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“Agro Elite to Cultivate 14,700 Hectares of Farmland…”   –  VP Juldeh Jalloh Reveals

By Aaron Bundu Lahai

Vice President Juldeh Jalloh has revealed that the United Arab Emirate (UAE) based group called Agro Elite will cultivate fourteen thousand seven hundred (14,700) hectares of farmland at the Rhombeh Swamp in the Lokomasama Chiefdom, Port Loko District.

He highlighted that Rhombeh Swamp is going to be rejuvenated by the New Direction Government. He made this revelation at a well-attended meeting at Gbinti-Wallah on Saturday 15th August, 2020.

Vice President Juldeh Jalloh further informed the people about the signing of the agreement and the allocation of funds for the Rhombeh Swamp agricultural project. He stated that the rice project will increase food production in the country and serve as a catalyst for Lokomasama to become a center of attraction in Sierra Leone.

The company, Dr. Jalloh further explained will construct a factory for the production, packaging and sale of cultivated rice from the Rhombeh Swamp. He maintained that the operations of the company will lead to the creation of thousands of jobs especially for indigenes of Lokomasama Chiefdom.

He encouraged the community residents to support the agricultural company, and provide arable land for cultivation in order to motivate the company to do more and make Port Loko proud.

Vice President Juldeh Jalloh also disclosed that a further meeting will be held with the people of Lokomasama and it will be attended by the Minister of Agriculture and his Deputies. He said that the purpose of the meeting is for the Agriculture Minister and Co to explain to residents the benefits of the project.

Big Idea of the Week Getting Tested Helps Stop the Spread of COVID-19

SLAJ and NACOVERC Big Idea of the week

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Big Idea of this Week, 16th – 22nd August, 2020, brought to you courtesy of NaCOVERC and SLAJ, borders on “Getting Tested Helps Stop the Spread of COVID-19”.

At this crucial moment when the coronavirus seems to be elusive, many people are scary to visit health facilities in order to be medically tested by medical experts. The nervousness stems out of the fear that they will be pronounced positive which will in turn result into serious psychological trauma and panic. However, it is highly recommendable t to go for intermittent tests.

Getting tested to know if you have the coronavirus helps stop it from spreading to your loved ones and people in your community who could get very sick. By getting tested, you are saving lives.

If you test positive for coronavirus but do not have any signs and symptoms, there are two options: stay home but in an area away from others you are living with, or go to a community care center.

A health worker will talk to you and decide on the best option for you.
In a community care center, a health worker checks you every day and gives you any care you may need. You will receive meals, counseling, and can talk on the phone with family and friends.

You can carry personal possessions to the center and take them home with you when you leave.

After a week in the center, you will be tested again. Once you test negative for the virus two times at least 24 hours apart, you will be cleared to go home. People returning home from a community care center or treatment center should be warmly welcomed back by their family and neighbors.

For more information on this topic, visit coronafet.link/BigldeaWeek8
For more information on the GoSL COVID-19 response, please visit:
https://mic.gov.sl/ https://dhse.gov.sl/
#CoronaFetNaWeAllFet

NP-SL Maintains Leadership in Marketing Standard Petroleum Products

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

By Amin Kef Sesay

When The Calabash recently undertook an in-depth investigation into the operations of the country’s foremost importer and marketing of petroleum products, the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) it uncovered that the calibrated pumping machines used in all the company’s Filling Stations are of high performance standards having the capability of showing 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 instil 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.

As 2 Days to Go for Closing Date of Application Forms… Housemates Salone is Ablaze in Social Circles

Housemates Salone Season 2

By Amin Kef Sesay

Preparations are now at an advanced stage for the rolling out proper of Housemates Salone Season 2 and from what this medium has so far gathered everything is falling into places for viewers in and out of the country to enjoy an unforgettable Reality TV Show that is expected to be full of thrilling and exciting episodes. Presently there is a mad rush by interested personalities to grab application forms as the closing date for the submission of all application forms is just two days to go.

