Sierra Leone News: HRCSL Dialogues with SLP on Human Rights

June 27, 2019

The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) on Wednesday 26th June, 2019 met with the Executive Management Board (EMB) of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) at their headquarters on George Street in Freetown.

The meeting is a continuation of the HRCSL’s strategic engagement with partners, institutions and communities. The SLP is one of the key partners of the HRCSL.

The meeting was chaired by the Inspector General of Police Dr. Richard Miogbe.

During the dialogue, the HRCSL Commissioners were formally introduced to the Police EMB and a further dialogue on general human rights issues across the country.

The IGP welcomed the Commissioners and congratulated them on their appointment. He registered his institution’s commitment to ensure that the life and property of everyone are protected thereby protecting human rights. IG Moigbe highlighted some of the challenges faced by the SLP more so in addressing public order matters.

He noted that officers of the Sierra Leone Police were most times injured in the process of quelling down violent protest but this goes unnoticed by the general public. He stated that officers of the SLP are human beings and therefore have rights too.

In her response, the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, Mrs. Patricia Narsu N’danema, noted the critical role of the SLP in the Commission’s Referral Partnership Committee which meets quarterly to discuss actions taken on matters referred by the Commission to its partners.

Commissioner N’danema further underscored the need for strong collaboration between the SLP and HRCSL in areas such as data collection on sexual and gender based violence and capacity building on human rights.

In contributing to the dialogue, the Vice Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, Commissioner Victor Lansana called for the relocation of the police cell at the Central Police station in Freetown as it was observed to be appalling and below the minimum standards.

Also in attendance at the meeting from the Human Rights Commission were:

Commissioners Hassan Yarjah and Simiti Lavaly, and the Executive Secretary Mr. Joseph Kamara and the Director of Education, Communication and Training, Mr. Frederick Kamara.

Sierra Leone News: Sierra Leonean Diasporan Medico Honoured at Top 100 Health Care Leaders Awards

June 27, 2019

Dr. Charles Senessie, a Sierra Leone Diaspora Medical Doctor has been awarded at this year’s top 100 Health Care Leaders in the world Awards at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas in the United States of America.

Dr. Senessie was nominated and awarded for his dedication and hard work in delivering outstanding health care services in several low and middle-income countries around the world including Sierra Leone. Among the chosen top 100 Health Care Leaders, Dr. Senessie was given the special badge of honour for providing exceptional health care services in hard to reach communities.

The top 100 Health Care Leaders in the World Awards was organized by the International Forum on Advancements in Healthcare – IFAH (formerly Smart Health Conference) USA. The event brought together hundreds of healthcare professionals from across the world on a common platform, from the 18-20 June 2019.

According to the awards nomination committee, they received a lot of incredible nominations this year, and in choosing the top 100 awardees was a very tough job for their judging committee. “All nominees were adjudged on 5 parameters, namely: overall reach, industry impact, spirit of innovation, future readiness, market demand” The committee further stated that after careful consideration and extensive research their awards committee rated each applicant on every parameter to reach the final list of awardees.

Dr. Charles Senessie is a Sierra Leone Diaspora Medical Professional based in Switzerland. He is the founder and President of the Afro- European Medical and Research Network (AEMRN) and also CEO of Senessie Low-Income Countries Healthcare Services. Dr. Senessie was team lead for diaspora medics during the implementation of the IOM/Japan diaspora medical project in Koinadugu district Northern Sierra Leone and Kailahun district, Eastern Sierra Leone respectively. Recently, he led a team of experienced diaspora health care professionals to deliver free healthcare services in Moyamba District. He also lectured Dermato-Venereology at the Department of Medicine, College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS) in the University of Sierra Leone. He has served in the capacity of Deputy Head of COMAHS Medical team at the Connaught University Teaching Hospital in Freetown. In Switzerland, he worked as a Research Assistant at the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM), University of Bern, Physician at the University Children’s Hospital in Beider Basel (UKBB) and part time Private Practitioner in Zollikofen. He has also worked as a Consultant for the World Health Organization (WHO) Headquarters in Geneva on several projects.

