Sierra Leone News: Bintumani III: Evolving Challenges, Responses and New Thinking

May 21, 2019

=COMMENTARY=

Changing landscape of political conflict and social antagonisms in the country has thrown up challenges that exceed the scope of existing peace-building structures and thinking. This lacuna has exacerbated the divisions in the society that post-war peace arrangements were supposed to have erased.

Among others, as we prepare to meet and hang heads at Bintumani III, the urgent questions inviting reflection by the actors that will be on stage and the nation at large include the following:-

Whose thinking is shaping the peace-building agenda in the country?
What are the conceptual, methodological and paradigmatic issues in the face of complex conflict, peace and security challenges?
Where is the national effort in rethinking the research and policy agenda in the evolving peace-building terrain?
Are such national efforts contributing to new knowledge and practice in nation peace-building?
What, if anything, is new and/or transformational in these efforts?
What are the relationships between these national efforts and international engagements on this peace-building terrain?
If concerted efforts are not at the heart of this terrain, what should be done to enable collective leadership in peace-building thinking and practice?

As such, the key points we should look forward to coming out of the Bintumani III Peace dialogue are:

The new challenges in the current national security terrain threatening established frameworks, existing capacity and approaches of both the government and the people.
A paradigm shift in the approach to peace building required to unlock the potential of political economic, social and cultural actors to overcome the challenges to building and sustaining peace.
Conflict and crisis provide the opportunity for a re-organization of the status quo, and for pivotal moments of potential change and creative innovation that can drastically alter the power and justice dynamics of the country.
There is a range of actors – from the local to the international, the state to the non-state; from those traditionally involved in peace and security issues and also to those only now coming into the conversation – that are part of, or work in concert with, the peace and security architecture. Ways of working in complementarity with all of these actors need to be identified and put in place.
It is important to understand that peace-building as the entire range of interventions intends to maintain, restore and /or sustain peace and security within a given context. While often-used to refer specifically to post-conflict activities, peace-building should also include any activities associated with conflict prevention, peace-keeping and peace-making.
Peace-building models and processes need to take into account the range of understandings, priorities and concerns generally contained under the umbrella in terms of peace and security.
Strategies need to take into account the non-military and non-violent aspects of conflict, and broader human security considerations.
There is need to integrate communities of practice, communities of policy and communities of thought in developing peace-building strategies, processes and interventions, drawing from local examples to develop a toolbox of approaches to peace-building.
The nature of the state needs to be revisited and new models addressing the social contract between state and citizen developed for the twenty-first century, taking into account citizen aspirations, realities, priorities and citizen-led processes.
Issues of social and economic justice need to be central.
Citizens have as much to contribute to the discourses on peace-building as they have to benefit from them. Strategies and approaches developed need to be documented, theorized and made available to the national community.
As critical, as Marcella Samba Sesay of CGG notes, the document emerging from the Bintumani III conference should like important human development documents that have been previously worked out not be left to gather dust on the shelves but vigorously, systematically and diligently implemented for the benefit of this and yet unborn generations of Sierra Leoneans.

Sierra Leone News: Bintumani 3 Will Foster National Cohesion

May 21, 2019

According to seasoned political scientists no country on earth can attain true socio-economic prosperity if its citizens are not cohesively united. Widespread disenchantment, according to them, is a recipe for conflagration and such has the tendency of reversing gains that have been achieved.

This sharply brings to the fore the proposed Bintumani 3 slated to commence on the 23rd May 2019 in Sierra Leone which is geared towards creating a platform where citizens of all shades of opinion will sit around a roundtable to deliberate on sensitive national issues to chart a formidable roadmap to move the country in the right direction for an improved standard of living.

Indeed, it is of paramount importance for us as a nation to undertake stocktaking from how far we have come so far, examine the things that are keeping us apart so that at the end of the day we will build up recommendations as to how we could squarely deal with challenges.

This is exactly what Bintumani 3 is all about, completely devoid of exclusively dwelling on partisan issues but rather to foster national cohesion and sustainable peace. Let us make no mistake that Sierra Leone is a fragile State, although we are not sitting on a time bomb, but there is the need to come together as one people to frankly discuss national issues and proffer solutions that may take us to a brighter future.

There are of course various complaints that have been coming up from certain Civil Society Organizations, individuals against State and Non-State actors. Indeed, we have relevant institutions that were set up to address grievances, impunity though the efficacy of some have been questioned but Bintumani 3 is not meant to usurp their functions but rather to strengthen accountability, transparency and at the end of the day promote peace.

