The extreme infrastructural backwardness of potentially very wealthy districts such as Karene, Falaba, Koinadugu, Tonkolili, Moyamba, Bonthe, Pujehun and others only means that the young people have no incentive to stay in their places of birth and help to develop them. Instead, they are daily streaming into the cities and those lucky going abroad in search of greener pastures.
Thus, without rapid, intense focus on rural development, urbanization will adversely affect the short, medium and long term development of the rural areas and the country in general.
Development and growth are not the same in terms of the relationship between urbanization and rural development.
For example in many developing countries we see fast economic growth (new airport-building project, roads, energy, water, housing, high rise buildings, schools, universities, colleges, investment, employment, etc). This is growth without development because such urbanization affects sustainable development negatively.
With Freetown, Bo, Kenema, Kono, and Makeni having the bulk of the urban population, there are fewer people in the rural areas which in the absence of machines has seriously impacted on food production as the majority of youths migrate to the urban areas and are unemployed or underemployed.
Because of lack of industries, Freetown, Bo, Kenema, Makeni cannot support the millions of young people that have moved from rural areas.
The result is that increased unemployment rate , poor housing, lack of access to water and electricity in the urban areas for those that end up in the ghettoes, as well as limited access to good quality educational and medical facilities which make the bigger part of the urban society unable to disentangle from poverty.
Ironically, there are lots of livelihood alternatives to be found in rural areas: such as livelihood in agriculture and cottage industries but these places lack modern amenities which are what the Government, Councils international NGOs should be fighting to provide so that people can have gainful employment, feel comfortable and live with dignity where they are, instead of migrating into the big towns in search of opportunities that are very hard to find.
Several highly visible signs show that urbanization cannot support sustainable development as it creates in the cities social, economic and environmental problems (slums, noise, overcrowding, shortage of water, disease, frustration, crime, prostitution, etc).
By right, it is the rural areas that should provide the urban areas with food. In our own case, because of urbanization, agricultural employment has fallen and the contribution to the gross national product of the agricultural sector has measurably decreased whilst on rice alone, which can be easily grown by rural populations, Sierra Leone loses annually about 400 million dollars importing it when producing rice here for the population will create employment and incomes for at least one million rural dwellers.
Thus, maybe the Government and its international development seriously need to rethink and plan how to divert a big chunk of development funding to the development of potential highly productive rural communities that would automatically make the youths of today run to those places instead of coming to the Western Area to become dropouts, failures, criminals and prostitutes that are serious liabilities to themselves, the Government and society at large.
Commissioner of the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), Abu Bockarie Kokofele
By Sheku Putka Kamara
The Commissioner of the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), Abu Bockarie Kokofele, has stated that the agreement signed with the Rokel Commercial Bank makes provision for the latter to be a payment service provider for the implementation of the country’s flagship project, the Social Safety Net.
He furthered that the Government’s declaration of a State of Emergency facilitated funding for emergency cash transfer to households with vulnerable informal sector workers, including those working in micro and small enterprises and low paid workers in the service sector in regional headquarters.
Mr. Kokofele said that part of the Social Safety Net was laid aside for the response of emergency situations in the country.
He added that the implementation of the net should have started, but that considering the essence of transparency and accountability in development, the Commission and its partners have to follow all processes including targeting mechanisms.
Francis Ben Kelfala, Commissioner for Sierra Leone’s Anti Corruptions Commission (ACC),
By Sheku Putka Kamara
The Anti-Corruption Commission Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala Esq has stated that his institution is committed to ensure that there is absolute accountability and transparency in Sierra Leone’s fight against the corona virus pandemic
He was speaking following concerns raised by members of the public regarding accountability issues in the country’s COVID-19 response.
Mr. Kaifala noted that there is every need to facilitate transparency approaches so as to enhance lasting societal development in any nation.
The ACC Commissioner added that Sierra Leone’s fight against corruption would be winnable if all State actors see the need not to get involved in questionable practices.
Ben Kaifala said that the ACC is however challenged in effectively carrying out some of its duties, noting that some management essentials like manpower and machinery as well as finance have so far not been adequate for the Commission. He called on members of the public to help in the process of combating corruption in the country and stated that some political and other social factors are disrupting what he called the intensive approach to minimize if not end corruption, but noted that the ACC is resolute enough in making sure that such challenges are amicably addressed.
