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

June 27, 2019

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

June 27, 2019

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sierra Leone News: Nabeela Tunis & China Foreign Minister Hold Talks

June 25, 2019

On June 23, 2019, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks with Foreign Minister Nabeela Tunis of Sierra Leone in Beijing.

Wang Yi welcomed Ms. Nabeela Tunis Foreign Minister and foreign ministers and friends of African countries to attend the Sherpa meeting on the implementation of the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The Chinese side is ready to work with African countries to build high-quality and sustainable China-Africa friendly relations.

China and Sierra Leone are good friends and good brothers who have always understood and supported each other. At the end of August last year, President Xi Jinping met with President Julius Maada Bio in Beijing, drawing up a blueprint for the development of China-Sierra Leone relations in the new era. The Chinese side appreciates the Sierra Leonean side’s firm friendship with China and is ready to work with the Sierra Leonean side to push for greater development of China-Sierra Leone relations in accordance with the consensus reached by the two heads of state.

Wang Yi pointed out that the two sides should continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning each other’s core interests and major concerns. The Chinese side will firmly uphold the principle featuring sincerity, real results, friendship, and good faith and the values of friendship, justice and shared interests while carrying out cooperation with African countries including Sierra Leone.

The two sides should strengthen alignment of the Belt and Road Initiative and the eight major initiatives proposed at the FOCAC Beijing Summit with Sierra Leone’s medium-term national development plan, build a national cooperation plan in line with the actual situation of the Sierra Leonean side, and beef up cooperation in infrastructure, agriculture and fishery, health care, communication, and capacity building. We should firmly support each other in multilateral affairs, advocate mutual respect, promote win-win cooperation, and safeguard the common interests of our two countries and other developing countries.

Nabeela Tunis said that President Julius Maada Bio attaches great importance to relations with China. Sierra Leone is firmly committed to strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation with China. China has always understood and supported Africa and always offered timely assistance to African countries in times of difficulty. China’s joint efforts with Sierra Leone to fight the Ebola epidemic are a classic example. African countries trust and thank China, regard China as a true good partner, and never believe the unfounded accusations on Africa-China relations. The Sierra Leonean side supports deepening Africa-China partnership and stands ready to maintain close communication and coordination on implementing the sustainable development goals of the 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement on climate change, and reform of the global governance system.

After the talks, the two sides witnessed the signing of multiple bilateral cooperation agreements together.

Sierra Leone News: ACC Confiscates Properties for the State

June 25, 2019

Francis Ben Kelfala, Commissioner for Sierra Leone’s Anti Corruptions Commission (ACC),

A public notice issued by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) says that, through intelligence-led investigation exercises, the under-mentioned properties have been confiscated; and are currently in ACC’s possession:

1. Ribar Hotel, situated at No. 3 Sukutamba Street, Koidu City, Kono District. The former Deputy Minister of Works, Abdul Barrie, who it was believed owned it, has denied ownership. It had therefore been sealed for the past eight (8) months.

2. One White Unregistered Toyota Land Cruiser Vehicle, which was formerly in the possession of the Former Deputy Minister of Works, Housing and Infrastructure, Madam Kadijatu Olamatu Seisay, which she had claimed was stolen from her driver, has been retrieved by the ACC from the Republic of Guinea.

According to ACC investigations they established that it was sold through a corrupt conspiracy and claim that the vehicle had been given to her by former President, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, as her end of service benefit is false. She is currently standing trial for Misappropriation of Public Property.

3. One White Registered Toyota Land Cruiser Vehicle ANS 219, which was found in the possession of an individual who claims it was hidden in his premises on the instructions of the Former Commissioner-General of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), Haja Kalla Kamara.

These properties are believed to have been corruptly acquired or kept by Public Officers and have now been retrieved by the ACC for the People of Sierra Leone.

With respect to the Ribar Hotel, no one has laid claim to the property since it was confiscated by the ACC some eight (8) months ago. In that regard, the ACC says it will soon proceed to taking necessary steps to dispose of the said property and the proceeds returned to the State; or otherwise, will hand it over to the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice for forfeiture to the State.

The Two (2) White Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles will be handed over to the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, once the necessary administrative processes have been completed for re-allocation within the Public Service.

Sierra Leone News: Rousing Welcome for Fatima Bio in Liberia

June 25, 2019

First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Her Excellency Mrs. Fatima Bio has met with a cross section of Sierra Leoneans at the Sierra Leone Embassy in Monrovia, Liberia.