Bintumani 1 which called for dialogue with the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and Bintumani 2 which called for election before peace all had successful outcomes culminating in fostering peace and cohesion. It is highly likely and expected that Bintumani 3 will have a similar result. It is said that the voice of the people is the voice of God.

Indeed, there is no justification to politicize Bintumani 3 which is intended to be purely a national dialogue and not the projection of the image of any political party. It should not be narrowed down to adjudicating any political impasse but rather to discuss national issues to take us from where we are today to another level.

At the end of the day recommendations will be made in order to close gaps, eliminate lapses and those suggestions will be documented which could form the basis for a Commission to be set up to implement them.

Sierra Leoneans, it is high time we rise above parochial interests and put Sierra Leone first. Let all embrace Bintumani 3. May Common Sense Prevail!

Sierra Leone News: 3.2 Million Children to benefit from Measles and Rubella vaccines Nation wide

May 21, 2019

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation supported by GAVI, WHO, UNICEF, CDC and all health development partners in Sierra Leone, has on Tuesday 21^st May 2019 hosted one day orientation meeting for Media Practitioners/Journalist on the integrated National Measles Rubella Campaign which is proposed to take place from the 10^th to the 16^th June 2019. The measles and Rubella campaign is said to target children from 9 months to 15 Years and to reach approximately 3.2 Million Children nationwide.

Speaking at the ceremony Pa Osman Manneh, Communication for Development Specialist UNICEF, made a statement behalf of his colleagues

His said it a pleasure for them to be part of the remarkable event, ‘Measles and Rubella Campaign’ and the measles and Rubella vaccine routine immunization programme in Sierra Leone.

He also disclosed that the introduction of such a vital vaccine is a positive milestone towards reversing the plight of under five children suffering from Measles and Rubella, which is at 94 deaths per 1,000 live births according to a 2017 multiple indicator cluster survey. He underscored that one of the main causes of deaths is measles. He also congratulated the Government of Sierra Leone for making it possible for the country to be one of frontline countries in Africa which have introduced the measles and rubella vaccine into the routine immunization schedule.

“We are aware that the media is an important gateway to public information and we are grateful that you remain available to shape society’s views and attitudes towards positive health practices such as immunization,” he maintained

Dr. Lyinda Forma, Deputy Program Manager Child Health/EPI in her presentation emphasized the importance of the Measles and Rubella Campaign which is proposed to take place from the 10^th to the 16^th June 2019.

She said that in 2016 WHO estimated that Sierra Leone was the third country in Africa with the highest U5MR = 113.5 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Infant mortality rate 56/1000, under-five mortality rate 94/1000 (1 in Every 10 children in SL)

One of the causes of High Mortality rates in Sierra Leone she maintained is Measles

Measles is greatest in children aged less than 5 years in overcrowded living conditions, particularly if they are malnourished, have Vitamin A deficiency or are immune – compromised. It remains one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in children under 5 years in spite of the availability of a safe and cost effective vaccine she maintained.

And according to her this is first time we are giving Measles and Rubella Vaccine to children nationwide which targets children from 9months to 15 Years and to reach approximately 3.2 Million Children nationwide.

“Rubella is a viral infection transmitted by airborne droplets when infected people sneeze or cough. It generally cause mild disease in children but can cause arthritis and encephalitis in adolescents and adults. Maternal rubella infection in early pregnancy can severely affect the foetus and can result in miscarriage, foetal death or a combination of disabling conditions collectively known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS),she informed.

She ended by calling on journalists to educate the public on the importance of the measles and rubella vaccine to children.

Sierra Leone News: Petroleum Directorate Lauds NP-SL for Efficiency

May 21, 2019

The regulatory institution of the different petroleum companies in the country, Petroleum Directorate, has lauded NP for its efficient service delivery wherever it is operating.

It has emerged that among petroleum dealers in Sierra Leone, only the National Petroleum Company is being highly commended and respected for its reliability in terms of prompt service delivery.

It is indeed a remarkable feat that NP continues to maintain in order to ensure that there is sufficient high grade petrol, diesel, kerosene and other petroleum products available in the country to avoid shortage.

It is a fact that the National Petroleum (NP) Sierra Leone Limited is held in very high esteem for its progressive and steady provision of petroleum products to its numerous consumers across the country and even in the sub-region.

Indeed, this contention has been proven perfectly correct by this medium after conducting a thorough survey gauging the views of Sierra Leoneans from different walks of life. What came out clearly throughout the period of the survey was that NP is rated as one of the most successful 100% owned indigenous company that has stood the test of time.

