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Student Union President in China Hailed by Returning Graduates for Pro-Activeness  

By Kuria Mansaray

Speaking to one of the graduates at the Beijing Xinqiao International Airport, Kabineh Kabba, he emphatically registered his hearty gratification, on behalf of his colleague graduates, to their dynamic and competent Student Union President, Jonathan Koroma, for his prompt intervention in salvaging their worries towards the $80 payment for COVID-19 NUCLEIC TEST.

Though he was five days new in office, President Jonathan Koroma diplomatically related their lamentation to the Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone in Beijing under the dynamic leadership of H.E Ambassador Ernest Mbaimba Ndomahina, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the Peoples’ Republic of China. He added that their decision to overwhelmingly vote for President Jonathan Koroma and his proactive team was one of the most important decision they made in contemporary times. According to them, Jonathan Koroma is a true born leader, he ends.

Speaking on behalf of her boss and the Embassy, Ms Rachael Kanu, he Acting Head of Chancery at the Republic of Sierra Leone Embassy in Beijing presented a financial aid as a form of lunch for all the graduates to the President, on behalf of her institution.

She extended heartfelt salutation from H.E Ambassador Ernest Mbaimba Ndomahina to the students. She told them that had it not been that they are in the era of COVID-19 they should have prepared a send- off party for the charming graduates. The young and caring Acting Head of Chancery admonished the iconic graduates to go and contribute immensely towards the socio-economic development of Sierra Leone.

Responding to the Acting Head of Chancery, President Jonathan Koroma, Aka Super Hero, who is currently a third year PhD candidate, at the Department of SCI-TEC and Communication Policy, Research in the Ethics and Privacy of Cybersecurity, situated in the University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui Province P.R. China, extended appreciation and gratitude for the hind gesture by the Embassy.

Jonathan also holds a Master of Law in International Relations from Jilin University, Changchun China and a Bsc in Peace and Conflict Studies from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone.

This young and charismatic gentleman’s academic background is impressive which has put him on a better footing to attain and maintain this enviable administrative height.

Jonathan has an undisputable track record in administrative growth and trajectory which always make him stand distinct among his peers.

President Jonathan Koroma also commended the SLPP Government’s intervention in providing the $80 waiver COVID 19 NUCLEIC TEST fee for the graduates on arrival at the Lungi International Airport and also registered his profound appreciation on behalf of the graduates to the Embassy for their financial aid and unflinching support  to Sierra Leonean students in China.

The Sierra Leone Students’ Union in China (SLSUC) remains thankful to H.E. President Julius Maada Bio, for the Government’s efforts in developing the country’s human development index by addressing the needs of students both at home and abroad, he said.

President Jonathan Koroma assured graduates and continuing students that his administration will cautiously liaise with the Embassy and other line Ministries in order to maximize the welfare of students in China so that they fully attain their academic mission in China via proactive measures in combating the challenges that restrain students from acquiring excellent academic laurels.

62 Criminal Cases to Be Tried & 4 Could Face Death Penalty in Kabala

Effective Justice Delivery was his Promise to the People of Sierra Leone

By Elkas Sannoh

The Criminal Session of the High Court in Sierra Leone Holden in Kabala commenced hearing on the Monday 14th September, 2020 with sixty-two (62) cases to be tried and four (4) among the aforesaid may face death panelist if convicted.

The court presided over by His Lordship the Hon. Justice Abdula Rahim Mansaray will run for two weeks and will expeditiously try sixty-two (62) cases of which four are murder, five sexual penetration, four robbery with aggravation, thirteen wounding with intent and others.

Public Relations Officer of the Judiciary of Sierra Leone, Moses Lamin Kamara, said the return of the Holden of the Special Criminal Session of the High Court in Kabala is provided for in Statuary Instrument No. 21 of 2019 and the said instrument according to him gives the Hon. Chief Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards to hold Criminal Sessions of the High Court in new locations such as Kabala and Tonkolili added to Port Loko in the north, Pujehun and Mattru Jong added to Moyamba in the South and Kailahun in the East.