In a well-attended meeting, the First Lady after honoring the invitation of the First Lady of Liberia, Mrs. Clar Marie Weah to grace the launch of the “She’s You” movement, conveyed the greetings of President Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio to his citizens. She expressed her delight over the warm welcome that was accorded her on her arrival at the Roberts International Airport in Liberia.

First Lady Mrs. Fatima Bio used the occasion to update her citizens in Liberia of the ongoing development works in her country, which included the Free Quality Education and Free Medical Facility for School Children. She added that President Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio is working very hard to build the nation and that Sierra Leoneans have once more gained respect in the eyes of international community.

She concluded by expressing her concerns in the way girls and women are being molested with no justice, the reason she as the Mother of the Nation has stood her ground to see that rape and child marriage are totally eradicated in the country.

His Excellency Ambassador Eddie S. Massally thanked and appreciated Her Excellency Mrs. Fatima Bio for the visit, adding that his mission in Liberia is not limited to protecting SLPP supporters but all Sierra Leoneans. He added that it’s timely for the Sierra Leone Community in Liberia to conduct their elections and that once that is done they would have a formidable Executive, and the Embassy will provide an office space within its premises for them.

In addendum, Deputy Ambassador Joseph M. Hazeley explained that the relationship between the Embassy and the community has been a cordial one.

In the presence of the Resident Ambassador, H E Eddie S. Massally expressed their challenges and issues they are faced with and requested the First Lady to convey their messages to His Excellency President Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio.

Some of the issues were women empowerment, schools for Sierra Leoneans in Liberia and a bus that will ply the route from Monrovia and Freetown.

Mrs. Fatima Bio in a short statement encouraged the Liberians to join Her Excellency Mrs. Clar Weah in her drive to fight for disadvantaged women and girls.

Mrs. Fatima Bio is one of the most vibrant hardworking First Ladies of our time and a global leader in the fight against rape and sexual abuse against women and girls.

Sierra Leone News: Niagara’s Mayor, Sierra Leone Tourism Minister Strike Deals

June 25, 2019

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Tourism and Culture has clinched another partnership and collaboration deal and settlement within twenty five minutes of one-on-one discussion with Mayor James M. Diodati of Niagara City of Ontario.

Giving a detailed backdrop of the meeting, the Minister and delegation did a morning site visit to the Niagara Tourism Village, which settlement attracts quite a huge number of tourists, for its beauty, history, heritage, antiques and many more.

During the tour the Minister attracted many aged Canadian women, who were interested in African Sierra Leone attire, and this drew more attention and created interviews for the Minister and delegation for the purpose of a visit. The Minister of Tourism with full alacrity responded accordingly as usual.

As the conducted tour concluded, the team had a proper observatory and concurrent approach with strong bench marks in how Sierra Leone can transform her colonial settlements to a beautiful and active tourist attraction site, which will raise awareness and generate income and employment with viable socio-economic benefits.
His receptiveness gave the Minister and team a flexible and comfortable atmosphere for successful deliberations.

The Mayor on arrival handed the Minister of Tourism, Memunatu Pratt a welcome gift of acceptance assuring the Minister that she is indeed welcome.
Well “Boe Tah Boe Nah” he who gives must expect to be given. Just after the presentation of the Mayor, the Minister in return also presented Sierra Leone’s Tourism promotional materials one after the other, and this gave the Mayor a shock as he wasn’t expecting anything numerous.

A special exchange of the Sierra Leone and Canadian lapels were fixed on both officials as a honorary symbol, statesmanship and acceptance of partnerships and dual collaborations betwixt the two ascendancy. It was just after the friendly exchange of tokens, that the Mayor declared readiness for a healthy partnership and collaboration with Sierra Leone Tourism with supports for tourism development in Sierra Leone.

Just at the end of the successful meeting, the team was taken to see, feel, and share experiences from the Niagara Falls. Polishing the deals the team visited one of the Seven Wonders of the World that is the Niagara Falls located in Ontario, a Canadian city. At the famous waterfalls, which falls is linked and perched with the United States by New York City border. And this unifies Canada and America separated by the Niagara Falls.

This site on the Niagara River’s western shore buoyantly overlooks the Horseshoe Falls, with the cascades’ most expansive sections and well pathed ancient water rocks splashes water mist, as the rainbow gives the genuine ambiance of hope to visitors.