“It is of course rare for one to see in this country a purely and result-oriented indigenously-owned company like NP with all its members of staff being Sierra Leoneans which is truly a testimony of commitment and resilience,” posited a seasoned economist who further said that ‘when we talk of optimizing the Local Content Policy, which is a sine qua non to overall national development, then the company should be given a pat on the back.

The selflessness commitment of the shareholders have made it possible for the company to empower many Sierra Leoneans and at the same time put it at a vantage position to continue to open more filling stations across the country.

The company deals with individuals and various sectors of society, always ensuring that its various petroleum products are available and are sold at affordable prices.

This keen symbiotic relationship with its customers has been paying huge dividends, always resulting in a win-win situation, making NP very endearing to all and sundry.

It is a fact that fuel is regarded as a political commodity and based on its availability and non-availability it has the potential of making a government popular or unpopular.

For too long this country has been contending with unemployment; one of the issues which the government should be addressing by creating avenues for young people to be gainfully employed. However, it is not only the prerogative of government to do this as the private sector too could play a vital role in that direction.

NP – Sierra Leone, operating in different parts of the country, has been very instrumental in availing Sierra Leoneans with jobs in various categories and from what was gathered, conditions of service are very satisfactory. Justifiably one can state that NP-SL has been greatly contributing to poverty reduction, putting food on tables which beneficiaries hitherto found tough to achieve.

NP-SL is not only thinking within the confines of maximizing profit but also is also thinking out of the box when performing its demand and supply chain, taking into consideration the harmful health consequences to humans and depletion of the environment by using coal and wood for cooking purposes. This is why NP Sierra Leone thought it fit to provide Sierra Leoneans with a safer and cleaner means of cooking devoid of inhaling carbon-dioxide which is the NP Gas Cooker. These are affordable and readily available in all NP outlets and from their agents.

To keep abreast with latest technological trends the company has availed its customers the opportunity to use Smart Cards for purchasing purpose meaning that buyers could top-up their cards to the tune of any amount which they can use intermittently to procure petroleum products. This has made it convenient for easy transactions to transpire and many are comfortable with that.

When we talk of an indigenous company that has put smiles on the faces of Sierra Leoneans and is making the people of this country very proud, the National Petroleum Company stands taller than the rest! For a company to move beyond the shores of this country and establish branches in Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast and The Gambia which are vibrantly operating is no mean feat. Indeed, NP has added another feather to its cap and is being copiously praised for such an accomplishment.

The company’s result-oriented managerial team will definitely and sustainably continue to put NP at the top.

NP-SL Ltd is doing exceptionally well in all the countries it is functioning and indeed there are prospects for further expansion.

It can therefore be justifiably asserted that the National Petroleum Limited is the country’s reliable fuel provider as it always ensures that its stockpile is always at an appreciable level.

It against this background is the reason why NP is believed to be one of the strongest backbones of Sierra Leone’s economy.

For any Government to match up with what is encapsulated in its manifesto in the direction of deepening national development through funding various projects then it must have sources of generating domestic revenue. NP is one conduit through which government past and present had and is deriving revenue as it falls within the category of being one of the largest taxpayers to the National Revenue Authority.

It goes without saying that the National Petroleum Limited-Sierra Leone continues to give confidence to its numerous customers and it is doing so excellently.

Sierra Leone News: Gento Kamara Testifies at COI…

May 21, 2019

The three Commissions of Inquiry have recommenced public hearings at the former Special Court premises.

Commission 1, chaired by Nigerian-born Justice Biobele Georgewill, heard evidences from senior officials of the National Minerals Agency – Messrs Julius Daniel Mattai, Peter Bangura, Samuel Koroma and Joseph Tarawallie.

Of special interest was the payment of gratuity and ex-gratia to contract workers of the NMA.
Justice Bankole Thompson recalled that they had heard from three witnesses before the recess. The Commission examined and cross-examined witnesses for the road contracts for the RMFA/SLRA. Key to the Commission was the abrogation of contract awarded to BEGEC- TP for the construction of four roads – Macauley Street, Mountain Cut, Kissy Road and Fourah Bay Road. This contract was terminated at mobilization stage without any tangible reason given.

