Currently free voting by members of the public continues intensely in order to determine the 20 contestants that will emerge out of the 40 that have already been shortlisted the Big Brother 2019 is reaching its crescendo as people are looking forward to watch an interesting TV Reality show.
Recently, as it has been mentioned, the Judges decided to shortlist 40 finalists but at the end of the day it will be 20, 10 male and ten female, who will be allowed to enter the House on 14 February 2019. The stage is now set for the finale.
It will interest readers to know that, for transparency sake, the organisers of this TV Reality Show, have decided to give the general public the opportunity to participate in the selection of the 20 contestants who should enter the House. The opportunity will take the dimension of the public voting through the Africell Sierra Leone TOLL FREE LINE – 5500.
In the final analysis, the first twenty participants with the highest votes will qualify to enter the Housemates Salone 2019 House. Voting is absolutely free.

This will be the premier Big Brother Reality Show in this country but ironically despite the name, it will be a mixed combination of male and female housemates in the House.
The organisers continue to remind the public that every housemate will receive Le100, 000 for every day they stay in the House with the exception of the winner and the criterion for staying in the House depends on the amount of votes the individual polls per day.

Would be housemates are encouraged to galvanise their fans and supporters to be in readiness to cast their votes for them if they fall in the number of the 20 housemates selected to be in the House.

The competition is going to be keen, especially after Sierra Leoneans have enjoyed a successful Big Sister Salone and saw the handing over of the star prize to the eventual winner.

The show is another opportunity for the Africa Young Voices Media Empire (AYV) to not only entertain, but to empower young people to showcase their talents and at the same time create new millionaires among Sierra Leoneans.

With the launch of this latest TV Reality show, Big Brother Housemates Salone 2019, AYV in partnership with Africell seeks to further raise the stakes and empower more youths.

Following a successful nationwide audition, the Judges of the Housemates Salone 2019 Television Reality Show have released the list of Top 40 Applicants for the show.

The public is hereby invited to vote for their favourite applicants.

The Top 20 Applicants with the highest votes will make it to the House on February 14th 2019.

Remember that voting through Africell’s 5500 is completely free
Below are the names of the 40 shortlisted contestants:.
1. Abu Turay
2. Affise Odubella
3. Alusine Kamara
4. Amina Konneh
5. Aruna Lamin
6. Bintu Kaba
7. Derick Kelvin
8. Diana Decker
9. Dwight Smith
10. Dyllis George
11. Emmanuel Coker
12. Enid Boston-Jones
13. Fatmata Sankoh
14. George Wyndham
15. Habbi Jalloh
16. Hassan Hallowell
17. Henry Fonah
18. Monica Yeani Ghaliwa
19. Ibrahim Shuhab
20. Ibrahim Sorie Barrie
21. Isata Marion Musa
22. Ishmael Mauzi
23. Jalikatu Conteh
24. Jennifer Jabba
25. Jonathan Fitz John
26. Kenchine Palmer
27. Kariatu Mansaray
28. Magdalene T Williams
29. Marvina MK Davies
30. Mohamed Alie Jalloh
31. Moriana Walker
32. Precious Kamara
33. RaIford Rollings-Bull
34. Rashid Dyfan
35. Regina B Jombo
36. Saheed Komkanda Bangura
37. Salamatu Kargbo
38. Salim Sahid Kamara
39. Sebatu Bright
40. Suad Koroma

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Madam Claire Carlton Hanciles remains a dignified personality who has contributed in her modest ways to the development of Sierra Leone.
Her success story deserves commendation as the first Sierra Leonean Deputy Principal Defender and later Acting Principal Defender of the UN Special Court for Sierra Leone. Her role as the Director of Legal Aid Board is extremely important if we are to discountenance the belief that “Justice is for the strong”.
As Director of the Legal Aid Board, Madam Carlton Hanciles, has performed remarkably well and with distinction. Kudos to Madam Claire Carlton Hanciles for a wonderful job.
The Office of Director of Legal Aid Board deserves better conditions of service because it is this office that will take Sierra Leone to the ultimate; where justice exists for all and where powerful individuals and the State can be limited by virtue of access to legal resources.
Without justice, no man can live in peace and this explains why the State should invest greater resources in the Legal Aid office and provide them with better conditions of service.
No amount of intimidation backed up with malicious, baseless, wicked, false and intentional blackmailing from discredited, demoralized, degraded, disfigured, destabilized, dismantled and mentally disoriented stress, frustrated, confused and tormented slanderous individual(s) will bring her down.