“Since his appointment as Hon. Chief Justice of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Judiciary has for the first time in history; held two criminal sessions of the High Court without funding from any donor and has tried over five hundred criminal cases which many considered as a huge success,” disclosed the  Judiciary’s PRO, Moses Lamin Kamara.

Mr. Kamara said the aim of the session is to ensure that those who are supposed to be in prison are kept there and those who are not found wanting by law are either acquitted and discharged or discharged.

Commenting on those who are standing trial for murder and sexual penetration, Mr. Kamara said the law is very clear that whosoever is convicted for murder shall face death by hanging and for sexual penetration it depends on the age of the convict. He said if the convict is between twelve to seventeen years, he will be sentenced to a minimum of five and a maximum of ten years imprisonment.

From eighteen to twenty three years, the convict will be sentenced from a minimum of ten to life imprisonment and if someone is twenty three years and above, he will be sentenced to a minimum of fifteen years to life imprisonment.

Njala Campus Deputy Vice Chancellor Encourages Lab Technicians

By Ralph Sesay (PRO Njala University)

Deputy Vice- Chancellor of Njala University and who also doubles as Pro-Vice Chancellor of the same University, Professor Bashiru Koroma, has inspired various laboratory technicians currently taking part in a four-day Laboratory Training and Harmonization Methods Workshop at the School of Agriculture and Food Science earlier on Monday 14th September, 2020.

The DVC told the participants that the purpose of the workshop is to ensure uniformity of laboratory analytical procedures and operations by the harmonization of methods and training of laboratory staff.

This, according to him ,will improve the quality of service delivery and reliability of results from the three participating laboratories in the National Comprehensive Soil Survey. Professor Koroma underscored the point that Laboratory soil analysis is a critical component of every soil survey or land suitability assessment and that one of the objectives of the survey project is to enhance the capacity of the existing targeted laboratories at Njala University, Sierra Leone Agricultural and Research Institute (SLARI) as a way forward to producing reliable data for making management recommendations, he concluded.

The four-day workshop hosted by the Soil Science Department, School of Agriculture and Food Science headed by Dr,Patrick Sawyerr, the Project -Lead has brought together laboratory technicians from the Rokupr Research Laboratory ,SLARI and Njala University Quality Control Laboratory to provide knowledge and training for them on laboratory analysis and harmonization of methods for the conduct of the survey.

Dr. Abdulrahman Kamara, Director Engineering Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security who served as Chairman for the ceremony underscored the fact that, the status of our soils in Sierra Leone was critical for the Country’s Food Security drive and assured all that the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security is keen to having the project succeed and has a resounding confidence for all the players involved especially Njala University and SLARI ,the leading agricultural institutions in Sierra Leone in terms of research and agricultural productivity.

He thanked the European Union, through the Boosting Agriculture and Food Security Project (BAFS), for providing funding for the project and urged the participants to pay attention to the different facilitators for the next two days.
Arnaud Havet the representative from the European Union /BAFS project indicated that they were motivated by the level of collaboration amongst the various players in the agricultural sector especially the Ministry of Agriculture for what he described as the strong leadership.

He pointed out that the survey was timely for the fact that the status of our soils was integral to any agricultural transformation.
Professor Emeritus Edward Rhodes in a zoom presentation noted that the survey is expected to analyze a total of 30,000 soil samples quickly and efficiently in tandem with international best practice.

He emphasized that the survey has got the resources and will expertly be able to produce quality results that would be internationally accepted.
Representatives from SLARI, the Rokupr Research Center also made meaningful presentations at the ceremony.

Earlier in the day, the Dean of the School of Agriculture and Food Science, Dr. Alieu Bah pledged the support of his school and the University Administration by extension to the accomplishments of the project deliverables while Project-Lead for the National Comprehensive Soil Survey Dr. Patrick Sawyerr, who also doubles as the Head of Department Soil Science, welcomed the various participants, donor partners and all and sundry to the ceremony.

