Home Blog Page 1073

As Case Adjourned to 24th June 2020… Sylvia Blyden Apologizes from Prison

Dr Sylvia Blyden

By Amin Kef Sesay

Dr Sylvia Blyden, a female politician and journalist was sent back to prison, on Friday 19th June 2020 and her case was adjourned to the 24th June 2020  because Magistrate Hannah Bonnie was not present  in court due to illness which was why Dr. Blyden was denied bail meaning that she spent another weekend in confinement at the Pademba Road Women’s Correctional Centre.

Blyden is charged with violating Sections 27, 32, and 33 of Sierra Leone’s Public Order Act and  if convicted, she faces up to seven years in prison and a fine of 1,000 Leones ($0.10), according to a copy of the law reviewed by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ).

In a personal statement posted on social media, Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden, in trying to tender an apology said she is someone who cannot be forced to say what she does not believe in.

She  distanced  herself from certain nefarious activities and apologised to all those in and out of the Judiciary who have been offended by abusive words thrown at them by persons alleging to be her followers, admirers or supposedly claiming they were writing in defence of her.

“I am choosing to apologise on behalf of my followers in order to show my distaste for such actions and to condemn those who are not my followers but are seeking to inflame situations,” she pointed out.

Sylvia maintained that when  an unidentified voice issued a dangerous audio purportedly in support of her she immediately had her Office put out a statement to dis-associate her from that social media audio making threats to national security as part of supposed protests against her detention. She said her Office made it clear that she does not subscribe to such threats.

“The public will also recall that few days ago in this month of June 2020, I also had my Office put out a release to debunk a suggestion published on social media that I was frustrated with the country’s legal systems,” she postulated.

She said although she never heard or saw those two materials first hand, as soon as they were drawn to her attention, she immediately debunked them and distanced herself from them. “I have never and I will never encourage any threat to the Security, Peace and Stability of my beloved country, Sierra Leone,” she assured.

She stated that throughout the nineties into the turn of the century, she worked very hard for Sierra Leone to enjoy the peace, stability and democracy that the country enjoys today and will never be a part to destabilise the country.

“Now, I have been kept completely incommunicado from social media and also prevented from accessing local newspapers since June 3rd 2020 when I was re-arrested until today June 17th 2020 so I had not seen any published content on any media. However, I am now informed by a very credible, impeccable source that there are persons using the media to throw very abusive language against officers of the Sierra Leone Judiciary especially the learned magistrate, Her Worship Hannah Bonnie who is presiding over my current matter. These persons are either using my name directly and so, are impersonating me or they claim to be abusing the Judiciary as some form of protest in my ostensible favour,” she added.

She said by way of her statement, she wish to dis-associate herself from any abusive words thrown at the Judiciary stating that  any such abuse done in her name is a fraudulent misrepresentation.

Sylvia mentioned how she did not authorise the abuse of the Honourable Attorney General.

“I hold no malice against Dr. Priscilla Schwartz as Attorney General and Minister of Justice. My grandfather, Professor S.A.J. Pratt (R.I.P), one of the most brilliant Sierra Leone lawyers, was the very first Cabinet Minister to serve as Attorney General when Sierra Leone attained Republic status in 1971. I have respect for that office,” the firebrand politician and journalist pointed out.

Sylvia Blyden said that she is patriotic enough to put national interests above limited parochial or partisan interests which  is why she publicly and very strongly defended the Attorney General on social media few weeks ago that she was absolutely correct to say the regulations for any State of Emergency (SOE) declaration do not need to be mandatorily tabled in Parliament for swift approval as there was a 90-days constitutional leeway given to the President.

She stated that she is proudly a very senior member of the opposition APC party but did not hesitate to defend a governing SLPP State official as it was extremely important to help clarify to our people that the Attorney General did not breach the constitution with the assumed ‘delay’ to table the regulations in such a politically charged atmosphere.

She said she has no malice for Dr. Priscilla Schwartz even as she seriously detests the legal charges against her.

“I possess a strong personality that is big enough to appreciate she is doing her job. I defend State authorities because I am patriotic enough to put the national interest above limited parochial or partisan interests,” Dr Blyden pointed out.