With Two Hundred and Fifty Million Leones (Le250M) and a round trip to Dubai up for grabs, there is little wonder why various individuals in and out of the country are so eager and overzealous to secure the application forms.

These forms are now going for just One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Leones (Le150, 000). Payment for the application forms could be done through Afrimoney and transaction IDs will be issued to purchasers which they will then use to access the forms. The telephone number to access application forms is 088 201020 (Afrimoney number) and a ‘fast track’ for those in the diaspora is available on line. Interested persons can apply on line through Africell and AYV websites; do their videos and send them to the judges on line. Interviews will be conducted online.

And for the benefit of those in the diaspora who may want to participate in the show they may contact the following: www.africell.sl or www.ayvnews.com.

The closing date for receipt of all applications is the 21st August 2020, and audition will commence in the first week of September. On 21st September 2020, auditions will close and 40 finalists will be chosen who will then battle for the final 20. The final 20 will go into the House on the 14th October 2020.

Housemates Salone will be broadcast live on AYV television, Chanel 34, on a twenty four hours until the end of the show. The Africell number through which members of the public could vote for their favourite Housemates will be announced in due course. It is the number of votes that a particular Housemate pulls which will determine his or her position throughout the competition. For each day a particular Housemate spends in the House will earn him or her One hundred thousand Leones (Le100, 000).

The underlying rationale for the organizers to package this entertainment show goes beyond providing mere entertainment to that of Youth Empowerment. With twenty young Housemates, from different backgrounds,” Quarantined” under one roof for up to about two months, they will be taken through certain mental and physical exercises that will impact their personalities and it is certain that after the competition they will never be the same again.

They stand to benefit from being guided to be motivational speakers, to think critically as well as rationally, how to healthily interact, how to solve problems, to set goals, to cook, how to eat and dress for different occasions, to sing, dance, control emotions and stress. They will have the opportunity to learn from what visiting guests from certain corporate institutions will teach them, learn how to play games and a host of other things that are aligned to coping mechanisms as well as development of strong characters.

Another good thing about the show is that it will put all the Housemates in the spotlight as the Reality TV Show will be viewed by many in and out of the country. People will come to know them, the talents that they possess and what they are capable of doing. The show could be a window of opportunity for the Housemates as some people out there could be interested in tapping the talents that they have seen displayed which could end up in changing their fortunes for life. Indeed something has to start somewhere!

Some people may be having reservations as to whether it is apt to stage the show amidst the coronavirus. To allay such a fear, the organizers have put all the necessary modalities in place to ensure that all the Housemates to enter the House are coronavirus free, that precautionary measures are observed and the House is kept safe.

For now Housemates Salone is the most talked about upcoming social event that continues to dominate conversations in social circles and many are looking forward to be viewing an entertaining and educative programme from which a lot could be learnt.

As the expectations are running high, the organizers are methodologically and meticulously putting finishing touches to once again avail viewers a lively, tantalizing and thought-provoking Reality TV Show.

SLAWIJ Signs MOU with Rainbo Initiative to Combat SGBV

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a bid to advance the campaign against Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) which has spiked in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, the Sierra Leone Association of Women in Journalism (SLAWIJ) has on Tuesday 18th August, 2020 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Rainbo Initiative during a ceremony took place at the Rainbo Initiative Office at Smart Farm, Off Wilkinson Road in Freetown.

Aminata Finda Massaquoi, Head of Programs, SLAWIJ, stated that the MOU is focused on the use of the media in the campaign against SGBV through awareness-raising of the relevant laws; ensuring victims have justice and the support they need to move on and rebuild their lives as well as exposing SGBV cases with a view to ensure that those responsible for perpetrating such acts are held accountable.

Finda Massaquoi further disclosed that the signing of the MOU with Rainbo Initiative will help them to achieve their goal which is to address issues of Sexual and Gender Based Violence which, she highlighted, has been on the increase in the country, adding that as an organization they have membership across the country also expressing the belief that their messages will go far across the country and not only limited to Freetown.

