Morarano Chrome, February 16, 2023. A small miracle happened on that day and in that place. Yes indeed. Because when the President of the Republic, Andry Rajoelina, passed by the workers of the KRAOMA company, he stopped and spoke to the representatives of the workers who have lost their souls and are still alive because the General Manager did not look after them but even fired them. he did. This is a well-known story, but let me tell you the conversation between President Rajoelina and the employee representative of KRAOMA, a company that has been completely closed since 2019.
President Rajoelina : “The chrome?” We are already looking for a solution. A new contract is on its way to completion. After all, it was sold by the previous administration. We are here… But I really care about you. So we will find a solution to help you.”
Employee representative : “That’s exactly what the people there want (TTF: Brieville).. On the social side, because the people there don’t eat. But they believe in the government and you really can do it (TTF: solving the problem of the workers) ».
President Rajoelina : “What do you expect from us now?” ».
Employee representative : “In terms of food… Even if there is no rice, the people there do not eat batik food. The salary (also) if there is anything that can be done… We had a discussion with the Governor because there is some food that can be sold… We are dedicated to you, President… “.
President Rajoelina : Wait, we’ll see, but trust me. In the long term, there are people who will take it (TTF: the Kraoma company), a strong company to take it. The deal was completed in a week. As for the social, wait for the PCA I will send to you next week”.
Employee representative : “Thank you very much, Sir, thank you very much.”
This pause was over one minute and three and a half seconds, but the questions and answers were interrupted.
What is the cause of the social problems facing these KRAOMA employees?
Chrome version. What happened on February 16, 2023, when the President, Andry Rajoelina, interviewed the representatives of workers at Kraoma in Brieville, the General Manager, Nirina Rakotomanantsoa, was not there. Likewise, the Member of Parliament, Ratsimanosika Alexandre Zozo, which has a bad reputation among the local residents because it is a close friend of Dahalo… But there are about 87 km that separates Brieville and Morarano Chrome! Didn’t he know in advance that the president was coming? Or warm like all evildoers? Male job…
A BRIEF HISTORY OF CHROME
KRAOMA is a state-owned company with a deposit of 3,231,560,000 Ariary which exported 100,000 to 140,000 T of chromite per year. In 1948, near the town of Androfia in the Andriamena region, the first chromite was discovered in Madagascar, but it was not until 1968 that mining began. This is a mineral resource. COMINA was formed in 1966 (Andriamena Mining Company) to produce chromite with the companies UGINE, PECHINEY, COFIMEN, MOKTA, the Société Française de Fonderies et Aciers Electriques (SFAC) and the Malagasy State (owned 20% of the capital). These are the shareholders or “shareholders” first of that COMINA.
Mining products are transported over a distance of approximately 480 km (including 90 km of paved road from Brieville to Morarano and 390 km of railway). Then it is put in a big ship in the port of Toamasina for overseas.
Bemanevika is one of KRAOMA’s mining sites. but it was closed in 1972. Mining resumed in 1973. Exports of chromite continued to leave the port of Toamasina. At that time, the following countries bought this Malagasy product: France (70-80% of exports, 50% of the needs of that country and 40% for the countries called ” Common market “), Japan (20 to 30%) and the rest Norway.
In 1975, when Admiral Idider Ratsiraka came to power, the government adopted (« nationalisation ») of COMINA and named “MALAGAS KRAOMITA” or KRAOMA. Then the Malagasy government is gone only “shareholder” only started to want, and left 3 825 300 000 riyals of the deposit or « Capital ».
In 2006, about 132,330 tons of products were produced, of which 116,290 tons were exported, with China, Japan and Sweden being the main buyers, earning 28 billion riyals. In 2008, about 112,613 T were exported with a trade value of 32,579,718 USD.
Proved reserves amount to 2,280,000 T. In 2008, chrome production from Bemanevika alone was 145,000 Mt. The mining site in Anengitra had proven reserves of 160,000 tons and 465,000 tons in the Befandriana region.
The mine in Ankazotaolana was completely closed in 2008 because the mineral resources there were depleted.
This proves that the existence of Madagascar’s mineral wealth is not eternal… But who has received, receives and will benefit?…
In 2007, the Malagasy government led by President Marc Ravalomanana introduced the Madagascar Action Plan (MAP) and KRAOMA followed its strategy from the MAP. The MAP is a roadmap for economic development in a major five-year program.
But in 2009, Mr. Ravalomanana was forced to leave the government, who made the Malagasy country look like a private company. Fortunately, Mr. Ravalomanana has almost given the KRAOMA company to be managed by Rio Tinto/QMM (which has mined ilmenite in Taolagnaro) where Mr. Mejamirado Razafimihary was the General Manager (DG) at that time.