Sierra Leone News: Fatima Bio Graces Creative Women Summit

June 27, 2019

First Lady Mrs. Fatima Bio has on 26^th June, 2019 honoured the invitation from Initiative for Creative Women to give a motivational speech.

This organization is set towards empowering and encouraging women in the country to make themselves relevant in society.

In her opening remarks, the Executive Director of Initiative for Creative Women said they want to be an agent of change in their various communities. She added that their investment in transformational leadership is to inspire and equip the next generation of young women leaders in the country. “The building blocks of this organization consist of identifying Sierra Leone’s most promising emerging women leaders, enhancing their capacities and feasibilities through training, mentoring, media exposure, networking and facilitating their access to opportunities to serve humanity,” she said. She also stated that in Sierra Leone, young women are faced with several challenges while trying to exhibit their talents and little or no effort is being made to encourage these young ladies to showcase their talents.

In an outstanding presentation, Mrs. Fatima Bio clearly stated that being determined helps you to go a long way in life. She said this initiative is a welcoming one and she is pleased with the organizers. “We want to make sure that women occupy top offices and be decision makers, we can only achieve these if we speak with one and a loud voice,” the First Lady said. She also added that women who have opened initiatives for advocate for their fellow women should not relent even if there come challenges along the way

“Don’t limit your dream, dream big and don’t allow anyone to kill your dream,” Madam Bio continued by saying that when women allow people to be controlling them that’s where their dreams start to die. She said women should be able to detect what is right for them at all time.

The First Lady continued saying that women are also in the habit of pulling down their fellow women and until such unity is achieved, no progress would be gained. “As a woman, when I present myself, I present women and I believe irrespective of the fact that I’m the First Lady, people respect me because I stand for the right things and I defend it everywhere,”. she added.

She said that if women really want to stop the way people think about themselves they must first change the way they think about themselves. “When you start to see positivity in yourself, people would see it too in you,” she maintained.

The First Lady ended by saying that women should believe in themselves and must follow their dreams.

Mrs. Fatu Yumkella, Managing Director of Danam Development Consultants said that women are equal in society depending on how they treat themselves. She said that women have opportunities for making the world a better place with business ideas, creativity etc. She added that women who are place in society should create opportunities for their fellow women to be good people in society. “Women too can contribute to job creation, neighbouring Ghana have women who are placed highly in business and innovation, which are very successful for a country,” she ended.

UNFPA representative said that women are their institution’s target and they will always ensure they prioritise women. “We want to encourage women and girls to empower themselves with any little opportunity they get so as to make them self- reliant in society. She ended that they have always been against gender based violence and teenage pregnancy not only in Sierra Leone but the world at large.

Deputy Minister of Social Welfare said he has enjoyed working with a woman boss in the Ministry and their Ministry is making sure women and girls are granted opportunities as men do. He added that the New Direction has already paid attention to women and girls and it will maintain that as a way to develop human capital development in the country.

He ended by saying that effectiveness and efficiency must be part of every woman who wants to develop herself and the country.

Sierra Leone News: Orange Hands over One-Year Food Items to 5 Lucky Winners

June 27, 2019

At the Orange headquarter, Hill Station, in Freetown on Wednesday 26th June 2019, the company handed over one year worth of food items and five million Leones cheques to each of the five lucky winners in the just-concluded Orange Special Ramadan Sunakati Promotion.

In his welcome remarks Annie Wonnie Katta, Public Relations Manager, congratulated all four hundred and five (405) winners nationwide, She said Orange officially started operating in Sierra Leone in 2016 and within the shortest period of time it became the most reliable and affordable network not only in Sierra Leone but within the 20 countries that they operate. She said their aim is to provide qualitative and affordable services as well as give back to society.

She encouraged them to spread the message of reality when it comes to Orange activities.

