ECOWAS Calls on Members to Cooperate in Academic Research

July 24, 2020

By Abdul Malik Bangura

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has urged member States to collaborate in academic research. On Wednesday 23rd July 2020 the issue was raised during the discussions at the Joint Committees meeting of the Committee on Education, Science and Culture and the Committee on Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) of the ECOWAS Parliament held virtually.

During the session, the ECOWAS Parliament committees were to consider and also present to the plenary the referral from the ECOWAS Commission on: (1) Adopting the Rules for the Support Programme for Research and Innovation; and (2) Adopting the ECOWAS operational Strategy for Spatial Sciences and technologies.

Meanwhile, as the session continued, one of the ECOWAS Parliamentarians who dilated on the significance of regional collaboration on academic researches, Honourable Chantel Fanny called on regional Governments to teach at the preliminary stages all three regional languages such as English, French and Portuguese as she said this can help greatly in regional integration.

Deputy Speaker 4 of the ECOWAS Parliament, Honourable Adja Satu Camara Pinto spoke about the importance of research in Agriculture. She called on the ECOWAS Commission to look into issues of research on insecticides and flooding which she said are direct link to scientific research.

ECOWAS Commissioner on Education, Science and Culture, Professor Leopoldo Amado, whilst responding to points raised by the Honourable Members said the Commission’s scientists are all working together irrespective of country of origin. He said it would be prudent to use traditional languages like Hausa, Madinka and Fullah which are non-Western languages to help in academic research.

Director of Education, Science and Culture at the ECOWAS Commission, Professor Abdoulaye Maga was pessimistic that teaching the three regional languages has not been met. He cited that it is very difficult for West African schools to get expert teachers in all three regional languages, apparently because of what he referred to as funding issues.

In addition, Professor Abdoulaye Maga said that the harmonization of West Africa schools’ curriculum and certificates would be very difficult. Hence, he said, it would be very much not useful if we harmonize tertiary institutions’ curriculum and certificates without first of all harmonizing the primary and secondary schools curriculum.

Meanwhile, on her side whilst addressing and presenting the report of the ECOWAS Commission on Education, Science and Culture to Parliamentarians virtually, Mrs. Rachel Ogbe, Principal Programme Officer (PPO) on Education of the ECOWAS Commission, stated that ECOWAS seeks to achieve a number of specific objectives, the first being to develop regional criteria for the harmonization of pre-university qualifications, in particular the period of study, content of curricula, qualification assessment and other prerequisites for the establishment of equivalence of Member States’ accreditation systems.

This, according to her presentation, will involve defining benchmarks/criteria to match university and professional qualifications in the region, draw up a list of courses in Member States’ universities as well as admission requirements, number of years of study, required credits and certificates.

Other specific objectives contained in her presentation will be to clarify the classification of academic qualifications (certificate, diploma, bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate, etc.) in Member States and develop a road-map for the implementation of the ECOWAS Convention on equivalence of certificates.

Universities & Colleges to Recommence 2nd Semester on 25th July 2020

July 24, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education on the 22^nd July 2020 through a Public Notice is informing members of the public that it will recommence the Second Semester 2019/20 Academic Session for Higher and Technical Education Institutions across the country.

According to the Notice the date for the reopening of Colleges/Universities and Technical Vocational Institutions is on Saturday July 25, 2020.

It further stated that the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education and the Conference of Vice-Chancellors & Principals of Higher Institutions have agreed on a broad framework of activities for the academic session.

Also stated was that the National Covid-19 Emergency Response Center has outlined guidelines in line with the COVID-19 measures, which the Ministry and DiCOVERC will jointly supervise to ensure safety compliance. It added how the COVID-19 prevention measures will be announced to the public shortly.

In another development the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) is also informing the public that the ECOWAS Bank of Investment and Development has approved initial funding to the tune of 32 Million United States Dollars for the construction of the University of Science and Technology in Kono District.

The partial funding approval for the University project is the outcome of concerted efforts by various stakeholders including the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, Ministry of Finance and the Office of Presidential Infrastructure Initiative.