The Politician-journalist furthered that patriotism and love for a united and stable country is why she called on Sierra Leoneans to fully support the President’s proclamation for a SOE to enable us combat the threat of the Covid-19 coronavirus.

She claimed how she wants to see a Sierra Leone where citizens, especially those in leadership or with large number of followers, emulate her and put Sierra Leone first above all partisan interests.

Sylvia Blyden cautioned all Sierra Leoneans to believe in her saying, if they do believe in her they must believe in her ideology and refrain from engaging in any form of activities that threaten national security.

“Peace, Unity and Love are amongst what the forefathers of my APC party stood for when they split from the SLPP to form the APC. The APC ideology does not believe in revenge nor does it promote de-stabilisation of Sierra Leone. The historical records are clear on this; Very, very clear. Let all Sierra Leoneans strive to emulate the peaceful APC ideology of our Founding Fathers in this our multi-party, democratic dispensation,” she asserted.

She said she hold no bitterness for anyone; even those who have connived and contrived against her as she knows revenge is odious so she has already forgiven them highlighting that her destiny cannot be stopped by them.

She said threats of vengeance on her behalf against any one in authority  is not her way maintaining how she completely condemns such behaviour. “If you believe in me, then please believe in God Almighty,” she admonished saying that people should be rest assured that any divinely ordained destiny cannot be stopped by man.

According to her no human being can stop her destiny stating that the struggles are challenging assuring that they shall overcome and there will be Victory.

“Let us trust God Almighty and collectively work towards a stable, peaceful and united Sierra Leone with full respect for the Judiciary,” she further advised.

 First Lady Celebrates Day of the African Child

 First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio

By Amin Kef Sesay

On June 16, 1976, in Soweto, South Africa, about ten thousand black school children marched for about half a mile long, protesting the poor quality of their education and demanding their rights to be taught in their own language. They were shot, murdered and Peter Hector being one of the famous among them.

The Day of the African Child has been celebrated every year since 1991, on June 16th, when it was created by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU).

First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio, on Tuesday June 16th, 2020 at 12PM ,celebrated the Day of the African Child in a Zoom meeting .

The lines were lighting up fast as participants joined the Zoom virtual meeting hosted by the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Fatima Maada Bio. According to the First Lady, she was not able to host a face-to-face program because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but instead sent a variety of food items to the Orphanages/Children Centers across Freetown, and virtually communicated with them on Zoom as the distributions were made.

A Zoom virtual program craftily put together by the Office of the First Lady was a combination of entertainment (Sierra Leonean Musicians) and dialogue with the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone.

As she listened attentively to the messages from the children/young people, the participants (both young and old) resonated with the ordeals of some of the children as they later spoke about their experiences and how they were able to heal. Questions/concerns/recommendations that had to do with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Social Welfare and even messages for the President of the Republic of the Sierra Leone, Rtd, Brigadier Julius Maada Bio, were appropriately referred, with the First Lady assuring all, especially the children that their concerns and questions are paramount to President Bio, one of the reasons, she was hosting the virtual Zoom meeting.

Some have said that Fatima  Bio has continued to play supportive and advocacy roles demonstrating her commitment to the welfare of the children in Sierra Leone, by launching the “Hands off our girls” campaign, the Sanitary pads initiative, distributing food items, the Bio Foundation, advocating and giving voice to the voiceless at the UN and International levels.

In a related development, President Bio, who was speaking in Krio, started by thanking his wife for making it possible for such a successful meeting, all stakeholders and the children for participating, celebrating children in Africa.

Unfortunately, His Excellency went on, because of the COVID- 19 pandemic, they cannot gather in one place, otherwise a boy or girl would have been in his office to get hands-on experience in the Office of the President of Sierra Leone.

He pointed out that a lot of children want to be President, but don’t know what it entails. President Bio opined that it is difficult for the young people to understand that they are the future. However, he believes that the children are our future and so has invested in their future; because ten or twenty years from now, he will be dependent on the young people, if they are not prepared, they will not be able to do the job very well. Because President Bio cares about his future, he decided to focus on quality education, for the young people, which will not only benefit him, but themselves, their parents and the country as a whole.

