Home Blog Page 1051

No Fraud At Rokel Bank

Walton E. Gilpin, Managing Director Rokel Commercial Bank (SL). Limited

By Amin Kef Sesay

A High Court verdict on a matter dating back to 2014 regarding monies paid to the surviving relatives of a deceased customer has been wrongly presented by a certain local tabloid as “fraud”. The Newspaper rather mischievously went ahead to impute that a criminal deed occurred at the Bank when in fact the issue at hand had to do with payments to a beneficiary in 2014,an  action based upon a Letter of Administration from the courts.

A Press Release from the Bank’s Management has also laid bare the truth and described the said publication as “frivolous,” “fictitious” and one that was aimed at denting the soaring business reputation of the bank. The release also assured its customers that there were no issues of fraud in the bank and that all deposits are safe.   This medium has also learnt that the said disbursement was done following approval (Letters of Administration) from the High Court and recommendation by the bank’s legal representative at the time.

Since the advent of the New Direction Government  and the new Management team at the Bank, the Rokel Commercial Bank had undergone phenomenal transformation that has repositioned it as one of the most profitable and fastest growing financial institutions in Sierra Leone and possibly the sub-region.

An ambitious expansion drive to Kailahun, Bonthe, FBC, Kabala, Wilberforce etc plus the revolutionary Rokel Simkorpor Plus mobile banking has unwittingly made the bank a bonafide champion of financial inclusion in Sierra Leone.

A top notch banking operations software with enhanced corporate banking has put Rokel on a true competitive edge and a very willing disciple for modern day banking. In the midst of a public health emergency, when financial institutions around the world are crumbling, the Bank’s management has been remarkable in managing its affairs. The software has assisted in delivering social safety net payments across the country, thereby helping in delivering much needed social sector support nationwide.

As it keeps recording exponential growth with bigger profit margins every year, the Bank has been the subject of numerous local and international accolades – with the most recent being the Best Bank Governance award by the internationally acclaimed and prestigious UK based Capital Finance International magazine. In addition, the Bank continues to be instrumental in promoting financial literacy and inclusion in the country.

It is a pity that despite such significant progress by Sierra Leoneans, a Newspaper can make such potentially damaging and misleading statements against a local effort.

NP-SL Ltd Translates its Mission into Tangible Realities on the Ground

By Amin Kef Sesay

The National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) is an indigenous company that has impressively translated its Mission into realities on the ground. Commendably, though it is been challenged by various constraints, yet the company is weathering the storm along the way, navigating through uncharted terrain and is steadily sailing through.

NP-SL Ltd’s Mission borders on maintaining its dominant leadership position in the local market and strive to operate at sub-regional level by assuring the supply of petroleum products in an environmentally friendly manner while offering superior value for customers, employees and other stakeholders based on a proud corporate culture with emphasis on safety consciousness, profit optimization, corporate expansion thereby contributing to national development.

When this is juxtaposed with the company’s culture which is to develop a disciplined family with an institutional culture working towards building a great company and look at how the company stands tall within the petroleum marketing landscape in this country, then we will really appreciate the truism that to succeed in whatever we do in life there must be a strong willpower.

Indisputably, with a strong willpower to become a giant company not only in this country but also within the West Africa sub-region dating back over fifty years ago indeed requires ingenuity, selflessness and dedication.

Now let us dissect the Mission Statement of NP-SL Ltd and admire at how it has been effectively rolled out over the years. The first aspect, which has to do with: “maintaining their dominant leadership position in the local market and strive to operate at sub-regional level.” Save only for spinners, but for the vast majority they will attest with all amount of certainty that the petroleum marketing company, which is wholly owned by Sierra Leoneans, has indeed become the towering petroleum marketing company in this country. It could be recalled that there had been different petroleum companies that have operated here in this country but they have either folded up or decided not to continue their operations in the country for different reasons. NP-SL is second to none in this country when it comes to the importation and marketing of different petroleum products in this country.

