20th February 2026
PRESS RELEASE
Maccem Cement Company abysmally contravenes various labour law issues, human rights abuse, tax frauds and most importantly, environmental pollution with impunity
Following series of complaints within and outside of the workforce and the community at large, concerns regarding the environmental pollution, health insurance of high risked staff and the allege tax evasion scheme made us to conduct a thoughtful advocacy for the safety of the workers, community and its environment. Upon this careful consideration, we wrote the first letter on the 20th February 2024 to Chief Officer of Maccem Cement to clarify the issues raised. Upon the expiration of the second letter as a follow up letter this year then ultimatum of 9days was issued. In 2024 letter requesting for clarifications, which he failed to reply us, but prefer to have an engagement of which we respectfully honored for evidence based practice.
We were furious when Mr. Ahmed Mackie could not point neither show us the issues highlighted in the letter. Thus, he only called his assistant to intervene as he do not account for clarifications. The meeting ended with a plea to address the workers and community concerns. Unfortunately, months have passed away without the company paying attention to address the concerns by the community and its workers.
On this consideration, we are hereby calling on the various key state and non-state actors to look into these grave concerns regarding the environmental pollution and safety of the workers.
It is obvious that over 80% residents in areas around the company’s facilities, especially along Janet Write Road, Ferry Junction, Blackhall Road, Cline Town, a troubling health and environmental impact associated to cement dust and machinery emissions from the factory. Community members are in the verge of protesting at the corridors of the factories because of the persistent inhaling of the dust particles daily, a situation they link to respiratory symptoms and declining quality of life. For us, this is a serious allegation that cannot be shelved for self-aggrandizement. In the same spot, the local markets, schools and places of worship keep murmuring about the high intake of the dust, exposing them to deathtraps.
On the other hand, traders at the Peace Market in Ferry Junction have been left with no option but to block the street with protest, as dust settles on goods which compromised food safety and their livelihoods.
In addition to environmental and labour law violations, it is alleged that Maccem Cement Company is seemingly conniving with some key stakeholders to under-declare production volumes and revenues to reduce its tax liabilities. It is believed that this symbolic pattern is obvious and bent on destroying the economic growth of the country.
In essence, casual workers and some permanent staff remain undocumented, the issuance of the supply of milk has stopped, which has caused many of the contract staff moron and abandoned.
No health insurance for high risk machine, users are left in a predicament and predictable condition. The law makes adequate provision for high risked staff to be ensured for in case of fatal damage or loss of life.
It is alleged that Maccem Cement Company Limited is conning with some local construction companies at the custom’s level in order to evade tax.
Nonetheless, in 2023, Mr. Swarray, the Minister of Labour, warned the Maccem company for safety and PPE concerns, according to the Minister’s statement at the sites, he noted workers health insurance that are engulfed in dust. It is indicated that modern technology and safety guarantee will be a thing of the past. It is worrying to state that the issue of staff remains unresolved.
Key advocacy issues:
- Inadequate government oversight – government position to take actions are sometimes weak thereby living the community and workers to perish.
- Government revenue transparency _ in light of the broader commitment to tax compliance and revenue mobilization, we are still worried to have realized that big business people are allegedly evading taxes.
- Ineffective and morbidity of Labour Policy – it is explicit that most of our labour policies are outdated and out of place.
National Consortium on Public Accountability therefore calls on the authorities to face the music and address the concerns:
- EPA to conduct an honest independent and transparent environmental audit of Maccem’s operational areas and publish findings.
- Ministry of Health and Sanitation to investigate potential health impacts among the affected residents.
- Credible and trusted tax authorities to review the Maccem’s tax compliance and ensures all dues to the government are fully declared and paid.
- Local government and regulatory bodies are to develop laws that can protect environmental laws
Action Points:
- To continuously engage the media until environmental pollution are addressed
- We intend to organize a massive community press conference at Maccem working environment
- Anticipating protesting at the work environment
Conclusively, sustainable development requires continued advocacy in adherence to Sierra Leone environmental regulations and tax laws. We respectfully call on the government to take action that can ameliorate the severe environmental health implications. Collaborative approaches through transparent dialogues and corrective actions. Responsible corporate citizenship requires a robust protective environmental safeguards, respect for community wellbeing, and full compliance with a conventional law across the country. We are of the strongest conviction that a collaborative approach can restore public trust and ensures that industrial growth benefits all Sierra Leoneans.
Ahmed M. Yillah-Executive Secretary for CSOs National Consortium on Public Accountability
Contact-078808123
