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Orange- SL Donates Food Items to Chamber of Commerce to Support 100 Homes

By Edward Vamboi

Orange Sierra Leone Mobile Company, on Tuesday 16th June 2020, donated a consignment of food items worth over Ninety Million Leones (Le 90,000,000) to the Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (SLCCIA) comprising 100 Bags of Rice, 100 Gallons of Cooking Oil, 100 Bags of Onions, 100 Boxes of cube Maggie, 100 Cartoons of Tomato etc. in order for them to undertake a distribution of the aforementioned items to One Hundred Quarantined Homes within the Freetown municipality. The donation ceremony took place at the Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture Office on Charlotte Street in Freetown.

In his statement, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility Orange- Sierra Leone, Desmond Spaine, stated how the donation is part of the company’s corporate social responsibility maintaining that it is one of their key pillars as a telecommunications company in the country.

He said they have been working closely with the Government of Sierra Leone in scaling up efforts to curtail the spread of COVID-19 in the country, adding that since the country recorded its first positive index case they have been playing pivotal roles underscoring that up till now they are working in that direction in order to combat the spread of the coronavirus with the avowed objective of restoring normalcy.

Desmond Spaine  revealed that the donation materialized as a response to the request made by the Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in order to partner with them to undertake the said donation to quarantined homes as their contribution in their contribution to fight the pandemic in the country.

He disclosed that at this crucial moment like they cannot imagine what quarantine homes are going through which was why they responded to the request to symbolically hand over the food items with the belief that when distributed to quarantined homes across the country such will support the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Unveiling the package, he said ,Orange as a company is presenting 100 Bags of Rice, 100 Gallons of Cooking Oil, 100 Bags of Onions, 100 Boxes of cube Maggie, 100 Cartoon Tomato etc to the Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture as the lead facilitator for the distribution process.

He encouraged those in Quarantined homes, who will benefit from the donated items to receive them in good faith advising them to adhere to the preventive measures instituted by the Government of Sierra Leone in order to curtail the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Receiving the items, the Chief Executive Officer of the Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce Industry and Agriculture, James .S. Koroma, expressed appreciation to Orange Sierra Leone stating how they are very happy for the intervention of the company and donation of the items to them with the understanding of them undertaking onward donation to 100 Quarantined Homes.

He said the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic has affected all sectors in the country especially the health of Sierra Leoneans and social lifestyles, noting that it has also brought a massive halt to business activities and supply chains leading to some companies closing down operations.

He stated that as an umbrella organization that supervises the private sector they had been working tirelessly to be very supportive in the fight stating how they have been sensitizing their members on the causes and prevention of COVID-19 as a way to complement the efforts of Government in curtailing the spread of the coronavirus in the country.

Head of Public Relations Orange Sierra Leone, Annie Wonnie, in her concluding statement said expressed delight  for giving the food items to the Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture for undertaking the exercise stating how they will help to support and to help the beneficiaries  because they are in need of food items.

Orange Sierra Leone takes Ethics and Compliance to a New Level

15/06/2020

Globally renowned Telco, Orange has been present in Sierra Leone for only three years. Yet, it has already firmly stamped its innovative footprint on the country and its telecoms industry. Bringing new era telecommunications to Sierra Leone.

Since the inception of Orange Operations in Sierra Leone, the company has invested about $133 million dollars in the areas of Network modernization and expansion, Human Resources as well as corporate social responsibility in the last three years.

We are pursuing a strong industrial project in Sierra Leone that is geared towards covering most of the country with telecoms services, services that will improve rural connectivity and also our quality of service says Aminata Kane Ndiaye, Orange CEO.

Orange acquired 247 sites, in only three years, Orange has completed a total of 147 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. Orange is now a proud owner of 394 sites across the country with the widest 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 last two years. The company prides itself in capacity building by ensuring that its employees benefit from soft skills, technical and leadership training. The company nurtures talent from onboarding, ensures retention and provides exposure opportunities to other orange affiliates.

Orange being a multi-service provider and a responsible corporate citizen, places emphasis on corporate social investment. Orange also prides itself in giving back to Sierra Leone through its robust Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda.