For the sake of clarity, the Legal Aid Board Act, was passed by Parliament in 2012 and the Board effectively and efficiently started operations fully in 2015, and In 2016 Regional Tour started for the establishment of Legal Aid Board Offices within the nook and cranny of the entire country and if I could vividly remember, Makeni LAB Office, was the first to be established/opened, followed by Port Loko, Bo, Moyamba, Kono and Kenema respectively.
She was and still is a Public Servant, tasked with the responsibility to serve the public, irrespective of tribe, political affiliation, ethnic origin, sex, age and status.
One should be 100% passionate to work for the less privileged/Indigents.

Essentially, the Executive Director, Legal Aid Board, Fatmata Claire Carlton Hanciles Esq, has been and is still a servant of the people, her legacy and achievements will guarantee the road map to national prosperity. She is a strong, honest, trustworthy, dedicated, enlightened, visionary and patriotic leader and her administration will diligently work towards justice related issues for the people of Sierra Leone.
Fatmata Claire Carlton Hanciles, believes leadership is about values, common purpose and vision and not about nepotism, tribalism and regionalism and that’s exactly why she always help people, not because they come from the same region, family background, tribe, political affiliation, age and status, but because it’s a moral obligation to share her blessing with people.

She’s a true well-grounded leader/citizen who’s dedicated to the common cause, having a down to earth personality and throughout her adult working life tenure as Lawyer, ranging from Private Practice to the Special Court and now Legal Aid Board, all the places she has worked and is still working, she always leaves and continues to impress an exclusive, exceptional, excellent production track record.

It’s nothing more than trust and confidence that could have prompted H.E Bio to maintain Fatmata Claire Carlton Hanciles, as Executive Director, Legal Aid Board.

For a considerable period of time, artisanal mining had gone down the drain. In an exclusive interview, Prince Kai Saquee, Chairman of the Diamond and Gold Dealers in Kono district, passionately made an appeal to the Government of President Julius Maada Bio to let artisanal mining resume.
It will be recalled that the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Dr. Morie Manyeh, slammed a ban on all artisanal mining activities in the country until regulations are put in place to comply with the Environment Protection Agency’s (EPA) Environment Protection rules.
The stringent measure on artisanal mining has negatively affected the livelihood of a considerable number of people especially in Kono, Kenema and Bo districts. “Most depend on artisanal mining…This ban has affected economic activities in many diamondiferous areas,” Mr. Saquee opined.
He went further to state that most of the artisanal miners cannot afford to access mining company licenses. “This is way above our means…Our people depend on alluvial mining to make ends meet on a daily basis…They cannot afford to engage in capital intensive mining”, he underscored.

Recently, the Chairman of the Diamond and Gold Dealers made an appeal to President Julius Maada Bio to graciously consider the welfare of his people and allow the resumption of alluvial mining all over the country.

The Mines Minister said that those who want to use excavators to mine must possess a small scale mining license. “We do not issue mining licenses to companies that do not have an EPA (Environment Protection Agency) license. That is a pre-condition that is non-negotiable,” Dr. Manyeh emphasized.
Dr. Morie Manyeh called on those engaged in artisanal mining, but using excavators, to either upgrade their status to small scale mining.
The artisanal miners are graciously appealing to the Government headed by President Julius Maada Bio to lift the ban maintaining that life for them is presently hard.