The climax was a presentation by Alie Kamara, Laboratory Manager for Njala University Quality Control Laboratory on the draft Copy of the Laboratory Manual with a view to ensure that laboratory methods and processes in all of three identified laboratories are harmonized to be able to produce the same results for the different sample of the survey.

NP (SL)’s Sophisticated Calibrated Pumping Machines Continue to Boost Customers’ Confidence

National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited, NP (SL-Ltd).

By Amin Kef Sesay

When this medium  recently undertook an in-depth investigation into the operations of the country’s foremost importer and marketer of petroleum products, the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) it was learnt that the calibrated pumping machines used in all the company’s Filling Stations are of high performance standards having the capacity of displaying the exact and correct quantity of petrol, diesel or kerosene that is discharged simultaneously displaying the exact price that a particular buyer should pay.

It was understood that a conscious move on the part of the shareholders to install such modern high tech calibrated pumping machines was deliberate and falls within the context of giving optimal satisfaction to its numerous and esteemed customers, as well as operate in a very transparent manner that will continue to instill confidence in customers that they are dealing with a trusted business partner.

In line with the furtherance of the country’s Local Content Policy the initiative by the company of having in its employ Sierra Leonean members of staff has over the years contributed immensely towards offering job opportunities to many Sierra Leoneans from Managerial positions down to drivers and what this basically means is helping to reduce poverty as well as building the capacities of these workers to make them become more relevant to the development trajectory of the nation. These fortunate employees are today at vantage positions to take care of family responsibilities which should have been very burdensome if otherwise they were not gainfully employed.

It could never be an understatement to state that one of the key factors that have catapulted NP-SL Ltd to a higher height to such an enviable position is the emphasis that it had since placed on optimizing customer care which has led some to rate the company as 1st For Customer Care. The Shareholders and successive Management teams have always maintained this posture and it has been paying fruitful dividends.

As far as they are concerned customers of the company in particular and members of the public in general are very much important to the growth of the business and so therefore must be accorded all the respect and attention they deserve. What the company highly believes in is giving back value for money and taking into consideration valid views and recommendations in order to attain a win-win situation.

It is against such a backdrop that the company imports high grade petroleum products which it retails to its numerous customers at affordable prices. Besides, with these objectives at play NP-SL Ltd decided at one point in time in its operations to import highly sophisticated calibrated pumping machines which have the capacity of precisely pumping diesel, petrol, kerosene displaying quantity and price. The transparent nature of these machines keep instilling confidence in customers that they are really deriving value for what they purchase, keeping them glued to the company.

Another thing that makes the company so special within the business landscape of the country is the wisdom of its shareholders and Management to translate the initiative of expanding the company beyond the shores of this country into a tangible reality on the ground. Successfully, the company established branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia with all the branches vibrantly operating to the utmost satisfaction of the Governments and the People of those countries.

Such a remarkable feat has made many Sierra Leoneans proud and is seen as a source of inspiration to others who want to venture into such an investment. The Governments of those countries are realising huge tax payments from the company and at this material point in time when premium is placed on domestic mobilization of revenue to undertake various development programmes, such taxes paid by the company are immensely helping to promote national development plans.

To make their customers more comfortable the company went the extra mile to offer on sale the now much talked about NP Gas which is currently in vogue. A cooking device which is designed in different cylinder sizes, it has been proven beyond all reasonable doubts that it is fast, clean, environmental friendly and portable. NP Gas could be accessed at the company’s various Filling Stations and authorized dealers and going at affordable prices. The good thing about this device is that it uses gas and the latter is marketed by the company.

NP Smart Card is fast becoming trending although for now it is well- to -do customers who are frequently using it. This card, after topping it up is used to procure fuel at Filling Stations and when once a particular customer uses it the amount of money utilized is debited and when it is topped-up it is credited.