It was learnt that the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Finance, wholly and successfully funded a pre-feasibility study of the project. The Ministry of Finance is due to formally sign the project agreement with the Bank and construction will commence after all due-diligence processes are finalised.

The Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Prof. Aiah A. Gbakima has expressed elation that yet another Presidential promise is being fulfilled within the shortest possible time.

“Energy Minister must Take Full Responsibility for the Makeni Saga” – Lawyer Rashid Dumbuya Demands

July 24, 2020

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The erudite Executive Director of LEGAL LINK, a member of a consortium of Civil Society Organizations, Rashid Dumbuya Esq, has called on the Minister of Energy, Alhaji Kanja Sesay to take full responsibility of the unfortunate incident that took place in Makeni on the 18^th of July 2020 where it is alleged that security personnel, while trying to quell a protest shot and killed five young people and injured others.

He made that demand during the AYV “Wake Up Salone” Program on Thursday 23^rd July, 2020. The Lawyer cum Rights Activist further demanded for the Government to compensate family members of the victims who were gunned down and those who sustained injuries during the incident saying such should be done as an acknowledgement of the complacency on the part of the State actors and a show of regret for the entire saga.

According to Rashid Dumbuya they are deeply concerned over the disproportionate use of force by the security agencies on the protesters.

“It is no gainsaying to opine that such state of affairs will gravely affect the public image of the country not only at the national and regional levels but also at the global level,” he pointed out.

He continued that as civil society organizations that defend the rights of vulnerable groups in society including marginalized youths, they take the greatest exception to the unprofessional conduct of the Security forces and called for a judge led inquiry to look into the handling of the entire incident by the Ministry of Energy, Local Government and the security forces.

Lawyer Rashid stated that it could be recalled that similar protests occurred in time past in Kono and Kailahun over the removal of generator plants from their town ship to other regions of the country but maintained that unlike the ugly incident that occurred in Makeni, no fatalities were recorded in the above two townships transfers.

“Surprisingly, despite the increased condemnation and outcry from the public over the video clips showcasing brutal and excessive force by the Security forces, we note with utter consternation, the apparent reticence and the lack thereof by the top Management of the security forces in Sierra Leone to officially condemn this barbaric and unprofessional behaviour of subordinates, over their execution of brutal and excessive force to harmless youths in Makeni that were merely agitating for energy security of their township,” he added furthering how that outright complicity at the top is not only worrying but reveals without doubt, the degree of impunity and non-accountability that prevails within the law enforcement architecture in Sierra Leone.

On his own part the Minister of Energy, Alhaji Kanja Sesay, expressed sincere condolences to the affected family members of the victims stating that the entire situation was very unfortunate. In giving a background on what led to the situation, Alhaji Kanja Sesay pointed out that the generator in Lungi that powers the Airport and its environs developed a fault and there were plans to get engineers from overseas to do the repairs but because of the prevalence of the coronavirus that has been impossible at the moment.

He continued that together with other stakeholders in the energy sector they thought it prudent ,as a stop gap measure, to remove one of the standby generators from Makeni to be installed in Lungi until such a time when repairing of the faulty generator would take place. He underscored that Makeni is being powered by the Bumbuna Hydro Dam and one out of the two generators they decided to transfer to Lungi was on standby. The Minister underscored that before the removal process, knowing the sensitivity of the move, he instructed the Permanent Secretary and some engineers from the Ministry to engage stakeholders in Makeni on the issue.

He said he was made to understand that indeed a meeting was convened in Makeni, chaired by the Mayor of Makeni and in attendance were the Provincial Secretary, District Council Chairman among other personalities to discuss the matter. He concluded by informing during the meeting the stakeholders reached a consensus for the generator to be transferred stressing that it was not done clandestinely.

Responding to the demand of the Executive Director of LEGAL LINKS, Rashid Dumbuya, Alhaji Kanja Sesay stated that as the current Minister of Energy he will not take personal responsibility for what transpired in Makeni. He further told Lawyer Rashid that as a consortium of civil society organizations they must engage the Government on the issue of compensation and other related matters he raised during the program.