In the last three years, the company has invested about $400,000 dollars mainly in the areas of women empowerment, health, education and the environment. Orange remains the first operator in Sierra Leone to contribute to the government’s Free Quality Education (FQE) Agenda by pledging the sum of $1.5m in material assistance over a period of five years. In 2019, the company engaged in the following CSR activities:

  • Support the Thinking Pink foundation in creating awareness of breast cancer among women through sport – mini-marathon, also providing financial assistance to cancer survivors for treatment.
  • Orange Social Venture Prize – to identify and support local entrepreneurs and start-ups.
  • Distribution of 2,000 hygiene packs for girls between the ages of 12-18 years in fulfilment of our 2019 FQE commitment.

In readiness for the country’s digital transformation the company also launched the first coding school for young people in Sierra Leone in partnership with the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) with an estimated cost of about LE2.75 billion.

Environment:

In the area of environment, Orange remains the first company to secure an Environmental Impact Assessment license from the Environmental Protection Agency in 2018 upon the successful completion of an environmental and social impact assessment study with its consultant, CEMMAT. The License is secured annually to ensure that Orange conducts its business responsibly guaranteeing that the impact of the activities of the company to the environment, is mitigated.

In recognition of the role Orange plays in the area of environment, the company received the Outstanding Humanitarian Award by Shout Climate Change Africa in partnership with EPA.

We note with importance, the recognition granted to us as one of Africa’s top business integrity organizations, by Africa Leadership awards, as that serves as a super motivation for us to keep maintaining and improving our organizational structure. Achieving such feat is based on standard systems that we have incorporated into our working environment. We ensure strict adherence of such systems by all employees, regardless of their capacities within the company. We are currently a signatory to the New York Stock Exchange, a renowned company which provides the platform for us to be able to maintain high and consistent business standards. We have six (6) features/key priorities which guide our environment. These six are:

  1. Our first policy towards maintaining compliance is the support we have been having from the hierarchal structure of our administration and having strong ties with ACC, as they are the country’s leading compliance machine.
  2. Ensuring governance structure within the company is well monitored to ensure everyone stays within the ambit of the company’s procedures and practices.
  3. We further ensure that we have a strategic risk map analysis which provides analysis on potential areas we should strengthen, if any, in order to ensure that we stay alert with the ever-changing business environment.
  4. We further ensure that all policies and procedure are being followed to even 3rdparties dealing with us. We ensure that all contracts have compliance clauses, and we also implemented a whistleblowing mechanism which keeps everyone with our brand on their toes.
  5. We further ensure that training is conducted for almost all our employees.
  6. We further have a dedicated department that ensures all specific process and procedure are adhered to.

Notwithstanding the aforesaid, as a result of the aforesaid structures our CEO, Aminata Kane Ndiaye was appointed to serve in our country’s Anti-Corruption Advisory Council, and such appointment cannot be unconnected to our strong internal compliance policies and procedures.

As Nationwide Donations Still Continue…  Karene District Benefits from Pavi Fort COVID-19 Support

By Amin Kef Sesay

 As part of its commitment in response to the fight against COVID-19 in Karene District, Pavi Fort Construction Company, on Saturday 13th June 2020, donated bags of rice, cash and Personal Protective Equipments worth millions of Leones, as well as a cheque to the Karene District Emergency Operational Centre (DECOVERC) through the Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Alpha Wurie. This venture is to scale up the fight against the spread of the coronavirus in Karene District.

In his statement, Alimou Barrie, the Chief Executive Officer of Pavi Fort revealed that he joined the fight against COVID-19 in order to complement Government’s efforts in its strides to contain the spread of the virus in the country. He disclosed how he has made donations of similar nature in different parts of the country further mentioning that it is his intention to do so in the 16 districts within the country.

He emphasized on the relevance of adhering to precautionary measures set aside by the World Health Organization and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, which include regular hand washing, use of facemasks and practising social distancing and to be very vigilant, cooperative and not to be complacent in fighting the virus.

Presenting the items, the Chief Executive Officer of Pavi Fort, Alimou Barrie, noted that the donation is a good will gesture to complement the efforts of the Government and to aid the People of Karene Districts in the fight against the Coronavirus. Alimou Barrie presented a cheque of Twenty Million Leones (Le20,000,000), 80 bags of rice, 30 gallons of sanitizers and 5000 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 are meant to facilitate the work of the fight against the corona virus within their respective chiefdoms in the district.