The good thing about the NP Smart Card is that it prevents a customer from personally carrying physical cash in his or her possession to be used for transactions. Some people have been used to conducting business transactions using smart cards instead of using physical cash and at times some are not chanced because of busy schedules to access monies from banks. But with NP Smart Card a customer is saved from going through all those hassle.

Corporate Social Responsibility has become a norm in the business world as companies and other entities are expected to give back to society. NP-SL has been on top of situation with regards steadily rolling it out . From time to time the company gives institutional support to communities and other institutions with a view to complement Government’s development interventions. An outstanding one it did recently was capacitating the National Fire Force (NFF) with a water facility that it could use to source water to be used for extinguishing fire outbreaks in Greater Freetown.

It could be safely concluded that NP-SL is indeed here for real, a trusted development partner and doing exceptionally well to the admiration of many near and far.

Big Idea of the Week:   “Supporting Girls and Women Helps Communities Thrive”

SLAJ and NACOVERC Big Idea of the week

By Amin Kef Sesay

Coronavirus has added stress to many of our lives. We have overcome difficult times before and we will get through this too. Families and community leaders, especially men, have a responsibility to prevent child marriage and protect girls and their future to go to school, pursue a career, and choose when to have a family.

Fathers and mothers, women and men have a very important role in encouraging girls to focus on their dreams and goals, and talking with boys and girls about how teenage pregnancy can be harmful and make  life more difficult, especially for the young mother, her family, and the child.

Supporting girls to achieve their dreams and thrive benefits communities and encourages other girls and boys, women and men to do the same.

Men and boys can lead by example and publicly supporting women and girls, listening to them and treating them with respect, and stepping in to prevent or stop violence by other men and boys.

 Where can survivors of rape or domestic violence go for help? 

Survivors of rape or domestic violence can go to a One Stop Center. One Stop Centers provide a range of services under one roof. Each Center provides medical, psychosocial counselling and legal aid for survivors in an environment that is confidential, private, safe, respectful, and without judgment.

All services at the One Stop Centers are free. You can go to a One Stop Center at any time. Services are provided all hours of the day.

You do not need to go to the police station to report. The One Stop Center staff includes a Family Support Unit (FSU) officer who will take a report from you while you are at the One Stop Center.

The One Stop Centers are currently located at Port Loko Government Hospital, Moyamba Government Hospital, Pujehun Government Hospital, Kabala Government Hospital, Kailahun Government Hospital, and King Harmon Road Government Hospital (Freetown).

If you are in Bo, Kenema, Makeni, Kono, or Freetown (PCMH), please contact Rainbo Centers for medical and psychosocial services. Call 116 Rape hotline for help locating a center.

If you are the survivor of an attempted rape, you may report at the One Stop Center or local Family Support Unit (FSU). Call 116 for help. If you see or learn of any act of sexual violence happening in your community, you must SPEAK out to  help the survivor and punish the perpetrator.

EVERYONE has the right to say NO to sex! 

Any sexual contact between two people must be fully and freely agreed by those two people, on EVERY occasion. Any forced sexual act where one person does not want it, is violence and a crime.

Report ALL cases of sexual violence to the nearest Family Support Unit (FSU) or hospital, or call the 116 Rape hotline for free on Orange, Africell or Q-cell at any time of the day.

You can also report to your local authorities including the Child Welfare Committee or religious leaders. Having sex with a child under 18 years is an abuse and an offence against the State!

VP Jalloh Highlights Strong Political Will to Decentralization Process

Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh

By Esther Wright

The Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has reiterated that Government is committed to push the decentralization process forward. He furthered how the New Direction Government will ensure that districts, municipal and city councils have the capacity and resources they need to function vibrantly also emphasizing that the political will is not only vital to the democratization process, but it is also important to bring development to the doorstep of the people.

