Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Foday Rado Yokie
By Amin Kef Sesay
The Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Foday Rado Yokie, has officially handed over the World Bank funded geological survey data to the Director General of the National Minerals Agency (NMA), Julius Mattai, at Youyi Building on Thursday 25th June.
The still encrypted data will be interpreted by another contracting firm to enable the country determine the actual picture of its mineral deposits. The World Bank funded project costs US$20 million, of which US$6.2 million was the contract cost of the Extractive Industries Technology Assistance Project Two (EITAP2). The project covered three components, including improving mineral sector governance, enhancing geological knowledge and support to the artisanal mining sector.
The Minister of Mines and Minerals Resources, Foday Rado Yokie, said in January 2019 President Julius Maada Bio launched the geo survey project aimed at comparing old data on the country’s minerals deposits to what is presently available. He said in the past, investors decided on the country’s behalf in terms of type and quantity of mineral deposits, which was a disadvantage to the nation.
The Minster said with the raw data on mineral deposits in the country now available, they are going to ensure laws are in place to reflect international best practices, including beneficial ownerships, proper calculation of royalties, and all environmental laws will be looked into with considerable interest. He described the data as partial fulfilment of the President’s agenda on rebranding the extractive sector to benefit every Sierra Leonean.
The Director General of National Minerals Agency (NMA), Julius Mattai, said the IDA grant to the project was aimed at conducting a geological survey that will present a picture of the country’s mineral wealth, adding that the data report in government’s possession is not the finished product of the survey. He said the data that were captured needed to be interpreted taking quality control into consideration.
The Director General stated that the contracting firm had sub-contracted another group in Canada to interpret the data. “By August this year, that process would have been completed with results on the actual situation of minerals in the country hence bring out detailed interpretation of an idea of where the minerals are.” He assured that the data will be managed by an in-house Sierra Leonean to reduce cost and risk to investors.
Two types of surveys were carried out, including Magnetic and Geophysical. There are discussions with World Bank on the need for more surveys. “By the end of July, the country is expected to put out maps indicating what we have as a nation in terms of mineral deposits.” The nationwide geological survey was carried out by a South African company called Xcalibur Airborne Geophysic.
Director General of National Minerals Agency (NMA), Julius Mattai
Within a historical perspective, the numerous intractable governance and development challenges that the country and its people faced during the decades of 1970 up to the start of the war largely had to do with repression of not only the right to free speech and assembly but also casting aside of constitutional rule by the then APC Government that after killing democracy totally in 1977, declared the country a one-party State in 1978 where only one voice could be heard.
In which direction, reports maintain, that the Independent Media Commission (IMC) is moving dangerously towards drastically curtailing freedom of speech in the country after Parliament would have repealed the seditious and criminal libel Sections of the 1965 Public Order Act with what many journalists and jurists call draconian restrictions to Freedom of the Press including sole owners not setting up media businesses, unnecessary qualifications to publish, etc.
The Bill, reports say, has been published in the Government gazette for laying before Parliament for ratification.
It is regrettable that under whatever disguise, the New Direction Government which has vowed never to tamper with individual rights, should seek to make laws to tie the hands of citizens from freely investing in the media and heading those institutions as Editors, Publishers, etc.
Measures to combat disinformation or rogue journalists from bastardizing the ethics of the profession must never prevent journalists and media actors from carrying out their work or lead to content being unduly censored.
What this would depict is that Press Freedom in Sierra Leone is more fragile now than at any time since the end of the war.
Journalists seemingly increasingly face obstruction, hostility and violence as they investigate and report on behalf of the public.
Urgent actions backed by a determined show of political will by the Government must be shown to improve the dire conditions for media freedom and to provide reliable protections for journalists in law and practice.
Government using its imperative to control the State as a pretext to introduce disproportionate restrictions to Press Freedom is a counterproductive approach that must stop. Particularly in times of crisis, we need to protect our precious liberties and rights.
Legal protections, according to reports, will be weakened and denied with the wholesale passage of the new IMC Bill as drafted. Many surmise that this would result in the space for the Press to hold Government authorities and the powerful to account severely eroded.
As such, we can only appeal to the conscience of liberal journalists-politicians like Hon. IB Kargbo, Hon. Hassan Priest, Hon. Chericoco and others who are known to stand stoutly for individual liberties, freedoms, rights and privileges to lead the fight in Parliament to have obnoxious sections of that IMC Bill that seeks to muzzle Press Freedom expunged before its passage.
We ask Government to urgently take all measures necessary to create a favourable environment for a free and independent media and to end the many acts of violence, harassment and intimidation reported by journalists against them in the performance of their work as the people’s ears, eyes and mouths.
Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE)
By Foday Moriba Conteh
In a Press Release issued by the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) it was stated that parents, guardians , education stakeholders including learners and teachers and the general public must be informed that preparatory work for school reopening on July 1st 2020 are far advanced.
It furthered that as a Ministry, their objectives are three-fold: protecting learners, teachers and the community from COVID-19; enhancing the safety and wellbeing of children and in particular girls; and enhancing quality teaching and learning in schools to improve learning outcomes.
According to the Ministry the following are guidelines have been put in place for school reopening for NPSE, BECE and WASSCE candidates:
Operational hours for schools are from 8:45 AM – 2:00 PM, 5 days a week.
There will be no two-shift system or afternoon classes.
All schools (including those in the afternoon shift before the closure of schools on 31st March, 2020) will start at 8:45 AM and end at 2:00 PM; detailed daily school schedules/timetables will be shared by schools.
Students will have one break for 20 minutes, and must remain in their classrooms during the break. Social distancing should be adhered to during this period and at all times.
There will be no recess or cafeteria opened to students during the operation of schools.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to provide lunch packs for their children to carry to school. Government will supply take-home dry food rations to pupils in Primary schools during the operational periods of schools.
The Government will provide a one-time transportation for all students and teachers needing to return to their locations of schooling and teaching. Details will be made public separately.
The conduct of extra classes after the regular school hours (8:45 AM – 2:00 PM) as stipulated in this release is strongly prohibited.
Students and teachers are required to observe all other COVID-19 prevention and control guidelines in schools, and immediately report any sick student or teacher to the National COVID-1 9 Emergency Response Center by calling 117.
Parents/guardians are encouraged to ensure that their children wash their hands before and after school with soap and water, or with alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and wash their face masks each day after school. Face masks will be provided by the Government to pupils and teachers.
Parents are asked to keep their children at home if they have COVID-1 9 related symptoms and report to 117 immediately. Children with symptoms will be asked to return home.
Any school or teacher who violates these guidelines will face disciplinary measures. The MBSSE, Ministry of Health and Sanitation/COVID-19 Emergency Response Center and education partners will continue to organize, coordinate and monitor all schools affected by the school reopening to ensure the maximum safety of pupils and teachers.
It was also made clear that the MBSSE will communicate any further details about the operation of schools through official channels further stating that citizens are advised to use only verified information from MBSSE published on the Ministry’s official website (www.mbsse.qov.sl) or other channels but with MBSSE official stamps.
Editors of various newspapers in Sierra Leone, under the umbrella body of the Guild of Newspaper Editors in Sierra Leone, in series of objections raised on the 12th June 2020, expressed its utmost regret and disapproval over, what they described as the draconian provisions embedded in the proposed Independent Media Commission (IMC) Bill 2020 gazetted in the Supplement to the Sierra Leone Extraordinary Gazette Vol. CXLXI No. 35 dated 12th June 2020.
According to what majority of them said, the Bill contains onerous provisions that could have far-reaching consequences on development journalism in Sierra Leone and if enacted would have far-reaching implications for press freedom and significantly narrow the space for media pluralism in Sierra Leone.
“We note with consternation that no consultation or validation was ever done before the Bill was drafted and gazetted,” they lamented adding that after a thorough examination of the Bill, they pinpointed the draconian clauses and the objections raised against them.
They pointed out Section 29 (2 a&b) which makes a provision that newspapers, magazines, newsletters can only be registered as a body corporate under the Companies Act 2009 or as a partnership under the Partnership Act of 1980.
The objection that they raised is that the provision does not only infringe on the Right to Freedom of the Press guaranteed under Section 25 of the 1991 Constitution but also obliterate the fundamental human right of individuals to establish and conduct business under Sole Proprietorship.
They mentioned Section 25 (1) of the 1991 Constitution – Act No.6 of 1991 which states: “Except with his own consent, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression and for the purpose of this Section the said freedom includes the freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference, freedom from interference with his correspondence, freedom to own, establish and operate any medium for the dissemination of information.”
The Editors unanimously stated that they want to take the opportunity to remind the drafters of the Bill and Parliamentarians that the 1991 Constitution is sacrosanct and therefore any law that is found to be in contravention of same is null and void.
With regards Section 31 (3 a iii) of the Bill which mandates the IMC to carry out Statutory Audit on newspapers registered under the Bill, the Editors objected that they construe the aforementioned too draconian as there is no provision in law or legal precedence in Sierra Leone or any part of the world thereof that supports it.
The Newspaper Editors stated emphatically clear that independently owned newspapers do not collect money to implement projects for and on behalf of the Government and people of Sierra Leone nor are their businesses finance charged on the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
They furthered that the core function of Media Commissions the world over is to regulate the media and provide mediation between the latter and aggrieved members of the public; not to meddle or interfere with its independence, be it editorial or otherwise.
