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Brewery Embarks on Nationwide Campaign to Boost Sorghum Farmers

By Amin Kef Sesay     

The nation’s premier company, very renowned for producing high grade and qualitative alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks ,including Star Beer, Guinness, Mutzig, Maltina among others, which many individuals have attested always taste refreshing, the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL), is currently on a pre-planting sorghum campaign nationwide.

The objective of the campaign is geared towards encouraging more farmers to grow sorghum in order to timely supply the company with the required amount of sorghum needed for SLBL’s sustainable production of beverages.

It could be recalled that similar campaigns have been undertaken over the years with the avowed aim of bringing the company closer to  sorghum farmers in order to ensure that the latter know exactly what is required of them and what SLBL can offer them.

During the ongoing nationwide campaign sorghum farmers are taken through some of the important things they need to know in the planting of the crop as well as when they should harvest and the exact quantity that the company expects from them.

According to the Managing Director of Sierra Leone Brewery Limited, Laurent Bukasa, they are once again undertaking a national engagement of farmers in order for them to get involved in Sorghum cultivation during this planting season

“As usual, SLBL is continuously supporting the Local Content Policy and the national call by the Government to support agriculture. Our dependency on locally grown sorghum as an ingredient for our quality products is intact and will always be supported for the good of the farmers, the company and the country.

We always want more farmers to go into sorghum cultivation because the already existing 25,000 sorghum farmers and their family members that we work with presently have still not been able to supply us the demand of sorghum we want every year. We have expanded our brewery and our production continues to improve to meet market demand and even possibly venture into exporting our products within the West African sub-region.

Also, we want to assure our farmers that the effects of COVID-19 cannot affect our partnership as we are always poised to support them. Even though the outbreak of COVID-19 is affecting our sales and business, we will continue to buy whatever quantity they can produce so that they can continue to derive endless benefits for their families. We are partners in growth and we will continue to stand with Sierra Leone in whatever situation because we believe in the resilience of the people of this country and we believe in the country. The campaign will cover all districts in the country starting from Freetown,” the Managing Director furthered.

The MD continued by saying their contributions to nation building cannot be over-emphasized and it is their vision to ensure the empowerment of local farmers and promotion of the country’s agricultural system.

The Corporate Relations Manager of SLBL, Albert Ojo Collier, stated that, “in the past we used to pay visits to areas where sorghum is mostly grown to meet the farmers face to face but for now we are unable to do so because of COVID-19 which is why we are using another strategy to reach out to these farmers. This campaign will see us increase the number of sorghum farmers and their family members we support across the country which is presently at around 25,000 in number.”

Collier made mention of how they have experienced lots of new people who have shown interest to get on board and demonstrated willingness to join the Sorghum Farmers Association and be part of the sorghum farmers supplying the company.

According to him, SLBL has experienced a short fall in the supply requirement from farmers owing that they have expanded the Brewery with new equipments such as the mash filter equipment and the seven massive fermentation tanks which expanded their establishment.

He said they now need more farmers to grow large quantities of sorghum because their target keeps increasing as sales also increase.

During an exclusive interview, Denis Jusu, Chairman of Sorghum Farmer, lauded the SLBL for the interface it had been having with sorghum farmers pointing out that though there are some challenges to be surmounted yet they are committed to do more in the areas of improving and expanding productivity.

“As an Executive we will always do what it takes to champion and improve the interests of our members,” Denis Jusu informed adding that the contributions of sorghum farmers cannot in anyway be underrated.

The Company is also noted for honouring its Corporate Social Responsibility as well as timely payment of taxes to the Government.

In a nutshell, the SLBL is immensely contributing to overall national development.

Pavi Fort- SL Culminates Nationwide Donations to Combat COVID-19 in Pujehun District

By Amin Kef Sesay

The nationwide donations of cash, protective equipments and bags of rice by Pavi Fort-Sierra Leone out of the humanitarian consideration of its abled Chief Executive Officer, Alimou Barrie, culminated in the Pujehun District, Southern Sierra Leone, on the 23rd June 2020.

Pavi Fort-SL donated a huge consignment comprising 20 gallons of hand sanitizer, two thousand 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 with the objective of complementing the strides being made by the Government to break down the chain of transmission of the virus and put residents there at a vantage position to protect themselves from contracting the virus .