On his part, Deputy Executive Director of Rainbo Initiative, Gibril Kargbo, expressed appreciation to the Sierra Leone Association of Women in Journalism (SLAWIJ) for their move to join the fight in combating Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Sierra Leone.

He said Rainbo Initiative is a national based NGO  that was established in 2003 and since its inception they have been supporting survivors to achieve healing and  engage communities to prevent incidences of GBV through education, advocacy etc.

He furthered that Rainbow Initiative is the only provider of free medical and psychosocial services for survivors of Gender Based-Violence (GBV) in the country.

Gibril Kargbo also disclosed how they have so far provided support to over 40,000 women and girls across the country who were victims of Sexual and Gender Based Violence particularly rape also stating that over 90% of child victims are below 18 years which shows that girls suffer the most in terms of Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the country.

He said in order to end SGBV in the country it needs collaboration of all sectors including the Media, Judiciary, Health Workers etc. of which he said the signing of the MOU with SLAWIJ will provide the two institutions the opportunity to be able to work and deliver on their mandate.

Gibril Kargbo further assured them that with this MOU they are ready to provide the expertise that SLAWIJ needs to deal with issues of Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the country.

SLEFES Donates Bags of Rice to the Less Privileged

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of their support to under privileged communities in the country, Sierra Leone Fellowship of Evangelical Students (SLEFES) has on Tuesday 18th August, 2020 donated bags of rice worth millions of Leones to residents of Aitkins Street, in Murray Town, Freetown.

Speaking during the donation, General Secretary of the Sierra Leone Fellowship of Evangelical Students (SLEFES), William Yandi Conteh, said that the gesture forms part of their COVID-19 relief support to various communities.

He disclosed that the organization was established to promote fellowship among students, to uphold the Biblical truths, to advance Bible study and Discipleship, to evangelize Sierra Leone, to train Church Workers and to do Social Ministry which, he furthered, they have been doing as an institution.

The General Secretary added that when the coronavirus breakout in the country he developed a plan to complement the efforts of Government in the fight against the spread the virus, also maintaining that as part of their support they did a sensitization video which was aired on different TV stations in the country with the aim of raising awareness relating to curtailing the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

He said as an organization they also observed that the outbreak of the COVID-19 has affected the livelihoods of Sierra Leoneans and it is against that backdrop that they decided to embark on the distribution of  bags of rice to residents in different communities, furthering that they are starting with the Murray Town community and  will be extending the gesture to other communities.

“As a responsible organization we thought it fit to do this donation on behalf of the Board and Management. We are doing so with the strong belief that such could be helpful especially at this decisive moment,” he revealed.

He also admonished all to adhere to all the precautionary measures that the Government and its partners have put in place also underscoring that it is only when strict adherence is enhanced that we could stay safe.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the community, Chairman of the Murray Town Community, Samuel Williams, expressed appreciation and gratitude to the General Secretary, the Sierra Leone Fellowship of Evangelical Students (SLEFES), William Yandi Conteh for the gesture which he described as not only important but also timely.

He said that he was contacted by the General Secretary of SLEFES to submit names of less privileged households on Aitkins Street, in Murray Town who will benefit from the donation and as such he was able to put those names together who happens to be beneficiaries of these gesture.

Frequent Spate of Fatal Road Accidents Must Be Addressed

By Amin Kef Sesay

 In recent months, Sierra Leoneans have been emotionally overwhelmed by the frequency of gruesome and fatal road accidents leaving in their wakes vacuums in family households, workplaces, institutions, communities and the State as a whole and sorrow in the minds of loved ones. The spate at which such accidents are taking place is very alarming and calls for serious reflection, stocktaking and the enhancement of affirmative actions by all relevant stakeholders, spearheaded by the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) in order to address this serious malaise that continues to consume precious lives.

It could indeed be justifiable to attribute the rising tide of fatal road crashes to the rainy season when cognisance is taken of slippery roads whenever there is a heavy downpour. Vehicles plying on slippery highways are at risks of being involved in fatal road crashes if caution is thrown to the wind.

The Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), over the years, has rolled out various sensitization programs via conducted workshops, seminars, television and radio talk shows all geared towards heightening road safety awareness. The Authority has developed, rolled out guidelines on road safety and its Traffic Corps are charged with the key responsibility to enforce those guidelines, rules and regulations on defaulters of these traffic rules in order to prevent or reduce road crashes.

However, it is one thing to have good road safety rules in place but it is quite another thing to ensure that they are enforced to the letter. What is lamentably noticeable, though, is that the SLRSA’s Traffic Corps are more interested in imposing fines on errant drivers rather than actually concentrating on tackling the lapses for which fines are imposed. What could be wise enough to do is to impound a faulty vehicle and ensure that the faults detected or the missing links are fixed instead of imposing fines, leave the faults intact, with the vehicle let go with the same faults.

It is understandable that the SLRSA is keen on generating much needed revenue for the central Government but the safety of passengers and pedestrians do matter and must take precedence over the zest for revenue mobilization.

From a research undertaken recently what clearly came out was that  it is very difficult in this country for vehicles to be impounded for smooth tyres, overloading, defaulting lights compared to double parking, expired licenses, insurance etc. To be very frank, the SLRSA does not seem to be placing priority on those lapses that lead to fatal accidents but is rather more interested in dealing with minor offences for which fines could be imposed.

It must be reiterated that it is indeed ridiculous for the SLRSA to be slamming fines  on commercial vehicles for what are considered to be minor offences and on the other hand turning a blind eye to those defects on private vehicles which could lead to serious road accidents.

On its part, the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) has made some good in-roads in terms of roads rehabilitation, erection of road signs but it is expected that there must be a synergy between SLRSA and SLRA to enhance robust enforcement of safety rules and regulations ,which if properly done will minimize road crashes that continue to claim precious lives.

In light of the above, it is recommended that there must be massive outreach and sensitization campaigns that should be centred on road safety issues. It must be an ongoing process not only limited to intermittent workshops where there are selected beneficiaries without any cascading effects. These campaigns must be inclusive by bringing relevant stakeholders on-board, including the media, Police, the Drivers’ Union, Passenger’s Welfare Association with the main objective of targeting the wider citizenry. Excuses of placing heavy financial burden on the SLRSA to undertake such sensitization campaigns could not be justifiable or accepted.

Yes it is known that SLRSA has a fitness centre and it was understood that recently they will be doing so digitally which is indeed a good move. However, what is also known is that vehicle fitness examination are only done when owners are  licensing vehicles but when once that has been obtained that is the end of fitness check. Out there on the streets it is left to the whims and caprices of traffic police personnel and road safety corps to determine whether to check vehicles for road worthiness or not. Take a look at some of the commercial buses, the rickety trucks, the trailers that ply our roads and you can just understand the point that is been underscored.

The Authority must embark on quarterly inspection of vehicles to determine their road worthiness. But before this is done SLRSA must ensure that the inspection starts at the Queen Elizabeth Port where it must affirm that vehicles with smooth tyres and other defects should not be cleared until the faults are rectified.

It appears that this country has now become a dumping ground for used vehicles. All types of scrap vehicles are shipped into the country without quality tests done to ascertain their road worthiness.

Regular maintenance of roads must be done by the SLRA. It could be agreed that some of our roads have become death traps and the situation has degenerated especially with the coming of the rains. Accepted that during the rainy season it is difficult to maintenance dilapidated roads but it will continue to be a lacuna on the part of SLRA to leave these roads unrepaired even during the dry season. With so many potholes, some of these roads have become so dangerous to ply.

As it has been determined that certain fatal accidents are related to drunk driving it is but advisable to use breathalysers to determine the drunkenness (or not) of drivers. When drivers are aware that they will be tested then they will think twice of yielding to the temptation of drinking before driving.

If the aforementioned are done sincerely, devoid of any form of personal aggrandizement, in tandem with frequent campaigns when the usual road safety rules and regulations should be widely disseminated, then without any iota of doubt there will be a drastic reduction in fatal road accidents far from what we are currently experiencing.

