By Amin Kef Sesay
In keeping with its desire to see a healthy Sierra Leone and as partner in development with the Government, Sierra Leone’s leading producer of both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) donated a consignment of hygiene items to the Members of Parliament of Constituency 114 and 115, and Councillors for Wards 404, 405 and 406, at a ceremony held at the company’s compound, at the Wellington Industrial Estate on Friday 10th April 2020.
Present at the ceremony were; Laurent Bukasa, Managing Director SLBL, Albert Ojo Collier, Corporate Relations Manager SLBL, Deputy Mayor of Freetown, Osman Koroma, Hon. Alpha Amadu Bah, MP of Constituency 115, Foday Kamara representing Hon. Unpha Koroma MP of Constituency 114, Councilor Luckyn Mordings Mansaray and Councillor Mohamed Tholley.
Addressing his audience, Laurent Bukasa re-echoed the words of the World Health Organization’s Director General that the Coronavirus, now termed COVID-19, has ravaged the whole world with some very few exceptions, stressing that the virus is at the country’s doorstep, as there are now cases recorded by the Emergency Operations Centre of Sierra Leone.
He however stated that in all preventive and containment protocols issued by the WHO and the Government of Sierra Leone, as well as all other affected nations around the world, is the maintenance of hygiene procedures, which include hand washing, social distancing etc.
In this regard, SLBL have thought it fit to provide the communities in their immediate neighborhood (Wellington and Calaba Town) with hygiene items to help foster compliance with these health protocols stipulated by the Government and ensure the safety of their fellow humans.
He told the MPs and Councillors that in compliance with the directives of the Government to maintain social distancing and avoid gathering, the company decided to deliver the various items to the representatives of the people, who will eventually ensure that the necessary action is taken to get community residents to use the items for their safety.
Laurent Bukasa stressed that citizens should strive to ensure that COVID-19 does not pass through them by observing all hygiene protocols.
“Go out there and tell the people that ‘COVID-19 / CORONAVIRUS WILL NOT PASS THROUGH ME’ and let us all keep our communities safe and free from the deadly pandemic,” he said.
He further maintained that SLBL will continue to partner with the Government to ensure that the virus is kicked out of the country. This action, which he described as a modest donation is part of their Corporate Social Responsibility, saying it is desirous to see a healthy Sierra Leone, reminding them that SLBL is always ready to support the country in development and in crisis.
“We once again stress that as we continue to be partners for growth and development in the country, we will always remain relevant to our corporate social responsibility strategy to support our local communities in their development as well as in times of crisis and need,” Laurent Bukasa maintained.
Receiving the donation on behalf of his Constituency, Hon. Alpha Amadu Bah, expressed appreciation for the gesture and assured the Management of SLBL that the communities will utilize the items in every location within the Constituencies to create the right signal and enforce improved hygiene conditions.
In his closing remarks, Albert Ojo Collier, the Corporate Affairs Manager and Company Secretary of SLBL said that the hygiene items presented, which included Milla Handwashing Machines, veronica buckets, disposable hand towels /tissue paper, Cartoons of Handwashing Soap and Containers of Sanitizers with 70% alcohol, should be distributed to the communities and deployed to assist in the fight.
He further informed all that due to the present situation and restrictions, SLBL has strengthened the take home and home delivery supply chains and hope that individuals will still enjoy SLBL products in a safe way.
Sierra Leone Brewery Limited planted its roots in the field of manufacturing alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to consumers over 58 years ago. It has continuously expanded its product range through innovation to meet customer satisfaction at all levels, thereby not only establishing a contractual relationship with its stakeholders but building relationships that are lasting and rewarding to the country and contributing positively to the growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
With marked investment in equipment and human resource development, their products have been certified and approved according to local and international standards. With a variety of products like Star Beer, Mutzig Premium Beer, Guinness Foreign Extra Stout, Salone beer, Trenk Energy Drink and Maltina Non-Alcoholic, as well as the marketing of Heineken Beer, Strong Bow Cider, Fayrouz malt and none alcoholic drink, Royal Club and Climax Energy Drink, SLBL caters for all consumers.
‘STAY HOME, STAY SAFE. SLBL CARES’