After establishing a strong foothold on the business landscape of this country, the Shareholders of the company then decided to extend by opening branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. In all these countries, the company states of the art Filling Stations are located in different parts offering qualitative service delivery to their esteemed customers. This is a true manifestation of the dogged and selfless efforts on the part of the owners of the company to do what they have actually stated that they will do.

In terms of offering superior value for customers, employees and other stakeholders the company has been doing so with utmost efficiency. It is against such a backdrop that the company always outsources its fuels from the world’s leading oil refineries where the business entity’s fuels go through stringent tests and quality control in major internationally approved European laboratories.

The main products the company markets are: Petrol also known as Octane which has earned the reputation of extending the life of motor vehicles whilst at the same time protecting them from extensive damages. There is also Diesel of high quality which is recommended for all kinds of diesels engines.

For the Kerosene the company sells, owing to its purity it is recommended for domestic use as in petroleum lamps and for domestic cooking.

NP also markets Fuel Oil of various kinds and they are of the highest standard which is suitable for all engines needing fuel oil. Besides, the company sells a stock of a wide range of lubricants and greases of BP, Castrol and AGIP brands. Today, Castrol is the widely used lubricant in the country and many have attested that it is indeed very good for effective performance of vehicles, various industrial machines as well as generators. The company as well provides special products for vehicles such as coolants, dashboard cleaners etc.

In the area of putting emphasis on safety consciousness, the company does not take it light which is why at all their Filling Stations safety guidelines are placed where they could be easily seen by anyone accessing them. They include no smoking, switching off mobile phones, to switch off vehicle engines while fuel is been pumped into a tank among a host of others. As a matter of fact there are always fire extinguishers around to be used in any emergency fire incident.

From all that have been said, it could be apparently seen that NP-SL Ltd is a “talk and do” company. From a Mission Statement that dates back decades ago to this material period of time and seeing the preciseness of the rolling out of everything contained in it then it will be said, with every justification, that the company is a very progressive one.

Transport Ministry Hands Over Project Site to Pavi Fort

Minister of Transport and Aviation, Kabineh Kallon handing over the project work site to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pavi Fort AL-Ayhanlar Holdings JV-Sierra Leone, Alimou Barrie

By Amin Kef Sesay

The New Direction SLPP Led-Government in translating word into action has on Saturday 25th July, 2020 handed over the project site of the World Bank Funded Integrated and Urban Resilient Mobility Project to Sierra Leone’s leading road construction company, Pavi Fort AL-Ayhanlar Holdings JV-Sierra Leone. The ceremony took place at Agriculture Compound on Lumley Beach Road in Freetown.

Handing over the project site, the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Kabineh Kallon, expressed appreciation to all the line Ministries, particularly, the Ministry of Finance for their support in making this project a success. He disclosed that the project encompasses road improvement works including traffic signalization, intersection and pedestrian walkway improvements in the country,

He noted that as a Ministry they took the challenge that they will ensure that the project is accomplished and that even before the implementation of the project they have already won the Vice President of World Bank Award.

Kabineh Kallon underscored that awarding the contract to PAVIFORT AL-Ayhanlar Holdings JV, a Sierra Leonean company, is in sync with President Bio’s vision of promoting local content in the country.

Minister of Finance, Jacob Jusu Saffa, disclosed that the Integrated and Resilient Urban Mobility Project (IRUMP) is a fifty million dollar World Bank project that was signed in July last year and will be implemented for a period of five years.

He said when they took over as a Government they inherited a 20 million Dollar loan from the World Bank to support the project but as a result of the prudent intervention of his Ministry they were able to have the World Bank convert it to a 50 Million Dollar grant.

The Minister assured that with the proper implementation of the project Freetown will be transformed in line with the agenda of the Freetown City Council, noting that the project will give a new face to the Freetown Municipality and the country as a whole.

He urged residents of Aberdeen and Lumley communities to embrace the project and also monitor the implementation of the project.

