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Concluding 3-Days Tour…   Hon. Sidie Tunis Brings Smiles to his Constituents in Pujehun District

Honorable Sidie Mohamed Tunis , Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament

By Amin Kef Sesay

Honorable Sidie Mohamed Tunis , Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, who also happens to be the Member of Parliament for Constituency 101 in the  Pujehun District, Southern Province of Sierra Leone, while on a tour he undertook from the 27th June to 30th June 2020  restored hope and confidence among his constituents.

Accompanied by local authorities, media personnel, women and youths the seasoned lawmaker and kindhearted personality met with his constituents of Constituency 101 in Makpele and Soro Gbema Chiefdoms in the Pujehun District very mindful of observing social distancing

He informed them that, as usual, he decided to embark on the visit in order to continue his constructive engagements with his constituents and deliberate on developmental strides for Constituency 101 and by extension the people of Pujehun District. He added that, the tour was another important time for him to help those who are in need by addressing critical concerns such as food, health, agriculture, education, entrepreneurship and infrastructure.

Speaking on the area of strengthening the health sector in Constituency 101, the Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament mentioned a donation he made of Ten Million Leones (Le 10,000,000.00) as a quick response for the rehabilitation of  the Sulima Community Health Center (CHC) which he said needed urgent attention for sustainable community health service delivery.

Honorable Sidie Mohamed Tunis further revealed that, he has been in constant engagement with the Government of Sierra Leone and the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) to effectively enhance the rehabilitation of the Sulima Health Center and the implementation of further development programs in Constituency 101.

He also highlighted another donation of  the sum of Five Million Leones (Le 5,000,000.00) each to the Command Center at Jendema and Zimmi, to enhance their regular activities in consonance with sensitization and awareness raising on the prevention and fight against COVID-19, and other related matters affecting border communities.

During his three -day constituency tour, the Honorable MP also visited the Wai Community Health Centre in Moiwubu to monitor the facility which he supported during his 2018 camping period with USD $2,000 (two thousand US Dollars) and also USD $1,000 for the construction of a Youth Centre at Wai Village, Soro Gbema Chiefdom.

The Honorable Member of Parliament also donated Three Hundred (300) bags of 25 KG rice to augment the plight of storm victims of Soro Gbema Chiefdom, who were affected by heavy rains which destroyed many properties and plantations. The charismatic leader also visited all the communities that were affected by the storm and promised to explore additional avenues of mitigating the status of storm victims through Government and donor supports.

He also supported the Zimmi Makpele SLPP Executive with One Hundred Bags of rice to run a small business enterprise so that they too will be engaged in promoting trade activities in Zimmi Makpele. He again donated One Hundred (100) sets of modern and sustainable solar radio sets to the best performing pupils in selected schools within the Zimmi community.

The ECOWAS Parliament President went on to make an additional cash donations amounting to Five Million Leones (Le 5,000,000.00) each to the women of Zimmi and Dumagbay towns as part of his continued support in order to increase their agricultural and livelihood activities. He also donated Five Million Leones (5,000.000.00) to the people of Gofour community, for the completion of their Court Barray. All these, the Honorable said “will help to enhance effective and efficient farming system, for increased rice production and productivity as planned by the New Direction Agenda under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio.”

During his tour, Honorable Tunis also assisted the Youth of Makpele Chiefdom with Thirty Million Leones (Le 30,000,000.00) to establish a youth-led business initiative, so that the Youth of Makpele Chiefdom will be able to develop their enterprises through business management skills and entrepreneurship trainings.

Meanwhile, commending Honorable Tunis during his constituency tour on behalf of the people of Constituency 101, Pujehun District, the Paramount Chief of Soro Gbema Chiefdom, P.C Mustapha J. Massaquoi and the youth of Constituency 101 thanked and congratulated Honorable Tunis for working in tandem with his campaign promises.