Sierra Leone News: In Memunatu Jabbie Murder Case: Pathologist Confirms: ‘Death by Strangulation’

June 25, 2019

Government’s Chief Forensic Expert and Pathologist at Sierra Leone’s Connaught Hospital Mortuary, Dr. Simeon Owizz Koroma has said, from autopsy examinations conducted on the remains of late Memunatu Jabbie, ‘it is clear that the deceased was manually strangled and had superficial slash on the neck.’

He added: “According to Autopsy result, it is clear that Memunatu was manually strangled, with superficial slash wound on the neck, fingernail marks and needle puncture at the lateral part of her neck and signs of attempted gang rape.” 24 years old Memunatu Jabbie was found dead last week Tuesday along the Aberdeen Mangrove Swamp area. She was a witness in the case of Hannah Bockarie who was raped and killed in 2015 at the Lumley/Aberdeen Beach.

Memunatu was a commercial sex worker who was testifying as witness on the murder trial of the late Hannah Bockarie.

Many say her death comes as a result of her latest testimonies on her late friend’s murder in court and for this and many other reasons, many people are now questioning the responsibility of the police in protecting their witnesses.

Head of Crime Services at the Criminal Investigations Department of the Sierra Leone Police, Assistant Inspector General Brima Jah explained that the police provided proper security for the deceased but that because of her type of business, she asked to be relocated in the West of the city.

“Police was providing her close protection security, money to take care of her needs and accommodation. But it came a time when she started creating unnecessary problems for the police and repeatedly disappear herself from police watch for reasons best known to her,” AIG Brima said.

He pleaded with the public to corporate with the police in investigating the late woman’s death.

Family members have called on the police to speedily look into the matter and help solve the mystery of women being targeted, raped and/or killed along the beach road.

Sierra Leone News: Govt. Invites Bids for $2bn Lungi-Freetown Bridge

June 25, 2019

In its ongoing attempt to make its main airport more accessible, the Government of Sierra Leone will this week begin taking privately-financed bids for a $2bn bridge linking the capital Freetown to the international airport at Lungi; in what would be the largest infrastructure project in the country.

The 8km-long bridge is intended to end the “logistical nightmare” facing travelers arriving at Lungi, formerly a British air base located on the opposite side of the Freetown estuary, requiring visitors who land there to travel by boat to Freetown.

Last year newly-elected President Julius Maada Bio scrapped a Chinese plan to build a whole new airport on the Freetown side of the estuary, arguing that Lungi is operating well below capacity.

The idea of a bridge was settled on, but the government has been deterred from starting because of its capital cost, which is equal to about half of its GDP. President Julius Maada Bio now believes it will be feasible using a public–private mode,

He told an investors’ conference last week: “We believe infrastructural investments should not burden the country with huge debt. They should be financed in a way that the public and future generations are not liable for that debt. So, we are not going to build a bridge or an airport for which the people of Sierra Leone are going to pay back a high-interest loan for 10, 20, or 30 years. That simply does not make economic sense.”

Last year, President Bio held talks with Power China over a deal to finance and construct the bridge, but the two sides were unable to agree terms.

According to sources in the Sierra Leone government, five European and Asian companies have already expressed an interest in the scheme.

Work on the bridge, which will span the 5km of Tagrin Bay, and is expected to take up to five years.

Sierra Leone News: Plan International Brings Hope for Young Girls

June 25, 2019

On Monday 24^th June 2019, Plan International’s Disaster, Risk and Youth Management Specialist, Timothy Sam, during a press conference convened at the organization’s Brookfields offices, said that the visit of its Brand Ambassador is geared towards a global campaign dubbed Girls Get Equal (GGE), which will be officially launched soon.

Welcoming the Brand Ambassador, Simon Laurent, and the press, Timothy Sam said that the purpose of his visit is to set the stage for the launching of the GGE campaign. Laurent, he went on is a French national and a cyclist, who has been cycling the world and for the past 10 months and in Africa. Simon’s passion for cycling and the development of young people, especially girls resonates well with the organization and it is this consideration that has brought him to the fold of the organization.

Dilating on the work of Plan International, Timothy Sam said that his organization has been in Sierra Leone for the past 42 years and has stood by the country in thick and thin. Whilst others left during the Ebola, Plan stayed the course. They are a transparent organization focusing of diverse issues dealing with youths, girls, boys and women. He further disclosed that they strive to make a lasting impact on the various communities they operate in and can be seen across the various regions in the country.

