Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources, Mrs. Fatmata Mustapha, yesterday officially launched the 'Sierra Leone Gem' - the official newsletter of the National Minerals Agency (NMA) - at the agency's head office on Wilkinson Road in Freetown.

Delivering the keynote address, Mrs. Mustapha said the establishment of the Agency was part of the wider transformation process undertaken in the minerals sector to ensure that it delivers maximum benefits to Sierra Leoneans. She maintained that the newsletter was a demonstration of their commitment to promoting transparency in the sector, adding that it would serve as a medium through which the NMA will share information with stakeholders, highlighting its activities and telling the world about major development in the minerals sector in the country.

"This launching today is a further demonstration of our commitment to promote transparency and accountability in the minerals sector," she opined.

In his short statement, the NMA Board Chairman, Moshe Roberts, reiterated the Board's commitment and determination in ensuring that the organization becomes an efficient, effective and high performing institution that will be admired as a paragon of excellence. He said the initiative was part of a five-year strategic plan they have developed.

Mr. Roberts noted that the event was a clear manifestation of the agency's determination to match words with action, and to prove to all that it was serious about keeping all stakeholders fully informed about its activities and other development in the minerals sector. He said the newsletter will complement the mining cadastre system, the government of Sierra Leone's online repository and the soon-to-be-launched NMA website.

He thanked their development partners and expressed optimism for the sustenance of the newsletter, which he said will be published quarterly.

"We in the Board will not relent in ensuring that management operates in a world-class manner, and we are grateful for the support we have received so far from our development partners in setting up a world-class minerals agency based on international standards," he said.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the agency's Director-General, SahrWonday, said the management of the minerals resources is the second pillar in the 'Agenda for Prosperity' document. He said the NMA is expected to play a leading role to ensure that citizens benefit from the abundant mineral resources.

He said NMA has agreed to accelerate economic development of the minerals sector, maximize government revenue in the sector, ensure that mining companies operate within the law, and that mining communities share the benefits of the wealth generated from the mining in their communities, as part of their strategic objectives.