His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has updated Members of Parliament on his Government’s achievements in one year and his future priority policies at this year’s State Opening Parliament in Freetown on Thursday 2nd May 2019.

President Bio told lawmakers in the well and citizens, through a nationwide television and radio broadcast, that although the first year in office had gone so quickly, the achievements his government had made were deliberately meant to lay a solid foundation for sustainable development. He noted that restoring the country’s international reputation was important too, and thanked members of the country’s workforce for their devotion to the development of the country.

He recalled that in his maiden address to Parliament in 2018, he made a commitment to transform the economy, create the ecosystem for investment and private sector growth, and most importantly to invest in human capital development by making wide-ranging institutional and governance reforms. He noted that the country was standing on the threshold of renewed hope and confidence for citizens, investors and development partners.

“Overall, fiscal deficit GDP ratio has dropped from 8.7 percent in 2017 to 5.4 percent in 2018 as a result of ongoing efforts to control expenditure while mobilising domestic revenue. Domestic revenues collected during 2018 increased to Le 4.35 trillion or 14.0 percent of GDP compared to Le 3.34 trillion or 12.6 percent of GDP in 2017, an increase of about Le 1.0 trillion. From April 2018 to March 2019 the Government collected a total of 5.09 trillion of domestic revenues giving a monthly average of Le 424 billion.

“The initial ban of export on timber was lifted in October 2018. A sole exporter was designated to export 13,000 containers of timber that was estimated to be available for export at the time of the ban. Between October 2018 and March 2019, the total amount realised from timber export was $16.5 million. Mindful of the need for environmental management, an additional US$ 2.4 million is now allocated for reforestation,” he said.

President Bio also told Parliament that despite the gains made in fiscal reforms, there had been a depreciation of the Leones over the past 12 months. He cited the lull in iron-ore mining and possible off-shore foreign exchange transactions among the factors that limited foreign exchange inflows into the official banking sector. The President disclosed that iron-ore production would soon resume in the country, adding that the government would clamp down on offshore foreign exchange transactions and compel all remittances and foreign disbursements to be done through the domestic banking system.

He also stated that over the last 12 months his Government recognised the fact that past government strategy was characterised by divisiveness, exclusion, leading to the weakening and subverting of state governing institutions. He recalled that he had promised to launch a Presidential Initiative that would herald a national conference on diversity management and the rebuilding of national cohesion.

“I am pleased to report that Government has prepared the establishment of the Independence Commission for Peace and National Cohesion. A Green Paper has been submitted for consultation on how to achieve inclusive governance and improve on the infrastructure for peace and democratisation. Together, with the Green Paper on Democratic Consolidation and National Cohesion, we shall host a National Dialogue Conference to be called the Bintumani 2,” he said.

He stated that in fulfilment of his manifesto promise, his Government had launched the Free Quality Education programme in August 2018, adding that that initiative had benefitted some 2.14 million pupils in Government-owned and Government-assisted pre-primary, and secondary schools. The planning for the programme, he noted, was informed by data from the National School Census collected with the support of the British Department for International Development and the World Bank.

“To demonstrate our commitment to education, my Government has increased and sustained budgetary allocation to 21% in 2018 Supplementary Budget and 2019 Budget. Government has invested in school infrastructure and feeding. A total of Le 3 billion was provided for the provision of furniture to 90 schools most in need and another Le 3 billion for the rehabilitation of 50 schools.

“Additionally, 210,000 pupils in Koinadugu, Falaba, Kambia, Pujehun and Tonkolili are currently benefitting from the National School Feeding Programme and Le 69 billion is allocated for the remaining 11 districts. The 2019 budget provided for the recruitment of 5,000 additional teachers. The Teaching Service Commission has received and is processing 12,000 applications for recruitment and over 1,075 have been recruited,” he said.

His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has on Saturday 27 April 2019, decorated 58 distinguished Sierra Leoneans, two foreign nationals and two international organisations for their contributions to nation building at the commemoration of the 58th Independence Anniversary of the country.

The investiture and insignia awards to the foreign diplomats, Mr. Amara Essy, former Ivorian Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Michael Schulenburg, former UN Special Representative in Sierra Leone, as Grand Commanders Order of the Republic of Sierra Leone (GCRSL) for their selfless services in maintaining the peace and development of the country.