The Commission of Inquiry was told that BEE GEC, a local Sierra Leone company actually won the bid for 4.4 kilometers road for fourteen billion (Le14B) but the SLRA cancelled the contract and gave it to China Railway for over seventeen billion Leones (Le17B). The Waterloo – 12.1 kilometer contract awarded to Gento at 16.9 million US dollars but later rescinded an addendum made to 20 kilometer totalling 42.7 million US dollars was awarded to Gento because the Hill Cut Road should continue to Regent. But the Chinese promised that they would make this road for free from Limkokwing University to Regent.

Finally, the Government gave the Chinese the contract to build the road from Limkokwing to Regent; but because a breach of contract between Government and Gento, the Government added 20 more kilometres to the Gento contract.

The NMA DG told the Commission that he was appointed to the position on February, 2019 after he left the Commission in 2013 as Geo-Data Information Manager.

Mr. Mattia disclosed that he was Secretary to the NMA Board and was also responsible for the overall administration and supervision of the National Minerals Agency, amongst many other functions.

He further revealed to the Commission that there was in existence a Minerals Advisory Board, which, had among other functions, to advice the Minister of Mines on issues related to exploration; recognizance and mining license allocation. The NMA DG also dilated on the composition and structure of the NMA.

He cited that governance challenges with regards the structure and operations of the NMA since its establishment in 2013 are still being undertaken with a view to make it more viable. Peter Bangura, Director of Mines at the Ministry of Mines, was also recalled by the Commission to testify after having testified as CW 3 before the Easter break.

In another development, Ahmed Gento Kamara was cross-examined before Justice William Annan Atugbah on matters relating to the King Jimmy project.

Defense Counsel, lawyer Mohamed Kanu grilled the witness on his knowledge of other contractors during the bidding process. The witness vehemently objected to having knowledge on this, on the grounds that he does not have evidence to prove this, even though he had initially accepted in his statement to the Commission that he was told that other contractors have bid for the project.

The State counsel noted that while making their case, the King Jimmy project was not exposed to other bidders.

The Commission of Enquiry is investigating and enquiring into what happened with the management of government resources between November, 2007 and April, 2018.

Presidents, Vice Presidents, Government Ministers and other Government officials are appearing before the three Commissions represented by renowned lawyers.

Hearings continue on Wednesday 22^nd May 2019.

Sierra Leone News: Krios Meet Pres. Bio Over Land Disputes

May 19, 2019

His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has engaged members of the Krio Descendants Association (KDA) at State House, as part of his continuous engagements with different stakeholders across the country.

Special Adviser to the President and Ambassador at Large, Dr. Kona C. Koroma, who gave the welcome address, recalled that in his first meeting with the Krio Descendant Association after his inauguration, President Bio promised he would be having periodic engagements with stakeholders on issues of interest to the Association and the governance of the State.

She said over the past few days, there had been debates on land issues which had reached the President and as a caring father he thought it was in the right direction to call the Association for a family dialogue to discuss the issues.

In his opening statement, Deputy President of the Association, Ambassador Haja Alare Cole said they were thankful to President Bio for according them time to meet despite his busy schedules. She added that the meeting demonstrated a true manifestation of a leader who cares for his people. She said as an Association, they were pleased with the gains made so far by the New Direction Government citing the free quality education and the clearing of Lumley which she said had eased the traffic burden in that part of the city.

In his own contribution, another Krio shareholder, Samuel Valcarcel also expressed gratitude to President Bio for making time to meet with them. He said as an Association, they were faced with recent challenges which they had been looking forward to discussing with the President. He mentioned that President Bio had shown leadership qualities as father of the nation by creating the platform for them to explain few of the challenges facing them, while expressing belief that those issues would be settled amicably.

‘’Last week, we had a general meeting as an Association where we spoke about many of the things affecting us especially the one dealing with land. In the past weeks, we have all been discussing land issue because the Lands Ministry issued a statement challenging the legitimacy of our land documents and that has left us worried. Another worrying issue for us is the Land Tenure System which barred Krios from acquiring lands outside Freetown. So we are happy to be here because we believe such an engagement will help resolve these issues,’’ he said.

Leader of the Unity Party, Femi Claudius Cole, who also attended the meeting, said she was impressed with President Bio’s timely intervention adding that the meeting was welcoming especially at a time the country was preparing for the Bintumani 3, where she was excited to be participating. She said matters of land issues were developing mixed feelings among people especially in Freetown adding it was a great move by the Government to start chatting the way forward for a sustainable solution.

In his response, President Bio said he decided to call the meeting because he knew some members were not happy about certain things happening in relation to land issues in the Western Area. He said he had decided to engage the Association because dialogue was the best means of getting a sustainable way of resolving the issue.

