By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Citizen Rights Network Sierra Leone (CRN-SL), a registered Civil Society and Human Rights organization, with a mission to promote and defend the rights of vulnerable groups and advocate for democratic good governance, on the 6th and 21st December, 2022 conducted monitoring exercises to verify complaints made by members of the public against the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL).
The monitoring survey was done together with ten journalists, other civil society groups and other public interest groups. After the completion of the monitoring exercises, CRN-SL put together its findings in a report.
According to the Executive Director CRN-SL, Ibrahim Bai Koroma, Management of the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited must be commended for its laudable venture in the area of employment adhering to ISO Standards 9001, the Local Content Policy, Corporate Social Responsibility, EPA Policy.
He revealed that out of the observations made it was noted that the waste water tanks that were installed by the Sierra Leone Brewery has helped solve the environmental pollution which residents were complaining of.
“CRN-SL observed that 30 % of the raw materials used for production are locally sourced, ” he pointed out adding that the Density Meter Analyzer (DMA) of the bottle is always standardized and that the Empty Bottle Inspector (EBI) is accurate while in operation.
He divulged that the detective camera in the conveyor is sensitive to identify negative/foreign objects inside the bottle.
Based on the report it was observed that Sierra Leoneans hold top Management positions in the company.
Significantly, it was stated that CRN-SL observed that some suppliers exposed the finished products of the company under the sun resulting in the beer contents having residues in the bottles which some might have been complaining about as foreign sediments or materials found in drinks.
CRN-SL observed that in previous years the company did not meet customers’ demands but in the last three years the company has been meeting consumers’ demands.
It also observed that competitors in the markets are playing dubious games to dent the image of Sierra Leone Brewery Limited as well as its brands in the market.
In its recommendations, CRN-SL stated that Government should find a way of reducing taxes on the company based on it being an indigenous company.
He said Government should enforce the Local Content Policy to the letter with regards the area of production concluding that the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited Operations Managers should be monitoring workers during operations to identify their challenges before starting production.
The Executive Director of CRN-SL pledged their commitment to continue to work and advocate for and on behalf of the people of Sierra Leone in promoting their democratic rights in the country.