Chief of Defence Staff Pays Courtesy Call on First Lady

July 24, 2020

By Foday Moriba Conteh

During a courtesy call paid by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Major General Sullay Ibrahim Sesay to the First Lady of the State, Madam Fatima Bio, on the 22^nd July 2020, he intimated her that the Army is responsible for the territorial security of Sierra Leone’s borders and defending the national interest of the country within the framework of its international obligations.

He said on that note the Army has the mandate to protect women and girls and that is the reason why they are declaring their support for the Hands Off Our Girls initiative.

Major General Sullay Ibrahim Sesay revealed how they are now putting logistics in place to work with the Office of the First Lady to combat the rape scourge. He reiterated that the military will play an active role in protecting children.

He told the First Lady that special sensitization initiatives in conjunction with the #HandsOffOurGirls (HOOG) campaign will be rolled out in all barracks adding how the Office of the First Lady is key, because the HOOG initiative is currently the de facto umbrella body for the fight to protect girls.

The meeting came after H. E. Fatima Maada Bio had a discourse with Executive Members of the Armed Forces Cooperative Society and the Police Wives Association.

It must be stated that Her Excellency is working towards a holistic solution with all parties collaborating and working towards the same goal.

The CDS said Synergy plays an important role as everyone must be involved.

It could be recalled that in February 2019, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio declared a State of Emergency over Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in response to the increasing rape cases in the country. The state of emergency heightened public awareness about the issue and accelerated the amendment of the Sexual Offences Act (2012).

The new legislation increased the minimum sentence for rape from 5 years to 15 years for adults (with a maximum of life imprisonment) and can potentially allow cases to go directly to the High Court without the need for a preliminary investigation at the Magistrate Court.

The Office of the First Lady, as champion of the Hands Off Our Girls initiative, has mobilized all 16 districts of the country to promote and protect the rights of all girls against sexual violence.

Minister of Finance to Deliver FY 2020 Supplementary Budget

July 24, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

Jacob Jusu Saffa, Minister of Finance will on Friday 24th July 2020 deliver to Parliament the 2020 Financial Year Supplementary Government Budget and Statement of Economic and Financial Policies.

Section 112(1) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone 1991 authorizes the Minister responsible for finance to prepare and lay “before Parliament in each financial year estimates of the revenue and expenditures of Sierra Leone for the next following financial year.” In addition, Sub-Section 3 provides for the Minister to lay before Parliament a supplementary estimate when “the amount of moneys appropriated by the Appropriation Act for any purpose is insufficient or that a need has arisen for expenditure for the purpose for which no amount of money has been appropriated by that Act.”

The reasons for the FY 2020 Supplementary budget cannot be unconnected to the COVID-19 pandemic which has not only affected the country’s economy but also incur extra unbudgeted and unplanned expenditure on the FY 2020 Budget with the theme ‘Fiscal Consolidation for Human Capital Development and Job Creation’ to the COVID-19 that was approved in Parliament.

Section 114(2b) of the Constitution states that: “No moneys shall be expended from the general revenue of the Republic unless the expenditure has been proposed in a supplementary estimate to be approved by Parliament.” It is no secret that the Government of Sierra Leone has received additional resources through grants from international development partners which they need the approval of parliament to spend, so this is expected to be captured in the speech that will be delivered by the Finance Minister.

The Minister is also expected to give global and regional economic outlook in relation to Sierra Leone and the impact of COVID-19 and gains of the Quick Action Economic Response Programme (QAERP) which has the overall goal of maintaining macro-economic and financial stability and mitigates the impact of the COVID-19 shock on businesses and households.

The QAERP comprises five objectives which are: (i) building and maintaining an adequate stock level of essential commodities at stable prices, (ii) providing support to hardest-hit businesses to enable them to continue operations and avert lay-offs of employees, (iii) expand safety nets to venerable groups, (iv) Supporting labor-based public works and (v) providing assistance for the local production and processing of stable food items.

