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FCC Commissions Community Care Center at Benguema

By Foday Moriba Conteh

During a short but remarkable programme, the Community Care Centre for the Armed Forces Training Centre at Benguema, Waterloo, was commissioned on the 13th July 2020  by the Freetown City Council (FCC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the National COVID Response centre, NACOVERC.

The launch was made official by a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony by Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr and Mr Abdul-Rahman Fofanah, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health in the presence of Tom Vens, EU Ambassador, Kobi Bentley, Head of DFID, Brigadier-General Marah, representing the CDS, Lt Col Stephen Sevallie, Case Management Pillar Lead, Councillors of FCC, several partners from NACOVERC, MSF, Concern, CRS, Red Cross, RSLAF and WARD-C amongst others.

The Community Care Centre is conceived as a facility primarily for patients from Freetown’s informal settlements who cannot be isolated safely elsewhere, and it is part of FCC’s COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan, which supports Sierra Leone’s National COVID-19 response. The CCC comes at a crucial time when other sites like the Fourah Bay College that had been repurposed to respond to COVID-19 are being converted back to their original use.

The Benguema Community Care Centre is equipped with 180 beds, medical equipment and a range of social amenities to ensure the safety and comfort of patients of all ages.
The establishment of the Care Centre has been a multi-stakeholder project managed jointly by the NACOVERC and FCC. Clinical and non-clinical staff, specially selected by MOHS for the role, will man the centre.

The infrastructural improvements required re-purposing AFTC as a CCC, food for patients and the EU and DFID, coordinated by partners CONCERN, CRS and the SL Red Cross, have funded some of the centre’s running costs. The Centre’s staffs have received thorough training jointly by NACOVERC, MOHS, SLRC and MSF.

The centre has full community buy-in, with many staff drawn from local communities. The CCC has been fully re-purposed with uninterrupted water supply, drainage, sanitation and medical equipment and is anticipated to be operational for at least 5 months.

Construction of $1.4bn Seaport for Bonthe in the Pipeline

By Amin Kef Sesay

John Tambi, Head of the Presidential Infrastructural Initiative (PII), has revealed that talks are in advanced stages for the implementation of the construction of a facility costing $1.4 billion to ease commercial transactions in the Island of Bonthe.

The facility, which will be located near the village of Niti, on the island of Bonthe, about 150 km South of Freetown, will integrate an industrial free-trade zone. The feasibility study, completed in December 2019, was carried out by Strong Hold Finance Group.

According to Tambi, investors have already expressed interest in the project, and “we are now moving to the contract agreement stage and I’m sure we can start the project this year.” The official noted that the project is valued at $1.4 billion and will be carried out through a public-private partnership. The government of Sierra Leone will retain at least a 25% stake in the port and associated facilities.

The PII was created in 2018 by President Bio, shortly after he took office. The mandate of the initiative is to plan, design, and implement strategic and transformative infrastructure projects covering all sectors, using innovative financing methods. It is directly supervised by the Office of the President.

Karpowership Enters 5-year Power Generation Deal

By Amin Kef Sesay

One of the world’s largest operators of floating power plants, Karpowership, has agreed on a 5-year deal to provide electricity to Sierra Leone’s State power utility.

Karpowership – part of the Karadeniz Energy Group – already supplies around 80% of the nation’s electricity via two powerships anchored off the capital Freetown, under a contract signed in 2018.

The vessels are dual-fuel powered using either heavy fuel oil or liquefied natural gas (LNG).

The new agreement will add 5 megawatts (MW) to current production. Karpowership will generate an average of 63 MW during the dry season and 23 MW during the wet season for Sierra Leone’s Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority. Karpowership did not release the financial details of the deal.

With an electrification rate of just 5%, Sierra Leone’s current generation capacity falls well short of the needs of its 7 million citizens. Prolonged blackouts are common, even in the capital and urban areas.

Karpowership currently provides around 4,100 MW of power from its fleet of 25 ships, mainly in eight African nations, but also in Cuba, across the Middle East and Asia.