His Excellency said that when he decided to make Free Quality Education a priority, it was because it is the only way one can invest in human beings by giving them good education, as the future is in education. If all parents plan to keep their children in school, His Excellency emphasized the need for his Government to go all out to get funding to invest in children as the young people need the support, attention, grooming and nurturing. This now took him to the reason for a special place for the girl child that is prone to be pregnant, harassed, distracted; in as much as the goal is to take care of everyone, the young men as well, but special attention is on the girl child.

President Bio thanked the First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio for organizing the program. He mentioned that he wants the children to have better education than him (Maada Bio), make Sierra Leone better than where he will stop as President, not dependent always on their parents and others but lift their parents out of poverty saying all will live happily.

For these reasons his Government invested in the Free Quality Education for all, regardless of where one comes from, whether east, west, south or north and it will be distributed equally. He encouraged the young people to focus on education, that way the country will benefit from highly trained Doctors, Lawyers etc.  President Bio reiterated that he was glad to see them and be part of the virtual Zoom program. He ended by saying” Never give up, never give up, keep working hard, keep praying you will get there”.

The virtual Zoom program continued with its Host, Fatima Maada Bio, interacting with participants and bringing another Special Guest, in the person of Ms. Amina Bio, daughter of the First family. From the screens of the participants one can see how excited they were to see her as she sat next to her mother, the First Lady of Sierra Leone. Mrs. Bio who was hosting a Zoom meeting for the first time impressed her viewers and also demonstrated to young girls that technology is an everyday use and one must learn to use it and not be afraid of it.

Today in Sierra Leone, children do not have to go through police brutality to gain access to quality education. On Monday August 20th, 2018, the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, H. E. Julius Maada Bio launched the Free Quality Education in Sierra Leone and on December 14th, 2018, the “Hands off our girls” campaign was launched, by H E Julius Maada Bio, “Before he officially launched the initiative, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio said he was happy to join hands with the Office of the First Lady and other African First Ladies in what was a rightful fight of social injustices against women and girls”.

The Day of the African Child 2020 theme reflected on ‘Access to a Child-Friendly Justice System in Africa’ as adopted by the African Union Executive Council, during its 34th Ordinary Session, held on 07 – 08 February 2019.

National Herbarium of Sierra Leone: History & Science at a Cross Road

Biology students of Njala University learning about the traditional uses of Raphia palm

By Ralph Sesay

Sierra Leone’s only National Herbarium is housed in the Department of Biological Sciences at Njala University and is fighting several battles of survival. Prof. Aiah Lebbie,who is heading the Department, on the 18 June 2020, described Sierra Leone’s National Herbarium, as a national asset of scientific, cultural and historical significance with its founding dating back to the early 1900s, and was already in existence long before the Sierra Leone Museum was founded in 1957.

A good number of energetic plant collectors resident in the country in the colonial period contributed to its humble beginning, collecting plant specimens across the country and archiving them for scientific purposes.

The most prolific collector was a British Plant Pathologist/Mycologist by the name of Frederick C. Deigthon who resided in Sierra Leone between1926-1955 and made thousands of collections of plants and fungal specimens and as well published a vernacular botanical vocabulary for Sierra Leone. Other botanists, including Sierra Leonean collectors, have also made significant contributions to the National Herbarium, collecting plant families, genera and species endemic to the sub-region, and Sierra Lone in particular.

In Sierra Leone’s long period of civil conflict, the National Herbarium was briefly invaded by rebels, who threw open the doors of cabinets archiving specimens and upon realizing nothing of “significance” to them, left them exposed to the elements for a considerable period of time. Some specimens were lost as a result of this, and entire carpological specimens (seeds, fruits, wood and fungi) were destroyed altogether. Later, thieves removed all the glass panes to the wall cabinets where those specimens were housed.

The dire economic situation of Njala University has not contributed in salvaging the challenges the herbarium faces. With no operating cost and support for archival materials, as well as resources to make field collections of plant specimens, the herbarium is at a cross road.

Furthermore, the space for processing field specimens and archiving the thousands of plant specimens is barely more than 900 square feet. This result in non-fumigated or untreated plant materials laden with insects and fungi, causing damage to invaluable plant specimens. Some specimens have been damaged as a result of insects. There is no freezer to treat plants from the field before archiving, and this causes their shortened shelf life.