Vote Controllers, Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), State-Owned Enterprises, representatives of Development Partners Institutions, as well as Non-Governmental Organizations, District Budget Oversight Committee members, Local Community representatives, Non-State Actors, other Civil Society Organisations and members of the General Public are expected to witness the proceedings, via live streaming, on all major Television and Radio Stations as well as other Social Media platforms.

The Role of the Media in Debunking Fake News & Misinformation Cannot be Overemphasized

July 24, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

It is no secret that in the wake of the outbreak of the coronavirus in Sierra Leone, certain group of people stoutly denied that it was a hoax; in other words they stated that the virus does not exist in this country, that it is not real. The premise of their argument was that it was a calculated ploy by the SLPP Led-Government to give the impression that the virus is in our midst just to gain access to funds which they said the International Community is dishing out to affected countries to absorb the debilitating impact on the country’s economy.

Indeed, it was skewed so cleverly by the spinners, mainly along political lines in order to score cheap political points. As a matter of fact some members of the public believed this hollow misinformation.

What this resulted to was that those who strongly believed in it showed little interest in adhering to the preventive and precautionary measures that the World Health Organization (WHO), the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and its partners outlined. For them social distancing, masking up, washing of hands, to call 117 in the sake of any suspected case, etc, were regarded as insignificant.

Against such a backdrop, it could be justified that some of those who became affected and were consumed by the virus, was as a result of non-compliance to the precautionary measures.

It must be underscored at this particular juncture that the aforementioned situation is just one example of the spread of fake news and misinformation which by any estimation poses a dangerous outcome. In a country where the percentage of illiterate people is high, there is the tendency for fake news and misinformation about the new coronavirus or COVID-19 to spread faster than the virus itself, especially when a good number of people do not listen to the radio or watch the television from which they could be well informed about the coronavirus.

Another example of fake news that went viral on the social media was when one Kutubu Koroma, a Sierra Leonean resident in the United States of America ,informed that the current Government has stated that all those disembarking at the Lungi International Airport, which was opened on the 22^nd July 2020, must pay Two Million Leones (Le2,000,000) for a coronavirus testing when in actual fact the exact amount of money to be paid is Five Hundred Thousand Leones (Le500,000) for regular testing and Seven Hundred Thousand Leones (Le700,000) for premium testing. It must be noted that payment for coronavirus testing at International Airports is not peculiar to this country as it is done elsewhere.

But the most important thing to underline is that the information is not factual but fake, alarming and scary.

It could be seen that there is the need for media practitioners to close ranks with all relevant stakeholders to scale up community sensitization drives in order to capture a large proportion of the populace to realize that COVID-19 is real and what to do to prevent contracting the virus.

As it was stated by the EU Ambassador to Sierra Leone ,Tom Vens, on the 18^th June 2020, during the launch of the ‘TRUE tok bot Corona” program, “Disinformation and fake news in times of the coronavirus can kill. In today’s technology-driven world, we have to protect our citizens by making them aware of false information. To fight disinformation, we need to mobilise all relevant players and support independent fact-checkers and media. Through this dedicated radio and television programme and partnership with SLAJ, the EU once again reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Government and People of Sierra Leone in the fight against COVID-19.”

President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla said: “Fake news and misinformation are a clear and present danger not only to the fight against COVID- 19 but also to the peace and security of the nation. The European Union is therefore concretely contributing to the general good of the country by supporting SLAJ to fight against fake news and for this we wholeheartedly commend them.”

It is therefore soothing to see that the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has been identifying, fact checking and debunking main false narratives on COVID-19 through the traditional and social media.

It is also good that SLAJ is engaging relevant stakeholders such as journalists, government officials, political parties, medical practitioners, civil society, youth representatives, bloggers, opinion makers and multipliers active on social media to debunk fake news and misinformation. Through such means it is seeking the active involvement of and feedback from the public.

Again it is big kudos to the Association for disseminating myth busters, infographics and educational videos on social media and undertaking “Fake News not in My Name” campaign through the voice of several social media ambassadors.

