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A HUGE SO-CALLED “peace diamond” sold by the government of Sierra Leone to discourage crime-tainted “blood diamonds” fetched $6.5 million.
The 709-carat stone, which was unearthed in March, is the largest discovered in Sierra Leone in almost a half-century and is between the 10th and 15th largest ever found worldwide, experts say.
Found by a company led by evangelical Pastor Momoh, the diamond was given to the government in the hopes it would handle the sale in a way that leaves more profits and development potential in Sierra Leone.
British jewelers Laurence Graff purchased the stone, according to Martin Rapaport, whose group hosted the auction. The government was expecting about $7 million.
“Perhaps we’re dealing with the price of transparency,” Rapaport said.
Illegal mining and sales of so-called blood diamonds have been a major source of strife in many African countries including Sierra Leone. That was the goal of the auction approach of President Ernest Bai Koroma.
Expectations at home were high, yet the price may have seemed a disappointment.
Gibril Sesay, a market seller, said he wanted the government to provide “water, electricity and good roads for the people” with the proceeds of the gem following the sale.
But Beatrice Cole, a civil servant, told AFP “the money paid for the diamond was far below what we expected” after watching the auction live on TV in Freetown.
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Best not to say how old you are. The government will probably find a way to demand more tax
@Marc Power: Agreed, They want us plebs to work until 70 while they swan off at 50 with numerous pensions and directorships.
@Marc Power: In fairness Marc they do need to know how many extra trolleys to order for our hospitals…………..
@David Huston:
Once again, since about 2011 a government minister cannot receive more than one pension related to the highest position they attained and not until they get to normal retirement age.
Directorships are a matter for a company and not paid for the taxpayer.
Maybe you didn’t know but it seems a lot of commenters throw out statements like yours, a flat out lie, in the hope it cons a few “plebs”
@P.J. Nolan: Enda Kenny’s pension pot would have cost a private sector worker €5.2 million. Excessive by any standards.
@Sean:
Agreed, his pension is related to his salary and that salary was too high.
might reach the 100-and get the cheque from the government.
@TheBluffmaster2: it would probably bounce frame it instead
@Jonathan Power: I’d frame it, Might be worth something in a thousand years all going well……
@Jonathan Power: well I don’t think Michael D will be giving it to me anyway.
While Nanny State says No Smoking! No Drinking! No Gambling! No Drugs! Just DIE as we can’t afford you to live beyond you’re TAXABLE Years.
@B.J.Elmes: No Gambling? No Drinking? What State do you live in?
healthy life years??? tbh there’s nothing healthy about society these days,,, you’ll have 120 year olds addicted to social media etc when the average human age reaches that, IF it does!!!
have your say