VP Juldeh Jalloh made the aforementioned statement during the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) Meeting on Decentralization at the Bintumani Hotel, Aberdeen in Freetown on the 14th September, 2020.

He intimated the audience that the rationale for convening the meeting was to discuss certain key issues, whilst encouraging Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies present to conclude the meeting with clear benchmarks set on devolution.

“The essence of the decentralization process is to ensure equitable political, economic and social development across the country,” Vice President Jalloh disclosed.

The Vice President added that the decentralization process started in 2004 with the establishment of democratically elected Councils as well as the need to build the human and financial capacity that goes with the Councils to perform their functions. The Honourable Vice President disclosed challenges plaguing the decentralization processes despite immense efforts in certain areas.

The IMC on Decentralization is the overarching organ responsible for decision-making and implementation of the decentralization programme. It is chaired by the Vice President and includes representatives of relevant MDAs. Its main role is to ensure continuous high-level political will for the implementation process, promote inter-governmental coordination, build synergy and ensure the harmonization of these efforts.

Parliament’s Transparency & Accountability Role… As Outlined by Hon. Ibrahim Sorie – APC

By Amin Kef Sesay

Head of the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR), Andrew Lavalie, has stated that if Sierra Leone is to move its development agenda forward credibly, sustainably, robustly and incrementally, the role of Parliament in ensuring transparency and accountability by the MDAs is key.

In part two of these series on Parliament’s role in ensuring Transparency and Accountability in the administration and management of the resources and finances of the State, veteran APC MP, Hon. Ibrahim Sorie in a speech to the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja in 2010 highlighted that The Lome Peace Accord of 1998 and its subsequent corollaries of Abuja I and II in 2000, which ended the country’s civil war ushered in peace, made provision for key reforms in governance, the responsible use of mineral resources proceeds and fiscal accountability.

He applauded the country for breaking new grounds in democratic governance, having operationalized the 1991 multiparty democratic constitution and decentralization with Local Councils in place in addition to a vibrant civil society participation in our governance.

Likewise, he mentioned reforms in the public sector aimed at strengthening State institutions, public financial management and modernization of the economy with the assistance of our development partners that he said are yielding positive results in our overall governance.

Towards which end he said, Section 93 and 94 of the 1991 Sierra Leone Constitution empowers Parliament to constitute session departmental oversight committees to supervise policy implementation and strengthen transparency and accountability in the deployment of Government funds, their utilization and tangible performance results. Such functions are often accomplished by field visits, special committee hearings and session reports to the whole House of Parliament.

He added that in carrying out our oversight responsibility Parliament form alliances or partnerships with civil society and other accountability institutions such as the Anti-Corruption Commission, Audit Service Sierra Leone, Office of the Ombudsman and the media.

“We embark on this arrangement in a bid to enforcing accountability and transparency for the enhancement of human rights and development,” he said.

The seasoned MP, speaking to colleague ECOWAS MPs, maintained that there is still huge room to improve the functionality of the Sierra Leone Parliament by enhancing its capacity to fully deliver on its statutory mandate as lead enforcer of social accountability to improve the welfare and human rights of the general citizenry.

The following, he said, are the imperatives for the effective discharge of our parliamentary oversight function:

  • Research, Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation—there is need for the establishment of a robust parliamentary research, planning, monitoring and evaluation committee to:
  • Coordinate the research needs of Parliament; to establish networks and partnership with research institutions and the academia.
  • Ensure that Parliament has a robust strategic plan spelling priority intervention in its oversight responsibility over the medium term.

To make Parliament effective and efficient in its oversight role, Hon. Ibrahim Sorie said that there is need for a clearly and robustly articulated monitoring system in discharging the oversight responsibility of Parliament.

According to the country’s former Parliamentary Leader and Leader of Government Business, Parliament has a responsibility of ensuring the implementation of all legislations and national policies.