Considering the vital roles that  traditional leaders play in the fight against the spread of the virus in the country, the Chief Executive Officer, Alimou Barrie handed over 5 million Leones and 30 bags of rice to the Paramount Chief of Kpanga Krim Chiefdom, Ansumana Samuel Saffa Gbonda on behalf of the 14 chiefdoms in the district.

The donation ceremony attracted 8 Paramount Chiefs within the district, DICOVERC officials, including the District Coordinator, Mohammed Kemokai and the Social Adviser to President Bio, Ambassador Umaru Burne Wurie and the Women Group Leader in Pujehun District, Josephine Jenneh Gbonda amongst other residents in Pujehun district

The Chief Executive Officer of Pavi Fort  Construction Company- Sierra Leone, Alimou Barrie, in addressing the gathering during the handing over ceremony commended the Government for the strides taken so far in combating the spread of the virus further pointing out that he decided to undertake the country-wide donations in order  to complement those efforts being made by  the Government.

He informed them that he and his team had presented such humanitarian gestures, in varying forms, to fifteen (15) districts in the country, Pujehun District being the last.

Alimou Barrie intimated how he has used more than 1.4 Billion Leones in total to dish out all the donations in the sixteen districts within the country in order to help combat COVID-19 in the country.

The Medical Superintendent of the Pujehun Government Hospital, Dr. Woody Lemon, who is part of the Technical Pillar of the DICOVERC Pujehun lauded CEO Alimou Barrie and by extension Pavi Fort Company for what he described as a move in the right direction saying it would bring a big relief to them in the fight against COVID- 19 in the district.

Statements were delivered by various personalities including the Pujehun DICOVERC Coordinator, Mohammed Kemokai, and one of the Women Leaders of the district, Josephine Gbonda, who explained to those present the various efforts they have been making to help stop the spread of the virus in the district.

The Pujehun DICOVERC Coordinator, Mohammed Kemokai, also applauded the humanitarian gesture by CEO Alimou Barrie highlighting that it only takes a patriot do make such a sacrifice. He assured of the proper use of the donation for the intended purpose of combating the spread of the virus.

NP-SL Ltd Continues to be on the Ascendancy

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

By Amin Kef Sesay                                  

Many have attested that the National Petroleum –Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) is really a company that has been progressively making inroads within the petroleum business landscape not only within this country but even beyond as could be seen in the vibrant functioning of its branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia.

Starting as a small business enterprise that was established years back by certain Sierra Leoneans who were erstwhile workers of the British Petroleum (BP), out of shares that they bought, when the latter decided to fold up operations here, the company has grown exponentially to become the leading petroleum marketing company in this country and even beyond. NP-SL Ltd is renowned for importing high grade petroleum products which include petrol, diesel, gas and other lubricants of which Castrol oil has been confirmed to be the best and very good for the efficient functioning of  all types of engines.

From a thorough research conducted by this medium, over time, what became very glaring was that the company has continuously enhanced customer care to the highest level which positioned it to bag the accolade for 1st for Customer Care. The Shareholders and various Management teams of the company thought it really prudent to harness customer care well out of the realization that “the customer is always right”. It may literally not be true but what is understandable to those who are at the helm of affairs at the company is that the cogent concerns and inputs of customers must be taken into consideration for informed decisions to be taken relating to how they should be factored into the business. Of course, such an open door policy has been paying good dividends.

In order to ensure that fair play takes a foothold in business transactions that will give customers utmost satisfaction it was decided years back to install calibrated pumping machines at its Filling Stations. These automated calibrated pumping machines are very capable of churning out the right quantity of fuel that a particular customer buys at a given Filling Station as they display the litres pumped and the price(s). According to the research result, when majority of those buying fuel at various Filling Stations were interviewed, was that they belive they are getting value for their monies spent.

“When I was in my twenties there were complaints and a lot of grumbling that pump attendants were clandestinely stealing fuel whenever customers went to purchase fuel. The machines used in those days were not in the least transparent and some of us had the impression that they were tampered with. However, when the transition took place with the replacement of the old machines with the calibrated ones, many, especially commercial drivers breathe a sigh of relief as it dawned that it was no longer business as usual.