The Paramount Chief urged the local populace to continue to pray for Honorable Tunis, so that he will bring more developments to his constituents. They, however, lamented over some of the challenges faced with regards the health, education sectors also highlighting the need to mend the bad roads, provide good infrastructure and deal with youth unemployment among others.

Honorable Tunis in his short remarks reassured his people that he will be making consistent visits to the two chiefdoms in order to ensure that more development programmes are undertaken in Constituency 101, and to further help to actualize the New Direction Agenda under the leadership of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio. He said that, the SLPP Government is fully set to facilitate sustainable development programmes in that part of the country and beyond.

Parliamentary Committee Chairman Showers Praises on Energy Minister

Alhaji Kanja Sesay, Minister of Energy

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Hon. Kekura Vandi the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Energy, has praised the Minister of Energy, Alhaji Kanja Sesay, for the rapid and impressive strides and gains made in the energy sector since he assumed office some two years ago. Hon. Kekura Vandi was speaking in the Well of Parliament.

The Chairman described the Minister of Energy as a resourceful and result-oriented man. He catalogued the strides undertaken and the gains made in the energy sector in the two years of the Minister’s tenure as incomparably colossal and outstanding.

Speaking on the World Bank funded Energy Sector Utility Reform Project (ESURP), which aims at overhauling the entire network and distribution system in Freetown, Hon. Vandi said the project was the first of its kind, noting that a past project which would come close to matching the ESURP in Freetown in size and relevance, took place some twenty-five years ago. He added that four out of the five primary substations in Freetown had already been completed, with works on subterranean, overhead cables and the distribution of new transformers ongoing.

On the CLSG or West Africa Power Pool Project, Hon.Vandi was full of praises of the Minister, describing the gains made in that aspect as accelerated and unprecedented. He corrected misleading or erroneous conceptions about the project being the brainchild of the former administration by saying that the West Africa Power Pool Project started way back in 1999, with the Adoption and Article Agreement signed in 2006.

Hon.Vandi informed the House that out of the 500km line needed for the CLSG project, 300km had been completed along with three out of the five primary substations and the payment of some 1,400 project affected persons. He said the country was now far ahead of Liberia.

On the Bo-Kenema Network Rehabilitation and Expansion and the Bumbuna Two projects, Hon.Vandi said that the first consignment of materials for the Bo-Kenema project had arrived and had been delivered. He said the next consignment will soon arrive, while assuring that the project entails the installation of some 237 transformers in the two cities.

The Parliamentary Committee Chairman said that with the intervention of the President, the cost for the implementation of the 140 megawatt Bumbuna Two project had been renegotiated and cut down to within a single digit, and that the land for the construction of the dam had been officially handed over to those concerned.

While concluding, Hon.Vandi said negotiations are ongoing with a Sino Hydro company for the installation of a 160 megawatt dam at Bikongor. He also spoke about the Mini Grid project in rural areas, noting that 54 chiefdom headquarter towns had benefitted, with work ongoing in other chiefdoms. He added that pre-paid meters were now available and easily accessible once the correct procedures were followed, while also assuring that six district headquarter towns and Njala University would benefit from electricity.

Going Forward…   There Can Be No Peace & Unity Without Justice

By Amin Kef Sesay

What essentially the previous President and the current one deep down want for this country and its people is a society built on justice and brotherhood – a country where a person’s tribe, region, political orientation or educational standard does not determine how he/she is treated by others – especially the powers that be.

Given what has gone on in this country historically since the law of the strongest or the most powerful superseded equality for all under the law and the constitution, it is fair to say that the demand for justice, for more and more justice, for absolute justice, is at the center of political and socio-economic struggles in our country.

We read every day in our papers what injustices are committed here and there and that it is our responsibility to set things right, or else there will be the direst consequences.

It is in that sense that former President Koroma did his utmost to build up the economy, to strengthen State institutions to be better able to deliver goods and services to the people, to expand the social safety net to capture the most vulnerable in the distribution of the wealth of the nation, etc

President Koroma and President Bio both understood and believed that since ancient times, justice has been the fundamental bedrock of peace and progress which means essentially giving justice in the conflicts between individuals or small groups within the established social order.

