Care Times | 25 April 2025Maconteh communities protest over unpaid land leases by agroforestry firm
Six communities in Maconteh Chiefdom, Port Loko District, including Rogbessh, Faidugu, Rokama, Robat, and Kirima have staged a peaceful protest against agroforestry company Rewinding BKM for failing to pay 2024 land lease fees.
At a stakeholder meeting in Maden, attended by the Human Rights Commission, civil society groups, police, and landowners, frustrations mounted as some communities reported being excluded from payments made to others. Rewinding BKM's Community Liaison Officer, Morlai Sesay, cited financial constraints and said the company is seeking a new donor. The Regent Paramount Chief, Pa Alimamy Kai Kamara, gave the company a one-month deadline to honor its commitments, including promises around afforestation and carbon credit projects.
Kizito G. Banqura of the Human Rights Commission urged calm, assuring that mediation is ongoing. Local police commander Sao Vandy praised the peaceful nature of the protest and is engaging the company for a resolution.
Meanwhile, residents expressed confusion over the presence of a second firm, Maforki, in the area. NAMATI legal representative Hassan Sesay clarified that only a memorandum of understanding not a lease was signed with communities.