Mayor of Freetown Municipality, Her Worship Yvonne Aki-Sawyer, disclosed that governance is all about collaboration and as a Council they have been working towards achieving the “Transform Freetown” initiative, underscoring that they are working in line with other line Ministries in order to transform the Municipality of Freetown.

She said the Urban Mobility Project forms part of their clusters which is in line with the implementation of this project, adding that as a Council they are very happy for the implementation of the project.

Aki-Sawyer called on residents of Aberdeen and Lumley to own the Project and support its implementation highlighting how it will benefit them at the end of the day. She assured all that with the support of everyone ‘Transform Freetown’ will become a reality.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pavi Fort AL-Ayhanlar Holdings JV-Sierra Leone, Alimou Barrie, expressed appreciation to Government in particular and the Minister of Transport and other stakeholders for awarding them the contract, noting that such is a success within the context of enhancing local content as theirs is an indigenous company.

He assured the Ministry that they will work assiduously to ensure that they fulfill the terms of the contract agreement and deliver on record time high quality works assuring that the Ministry will be proud of them at the end of the contract.

CEO Alimu Barrie said he is very elated to state that Pavi Fort Construction Company is the very first Sierra Leonean Road Construction Company that has won a World Bank funded project to undertake a project of such a nature.

He said the project duration is 18 months disclosing how as a company they are going to complete the project within the stipulated time in order to make the Ministry proud and not betray the confidence and trust reposed in them as an indigenous company.

This medium learnt that Pavi Fort will be implementing three phases of the project which include the road improvement works, construction of the Lumley New market, foot bridge  and the construction of a bye-pass road.

As Guild of Editors Applaud… SLAJ Celebrates Repeal of Criminal Libel Law

President of SLAJ Ahmed Sahid Nasralla

By Amin Kef Sesay

In a Press Release dated 24th July 2020 and signed by the National Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Association of journalists, Mohamed Asmieu Bah it was highlighted that the Association is rejoicing over the historic repeal by the Sierra Leone Parliament of the 55-year-old Part 5 of the infamous Public Order Act of 1965, which criminalises free speech and the work of the media, and the enactment of a New IMC Bill 2020 which seeks to regulate same.

It furthered that Thursday, 23rd July, 2020 will be remembered as Freedom Day not only for journalists but for all Sierra Leoneans maintaining that the biggest beneficiary of the repeal of that bad law is Sierra Leone. The Association stated that our beloved country has now joined the enviable community of progressive nations, where free (and responsible) speech is guaranteed and protected by law.

SLAJ commended His Excellency the President Julius Maada Bio for providing the political will, his Minister of Information and Communications Mohamed Rahman Swarray for driving the process, and the Sierra Leone Parliament for fulfilling their obligation and ensuring the achievement of the huge milestone in freedom of expression and democracy in Sierra Leone. According to SLAJ, “Freedom comes with great power and great power comes with great responsibility”.

According to the President of SLAJ Ahmed Sahid Nasralla by repealing Part 5 of the Public Order Act (POA) 1965 great freedom has been given to media practitioners to do our work without fear or favour. He said equally so, by enacting the new IMC Bill 2020 we have been reminded of the great responsibility that goes with that freedom and how we maintain that delicate balance is what all of us journalists should work towards as we go beyond the repeal.

SLAJ is assuring the public that with the support of the Government of Sierra Leone, the International Community, the Sierra Leone Parliament and media stakeholders such as the MRCG and IMC, we will embark on continuous capacity building trainings and enforcement of the ethical standards in the SLAJ Code of Ethics.

Our Association added that we must pay tribute to our founding members, our past Presidents, the Regional and National Executives, the general membership, Civil Society Groups, international press freedom organizations, the Entertainment industry, and all those who in diverse ways supported the process.

In the same spirit of elation, the Guild Of Editors of Sierra Leone(GoNE-SL) in its statement to the public, put out by its Secretary General, Elias Bangura, said it deeply appreciates and applauds the repeal of the criminal and seditious libel laws contained in Part 5 of the Public Order Act, 1965.

