Magbirie Monitoring Visit: Govt reaffirms commitment to fair resettlement

Magbirie, Marampa Chiefdom, Port Loko District – August 2026. The National Steering Committee (NSC) of the National Development Induced Resettlement Directorate (NDIRD), led by Development Secretary Ambrose James, has paid a monitoring visit to Magbirie Village after a visit to the Baomahun FG Gold mining operations in Bo District. The inspection formed part of the committee’s routine monitoring activities to engage project-affected persons independently, assess resettlement processes and verify compliance with the National Development Induced Resettlement Act 2023.
The NSC, during the visit, interacted with the chiefdom speaker, town chief, community elders and a cross-section of residents. Community members had varied views on the effects of mining activity on local livelihoods and social cohesion. Key issues included the adequacy and timeliness of crop compensation, the pace and fairness of physical resettlement, the reliance on outdated crop valuation rates and limited employment opportunities for local youth. Other issues in the resettlement process also raised concerns among the residents, which needed to be addressed urgently.
Development Secretary Ambrose James said the committee had taken note of the concerns raised and they would be addressed accordingly,” he said. He urged the community members to remain calm and patient as the Ministry engages the mining company and other stakeholders to resolve the outstanding issues. Secretary James stressed the government’s commitment to ensure that development-induced resettlement is undertaken in a transparent, fair, lawful and socially responsible manner that protects the rights, livelihood and welfare of affected people and their communities.
Members of the NSC insisted on strict due diligence and following the procedure, especially in terms of compensation for land and crops. They stressed the importance of environmental and social safeguards, gender-responsive approaches and specific measures to protect children and vulnerable groups in the resettlement process.
The monitoring mission is part of the government’s efforts to improve the oversight of development-induced resettlement activities across the country by the MoPED and NDIRD. Officials said the visits are part of a broader strategy to encourage responsible investment, mitigate social and environmental risks and promote long-term development for communities affected by large-scale projects.