That is the reason why the entire nation has praised the jurors in the verdict that they arrived at in the just concluded treason trial of Palo Conteh.
In this sense, what really is justice? This is something about which people have always agreed as long as one remains on a highly abstract level, and have always disagreed as soon as one gets down to concrete details.

Justice is the constant and perpetual disposition to render to every man his due.

What is every man’s due? It is thought that justice is equality, and so it is, though not for everybody but only for those who are equals; and inequality for those who are unequal.

Justice in its true meaning is the equal treatment of all men regardless of how unequal they might be in terms of nature or social conditions. That is why Justitia, the Goddess of Justice, was depicted as blindfolded; she would give her verdict without regard of person, equal for the mighty and the weak, for the rich and the poor.

On the other hand is the modern concept of Social Justice which  is viewed as equal opportunity for all. It means equal opportunity for human beings as they are now; all should have equal access to the good things of life for instance, all should receive equal consideration for employment or promotion-regardless of family origin, race, ethnic extraction, religion, sex and the like. This is one interpretation.

President Koroma, throughout his eleven years rule, worked very hard to create a society of equal opportunities that this and succeeding Governments must build on and strengthen if Sierra Leone is ultimately become a country characterized by its motto of: UNITY, FREEDOM and JUSTICE.

Palo’s Defence Team To File an Appeal Today 

By Foday Moriba Conteh

One of the Defence Lawyers for Retired Major Alfred Palo Conteh in the just concluded treason trial, Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara, has revealed that collectively the Defense team will today Monday 6th July 2020 lodge an appeal against the Judge’s decision to convict their client on two out of the sixteen count charges.

Lawyer Kamara furthered that the law required that they should file an appeal within twenty one days and they would be doing a bail pending appeal to get their client out of custody while the appeal commences.

He added that the Defense team believes that Palo being a first time offender and so should not be given a maximum sentence because the offense is a misdemeanour and not a felony, and that the Judge did not address his mind on the sentencing guidelines before sentencing Palo.

Lawyer Kamara mentioned that the Defense argument is that State House is not a public place but a restricted area, adding that a public place is where a person would enter and come out freely without restriction.

He added that Palo’s pistol is not loaded, because a loaded weapon is when the bullet is inside the chamber, but in Palo’s case the magazine carries ten rounds and all ten rounds were met in the pistol.

Lawyer Kamara said even the Head of Presidential Guard at State House revealed in court that the gun was not ready for fire.

He said Palo lost possession of the pistol after he entered State House by handing over the pistol to the security officers at the desk and there is a difference between ownership and possession.

Lawyer Kamara added that for the Judge to say owning two weapons for a minute is a crime is not correct drawing an analogy  to the license of vehicle in which one would be given grace period, and that the license of a pistol is  given to the owner of the gun and not and not the gun.

Legal Aid Board Partners with Female Journalists to Combat SGBV & Signs MOU With Gender Ministry

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In what some have described as an unprecedented move in this country, on the 1st July 2020 the Sierra Leone Association of Women in Journalism (SLAWIJ) forged a partnership with the Legal Aid Board to take forward the campaign against Sexual and Gender Based Violence which have seen an increase in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The discussion focused on the use of the media in the campaign against SGBV through awareness-raising on the relevant laws; ensuring victims have justice and the support they need to move on and rebuild their lives and exposing SGBV cases with a view to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles, observed that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about an increase in the abuse of women and girls particularly those relating to domestic violence in homes.  She welcomed the partnership, noting that working with female journalists on SGBV and domestic violence will be crucial in addressing these menace. She underscored that the media is key in informing and educating people on these issues.

She said the campaign will help in countering the fake news, primitive customary beliefs and attitudes which are not helpful in putting a stop to those abuses. The Executive Director assured them that the Board is committed to working with any patriotic organization or individual on these issues further disclosing how the Board will assist with providing some resources to the campaign.