The Guild pointed out that the 55-year-old law was not only obnoxious and evil but it was cruel and deadly to the practice of journalism in Sierra Leone.

It continued that through it, successive Governments have suppressed and oppressed journalists, especially those in the print media highlighting how there is a long line of colleague editors who have suffered by it, some with their lives and properties.

The Editors furthered that since 1965 unto the present, thankfully, there has emerged men and women who have dared to stand up for press freedom, with the belief that the pen is mightier than the sword, and that free speech will and should triumph in Sierra Leone, as it does in other parts of the world.

“The repeal process of the criminal libel law includes many players over many years unto the present – all of them, known and unknown, deserve glorious applause. Every one of them also deserves to be named and a pedestal erected in their honour, but this release would not be sufficient to include all of them. We will rather thank them fully,” they continued.

The Guild said with deep courtesy, they salute His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio and his Government, the Parliament of Sierra Leone, national and international partners, and the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and its constituent bodies, for making the repeal process a success story.

“Everyone deserves commendation; especially President Bio for standing by his manifesto promise to repeal our libel laws,” said Donald Theo-Harding, Chairman of GoNE-SL. “It’s a new era for the media in Sierra Leone. Going forward, we know better investment and growth will come for the benefit of everyone in the media industry.”

The Chairman implored colleague editors to wield their pens in a responsible manner and to duly note that we still have the 1961 civil libel law and the Bankruptcy Act 2009 in our books that are also very stringent.

A Reminder To The State Of Its Responsibilities To The People It Governs…

President Julius Maada Bio

By Amin Kef Sesay

Government provides the parameters for everyday behavior for citizens, protects them from outside interference, and goes further to provide for their well-being and happiness.

Thus, the basic functions of the Government are listed in the Constitution based on the fundamental human principles of unity, freedom and justice for one and all; as well as promoting the general welfare.

The Government is duty-bound to protect our rights from other people. For example, it must protect our right to life and to property. It does this by making and enforcing laws. The Government creates laws, for example, that make it illegal to steal from us by force or bilk us out of our money by fraud.

It requires elaborate legislation, effective control over State institutions such as the law enforcement agencies and continuous efforts on the part of numerous other State organs.

Obligations of the Government to its people in terms of ensuring peace and unity include:

  • Free elections held at reasonable intervals by secret ballot or by equivalent free voting procedure, under conditions which ensure in practice the free expression of the opinion of the electors in the choice of their representatives;
  • Government that is representative in character, in which the executive is accountable to the elected legislature or the electorate;
  • Duty of the Government and public authorities to comply with the constitution and to act in a manner consistent with law;
  • Clear separation between the State and political parties; in particular, political parties will not be merged with the state;
  • Activity of the Government and the administration as well as that of the Judiciary exercised in accordance with the system established by law; respect for that system must be ensured;
  • Military forces and the Police under the control of, and accountable to, the civil authorities;
  • Human rights and fundamental freedoms guaranteed by law and in accordance with their obligations under international law;
  • All persons equal before the law and entitled without any discrimination to the equal protection of the law; the law must prohibit any discrimination and guarantee to all persons equal and effective protection against discrimination on any ground;
  • Everyone must have access to an effective means of redress against administrative decisions, so as to guarantee respect for fundamental rights and ensure legal integrity;
  • Administrative decisions against a person must be fully justifiable and must as a rule indicate the usual remedies available; and
  • The independence of judges and the impartial operation of the public judicial service must be ensured. Principles of fair trial guaranteed and access to justice, to effective remedies, secured.

Furthermore, to comply with human rights obligations, the State must establish foundations for the rule of law in which the following institutions must be guaranteed:

  • A legislative institution, which represents the will of the people, and is chosen by free elections held at reasonable intervals under conditions which ensure in practice the free expression of the opinion of the electors in the choice of their representatives. The legislative body should legislate in compliance with international human rights commitments.
  • Importantly, there must be a judiciary that protects the human rights of individuals and groups against arbitrary legislative power and guarantees effective remedies and fair trial and,
  • An executive branch that does not abuse discretionary power and seeks to promote the enjoyment of human rights by all under its jurisdiction.