The two international organisations, the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) for their strive at easing suffering, providing development assistance and fostering charity and justice to all Sierra Leoneans. The other is Medicine Sans Frontiers (MSF), an independent French medical humanitarian charity that has provided medical assistance to Sierra Leoneans affected by war, epidemic, disaster and healthcare support.

The 58 patriots of Sierra Leone who received the awards of Commander of the Order of the Republic of Sierra Leone (CORSL), Grand Officer of the Order of Rokel (GOOR), Officer of the Order of Rokel (OOR) and Member of the Order of Rokel (MOR) were for their collective and individual roles they played in building the solid blocks of Sierra Leone, for which they have been honoured.

His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has joined members of the Muslim Community to offer prayers for Sierra Leone as part of this year’s 58th Independence Commemoration at a prayer session held at State House.

In his brief remarks after the sermon, President Bio said he was happy to receive Muslim worshippers as they gathered together to reflect on how far the country had come since Independence in 1961. He said the nation had not done well in achieving total independence, considering its reliance on foreign aid and partners.

He mentioned that since he took up office on April 4, 2018, the country had seen great progress and that was indicative of the country heading in the right direction.

“We are working now to build a solid foundation for our country but we cannot do it alone. So, we need to work together in our little ways to make our country better for everyone. As religious leaders, I will encourage you to harmonise your messages as a way of bringing the country together,” he said.

The prayer session was part of series of other events marking this year’s anniversary. On Saturday 27th April, the President recognised and honoured Sierra Leoneans who have made enormous contributions to public service. And the 58th Independence Anniversary will be climaxed by a Christian service on Sunday, 28th April at State House where many Christian leaders are expected to participate.

As part of the 58th Independence Anniversary, President Bio also addressed the nation on Saturday 27th April. President Bio’s decision to mark the Independence Anniversary with prayers by both Muslims and Christians has been commended by many ordinary Sierra Leoneans.

Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Vice President of Sierra Leone has presented fifty million Leones to the Jamiatul Birr, Bashara Mosque in Port Loko City.
He made the presentation during a fundraising program organized by the United Communities of Bashara Mission in Port Loko on the 26th April, 2019. He informed the Jamaat that the reason for honouring the invitation was to attend the program despite his busy schedule to participate and solidarize with the Muslims, not only in Port Loko City, but in the district as a whole.

The Vice President acknowledged the challenges limiting development in the district that were highlighted by the Mayor of Port Loko City, His Worship, Abu Bakar Zozo Kamara, such as poor roads, incomplete stadium, cold room for fish among others. The Vice President stressed that Port Loko is far behind other districts in terms of development as a result of the challenges highlighted by the Mayor. He added that Port Loko District has suffered from injustice for quite some time. Dr. Jalloh promised to work with relevant ministries, departments and agencies and other stakeholders from the district to salvage the problems, in order to give the district a new facelift.
Vice President Jalloh admonished the people of Port Loko to learn the culture of supporting stakeholders from the district who contribute to the development of the district. He maintained that a reciprocate support from the Port Loko people to deserving stakeholders who contribute towards the district’s development, will motivate the stakeholders to do more. He described the people’s support as vital for any indigene, especially political indigenes. He pledged his continuous support to the district and encouraged Muslims to use the mosques to bring all indigenes of Port Loko together in a ceremony like fund-raising, irrespective of their political affiliations.

Alhaji Hassan Kamara – National President of Jamiatul Birr told his audience that Bashara Mission will support any government in Sierra Leone and accept any president chosen by God, stating further that leadership comes from God. He informed the congregation that the mission has six hundred branches across the country.
Hon. Ibrahim Rashim Bundu – former Leader of Government Business in the last Parliament, referred to Islam as a supreme religion, because of the five daily prayers and the unique sitting position of all Muslims except the Imam.

Abu Koroma – Resident Minister North expressed his admiration for the political tolerance displayed by Port Loko politicians to sit together and attend a program. He noted that such political tolerance is completely missing in Bombali District, which he govern.