The President of SLAWIJ, Millicent Kargbo said that her organization is committed to protecting women’s rights and would therefore do all within their means to achieve this goal. She said SLAWIJ will work with the Board in the production and presentation of programme on SGBV issues. Other members of the SLAWIJ team who participated in the meeting comprised Patricia Ganda of Star Radio and Television, Aminata Finda Massaquoi and Mariama Sesay.

Both agreed to prepared and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by the end of the month.

In another development on the 30 June 2020 the Legal Aid Board and the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs (MoGCA)  signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen response to Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV). The ceremony took place in the conference room of the Ministry at Cockle Bay in the West-End of Freetown on 30 June 2020.

The MOU establishes guidelines and commitments for collaboration in the operation of the One Stop Centers to be set up in five Districts in the country in July 2020.  The Center will provide medical, psychosocial support and legal assistance to victims of rape and sexual penetration in one location.

The MOU provides amongst other things the deployment of at least one Legal Aid Board paralegal in each of the One-Stop Centres to assist the Family Support Unit (FSU) of the Sierra Leone Police in investigating of sexual offences including the gathering of relevant evidence.

NaCSA Commissioner Engages the Press on Emergency Cash Transfer

Commissioner of the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), Abu Bockarie Kokofele

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Commissioner of the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) Abu Bockarie Kokofele on Thursday 2nd July,2020 engaged and addressed pressmen at the institution’s office on Charlotte Street in Freetown, on the success of the Lockdowns cash transfer and the Covid-19 Emergency Cash transfer and the start of the Covid-19 Ep Fet Po/SSN.

He met with members of the Fourth Estate in the wake of NaCSA’s exoneration by the Anti-Corruption Commission in an alleged fraud allegation relating to the Cash Transfer for Persons with Disability and other vulnerable groups during the first and second lockdowns.

This ACC’s investigations cleared all four suspended NaCSA staffs accused of misappropriating the said fund as was shown in a video footage published by AYV TV since there was no evidence linking them to the crime.

During the Press conference, Abu Bockarie Kokofele, said the lockdown cash transfer was exclusively Government funded in order to cushion the economic impact of COVID-19 on disable and other vulnerable groups whilst the emergency cash transfer is part of the Social Safety Net Project funded by the Government of Sierra Leone and the World Bank.

He disclosed how from the US$ 30M funding provided by the World Bank under the Social Safety Nets Project, USD4M was set aside as contingency funding which was activated following the outbreak of COVID-19 in Sierra Leone. The fund targeted households with vulnerable informal sector workers including those working in micro and small enterprises and low paid workers in the service sector.

The Commissioner described the COVID-19 Emergency cash transfer as a success and he informed that the COVID-19 Ep Fet Po/ SSN has begun and teams have been dispatched to the provinces to target and enrol  potential beneficiaries. He said the project will now run for a year instead of its initially timeframe but however stated that the number of beneficiaries and their packages have been increased with each household receiving 2 sets of payments.

The Commissioner also stated that in order to ensure transparency and accountable process, NaCSA, World Bank and other partners, immediately upon declaration of the emergency by President Bio engaged in series of discussions, which he said resulted in the establishment of a manual to guide the process of cash transfer.

He said the 56 pages document developed by partners globally incorporated clear defined objectives and indications with a defined procedure on every step in the activities to be implemented, which includes but not limited to identification, selection and categories of beneficiaries and geographical targeting among others.

In terms of payment, Abu Bockarie Kokofele said, the Social Safety Net has a third party payment provider arrangement, which in this case, he said involves the Banks. He said they also have their own steps to follow, including cross checking with NaSCA, leading to the pay point.

On the COVID-19 ECT, the Commissioner said following allegations of exclusion of potential beneficiaries and inclusion of people not qualified into the scheme, which they found worrisome, they have engaged all parties involved including FCC to identify the challenges and proffer solutions, since NaCSA, he said, does not select beneficiaries.

