By Sulaiman Jalloh
Gilbert Zhao, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Leone Rock Metal Group and team on Wednesday, May 22nd, 2024, engaged the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, to officially congratulate him on his election as Speaker of the country’s legislature and to strengthen relationship with the House of Sierra Leone Parliament.
During the engagement, the CEO of Leone Rock Metal Group updated the Speaker on plans for the company to bring in more investors that have similar capacity like Leone Rock Metal Group.
Mr. Gilbert Zhao craved the indulgence of the Speaker and the House of Parliament to give the legislative support to boost the smooth operation of his company and to provide more development in the country. He informed the Speaker of Parliament that Leone Rock Metal Group would bring in more development initiatives into Sierra Leone in order to boost the country’s economy and create several job opportunities. He disclosed that more Chinese companies would soon come into the country with the same capacity that Leone Rock has to invest in the country.
The CEO added that, in the future, the company is looking forward to a strong collaboration with the House of Parliament and the Government as a whole to unearth the economic engine of Sierra Leone, especially in the area of the new Tonkolili project. He solicited the right direction from the House of Parliament and the Government of Sierra Leone towards the new Tonkolili project. He assured the House Speaker that his company would not only limit themselves in Tonkolili, but will also explore other potential districts for similar investments.
“You are the regulators, so you can help us because we want an expansion of our projects. We want to pay the people of Sierra Leone in terms of Community Development Funds and our corporate social responsibilities. We also have the intention to invest in agriculture of which we want the support of the House of Parliament,” he requested.
In his response, the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, welcomed the CEO and his team, noting he was in the House of Parliament where they make the laws and policies for the country, while assuring Mr. Gilbert Zhao of Parliament’s fullest support towards the activities of Leone Rock.
Speaker Thomas also alluded that the House of Parliament and the people of Sierra Leone have no doubt in the capacity of Leone Rock Metal Group, adding the company had invested colossal sum of dollars in the country. He reiterated that Leone Rock has the confidence and support of Parliament and the people of Sierra Leone for such investments. He recalled that many investors had come to the country but they failed to operate as expected.
However, Speaker Thomas said Leone Rock had demonstrated commitment to invest in Sierra Leone. He concluded by encouraging the Chief Executive Officer of Leone Rock to always feel free to reach out to him and the House of Parliament whenever the need arises.
Copyright –Published in print in Expo Times Newspaper on Friday, May 24th , 2024 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