‘’Our country is one of Rule of Law and that must be accepted by all of us. I have decided to call you all here to let you know that I take your concerns very seriously and that Government will look into them. We will be developing a framework to put to an end to all the land related issues across the country. We want this meeting to be the start of a dialogue process because that is the only way of arriving at the best solutions as we need a united society that will allow development to thrive,’’ he said.

Concluding his response, President Bio instructed Vice President Dr. Juldeh Jalloh to preside over all the concerns by the members of the Association relating to disputes over land ownership between members of the Association and the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Environment for amicable and speedy resolution.

Sierra Leone News: Journalists to Benefit from MRCG Coaching

May 19, 2019

It has been established that specialised reporting is a practice that has waned over the years in Sierra Leone’s journalistic landscape. In a bid to reverse this trend the Media Reform Coordinating Group-Sierra Leone (MRCG-SL) on May 16 2019 commenced its 2019 activities with a meeting on ‘Needs Assessment on Mentoring and Coaching for reporters in Sierra Leone’ to enhance professional reportage on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Mentoring and Coaching programme is an ongoing media reform agenda in Sierra Leone pioneered by the Sierra Leone Reporters Union (SLRU) under the MRCG platform with support from UNDP.

The Chairman of MRCG, Dr. Francis Sowa, pointed out that the 2019 Mentoring and Coaching Programme is specifically based on the 17 SDGs. He indicated that the programme is meant to educate the public on the SDGs and the role of journalists to help popularise the goals.

Amadu Lamarana Bah, the President of the Sierra Leone Reporters Union (SLRU), in his statement, stressed on the relevance and benefits of such a programme to journalists: “The Mentoring and Coaching programme is geared towards capacitating journalists on how they go about writing professional stories.” The initiative will help to improve the capacity in the country.

Participants identified various themes that the mentees could choose from in doing their reportage. It is hoped that through this Mentoring and Coaching programme, the culture of specialised reporting on thematic areas relating to the SDGs would be achieved.

Sierra Leone News: Civil Rights Coalition, MBSSE Embark on FQE Textbooks’ Handling Sensitization

May 19, 2019

National Coordinator for Civil Rights Coalition, Alphonso Manley

Free quality education (FQE) for primary and secondary pupils in Sierra Leone is one of the major promises made by Julius Maada Bio during the 2017 campaign.

After winning the March 2018 Presidential election, President Bio wasted no time to implement this promise which is one of the reasons why both the international community and national entities consider his Government to be taking education seriously.

One of the packages in the FQE is the distribution of free core subject textbooks to pupils but apparently there is mixed feeling and fear from parents and pupils based on rumors circulating that if any of these core textbooks is lost or damaged, the parent/guardian will be asked pay Le200,000 or face police action.

It is against this backdrop that the Civil Rights Coalition (CRC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education decided to organize wide range community engagements on the handling of the FQE books. The sensitization will target pupils, parent, traders, religious and traditional leaders, the media, Boards of Governors of Schools and the general public for them to be aware of what is in the package in the first phase of the FQE.

In an interview with Alphonso Manley, National Coordinator, Civil Rights Coalition, he said among other things that his coalition has noticed that because the Book Handling guide is not understood by parents and pupils, it has been misinterpreted and this misinterpretation has a negative effect on the FQE. He added that parents in some districts have signed and collected the textbooks but keep them at home and not allowing their pupils and wards access to the books because they do not understand what the handling guide says; which is: If the textbook is damaged or goes missing, parents will be asked to replace it with a locally printed (photocopied) replica.

He went on to say that the Education Ministry and the Civil Rights Coalition have on several occasions in certain districts, visited parents to encourage them to allow their children access to the textbooks for effective learning.

He stated that this planned community outreach will improve the FQE beneficiaries’ knowledge on how to handle the textbook while improving the learning process of the children, because they would now feel confident to use the textbooks to study at home, improve community study, while parents can also assist their children to study and build their confidence.

He further stated that the sensitization campaign will target major markets in all the 16 districts where most people go to buy goods as it has been discovered that most traders do not normally listen to radio, watch television or read newspapers. He added that all pupils in attendance will have the opportunity to ask questions about handling of FQE books, adding also in attendance would be pastors, imams, traders and parents among others.

The key objective, according to Mr. Manley, is to ensure that learners have easy access to the textbooks; engage communities to enhance their knowledge on the handling of the textbooks and ensure that through advocacy and sensitization the life span of the FQE textbooks will be long so that the children will benefit immensely.