Karadeniz Holding is also preparing to provide electricity in war-torn Libya, where the electricity infrastructure was badly damaged due to the attacks launched by putschist Gen. Khalifa Haftar’s forces in Eastern Libya to seize the capital Tripoli in April 2019.

Libya, where Turkey supports the United Nations-backed legitimate government, the Government of National Accord (GNA), has been suffering from power cuts of up to eight hours a day in Tripoli, the country’s most populous city.

The Turkish company plans to send its team to Libya within weeks and could start supplying power to western Libya within 30 days, Chief Commercial Officer Zeynep Harezi told Reuters last week.

The company could supply power through the ports of Tripoli West, al-Khoms and Misrata, Harezi said, adding infrastructure would be assessed so a full proposal could be presented.

Floating power plants plug into electricity grids after berthing. The company says the plants could use Libyan-produced diesel or natural gas, delivering as much as 1,000 megawatt-hours (MWh), ending power cuts in areas supplied via the ports.

ROPA Donates Corona Virus Preventive Materials to Government Rokel Secondary School

By Fatmata Jengbe

The Executive and Diaspora Members of the Rokel Old Pupils Association (ROPA) donated items worth 5 Million Leones to the Administration of the school for and on behalf of the pupils. The short program was chaired by the Vice President, Mrs. Jariatu Patricia Samura.

In her Opening Statement, she thanked God Almighty for protecting the lives of the membership of ROPA and the entire school from the Corona Virus Pandemic and encouraged all to keep to the guidelines set out by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and the Ministry of Basic and Secondary School Education respectively. She thanked the ROPA Executive and the Diaspora branch for their timely intervention.

Presenting the donation of 400 Facemasks, hand washing soap, toilet papers etc….on behalf of the Executive and General Membership of the Association, the President, Mr. Manoh Bizzoco Dumbuya, said they are happy to give support of such magnitude to the school, especially in this difficult time.

He said that more donations will come in a couple of weeks and that the Association will continue to join hands with the School Administration in the fight against the Corona Virus Pandemic.

He admonished all pupils to take their academic work very seriously, as this donation should serve as a motivating factor to them, as their examinations are just around the corner.

He ended by appealing to the school authorities and pupils to use the donated items for their intended purposes.

Representing the Diaspora Membership, Madam Hawanatu Dumbuya, thanked her colleagues out there for their magnanimity and encouraged others to emulate their good examples.

Both Acting Principals of JSS and SSS, Messrs. Fredrick Jones and Aloysius Kamara, expressed their thanks and appreciation to ROPA for a very good initiative.

Speaking on behalf of their colleagues, Pupils from both schools, JSS and SSS were smiling as they showered praises on their mentors for such a kind gesture.

Crocodile Discovery Could Enhance Tourism If…

African Dwarf Crocodile

By Kai B. Saquee-Marketing Officer NTB

It was recently disclosed that a crocodile has been identified at No. 2 River in Freetown. From what this medium learnt, out of its media curiosity, was that this newly identified amphibious animal is also known scientifically as Osteolaemus tetraspis or commonly called African Dwarf Crocodile, with a measured size of 1.8 metres (5.9 feet) to be precise. It was further understood that such rare specimens are exceptionally large that can be found in all species of crocodilian class.

Tourism is about the sustainable movement of people from their places of origin to other destinations. However, there should be things that must pull the interest of the traveller to that Eco-Tourism site and this is what River No 2 is driving at.

It is noted that tourist attraction could be accentuated by putting modalities in place to attract both local and international tourists, to view, feel and taste our tourism endowment all through their stay.

Since the rains begun, the country and communities are experiencing nature at its best, and the new spotted Crocodile at River  No.2, the most visited Water Fall at Mambo, will now also add up to the excitement for tourists.

The West African dwarf crocodile is the world’s smallest crocodile, growing up to 1.8 metres (5.9 feet). It is found alone or in pairs, in burrows and the hollows on low lying tree branches at the waters’ edge. It is a heavily armoured crocodile, which is dark in colour on the back and sides with a yellowish belly, featuring many black patches.