“We therefore see the above Section as a direct interference into the privacy rights of privately owned business that will seriously undermine commercial/business interests,” they maintained.
They also highlighted Section 14 (1 – a ii & b) of the Bill which gives the IMC sweeping powers to suspend or cancel license where it is satisfied that (a-ii) “within 6 months period contravened the media code of practice more than once,” and (b) “it is in the public interest to do so”.
In their objection, the Editors frowned on the cancellation or suspension of license noting that the existing penalties contained in the IMC Media Code of Practice are adequate and sufficient to deal with any media practitioner who commits a breach.
They stated how they are fully aware that the IMC does not have jurisdiction to determine “the public interest” and therefore cannot confer such judicial powers upon itself to determine same believing that the exercise of such powers by the IMC will spell doom for the Press.
Section 40 (1b) of the proposed Act provides that ONLY persons who have obtained a degree or diploma in journalism, mass communications or media studies should be employed as Editors/Station Managers.
Objecting to that they expressed belief that journalism is a right-based profession and no form of academic requirement should be made on discriminatory terms to disadvantage or disfavor professionals and scholars from other disciplines.
“We also believe that this provision is at variance with Section 25 (1) of the 1991 Constitution since the latter does not place any academic burden on individuals to own and operate any medium for the dissemination of information,” they affirmed.
Section 27 (3) and 34 (3) of the Bill prescribed that the procedure for renewal of both license and registration shall be the same as an application for a license or registration to which the Editors strongly objected to those provisions because of their cumbersomeness.
“We note that best practice demands certificates/license renewal processes and procedures must be flexible and convenient for the applicant,” they affirmed.
Mayor of the Freetown City Council (FCC), Yvonne Aki-Sawyer
By Amin Kef Sesay
In an interview granted to this medium by Her Worship, the Mayor of the Freetown City Council (FCC), Yvonne Aki-Sawyer, during which she was asked whether she failed to follow due process in the introduction of a new property tax system in Freetown and because of that was lambasted followed by her subsequent apology, she responded by saying that making certain clarifications was necessary. She said in a meeting held with the Minister of Local Government, Tamba Lamina, the Minister’s position was that FCC did not follow the provision of LGA 2003 Sections 69-72.
The Mayor stated, however, that she made reference to the guidelines being provided by the Ministry of Local Government further stating that she addressed certain points raised by the Minister as she had earlier done in a letter sent to the Minister.
“I went on to explain that FCC adopted a points based system that is already in use in other cities in SL assuming that the guidelines apply,” she explained further.
The Mayor highlighted how she suggested that the Ministry and FCC must address whatever legal gaps the Minister felt there were whilst proceeding with the new system. According to her, the Minister said that Government’s position is that FCC should stop using the new system and revert to the old manual property rate roll.
“In my response I said that I believe this is a matter of legal interpretation and would take advice from FCC’s legal advisors. I noted that the old manual roll of properties would need to be printed and distributed and that would cost millions and leave out the additional 67,279 properties,” she underscored.
Aki-Sawyer pointed out that she explained about the Appeals Desk, the timing for payment not being till 31st December 2020, pensioner policy etc. including how Council is very respective of Government’s position as they also do not want to cause hardship for Freetonians.
“No one is being asked to pay till 31st December but FCC will not stop the property rate reform implementation on the basis of the meeting as legal advice is required. This DFID funded project has cost £1m, has been implemented with the support of two internationally recognized consultancies with vast tax experience and expertise (IGC and ICTD) and is critical to enable FCC to meet it running costs and deliver services to Freetonians,” she succinctly anchored.
She revealed how no explanation was given about the non-payment of fiscal transfers, during the meeting, even as she explained that they have not paid their 566 members of staff for the past two months.
In an emergency, like the one caused by COVID-19, which the whole world is grappling with at this material moment, decimating lives, stagnating economic growth there is the urgent need for collective action to be implemented with the avowed aim and objective to combat the hydra in order to restore normalcy.
Indeed, the COVID-19 has taken a huge toll on lives and economies around the world to such an extent that modalities were and are still being put in place to ensure that we find ways and means of coming up with an antidote that can cure the deadly disease that the virus causes. But while we wait for scientists and medical practitioners to find the cure it is but just fitting to embark on breaking the chain of transmission. The Government alone cannot do it which is why organizations and private individuals need to get onboard in order to complement whatever strides the Government is making to contain and finally combat the virus. We are well aware that one major way of enhancing the fight is through community mobilization which is why targeting provincial residents is very significant.