He however assured that payment in Freetown will resume shortly after all structures had been put in place while recalling its successful implementation in Kenema, Makeni and Bo districts respectively.

Marie Stopes Unveils “Rain Season Koba-Klos Family Planning Promotion”

By Amin Kef Sesay

Marie Stopes Sierra Leone (MSSL) in a Press Release dated 30th June 2020  disclosed that it has launched what it calls the “Rain Season Koba-Klos (FP) Promotion.”

It stated further that the Government of Sierra Leone’s family planning commitment specifically aims at reaching 755,939 additional women with Family Planning services and increasing modern contraceptive prevalent rate from its current level of 16.6% to 33.7% by 2022, reducing current stock-out rates of 85%; targeting adolescents and young people who constitute 33% of the population of Sierra Leone with services as well as decreasing unmet family planning needs to 10 percent by 2020; and decreasing teenage pregnancy rates to 15 percent in 2020.

“To address the serious problem of maternal mortality and teenage pregnancy among women and girls, my administration will launch a National Programme on Sexual and Reproductive Health for all women and girls to address this menace” President Bio, stated in December 2019 as quoted by Marie Stopes-Sierra Leone.

The institution added that in continued partnership with the Government’s health priorities, they are pleased to announce the official launch of   the “Rain Season Koba-Klos Promotion” at their Headquarters on 10A&B Ahmed Drive, Off Sir Samuel Lewis Road in Freetown on Thursday 02nd July 2020 at 10:00am prompt.

According to Marie Stopes-Sierra Leone, the promotion aims at reaching women and girls with quality, personalized and confidential services of choice free of user fees between Thursday 02nd July to Monday 03rd August, 2020.

The promotion, they stated, which is funded and supported by DFID, LAD and Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS), services will be available for free at all their Outreach Sites in all Districts, 117 Community Health Centres and all 9 MSSL ran Reproductive Health Clinics across the country.

Marie Stopes-SL states that Family Planning is not a privilege, but a basic human right and by enabling women, particularly the most disadvantaged and hardest to reach, make informed choices about the number, timing and spacing of their children, they help them exercise that right , according to Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin (former Executive Director, UNFPA).

They stated that services that are available free during this year’s “Rain Season Koba-Klos Promotion” period are Long Acting & Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs) specifically IUD (Coil) and Implant (Captain Band) including Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) Counselling. Management also stated that on Outreach only, they would also provide free screening and STI treatment.

“Rain Season Koba-Klos Promotion” is an exceptional unique opportunity for women, girls and couples to have the power to choose a contraceptive method of choice,” Dr. Ufuoma Omo-Obi; Country Director, Marie Stopes -Sierra Leone pointed out  and continued by pointing out that they will continue to thank all telecommunications companies – Orange, Africell, Q-CELL & Sierratel for their support as their clients, their families and stakeholders can reach them through the 3535 toll-free line from all the networks to learn more about their services or book their preferred choice of services at a Clinic.

The Release ended by stating that Appointments can also be made at http://mariestopes.org.sl/book-an-appoinment.

As He Commends Partners’ Interventions… President Bio Commissions Bo Care &Treatment Facilities  

By Theresa Kef Sesay

On Thursday 2 July 2020 in Bo District, Southern Sierra Leone, during a well-attended ceremony ,President Julius Maada Bio commissioned COVID-19 Care and Treatment Facilities, the pilot distribution of equipment and uniforms to healthcare workers in the district, where he also praised the interventions of partner organizations.

“Enhancing the capacity of healthcare personnel goes beyond simply recruiting and training nurses and other healthcare professionals. It is about making them more efficient in speedily and accurately diagnosing and treating disease conditions presented to them. We also believe that in the absence of accurate diagnosis, the health, and possibly, lives of patients are at grave risk,” he said.

The President further noted that diagnostic testing is central to disease surveillance and could be the basis for reliable data on disease prevalence or disease burdens in specific geographical locations.