Speaking during the presentation Sheikh Omaru Jalloh, Mass Marketing and Bundle Executive Officer for Orange-SL said the company is a Premium and Global brand which is why they do things within the context of international standards. The Orange Special Ramadan Sunakati promotion was launched on Thursday 2^nd May 2019 at the Calaba Town round-about, eastern part of Freetown.

The daily draws were conducted within 6 weeks while the weekly draw ended within 5 weeks during the draws’ final grand draw at the SLBC 5 lucky subscribers won one year food supply for their families with cash for each of them.

“We included the Orange Money agents and retailers in the draw because they are always there to serve the customers and they have been doing well in that direction, which makes orange a family,” he disclosed adding how Orange also offers voice and data promotion as Ramadan Special Sunakati,

Subscribers can enjoys 48 hours interrupted Orange to Orange calls, through the Sunday Cola by dialling *400# for Le8,500 or buy via Orange money #144# for just Le7,500.

Instant 50% bonus on every data bundle a subscriber using Orange Money #144# on Wednesday will receive 100% bonus via Orange money through the short code #144#, 20 Minutes talk time +30MB + 30 sms for just Le3,990 by dialling *888# to subscribe. These are all special offers granted through Orange Ramadan Special Offers.

CEO Orange Money, David Mansaeay, congratulated the five lucky winners and said orange money has dominated the electronic finance transaction in the country. He said it now makes transaction easy and reduces the risk of robbery and theft, and this is one aspect of development.

He maintained that Orange money is being operated in all the four corners of Sierra Leone.

Haffic Hafner, General Secretary Orangs EC’s said Orange sees its customers as part of the Orange family. He stated that Sierra Leone is a religious tolerant nation which is why their offers cut across from Christmas to the month of Ramadan and it has been working well.

“This is the first time a GSM company is providing one year food items and cash of five million Leones for its customers,” he said underscoring that they are passionate to give customers’ stratification and also change the lives of Sierra Leoneans through their Corporate Social Responsibility.

Mammie Yamah a Primary School Teacher from Kenema said everything was like a dream to her maintaining that being a teacher she never thought of saving one year food items for his family, but Orange has made it possible for her disclosing that they are very much delighted and short of words.

Another winner, Musab Mbaly, an Egyptian Mechanical Engineer working for Ataa Organization based in Makeni said as foreigner he was disturbed when Orange kept calling his as he can’t speak Krio, so he thought it was a scam “ I have to call my friend who explained to me saying at first he did not take it serious but today they are present to collect one year food items and cash,” he expressed delight saying to give to Muslims in the month of Ramadan is a great thing and as a Muslim he commended them for the great job they are doing.

Rtd. Major Dr. Kamara, Lecturer University of Makeni, another winner, said that now he knows everything is relayed, he and other winners will serve as ambassadors of Orange SL.

Sierra Leone News: To Improve Waste Management… Mayor Aki Sawyerr Gets Le 2.2 Billion EU Boost

June 27, 2019

Her Worship, the Mayor of the Freetown Municipality, Yvonne Aki-Sawyer on the 26^th June, 2019 launched the Sustainable Waste Management Project which encompasses local micro enterprise development.

The launching ceremony took place at the Mayor’s Parlour of the Freetown City Council.

During the occasion, the representative of the European Union donated to the Council vehicles, training tools, uniforms as the Project package geared towards investing in to the lives of young people who are willing to run a sustainable business, grow a business and at the same time service a business.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyer disclosed that as a Council they are excited for the support offered by the European Union which is a manifestation of a true partnership. She disclosed that in the Transform Freetown drive there are four clusters and eleven priority sectors in which two stands above the rest which are sanitation and the environment because they have far reaching impact than everything else that goes on in the city.

She said the Council deliberately choose to launch the project alongside the registration of all waste providers in the city as the Council thought it vital for the EU to get the assurance of the Council in building and strengthening systems in the waste management sector of Freetown.

The Mayor noted that there are one hundred and thirty registered waste providers in Freetown amongst them seventy six have tricycles, eleven are doing so manually, thirty two have ‘Omolankays’ or push carts and the other eleven are using trucks or lorries.