More update on the unveiling prevalence in subsequent edition

Repeal Of Criminal Libel Is Not The Issue…   Giving IMC Excessive Regulation Powers Is The Issue

By Amin Kef Sesay

With the Independent Media Commission Bill now at the Legislative stage for Members of Parliament to make necessary adjustments, taking into cognizance the objections made by SLAJ and other stakeholders and interest groups, it is only expected that common sense will prevail.

That said, repeal of criminal libel from the law books of Sierra Leone is a wholesome welcome development on the country’s media landscape and with the full implementation of the Freedom of Information Act, would make public office holders accountable to the people they are supposed to work for, through media scrutiny.

The Bill that was enacted into the criminal libel law that Parliament is now in the process of rescinding, was introduced in Parliament in 1965 by Sir Albert Margai, the second Prime Minister of Sierra Leone.  He faced serious opposition from within and without his party, the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).

However, he influenced Parliament to enact a law that would serve as a sledge hammer to silence his critics and members of the opposition, despite the serious opposition.

When the APC took power in 1968, it was expected that it would decriminalize libel. However, the APC retained the law it had strongly opposed in its entirety. Furthermore, this has been the case of successive Governments over the years, despite the fact that the said law negates Sec 25 of the 1991 Constitution and contravenes the right to Freedom of Speech.

Additionally, succeeding Governments have been using it to silence the opposition in the name of maintaining law and order and/or preventing threat to public safety and security.

There are two types of libel under the Public Order Act of 1965 of Sierra Leone; Defamatory Libel and Seditious Libel.

Defamatory libel is basically the publication of a statement in a static form against a person, which is likely to expose the individual to public hatred, contempt or ridicule or to damage him in his trade, business, profession, calling or office. The most common form is written and printed words contained in newspapers, books, magazines etc. It can also be in a recorded form such as film, speech or effigy.

Seditious libel is defined as any attempt made by individual(s) in meetings, speeches or by publications to disturb the tranquility of the State by way of bringing hatred, contempt, or excite disaffection against the Government or public authority.

This means that a statement can only be deemed seditious libel when the complainant is disparaged in the estimation of right thinking members in the society and not merely in the minds of a particular section of the public.

The distinction between Defamatory and Seditious Libel (inter alia) is that, whilst defamation may be against ordinary citizens, Sedition is said to be committed against public authority.

Standard of Proof

A libelous statement must contain three elements before they are considered actionable.

Firstly, it must be proven that the statement is false and defamatory. Secondly, the statement must refer to a particular person, even if it is an innuendo and thirdly, the statement must be published to at least one person, excluding the plaintiff.

That said, the burden of proof rests solely on the Prosecution. In addition, to prove Seditious Libel, the Prosecution must prove a seditious intention in the published material.

The interpretation text (Sec 37 of the Public Order Act) defines seditious intention as an intention to bring into hatred or contempt or to excite disaffection against a public authority.

Furthermore, the Prosecution also needs to establish how much public disaffection or chaos the publication is likely to cause.

This simply means that, no matter how much truth there is in the published material, it will not be considered as a defence for the accused.

To this end, and given the circumstances under which the law was promulgated, one can only conclude that the primary purpose of the law is to provide undue shield for public officials from public scrutiny.

NP-SL Continues To Roll Out Qualitative Petroleum Products

By Amin Kef Sesay

The National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) is one of the most successful business ventures that this country could presently be very proud of, more especially when cognisance is taken of the fact that it is a company that is truly indigenous, in the sense that it was established years back by 35 committed and determined Sierra Leoneans, who, at that time, strongly hold the conviction that through hard work their investments will become an enterprising business entity.

Indeed, their dream turned out to become a tangible reality, as today the company is solidly forging ahead in leaps and bounds with well-structured branches in the West African sub-region that are vibrantly functioning.