Caritas has again made another meaningful intervention. As a way of giving underprivileged children a second change in life, Caritas Freetown, a development wing of the Catholic Church, has opened a Sick Baby’s Donation Account at the Zenith Bank for organizations, banks and other corporate institutions to donate Le 10,000 monthly.
This came as a result of the growing demand of underprivileged children seeking help from the organization.
Ishmael Alfred Charles, Programs Manager, Caritas Freetown & HIRF Lead Campaigner for Sick Babies, called on organizations, banks and other corporate institutions to coordinate their staff to donate Le 10,000 monthly as a way of saving lives.
In an interview with this medium, Ishmael explained that Caritas provides support to ever needy Sierra Leonean irrespective of age, race, sex or religion, emphasizing that Caritas is targeting the poorest of the poor and that they are serving all those who are in need.
Ishmael went on to explain that over the years, Caritas Freetown have been very instrumental in handling emergency and development related programs.
He spoke about some of the projects they had recently embarked on such as the involvement in lead disaster management and community development at the Culvert community and provision of psycho-social support.
He said they are currently running four clinics and one hospital at the diocese level and they are also involved in health supplies and materials to other dioceses which do not fall under their purview but they were supporting other Catholic, Government and other hospitals across the country.
He pointed out that Caritas Freetown is also involved in research based programs, dealing with inter-generational impact of the war issues and specifically targeting ex-combatants, working very closely with Ebola survivors, orphans and Ebola widows.
“Our programs mostly focus on dealing with the vulnerable irrespective of gender.”
The most recent campaign being carried out by Caritas Freetown is the emergency campaign for sick children.
Thus he said Caritas Freetown raised resources for four different children that have gone to India for different complicated surgeries and all of them have been successful so far.
“We continue to solicit funds; we have five other new cases currently with different circumstance such as kidney dysfunctional, tumour in the eye among others. All critical circumstances that we had not able to within the country had been flown out, which is why we are calling for support from Sierra Leoneans and non-Sierra Leoneans to support these children.”
The Lead Campaigner spoke about their main challenge, which is to be able to attract committed Sierra Leoneans to have the funds raised as one that was very difficult.
“In the past cases of baby Mariam and Mariama, we had to stand in the streets of Freetown for four weeks begging with our boxes and flyers and this was a very difficult task. It is one that requires lots of energy and zeal and we also had to deal with the humiliation and negative treatment in the streets. However, for the love of humanity and the desire to be able to save those lives, we had to take those very difficult ventures. Many of our volunteers were not happy and willing to do that, they were only doing it because we wanted to save lives.”
“We are appealing to all to make a monthly donation in the love cultivation campaign. Nothing is too small. It is a process of cultivating love for other people and for those who are in need.”
On the side of transparency and accountability the Lead Campaigner further stated that
“Baby Mustapha was our first case and we were looking for Thirty six thousand Dollars and we raised forty one thousand. The remaining $ 5 thousand Dollars was used for his medication. We are very transparent. The same with Baby Marian we are still looking for additional support. We will continue to give the public updated report about the money and all other information about the baby.
He said there are too many cases of sick Baby’s and since they have succeeded in the few cases.
“To be able to give these children a second chance, we are begging everyone to make a monthly commitment. Whatever amount you can pledge monthly, will help us speedily help give these poor children a second chance.”

He said if anyone wants to donate he or she can visit:
Zenith Bank and ask for the Sick Baby’s Donation Account

Account number ( Leones) 4110173000

Account number USD 4070130462
Or donate via africell money 088230000 or via orange money 076722736.

Commit yourself to donate now and let’s save more lives. Nothing is too small.

The Communication Team of one of Sierra Leone’s enterprising entrepreneurs, Amb. Anthony Navo Jr has strongly debunked false rumours peddled on the social media with the avowed object to tarnish the hard won reputation of a fine and charismatic personality.
The team directed a statement to all persons, organisations or institutions that have in the past and at present engaged in or have embarked on the defamation of Ambassador Anthony Navo’s character and reputation either through direct postings on social media/blogs, in print or electronic media, with intent to defame or cause damage to his reputation.

“You are hereby directed to CEASE AND DESIST ALL DEFAMATION of Anthony Navo’s CHARACTER AND REPUTATION,” it stated its position and furthered:

Anthony Navo is a well -respected individual in the Sierra Leonean community and has spent years serving the community in different capacities, and has built a positive reputation throughout that period. At the British Council In 2009, the Young Leaders Sierra Leone Network voted Anthony Navo as their youth ambassador, testament to his active role in Youth Empowerment across the country and beyond. Ambassador Navo’s appointment as Youth Ambassador is underpinned by his longstanding commitment to young people, peace, justice and service to nation-building since he started public life. Ambassador Navo has always been a member of youth empowerment groups and has worked with students for over 15 years. Ambassador Navo has been aware of the support that has been extended to him by members of the public both in Sierra Leone and in the diaspora. He feels extremely fortunate to have so many people supporting him and knows that the position he holds in his community comes with huge responsibility and credibility, including corporate social responsibility.