Therefore, there is need for follow up with the Executive institutions on the implementation process by Parliament to identify gaps in the process and proffer corrective measures where necessary.

(End of this discourse on Parliament’s transparency and Accountability role by Hon. Ibrahim Sorie next edition)

Housemates Salone… Twenty-Eight Days More to Enter the House

By Amin Kef Sesay

Time, they say, flies. It seems unbelievable that the moment is getting closer?  Indeed, it is now twenty-eight (28) days now left for twenty (20) applicants, who will successfully be selected through a voting process out of the fifty (50) chosen after the audition, to enter D-House on the 14th October 2020. Fervent prayers are now taking place and some are lure into an imaginary world that they are now in the House. Should we say it is day dreaming?

Indeed, Housemates Salone, the Last Standing Couple, with the theme “Quarantine Drama” is gaining momentum worldwide and getting the attention it deserves. This was confirmed and attested to be the increasing number of calls and messages we receive, on a daily basis, from individuals who are very interested in the Reality TV Show seeking clarifications though in some cases there is none to be done. But it is understandable as the hyping increases.

It must be reiterated that the current status of Housemates Salone Season Two has been the selection of Fifty (50) successful applicants out of the thousands who were auditioned countrywide. These selected Fifty will soon be put up for voting in order to determine the Twenty (20) Housemates that will be entering the House on October 14, 2020.

AYV and Africell will soon announce details of when the voting process for the best 20 will commence.

It is no news again that once the show begins in October, it will be streamed live online at Africa Young Voices Media Empire Facebook page, AYV entertainment TV, Africell Sierra Leone Facebook page and on website at www.ayvnews.com. Replay of Housemates Salone Season 2 Audition is aired on AYV Television Channel 33.

The AYV and Africell Sierra Leone Housemates Salone 2 has been the talk of the town attracting a lot of conversation based on the success of the last show. The forthcoming show is set to be even bigger and better.

Housemates Salone has in store for the lucky winner the whopping sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Million Leones (Le250M) plus undertaking a round trip to Dubai.

Apart from bagging the Star Prize of Two Hundred and Fifty Million Leones (Le250M), all other participants will be entitled to their daily allowances of Le100, 000 each, whilst they still remain in the House and accumulatively given to them whenever they are evicted.

Interestingly, during a particular stage of the Show, based on the percentage of votes scored by a particular Housemate such will determine if he or she will be evicted from the House. Evictions will continue until the ultimate winner emerges.

Housemates Salone is all about Youth Empowerment. When the successful Housemates are in the House they will be assigned to perform certain tasks that will shape their characters, they will be availed the opportunity to learn new skills, improve on existing ones. They will also be emotionally tested, afforded the space to find panacea to certain human problems and do a host of other things.

Furthermore, the Housemates will benefit from widespread exposure as the Show will be watched near and far. Talents will be spotted and vistas of opportunities could be opened as some of the Housemates would be earmarked to become Brand Ambassadors, movie artists, models etc.

From what this medium has so far gathered it seems as if a very entertaining Reality TV Show is in the offing that will change the lives of the Housemates and take the entertainment industry to a higher level. Don’t wait to be told. Make a date with Housemates Salone Season 2, the Last Standing Couple with the theme, “Quarantine Drama”.

The setting of the stage is underway…don’t miss out❗

National Shipping Company is Slowly Rising Again

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Sierra Leone National Shipping Company (SLNSC) is one of the oldest parastatals in the country established way back in 1972 under the Companies Act CAP 249 as a joint venture between the Government of Sierra Leone and A/S Ocean Transport from Norway. As a matter of fact the rationale behind the establishment of the company bordered on providing clearing, forwarding, warehousing, haulage and shipping services.

Initially SLNSC was doing extremely well as a buoyant company seen to be positively contributing to revenue generation for the Government. Lamentably, over the years, the company became more of a liability than an asset to Government as a result of poor and inefficient management service delivery. As a result of this dysfunctional state of the SLNSC, the institution was placed under the supervision of the National Commission for Privatization (NCP) as one of the parastatals that should be restructured, revamped and if the need arises to privatize it. Even though that was done the status of the entity remained abysmal.

