Sierra Leone’s Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Trade and Industry has concluded a four-day inspection of major companies in Freetown, commending their role in economic growth while urging improvements in corporate practices and policy support.
The committee, chaired by Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay, visited rice importer Confidence Trading Company (CTC), Kissy Industry, Rockcem, Zala Petroleum, ODHAV Industries, Rock Y. Line, Lintel Royal Paint Company, Sonoco Sierra Leone, and Aminata Petroleum.
Sesay said the oversight was aimed at gathering first-hand information on the achievements and challenges of companies operating in the country. “As a parent committee, we want to understand the realities of these industries in order to propose solutions that will foster national growth,” she told company executives.
At Kissy Industry, lawmakers noted that the company was expanding vegetable oil production to meet local and regional demand, while also supporting schools and religious institutions as part of its corporate social responsibility. Cement manufacturer Rockcem was found to be constructing a factory under a 2022 parliamentary agreement, and ODHAV Industries was praised for producing high-quality iron rods at Songo with strong worker welfare measures.
Zala Petroleum was credited with helping to stabilize fuel prices, while Aminata Petroleum highlighted the quality of its fuel as comparable to U.S. and European markets. Sonoco Sierra Leone is constructing a flour mill with a planned capacity of 600 metric tons per day, and Rock Y. Line has begun large-scale local production of rubber footwear.
CTC, described as one of the country’s leading rice importers, assured lawmakers of steady rice supply but appealed for reduced freight insurance costs to keep prices down.
The committee concluded that all the companies visited were providing substantial employment and contributing to Sierra Leone’s development, while encouraging greater investment and public awareness efforts, particularly in areas such as product quality and consumer education.
By Ibrahim Jah