Ambassador Navo has never been comfortable with the defamatory statements being directed at him, but he has tried to ignore all these hate messages and develop a thick skin. He has not taken formal action on the very regular publication of fake news and fictional stories that are written about him. He has worked hard to keep the peace and develop a good relationship with members of the public, focused on his work and contributions to nation building. But the last past months after the presidential elections in Sierra Leone have seen a line crossed. Ambassador Navo has been subjected to a wave of abuse and politically motivated attacks.

Claims of Ambassador Navo supporting a certain political party are not only false, but are malicious and defamatory. Claims of his business activities and private life being shared on social media are also untrue and misleading. Not one of the people who worked with Ambassador Navo both in Sierra Leone and in the diaspora have ever spoken ill of this outstanding Sierra Leonean who is one of the biggest employers of youths in the country. Hundreds of people can testify either directly or indirectly to Ambassador Navo’s unparalleled generosity and kindness. Some beneficiaries have never even met the man in person.

It is important to note that Ambassador Navo was a faithful and loyal friend to the late Ambassador Moseray Fadika and he worked for him at the Africa Minerals Limited (AML) with all sincerity and commitment. Ambassador Navo is still very much connected to the Moseray Fadika family including the wife and children of Ambassador Fadika. They are still working together in keeping Ambassador Fadika’s legacy alive. There has been no cause for concern whatsoever.

For those who may not be aware, Ambassador Navo’s AYV Media empire is a combination of what has been described as a social enterprise and profit making venture. To kick-start the AYV project, Ambassador Navo had to secure a $1.2 million loan from GT Bank that was used for the purchase of necessary technical equipment and for operating expenses. Apparently, it has been reported that GT Bank was the only bank that had faith in the media mogul’s business idea after using his house as collateral. Ambassador Navo is not only a hardworking Sierra Leonean, he is an example of what every Sierra Leonean should aspire to be.

On the 15th of February last year, AYV was the venue for the hosting of the 2018 Presidential elections debates for the first time in the history of Sierra Leone, a feat that culminated in the BBC Media Action having Africa Young Voices (AYV) radio down as the most listened to radio station in the North and West of Sierra Leone.

It has come to Ambassador Navo’s attention that some people have been engaged in spreading false, destructive, and defamatory rumors about him through social media using WhatsApp messenger and Facebook in an attempt to soil his hard-earned reputation. This will no longer be tolerated, as Ambassador Navo does not in any way deserve such malicious attempt to drag his name through the mud.

Under Sierra Leonean law, it is unlawful to engage in defamation of another’s character and reputation. Defamation consists of

(1) a statement that tends to injure reputation;
(2) communicated to another; and
(3) that the speaker or writer knew or should have known was false.

Accordingly, Ambassador Navo’s Communications Team demands that all who are engaged in such immediately cease and desist the unlawful defamation of Ambassador Navo, and any further attempt to defame him will be deemed as reprehensible, and punitive action will ensue. If this cease and desist demand is not complied with, Ambassador Navo is entitled to seek redress in a court of law in the form of monetary damages and equitable relief for your defamation. Your liability and exposure under such legal action could be considerable.

Ambassador Navo has asked for this statement to be issued with the hope that those who have attempted to tarnish his reputation will stop and reflect on the consequences before any legal action is taken. As a matter of fact, it is unusual for Ambassador Navo to issue a statement, but in doing so the Youth Ambassador is hoping that well-meaning Sierra Leoneans will understand why he has felt the necessity to go public and set the records straight.

Before taking these steps, however, Ambassador Navo wishes to give you one opportunity to discontinue your illegal conduct by complying with this demand within the next 24 hours.

Ambassador Navo will continue to remain focused on the important job of running his media entity and to continue to advocate for the rights of young people and good governance in Sierra Leone. No amount of defamation and harassment will prevent Ambassador Navo from pursuing his engagement with AYV and the critically important work to promote good governance and seek justice for all the people of our country. AYV will continue to be your home for factual, credible, and balanced news and content for its audiences in Sierra Leone and across the world.

Thanking you all for your kind understanding and cooperation in this matter.