It is against such a backdrop that the Chief Executive Officer of Pavi Fort Construction Company-Sierra Leone, Alimou Barrie, decided to join in the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in the country with a resolve to complement Government’s efforts. Out of selflessness and the passion to give back to society, Alimou Barrie, took upon himself, on behalf of his road construction company, to donate cash, medical equipments and bags of rice to all the sixteen districts in Sierra Leone, a mission the successfully ended in the Pujehun District on the 24th June 2020.
The exercise started in Freetown on the 27th May 2020 when the CEO of Pavi Fort and his team donated the sum of fifty million Leones (Le50, 000,000) and PPEs including 5,000 face masks, 100 gallons of hand sanitizer (1 gallon) worth a total of Le. 120,000,000 to the Government of Sierra Leone through the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC). The handing over ceremony took place at the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) situated within the SLFA compound in Kingtom, Freetown.
In Koinadugu and Falaba Districts, on the 30th May 2020, Pavi Fort Construction Company donated forty million Leones (Le40M), five thousand Face masks, fifty gallons of hand sanitizers to the Koinadugu and Falaba District Emergency Operations Centers and ten million Leones for both the Paramount Chiefs of both districts at a ceremony held at the Koinadugu District Youth Council Hall in Kabala.
The leading indigenous company Pavi Fort –Sierra Leone on Friday 5th June 2020 donated a huge consignment of hand sanitizers, five thousand clinical face masks, 50bags of rice and a cheque of ten million Leones (Le10, 000,000) to the District Emergency Operation Centre (DICOVERC) in Bonthe District.
The company on the 6th,7th and 8th June 2020, Pavi Fort –Sierra Leone donated cash ,bags of rice and Personal Protective Equipments worth millions of Leones to the Kailahun, Kenema, Kono and Makeni Districts COVID-19 Emergency Response Centres (DICOVERCs) in order to scale up the fight against the spread of the coronavirus in the aforementioned districts.
In Kailahun District they handed over 70 bags of rice, 10 million Leones, 4,000 litre of sanitizer and 3,000 facial meant for the residents of the district.
When they reached Kenema District the team donated a 10 Million Leones cheque, 30 gallons of sanitizer,4,000 pieces of face masks, 100 bags of butter rice were donated to the DICOVERC and 20 bags of rice to the local chiefs.
The Pavi Fort team, headed by CEO Alimou Barrie, then proceeded to do another donation in Kono District where they handed over a Forty Million Leones (Le40M) cheque, 150 bags of rice and Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) to the Kono District COVID-19 Emergency Response Centre (DICOVERC) in Koidu Town on the 7th June 2020 geared towards the containment of the spread of the coronavirus in Kono.
The leading indigenous road construction company in the country, Pavi Fort Construction Company on the 8th June 2020, led by its dynamic and charismatic Chief Executive Officer, Alimou Barrie, landed in Bombali District, Northern Sierra Leone where they handed over a Twenty Million Leones (Le20,000,000) Cheque, 50 bags of rice,20 gallons of sanitizer and 3,500 face masks to the District COVID-19 Emergency Response Centre (DICOVERC) in Makeni meant for scaling up the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in that part of the country. An additional ten million Leones (Le10, 000,000) and 20 bags of rice were also handed over to the local authorities in order to facilitate their movements, coordination and activities in containing the spread of the deadly virus.
From Makeni, the team headed North to Karene District on the 13th June 2020, where Alimou Barrie presented a cheque of Twenty Million Leones (Le20, 000,000), 80 bags of rice, 30 gallons of sanitizer and 5,000 face masks to the District COVID-19 Emergency Response Centre (DICOVERC) at Gbintie Town in Karene District. He clarified that the donation including cash, medical items and 80 bags of rice (50 kgs) worth 110 million Leones were meant to facilitate the fight against the corona virus within their respective chiefdoms in the district.
Before proceeding to Kambia and Tonkolili the Chief Executive Officer of Pavi Fort, Alimou Barrie on Sunday 14th June 2020 provided support to the Port Loko DICORVERC with a 20 million Leones cheque, 120 bags of rice, 40 gallons of hand sanitizers, 5, 500 face masks, 7.5 million Leones cash, all totalling 120 million Leones.
Also, as part of his goodwill gesture to the people of Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom, Lungi, CEO Barrie, handed over a 10 million Leones cheque, 2.5 million Leones cash, 50 bags of rice, 2,000 face masks worth 70 million Leones as social mobilization support to contain the spread of the disease in that part of the country.
On Sunday 21st June 2020, the charismatic, result-oriented Chief Executive Officer of Pavi Fort Road Construction Company, Alimou Barrie and team were in Kambia and Tonkolili Districts.
In Kambia District, the short but impressive donation ceremony took place at the DICOVERC Office situated at the Kambia District Hospital.