Many began to commend NP-SL for coming up with a new system and breaking from the past as it became apparent that transparency has gained ascendancy over what was considered as opaque transactions,” Mohamed Abu Sesay, a man in his early sixties, fondly recalled while talking to this medium and what he said resonates the views of others who witnessed the transition.

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 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 is 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 it contributes to the reduction of the rate of poverty in the country.

“I want to doff my hat to the Shareholders and Management of NP-SL for doggedly sticking and implementing this 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,” Emmanuel Konjoh, a leading champion in enhancing compliance with the country’s Local Content Policy 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 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 with a kva generator to pump up the water, for the Kissy Branch of the National Fire Force since the terminal 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. 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, it is agreed, has firmly taken over the petroleum business landscape as a result of coming up with various offers that make its numerous customers always feel happy. It is a dependable and reliable business entity that has been growing by leaps and bounds.

WHH ProAct 2015 donates to KNSCC & DICOVERC

The Mayor of Koidu City- Mathew Komba Sam receiving 30 cartoons of soap from WHH ProAct 2015 Senior Field Officer- Tamba Gbondo

By Tamba Borbor

German International Non-Governmental Organisation, Welthungerhilfe (WHH) through its Pro-Resilience Action (ProAct) 2015 Project has on Monday 22nd June 2020 donated thirty cartoons each of handwashing soap to the Koidu New Sembehun City Council (KNSCC) and the District Coronavirus Emergency Operations Centre (DICOVERC).

The Senior Field Officer of WHH ProAct 2015, Tamba Gbondo said that the donation is geared towards assisting the Council and DICOVERC in the fight against the novel coronavirus by ensuring people regularly wash their hands.

“As a project, we have been distributing soap and other hygiene materials to border communities in Kono, Kenema and Kailahun districts as our contribution towards stemming the rising tide of the covid-19 because we believe that our hands can easily catch the virus and transmit it when they are dirty,” Gbondo stated.

On behalf of the people of Koidu City, the Mayor of Koidu- Mathew Komba Sam thanked WHH ProAct 2015 for the soap donation which he noted would greatly help the council to curb the virus.

“The people of this municipality would never forget this great gesture in this trying time. I believe if you want to show that you are a friend to someone, you should come to the aid or provide the needs of that person when they are in dire straits. This soap would be used for its intended purpose,” Mayor Sam stated, adding that the good name of WHH in Koidu would always be held in high esteem.

Chief Executive Officer of DICOVERC- Sahr James Jimissa in receiving the thirty cartoons of soap acknowledged the continued intervention of WHH in the fight against the coronavirus in the country. “We are happy that our request has been honoured by WHH ProAct 2015 and this donation would be very useful to persons in quarantine and isolation centres in the district,” Jimissa said; appealing for more assistance in other areas of their operations as they push to tackle the spread of Covid-19 in Kono District.

Meanwhile, WHH ProAct 2015 continues its distribution of handwashing soap to border communities in the Eastern Region of Sierra Leone as an effective means of contributing towards the fight against the pandemic.

By Tamba Borbor

Public Relations Officer

Welthungerhilfe Improved Waste Management Project

Koidu City

Chief Executive Officer of DICOVERC Kono District- Sahr James Jimissa (Middle) receiving cartoons of soap from Tamba Gbondo (Right) of WHH ProAct 2015

WHH trains 10 SMEs in Koidu City

Trainees of 10 SMEs during the four-day training on recycling of plastic to produce paving stones and bio-charcoal.

By Tamba Borbor

A total of Ten Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have received a four-day training on Plastic Paving and Bio-Charcoal from Welthungerhilfe (WHH) Improved Waste Management Activities in Cities Project in collaboration with the Koidu New Sembehun City Council (KNSCC).

The said training started on Wednesday 17th and ended om Saturday 21st June 2020.

Speaking at the official opening of the training, the Mayor of Koidu City. Mathew Komba Sam noted the importance of SMEs in the effective management of waste in the municipality while urging those who would be selected on merit to acquire life skills to be economically independent in the future.

Mayor Sam expressed thanks and appreciation to WHH for capacitating the Council in efficiently managing waste in the Koidu Municipality with the ongoing construction of a Waste Management Department (WMD) at D.O. Barracks and a Controlled Disposal Site at Boroma village in Tankoro Chiefdom.