Nationwide auditions, which were done in two phases, have been completed for the country’s biggest television reality show, HOUSEMATES SALONE 2019.The final audition took place at the Sierra Palms Resort along the Aberdeen/ Lumley Beach road in Freetown on Saturday 12, Sunday 13 and Monday 14 January 2019.
The Judges decided to shortlist 40 finalists but at the end of the day it will be 20, 10 male and ten female, who will be allowed to enter the House on 14 February 2019. The stage is now set for the finale.
It will interest readers to know that, for transparency sake, the organisers of this TV Reality Show, have decided to give the general public the opportunity to participate in the selection of the 20 contestants who should enter the House. The opportunity will take the dimension of the public voting through the Africell Sierra Leone TOLL FREE LINE – 5500.
In the final analysis, the first twenty participants with the highest votes will qualify to enter the Housemates Salone 2019 House. Voting is absolutely free.

This will be the premier Big Brother Reality Show in this country but ironically despite the name, it will be a mixed combination of male and female housemates in the House.
The organisers continue to remind the public that every housemate will receive Le100, 000 for every day they stay in the House with the exception of the winner and the criterion for staying in the House depends on the amount of votes the individual polls per day.

Would be housemates are encouraged to galvanise their fans and supporters to be in readiness to cast their votes for them if they fall in the number of the 20 housemates selected to be in the House.

The competition is going to be keen, especially after Sierra Leoneans have enjoyed a successful Big Sister Salone and saw the handing over of the star prize to the eventual winner.

The show is another opportunity for the Africa Young Voices Media Empire (AYV) to not only entertain, but to empower young people to showcase their talents and at the same time create new millionaires among Sierra Leoneans.

With the launch of this latest TV Reality show, Big Brother Housemates Salone 2019, AYV in partnership with Africell seeks to further raise the stakes and empower more youths.

Following a successful nationwide audition, the Judges of the Housemates Salone 2019 Television Reality Show have released the list of Top 40 Applicants for the show.

The public is hereby invited to vote for their favourite applicants.

The Top 20 Applicants with the highest votes will make it to the House on February 14th 2019.

Remember that voting through Africell’s 5500 is completely free.

Final 40 Short list
1. Abu Turay
2. Affise Odubella
3. Alusine Kamara
4. Amina Konneh
5. Aruna Lamin
6. Bintu Kaba
7. Derick Kelvin
8. Diana Decker
9. Dwight Smith
10. Dyllis George
11. Emmanuel Coker
12. Enid Boston-Jones
13. Fatmata Sankoh
14. George Wyndham
15. Habbi Jalloh
16. Hassan Hallowell
17. Henry Fonah
18. Monica Yeani Ghaliwa
19. Ibrahim Shuhab
20. Ibrahim Sorie Barrie
21. Isata Marion Musa
22. Ishmael Mauzi
23. Jalikatu Conteh
24. Jennifer Jabba
25. Jonathan Fitz John
26. Kenchine Palmer
27. Kariatu Mansaray
28. Magdalene T Williams
29. Marvina MK Davies
30. Mohamed Alie Jalloh
31. Moriana Walker
32. Precious Kamara
33. RaIford Rollings-Bull
34. Rashid Dyfan
35. Regina B Jombo
36. Saheed Komkanda Bangura
37. Salamatu Kargbo
38. Salim Sahid Kamara
39. Sebatu Bright
40. Suad Koroma

It has gone down well with many football fans that finally the national Premier League will soon recommence after it ceased for a very long period of time because of the acrimonious wrangling in the Association, which brought it to a standstill to the annoyance of many. Sierra Leoneans. This situation paved the way for greater interest in foreign leagues, especially the English Premier League, with some supporting Manchester United, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, etc.
Our own favourite teams of the likes of Lions, Blackpool, Edwards, Republicans, etc, went into coma.
The newly constituted Sierra Leone Premier League Board, on Saturday 19th January 2019, met with the members of the SLFA Referees Committee together with the Ag. President of SLFA and the Ag. Secretary General of SLFA at the Football Academy, Kingtom in Freetown to establish a fine working relationship between the PLB and the SLFA Referees Committee to ensure an effective, efficient and a problem free 2018-2019 league season.

Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, Chairman of the PLB, welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for coming. He informed the gathering that the meeting is to iron out outstanding issues for the start of the Premier League. He admonished Referees to uphold the integrity of the game as they are pivotal to a successful premier league. He also asked that the necessary disciplinary action be taken when officials fall short as a high level of professionalism is required.