Again as it was succinctly put across by Ahmed Sahid Nasralla:

“As journalists our responsibility is to provide the public with accurate and factual information about the disease and on efforts at addressing it. I therefore call on all journalists to resist becoming vehicles for the spread of misinformation, fake news and conspiracy theories about the Corona Virus.”

Government Approves Risk Allowance for all Military Personnel

July 24, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

On the 22 July 2020, Major Yayah Brima of the Ministry of Defence made it known that last week the Government and NACOVERC approved the payment of risk allowance to all military personnel. He stated that with effect from July 2020, each and every soldier will indefinitely receive the sum of Three Hundred Thousand Leones as his or her risk allowance.

According to him, the payment of the said allowance is a true indication of the Government’s appreciation of RSLAF assiduous efforts in containing the Corona Viral Disease (COVID), which has claimed the lives of exactly 66 people as at 22 July 2020. He said unlike the Ebola Viral Disease (EVD), COVID-19 has not claimed the life of any military personnel although a good number of personnel earlier became infected with the virus but they all later recovered.

Major Yayah Brima stated that the RSLAF commitment in the fight against an epidemic was first spotted during the EVD outbreak between 2014 and 2016. He said without any risk allowance spread to the rank and file, the RSLAF personnel laid their lives to defeat the contagious disease. Out of nearly 4,000 deaths nationwide, the RSLAF incurred, at least, 16 deaths in the line of duty.

Like the 1991 Rebel War, he continued, the EVD Operation (known as ‘Operation Octopus’) was a baptism of fire for the military. “Nevertheless, RSLAF played crucial role in containing the pandemic. Apart from its security responsibility at the various isolation and treatment centres amidst several attacks on those centres by aggrieved youths, RSLAF contributed over Four Hundred Million Leones to the EVD Basket Fund,” he disclosed.

The Major intimated that the RSLAF undertook the arduous task to establish isolation and treatment facilities across the country. In rains the RSLAF engineer personnel carried out the construction work day and night and completed all the facilities within four weeks.

“Moreover, while some health workers were retreating from the ‘battlefield’, RSLAF was reinforcing its medical personnel to the deserted isolation and treatment centres to treat the dying EVD patients. With the establishment of its own isolation and treatment facility at the 34 Military Hospital (which was exclusively manned by its medical personnel), RSLAF gave hope and assurance to the public of defeating the pandemic. Within a month, the RSLAF treatment facility accounted for the highest discharges of EVD patients,” he hailed the military.

He further revealed that at the initial stage safe and dignified burial of EVD patients became a serious challenge. “Bereaved families were, sometimes, violent due to the improper funeral rites of their relatives. At some point, the infection rate was also attributed to the unsafe burial methods. When RSLAF took over the management structure, the entire narrative changed,” he lauded the efforts of the army.

He said, hence, with no risk allowance given to the rank and file during the EVD operation, RSLAF successfully carried out its constitutional responsibility contemplated in Section 165 (2) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone Act No.6 of 1991.

“Truly speaking, for the information of this Government, the rank and file of the RSLAF are pleased with the approval of the risk allowance in respect of the COVID operation. Every military personnel has been energised and is looking forward to another approval – the Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS), which has been put aside since 2007,” Major Yayah Brima concluded and appealed.

Population & Housing Census to Commence in 1st Week of December

July 24, 2020

By Theresa Kef Sesay

In his address to the nation bordering on proclamation for the conduct of a mid-term Population and Housing Census (MTPHC), President Julius Maada Bio made mention that in order to help the country plan properly, ensure equitable distribution of resources and foster economic and social development, the Government has decided to conduct a Mid-Term Population and Housing Census across the country in this year.

The President disclosed that data from the Mid-Term Population and Housing Census will undoubtedly inform and guide the implementation of various development programmes including the 2019-2023 Medium Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

He furthered how equally statistical indicators derived from the census will show progress made and challenges to be addressed in the overall development of the country.

President Bio admonished that the conduct of the census and results emanating from it should be treated with the utmost sincerity and professionalism.