The Pavi Fort CEO and team handed over a cheque of 20 million Leones, medical items including 2,500 face masks, 100 bags of rice and 25 gallons of hand sanitizers totalling 100 million Leones.
Chief Executive Officer, Pavi Fort- Sierra Leone, Alimou Barrie said out of the total amount donated the 10 million Leones cheque, 70 bags of rice, 25 gallons of hand sanitizers and 2, 500 face masks were meant for the Kambia DICORVERC to break the chain of transmission of the virus. He furthered that the 10 chiefdoms in the district will also benefit out of the balance 10 million Leones cheque and 30 bags of rice to fight the disease by stakeholders in the respective communities in that part of the country.
In Tonkolili District, Pavi Fort donated a 20 million Leones cheque, medical items including 25 gallons of hand sanitizer, 100 bags of rice and 2.500 face masks totalling 100 million Leones.
“In the area of enhancing social mobilization of traditional authorities within the district the company is also offering a 10 million Leones cheque and 30 bags of rice to the authorities in order to combat the disease in the district,” Alimou Barrie stated.
The CEO and team landed in Moyamba District on Monday the 22nd June 2020 where they donated a 10 million Leones Cheque, 100 bags of rice, 20 gallons of hand sanitizers, 5 million Leones to the traditional authorities in the district and 2,000 pieces of face masks, all totalling 80 million Leones.
On the 23rd June 2020 in Bo District, Pavi Fort donated 120 bags of rice, 40 gallons of hand sanitizer, a 10 million Leones cheque, 5 million Leones cash, and 3,000 N95 face mask, totalling 120 million Leones.
When the team led by its dynamic CEO, Alimou Barrie, was finally in Pujehun District, which was the last destination, on the 23rd June 2020, they donated a huge consignment comprising 20 gallons of hand sanitizer, two thousand (2,000,000) pieces of N95 face masks, 100 bags of rice and a cheque of ten million Leones (Le10, 000,000) and five million Leones cash (Le5, 000, 000) to the District COVID-19 Emergency Response Centre (DICOVERC) in Pujehun District.
In all the districts that the donations were made the District DICOVERC officials, who received them on behalf of Government as well as the local authorities showered profuse praises on the Chief Executive Officer of Pavi Fort Road Construction Company –SL, Alimou Barrie, for what they unanimously described as his patriotic gestures.
In a snap chat with Alimou Barrie, he said, he was humbled by the kind sentiments expressed by all the beneficiaries furthering how such a move is a response to national call which he could not resist at this material time. He praised the Government in general and President Julius Maada Bio in particular for taking gigantic steps since the outbreak of the pandemic in the country in order to combat the spread of the virus.
He admonished all to strictly adhere to the preventive or precautionary measures outlined by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Ministry of Health & Sanitation to avoid contracting the virus. He stated: “Together we can defeat COVID-19” and concluded with the words: “To God Be the Glory”.
It could not be certain why the founding fathers of the National Petroleum –Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) decided to locate the head office of the company close to the country’s historic Cotton Tree in Freetown. What is however certain, over the years, is that the company has grown so strong into becoming a ‘Cotton Tree’ in its own right, to such an extent that it now has branches in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia.
There is no way somebody can talk of petroleum marketing in this country and in the West African sub-region without mentioning the National Petroleum –Sierra Leone Ltd (NP-SL Ltd).
All the NP branches within the West African sub-region are well structured and vibrantly functioning with regards the marketing of petroleum products. They are operating along the same wave lengths like the parent body here in Sierra Leone.
What probably may come to the minds of some people when they hear or read “NP-Sierra Leone” is that the company is a completely Government owned entity. However, this is not the case but rather the contrary as the company is a 100% privately owned business establishment that was founded years back by 35 Sierra Leoneans who through sheer determination, injection of fine initiatives and selflessness worked so diligently to an extent that the company has now become a towering business entity not only in the country but even within the West African sub-region. By every estimation or stretch of the imagination, it is indisputable that NP-SL Ltd is indeed a force to reckon with when it comes to petroleum marketing in the country and in the sub-region.
One main underlying factor behind the growth of what was hitherto a small business enterprise could be largely attributed to the company’s positive approach to Customer Care. The Shareholders of the company were so business savvy to an extent that they deemed it quite important to put premium on satisfying the petroleum needs of its numerous customers in different parts of the country.
It was against this backdrop that they decided to be importing qualitative petroleum products which include petrol, diesel, gas and lubricants, one of which is the popular Castrol Oil, all said to be very good for the efficient performance of vehicles, generators, motor bikes, Kekehs. As people always go in for things or products that are good this stance on the part of the Shareholders was one that made the company very endearing to many.