It is good to know that in 2007, the latter made a big announcement: he is gone ” Anonimous society “ or SA of KRAOMA and even though the Malagasy Government had the largest deposit, this ZARASOA intervened, an association of workers in KRAOMA… There was also the SONAPAR (Société nationale de Participation) and NY HAVANA insurance company. Mrs Davidson Raolimalala Jeanne (former PCA), succeeded Mr. Razafimihary in 2010.
During the transition, KRAOMA did not hear much controversy, but the work was going well, no complaints were heard from the workers. When Mr. Hery Rajaonarimampianina came to power, the management of KRAOMA was completely disorganized.
In July 2014, Mr. Arsène Rakotoarisoa was appointed to succeed Mrs. Davidson Raolimalala Jeanne, so Mr. Arsène is both the General Director and the acting PCA. He was a technical advisor to Hery Rajaonarimampianina when the latter was the Minister of Finance. And Mr. Arsène also became a councilor in the HVM party. « audit ». Until now in 2023, the company has not seen that inspection, but it has lost a hole in response.
This Teji looks like a meteorite: it passed and was not seen again…And Mr. Jaobarison Randrianarivony replaced him as Dg de la KRAOMA. That is, in just a few months, KRAOMA replaced DG three times. Something was wrong but it was clear…
You will be tired if I tell you all about the monopoly that Arsène Rakotoarisoa did, but here are some examples: the debt he did not pay increased to 6 million dollars “suppliers” various; that of Jovena, 4 billion aryi, that of TCR, 800 billion aryi and that of SMCP, 2 billion aryi. I wrote an article in French about all this in 2016. If you are interested, click HERE. Suddenly, in August 2018, Mr. DG Arsène Rakotoarisoa resigned. Terji Rakotondrazafy replaced him temporarily. This Terji did not last long but in January 2019 Jaobarison Randrianarivony replaced him in the position. The year 2020 was made “investigation” Mr. Arsène Rakotoarosa and imprisoned…
But KRAOMA mines not only chromite, sir, but also gold. Henry Rabary-Njaka, who was appointed by President Rajaonarimampianina as Minister of Mineral Resources during the last days of Hvm, was very involved in this. ry Jaoabarison Randrianarivony (he reappeared now but he should have been quieter)… There was “thugs” other than those first known to the public. These guys managed to follow the Russians, but they knew very well that they would soon lose their power. This relationship of KRAOMA with the Russians made them see the moon months before the prophet Habibo dared to say that it exists in Madagascar “Wagner network”.
When President Andry Rajoelina came to power, the KRAOMA company was completely in debt. But people who don’t have ” skill “ He also replaced Mr. Jaobarison Randrianarivony to lead the KRAOMA since February 2019.
Who is this Nirina Rakotomanantsoa?
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General director
KRAOMA or
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Special Advisor in charge of Rural Development and Security
Prime Minister, Republic of Madagascar
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Representative of Madagascar among the 12 member countries
PAESFA – Pan African Ethanol Stoves and Fuel Alliance
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Technical adviser to the military cabinet
Prime Minister, Republic of Madagascar
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Senior Judicial Advisor
Member representing civil society
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Member of the Technical Unit
PRSP (Poverty Reduction Strategy Department)
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General Project Coordinator
Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries
Education
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Polytechnic School, University of Madagascar
Diploma of Specialized Studies Land tenure security and development of rural and urban spaces
Is it amazing? The man has a degree, but… How many times have the workers there complained that their behavior is tyrannical and tyrannical. All methods were used to prevent the workers from being able to communicate with President Rajoelina. He has even fired employees for very humiliating reasons. But the government put all these workers back in place, even if they did not receive salary for many months…Mr. Nirina Rakotomanantsoa was meant to offer ideas and suggestions but not to lead people. Here I am wondering about the role of the PCA (“Président du Conseil d’administration”) or President of the Board of Directors. Who is this now? I remember that in February 2021, Mr. Onjaniaina Dina Andriamaholy was the PCA of KRAOMA. But also like SGPA in the Presidency. This is no longer known, but this is what it is: no one protected these workers at all. That is the truth
And here in Madagascar, when you have a degree, you are always considered to have it “experiences” a person in the work assigned to him. This is a complete mistake “scandals” appeared and continues to appear until now… As soon as the position was obtained, he became an unapproachable person who is very arrogant and demeaning to others, especially those “friend” used to be… Too much work.
However, everything has a limit and a time, so we are waiting for what will happen after the meeting of the President Andry Rajoelina with the employees of this KRAOMA which was deliberately destroyed for personal interests far from patriotism.
And it is an ongoing story.
Jeannot Ramambazafy
