The National Minerals Agency (NMA) on the 23rd June 2016 launched the Geo- Data Management Information System (GIMS) at the Miatta Conference Hall, Youyi Building Brookfield in Freetown.
Officially launching the GIMS (website), the Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resource, Hon. Abdul Ignosis Koroma underscored the importance of the project in the mines and mineral sector. He said that the Geo-data information system will create transparency in the mining sector since all activities carried out will be on the website and therefore people can easily access it. The Deputy Minister said that access to information on activities carried out by the National Mineral Agency will help researchers, students and other users to access quality information.
He pointed out that the project will improve the mining sector especially the mandate and responsibility of the agency. He said that the Geo-Data system will enable us to manage and monitor activities carried out by different mining companies.
In his statement, the Director General of the National Mineral Agency, Sahr Wonday described the project as historic and developmental. He stated that the Geo-Data system will serve as a platform to provide guidance in the sector, and thus attract potential investors for the sector.
The NMA, he went on, was excited about the GIMS because it will directly or indirectly help the Agency to achieve all of its six (6) strategic objectives, as it will serve as an effective investment promotion tool, that will enable us to readily present geological information to potential investors; and such investment will accelerate the economic development of the sector. Additional investment into the sector will also translate to maximizing Government revenue through additional royalties and taxes.
In his statement, the Project Coordinator GIMS, Mustapha Gibril said that the World Bank support government development agenda in creating an enabling environment for the mineral sector investment and at the same time ensuring transparency and accountability of the management of the sector.
He pointed out that the World Bank and DFID have provided support for government capacity building in order to improve on the management and regulation of the extractive industries through Extractive Industry Technical Assistance Project (EITAP) set up within the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources. He added that the total project amount is $ 11.35 with a World Bank Contribution of $ 8m and DFID contribution of $ 3.35m.
The Chairperson of the ceremony who also is the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resource, Mrs. Fatmata S. Mustapha said transformation of the sector brought the formation of the project, noting that the system has been tested at all levels and fit for the purpose. She called for effective monitoring and compliance from mining companies.
Presentation of the GIMS project by the consultant, demonstration of the current tools for the public, web resources contract, on line repository, resources on NMA and discussion on the outcome of the launching climaxed the event.