“I have never heard of any given situation where it has been complained that NP-SL sold ‘bad fuel’ that caused the malfunctioning of vehicles or engines unlike what we have heard of happening in other places and for this singular reason I have huge respect for the company,” Sorie Lamina, a crane driver intimated this medium making reference to days long gone by.
“Indeed I am very pleased with the way the calibrated pumping machine is working at the various Filling Stations as it is fully automated ,displaying prices as well as the quantity of fuel that is pumped. You see for yourself, it is very transparent and makes you feel satisfied that you are being treated fairly,” Mohamed Jalloh, an international businessman expressed satisfaction.
Still in the realm of giving their customers the best, in terms of qualitative service delivery in a timely manner, the company decided to secure good tanker vehicles of varying sizes that regularly transport petroleum products to provincial towns. These vehicles are being serviced from time to time in order to ensure their road worthiness. It was understood that petroleum products are always transported in record time to different parts of the country so that there will be no iota of shortage as long as fuel is available.
Another outstanding feature of the company that sharply came to the fore, during this medium’s research, was that it has a laid down policy that when it comes to the offering of jobs then, as an indigenous company, preference must be given to indigenes as against bringing in expatriates from other countries. Even in situations where foreign expatriates are brought in there must be Sierra Leoneans to understudy them and after time the indigenes must take over.
This stance on the part of the company is in sync with the country’s Local Content Policy which is deemed as a sine qua non for economic development to transpire. When this policy is translated into tangibles it is realized that it has helped in reducing the unemployment rate by whatever margin that could be measured. And as jobs are offered to those who are really qualified but were hitherto jobless then such a policy is largely contributing to the reduction of the rate of poverty in the country.
“I do pay high respect to the Shareholders and Management of NP-SL for doggedly sticking to and implementing the policy as it is in line with not only best practice but has demonstrated that the private sector plays a pivotal role in job creation,” Mohamed Njai an Economist intimated us.
With regards the company’s rolling out of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), NP-SL Ltd, has been doing so over the years through giving various supports to worthy causes. Just recently, out of consideration to complement Government’s efforts in scaling up the fight against the deadly coronavirus, NP-SL donated the whopping sum of one billion Leones to the COVID-19 Response Centre as its own token of contribution to beef up the arsenal geared towards fighting and defeating the new enemy.
The company has also given institutional supports to certain sectors, especially those that are closely aligned to it like the National Fire Force. Knowing that it deals in highly inflammable products the company has been very supportive to this important institution. It is against such a backdrop that NP-SL decided to facilitate the construction of a state of the art borehole water facility having a kva generator, as a component, to pump up the water, for the Kissy Branch of the National Fire Force since the terminal where fuel is discharged is close to that branch. As a matter of fact it was not the first support that the company has rendered to that institution and when cognisance is taken of how it is most times difficult to access water in that part of the country, then it will be seen that it was indeed a big blessing.
NP Smart Card is now in vogue and has become trending. It was introduced by the company at the right time as countries globally are shifting away from cash transactions to cashless ways of transacting businesses that creates room for the convenience and security of customers. Banks are doing it and there are other online ways of doing shopping. With the NP Smart Card, monies could be credited into the card and used to buy fuel of any quantity that is within the region of what the card contains. All could be used or some with a balance remaining. But what is so far advantageous with making use of it is that it gives customers the opportunity to budget or say save in the card certain amount of money that has been designated to purchase fuel.
Introducing NP Gas brought relief to many who hitherto had to depend on the use of wood or charcoal that come with certain inconveniences one which smoke affecting the eyes. It is quick, with high performance precision and can be easily refilled with gas that could be secured from the company’s Filling Stations. Manufactured in different cylinder sizes, many are indeed going for it and have spoken glowingly about its good performance.
NP-SL Ltd is indeed a ‘Cotton Tree’ with branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. Though old it is still poised to produce more branches.
Chief Executive Officer of Orange-SL, Aminata Kane Ndiaye
By Foday Moriba Conteh
On Friday 26th June 2020 Orange-SL held a virtual Press Briefing on with Members of the Fourth Estate. The meeting was predicated on the company’s usual second quarter meeting with the Press.
Addressing newsmen from both the print and electronic media, the Chief Executive Officer of Orange-SL, Aminata Kane Ndiaye, expressed delight for all those who are participating and sharing in their 2020 journey.
“That many of you have left your busy schedules to be part of this Virtual Press Briefing serves as a reminder to us all how important telecommunications service is especially during this time of COVID-19,” she expressed gratitude.
The CEO stated that Orange-SL is committed to support and promote sustainable development in the country adding how they want voice, data and Orangemoney services to reach the last village in Mama Salone. “Our task is to make it possible. Our mission is to provide practical step by step approach into achieving this task,” she eloquently underscored.