She stressed that all those that would be collecting waste in the different wards in Freetown will be registered with the Council and awarded certificates and approval stickers.

The representative of the European Union, Mats Liliefalt, in his submission said the project seeks to address some of the waste management sanitation and health challenges of Freetown. He congratulated the Freetown City Council for supporting the project disclosing how the EU is providing Twenty Thousand Euros which is approximately 2.2 Billion Leones to the Freetown City Council for the implementation of the project to be implemented in twenty months.

He furthered that the launch of the project should be seen within the context of a wider partnership between the EU and the Sierra Leone Government to encourage and support national Civil Society Organizations and local authorities to gain strengthen in order to roll out effective local service delivery and development highlighting that other projects similar to this project are ongoing and will be launched in other parts of the country.

Mr. Andrew Tucker, Head of Rural Development and Governance, National Authorising Office of the Union emphasized that the Council needs to use the right procedures to implement the Project especially in the area of Procurement so that the project will achieve its intended outcomes.

Sierra Leone News: Brewery Commissions Hand Water Well in Constituency 115

June 27, 2019

During the official commissioning of Sierra Leone Brewery’s latest contribution to the development of communities in Constituency 115 under the company’s Post Ebola Water and Sanitation projects, Brewery commissioned a hand pump water well on Wednesday 26^th June, 2019 within the United Mission Church (UMC) School compound during which stakeholders and residents of the Melon Street community and its surroundings expressed delight and praised the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited for what they termed as its timely intervention that will come in handy with numerous benefits.

Brewery’s Corporate Affairs Manager, Albert Ojo Collier

The event was graced by constituency youth, development organisations, elders, chiefs, councillors, past and present members of Parliament, religious leaders and a host of residents in the communities.

Speaking during the ceremony, Hon. Coleson Turay, who chaired the meeting, expressed his satisfaction over the developments taking place in the community by courtesy of the Sierra Leone Brewery and the Heineken Africa Foundation.

Highlighting some of the projects championed by the institution and its partners, he mentioned the water pressure project at Upper Melon Street (Tar Road Community) costing Le450 million, the rehabilitation and refurbishing of the hospital and the community centre. He noted that the company also donated equipment and medical supply to the hospital.

“Brewery also provided an ambulance for the community to address the constraints of the hospital to convey sick people from their homes to the centre and also to the main referral hospital in central Freetown,” Hon. Coleson said. He recalled other projects done by Brewery in other communities within the constituency. He stressed that the hand pump water well, though located in the school compound will benefit residents of the whole community.

In his own contribution, the contractor of the water facility stated that the SLBL and the Heineken Africa Foundation had embarked on the construction of 3 toilets in the Koya community and 3 in the Melon Street community. He added that SLBL contributions to the communities were done in line with the inputs of the communities through their various heads (Councillors, MP, Elders and all stakeholders). “What the Brewery has done has only been what the communities requested as their pressing needs,” he added.

In his brief statement, Brewery’s Corporate Affairs Manager, Albert Ojo Collier expressed his appreciation to the community and all the speakers for their candid and frank sentiments made about the institution. He updated the audience that all what the Brewery has done and is still doing is part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, which has not only been confined to their operational area, but has been rolled through-out the country in collaboration with Heineken Africa Foundation.

He stated that Brewery has expended over Le5 billion on various projects in the country in the last 8 years. He stressed that the SLBL implements water and sanitation projects to the education sector, especially identifying deprived schools in Constituency 115. He revealed that the various projects are tagged to the office of the MP for the constituency and not any particular individual.

In this case, he said, the project that is being commissioned was started by Hon. Kello, but he was unable to complete it and after the election, which was won by Hon. Alpha Bah, the project was again kick-started saying the commissioning is an indication of the relentless efforts of the MP’s office in the constituency.