During a conducted press tour of the Wellington Industrial Estate offices of the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) Friday, 29 April 2019, members of the Press were shown the company’s latest investment of Over Le278 billion, being part of a Le3.5 billion investment on overhauling the bottling and packaging line.
Present at the ceremony were the Corporate Relations Manager, Albert Ojo Collier, the Product Manager, Dennis Macfoy and members of the Press. The meeting was chaired by the Assistant Corporate Relations, Unisa Conteh.
In his introductory remarks, Unisa Conteh briefed the media that the tour is to update them about the company’s investment of Le278 billion on the production and delivery of efficient service to its valued customers across the country. He further stated that the SLBL embarked on overhauling all its facilities to ensure quality service to consumers, adding it has been the reason for the shortage in bottled products.
Addressing the Press, Corporate Relations Manager, Albert Ojo Collier, invited them on a conducted tour of the company’s recently overhauled facilities. An investment of Le3.5 billion has been put into this upgrading and overhauling of its bottling and packaging line. This overhauling, he said, is to improve the efficiency of their bottling operations. Albert Ojo Collier disclosed that in consonance with international standards and best practices and in respect to manufacturer’s recommendations, the general overhauling of the facility was undertaken. The services of Krones, a German firm with specialization in the supply and modernization of such plants, plus local engineers and technicians undertook the work from January to February 2019. This investment, Collier stressed, is part of the company’s Le278 billion expansion and modernization program. This investment, he added, enhances their production capacity and ability to meet with any increasing demand of consumers for the years to come. He reiterated the company’s large scale investment since 2015, which saw the expansion, maintenance of high quality environmentally safe equipments and procedures, resulting in the installation of new massive Fermentation Storage Tanks (FSTs), Waste Water Treatment Plant, Mash Filter Equipment, CO2 and Cooling Plants and the most recent being the Canning Line (the first in Sierra Leone).
Dilating on the concerns raised lately about the shortage of bottle drinks in the market, Collier further explained that the overhauling operation conducted in two months recently, was responsible for the shortage as they had to shut down operations with the bottling and packaging system to ensure proper overhauling is done in consonance with internationally agreed standards and also in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. He said he is however pleased to announce to the general public that the overhaul operation has ended and all their production operations are fully functional.
Speaking on its Corporate Social Responsibilities, the Corporate Relations Manager said the SLBL has continued to play an important role in the social and economic growth of the country, with support from the Heineken Africa Foundation. He disclosed that they have approved support to Well Woman Clinic at Murray Town for an improved ultra-sound maternity project, implemented a solar-powered water system in Koya, Loko Town and Wellington Industrial Estate, commissioned a Mini Dam at Up Mountain Peacock Farm (benefitting more than 12,000 residents), supporting water and sanitation projects through the Member of Parliament representing Constituency 115, Hon Alpha Bah, support to the Masanga Hospital and Lion Heart Foundation in the north of the country, construction of the Wellington Community Hospital, which will be commissioned after the Ramadan and the Calaba Town Hospital, due to be completed this year. All the above he said is an investment of over Le6 billion undertaken in collaboration with its Heineken Africa Foundation partner.
Production Manager, Dennis Macfoy, disclosed that the overhauling of the bottling packaging line is to ensure efficient service to consumers. This overhauling started from the unpacker, washers (which keep the bottles clean), inserters and fillers. This process ensures that the bottles are washed thoroughly; foreign matters removed and the bottles filled to the stipulated capacity. He further disclosed that in the process of the overhauling, several replacements were done with new machines. He assured the Press and consumers of 99% performance and the best quality of its products. Dennis Macfoy stated that the quality and standard of the products meets all international standards of brewing. He maintained that the shortage of bottled drinks in the 2 months was due to the overhauling process that was taking place and that everything has returned to normal. Both the bottling and canning processes he said are fully operational and guaranteed to meet the demands of the public for years to come.
A question and answer session climaxed the tour.

Address by His Excellency Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, on the Occasion of the 58th Independence Anniversary – Freetown, 27 April 2019.

Fellow citizens, on Thursday, April 27, 1961, our founding father, Sir Milton Margai, defined our mission as a nation. He urged his countrymen to “face up squarely to the problems which will confront” them.