Staff turnover has been high and the full complement of staff needed to make it functional no longer exists. Currently, it is only Prof. Aiah Lebbie and a technician who run the herbarium. An undergraduate female intern from Njala University and a postgraduate student assist in sustaining activities in the herbarium. As staffs get retired or pass on, the university has not been able to seek their replacements for nearly two decades. There is grave concern from Prof. Lebbie (who heads the herbarium as well as the Department of Biological Sciences) as to the long-term survival of the National Herbarium given the lack of new staff hiring and training of key technical staff.

The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew (UK) has had a long history with the National Herbarium of Sierra Leone, supporting the initial identification of all plant specimens collected and deposited in the herbarium. The institution also provided training for key technical staff at the time, but this relationship virtually waned and support to the herbarium ceased for a considerable period of time. In the last decade, The Royal Botanic Garden reengaged with staff at the herbarium through consultancies they were providing to mining and hydroelectric companies in Sierra Leone.

Joint plant collections were made with herbarium staff and students at Njala University, providing invaluable hands on training, as well as contributing to the herbarium collections.

Material support also poured in, especially field equipment and archiving materials, which are hitherto impossible to acquire in country. Above, the joint collections have led to the discovery of new plant species.

Students of botany, agriculture, food science, natural resources and forestry benefit from the wealth of plant materials housed in the National Herbarium of Sierra Leone, and proper identification of plant specimens are also vital to those in the science of medicine such as ethnopharmacology and medicinal plant chemistry. Its uses are plentiful and could be of immense support in the identification of plant resources vital in the new green economy of the nation.

Professor Lebbie has over the years continued to draw attention to the country’s national herbarium especially in terms of addressing its staffing challenges, equipment to aid in the collection and archiving of specimens, and a budget line to support regular field visits to collect and assess the conservation status of some endemic and rare plants across the country.

The habitats of Sierra Leone’s flora are becoming increasingly threatened and without the support system in place, the University might not get to learn about them and catalogue them for development purposes, as well as discover novel uses from already documented and undocumented plant species. More recently, Professor Lebbie was credited with the discovery of a near-extinct plant species which was named after him; Lebbiea grandi flora.The plant belongs to the family Podostemaceae, and is the first African genus (Lebbiea) to be published for nearly 30 years.

As the National Herbarium of Sierra Leone continues to engage with The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, Professor Lebbie is also calling on the university authorities to make necessary the support needed to prevent its demise. He is particularly appealing to the Government of Sierra Leone and its line ministries and parastatals (EPA and NPAA) to recognize the value in such an asset and provide the support needed for its continued existence.

The Pro Chancellor of Njala University, Professor Arthur Abraham recently visited the National Herbarium of Sierra Leone and expressed his desire to attract Government attention to garner the needed support for its long-term survival. It is hoped that this renewed interest by administrators might pave the way for national level support from all stakeholders in ensuring this scientific, cultural and historical asset is saved from demise. The University says they can only hope so furthering that as the efforts of people like Prof. Lebbie and his students remain high, and the support of the Africa & Madagascar Team at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew continues, this national icon is assured of its place for all of humanity.

Biology students of Njala University learning about the traditional uses of Raphia palm

Planning MinisterAddresses Fambul Tok’s 2-Days Retreat

Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Francis Kai-Kai

By Amin Kef Sesay

At the Home Suites Hotel, Bintumani Drive, Aberdeen in Freetown on 17th June, 2020 the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Francis Kai-Kai said the Wan Fambul National Framework (WFNF) model is critical to the enhancement of Government’s peace and national cohesion agenda at local level and it will sustainably support community, district and national planning in Sierra Leone.

He made that statement while addressing participants at the 2-day retreat organized by Fambul Tok in partnership with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Catalyst for Peace to develop the Wan Fambul National Framework for inclusive governance and local development, under the Vice President’s Office. The framework would bring devolution to the next level by linking it to the National Development Plan, thus bringing development to the doorstep of the people of Sierra Leone.

“I am especially happy that we are today starting to effectively implement the post-2019 UN General Assembly’s agreed actions on taking forward the roll-out of the Wan Fambul Framework across the 16 districts and 190 chiefdoms of Sierra Leone. The relevance of this model had convinced the Government of Rtd. Brigadier Julius Maada Bio to capture it in the Sierra Leone’s Medium Term National Development Plan (2019-2023), under Cluster Four, “Governance and Accountability for Results,” said Dr. Kai-Kai.