He added that the data could help Government make evidence-based decisions on allocating resources, distributing medical supplies, training staff, locating healthcare infrastructure, providing health education, and making high-quality treatment available to citizens.

“I am therefore pleased to announce that my Government will be expanding access to diagnostic testing at all regional and district hospitals and eventually to all PHUs by providing laboratory equipment,” he said, adding that his Government had also stressed the importance of professionalism in the healthcare profession.

“I come from a profession in which the wearing of uniforms fosters strong esprit d’corps, pride and confidence in the profession, and confidence to live up to the highest standards and expectations. My Government believes that wearing uniforms in the healthcare professions will foster that professional identity and thus lead to greater pride in the profession and greater confidence in performing duties. The professional outlook of healthcare staff in identical uniforms will enhance the trust and confidence that patients and their family members have in the healthcare staff.

“My Government, therefore, believes that to promote professionalism, we should reintroduce and strengthen a uniform wearing policy for healthcare practitioners especially nurses. Under the resilient health systems strengthening and sustainability programme concluded by the Ministries of Finance and Health, my Government will henceforth provide two sets of cadre-specific uniforms for every nurse. I repeat, my Government will provide nurses (CHOs, CHAs, Midwives etc.) with two sets of uniforms free of charge. This will be sustained and replicated throughout the country,” he assured.

The President also acknowledged the work of World Vision International for their community-based primary health care interventions with a focus on maternal, new-born, and child health that had kept thousands of mothers and children alive.

He also recognized the contributions of the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) to the country’s health sector, adding that they were grateful and confident of an intensified cooperation and engagement on maintaining these diagnostic facilities, upgrading equipment, training staff and supporting regulatory oversight.

“Let me, at this juncture, acknowledge the support of OSIWA that has fully funded the refurbishment and repurposing of The Bo Children’s Hospital, which I inspected earlier this morning, as a dedicated COVID-19 treatment facility. Some of the nurses will be re-trained accordingly and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation will support with essential equipment and other consumables.

“In order to treat healthcare workers who may succumb to COVID-19, OSIWA has also fully financed the repurposing of the Infectious Diseases Centre into a treatment centre for health workers. I must acknowledge that the container was first provided by the WHO.

“Let me, therefore, thank OSIWA again for its proactive and speedy support in rehabilitating both the Bo Children’s Hospital and the Infectious Disease Centre. They have considerably strengthened our capacity to respond to the ravaging menace of COVID-19. These facilities are concrete and enduring interventions that will outlive Corona and boost our healthcare infrastructure.

“As a Government and country, we deeply appreciate OSIWA’s work in promoting human rights; eradicating Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV); supporting community-based justice mechanisms implemented by the Legal Aid Board and civil society partners; promoting accountability; and facilitating the active participation of citizens in governance processes. My Government looks forward to deepening its partnership with OSIWA as we strive to establish the Peace and National Cohesion Commission,” he said.

Minister of Health and Sanitation, Professor Alpha Tejan Wurie, spoke of the numerous reforms the New Direction Government was already undertaking to improve healthcare delivery, adding that they had made so many strides in building a reliable healthcare service in the country.

Country Officer for OSIWA, Joe Pemagbi, said that they thought of the idea of having a treatment center in Bo district because it was expensive to carry positive patients to other parts of the country for treatment. He also said that they had been helping Government in several areas, especially in public health education.

Country Director for World Vision Sierra Leone, James Chifwelu Nkemba, said that the project was a manifestation of the good policy environment that had been created by the Government, saying that they appreciated the openness of Government and its continuous collaboration. He said that as part of their efforts in the fight against COVID-19, they had supported over 400 Peripheral Health Units with protective gears for healthcare workers.