He argued that the success of the Sierra Leone Government would “depend very greatly upon the active support and assistance of each” Sierra Leonean.

The ultimate aim then, as now, was to “make our country a land worth living in” and “a land worth serving” with “wholehearted service and hard work.”

In my maiden Independence Day address last year, I directed that in view of the dire economic challenges we inherited as a government, the Ministry of Finance make no budgetary allocations to fund Independence Day celebrations until generated domestic revenue makes up 20% of our Gross Domestic Product. I highlighted the dire economic and financial challenges we inherited as a government and committed to working hard to achieve the 20% objective.

We have made very significant progress in domestic revenue mobilisation over the last one year and we are collectively determined as a nation to achieve that objective.

On this 58th anniversary of our independence, I want us to each reflect deeply and ask ourselves as individuals and collectively as a nation what we have done to make our country a land worth living in.

Amidst the turmoil of our short history as a nation, some of our citizens have shown remarkable patriotism and selflessness in serving our great nation. I thank everyone of you who wakes up every day with the singular objective of working even harder to make Sierra Leone a better place.

But corruption, theft, fraud, waste, bad deals that have left us with huge debts, or connivance to sell off the country’s mineral resources to predators, have not
added value to our determination to build a productive nation.

Our failure to manage our environment and wildlife, protect our beaches and seas, and keep our living spaces clean and healthy at all times has not made our country a land worth living in.

Lawlessness, nepotism, discrimination, greed, crass opulence, mismanagement, and bad governance at all levels have not made our country a land worth living in.

Our disregard for our traditional values of deep faith and religiosity, respect, tolerance, justice, good neighbourliness and peaceful coexistence has not always made our country a land worth living in.

Our callous indifference to the situation of women and girls, children, the disabled, the aged, the poor, our unemployed youth, and other vulnerable populations has not made our country a land worth living in.

“High,” we have not always exalted thee. “Great,” is not the love we have shown for thee at all times. “Firmly united,” we have not stood. “Singing your praises,” we have not.

On this day therefore, I ask Sierra Leoneans to make a solemn pledge or prayer to do all they can to make our country a land worth living in again. Let us embrace those values and attitudes that make us patriotic Sierra Leoneans.

We have certainly made some gains. We have enjoyed 18 years of peace. We have had five successive democratic elections and three peaceful changes of
government.

Some of our brightest young brains have taken on the challenge of leadership and are contributing to national development. Our women and girls are taking their rightful place in national dialogue, leadership, and development. We must and we will continue protecting them and opening up opportunities for them.

We have started salvaging the name and pride of our nation. Slowly, the world no longer sees us as the land of a cruel civil war, of corruption, of mudslides, and of Ebola. We are being seen as a truly inspired nation and a land of opportunity and great promise.

From a steep downward plunge of our economy, empty coffers, and endemic corruption that saw our development partners disengage our last government,
we are closing leakages for fraud and waste, and increasing domestic revenue intake.

We are continuing to clamp down on corruption because it is the right thing to do for the economy and for the reputation and future of our nation. We will also continue to live within our means.

Multilateral development partners have reaffirmed their confidence in our competent management of the economy by re-engaging and supporting us in even bigger ways than before now.

We have created an investor-friendly ecosystem by making processes, regulation, and incentives more favourable for win-win investments.

We have expanded investment opportunities in tourism, renewable energy, fisheries, agriculture, and other sectors. We desire more investment and trade. Credible investors around the world are taking a favourable look at our country.

Our medium-term national development plan lays out ournational development priorities in easily understandableclusters.

We will continue to invest heavily in Human Capital Development through free quality education, quality healthcare, and food security initiatives.

We will seed and scale science, technology, and innovation in order to fast-track revenue generation, governance, service delivery, and for developing the private sector.

We believe that a skilled, educated, and healthy population is critical for expanding private sector growth and driving inclusive national development. Our goals remain capacity building and job creation.

We will continue institutional and governance reforms and relentlessly pursue national cohesion. As a government, we also recognise that our national
constitution must be reviewed to reflect the rights and aspirations of all our citizens.

We thank our development partners for their continuing assistance towards the development of our country. We have agreed a principle of mutual transparency and accountability and together, we will plan, implement, and
also assess the impact of their interventions.