Njala University, said to be Sierra Leone’s only rural and agricultural based University dedicated to the cardinal principles of teaching, learning, research and community service is once more showcasing its research laboratory capacity amongst its peers in the educational and research based arena.
This move is borne out of the desire of the Acting Vice Chancellor and Principal, Professor Osman Sankoh who is very keen in ensuring that the huge potentials of Njala University in various spheres should be told to the wider world.
Njala University has three research and teaching laboratories with well trained staff and sophisticated equipments to perform number of tests in various hemorrhagic fevers and other related viruses.
The Department of Biological Sciences, School of Environmental Sciences where Professor Aiah Lebbie is the lead principal investigator has a fully equipped Bio-molecular diagnostic laboratory sponsored by the Center For Disease Control (CDC) in the United States through the ‘’Ecological Surveillance of High Consequence Pathogens in Sierra Leone’’.
The US CDC spent over a million dollars in various equipments including PCR’s and around five hundred thousand dollars in different reagents.
The Bio-molecular laboratory, focusing on testing samples for viral pathogens including Ebola, Marburg, Sosuga, Tai Fever, Monkey Pox virus, Lasssa Fever has strongly aided teaching, learning and research.
The CDC project has hugely invested in staff and student training, provision of sophisticated and first class research laboratory equipments, increased capacity of staff and students to undertake ecological surveys, analyse and preserve samples for better interpretation among key other interventions.
The Lead Principal Investigator, who also doubles as the Head of Department of Biological Sciences, School of Environmental Sciences, Njala University, noted that the laboratory has got what it takes in terms of equipment and personnel to conduct, interpret and analyse various ecological samples.
He further highlighted the fact that his laboratory has a twenty four hour interrupted electricity to consistently power the various equipments.
Prof Aiah Lebbie called on the Ministry of Health to strongly collaborate with Njala University especially in the areas of research and expressed his fears of what would become of the huge investment and the trained personnel when the US,CDC project would have phased out completely in 2024.
He highlighted the fact that he is hugely collaborating with the University of Texas through the CDC(US) who, according to him, are interested in undertaking research and studies in various set of other viruses.
The project,according to him ,has also been able to fully equip Tiwai Island in the South of the country which had remained the major research centre of the School of Environmental Sciences with guest facilities, power and other research equipment.
It is the ultimate desire of the Acting Vice Principal and Chancellor, Professor Osman Sankoh for the Ministry of Health and the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) to use the available laboratory and research facilities at Njala University in strengthening the Fight against COVID -19 especially around the areas of testing which seems to be challenging.
Professor Sankoh is a member of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Group for Emergencies (STAGE) recently inaugurated by President Bio to help Government in assessing, planning and evaluating the Government’s response in addressing the deadly COVID -19 pandemic in the country.
Moses Tiffa Baio, the Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority
By Theresa Kef Sesay
Moses Tiffa Baio, the Director General of the Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, recently intimated that his agency is presently engaging with international experts to resume flights into the country.
Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, this country closed its air space to international flights on 21st March, 2020 and it was decided that officially the closure must end on the 21st June. Whilst the Government is thinking of opening the country’s airspace, he said there are two considerations; one is ease of travelling and the other health safety.
However, he said, that he is in discussion with colleague DGs in West Africa to resume flights between their countries.
On the continental level, he said resuming flights into Sierra Leone depends on other countries opening their airspaces as there are no direct flights into Sierra Leone, even though Brussels Airlines has said they would resume flights to Sierra Leone on July 17 which Mr. Tiffa said is speculative but falls within the period that Government contemplates opening the country’s airspace.
He maintained that Government would not hurriedly open the country’s airspace if it would lead to a resurgence of Covid-19 cases from overseas into the country.
However, he assured that there is possibility of reopening the airport in phases, starting with flights to other West African countries until the EU, USA and other countries open their airspaces to international flights.
The Mayor of Freetown, Her Worship, Yvonne Aki Sawyer, has admonished residents in Freetown to mask up. This came in the wake of continued rise in recorded cases which has rendered the city as an epicentre.
Making this appeal, Mayor Aki Sawyer, disclosed that the Freetown City Council is providing 120,000 masks to Freetonians and sensitizing them on the proper use of the mask. She maintained, via a video circulated to Freetonians, that in collaboration with the National Covid-19 Emergency Response Centre (NACOVERC), the FCC is appealing to all Freetonians to #MaskUp when out in public.
