Tonkolili District

Demographics

The population is mostly Muslim and the people are largely from the Temne ethnic group.

Economy

Economically, there is significant potential for an extractive economy, specifically the mining of iron ore, bauxite gold and to a lesser extent diamonds. Today the biggest iron ore deposit in Africa and the third largest in the world, African Minerals Tonkolili Project, are found in the hills around Bumbuna, Mabonto and Bendugu. Agriculture also plays a significant role in the economy, the biggest bio energy company in Africa, Addax Petroleum, operates mostly in Mar in constituency 60. There is also a significant agricultural activity at the Magbass sugar production facility and refinery run by Complant, a Chinese construction engineering firm. A rubber factory is about to be established in the Mile 91 area. There are several hydroelectric power systems in the district, especially at Bumbuna. There is also as game reserve at Mamunta. However, economic development was hindered by the destruction of facilities during the 1991-2002 civil war.

Education

Before the civil war, education was highly esteemed, especially in Arabic and English. Since the end of the conflict, schools have been rebuilt to a large extent and even new ones created, including an Arabic college. , the district was home to 310 primary schools which had nearly 74,000 students. It was also home to 15 secondary schools.

Government

Tonkolili District currently has nine Representatives in the Sierra Leonean Parliament, of which eight members were elected for a 5-year term.

Administrative divisions

Chiefdoms

Pre-2017

Prior to the 2017 local administrative reorganization, Tonkolili District was made up of eleven chiefdoms as the third level of administrative subdivision, with their administrative centres in parentheses listed below:

1. Gbonkolenken – Yele
2. Kafe Simiria – Mabonto
3. Kalansongoia – Bumbuna
4. Kholifa Mabang – Mabang
5. Kholifa Rowalla – Magburaka
6. Kunike – Masingbi
7. Kunike Barina – Makali
8. Malal Mara – Rochin
9. Sambaia – Bendugu
10. Tane – Matotoka
11. Yoni – Yonibana

Post-2017

After the 2017 local administrative reorganization, Tonkolili District has made up of nineteen chiefdoms as the third level of administrative subdivision.

1. Dansogoia – Bumbuna
2. Gbonkolenken Masankong – Yele
3. Kafe – ?
4. Kalanthuba – ?
5. Kholifa Mabang – Mabang
6. Kholifa Mamuntha Mayosso – ?
7. Kholifa Rowalla – Magburaka
8. Kunike Barina – Makali
9. Kunike Folawusu – ?
10. Kunike Sanda – Masingbi
11. Malal – Rochin
12. Mayeppoh – ?
13. Poli – ?
14. Sambaia – Bendugu
15. Simiria – Mabonto
16. Tane – Matotoka
17. Yele – ?
18. Yoni Mabanta – ?
19. Yoni Mamaila – Yonibana ;Notes:

Mining

Tonkolili is the site of new iron ore mine, including a railway between the mine and Port Pepel. This railway to Port Pepel with an extension to deeper waters at Tagrin Point would be about 200 km long. While built by the African Minerals company, the railway would be open access to other users at commercial rates. There is also a large deposit at Kasafoni.

References

References

1. Regina Pratt. (1 April 2016). "'Sierra Leone Population Is Now Over Seven Million'". allAfrica.
2. "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab".
3. "Population structure report".
4. "Chiefdoms". Sierra Leone.org.
5. [http://www.african-minerals.com/am/uploads/reportsb/CorporatePresentationDecember2010.pdf Corporate Presentation] african-minerals.com December 2010
6. "allAfrica.com: Sierra Leone: African Minerals to Boost Bunbuna Hydro (Page 1 of 1)".
7. [[Railways Africa]] September 2009