“I had admired the operations of WHH when I was working at the Bank before becoming the Mayor of KNSCC and soon after I was elected I pushed very hard to ensure the people of Koidu City benefit from WHH project,” Mayor Komba Sam recalled; adding that “the Welthungerhilfe has already impacted the City in various ways.”

He added that with the intervention of WHH, there is heightened awareness about waste in the municipality as “Waste is now equal to Wealth.”

The Administrative and Finance Officer of the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) in Kono District, Alusine Maxin Bangura lauded the efforts of WHH in the are of effective waste management and disposal in the Koidu municipality.

“Waste management is a global environmental challenge and Koidu is not an exception… It is not always about generating waste but shouldering the responsibility to effectively ensure the environment is not negatively impacted,” Alusine stated.

SMEs he says are an effective and an alternative means to the drive to managing waste in the country which he maintained would create cleaner and hygienic communities.

David Sahr Joe, a representative from Civil Society in Kono District, singled out WHH for praise as one of the INGO involved in Waste management. “Most illnesses suffered by people is as a result of poor sanitation and improper disposal of waste,” Sahr Joe stated, adding that the trainees must realise that acquiring skills to recycle waste can earn them a permanent source of livelihood.

Ansu Bangura, WHH Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEAL) officer explained the rationale in conducting such a training while stressing the involvement of the Council in effective waste management.

“The involvement of SMEs is to ensure that the waste generated and disposed of is brought back into the communities in various recycled form which would be useful to the people,” Ansu explained; urging the trainees to know that they are opening up new opportunities in their lives with the acquisition of invaluable skills in recycling of waste.

A total of twenty participants representing ten SMEs took part in the training which on the last day saw the production of paving stones commonly called Dallets made of plastic and bio-charcoal made of sawdust, rice straw amongst other organic materials.

Two facilitators experienced in organic recycling were brought in by WHH from Bo and Makeni to conduct the training.

By Tamba Borbor

Public Relations Officer

Welthungerhilfe Improved Waste Management Project

Koidu City

UN Calls for swift Investigation of Cases of Violence Against Women & Girls

Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Sierra Leone

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As the campaign on the alleged rape of a five-year-old girl in Freetown intensifies, the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Sierra Leone has on Tuesday 23rd June, 2020 in a press statement called on the Government of Sierra Leone to swiftly investigate and conclude all pending cases of violence against women and girls in order for justice to be delivered without delay.

It was stated that the United Nations is shocked and deeply saddened by the horrendous murder and alleged act of rape and torture of a five-year old girl, which was reported in Freetown on the 17th June 2020.  Sincere condolences were extended, by the United Nations, to the bereaved family of the young girl, underscoring that  the brutal act reminded them that many children and women in Sierra Leone continue to experience acts of rape and violence among their families and in communities.

The United Nations Office in Sierra Leone, therefore, called for the prompt and full investigation of the incident so that the perpetrator(s) could be brought to justice in accordance with the Amended Sexual Offences Act 2019 further highlighting that violence against women and girls is one of the greatest human rights violations.

It was further disclosed that in 2019, the Family Support Unit under the Sierra Leone Police recorded 3,252 cases of sexual penetration and that it is likely that the real figures were higher due to the difficulties women and girls face in reporting cases of violence.

The United Nations commended the efforts exerted by the Government of Sierra Leone in recent months, including the adoption of the male engagement strategy, to prevent sexual and gender-based violence and to support women and girls, who have suffered from such violence.

At the same time, they reminded all Sierra Leoneans that protection of women and girls is an obligation of the entire society and all efforts must be made by all men and women, independent of their roles and positions in society, to protect and respect the rights of women and girls, chiefly the Rights to Dignity and Life.

“The United Nations, therefore, calls on all parts of society – including national and local institutions, local and traditional leaders, and citizens in general – to work together and commit to end all forms of violence against women and girls. The United Nations in Sierra Leone will continue to support all efforts made by the Government, Police (including the Family Support Unit) and Judiciary, among others, to ensure that rights of women and girls are protected and justice prevails,” it was concluded in the Press Statement.

PAN-SL Launches “THE PATRIOT” Campaign

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of their commitment to impart the spirit of patriotism in the lives of Sierra Leoneans, the Patriotic Advocacy Network,  PAN-SL has launched its new campaign called “The Patriot” which is an initiative borne out of the love for patriotism and also geared towards sensitizing the nation as a whole on the ills of tribalism, corruption, violence and other forms of menaces that have been disturbing the smooth and positive growth of the country in the past, present and even in the future if necessary steps are not taken to curtail or totally eradicate them.