Politicians, Local Authorities and residents heartily commended the CEO of Pavi Fort Sierra Leone, Alimu Barrie, for what they described as a timely, selfless and patriotic move to fight a deadly virus, restore sanity and continue to embark on development programmes. The donation of the aforementioned items and cash benefitted residents and the Regent Chief of Dibiya chiefdoms, Pa Alhaji Amadu Jah, as social mobilization support to the traditional authorities in fighting the coronavirus disease in Karene District.

Present at the handing over ceremony were the Honourable Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Abass Bundu, Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Alpha Wurie, Special Adviser to President Bio, Alie Burne Wurie, Regent Chief of Dibiya Chiefdom Karene District, Pa Alhaji Amadu Jah, Coordinator of  Karene DICORVERC, Foday Kallon, Town and Section Chiefs across the District.

The occasion was graced with traditional singing and dancing from residents across the district at the Gbinti Town court Barray, Dibiya Chiefdom.

It is on record that Pavi Fort Construction Company has stood by the side of the Government of Sierra Leone during trying times, as it did on August 14th 2017 when the mudslide occurred at Regent. The company was among those that donated relief items, which included five hundred bags of rice, Le25 million Leones and provided three excavators to clear the rubble and also built fifty two (52) houses at 6 Mile to address the housing problems faced by the victims in the aftermath of the mudslide incident.

In commemorating World Day Against Child Labour… Marian P. Kargbo Calls on Govt. to implement Policies on Child Protection

Founder and CEO of the Pleasant Children's Foundation, Marian Pleasant Kargbo

By Amin Kef Sesay

Founder and CEO of the Pleasant Children’s Foundation, Marian Pleasant Kargbo stated on the 12th June 2020 that her organization works to improve the lot of orphans, street children and less privileged kids. She postulated that  “Children should not work in Fields but rather on dreams”.

She stated that as the world observes “Day Against

Child Labour” it is an opportunity to appeal to the Government of Sierra Leone, private institutions, partners and individuals working for the welfare of children to implement already established policies that are enshrined for the protection of our children.

“Across the country, we see the rate at which our children are suffering by getting them involved in child labour.

Street trading, sand mining, construction work, agricultural activities, fishing, among others, have become the order of the day; some parents prefer sending their kids to sell, instead of sending them to school. Their excuse is that  the kids need to go and find money for them. I have seen  kids afraid of going home just because they lost monies after selling for their caregivers/ parents. We are living in a world wherein our children are becoming vulnerable by the day, and Sierra Leone is not an exception.

2021 has been declared by the UN General Assembly as the year for the Elimination of Child Labour and has asked the International Labour Organization to take the lead in its Implementation. The International Year will be an ideal opportunity to reinvigorate efforts to achieve SDG 8.7 to end all forms of child labour by 2025,” she highlighted.

The activist maintained that children around the world are routinely engaged in paid and unpaid forms of works that are harmful to them.

She said they are classified as child labour when they are either too young to work, or are involved in hazardous activities that may compromise their physical, mental, social or educational developments.

“Almost one in ten of all children worldwide are in child labour. We need to step up our game and protect our children- let us save them from the odds of society.  Let’s now stop the discussion and implement the laws and policies. Our children are suffering, and they don’t deserve what’s happening to them. Again I ask, what is Sierra Leone doing in this fight?” Marian Pleasant Kargbo ended up asking.

YADI Hands Over Newly Constructed Water Well To Matainkay Community

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of their support to less privileged communities in the country, the Youth in Action for the Development of Islam (YADI) has on Sunday 7th June, 2020 commissioned newly constructed seven (7) meter deep water well to residents of the Matainkay Community, Waterloo Western Rural District.

In his statement, the Founder/Executive Director, Youths in Action for the Development of Islam, Amadu Wurie Barrie, disclosed that the gesture is the 6th volume of their annual Ramadan Charity Project (RCP), which aims at targeting various vulnerable and needy people, adding that the establishment of “Al-Kawthar Water Well” is a perfect tradition of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and religiously serves best during the Holy month of Ramadan.

He disclosed that YADI was founded on the 5th May 2014 and since its establishment it has undertaken Dawah and the implementation of educational activities, supporting sisters to take up hijab and had undertaken the presentation of the National Islamic Awards (NIA) for the past years furthering how they are keen to serve humanity saying they will continue their efforts towards ensuring having a brighter future.

He added that amidst the Corona Pandemic, water is regarded as a paramount  weapon in deprived communities referencing the Matainkay Community  highlighting how many organisations have been donating bars of soap, facial masks and other items to vulnerable people, pinpointing that  most forget to consider the fact that those items cannot be effectively utilized if water is not available.