He thanked Fambul Tok and the Catalyst for Peace, including  his colleague Ministers for making the process become a reality.

In her statement, the Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Melrose Kargbo, said the WFNF was deeply linked to the residual Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendation around peace building and national transformation. She said Government remains committed to the process and would support and facilitate the institutionalization of the framework.

John Caulker, the Executive Director of Fambul Tok, noted that the framework would facilitate an inclusive, community-centered, rural sustainable development leading to resilient and cohesive communities across Sierra Leone. He said the framework would address the critical issues of National Development, through a People’s Planning Process.

Libby Hoffman, the President for the Catalyst for Peace, in her statement, through a Zoom video link, explained the global significance of the role Fambul Tok played, noting peace should be built from the inside out and creating the space for those impacted by the violence to lead in the building of peace. She said this would help the world learn from their stories.

The retreat was followed by a Technical session on governance establishments, which includes the steering, technical committees and secretariat and was moderated by Dr. Emmanuel Gaima, the Governance Adviser to President.

Other facilitators included Dr. Sheka Bangura, Director of Planning, Research and Policy, MoPED, Momoh Turay, Technical Adviser to the MoPED, Patrick Zombo, among others.

As he Ends Provincial Tours in Kono…   VP Juldeh Jalloh Assures District Residents of Strong ties

Vice President, Juldeh Jalloh

By Theresa Kef Sesay

On Friday 19th June 2020, the Vice President, Juldeh Jalloh concluded his engagements in the Eastern district of Kono after holding several successful meetings with major DICOVERC stakeholders in Falaba and Koinadugu in the northern region. The Vice President is a member of the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

Engaging stakeholders and kinsmen in Kono, the VP Jalloh informed them that he is in the district to solicit first-hand information on critical challenges in the fight against COVID-19.

VP Jalloh noted that his boss, President Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio, who is the Chairman of the Presidential Task Force COVID-19 Response, assigned him.

He expressed satisfaction that the various stakeholders are making tremendous gains under very difficult circumstances, adding that the Government is keen on addressing all challenges facing the district structures. He informed his audience that he was accompanied in Kono with top Kono Government officials who are also sons of the soil and assured that they would make meaningful contributions as descendants to complement Government’s support to the district.

The VP assured the Kono stakeholders that Government is making significant gains to flatten the COVID-19 curve, as well as stabilizing the economy, singling out substantial policy considerations for the health sector amidst 65% revenue loss. He called for an interactive deliberation with all stakeholders in the district, including the DICOVERC, local councils, paramount chiefs, youth and women.

Finance Minister Dilates on Govt’s Robust Economic Reforms

Minister of Finance, Jacob Jusu Saffa

By Amin Kef  Sesay

The Minister of Finance Jacob Jusu Saffa stated that since April 2018, the Bio led administration has implemented robust economic reforms that has increased domestic revenue generation and also strengthened expenditure management to the admiration of its international development partners.

He assured Sierra Leoneans that these funds will be used to implement programmes and projects that will impact on livelihoods to reduce poverty.

The Finance Minister noted that the World Bank recent approval of $100M support to Sierra Leone is a demonstration of confidence in the leadership of President Bio by development partners.

It must be recalled that the World Bank Group on the 17th June 2020, approved a $100 million grant to Sierra Leone for promoting sustainable and inclusive growth and building economic resilience. This windfall took place amidst the Corona pandemic and global challenge facing developing countries with Sierra Leone being no exception.

The $100 million grant is from the International Development Association (IDA) to support the Government of Sierra Leone in promoting sustainable and inclusive growth and building economic resilience. This Development Policy Financing (DPF) supports ongoing reforms to enhance macroeconomic stability, increase productivity in agriculture and fisheries, promote transparency in public procurement, and build an effective asset disclosure system to fight corruption and improve public sector accountability.

It has been ascertained that this is the first time that a grant of $100M support by the World Bank has been disbursed to the Sierra Leone Government and it came about when President Bio, visited both the President and Vice President of the World Bank in Washington where he called on them to increase the support to the country.