He said historically, Sierra Leone, conducted its earliest census in 1802, in what is now known as the Western Area adding that it was followed in 1901 with a complete count in the Western Area and sample estimates in the provincial areas.

“Similar censuses were conducted in 1911, 1921, 1931, 1948 and modern day Censuses were conducted in 1963, 1974, 1985, 2004 and 2015,” the President also informed.

President Bio stated how the proposed Mid-Term Population and Housing Census, as with mid-term population surveys all over the world, will be conducted this year by Statistics Sierra Leone.

“It will update and take stock of significant gaps in the 2015 Population and Housing Census. It will also provide reliable baseline data to assess the impact of the Government’s key development interventions in respect of the Medium Term National Development Plans (MTNDP) and the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals,” he reiterated.

He said he was informed that a new and improved methodology, (Computer-Assisted Personal Interviews – CAPI), will be used for the very first time to conduct the census in this country adding how it will be done at no risk to staff and respondents with respect to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

President Bio told Sierra Leoneans his Government has committed 14 Billion Leones to fund the activities of the Mid-Term Population and Housing Census.

He revealed how the World Bank and the United Nations Population Fund have made significant funding commitments also stating that other partners have also demonstrated strong interest in supporting the important national exercise.

“I have been advised by the Minister of Planning and Economic Development on the state of preparedness for the Mid-Term Population and Housing Census this year. Statistics Sierra Leone has commenced preparatory activities including the updating of cartographic maps,” he continued in his address highlighting that given that background, he now, thereby, order that a Mid-Term Population and Housing Census of all inhabitants of Sierra Leone will commence on the 4th day of December 2020.

Sierra Leoneans in the UK Shower Copious Praises on NP-SL

July 24, 2020

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

By Amin Kef Sesay

Certain Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora ,particularly some in the United Kingdom, whom this medium exclusively interviewed and discussed with to gauge their perceptions about the operations of the giant petroleum marketing company in the country, the National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd), spoke in glowing terms about the indigenous petroleum business entity. According to what most of them intimated The Calabash, the company is truly a source of not only pride but one from which inspiration could be drawn.

“One thing that has impressed me so much about the company is the fact that it is one of the few successful indigenous companies in Sierra Leone that has determinedly weathered the storm over the years and such is indeed amazing and inspiring,” Mohamed Wurie Bah, a University student pursuing a course in Britain expressed his candid view adding that he is quite aware of erstwhile business entities established by some Sierra Leoneans, in the forms of partnership and company but within a couple of years went into liquidation. He furthered that in the case of NP-SL Ltd it is quite a different situation as the company had been and is currently doing extremely well.

Abdulai Wai, another Sierra Leonean, who is residing in Scotland with his family, highlighted that in terms of effective customer care, the company cannot be easily matched in that realm. He noted that the Shareholders and Management of NP-SL are individuals who are really business-oriented and are always passionate of giving their numerous customers utmost satisfaction. He convincingly postulated that it is in that regard that the company’s Filling Stations are state of the art structures, suitable built and designed for the sheer purpose of marketing petroleum products.

He furthered that the installation of calibrated pumping machines that are capable of churning out the exact quantity of fuel that a customer demands, displaying the litres and prices, was a step in the right direction. “My brothers to be very frank those calibrated pumping machines are those that are used in modern settings and they truly instil confidence in customers that they are really deriving value for money,” Wai informed this medium during the privileged discussion.

An established entrepreneur, based in South London, but who jets in intermittently, as she has an investment in the country, Alimatu Davies, disclosed that she holds an NP Smart Card which she uses, whenever she is Freetown, to purchase fuel at various NP Filling Stations in the city. “This is a convenient means of procuring fuel as it saves me the time to sometimes rush to the Bank to make withdrawals for the purpose of buying petrol for my jeep and indeed I want to give the company a pat on the back for introducing this smart card. As a matter of fact the use of smart cards to conduct business transactions is what is now in vogue and it is good that the country is catching up with such a current trend,” Alimatu averred.