Transport Ministry Signs $11Million Contract with Pavi Fort

By Amin Kef Sesay

In a bid to translate its election manifesto, as encapsulated in the New Direction Agenda, the SLPP Led-Government headed by President Julius Maada Bio, the Ministry of Transport and Aviation has on Thursday 23rd July, 2020 signed an 11Million Dollar World Bank Funded Contract Agreement with Sierra Leone’s leading road construction company, Pavi Fort AL-Ayhanlar Holdings JV-Sierra Leone. The contract agreement encompasses road improvement works including traffic signalization, intersection and pedestrian walkway improvements. The short but impressive signing ceremony took place at the Ministry’s Conference Room, 7th floor Youyi Building at Brookfields in Freetown.

The Integrated and Resilient Urban Mobility Project (IRUMP) is a fifty million dollar World Bank project that was signed in July last year. It will be implemented for five years.

In his statement, the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Kabineh Kallon, expressed appreciation to the project team lead, Hindolo Shaka and his team for  making the event a success, adding that when they took over as a Government they inherited a 20 million Dollar loan from the World Bank to support the project but as a result of the prudent intervention of the Ministry of Finance they were able to have the World Bank convert it to a 50 Million Dollar grant out of which the 11 Million Dollars for the implementation of the aforementioned project was derived.

He said as a Ministry they took the challenge that they will ensure that the project is accomplished and that even before the implementation of the project they have already won the Vice President of World Bank Award.

The Minister described the signing of the contract between the Ministry and PAVIFORT AL-Ayhanlar Holdings JV as remarkable.

Kabineh Kallon underscored that awarding the contract to PAVIFORT AL-Ayhanlar Holdings JV, a Sierra Leonean company, is in sync with President Bio’s vision of promoting local content.

He further disclosed that the official handing over ceremony of the site to the contractor for commencement of work will take place on Saturday 25th July 2020, at Lumley.

Brima Sowa, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, enjoined all to take ownership of the project by monitoring and evaluating in order to benefit all Sierra Leoneans.

He also congratulated Pavi Fort Construction Company for winning the contract among others that took part in the bidding process and further enjoined the Chief Executive Officer of the company, Alimou Barrie, to do their utmost best in order to effectively translate the contract agreement into tangible realities furthering how the Ministry will judge them according to their performance.

On his part, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pavi Fort Road Construction Company-Sierra Leone, Alimou Barrie, expressed appreciation to Government in particular and the Minister of Transport and other stakeholders for awarding them the contract, noting that such is a success within the context of enhancing local content as theirs is an indigenous company.

He assured the Ministry that they will work assiduously to ensure that they fulfil the terms of the contract agreement and deliver in record time high quality works assuring that the Ministry will be proud of them at the end of the contract.

CEO Alimu Barrie said he is very elated to state that Pavi Fort Construction Company is the very first Sierra Leonean Road Construction Company that has won a World Bank funded project to undertake a project of such a nature.

Charles Mambu, Board Chairman of Roads for Development, during the ceremony expressed gratitude to the Ministry adding that the Ministry made no mistake to award such a contract to Pavi Fort Construction Company also underscoring that it will definitely enhance the country’s Local Content Policy.

He disclosed that the country has three local construction companies but praised Pavi Fort Construction Company for having proved themselves to be the best as they were able to construct roads in Kabala where other companies failed to deliver.

Charles Mambu admonished the contractor to put serious efforts in what they will be doing and ensure that the project is timely completed in order to meet the expectations of the Ministry and the People of Sierra Leone.

To Combat Malpractices & Irregularities in Public Examinations…   ACC Launches Task Force

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC)  has stated on the 22nd July, 2020 that it  wished to inform the general public that it has, in consultation and congruence with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), established and launched a Task Force, to eliminate malpractices and irregularities in public examinations to be conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC), following the signing of the Communiqué, on the 16th July, 2020, after a high-level consultative meeting held at the Atlantic Hotel in Freetown, involving key stakeholders in the education sector.