Speaking to the Press, the Executive Director of Patriotic Advocacy Network, Ansumana Keita, disclosed that “The PATRIOT” is a youth led campaign through the production of short films, spoken words, poetry, articles, storytelling and drumming which will serve as a positive contribution from young people to sensitize and educate the Sierra Leonean public on the importance of patriotism, unity, peace and harmony.

In order to reject the ills of tribalism and violence the project joined in the fight against COVID-19 with the slogan ‘United We Stand-Beat COVID-19’.

The Executive Director stated that they intend to sustain this initiative for twelve weeks between June to August in which they will provide a platform for young talents to shoot, edit and present short films addressing issues of peace, violence, unity, tribalism and proffer possible solutions for a better community.

Underscoring the impact of the campaign, he said the fight against COVID-19 has taken another negative turn in our country and the young people have been particularly affected because of a lot of violence triggered by general apathy, misinformation and economic hardship saying it is against such a backdrop that they thought it fit to launch The Patriot in order to diffuse tensions between law enforcement agencies and the youth, in which they aim to engage young people in essential dialogue through using media technologies, oral storytelling and traditional art performances.

Giving a background of Patriotic Advocacy Network (PAN SL) he said it is a registered and nonprofit making organization that prides itself with the spirit to instilling patriotism in the minds of Sierra Leoneans, promoting peace, education, culture and advocating for the needy and less privileged and that PAN-SL serves as an incubating center where young people can exhibit their God given talents. He furthered that since its formation in 2013, they have been organizing and staging activities in secondary schools, universities and communities geared towards promoting growth and development in Sierra Leone.

He said as part of their efforts in complementing the efforts of the Government to fight against COVID-19 the organization has embarked on raising awareness, donating veronica buckets and locally made face masks to vulnerable communities.

He called on Sierra Leoneans to support their goals set above to empower young future leaders of Sierra Leone through the donation of any amount, share all their activities, challenge 10 or more people to Donate, Endorse The Patriot With A 30sec Video and Take A Photo With   #Thepatriot.

He said that those who wish to support the campaign should contact them on +23277459773 or by Email: patrioticadvocacynetwork@gmail.com or visit their office on 79 Pademba Road in Freetown.

SLCB Urges Customers to Use Visa & Mobile Banking

By Amin Kef Sesay

With the world transitioning from the use of paper currency to cashless transactions, giving convenience of safety and security from theft, the Management of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, the country’s largest profitable financial service provider, has urged customers to utilize the various digitalized banking services that it has incorporated to make banking easier and cheap for its customers.

Visa is among SLCB’s suite of electronic card-based money transaction services, which enables owners to engage in cash transactions, locally and internationally, from the ease of their homes or offices.

The Visa card, which was launched at the Freetown Golf Club earlier this year, has the distinct feature that can be used on POS devices and more than 20 million ATMs worldwide and also online to buy products and services.

The Visa Debit card works like cash, only better. They use funds directly from one’s bank account and is accepted worldwide. They offer quick, secure and convenient access to one’s money in person, online, overseas and over the phone.

SLCB also has on offer Western Union money transfer cards, SWIFT, which eases transfer of money for both business and personal purposes.

In taking financial inclusivity to the grassroots, many SLCB customers have said that the Bank’s community banking kiosks in Goderich, Wilberforce and Jui have been of great help to them. Meanwhile, to further ease banking activities for their customers, SLCB introduced the Africell mobile apps to enable their customers purchase goods and services and transfer money.

Meanwhile, the Bank of Sierra Leone reports that SLCB has consistently, over the past ten quarters, reported the highest earnings among all the country’s commercial banks, making it also the most profitable. In 2019, the Bank grossed more than Le100 billion (USD10 million) pretax profits.

In a brief chat with this reporter, the dynamic Managing Director of SLCB, Fidelis Turay, revealed that the Bank is making all these strides because of team work. “We are working as a team and we will work very hard to maintain the standard of the Bank and top position in the financial industry,” the MD noted.