Otherwise, our social media spaces will continue to be flooded with traumatic images and Rest In Peace condolence messages.

May Common Sense Prevail!  Privileged

Deputy Lands Minister Pays Le 250 Million Leones to Land Owning Families

Rex Bhonapha, Deputy Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Rex Bhonapha, Deputy Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, has completed the payment of Two Hundred and Fifty Million Leones to land owning families in Bombali and Tonkolili Districts, North of Sierra Leone.

The delegation to the North was led by the Minister, Permanent Secretary Mr. Israel Jigba and other top Ministry officials.

The Mayagba Bombali Airfield payment was done at the Bombali Council Hall where the Deputy Minister of Lands, Rex Bhonapha on behalf of President Bio’s Government, presented a cheque of One Hundred Million Leones (Le 100,000,000) to PC Kasanga. The said money, according to the Deputy Minister, is for the affected Land owning families in the Chiefdom.

Speaking on behalf of the people of Pakimassbong Chiefdom, PC Mosasa Paki Kabonbor 11 thanked the Government of President Bio through the Ministry of Lands for the payment, describing it as very timely and that they as community people will continue to protect the said Lands and pray that President Bio and his Government succeed in rebranding the country by providing an Internal Air Transportation system across the country.

The program was chaired by the Regional Lands Surveyor, Karim Kargbo and the introduction of Ministry of Lands’ officials was done by the Permanent Secretary Israel Jigba.

The Team from Lands Ministry were also welcomed in the Magburaka District Council Hall by the District Officer, Augustine Fartoma.

Permanent Secretary, Israel Jigba, explained the purpose of their visit to the gathering, noting that they were sent by the Hon. Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr. Denis Sandy, to pay for the reservation quarters and for Government to then take full control of the said quaters.

Receiving the one hundred and fifty Million Leones (Le 150,000,000) cheque from the Deputy Minister of Lands, Rex Bhonapha, Paramount Chief of Magburaka, PC Masskawa 111 commended the New Direction Government of President Bio and his early effort to keeping those Airfields and Reservation quarters for future development programs for MDAs.

Similar payments have been done for the Airfield and Reservation Quarters in both Bo and Kenema Districts by the Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr. Denis Sandy.

During those meetings Dr. Sandy emphasised the commitment of President Bio to normalize every land situation across the country and encouraged members of the public to come to his office for proper documentation of State Lands which they had acquired over the years without proper papers.

He further explained to the Land Owning families that Government, upon paying a huge sum of money to these affected families in both Reservations and for the Airfields in Bo and  Kenema, the land reverts to Government ownership forever.

Statistician-General Demystifies Fallacies About 2020 Mid Term Census

Professor Osman Sankoh ,Statistician General of Statistics Sierra Leone

By Finda Judith Ngaujah

Professor Osman Sankoh ,Statistician General of Statistics Sierra Leone,  on Thursday 13th August 2020, demystified certain misconceptions relating to the upcoming Mid Term Census.

Addressing a news conference at the Ministry of Information and Communications, Professor Sankoh said the Mid Term Population and Housing Census which will start on 4th December 2020, seeks to ensure proper allocation of resources during implementation of the Medium Term National Development Plan. He disclosed that the exercise will last for two weeks.

According to the Statistician General,  President Julius Maada Bio approved the Census as was advised because Statistics Sierra Leone could not provide accurate population data for Type Three localities, amounting to 59% nationwide.

Professor MallamO,as he is popularly called informed that they will use advanced technology including computer assisted data collection software in the forthcoming exercise to help them do a thorough job.

He furthered that the software will ensure work is done quickly and accurately and will also completely eliminate any possibility of data falsification as was the case in the past.

The Statistics-SL Boss also revealed how they have experts in various fields that will get the work done correctly this time.

He stated that other countries like Kenya have used the system and it worked for them which is why they are keen to replicate  it in Sierra Leone.

The Statistician General enjoined all Sierra Leoneans to be involved in the process by making sure that they are counted and ensuring that the right thing is done.

He said that a full time sensitization is ongoing for all to know that they should stay at their various localities to be counted.

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