer, Mr. Mansaray said that there are many environmental hazards due to deforestation including the loss of water catchments in Moyamba district. He said there should be laws relating to mitigating environmental hazards but that planting more trees to replace cut down trees should be done and that we should develop alternative sources of fuel such as the Afrigas.
Mr. Mansaray also said that we should plant trees around towns to serve as wind breakers. He noted that there should be policies to control deforestation and that more public awareness raising campaigns on the dangers of deforestation should be undertaken. He said we should emphasize on laws rather than policies or regulations in controlling deforestation.
MDC Chairman’s Representative
The Chairman’s representative, Madam Florence K. Lassan lamented that even though all operators in the district are supposed to register with the Council, this was not the case.
She noted that the creation of EPA-SL is a blessing for the council to work with the Ministry of
Agriculture, Forestry and food Security. She said that the Agenda for Prosperity will not succeed if we destroy the environment and cited the example that agriculture cannot achieve food security if the soil was destroyed. She noted that it is a requirement that bye-laws should not clash with national laws but our judicial system lacks the capacity to review and incorporate bye-laws as required.
She ended by noting that EPA-SL has a huge task in protecting the environment of Sierra Leone as problems including the fact that the surface rent given to land owning families is just infinitesimal.

Pujehun
Acting Paramount Chief
The Acting PC Kaikai making a Statement
The Acting Paramount Chief Kaikai commented about the cutting down of sticks from reserve forests which he attributed to the nonpayment of royalties to land or bush owners. The acting PC noted that land owners will tell you the bush is their economic base. He expressed happiness and thanked EPA-SL for organizing the meeting in Pujehun.
District Agriculture Officer’s (DAO) Representative
Mr. Margawo, the Agric. Engineer who represented the DAO thanked EPA-SL for the initiative and promised to help in minimizing environmental impacts from the farmers. He suggested that policies be put in place for sustaining the forests reserve – pay the rent for the forest land he said.
Environment and Social Officer-Pujehun District Council (PDC)
Mr. Solomon Sogbeh, the Environment Officer noted that the activities of EPA-SL support his work in the district. Thus, he said, he was often misinterpreted as working for EPA-SL due to the part he takes in supporting EPA-SL activities in the district. He acknowledged the fact that his office e was established as a result of the advice given by EPA-SL to the Ministry of Local government. He clarified that council cannot pass information to certain companies, such as SOCFIN, known as class A projects.
The Environment Officer suggested that EPA-SL looks into the need to mainstream environment into
NGO activities. Finally, he thanked the other stakeholders for their cooperation in making the meeting a reality.

PDC Chairman’s Representative
Councilor Sannoh who represented the PDC Chairman expressed fear that Pujehun district might degenerate to the level of other districts in environmental degradation especially so as charcoal burning was becoming rampant in the district. He said that EPA-SL should emphasize on tree planting to replace those cut down. The Councilor noted that he has no fear in welcoming EPA-SL as the Council has environment as part of its wings. He was happy to inform the meeting that the bye-law on the control of domestic animals (Goats and Sheep) will kick off next month (November).
SOCFIN Representative
Mr. Mathew Mannah, the Environment Officer who represented SOCFIN started by saying that SOCFIN always welcomes EPA in Pujehun like was done last week for the team from EPA-SL headquarter. He informed Stakeholders that SOCFIN has done much on tree planting. He further explained that SOCFIN had planted over 4,650 tree seedlings in one community alone in pursuit of the recommendations of
EPA-SL. He informed the stakeholders that SOCFIN does not wash chemical cans in the Malin River. He tries to allay the fears of stakeholders on the purported destruction of the river bank by informing them that SOCFIN was currently planting trees along the malin river bank and Calcium Carbonate had been placed in the river to purify the river water for domestic use.
LUC’s Statement
The LUC was represented by Mr. Alex M. Kagbeni, the Community relations Officer. Mr. Kagbeni noted that EPA’s work has a security relationship and therefore should work as team with the Sierra Leone
Police. He thanked EPA for organizing the meeting and admonished to continue to work hard to minimize life threatening occurrences.
Civil Society
Mr. John S. Koroma, the Public Relations Officer, represented the Chairman. Mr. Koroma noted that he was glad to hear that the EPA-SL was established under the office of the President. He also expressed happiness that EPA regularly visits and monitor SOCFIN operations and that they have a body to call on.
He informed the meeting that Civil Society had been receiving several complains on the operations of
SOCFIN.
Vote of Thanks
The government hospital Secretary, Mr. Joseph Kamara gave the vote of thanks. Mr. kamara thanked
EPA-SL for organizing the meeting. He concluded by saying that he hoped the meeting will be the beginning of several meetings to take place between Pujehun and EPA-SL.

Discussion and Action Points
SREO, South taking note of Stakeholders’ Action Points in Pujehun (left) and in Moyamba (right)
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As bye-laws should not clash with national laws, EPA-SL should ensure that bye-laws are quickly processed by the Judiciary.
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The District and Chiefdom Councils are to look into the other forms of mining activities like sand and stone to minimize their environmental impacts.
EPA to improve on its monitoring and coordination mechanism with relevant line institutions.
EPA-SL to work with Civil Society and media houses to create awareness on environmental degradation.

Revisit the 2009 mines and minerals Act to involve Stakeholders like the Paramount Chiefs and
Civil Society.
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Encourage farmers to engage in low land farming
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Increase police presence in mining communities
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Undertake reforestation programmes
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Institute bye-laws on wild fire prevention and encourage fire belt construction.
Recommendations
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There is a need to further encourage the involvement of Paramount Chiefs and chiefdom authorities in the formulation and implementation of bye-laws regarding the use of community forests and artisanal mining activities.
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Companies (Mining and Agricultural), as “agents” of deforestation should be requested to support community reforestation programs beyond their operational areas at the chiefdom level.
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The suggestion that EPA-SL institute environment mainstreaming into the activities of NGOs has been noted in a number of development fora including the reported Stakeholders sensitization meetings on deforestation and mining. In view of the fact that NGOs may be supporting or

undertaking activities that would significantly impact the environment, it is recommended that
EPA-SL consider mainstreaming environment into NGOs activities.