According to what workers of company intimated as well as other stakeholders contacted, things took a different dimension in 2018 when certain managerial changes were made alongside the appointment of a seasoned business administrator in the person of Ahmed Sayborn Kanu to serve as the Managing Director of the company.

Sayborn, as he is popularly known, took over a company that many described as a shadow of its former self or a carcass as even the building housing the company was in a dilapidated state with no proper managerial structure in place.

Before this time, according to investigations mounted by this medium, it was alleged that previous senior Executives of the company sold the clearing and ship’s agency to other competitors in the sector which severely undermined the company’s potential to grow.

This problem was compounded by the proliferation of clearing businesses, the absence of strategic focus on marketing and business promotion by the company.

What again was seriously amiss is that income from clearing and agency fees from shipping operations were not sufficient to support pre-finance operations and meet the administrative expenses of the company. Consequently, such resulted in the use of funds meant for payment to third parties to cushion staff cost and other administrative expenses leading to the accumulation of huge external debts amidst poor conditions of service.

To add salt to injury the company was plagued with a lot of mediocrity bordering political bickering among members of staff and the unwillingness of some to work with incoming appointees.

Things gradually started improving when a marked departure from the past was initiated by the current Managing Director Ahmed Sayborn Kanu, who out of sheer determination decided that it is high time that the status quo must be thoroughly overhauled.

He took giant strides to re-engineer the company towards standardized processes within a sound policy framework that is geared towards enhancing income generation and reduce leakages.

From what was learnt during our investigation, the initial step he took was to facilitate the strengthening of the company’s legal ability to do business against its competitors. His incessant lobbying culminated in the enactment of Section 31 of the Finance Act 2019 which provides: “Notwithstanding this Act or any agreement , all Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), State-Owned Enterprises, State Owned Banks, Extra-Budgetary Agencies, Treasury Account Budgetary Agencies and National Social Security Trust shall use the Sierra Leone National Shipping Company for all clearing and forwarding services.”

Before this enactment the aforementioned public entities used to engage the services of other clearing and forwarding agencies which was not helping Government realize much revenue from the sector.

Another significant reform that the new administration at SLNSC rolled out was improving the policy environment of the company. The Accounting Procedures and Asset Management Manuals were formulated. Since the inception of the company, for the first time, it developed a Commercial Operations Manual to regulate the clearing and shipping operations of the company.

A further conspicuous achievement of the company, as opined by a professional shipping agent of long standing experience, is the company’s penetration of into the private sector for clients. This means that under the current Management there has been a radical departure from an entirely public sector approach to a more private sector business oriented approach through institutional reforms, business approach ,facilitation, advertising ,robust customer care and reducing the lead times of clearing consignments.

From what was understood instituting these reforms was indeed daunting especially when synergy was lacking between the current Managing Director Ahmed Sayborn Kanu and the erstwhile Deputy Managing Director Mustapha Mark Lissa. This impasse could have emanated from the fact that the latter was expecting that he should have been elevated instead of bringing somebody new.

But what is certain is that under such a stalemate progress was difficult to achieve which therefore prompted the newly constituted Board of Directors of the company to recommend to the Chairman / Commissioner of NCP, Dr.Prince Harding to take the decision by the power invested in him for the termination of the services of the former Deputy Managing Director, Mustapha Mark Lissa, a recommendation that crystallized on the 17th August 2020. From what this medium understood it was not only the former Deputy Managing Director that was shown the exit door but others who were not meaningfully contributing to the growth of the company to make room for those who could add value.

Authoritatively, Dr.Prince Harding acted within the remit of the law as advised by the Board of Directors of the SLNSC.