Gayle Martin, World Bank Country Manager for Sierra Leone said:  “This financing will help address fiscal challenges and improve overall governance to build resilience and enhance the delivery of services to the people amidst this global COVID-19 pandemic.”

He added that Sierra Leone’s opportunities to eradicate extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity rest on sustained macroeconomic stability, robust growth and a solid enabling environment for the exploitation of its abundant natural resources.

The program focuses on two primary objectives: creating the conditions for increased productivity in selected economic sectors; and improving transparency in selected Government decision making processes.

“The World Bank continues to support the Government’s commitment to tackle difficult and needed reforms to promote inclusive growth,” said Youssouf Kiendrebeogo, World Bank Senior Economist and Task Team Leader.

World Bank support has grown over the past two years which shows support to the Government of President Julius Maada Bio.

Between March to May of 2019, the World Bank has provided lot of support to the country including the $7.5 million International Development Association (IDA) grant to help towards the threat posed by the coronavirus outbreak and strengthen national systems for public health preparedness, a $40 million International Development Association (IDA) grant to support key policy reforms to promote sustainable and inclusive growth and build economic resilience.

The World Bank has also provided $50 million International Development Association (IDA) credit for the Energy Sector Utility Reform Project (ESURP) to support improvement in the operational performance of the national electricity distribution utility.

For The Attention of ACC… (Part 2) An indictment of one Police Officer is an indictment of all, including its Leadership

By Amin Kef Sesay

Based on information obtained over a period of time from commercial drivers across the length and breadth of the Western Area, it emerged that they have little or no respect for traffic Police Officers in particular and the country’s Force for Good in general.

What appalls them most is that traffic officers who receive salaries have become preys of drivers that they daily feed on with no effort whatsoever made by the Police command, in spite of many protests made by the affected persons to put a halt to the criminality of the men and women they send on the streets to regulate traffic and to trap road traffic offenders.

This abysmal opinion of out police force by a sizeable proportion of the population that it is supposed to serve does not augur well for trust and public confidence in the Force to protect their lives and properties, as at the same time it has serious implications for the security of the State and people.

The dismal aspect of this view of the traffic police in particular and in general the Force itself is that in many media engagements with their spokespersons, when allegations of unprofessionalism, bribery, corruption, intimidation and using the law to oppress citizens is put to them, they deny asking for evidence to be brought forward.

The evidence is not hard to find – particularly against traffic officers. Call any commercial driver in Freetown, ask him these questions: Do you book every day with traffic officers agents to enable you to run freely? Have you been ever dragged to the Police Station and charged because you refused to bribe a traffic officer?

Suggestions are many as to how this menace, which has deeply depleted the image and respect for men and women of the force for good must be addressed by the Government if we are to build strong foundations for durable peace and justice, without which the country and its people would always live in insecurity with injustice as the basis for continued lawlessness.

As such, building trust between the Police and the Citizens they serve has to primarily focus on the pivotal role of the Internal administration, management and disciplining of especially officers that daily interface with the public as a major component of an agency-wide professional standards effort in building trust between the Police and the communities they are sworn to protect and serve.

This Management function includes monitoring of traffic police officers, station officers, crime officers to ensure that they are fully compliant in the performance of their duties with the rules and regulations guiding them.

Most importantly we cannot afford to let the Police with so many powers at their command to operate alone without citizens fully involved in monitoring their operations. As such, how can the Police be made accountable to citizens in their fundamental role of protecting and promoting a national culture of accountability.

It should be impressed on the minds of the police leadership and all divisional, station and field commanders that building and maintaining community trust is the cornerstone of successful policing and law enforcement.

Admitted that building and maintenance of trust takes a great deal of continuous effort as most unfortunately, the ethical work of thousands of police officers doing their work honestly and diligently, local law enforcement officers are easily undone by the actions of some unethical officers whose only interest in wearing the money is how to enrich themselves even if it involves aiding and abetting criminals.

NaCSA Commissioner Speaks on World Refugee Day

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

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In commemorating World Refugee Day, the Commissioner of the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), Abu Bockarie Kokofele, has on Saturday 20th June, 2020 urged all to continue to save lives by providing safe space to people seeking asylum in the country in line with Sierra Leone’s established Refugee Act and other international standards. He further registered their commitment to serve where they are most needed.