When this medium put a question across to a prominent Sierra Leonean Economist, who is a lecturer in Birmingham, Paul Saquee, as to what he makes of NP’s stance to make it a laid down policy to strictly offer jobs to indigenes of this country as long as they have the requisite qualifications, he was quick to respond by stating that such a policy is quite in place. “Such a policy on the part of the company is in sync with the Local Content Policy which lays emphasis on making use of local expertise or in other words our local human as well as material resources instead of relying on imported ones,” he explained lucidly adding that such is indeed in consonance with fast tracking overall national development as it makes it possible for the nurturing of innate skills, retaining of financial resources in the country instead of taking them abroad. He highly commended NP-SL for maintaining such a policy over the years.

Paul Saquee dilated further on the fact that one way that one could judge a successful business entity is to look at whether it is developing or not. He said in the case of NP-SL ,the company has been very steadfast in that direction making reference to the opening of branches in different parts of the country including the recent one that was commissioned in Kailahun District. “But more distinctly the expansion of the company with branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia is no mean feat on the part of the company,” he succinctly pointed out.

“I like cooking delicious food and always prefer a cooking device that is very fast in terms of performance. I was therefore happy when I was informed by my niece from Kenema that they are using NP Gas at home, explaining how it is very good. I said Wow! I told her that anytime I return home I will go for it,” Mariama Dumbuya, a middle aged nurse based in Bournemouth optimistically told one of our reporters.

She deviated from the discussion on NP Gas and switched over to state that she has heard a lot about the churning out of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility. “I was really impressed to realize that the company was among entities that were at the forefront of closing ranks with the Government by donating One Billion Leones in order to scale up the fight against the spread of the coronavirus. That was good enough apart from other supports that the company has been rendering over the years,” she expressed delight.

Indeed, from all what were said by these Sierra Leoneans in the UK, whom this medium contacted, it could be deduced that indeed the National Petroleum –Sierra Leone Limited is a source of pride and inspiration. Thanks to all those who took their precious time to talk to The Calabash Newspaper. We do appreciate and hope we all Stay Safe.

After Various Botched Attempts… Parliament Repeals Part V of Public Order Act

July 23, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

According to the Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, it is on record that President Julius Maada Bio in the New Direction Manifesto and in several public statements registered its dogged commitment to Repeal the 55-year old Criminal and Seditious Libel Law (Part V of the Public Order Act of 1965).

President Bio has consistently maintained that he will let loose free speech, expand democratic spaces and consolidate democracy.

To translate that commitment into reality the President took very bold and courageous steps to secure cabinet approval for the repeal of the Criminal libel law and thereafter tabled it in Parliament through the Ministry of Information and Communications.

The Parliament of Sierra Leone on Thursday 23^rd July 2020 amended the Public Order Act of 1965 (Act No. 46 of 1965) by repealing Part V of that law which deals with criminal libel and also enacted the Independent Media Commission (IMC) Act 2020. The IMC Act 2020 will enhance the professionalization of journalism and make investments in media more attractive.

Members of Parliament, during their respective contributions to the debate, applauded His Excellency, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio for keeping his promise and rescinding the criminal libel law as an old law that has strongly affected the development of the media industry in the country.

“The bold decision by the Bio led Government to repeal this legislation is a very promising step that changes the media landscape in Sierra Leone,” Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rahman Swaray stated. “We hope that practicing journalists will opt for media professionalism, work with the Independent Media Commission (IMC),to enhance its regulatory powers, and give the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists the civic and moral responsibility to institute self-regulatory systems for their members”, Information and Communications Minister, Mohamed Rahman Swarray opined.

The President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) Ahmed Nasralla maintained that “following the repeal of the Public Order Act and the introduction of the IMC Act 2020, there will be a more professional and responsible media. Media houses will be encouraged to abide by their editorial guidelines/code of ethics,” he added. He paid glowing tributes to President Bio for keeping his commitment and noted that journalists will justify the trust and confidence reposed in them by practicing more responsible and professional journalism.