It further stated that the Task Force will collaborate with other partners, especially the Sierra Leone Police and MBSSE leadership, to promote and deepen integrity, accountability and sanity in the conduct of public examinations, namely; The National Primary School Examination (NPSE), The Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the West Africa Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

The Task Force, according to the ACC, will also be supported by a stand-by squad of the Elite Scorpion Squad of the Commission, who will swiftly move in, should intelligence establish organized examination malpractice cells and networks, and will arrest and detain all involved should they find evidence on site.

The Commission states how it wishes to draw the attention of the public to, Section 128 (3) of the Anti-Corruption Amended Act of 2019, which states that;

“A person who engages in corrupt activity or practice, in a programme organized or conducted by an educational institution or examination body, to confer advantage on himself or another person commits an offence”.

The ACC is  further encourages  the public to make complaints or reports to the ACC, at its 3 Gloucester Street, or Lotto Building, Tower Hill offices in Freetown, 10 Bo-Pujehun Drive, Kebbie Town in Bo, Reservation Road, Off Maxwell Khobe Street in Kenema, Mena Hills in Makeni, 27 Conteh Street in Port Loko and 37 Masingbi Road, 555 Spot in Kono; or on the hotlines 077-985-985, 077-986-986, or 515- free on all networks except Qcell.

The Commission also reassures the public of its unwavering commitment to controlling corruption at all levels, including in public examinations, which unfortunately had been largely plagued with organized and coordinated malpractices and irregularities.

Violent Protest in Sierra Leone: APC Party Youth Leader in Makeni Escapes from Police Detention

Pastor Franklyn Mustapha George
Pastor Franklyn Mustapha George

By Abubakarr Harding

As the 19th July, 2020 bloody violent protest in Makeni, Northern Sierra Leone, was finally quelled down by the Sierra Leone Police, scores of young people were reported dead and some sustained serious injuries and unfortunately, others have been arrested and are currently detained at the Mena Hills Police Station, with the Police intimating this medium that they are putting evidence together and once that is done then they will charge the perpetrators for unlawful protest and riotous conduct.

Days after the unfortunate incident, normalcy is gradually returning to Makeni, which at the moment, looks like a ghost town. However, because the Police are indiscriminately arresting young people believed to have fuelled the protest many young people for now are jittery and hesitant to venture out in order to go about their usual business activities.

One of the most notable young people targeted to be arrested for the instrumental role he played in staging the protest was one Pastor Franklyn Mustapha George, said to be a Honorary Executive Member of the main opposition APC Party and the Chairman of the APC Youth League in Makeni.

This young man, who is said to be on the run, is most wanted by the Sierra Leone Police more especially as he is known to have led past protests and rallies against the ruling SLPP led Government on issues considered to be bordering on political marginalization.

After successfully dodging Police arrests, he finally ran out of luck and he was arrested, badly beaten and tortured on a tip off, closer to the Clock Tower, in Makeni City, although he was in disguise and could not be easily identified.

While he was held in detention, according to the Police, Pastor Franklyn, smartly made use of the distraction of the Police Officers’ attention which was caused by a noisy crowd of people who have converged on the Police Station seeking for their immediate release and to report a matter of child trafficking to escape. When it became noticeable that the suspect has escaped the Police mounted a manhunt for him.

The whole incident emanated on the 19th July, 2020 when it became noticeable that the standby generator sometimes used to generate electricity for Makeni city was about to be forcefully removed and transferred to the Freetown International Airport in Lungi; an act which some residents of Makeni, especially young people, deemed as a deliberate ploy to deprive the city of its bona fide generator, underscoring that the decision was politically motivated and orchestrated bordering on marginalizing residents in that part of the country.

Vociferous among the young people was one Pastor Franklyn Mustapha George, who was the Youth Leader of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) Party in Makeni.