SLCB Donates Medical Items Worth Le 250Million to 34 Hospital

By Amin Kef Sesay

On Friday 3rd July, 2020 the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank(SLCB) donated COVID-19 medical items and protective gears worth two hundred and fifty million Leones (Le250, 000,000) to the 34 Military Hospital at Wilberforce in Freetown considered to be the  lead Treatment Centre of the coronavirus disease in Sierra Leone.

In his statement, Deputy Managing Director of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, Bockarie Kalokoh, disclosed that as a Bank they are very committed in supporting the fight against the spread of the coronavirus in the country.

He furthered that to every well-meaning Sierra Leonean, combating COVID-19 is a national duty which is why SLCB, as the leading commercial bank in the country, thought it but fitting as their duty to support the fight against COVID-19 and therefore decided to donate the medical items as they are very concerned about the welfare of the inflicted patients.

The Deputy Managing Director said the Bank enquired to know the critical medical equipment that are required in the fight and went out to secure those items which they are now donating to the 34 Hospital with the strong belief that they will greatly help in the fight against COVID-19 in the country.

He said SLCB is doing the second donation in the same week all amounting to seven hundred and fifty million Leones (Le750, 000, 000).  “On the 2nd July, 2020 the Bank boosted the National COVID-19 Response Centre (NACOVERC) with the sum of five hundred million Leones (Le500, 000,000) and now this Friday 3rd July 2020 the Bank is again donating medical items worth Two Hundred and Fifty Million Leones (Le250, 000,000) as an added contribution to the fight against the coronavirus in the country,” he disclosed.

Bockarie Kalokoh further revealed that the cash presentation was obtained from funds set aside to engage on massive sensitization of the people about the “dos and don’ts” geared towards preventing the spread of the virus  and scaling up the fight against the disease in Western Area.

He disclosed that SLCB will continue to take the lead in complementing the efforts of the Government, led by President Julius Maada Bio in the prevention, treatment and protection of the masses against COVID-19 in the country.

Receiving the items, Case Management Pillar Lead, Lieutenant Colonel Dr. Stephen Sevalie, of the NACOVERC expressed gratitude to the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank for the kind gesture describing it as a very timely intervention at this crucial moment.

He said the Bank has really been very supportive towards the fight against COVID-19 as it has manifested such by identifying the critical needs necessary for the fight and delivering them where they are needed.

The Pillar Lead highlighted that the 34 Military Hospital is the lead Treatment Centre in the fight against the coronavirus disease in Sierra Leone disclosing how they are taking care of the most critical COVID-19 patients. He revealed that some of the key necessities in the Treatment Centre are machines to  monitor  Oxygen saturation,  personal protective equipments to support frontline workers and medicines to treat other health conditions that do add to the COVID-19  disease that they do diagnose.

“I am impressed that the Bank was able to identify these issues and endeavoured to support the response with these critical items,” he commended.

He concluded by disclosing that the donated items which include  Personal Protective Equipments, wide range of drugs, glucose monitoring tools, Anti-biotics, Anti-Hepatatis, Anti-Diabetes medicines etc. all which, he described, as very key in the fight against the virus.

Influential Businessman Speaks Glowingly of NP-SL Ltd

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

By Amin Kef Sesay

“I am wondering what could have been the situation with regards accessing petroleum products in this country in the absence of the National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd),”an influential businessman, Mohamed Jibateh,  stated at one of the company’s Filling Stations in Bo, where this writer was also purchasing fuel. Attracted by his comment, I humbly asked him why he expressed such an opinion.

“This is one company that I have been closely watching over the years and I have noticed how it has grown, how it is consistent in the importation and marketing of high grade petroleum products, how it is very mindful of enhancing customer care,” he responded with sparkling eyes furthering that, as far as he knows, historically other oil marketing companies could not stand the test of time and as a result quickly folded up and some of those that are present in the country are not even effectively and vibrantly functioning as NP-SL Ltd is doing.

He furthered that since he started using Castrol Oil, a lubricant marketed by the company, the engines of all his vehicles are performing very well, also stating that all of those vehicles are in proper and good working order. He underscored how he has never come across a lubricant that is as qualitative and effective as Castrol Oil also admitting that it is not just an oil but a liquid engineering.