Barrie said  it is against such backdrop that they thought it fit to construct the seven meter deep well for the vulnerable community with the strong belief that it will contribute to the fight against COVID-19 and also ease the constraints faced by residents especially women and girls to access water during the dry season.

On his part, the Project Coordinator, Foday Conteh, expressed appreciation to the residents of Matainkay Community for their support during the implementation of the project.

He said that RCP is an annual activity that is undertaken by YADI, noting that through the project they have contributed tremendously to improve the lives of Sierra Leoneans. He maintained that during previous years, YADI  reached out to numerous vulnerable and needy people residing in deprived communities, as well as orphanages, Quran memorization centers, hospitalized patients, physically impaired etc.

He said that YADI doesn’t have external support, but with the little contributions by the membership and considerable support by other compassionate Muslims, they have been able to keep the dream alive.

Foday Conteh appealed to the beneficiaries to take good care of the well to ensure that it is not mismanaged. He informed the gathering that the entire project was facilitated by the YADI Executive with support from Sheikh Farouk Adam Bah, YADI’s Consultant for Religious Affairs.

In his address, the Project Supervisor, Mohamed Samura disclosed that a feasibility study was done at Waterloo on the 6th May 2020, resulting in the selection the Matainkay Community as the project target site.

The site, on which the well was dug, was provided by one brother Mustapha, adding that the Community is said to have about 600-700 residents, and is faced with a huge challenge of  accessing pure water supply especially during dry seasons and that the digging of the well commenced on the 16th May, 2020 and was completed within two weeks.

He also urged the residents of Matainkay Community to see the well as their property in order for it to be owned and be sustained.

Mohamed Kargbo, a community elder, who happens to be a beneficiary, expressed appreciation to the Youths in Action for the Development of Islam for implementing such a project within their community.  He underscored that the community is faced with water accessibility especially during the dry seasons.

He said with the construction of the well will reduce the constraints faced by residents to access water expressing how he cannot voice his feelings in words, but assured they will always remember the pioneers and supporters of the project.

He assured YADI that the community will take proper care of the well further ensuring its sustainability and urged YADI to consider other communities in such with gesture.

The newly constructed seven (7) meter deep water well

CAN Schools SLP Hierarchy on Procedures of Dismissing Police Officers

Executive Director Citizens Advocacy Network (CAN) Thomas Moore Conteh

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a Press Statement dated Friday 12 June 2020, the Citizens Advocacy Network (CAN) raised certain concerns relating to the dismissal of ten officers in the Sierra Leone Police. The Civil Society Organization stated that their investigations show that the affected Police Officers were dismissed without regard for due process as expected in a democratic society.

CAN maintains that it seems apparent that the relevant authorities in the SLP failed to follow the laid down laws and guidelines as provided by the Police Disciplinary Act 2001 which sets out the conditions and defines the processes and procedures of dismissing a Police Officer, noting that the sacked Police Officers were never accorded their constitutional right to fair hearing which CAN described as a complete and clear violation of the principles of Natural Law and Natural Justice and that those principles fundamentally advocate the legal theory of “audi alteram partem;” which guarantee that the accused persons must always be accorded the right to be heard and to defend themselves.

They disclosed that judging by the evidence before them, they believe that the said Police Officers never had the chance to defend themselves against any supposed wrong they might have perpetuated and that it is an abuse of power and position for any authority to dismiss employees without hearing their responses to the allegation against them, or accord them the constitutional right to defend themselves.

CAN further maintained that such action also violates Sections 10 (1) and 11 of the Police Discipline Regulations Act, 2001 and that those Sections clearly outline the processes involved in disciplining officers as they relate to lawful handling of complaints and the obligation of hearing from the other side. They further noted that Section 15 of the aforesaid Act provides that a tribunal be set up to try officers alleged to have committed offences.

“In fact, officers alleged to have committed offences are required to appear to ensure equity, justice and reasonable conclusions are obtained. Our investigations show beyond doubt that such a tribunal was neither formed nor were the dismissed officers accorded their rights to defend themselves,” CAN bemoaned.

The organization also stated that it believes the sackings are in violation of rules, the codes of the SLP, the Police Discipline Regulations Act 2001 and the 1991 Constitution which guarantees fair hearing.