Ojo Collier further explained that earlier in the day they were involved in the turning of the sod at Koya Academy Secondary School for the construction of 3 compartment VIP toilets. He stressed that all the projects undertaken by the SLBL have not been what the institution wanted for the community, but what the community wants, adding that proposals are sent to Brewery and after several consultative meetings with the stakeholders and costing by the experts, the projects are approved and implementation will commence. He said that he is touched by the transparency of Hon. Bah and the support the SLBL is getting from the community. “We will continue to do more for the constituency,” he promised also referencing the donation of 2 ambulances to 2 community hospitals to help them in their work as Brewery is also concerned about the health of people in different communities.

In his own speech, Hon. Bah heaped praises on the SLBL for their unflinching support over the years. He also acknowledged that the Hand pump water well that is being commissioned was started by his predecessor and is now completed by him. He also maintained that development projects for communities are tagged to the offices of MPs and not any particular individual.

He called on all to embrace development and put politics aside as the time for politics is now over. He also endeavoured to make the records straight, adding that every single cent received from the Brewery or any institution is being openly disclosed to all the stakeholders in the community in his bid to maintain transparency and accountability. The water well project which has been completed cost Le79 million. He also disclosed that the Brewery and the Heineken Africa Foundation had constructed solar powered water wells in other communities in the constituency, which he witnessed and admonished the company to continue with their good work pledging his unflinching support to the Company. “If Brewery thrives, Wellington will thrive also,” Hon Bah highlighted.

The cutting of the tape during the commissioning of the water well and the unveiling of a sign board at the site of the work (United Mission Community Primary and Secondary School grounds), climaxed the ceremony.

Sierra Leone News: Standing Ovation for NPPA CEO Ibrahim Swarray in Bo

June 27, 2019

Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, Ibrahim Swarray

Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala

During an auspicious ceremony that took place in Bo, Southern Sierra Leone where the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) opened its second regional office the Chief Executive Officer of the Authority, Ibrahim Swarray, received a standing ovation from residents and other personalities present.

The ceremony which according to the Board Chairman of the NPPA, Mr. Alfred H. Kandeh, is long overdue attracted Members of Parliament including the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mohamed Sidi Tunis, Deputy Leader of Government Business and Chairman, Information and Communications Parliamentary Oversight Committee, Hon. Matthew Nyuma, Resident Ministers of the South and Eastern Provinces, Paramount Chief Boima of Kakua Chiefdom, Mayors Kenema and Bo Town Councils and other representatives of local councils across the country.

The NPPA Board Chair disclosed that it was long envisioned by the pioneers of Public Procurement including himself that based on statistics the National Public Procurement Authority should as a first step in the decentralization process of procurement processes, open up an office in Bo.

This according to him was frustrated by the previous APC regime to open an office in Makeni for no reason.

He concluded by noting that he is happy to have witnessed such an achievement coming to fruition.

Leader of Government Business, Hon Tunis noted that they are honoured on behalf of the leadership of Parliament to grace the historic occasion and highlighted the fact that this is indicative of the fact that government is serious about controlling leakages and also driving the process of accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.

He stated that they in Parliament are hugely impressed with the level of reforms at the NPPA under the leadership of Mr. Ibrahim Swarray.

Resident Ministers East and South also underscored the point that establishing an office in the south resonates with the New Direction peoples manifesto which calls for a disciplined leadership towards the management of state resources.

They both commended the NPPA Chief Executive and his entire team for brining transparency and accountability to the door steps of the people.

They urged local councils to make use of the opportunity and feel free to do their work more effectively.

Representatives of both Mayors of Kenema and Bo City Councils and their District Chairmen expressed appreciation for the establishment of the office and assured all that they would ensure that they maximize better outputs in undertaking their procurement activities henceforth.

The National Public Procurement Authority boss noted that he feels elated by the series of commendations he has received and the level of attendance and support towards the opening of the Bo office in the southern region of Sierra Leone.

He thanked the President for reposing such confidence in him to lead the NPPA little over a year ago and that even though people doubted his ability to do the job ,he is quite aware that as a practicing procurement officer he was equal to the challenges ahead of him.