According to him, they shall embark on public awareness through the use of loudspeakers, jingles in the local languages for better public understanding about how to use and take care of the FQE textbooks for effective use and longevity.

Alphonso Manley maintained that they are getting support for this project from Mutt Macdonald. “The FQE is a blessing to this nation and so we all need to embrace it for the development of our nation,” he concluded.

Sierra Leone News: Brewery Rated High for Rolling out its Local Content Policy & Corporate Social Responsibility

May 19, 2019

The leading brewer of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in the country, Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) continues to capture the affection of its numerous customers right across the country for what many have so far described as the company’s production of high qualitative drinks saying they really enjoy consuming those drinks.

One remarkable accomplishment that the company is widely extolled for is its excellent implementation of the country’s Local Content Policy. Despite the fact that country is affiliated with the Heineken Foundation in the Netherlands and has external shareholders it has ensured over the years to have Sierra Leoneans in its employ as long as they possess the requisite qualifications and skills instead of largely importing foreign expatriates. Even where foreign expatriates are employed it is the company’s policy to have Sierra Leoneans who should understudy them and after a period of time the nationals should take over their positions.

To further deepen its rolling out of the Local Content Policy SLBL is making use of sorghum, which are locally cultivated, in the brewing of some of its beverages. This has encouraged certain farmers to grow sorghum where it is very ideal to do so and at present the number of sorghum farmers has increased exponentially standing close to 30,000 in various districts. SLBL has been steadily supporting these farmers in diverse ways to increase their yields in order to match up with their demand. What this has led to is a symbiotic relationship between SLBL and the sorghum farmers. These farmers have a steady source of income helping to financially take care of various domestic responsibilities.

Distributors of SLBL’s variety of beverages are Sierra Leoneans with an exceptional case of only few foreign business people. The distributors retail the beverages, Star Beer, Guinness, Mutzig, Salone Beer, Multina etc in crates to bartenders, club owners, restaurants and others from which customers purchase. Depending on the prowess and rapid purchases from distributors recommendation could be made to the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited to assist with certain equipment like bar, beach tables, chairs, openers and many have benefitted from such offers.

With regards the company’s Social Corporate Responsibility, SLBL has done a lot and is determined to continue doing so. The company gives priority to residents within the Wellington Industrial Estate where it is situated when it comes to offering of jobs as long as individuals within that locality are qualified. This has helped in poverty reduction through meaningful engagement of young people who were hitherto jobless.

SLBL, in collaboration with Heineken Foundation, has been rolling Water and Sanitation Projects in different communities closer to where it is located. It has constructed solar powered water wells that are benefitting residents in those places who were finding it extremely difficult to access pure and clean water supply. The recent ones that were commissioned are those in Kamara Town and another nearby community.

Added to that, the company has assisted in the construction of health facilities from which locals are receiving medical treatments easing constraints formerly faced.

By all estimation the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited is acclaimed for timely churning out the Local Content Policy and its Corporate Social Responsibility doing so doggedly and remarkably.

Sierra Leone News: NP Respected for Prompt Delivery of Quality Petroleum Products

May 19, 2019

It has emerged that among petroleum dealers in Sierra Leone, only the National Petroleum Company is being highly commended and respected for its reliability in terms of prompt service delivery.

It is indeed a remarkable feat that NP continues to maintain in order to ensure that there is sufficient high grade petrol, diesel, kerosene and other petroleum products available in the country to avoid shortage.

It is a fact that the National Petroleum (NP) Sierra Leone Limited is held in very high esteem for its progressive and steady provision of petroleum products to its numerous consumers across the country and even in the sub-region.

Indeed, this contention has been proven perfectly correct by this medium after conducting a thorough survey gauging the views of Sierra Leoneans from different walks of life. What came out clearly throughout the period of the survey was that NP is rated as one of the most successful 100% owned indigenous company that has stood the test of time.

“It is of course rare for one to see in this country a purely and result-oriented indigenously-owned company like NP with all its members of staff being Sierra Leoneans which is truly a testimony of commitment and resilience,” posited a seasoned economist who further said that ‘when we talk of optimizing the Local Content Policy, which is a sine qua non to overall national development, then the company should be given a pat on the back.

The selflessness and commitment of the shareholders have made it possible for the company to empower many Sierra Leoneans and at the same time put it at a vantage position to continue to open more filling stations across the country.

The company deals with individuals and various sectors of society, always ensuring that its various petroleum products are available and are sold at affordable prices. This keen symbiotic relationship with its customers has been paying huge dividends, always resulting in a win-win situation, making NP very endearing to all and sundry.