According to an eye witness account, it was Pastor Franklyn Mustapha George who galvanized and coordinated the other young people to physically resist the removal of the Stand-by Generator telling them that they were been sidelined and ostracized by the ruling Government.

Makeni, being the stronghold of the main opposition APC Party, it was easy for Pastor Franklyn’s incitement to become infectious gaining widespread currency.

The Police started firing at the marauding and menacing irate youths who were by then advancing, armed with sticks, cutlasses and knives pelting stones on them.

It was even alleged that some of the young people were also firing against the security personnel who were only trying to defend themselves.

However, the fact remains that at the end of the ugly incident six young people laid dead and some security personnel sustained serious injuries.

Pastor Franklyn and some were lucky enough to so far survive the arrests with injuries but they have been declared wanted by the Police and from what this news entity learnt even some youths who are supportive of the ruling SLPP Government have vowed to teach them caustic lessons of respecting the policies of a sitting Government. Pastor Franklyn and some like him are somehow caught in a situation of being between the devil and the deep blue sea.

When this medium contacted the Head of Police Media, Superintendent Brima Kamara, to know what the situation is like now since the incident has died down, he categorically stated that they are still looking for the perpetrators, including one Pastor Franklyn Mustapha George for, what he termed as their dastardly act of cowardice to be held accountable for disturbing the peace and inflicting injuries on Police Officer.

“As a matter of fact there is a notice to the effect that anyone who gives information leading to the capture and arrest of Pastor Franklyn will be nicely rewarded as his prosecution is necessary to send a strong message that young people must refrain from political violence,” the Police Head of Media and Communication also pointed out.

He intimated that they are particularly looking out for Pastor Franklyn Mustapha George, Hassan S. Dumbuya (AKA Evangelist Samson), James Thullah, Sulaiman Tejan Sesay, Idriss Kamara, Alie Conteh and others, all wanted for what the police call ‘‘unlawful riotous conduct.’’

Pastor Franklyn Mustapha George
Pastor Franklyn Mustapha George

World Bank Approves $30m IDA Grant to Support Agric. Productivity

By Amin Kef Sesay

It was disclosed in Freetown on July 21, 2020 that the World Bank Board of Executive Directors has approved a $30 million International Development Association (IDA) grant to support agricultural productivity and access to markets for smallholder farmer-agribusiness in Sierra Leone.

From what this medium understood, this additional financing for the Smallholder Commercialization and Agribusiness Development Project (SCADeP) will enable the project to invest in roads and bridges to improve connectivity thereby providing access to more remote areas of high agricultural production.

Again it was learnt that specifically, it will help build critical bridges across key river crossing points currently served by manual cable ferries. These manual ferries are mostly out of service due to increasing risks of accidents particularly during the rainy season when water levels are high.

“The World Bank is focusing its interventions toward helping the agricultural sector recover quickly from the effects of COVID-19 and contribute toward higher medium- to long-term agricultural growth required to reduce poverty among smallholder farmers and promote inclusive growth,” stated Gayle Martin, World Bank Country Manager for Sierra Leone furthering how the project is aligned with the economic diversification and growth agenda of the Government.

Smallholder farmers are the drivers of many economies and play an important role in promoting livelihoods and food security amongst the rural poor. The additional financing is strengthening productive business linkages between farmers and selected agribusiness firms and other commodity off-takers. It builds on the results achieved by the project and will scale up the provision of improved seeds and fertilizers to increase farmers’ productivity.

So far, the SCADeP project has supported the rehabilitation and maintenance of 166 km of feeder roads and the construction of 192 culverts and 6 bridges, thereby providing year-round access to farms, markets, schools and health centers for 77 communities in nine districts across the country.

Average travel time on these roads has seen a significant reduction from 20min/km to about 2min/km. Another key accomplishment is a study to assess the agribusiness/out-grower landscape in Sierra Leone. This framework is serving as a guideline for the creation of effective and mutually beneficial long-term partnership arrangements between farmers, nucleus commercial farmers, agro-processors and exporters.

1...1,0501,0511,052...1,362Page 1,051 of 1,362