When I introduced myself as a journalist that is conducting a research on the operations of petroleum companies in this country, Mohamed Jibateh, became very much interested in the discussion. He suggested that we could chat in the shopping mart at the Filling Station so that he could tell me more about his impressions of the company which he believes could help me in my research.

He started by intimating that, indeed, the Shareholders of NP-SL Ltd are real business-minded personalities who have demonstrated and crystalized their collective ambition into a successful reality. “The well-structured Filling Stations of the company are a testament that these indigenous investors really decided to embark on an organized business venture contrary to a haphazard way of doing things. Are not the Filling Stations of the company draped in yellow and green colours really attractive?” he asked rhetorically with a broad smile to which I nodded in agreement.

The renowned business man then moved on to state that when it comes to customer care NP-SL Ltd cannot be really matched by any other petroleum marketing company in this country. “The company is not putting a borrowed robe when it is referred to as 1st for Customer Care as over the years it has proven beyond all reasonable doubts that it has mastered the art of enhancing customer care,” he maintained, anchoring that he is speaking from the perspective of a customer who has felt and seen it on several occasions.

He talked about how members of staff of the petroleum business entity, especially the pump attendants, are very polite and courteous when dealing with customers. “They will patiently listen to concerns and proffer solutions. If they think certain concerns are above them to address then they will direct the enquirer to the requisite individual they believe could address them adequately,” he  pointed out underscoring that when customers and non-customers are treated in dignified ways, giving them the opportunity to have their concerns and views known and addressed then such could definitely enhance the credibility and integrity of the company.

Jibateh said the calibrated pumping machines that the company is using to sell petrol and diesel are very standardized. “They are so precise in pumping the right quantity of fuel to an extent that buyers always have the confidence that they are getting value for money, are very transparent, cannot be easily and clandestinely manipulated by unscrupulous persons,” he noted adding that it could one reason why buyers’ confidence in the company is at the highest peak.

“Maybe you could say I am obsessed with the products that the company markets which you may conclude when I tell you now that I am using NP Gas at home,” he was referring to a cooker that is produced for the company in different cylinder sizes. He talked about the high performance of NP Gas that he is using at home praising it for not being injurious to the health and how he easily refills it with gas that he intermittently buys at any NP-SL Filling Station. “I am recommending it as a useful gadget for everyone as I know no one will have regrets for having one at home,” he told me when I raised the points of dangerous gaseous emission and refilling.

Inside the shopping mart where we were sipping soft drinks, I was joined by a friend, Abu Whyte Jones, who then sat with us. After an introduction was made and noting what we were discussing, as a way of adding his own voice, Abu Whyte Jones made mention of how NP-SL gives preferential opportunity to Sierra Leoneans when it comes to job employment. My new friend, the businessman, was quick to conclude that such is indeed a positive move in and one in the right direction. “It is in line with promoting the country’s Local Content Policy and such has been helping greatly with regards reducing the level of unemployment in the country as well as poverty,” he stated adding how it is rare to see such an empowerment in operation with certain companies.

Jibateh again highlighted how he has heard about the vibrancy of the company’s branches in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. “It shows that the company is worth its salt and a real manifestation of true entrepreneurship,” he rated.

“In terms of fulfilling its Corporate Social Responsibility what I have so far heard about NP-SL is impressive. Apart from all the worthy causes that they have supported their latest of availing Government One Billion Leones to help combat COVID-19, which I read in your medium, is really commendable and that is how it should be as it lends credence to public-private partnership,” he stated in business-like  manner.

Our discussion ended by him stating that indeed it is not really certain what the situation would have been with regards the absence of NP-SL Ltd in terms of accessing petroleum products in the country but maintained that factually the company is doing extremely well by timely assuaging the petroleum needs of the public and be extension contributing positively to the socio-economic development.

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