Orange SL’s charismatic and result oriented CEO noted that this year has been tough and extraordinary but maintained that as a company, they are determined to ensure their customers continue to enjoy uninterrupted telecommunication services even during unprecedented times.
She revealed how that was why they were very quick to implement robust additional technical measures to maintain high quality of service and to prevent or minimize disruptions to their Network for the benefit of Sierra Leoneans.
She said other members of staff will brief newsmen about the strides they have made so far this year and thanked all for their contributions towards nation building.
Giving an update of the activities that the company has undertaken so far, the Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Desmond Spaine underscored ,during the virtual meeting, that the company has been present in Sierra Leone only for a period of three years but yet it has already firmly stamped its innovative footprint on the telecoms sector and leading in the democratization of telecoms and the digital revolution in Sierra Leone.
He said since the inception of Orange-SL operations in 2016 the company has invested about $133 million dollars in the areas of networking, modernization and expansion of human resources as well as in rolling out its Corporate Social Responsibility.
Another official of the Orange-SL, while giving a synopsis of activities and achievements of the company within the quarter under review, informed that in the area of network expansion Orange has constructed 45 new sites in 2017 and 42 in 2018 and 55 new sites in 2019, adding that in only three years Orange-SL has completed an additional total of 142 new sites, thereby connecting more than 1,170 new localities, with thousands of Sierra Leoneans now accessing data, voice and financial services for the first time.
He said this makes Orange a proud owner of 391 sites across the widest network coverage in Sierra Leone covering about 74% of the country’s population. “In respect of human resources, Orange has invested about $16 million dollars in the areas of capacity building, through soft skills technical and leadership trainings,” he revealed furthering that Orange-SL is committed to nurturing talents .
In the last three years, according to him, the company has invested about $400,000 dollars mainly in the areas of women empowerment, health, education and the environment. Orange-SL still remains the first operator in Sierra Leone to contribute to the Government’s free quality education (FQE) agenda by pledging the sum of $1.5 million in material assistance over a period of five years.
In 2019, he continued, Orange in partnership with the Ministry of Information and Communications and the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) launched a five year project designed to support the Government’s Free Quality Education Agenda including Inter-Secondary School Debate & Quiz Competitions, provided solar kits for school children, organized an Open Class Room, Super Coders Academy and offered hygiene packs for girls.
Dilating on the execution of the Free Quality Education Project, he said, it commenced in October 2019 and Orange-Sl distributed 2,000 hygiene packs to 20 schools in the Western urban and rural areas as well as conducting awareness and sensitization on sexual reproductive health, pointing out that in readiness of the country’s digital transformation Orange-SL launched the first coding school programme for young people in the country in partnership with the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation with over an estimated cost of about 2.75 Billion Leones.
He stated that as part of the company’s manifestation of their commitment to promote communications and media transparency, Orange-SL refurnished the SLENA building, adding that Orange continues to care for 50 Ebola Orphans the company adopted since 2015 in partnership with SOS underscoring how Orange is committed to care for them till they are 18 years of age.
It was also noted that Orange-SL also partnered with Thinking Pink Foundation to raise awareness on breast cancer on women through sports, a mini marathon and also provided financial support for the treatment of breast cancer to infected women.
In the area of working around environmental issues, he said Orange-SL remains the first company to secure an environmental impact assessment licenses from EPA-SL, in recognition of the role the company has played in the area of environment. He proudly said the company was a recipient of the outstanding humanitarian award given by Shout Climate Change Africa in partnership with EPA.
“I want to assure you that Orange-SL remains committed to providing the best telecoms services in Sierra Leone always ensuring its customers get unmatched experiences with the saying: “Hand Go Hand Cam; Orange will continue to give back to the country through its robust CSR portfolio”.
One of Sierra Leone’s most outstanding female Pharmacists and entrepreneurs in Sierra Leone, Dr. Manal Ghazzawi, is the latest and proud recipient of one of the world’s prestigious awards, bestowed on her by Women in Africa Entrepreneur (WIA54) initiative. She won the award because of her outstanding contributions in the medical field and particularly because the CITIGLOBE Ltd Health Pharmacy, which she owns and is situated on Campbell Street in Freetown continues to offer low cost products and prevention services for certain diseases
Dr. Manal Ghazzawi is a specialist pharmacist and a public health specialist. She started her entrepreneurial journey by obtaining a loan from her brother in law in 2013 which she used to establish the first branch of her pharmacy, Citiglobe Pharmacy, now a household name in the pharmaceutical industry in Sierra Leone.
Her postgraduate qualification widened her horizon which made her become more passionate about public health and she incorporated that into community pharmacy practice.