Mr. Swarray further added that he would do more at the NPPA and that the work has not started yet.

He specifically addressed practising procurement officers to redouble their efforts and put Sierra Leone above personal interest and disclosed that the NPPA now has an Electronic Procurement Directorate.

Practicing Procurement officers, according to him, should change their modus operandi as Government is almost on the verge of going e-procurement across the board.

‘’The New Direction is not going to wait for a Commission of Enquiry or an Audit Report to show the level of misappropriation of state funds, but we are going to work to ensure that MDAs and Local Councils follow procurement processes from the start,’’ a confident CEO reiterated.

Mr. Swarray told Members of Parliament, local council representatives, Government Ministers, traditional rulers, civil society and the media that he invited the ACC Commissioner to the opening ceremony of the southern region office not only to serve as keynote speaker but also to get him to sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the ACC and the NPPA.

The MOU he concluded is intended to further bind the two institutions more concretely to protect tax payers’ monies.

While delivering his keynote address the Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala, applauded the NPPA for opening an office in Bo, Southern Sierra Leone and noted that it was part of the exercise to continue to open the transparency space in the country.

He called on Sierra Leoneans to support the anti-corruption crusade which for him is for the national good of all Sierra Leoneans.

The ACC boss commended the NPPA Chief Executive and his entire board and staff for the strides in protecting the tax payers’ monies and bemoans the fact that Sierra Leone is still very low at the human development ladder largely due to corruption.

The climax of the ceremony was the signing of the MOU between the two institutions and the official opening of the NPPA Southern region office by the Resident Minister, South, Mohamed K. Alie on behalf of President Bio.

Sierra Leone News: Oil Companies Need Government’s Keen Attention

June 27, 2019

For any government anywhere in the world to successfully govern and manage its economy well, it can only do so by actively engaging oil producing companies and giving them the necessary attention because as the saying goes: without energy, no development.

However, in Sierra Leone, the state of oil companies is such that oil companies operating in Sierra Leone will remain challenged if nothing is quickly done by the relevant authorities to address the quagmire in which these companies currently find themselves.

It is understandable that the whole country relies on petroleum products for progress and development to transpire.

What the oil companies say is that they are exposed to a lot of bottlenecks that greatly hamper their profitability and running costs in what is considered to be a highly volatile market that is subject to the vicissitudes of international economic forces.

Without any doubt, we all see how quickly the whole economy grinds to a halt whenever there is no fuel in petrol stations. People can no longer travel easily and cheaply from one place to another. The cost of transportation goes up and food prices shoot up as well affecting the smooth operations of industries, sometimes causing job loss.

As such, whilst we understand the financial stress that the government is going through, but at the same time, it must keep in mind that it is a fact that survival of society depends on the availability of petroleum products in the market at all times.

Depreciation in the value of the Leone should not be a factor in the Central Bank prioritizing foreign exchange to oil companies at official exchange rate because fuel has a very huge multiplying effect on the rest of the economy, as well as vital for investor confidence.

Reports state that the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL) is currently going through trying times, having recorded a massive loss from January to May 2019 to the tune of over Le 96 billion (ninety six billion Leones).

It was understood that NP-SL is presently paying an average of Le9, 000 to $1 (USD) as compared to Le8, 600 to $1 (USD) in the PRA Pricing Formula. Another challenge NP-SL Limited is facing is the volatility and unavailability of US Dollars to effect transactions.

It is so serious that NP-SL Limited currently owes its suppliers over $42 million which it is challenged to honour.

Research conducted by media houses show that in the past, when the industry was faced with challenges and in order to avoid fuel crisis, the Government would step in to subsidize the prices of petroleum products to ensure that the pump prices are kept at affordable levels.

Realistically, if the government cannot subsidize, then it should allow market forces to prevail so that the industry does not collapse.

As things now stand, oil marketing companies are suffering at the detriment of its own survival.

“If the current fiscal regime is not reviewed many companies including NP will go down such a painful and dreadful route,” stated Steven Williams, a Development Consultant.