After fruitful deliberations on a range of issues surrounding the role of the Referees in the country’s top tier league, the meeting agreed on the following resolutions:
The Premier League Board, SLFA and Referees Committee shall uphold the integrity of matches and match officials by ensuring the principle of independence of match officials before, during and immediately after every premier league match is maintained.

Secondly, there will be a one day seminar for match officials (Referees, Asst. Referees, Fourth Officials and Match Commissioners) designated for the 2018-2019 premier league season scheduled for Wednesday 23rd January 2019 at the SLFA Academy, Kingtom in Freetown.

Also, all matches shall be played in accordance with the Laws of the Game in force and as laid down by the International Football Association Board of FIFA-IFAB

It was also agreed that the match officials designated for the forthcoming league must be those in the recent list of the Sierra Leone Football Association Referees.

Again, the Referees, Asst. Referees and Fourth Officials for each match of the premier league shall be appointed by the SLFA Referees Committee and therefore, the Committee shall take responsibility for any bad officiating or misconduct by any match official that will bring the game into disrepute.

Meanwhile, as a source of motivation to the SLFA Referees Committee on behalf of all match officials for the 2018-2019 league season, the Premier League Board also presented soccer match officiating materials including whistles, brandishing flags for Assistant Referees and match balls which were brought from UK by the Chairman of the PLB, Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai Esq.
The League will start on Sunday 27 January 2019 with Lions locking horns with Mighty Blackpool at the National Stadium.

The Sierra Leone Premier League Board is pleased to inform the general public that Rokel Commercial Bank has made a Le15 million donation to the Board as a support to the 2018-2019 premier league season.

The PLB therefore wishes to extend its profound gratitude to the Management of Rokel Commercial Bank, as every single cent is important in augmenting the re-birth of the Sierra Leone Premier league.

In another development, the Minister of Sports, Ibrahim Yelenkeh, on Tuesday 23rd January 2019, officially handed over a cheque of Le2 billion to the Chairman of the PLB Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai Esq. as government’s contribution to the game. This amount, he stressed, is not part of the Le9 billion allocated to the Sports Ministry in the budget, but a surprise packet from the government acquired through discussions and lobbying with President Bio and the intervention of the Chief Minister. Football, he maintained, is void of all political, tribal and regional considerations and it should stay that way. Receiving the cheque on behalf of the PLB, its Chairman expressed appreciation to the Government for this move and stressed that every single cent of the money will be used for its intended purpose. He however highlighted that the money will not be given to clubs without the agreed reforms arrived at.
He further stressed that the money is not to be squandered but put into good use according to the plans arrived at. This situation is not going to be business as usual; any club that does not comply with the reforms agreed upon will not get its own portion as assigned and if they continue until the season ends, the remaining amount not utilised will be returned to Government coffers.
Gracing the occasion were the Chairman of the Oversight Committee on Sports in Parliament, Hon. Alusine Conteh, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, Bai M. Turay, Acting Secretary General of SLFA, Abdul Rahman Swaray, Acting President of SLFA, Brima Mazolla Kamara, Director of Sports, Dr. Kenneth Brima, Chairman Sammah Sesay, the oldest member of the Board.

The Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) is indisputably making positive strides that are taking it to higher heights and changing the lives of many Sierra Leoneans.
In an apparent demonstration of continued growth in its chain of producing alcoholic and non- alcoholic beverages, the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) recently commendably ventured into introducing, for the first time, canned drinks such as Star Beer, Guinness, Mutzig, and Maltina. The production of these favourite drinks in cans is being successfully rolled out across the country since it was officially launched on Thursday 20 September 2018 at the company’s headquarters in Wellington in the East End of Freetown.

The vast majority of Sierra Leoneans have admirably commended the Managing Director for the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited, Daaf Van Tilburg and its partners for taking such a bold step since the inception of the company in Sierra Leone some 57 years ago, Undoubtedly, Brewery has been supporting growth of the country’s economy and the people.

Spending over 200 billion Leones on the canning project is something which is highly impressive and clearly reveals how determined SLBL is to continue to contribute to Sierra Leone’s economic development.

It is worthy of note that out of that colossal investment , the Brewery procured state-of-the-art equipment to detoxify its waste water that is emptied into a stream nearby; fermentation tanks, canned packaging plant among other important machinery or components.