She is the first pharmacist to change the norm and perception of the public, who normally see pharmacists as dispensers of drugs only. Her dedication to public health has allowed the public to see pharmacists as valuable healthcare leaders and providers in the community.
In an exclusive interview with, Dr. Manal Ghazzawi, she intimated how she woke up one beautiful morning, dreaming of herself becoming the winner for Sierra Leone, among women in Africa Entrepreneurs (WIA54). “Yes my dream came true. I feel blessed and honoured to have been selected among 3,800 participants in Africa,” she told this medium with a big smile.
She congratulated Tutu Bundu and Muriel for being finalists in Sierra Leone as well as all the 53 women in Africa that won and wished good luck to all the best prospective finalists in Sierra Leone for WIA2021.
“When a woman is in power she gives her all to her children and the community. Women in Africa can change the world with their integrity, sincerity and passion,” Dr.Ghazzawi inspired.
She continued that: “practicing as a pharmacist in a developing country where the majority of the population has easy access to drugs and hence prone to the misuse of drugs is very challenging and because I believe in rational use of drugs I will not recommend/administer treatment for common infectious diseases without prior confirmatory test and proper clinical evaluation.”
Dr.Ghazzawi added that such was what made her introduce rapid diagnostic tests for prevalent diseases like malaria, typhoid, H.pylori etc.
She furthered how she has also contributed in vaccinating thousands of Sierra Leoneans in her campaign towards viral hepatitis elimination and also incorporated her skills and qualification as a clinician specializing in diabetes management into her practice which has affected the lives of many Sierra Leoneans with diabetes in an impactful manner.
“Today I own three outstanding community pharmacies,” she disclosed adding that she is very passionate to serve her country and vulnerable Sierra Leoneans.
Dr. Manal Ghazzawi stated that she always ensures that the professionals she works with has her own values and integrity to deliver with passion attesting that they have contributed immensely to the success of her business.
WIA is a philanthropy Foundation for women with a potential to shape the Africa of tomorrow. Each year, the WIA 54 Award recognizes 54 women entrepreneurs from each of the 54 African countries.
The Wia54 winners 2020 had 54 winners from 5 regions of Africa, 8 revelations, 1 Gold award. Revelation and gold Award will be released on TV5MONDE in September 2020.
Women in Africa is a leading platform dedicated to the economic development and support of leading and high potential African women
Under the leadership of Aude de Thuin, a serial entrepreneur committed to the cause of women for 20 years worldwide and Hafsat Abiola, its President, Women In Africa has become the first platform dedicated to the economic development and support of leading and high potential African women.
Officially launched in 2017, the global initiative Women in Africa (WIA) supports, accompanies and contributes to the promotion of this new generation of African women to the service of an inclusive and innovative Africa.
The Honorary Consul of Canada to Sierra Leone, Mr. Kofie Macauley paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mrs. Nabeela Farida Tunis
By Thomas Kambe
(MFAIC Press Office Freetown: Wednesday 25th June, 2020) The Honorary Consul of Canada to Sierra Leone, Mr. Kofie Macauley, on Thursday 25th June paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mrs. Nabeela Farida Tunis at her Tower Hill office in Freetown to highlight Canada’s support to the Republic of Sierra Leone.
Speaking at the ceremony which was held at the Minister’s Conference Hall, the Honorary Consul of Canada noted the close collaboration between the two countries in the areas of peacebuilding Commission, the International Dialoge on Peacebuild and Statebuilding and the group of of Friends of Solidarity for Global Health Security at the UN.
The collaboration he added is a demonstration of the two countries’ mutual commitment to multilateralism and multilateral institutions.
Highlighting Canada’s support to Sierra Leone, Mr. Kofie Macauley said, Canada has been supporting Sierra Leone in the areas of health, education, gender equality and empowerment of women and girls, provide immediate support to vulnerable population, inclusive socioeconomic recovery towards the development of Sierra Leone.
He stated that, Sierra Leone and Canada have shared a common view on the importance of an internationally coordinated response to address the impact of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
The Consul further stated that Canada will continue to promote the Sustainable Development Goals with the G7, G20 and other international fora including engagement with developing countries in partnership to ensure the voice of those affected by the global health challenges, climate change and persistent inequality are prominent.
In her response, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mrs. Nabeela Farida Tunis said Sierra Leone and Canada have shared a very long standing and fruitful bilateral relationship which is based on mutual trust and respect.
Mrs. Tunis extend her thanks and appreciation on behalf of His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, the Government and People of Sierra Leone to the Government and people of Canada for the timely support given to Sierra Leone towards the fight against COVI-19.
She assured the Honorary Consul that, as a country that seeks to strengthen its relationship with Canada, they as a government are fully committed to ensuring that the intention behind the donation is certainly met.