“It must be noted that the Police is such an integral part in the democratization process. They are crucial in setting standards befitting of their mandate. Following due process and constitutional provisions should not be a strange phenomenon.  As custodians of the law, they are to give confidence to the public in believing that they are there to truly save lives and property,” it was underscored by the organization.

CAN affirmed that if the Police Force cannot give confidence to its members of honouring laid down laws, best practices and procedures, it is worrying that the public may also lose confidence in the Force also reminding the hierarchy of the Force that such actions are subject to judicial review and that negative publicity about the Force does not make it has a pretty image in the public domain.

The CSO respectfully called on His Excellency the Vice President, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Police Council, to intervene and ensure that due processes and procedures are strictly adhered to and let justice prevail!

 

MRCG Engages Journalists on Transitional Justice Reporting

Cross Section of Participants during the training

By Fatmata Jengbe

In a bid to improve the prowess of journalists, especially reporters, to professionally  report and enhance public sensitization on Transitional Justice in the country, the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) with support from the African Transitional Justice Legacy Fund (ATJLF)  on Friday 12th June, 2020 conducted a one training workshop for media practitioners geared towards  changing the narrative on transitional justice reporting in Sierra Leone. The event took place at the MRCG Head office on Brook Street in Freetown.   

In his statement, the Chairman of the Media Reform Coordinating Group MRCG, Dr. Francis Sowa, disclosed that with support from the African Transitional Justice Legacy Fund for the next one year they will be engaging the media to change the narrative on Transitional Justice (TJ) issues in Sierra Leone in order to enhance Transitional Justice Reporting in the country.

He said that the major focus of the Project, which started in February 2020, is to utilize the services of media institutions and practitioners to increase public awareness on transitional justice mechanisms, including tracking the implementation of the recommendations in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report.

He further disclosed that the Project started with a baseline study of media institutions (including editors and station managers) and some local and national organisations to gauge knowledge of transitional justice issues in Sierra Leone furthering that the findings of the study formed the basis for the conduct of regional trainings for journalists/reporters to popularize transitional justice issues.

He said that the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) was established to strengthen democratic dialogue, consolidate peace and ensure development through a professional, independent and sustainable media based on the right to freedom of expression and of speech. According to him it comprises ten media organisations, policy-making bodies and academic institutions in the country stating that it was established as part of the media development strategy which is the outcome of a study that was conducted in 2014 to map the capacity needs of the media in Sierra Leone.

According to one of the beneficiaries of the training, Fatmata Jengbe, the training was very educative as she was privileged to imbibe significant insights into issues relating to transitional justice reporting.

Chief Minister Reassures Eastern Polytechnic of Support

Chief Minister, Prof David Francis

By Amin Kef Sesay

The readiness of President Dr. Julius Maada Bio in upgrading the Eastern Polytechnic into the first Technical University of Sierra Leone has been confirmed by the Chief Minister, Prof David Francis. This disclosure was made on Friday 12th June 2020.

In his statement, the Chief Minister reaffirmed that Cabinet has unanimously agreed and ratified the document that was tabled before them for the establishment of a University in the Eastern Region. Giving an over view of his visit, he said, he feels pleased with the new administration and encouraged them to continue pressing on so that the long awaited history will  be actualised. The Chief Minister pledged its support to make sure that the Eastern Polytechnic by law becomes a university.

The Registrar of Eastern Polytechnic, Mr. John Juana, on behalf of the Administration expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister and the Ministry of Tertiary and Technical Education for their assiduous efforts in actualising the dreams of all. He also called on the Leader of Government, Hon. Shar Mathew Nyuma and all members of parliament to be vigilant and steadfast so that when the document would have been tabled in Parliament, they can speedily fast-track the transformational bill legally.

The Registrar furthered that there was no turning back hence Cabinet has given its approval. He remarkably pointed out that the President’s flagship programme of capacitating the human resource of this nation is second to none. “With the Technical University of Sierra Leone we are assured of much more quality productions and the expansion of entrepreneurships that will help students create employment for themselves,” the Registrar echoed.

He thanked the Government for the tremendous efforts it has made in the long awaited transformation and said they are optimistic of the long awaited realities furthering how they were pleased to inform all and sundry that the Bio lead Government has helped in capacitating the academic staff by awarding scholarships from Master Degrees unto PhD.