First Lady & Health Ministry Receive Medical Supplies from Chinese Government

By Amin Kef Sesay

On June 22nd 2020, the Chinese Government has donated medical supplies to help mothers and children and young people in Sierra Leone combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. The items were handed over to the Office of the First Lady of Sierra Leone.

H.E. Hu Zhangliang, Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, conveyed greetings from H.E. Prof. Peng Liyuan, wife of President Xi Jinping, to H.E. Fatima Bio and presented the Chinese Government items. Ambassador Hu said that China would continue to work with Sierra Leone to enhance the wellbeing of women, children and youths.

Receiving the medical supplies, H.E. the First Lady, Fatima Bio, extended her heartfelt appreciation through the Ambassador to the Chinese Government, as well as her warm greetings to H.E. Prof. Peng Liyuan. She said that the items came at the right time and would be put to good use for helping the disadvantaged.

On the same occasion, the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone also donated some stationeries and school bags etc. to the Office of the First Lady for further delivery to those who are in need. Also on the same date, a second batch of medical supplies was also donated by the Chinese Embassy to help the country’s fight against COVID-19.

The donation included 10,032 testing kits, 5,000 PPEs, 15,000 N95 respirators, 150,000 surgical masks, 7,000 medical goggles, 7,000 medical gloves and 3,000 medical shoe covers.

Hu Zhangliang, the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, said, “We are glad to know that these items have been essential in enhancing the competency of the Sierra Leonean heroic fighters. I believe that this batch of medical supplies will help consolidate what Sierra Leone has achieved so far in the fight.”

Hu said China will continue to help African countries by providing supplies and facilitating Africa’s procurement of medical items in China.

He said Sierra Leone has achieved commendable results in combating COVID-19, adding that Sierra Leoneans have displayed the fine qualities of discipline, unity and resilience in the battle.

Nabeela Tunis, Sierra Leone’s Foreign Affairs Minister said the donation is a testament of the existing ties between the two countries’ friendships.

Sierra Leone’s Health and Sanitation Minister, Alpha Tejan Wurie, thanked China for its support. “You will only know your brother in time of need,” he said.

Pavi Fort-SL Takes COVID-19 Support to Moyamba District

By Amin Kef Sesay

The humanitarian gestures undertaken by the Chief Executive Officer of Pavi Fort- Sierra Leone, Alimou Barrie and team, which started weeks back, targeting all the sixteen districts in Sierra Leone, with the avowed aim of giving supports to break the chain of transmission of the virus it was learnt by this medium is now coming to a close.

These gestures took the forms of offering financial, medical and food supports to the District COVID-19 Response Centres (DICOVERC) as well as local authorities in all the districts to scale up the fight against the spread of the virus in the country.

When the CEO and team landed in Moyamba District on Monday the 22nd June 2020 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.

During the handing over ceremony by the CEO of Pavi Fort, the District Coordinator of the Moyamba COVID-19 Response Center, Hon. Joseph N. Kaindor, expressed the view that Pavi Fort Sierra Leone’s support was very unique and so far has been one of the biggest donations offered by an indigenous construction company since the outbreak of the corona virus in the district.

Kaindor added that the support was very timely as they have been struggling with finance and food to fight the COVID-19 in that part of the country adding how they have heard so much about the company’s support to other districts.

In his statement, the Chief Executive Officer of Pavi Fort, Alimou Barrie, stated how the support is part of his efforts to complement Government’s strides in trying to curtail the spread of the virus in the country.

He further made it clear that out of what was donated 70 bags of rice are meant for inmates in quarantined homes and the security personnel deployed at those quarantined homes across the district.

CEO Alimou Barrie handed the 10 million Leones cheque to the   DICORVERC and 5 million Leones cash plus 30 bags of rice to the Paramount Chief of Kayamba Chiefdom, Foday Momoh Gulama for the support of social mobilization that had been undertaken by traditional authorities in the district.

The Regional Coordinator of the DICORVERC South, Mohammed Allieu, who happens to be the Resident Minister, thanked the CEO of the company, Alimu Barrie, on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone for their support towards the fight against COVID-19 in the country. He said the support is in place especially for quarantined homes and they will account for it.

Paramount Chief Foday Momoh Gulama thanked the company for joining the district team in the fight against COVID- 19 and for supporting local authorities in the district.

The donation ceremony took place at the Moyamba District Council Office in the presence of people from all walks of life in the district.

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