David Saffa, was appointed as the new Deputy Managing Director of the company effective the 1st September 2020. From what this medium was intimated, David Saffa is no stranger to the business of clearing and forwarding. Before his latest appointment he was the founder and Managing Director of the Universal Shipping and Trading (USAT) Company in England, whose specialty is in air and seas freight to Sierra Leone. Besides his academic qualification in that field, he also has numerous contacts in the business of cargo freight in different parts of the world, which according to our findings will add value to the Sierra Leone National Shipping Company.

During a brief telephone chat with David Saffa, he disclosed how he is presently working on an initiative he came up with, in collaboration with other members of staff and relevant stakeholders, to introduce a new system whereby the SLNSC will establish contacts with reliable businesses or their agents overseas and link them up with individuals and business entities in this country.

“If an individual or business entity want (s) to procure goods overseas they could contact us, give us specifications, agree on the costs and we will link them up with the manufacturers or businesses overseas, air or sea freight their goods and forward same to them,” he explained adding that the greatest advantage of this system is that it will make travelling to different parts of the world on business trips unnecessary which will therefore save time and money.

From an informed point of view it seem there is at last light at the end of the tunnel for the SLNSC as the current two business administrators at the helm of affairs of the company are working assiduously to resurrect an entity that nearly went into coma.

It goes without any saying that the company, based on what was learnt at the Queen Elizabeth Quay, has competitive advantages. These include lower charges, proximity to the Ports, one-stop-shop of office and warehouses, assets base, expertise and robust network in the industry.

A cross section of employees told The Calabash that the Sierra Leone National Shipping Company will surely rise again from the look of things.

Justice AT Ganda to Deliver Judgements on 43 Cases in Pujehun District

Pujehun Magistrate Court building

By Elkass Sannoh

As the Judiciary of Sierra Leone under the leadership of His Lordship, Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards focuses on expeditious trials across the country, the High Court Judge, Justice AT Ganda is set to deliver judgements on 43 cases in Pujehun District, Southern Sierra Leone during the ongoing High Court Criminal Sessions.

Out of the 43cases to be heard, one (1) is murder, one (1) drug trafficking and twenty seven (27) are sexual penetration cases. The High Court Criminal Sessions which is fully funded by the Judiciary of Sierra Leone commenced in Pujehun, Port Loko and Kailahun on 31st August and will end on 11th September, 2020 for Port Loko and Pujehun and Kailahun will end on 16th September. The remaining cases are larceny, conspiracy, wounding with intent and burglary. The sessions are being held in places where there are no sitting Judges.

On day one in Pujehun, three accused persons were sentenced to 8 years and one twenty two years old Momoh Ngombu was acquitted and discharged after being remanded for two years and three months for larceny. The three convicts made a confessional statement and pleaded for mercy as first time offenders.

Commending the Honourable Chief Justice for funding the High Court Criminal Sessions, the Deputy Chairman of Pujehun District Council, Councillor Mohamed Mansaray said Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards has brought a lot of reforms in the justice sector to ameliorate the suffering of the ordinary Sierra Leoneans who have been deprived from justice for the wrong reason.

He thanked and prayed for the Chief Justice and his entire administration for the gesture to facilitate transportation of witnesses to aid the speedy trials of accused persons as well as complaints.

“This is leadership with a clear vision as envisioned by President Julius Maada Bio,” the Deputy District Chairman said, adding that the issue of transportation has undermined expeditious trials and will many a time frustrate complainants including the accused persons.

This is the second time that Criminal Sessions of the High Court are being held outside the regular jurisdictions of Freetown, Bo, Kenema, Makeni and Kono for this year in areas such as Kailahun, Pujehun, Moyamba, Mattru Jong, Port Loko and Kabala, the first being in February to March this year.

As part of this second round of Criminal Sessions of the High Court in the provinces, Tonkolili-Magburaka will be holding Sessions for the very first time like what happened with Mattru-Jong, Kabala, Pujehun and Kailahun in February to March 2020.

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