In attendance were; the Paramount Chief of Nongowa P.C Kapuwa, Hon. Shar Mathew Nyuma, Hon. Boston Munda, Mr. Kokofele the Commissioner General of NaSCA and several others. They all pledged their continuous support in making sure they use all they have to actualise this dream of  the Eastern Polytechnic to a modern University in Sierra Leone.

 

NaCSA’s Emergency Cash Transfer is Free

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) on the 25th May 2020 made public the commencement of the Covid-19 Emergency Cash Transfers to households with vulnerable informal sector workers including those working in micro and small enterprises and low paid workers in the service sector.

The NaCSA media team stated that it  has observed with dismay that certain unscrupulous persons are collecting monies from innocent citizens with a promise to enrol them as beneficiaries.

The institution wants it known  that the Commission is working with relevant institutions like the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Statistics Sierra Leone, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Freetown City Council and other Councils  to ensure that the right beneficiaries are targeted.

The team highlighted that it should be noted that once a beneficiaries have started receiving the cash, nobody is supposed to take it from them. It furthered that prospective beneficiaries should not offer or pay anything to anybody in order to be enrolled going on to state that any attempted extortion or corrupt practices must be reported to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) by calling the toll-free number 515 or directly to ACC Community Monitors or other ACC officials.

The Commission pointed out that the objective of the emergency cash transfers (ECTs) is geared towards protecting the wellbeing of households that are expected to be especially vulnerable to the impacts of COVID-19.

It added that the ECT will provide  targeted households with financial support to help them cope with the immediate negative impact on their wellbeing, smoothing consumption and supplementing lost or reduced income.

It was understood that the transfer amount will be a one-off payment of SLL 1,309,000. What was again made known was that in addition to the list provided by participating organizations, NaCSA and its partners have developed a three stage targeting criteria for people to be beneficiaries of the emergency cash transfer. As explained, the Pre-list is not a determiner to be a beneficiary; the Commission has developed an ODK tool to records responses which will determine a beneficiary’s status.

Related to this medium was that a light proxy-means test would be applied to identify the most vulnerable workers from the list provided by different organizations.

As was understood, the exercise starts with validating the lists provided by City Councils, Ministry of Labour and Social Security, Traders Associations, Employers Federation, Microfinance Institutions and other organized market groups.

New EU Air Safety Ensured by EU Commission

By Amin Kef Sesay

In the “EU Safety List” the European Commission published the list of airlines in its bid to ensure the highest level of air safety for all persons travelling to the European Union. The list seeks to show airlines that are subject to an operating ban or operational restriction within the European Union as they do not meet international safety standards.

In the latest European Commission list have been included all airlines certified in Armenia.

The decision has been taken upon the hearings of the Armenian Civil Aviation Committee (CAC) and six Armenian air carriers. Additionally, the list of air carriers certified in Congo (Brazzaville), Democratic Republic of Congo, Kyrgyzstan, Libya, Nepal, and Sierra Leone have been amended and reviewed with new carriers from those countries added.

“The European Union Air Safety List should be used as an instrument that helps airlines and countries listed reassess and improve their flying standards. The decision to include the Armenian carriers on the EU Air Safety List has been made based on the unanimous opinion delivered by the Air Safety Committee. The Commission, with the assistance of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, stands ready to cooperate and invest in Armenia to improve its aviation safety,” Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean pointed out.

The latest update of the European Union Safety List shows that a total of 96 airlines have been banned from the EU:

90 airlines certified in 16 States, due to inadequate safety oversight by the aviation authorities from these States: Afghanistan, Angola (with the exception of 2 airlines), Armenia, Congo (Brazzaville), the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Libya, Moldova (with the exception of 3 airlines), Nepal, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone and Sudan.

Six individual airlines, based on serious safety deficiencies identified: Avior Airlines (Venezuela), Blue Wing Airlines (Suriname), Iran Aseman Airlines (Iran), Iraqi Airways (Iraq), Med-View Airlines (Nigeria) and Air Zimbabwe (Zimbabwe).

Furthermore, three airlines have been subject to operational restrictions and can only fly to the European Union with specific aircraft types: Air Service Comores (Comoros), Iran Air (Iran) and Air Koryo (North Korea).

The list published by the European Union helps affected airlines and countries to increase their levels of safety, for them to be taken off the list eventually.

Besides, the European Union Air Safety List motivates countries with safety problems to act upon them before a ban under the EU Air Safety List would become necessary.

 

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