The success story of NP-SL Ltd, as it has been hinted, did not materialize magically, but rather through the selflessness of its original founders, coupled with sound managerial steering, have both driven the company to reach the height it has now attained, to the admiration of many near and far. NP-SL Ltd epitomizes hard work, a clearer vision, mission and making use of best ideas or initiatives in order to ensure things happen positively. Indisputably, NP-SL Ltd has been blessed with seasoned managers, who, through the pragmatic injection of sound policies, took the company from its humble beginning to become a giant within the country’s business landscape.

Interestingly enough, Management of the company, past and present, did not rest on their oars after policy formulation, but ensure (d) that the full implementation of those policies were, and are properly implemented in order to derive the dividends aspired for. This is where the putting of premium on maximizing customer care fits in, as it was not only prioritized by the company, but the entity has always ensured that it is implemented to the letter. It is in this regard that the company has been striving very hard to import qualitative petroleum products which are good for vehicles, machines, generators and a host of other purposes.

To further deal with its numerous customers in a very transparent manner, modern calibrated pumping machines were installed at the company’s Filling Stations, displaying the quantity of fuel required, as well as the price. These sophisticated modern machines have been instilling confidence in customers that they are doing business with a very open company, devoid of playing games that will cheat them in order to amass profits. When customers have such an optimal satisfaction coupled with being treated courteously by the company’s employees, then it is obvious that they will stay glued.

In order to be on top of situation, the company thought it very prudent to factor the concerns and suggestions of members of the public into its decision-making processes and such have effectively guided NP-SL Ltd to make the right choices that have helped it in its development.

Going further to give maximum convenience, NP-SL Ltd introduced the use of NP Smart Card, which is a latest technological gadget or device that customers can use, through financially topping up, to procure the aspired quantity of petroleum products on any working day, thus making it possible to get fuel in a quick way without going through the hassle of having to wait in long queues. With this latest device, one is assured of having one’s fuel on Smart Card.

Many have attested that they find using NP Gas very convenient, saying it is environmentally friendly, quick and could be refilled with gas that could be bought from the company. Manufactured in various cylinders, this modern cooking device could be secured at the various NP Filling stations across the country and are going at affordable prices that can fit the pockets of many households and institutions. Those who are using it, recommend it as a very useful household gadget, underscoring that there will be no regrets in procuring one.

In the area of enhancing the Local Content Policy, it is hard to come across a company like NP-SL Ltd that is effectively doing so. This could be justified by pointing out that the company has made it a hard and fast rule that as long as there are competent Sierra Leoneans capable of performing certain tasks, then they should be given priority in terms of employment opportunities, instead of bringing on board foreigners, who at the end of the day, move out of the country with large amounts of money; thereby creating economic dislocations.

Categorically, NP-SL Ltd deserves all the accolades of a buoyant indigenous company that many are proud of, for its invaluable contributions to the country’s socio-economic development and significantly reducing poverty.

IBM Appoints Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh as First African and First Female Regional Head for Africa

Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh

By Prince Akpah

Technology giant, IBM Corporation has appointed Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh Regional Head for North, East and West Africa where she will be responsible for IBM operations in over 40 countries in Africa including Morocco, Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal, Uganda, Ghana and Tunisia.

Before her appointment, Ms. Kyerematen-Jimoh was Chief of Staff to the Senior Vice President in charge of Global Markets and Sales in IBM’s corporate headquarters in New York. Ms. Kyeremat-Jimoh, who was previously Country Manager for Ghana joined IBM in 2011 as Marketing Manager for the West Africa Market Segment and rose through the ranks to become the Strategy Leader for Central East and West Africa.

Angela Kyerematen-Jimoh

Prior to joining IBM Ms. Kyerematen-Jimoh worked in banking, for UBS Investment Bank & ABN AMRO in London and GT Bank Ghana. Chris Kirubi, East Africa Business Mogul and founder of Centum Investment said “I am exceptionally proud of Angela. Her dedication
and commitment to her work is unwavering. She has all our support and I know she will make this a huge success story. We welcome her back to Africa.