He added that sound policies must be urgently rolled out to ensure stability.

It was also discovered that the nature of NP-SL’s business is such that it imports petroleum products in US Dollars, sells in Leones and has to convert the Leones into US Dollars to repurchase on the international market.

Williams maintained that it is regrettable that the company finds it extremely difficult to purchase US Dollars in the marketplace currently.

Over the years, NP-SL received tacit support from the Central Bank even though the amounts normally received were inadequate.

It is recommended that the Central Bank develops a mechanism wherein foreign currency is provided for the oil marketing companies to enable them pay for badly-needed petroleum products.

Of course to promote transparency of goods that are brought into the country and required taxes that must be paid to Government the ASYCUDA digital software was introduced at the Port.

However, what was gathered from the conducted research was that the method of implementation of the ASYCUDA system has been negatively impacting Oil Marketing Companies for which it was recommended that the relevant authorities put in place measures to ensure seamless flow of products free of interruption and long delay at the Quay.

The current pricing formula dictates that the pump price of petroleum products be adjusted upwards or downwards periodically as and when the combined effect of the changes in world market prices (quoted in PLATTS) and the exchange rate (measured by the average selling rates quoted by the Oil Marketing Companies, commercial banks and Bank of Sierra Leone) causing a +/- 5% change in the Leone-based landed cost of the product (s).

It was noted that prices should be changed upwards or downwards in small increments that will not create panic in the market place. The way it is currently, allows for a big jump at any time which makes it difficult for Government to effect change at the right time.

It may interest readers to note that while a litre of fuel is sold at Le7, 000.00 here, in Guinea it is sold at Le9, 120.00, in Liberia it is Le9, 321.00, Ivory Coast sells at Le9, 244.20 and Ghana at Le 9,136.44.

NP-SL is further encumbered with other charges that are not provided for in the price build up formula, and these include: Toll Gate fees, ASYCUDA processing fees, Environmental Protection Agency fees, storage fees and other fees imposed by the Petroleum Regulatory Agency.

Thus, the government to help the oil companies must review some of its policies especially those affecting vibrant companies in the country as well as ensuring that economic measures are rolled out in order for the value of the Leone to appreciate.

Failure to take drastic steps to protect locally owned companies will definitely lead to closure or restructuring with dire consequences that could take the form of labour downsizing, no-payment of taxes to government, etc.

Sierra Leone News: During Press Briefing… Kobi Walker Dilates on Burning Fuel Issues

June 27, 2019

On 27^th June, 2019, the Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA) engaged journalists during the usual Ministry of Information and Communications weekly press conference to brief pressmen on the pending increase in fuel prices.

One of the Oil Marketing Companies NP Sierra Leone Limited General Manager, Kobi Walker, disclosed that one of the major factors said to be responsible for this ugly state is the fact that there has been a huge difference between the actual price of PLATTS and the average purchase price of USD $ to the Leone when matched against that of the Petroleum Regulatory Agency Pricing Formula. And according to him this is a big challenge that NP and the Government cannot handle.

He said that it very challenging for OMC’s as other Africa countries like Liberia, Gambia etc are selling their petroleum products above 9000 Leones but he said for Sierra Leone the price still remains at Le7,000 for petrol and Le 7,500 for diesel stating it is a very difficult period for Sierra Leone.

He also said Foreign exchange owners are really challenged and for that reason foreign currencies are not freely available for them to continue the process and because of these factors oil companies are really going through trying times.

He further disclosed that according to research done by researchers it was disclosed that NP has record over ninety billion Leones losses which he said the researchers are not far away from the reality and that it is that magnitude of losses that the company is grappling with currently.

He also said it is not their sole responsibility as a company to subsidize.

NP GM noted that because they are subsidizing for others that is the reason responsible for encountering minuses taking cognisance of, PLATTS, foreign exchange rates all creating negative impact on their business.

He stated that Sierra Leone needs a volume of over 400 million litters every year.