One good thing that has made SLBL stand out tall is its symbiotic relationship with sorghum farmers across the country. They have been able to patronize them to the extent that the number of sorghum farmers has increased exponentially within a short period from 10,000 to over 25,000. These farmers supply the raw material, sorghum that is mainly used in the production of some of its popular beverages. This has greatly helped in poverty reduction and is making it possible for Government to derive or mobilize revenue from the company.

With regards Brewery’s Corporate Social Responsibility, it is on record that it has been keeping up with its obligations and has been able to support the communities in its operational area in health care, sanitation, education and other sectors.

Brewery is indeed one of the few company’s operating within the country that have been praised by President Bio as is evident when the Management of SLBL paid a working visit to him at State House sometime last year,
The President thanked the Management team for holding the fort in the business community amidst trying times. He also assured them that his Government is open and ready to work with investors who had plans to boost the economy of the state.

Notwithstanding the fact that SLBL is a private manufacturing company one thing that stands out clearly is that the company has been timely honouring payment of taxes to Government and it falls under the bracket of being a Large Tax Payer to the National Revenue Authority (NRA). It is no secret that Government depends on mobilized revenue to implement various development projects and SLBL’s drive towards providing such has not only been timely, positive but shows that it is really here for serious business.

In a recent snap interview with the company’s Corporate Relations Manager, Albert Ojo Collier in his office at the Wellington Industrial Estate said: “We are quite aware of the various challenges that we are going through as a company but I want to assure all that we are highly determined to ensure that we expand on our existing production base in order to give our esteemed customers the best in terms of quality and affordable prices.”

He noted that SLBL will continue its good relationship with sorghum farmers right across the country and will ensure that it is strengthened by giving these farmers the necessary support and empowerment that they require in order to make sure that they deserve benefits from their farming activities. “This is in line with SLBL’s stance in enhancing the country’s Local Content Policy and we believe we are treading on the right path,” he underscored.

Most people are showering praises on SLBL for this latest innovative move of producing canned drinks which has made drinking safer in the sense that the risk of broken particles pints has now been hugely reduced.

SLBL is doggedly poised to roll out other creditable innovative ideas this new year and beyond that will definitely create a win-win situation for the company and its numerous customers.

Just recently, Heads of private schools went to the Ministry of Basic & Secondary School at New England Ville, to congratulate the Minister and the Government for approving around 262 private schools within the country.

The heads of the various private schools, highlighted that the past Government failed to approve their schools and showered praises on President Julius Maada Bio for facilitating their approval. With this new development the approved schools are now eligible to take the West Africa Senior School Certificate Exams in their various schools instead of sending their candidates to take the exams under other schools.

The Minister of Basic & Secondary School Education (MBSSE), Alpha Timbo, during his meeting with the Heads and pupils stated that the Sierra Leone People’s Party’s, 2018 Manifesto pointed out that children must have access to quality education.
“When I took over as Minister, I met stiff policies against the approval of private schools. But already Government is trying to provide free education to every child and already, we have private institutions that have made lots of sacrifices and investments. So I thought it will be better for the people not to only rely on Government facilities but to also have options to either enrol to Government schools or private ones which will give equal access to them”, the Minister said.

He continued by saying that a country may have various resources underscoring that it is through learning that will produce resourceful personalities who will properly utilize those resources for development and that teachers should consider themselves as noble people in society in trying to transform lives.

Deputy Minister of MBSSE, Madam Emilia Grogra, expressed gratitude disclosing that she is also a Proprietress of a private school for Government approval. She called on heads of schools to live up-to the expectations of the Ministry. and also admonished colleagues to harmonize their fees in order to enable parents to pay for their kids.

Abdul Kareem Sow, Head of the Public Private Partnership Unit at the Ministry pointed out that there are over one thousand private schools in the country. He maintained that those that were approved, were the ones that have applied and met the Government benchmark and laid down standards in order to ensure that they are capable of providing not only access but also quality education. He furthered that from time to time, he and his team will be inspecting private schools to ascertain the facilities they have and if they found out that they have not been living up-to expectations, their schools will be closed down or merge them with others.

The Deputy Director and Public Relations Officer of the Ministry, Brima Michael Turay, in his statement, stressed that Government has again demonstrated its commitment to education by approving deprived private schools which will now enable them to benefit from Government tuitions for public exams. He called on those that are yet to be approved to apply at the Ministry for approval so that they will be part of the Government data.