Plan International is embarking on a 3 year strategic program, which includes girls, boys and youths in inclusive education (complementing government’s education drive) youth participation in decision making processes and strengthening gender transformation and protection within the legal framework like their involvement in the Child Marriage Act, which seeks to prevent girls below the age of consent to be married off to men, rendering their desire for academic pursuit a near impossible venture. President of the Cycling Association in Sierra Leone, Winston Crowther, praised Simon Laurent for taking that brave journey from France to Africa on a bicycle. He stated that his association gave him a fitting welcome with some 58 cyclists joining him at Ferry Junction to his hotel at Country Lodge at Hill Station. Among the cyclists were 12 female riders, drawn from various parts of the country. Crowther further disclosed that they are presently encouraging female cyclist to come on board and in a recent competition held in Makeni.

The African Child Day Championship ride; some 9 females participated in the race. To encourage them, the association gave them bigger prizes than their male counterparts.

Speaking to the press, Simon Laurent, Plan International’s Global Ambassador and a cyclist, said that after riding across countries in the Americas and Europe, he decided to come to Africa, revealing that his love for Africa began when he was 19 years. This passion has today materialized. Starting in Morocco, Simon said he rode through rough terrain, deserts, mountainous areas through deprived communities and cities. On all these tours, he interacted with girls, boys, youths, community leaders and local authorities on the improvement of the lives of the marginalized. His journey to Africa started in August 2018 and for the past 10 months he has been riding his bicycle, which weighs 75 kilos, due to the various items in his back pack and a tent on which he sleeps.

Simon described his journey as exciting and full of revelations about the plight of the African girl and boy, especially those in underprivileged situations. He said that the poverty situation in Africa is alarming, 3 times those in the west and Europe that he had visited. He further disclosed that as an ambassador of Plan International, he writes his report after every completed visit to any region about his findings for further action by Plan. He however noted that his tour in the Americas has yielded positive results, as philanthropists, humanitarian organizations and governments have pledged support to the course of Plan. These supports are then directed to the affected communities highlighted in his report. He admonished Sierra Leoneans not to focus on the past but to look at it only as a means to construct the future. His travels have not all been rosy, as on one occasion, he said he was attacked by a bear whilst sleeping in his tent at night way out in the jungle, but was able to scare it off. He stated that what gives him the greatest satisfaction after every tour is the action/assistance provided to the deprived communities he had reported about. He is hopeful that after visiting Africa, his report will bring about similar response. He called on Sierra Leoneans to have a dream of changing the lives of others. This they can do with just Le1, 000, which can buy a pen. It is a beginning that will ensure people know about the plight of others.

The meeting was climaxed by a question and answer session.

Sierra Leone News: Japan Ambassador Engages Rt. Hon. Speaker

June 25, 2019

The Ambassador of Japan to Sierra Leone, His Excellency Tsutomu Himeno on Monday 24^th June 2019 paid a courtesy call on the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu, in his Office at Parliament Building, Tower Hill, Freetown.

They exchanged diplomatic pleasantries and spoke on the need to continue the process of strengthening the bilateral relationships between the two countries.

Welcoming the Japanese Ambassador, the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu said he ‘is gratified to see the Japanese Ambassador visit Parliament” and acknowledged the good bilateral relationships that exists between the two countries.

The Hon. Speaker spoke on the need to empower the youth through vocational skills and training through the establishment of Vocational Training Centers in all district headquarter towns in the country.

He also applauded the Government for putting sound polices in place that are geared towards the improvement and development of the country’s economy. The Speaker informed the Ambassador that Sierra Leone is open to foreign direct investment.

In his statement, the Japanese Ambassador, H.E. Tsutomu Himeno appreciated the Speaker of Parliament for the warm welcome accorded him and said his visit is to prepare the road map for the visit of His Excellency the President, Julius Maada Bio to Japan to attend the “Tokyo International Conference on African Development” at the end of August 2019 where over 50 African Presidents will be in attendance through an invitation by the Japanese Government. The Ambassador also said that the visit of the President to Japan will open a lot of private partnership investments, whilst acknowledging the role and support the Government of Japan is contributing to the African Continent.

Ambassador H.E. Tsutomu Himeno informed the Speaker that the Japanese Government is partnering with IOM for training migrants in Sierra Leone on vocational training skills around the country and that recently Parliament ratified an Agreement on Sierra Tropical Limited Company, a Company owned by Japanese Investors to plant and produce pineapple juice in Sierra Leone.

The Ambassador also engaged the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sidie M. Tunis on the need for stronger bilateral relationships for both countries and pleaded for support to Parliament in the area of capacity building for MPs and staff of Parliament.

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