The Commissioner said that to marks World Refugee Day, they took a moment to recognize the courage of  those who  fled the civil war in Liberia over 20 years ago and are currently residing as exempted refugees in their respective settlements in the Southern and Eastern regions of Sierra Leone, stating that the International World Refugee day is an occasion set aside to create awareness among  the general public on refugee issues as well as mobilizing political will and resources to address global problems, celebrate and reinforce achievements of humanity.

He said that the 20th June is observed every year and set aside to engage stakeholders, Governments and the global communities to get awareness about the overwhelming problems affecting refugees and how they can best tailor their support and responses for refugee persons of concern in the country if they are to live a more dignified life postulating that the day alone is a powerful advocacy tool in the entire refugee framework.

“Each year, World Refugee Day is marked by a variety of events in many countries around the globe including Sierra Leone in support of refugees. These activities are led by or involve the residual caseload of refugees themselves, Government officials, host communities, companies, celebrities, school children and the general public, among others. World Refugee Day is an occasion to build empathy and understanding for the plight of the residual caseload in the country and to recognize their resilience in rebuilding their lives,” he pointed out.

He further disclosed that for this year’s activities; NaCSA is creating awareness raising for the residual caseload to locally integrate; including them into the national programme activities; enjoy free education and free medical healthcare, livelihood support like any other support granted to targeted vulnerable Sierra Leoneans.

“To all residual caseload of refugees in the country; I am continually deeply moved by your stories and inspired by your hope on this World Refugee Day. My staff and I pledge to do all we can to continue to include all locally integrated refugees into the country’s national development programmes; empower them to became self-reliant, respond to UNHCR Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework of the Global Refugee Forum We have also developed better ways to mobilize support through advocacy with Civil Society Organizations and relevant line ministries for mainstreaming locally integrated refugees which is the most feasible durable option,” he assured.

Kokofele pointed out that GOSL recognizes the rights, needs and dreams of the residual caseload of refugees in the country. It was stated that helping to mobilize political will and resources will not only help them cope but to also thrive to sustain their livelihoods in the country.

It was also revealed that while it is important to protect and improve the lives of refugee persons of concern every single day, international days like World Refugee Day help to focus global attention on the plight of those fleeing conflict or persecution.

Kokofele said that the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent anti-racism protests have shown how desperately there is the  need to fight for a more inclusive and equal world: a world where no one is left behind.

“Count everyone and contribute if giving a chance to include our refugee persons of concern lives a resilience life,” he stated adding how it has never been clearer that all have a role to play in order to bring about a change where everyone can make a difference highlighting that it is at the heart of the Government of Sierra Leone World Refugee Day campaign.

He stated that they aim to remind the world that everyone, including refugees, can contribute to society and Every Action Counts in the effort to create a more just, inclusive, and equal world.

In solidarity, he said, that they are in this together and together they will find solutions and survive this pandemic as well as acknowledge the resilience of refugee persons of concern and their respective host communities by stating that everyone counts as they can contribute to giving chances to Refugee persons of concern.

In the area of action, he said their teams continue to serve where they are most needed. He appealed for help for UNHCR and NaCSA to continue saving lives by providing safe space to people seeking asylum in the country in line with Sierra Leone established Refugee Act and other international standards.

ACC Clamps Down on Security Officers Manning COVID-19 Checkpoints

Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption (ACC) Francis Ben Kaifala

By Foday Moriba Conteh

On Thursday June 18, 2020 the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) conducted simultaneous sting operations on Four Mile, Six Mile and Mange Bridge COVID-19 checkpoints respectively.

This medium learnt that the operations were intelligence-led, and were in response to the numerous public concerns that security officers manning the COVID-19 checkpoints are accepting bribes, to provide passage to vehicles without E-PASSES to ply the routes, which is in violation of the directives governing the inter-district lockdown.

In the course of the operations and at the Four Mile checkpoint, officers of the Commission arrested one military officer, who allegedly received Seventy Thousand Leones (Le 70,000) as bribe to facilitate the passage of a vehicle that did not have an E-PASS.

At the Six Mile and Mange Bridge checkpoints, no officer was seen receiving bribes. However, it was clearly observed that, the security officers unlawfully allowed vehicles without E-PASSES to ply through, thereby compromising State security and undermining the COVID-19 response efforts.