He said that if the price for fuel remains like this it will lead to difficulties for survival but he said they are sure to address the issues with the relevant stakeholders.

He went further to say they as company cannot determine for increase in price of fuel as they have PRA which is the regulatory institution of OMCs to determine the increase of prices having looked at PLATTS, foreign exchange rates and other variables but said they as a company cannot continue in this manner but added that the relevant stakeholders are seriously looking into it and he is confident that there will be a solution pretty soon.

Kobi Walker said Government has engaged the Central Bank and Commercial Banks in order to provide foreign currencies for oil marketing companies in a bid to cushion the current situation bordering on the issue of increase in prices of petroleum products.

Speaking on behalf of Petroleum Regulatory Agency, Sallieu Kamara who is Head of Operations and Monitoring of the institution confirmed to Pressmen that there is no increase in the price of fuel but categorically stated that there are several issues surrounding the matter relating to the increase on the pump price.

He said as an Agency responsible to regulate the Oil Industry they have been engaging Oil Marketing Companies and other stakeholders in order to find an amicable solution to the situation.

Sallieu confirmed that oil companies are really running at loss because they are currently subsidizing but believes they might not want to continue like that which means actions need to be taken to tackle the current situation in the country.

He also disclosed that the reason for the current situation is as a result of Government not subsidizing fuel which means the only way we can maintain the current price is when government resumes paying subsidies.

The PRA Head of Operations and Monitoring went further to highlight the reasons that will lead to the increase in the pump price of fuel which he said is the landing cost which means if the landed cost shoots up to plus 5 percent there will be an increase in the pump price and if it decrease to minus 5 percent there will a reduction in the pump price.

“But presently pump prices remain the same if there is going to be any increase or decrease in the prices we will inform the public accordingly,” he ended.

Sierra Leone News: Vice President Launches the One Year Magazine of the New Direction Government

June 27, 2019

The Vice President of Sierra Leone, Honorable Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has officially launched the one year magazine of the New Direction government at State House, Freetown 26th June 2019.

Welcoming Ministers, Deputy Ministers and members of the Press, the Press Secretary & Presidential Spokesman, Yusuf Kenetoma Sandi, expressed sincere thanks and appreciation to members of the press who he said had always reported the activities of the President, Vice President and First Lady. Press Secretary told the Press Conference that the New Direction Magazine is about telling their own story, and that of the work of Ministries, departments and agencies.

“What we have done in the magazine is to focus on the key priorities of the government and achievements that have been made over the past year. We have also focused on narrating the story of a president by the President himself as was graciously captured in his speech at the TED 2019 Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada earlier” he expressed. He further stated that the magazine will add to the collection of literature on the legacy President Bio is building.

Honorable Vice President said he was very delighted to be a part of the driving vehicle of the New Direction government, and launching the one year magazine. He stated that the magazine catalogues the concrete achievemens of their government in a storytelling fashion. Vice President Juldeh maintained that the magazine also captured the Medium Term Development Plan in which it mapped out the immediate and long term plan.

“The Medium Term Development Plan that was launched previously by the New Direction government is geared towards transforming the Human Capital development, and this is at the center of the government” he noted.

Vice President Juldeh further stated the magazine also captured a new lease of life to the educational system by providing free quality education to primary, Junior and Senior Secondary school education in the entire country.

“The New Direction government has provided teaching and learning materials to all government and government assisted schools across the country. We have also provided furniture, reconstruction and rehabilitation of additional classrooms, sanctioned approval of schools, but most importantly tackling examination malpractices,” he observed.

The Honorable Vice President emphatically told the gathering that there has been a high revenue performance during the presidency of His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio. He added that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been impressed with the government and thus extended their credit facility to the government. The Vice President said that they had been able to build the infrastructure of domestic revenue mobilization.

Dr. Juldeh Jalloh also added that the New Direction Government has given the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) the political will to fight corruption, thus he said that the ACC has recovered stolen monies by corrupt officials and prosecuted those involved in corrupt practices.

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