Ms. Halima Aliko Dangote, Executive Director for Dangote Industries commented, “This is indeed an inspiring story for our continent to have a woman lead this very important region and we look forward to her making great strides in this role.”

Ms. Kyerematen-Jimoh’s appointment marks another first in her career: She was IBM’s first female country head and becomes the first woman and first African to be appointed Regional Head in Africa. This is a true testament to IBM’s unwavering commitment to diversity and inclusion.

She has been named one of Africa’s most influential women by Advance Media. Her awards include the US African women Forum’s Global Impact Leadership Award and the prestigious African Achieves Award for Excellence in Business.

A Mother of two boys, Ms. Kyerematen-Jimoh is an alumna of Harvard Business School.

By Prince Akpah
Tel: 0242307379

 

Njala University Capacitated With Fish Processing & Breeding Equipment

By Ralph Sesay (PRO Njala University)

On Saturday 11th July, 2020 the Aquaculture and Fisheries Department of the School of Natural Resource Management, Njala University has benefitted from water quality, fish processing and breeding equipment to support hands on deck training of youths in Fish Farming and its entire value chain process.

The donation was made possible through the Sierra Leone Youth Entrepreneurship and Employment Project funded by the African Development Bank and implemented by the National Youth Commission.

The Aquaculture and Fisheries Department is benefitting under component one of the YEEP Project which has to do with skills for development and employment.

The set targets under this component are capacity building for training youths in priority skills needed by private sector employers and in growing sectors of the economy.

The Milton Margai College of Education and Technology, Eastern Polytechnic Kenema, Government Technical Institute, the Ernest Bai Koroma and Njala Universities would directly benefit from the tools and equipment amounting to over 158 thousand dollars.

The Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries is benefitting 14% of the total amount in valuable equipment to effectively aid teaching and learning in the aquaculture discipline.

Dr. Julius Olufemi Olapade, Dean Natural Resource Management, Njala University welcomed the Commissioner, National Youth Commission, Mr. Ngolo Katta and other representatives from the Ministries of Finance, Technical and Higher Education to Njala University on behalf of the Vice Chancellor and Principal, Professor Sankoh (Mallam.O.)

He expressed his delight for the gesture which, according to him, demonstrates the willingness of the National Youth Commission under the leadership of Mr. Katta to push through the advancement of Technical and Vocational Education.

He conveyed the deepest appreciation of the Vice Chancellor and Principal, Mallam .O. and the entire administration for the commitment demonstrated by the African Development Bank, NAYCOM, the Technical and Higher Education and the Ministry of Finance for supporting the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries.

Dr Olapade expressed the strongest desire of the Administration and his department to work towards realizing the aspirations of the project and noted that he was overwhelmed to have received such a resounding support from the Government of Sierra Leone.

He commended the astute leadership of the Youth Commissioner, an alumnus of Njala University for coming to pay back to an institution that contributed to what he is today.

The Project Manager, Josephus Gbakiwah, gave a background of the project and underscored the fact that they were determined to deliver on the deliverables of the project.

He applauded the support received so far from the other line Ministries and Njala University in moving towards meeting the deliverables of the project.

Abdul Senessie, the Deputy Director TVET, Ministry of Technical and Higher Education acknowledged the sound partnership between the Ministry and the National Youth Commission in promoting the advancement of TVET in country.

This, according to him, was key for them as a Ministry that is mainly responsible for the informal component of the Educational system.

Mr. Senessie pinpointed that the donation of the tools to the respective institution to aid teaching and learning was demonstrative of the fact that MTHE was cognizant that effective teaching and learning of relevant skills for the 21st century market could not be possible without the requisite tools and hands on deck training.

He urged the authorities at the Department of Aquaculture and Fisheries to be very clear with regards delivering tangible deliverables which will transform graduates and other youths within the immediate communities to entrepreneurs.

The Commissioner, National Youth Commission, Mr. Ngolo Katta in his keynote address disclosed that a key component in the Commission’s Strategic Development Plan for 2019-2023 had factored skills development and entrepreneurship as key to fulfilling the aspirations of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio’s vision for the youths of Sierra Leone.