Cabinet has passed and will soon submit to parliament progressive legislations that will promote accountability, expand democratic spaces, and protect vulnerable populations.

I expect that parliament will soon vote to support my government’s tougher anti-corruption laws, the amended Sexual Offences Act, and also strike the 54-year criminal libel laws. The Chief Justice has established Special Divisions of the High Court for corruption and sexual offences related cases.

Our investments in infrastructure will continue to be purposeful, beneficial for development and service delivery, cheaper, and not burden future generations with unreasonable debt.

Our foreign policy will be guided by the principle of mutual respect, economic diplomacy, and the peaceful pursuit of matters of mutual interest.

We will continue to meet all our regional and international obligations and provide continental leadership for the reform of the United Nations Security Council.

Fellow citizens of this our great republic, as we observe Sierra Leone’s independence at 58, let us remind ourselves that we have a unique opportunity to get it right again as a nation. For the seemingly intractable questions and tasks facing our nation, let us ask “why not” and be inspired to do the very best for our nation.

We all have an obligation to make Sierra Leone a peaceful, progressive, and pluralistic democracy.

May God bless us all and may God bless our great republic.

I thank you

The first accused Captain Patrick Edwin Kamara on Tuesday 23rd April 2019 has told the Judge advocate Justice Momoh Jah Stevens, Chair and Board Members of the Court Martial that 900 millimeters of 14.5 AA rounds in 2013 were never used.
The first accused made this revelation, during cross-examination by Counsel for the State J.A.K Sesay at the on-going Court Martial at the Military Head Quarter at Cockerill. Captain Kamara said they were supposed to use the 900 rounds of 14.5 ammunition, but due to faults on the vehicle where this ammunition were supposed to be operated from, they were never used in 2013.
He added that the ammunition were dismantled from the truck, and later returned to the store and handed over to the third accused Abu Bakarr Jalloh. The Captain also noted that the last time he signed for ammunition was in 2018, confirming also to have signed for rounds of 14.5 and also 12.7 millimeters ammunitions.
The first accused maintained that all of the ammunition, which he signed for, and were based on the instructions of his former boss Lieutenant Colonel Sheku Tejan Sesay. He also said he was never officially assigned as the second in command in the Former Joint Presidential Guard Force (JPGF) of former President Ernest Bai Koroma, adding that he has never signed any document on behalf of the Chief of Defence Staff, while he was at JPGF.
“I can sign a document, carrying my correct name and designation and I can also sign for other people.” He pointed out also that the ammunition taken to the Presidential Lodge at Hill Station was escorted by armed escort officers at the Operational Store in the Presidential Lodge. “My lord this ammunition was taken from the store for test firing and training,” adding that some of the ammunition issued to him were in sealed tins.
The witness maintained that the administrative instructions for training were done by Lieutenant S.T. Sesay, stressing that also in 2013 he received ammunition for training under the instruction of his former boss. The accused further explained that, while they were doing the training exercises in 2013 for the former Joint Presidential Guard Force, he took two separate sets of videos and photographs of the sessions, adding that 2013 was the last training for the former Presidential Guard Force. Between 1st January 2008 and 19th June 2018, it was alleged that Captain Patrick Kamara, Samuel Conteh, Warrant Officer Class 1 and Abu Bakarr Jalloh, Warrant Officer Class 2 conspired and stole from the Government of Sierra Leone 4,245 rounds of 12.7 millimeters anti-aircraft ammunition, 3,828 round of 14.4 millimeters A. A. rounds, 11 grenades and 6 rounds of 7.62/39 amongst many others.
The trio are before a military Court Marital to answer to five charges, ranging from Conspiracy, Larceny by Servant, Wilful neglect and ordering damage to service property, wilful damage of service property, conduct that was prejudicial to the group order, and military discipline contrary to the Armed Forces of the Republic of Sierra Leone Act No.34 of 1961 as mentioned. The first accused Captain Patrick Edwin Kamara is represented by Ady Macauley, while D. Taylor is representing the second accused Samuel Conteh and Amadu Koroma is representing the third accused Abu Bakarr Jalloh.