It was relayed that the ACC believes this is a matter the authorities in the security sector need to address and the institution will work with them to put in place preventive measures.

The ACC is using this medium to inform the public that they will give a notification on progress relating to the investigation on the military officer who is likely to be referred to the Military justice system for administrative redress.

The Commission is reassuring the public of its continued commitment to controlling corruption at all levels, particularly in instilling integrity and sanity in the COVID-19 response activities.

NP-SL Ltd is Indeed a Source of Pride

By Amin Kef Sesay

The National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd), it has been confirmed, is a successful enterprise that is hugely contributing to the socio-economic development of this nation.

This assertion could be justified when cognizance is taken of the company’s serious deepening of the country’s Local Content Policy as vividly evident in giving exceptional preference to employing indigenes contrary to bringing in foreign expatriates to execute certain tasks. This laid down policy that is strictly implemented has created room for the employment of Sierra Leoneans who have the requisite qualifications and skills giving them the opportunity to take care of personal responsibilities.

“I cannot find words to express how delighted I am as I can proudly say that NP-SL has changed my life completely since the company employed me,” one of the workers at NP Cotton Tree joyfully intimated The Calabash when this medium went out on a fact finding mission.

“As far as I have assessed in this country it is only NP-SL Ltd that has such a pragmatic policy of maintaining a policy that gives job preferential treatments to Sierra Leoneans and I have great respect for the indigenous company,” Raymond Cole, a Social Commentator eulogized.

With the introduction of NP Smart Card, which has gone viral, the Card can be credited with money and the amount of money utilized to buy fuel is debited after every transaction. With the use of NP Smart Card, customers are saved the hassle of having to always move with physical cash in their possession in order to purchase fuel and indeed there are times when one may not have time to rush to the bank to make withdrawals. Customers, who are holders and users of NP Smart Card, are at the vantage position to properly budget, through the amount that is contained in the card to buy fuel, during a considerable period of time, say a week or a month. Indeed, NP Smart Card has become trending.

In order to ensure that their customers derive value for money, it was thought prudent on the part of Shareholders and Management to make use of state of the art and highly modernized calibrated pumping machines which were installed at the company’s different Filling Stations capable of pumping the exact quantity of fuel, be it petrol or diesel, that a particular customer requested for.

This fine move by the company has helped instilled confidence among customers that they are really dealing with a very transparent business entity and getting what they are paying for. This singular business strategy has got many glued to a petroleum company that is considered to be marketing the best of petroleum products which include petrol, diesel, gas and high grade lubricants, one of which is the most sought out Castrol oil, said to be very good for the proper functioning of engines.

The company also markets NP Gas which is a cooking device that is manufactured in different cylinder sizes and sold at the company’s Filling Stations across the country. It can be easily refilled with gas, is said to be non-hazardous to the health of individuals and easy to operate. Its performance has been rated high and many are indeed going for it.

One yardstick that could be used to assess the potency and vibrancy of a company is how well it is entrenched or established. With regards NP-SL Ltd, one can actually see that the company, over the years, has grown by leaps and bounds as seen in its opening of branches in neighboring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. All these NP branches, within the sub-region, are functioning very efficiently and contributing immensely towards the socio-economic development of those host countries. Through their operations, the company is paying taxes to the various Governments and indirectly boosting the revenue bases of those countries to roll out different development programs.

An admirable quality that NP-SL Ltd has been exhibiting throughout the years is the proper implementation of the country’s Local Content Policy. This policy is geared towards giving preferential treatment to indigenes or making use of local ingredients , in the form of human and material resources, instead of depending on those that are acquired through importation.

The company has the laid down policy of giving preferential employment consideration to indigenes instead of relying on expatriates.  As long as Sierra Leoneans have the requisite qualifications and skills they are first considered for various vacant positions in the company. The greatest advantage is that the policy has made it possible for indigenes to be gainfully employed and live improved standards of living.

From all that have been said so far, it could be argued with all amount of certainty that NP-SL Ltd is indeed a highly successful and very competitive petroleum company that continues to stand tall within the business landscape of this country. And from the look of things it is poised to reach further higher heights.

1...1,0721,0731,074...1,362Page 1,073 of 1,362