This, he recounted, was in tandem with the Medium Term National Development Framework cluster six which was also key on the development of the youths through entrepreneurship.

He entreated the authorities at the Department to support the aspirations of the Government by producing graduates who would create jobs and complement the economy.

Mr. Katta urged Njala University to serve as a hub for production of several aquaculture sites in the country. He spoke on the Youth Entrepreneurship and Employment Project and underscored its relevance in addressing the vulnerability of our youths.

The Youth Commissioner further noted that they are fully aware at the Commission that graduates from the respective Universities over the years have not been able to match their skills with those of the job market.

This, according to him, is a huge concern for Government, the World bank and other multi-lateral donors and hence the Government of Sierra Leone and the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education and his Commission are keen to move towards this trajectory as the new approach to enhancing the empowerment of the youths and the overall development of the country.

Head of Department, Aquaculture and Fisheries, Dr Kpundeh who chaired the ceremony assured the Youth Commissioner and representatives from the other Ministries that they will deliver on the deliverables of the project.

The High point of the ceremony was the handing over of the items to the Dean of Natural Resource Management, Dr. Julius Olufemi Olapde on behalf of the University Administration.

Daniel Bayoh, a final year student of the Department while giving the vote of thanks applauded the Commission for coming to their aid in enhancing the trainings at the sector and assured them that they will make use of the opportunity accorded them to become entrepreneurs.

Isha Johansen Dilates on Created of Women’s Champions League

President Sierra Leone Football Association Isha Johansen

By Amin Kef Sesay

Following the decision to inaugurate the club competition, the African football body’s official has shed light on the move. The Chairperson of the CAF Organizing Committee for women’s football, Isha Johansen, has explained the motive behind the decision to create the Women’s Champions League.

The African football body announced plans to start a women’s club competition in 2021, the same day it also confirmed the cancellation of the 2020 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations.

The outrage and continental-wide condemnation that followed the 2018 Awcon scrapping has since been addressed by the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) President, citing varying factors.

The 55-year-old also revealed the inauguration of the Champions League was not as a replacement for the Awcon but to compel associations to invest in women’s football. “We’ve had two women’s symposia in Caf and there was a spate cry for the Women’s Champions League to start,” Johansen said in an interview.

“Everybody wants to see more of women’s football to play and get the girls more exposure and more experienced. And this was a welcoming idea. We did not really have the platform then, but now we do.

“It’s always been on the cards. Now we are ready, even though it is strange times. It is not going to be replacing the women’s Awcon and the domestic women’s leagues.

“With the Women’s Champions League, member associations will be compelled to improve the level of their domestic leagues in order to be eligible to participate. They will have to up their game and increase their participation.”

In November, women’s football stakeholders launched a four-year women’s football strategy blueprint at a workshop in Egypt, which the CAF Executive Committee later gave its seal of approval.

In June, Fifa announced a coronavirus relief plan for world football, offering member associations a universal solidarity grant of $1m, with an additional $500,000 grant specifically for women’s football.

With the latest financial support, the Sierra Leone FA boss is confident women’s football will enjoy improved investment across the continent, especially in various women’s domestic leagues. “CAF is giving our financial support to the MAs during the COVID-19 and Fifa recently just announced 500,000 dollars for women’s football to every member association [MA],” she continued.

“This will go a very long way in helping the women’s domestic leagues. There is a recent survey which confirmed that over 30 MAs have women’s leagues. This is a very good start to build on.

“If 30 MAs are working towards a vibrant and appreciable women’s league or women’s football in their country, the remaining which is less than half will also follow suit.

“CAF and FIFA are ever ready to support member associations in the development of women’s football. It is a great time for us, strange and abnormal times but we should also not forget that women’s football is a normal thing and we will not allow COVID-19 or the abnormal times to erode the normality of things.

“We are going to raise our game, we will change our narrative in the game as women in football, players and administrators. I think, now is the time that we should look ahead and look forward and all come on board participating to push our women’s game forward on the continent.”

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