Explaining further about the preventive measures, Mayor Yvonne Aki- Sawyerr explained how to properly use a mask to #StopCOVID19. She stressed that frequent washing of hands, social distancing and wearing of masks are three ways that residents and their families can prevent themselves from contracting COVID-19.
On 9th June 2020, the Ministry of Basic & Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) convened a consultative meeting with critical stakeholders in the Education Sector on school reopening in Sierra Leone. It must be noted that similar consultation was held prior to school closure on 31″ March, 2020 as a precautionary measure to mitigate spread of coronavirus in the country.
Organizations/institutions involved in the consultation included, but were not limited to the Ministry of Health & Sanitation/Emergency Operations Centre, Ministry of Gender & Children’s Affairs Teaching Service Commission, Sierra Leone Teachers’ Union; Conference of Principals for Secondary Schools, National Council of Head Teachers, Association of Private Schools, Civil Society Organizations, the World Bank, DFID, European Union, UNICEF, Caritas, Plan International, Oxfam, Sight Savers, Purposeful, and Teach for Sierra Leone.
It should be noted that Sierra Leone is a member of the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) with sister countries of Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia and The Gambia. The decisions therefore on school reopening and examinations’ dates are considered via both national and regional consultations. WAEC Member Countries have each developed school reopening plans including tentative examination dates for West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE). After extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders listed above and also parents, MBSSE issues the following advisory for the attention of all learners, parents, teachers, school administrators and public sector institutions in the education service delivery sector.
It was agreed that schools must reopen for examinations candidates (NPSE, BECE, WASSCE) only with the following schedules:
West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) – Schools to open for a total period of six (6) weeks effective 16 July, 2020 and include two (2) weeks of preparation for reopening and four (4) weeks of tuition.
Examination to be conducted between 4th August, 2020 – 4th September,
2020 (note: WASSCE dates are synchronized across the sub-region and could be subject to changes as deemed fit by Council).
Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) – Schools to open for a minimum period of eight (8) weeks of tuition effective 1st July 2020 with examination conducted for eight (8) days starting a week after WASSCE (tentatively 14th September 2020).
National Primary School Examination (NPSE) – Schools to open for a total period of four (4) weeks of classes effective 1st July 2020 with examination conducted immediately afterward. Tentative examination date is 31″ July, 2020.
The Emergency Education Taskforce (EET) School Reopening Readiness Working Group will continue to work with partners, school authorities and MBSSE to develop and communicate comprehensive logistical requirements for reopening of schools under these conditions. Schools will reactivate their safety protocols which will be closely adhered to and monitored.
In consultation with the National COVID-19 Emergency Response Center, the Ministry of Health & Sanitation and other partners, MBSSE will indicate guidelines for school attendance and reopening including number of students in classroom and allowed activities in schools. These guidelines will be communicated via official channels. All citizens are advised to only use verified information from MBSSE published on the Ministry’s official website (www.mbsse.gov sl) or other channels but with MBSSE official stamps.
As the fight against Covid-19 requires every effort by the citizenry and other organizations, Meya Mining Ltd, which is operating in four Chiefdoms in Kono district, on June 8th 2020, at a ceremony held at the UMC Girls Secondary School Resettlement facility, Koidu City, provided the District COVID-19 Emergency Response Centre (DECOVERC) of Kono some food and non-food items, among which were: bags of rice, gallons of Cooking oil, Palm oil, bags of Onions, cartons of Maggie, bags of Sugar, Baby food, Milk and bundles of Packet drinking water plus one handwashing station designed by Meya engineering department, as part of their effort to support the government of Sierra Leone in the fight against the pandemic in the district.
During the presentation, the Stakeholder Relations Manager of Meya Mining Ltd., Catherine Finda Greenwood, maintained that this is a war and fighting it demands extraordinary effort by all and sundry, either by way of financial support or simply following medical instructions, which include the washing of hands, wearing of facial mask and social distancing, She recognized the efforts been made by the different organizations in the district in containing this crisis, and applauded the pillar heads and team of DECOVERC Kono for their efforts, and also the community stakeholders from Meya’s operational areas, for their support and involvement in the fight against the disease in their respective communities.
In receiving the assorted food items, the DECOVERC coordinator, Shar Samuel Sam expressed appreciation on his behalf and his team’s and thanked Meya for such humanitarian and timely gesture, he said the donation came in at the right time when they are wrought with many challenges of providing a three-course meal for the many quarantine centers and homes around the district and further appealed for more support from Meya. Commenting on the handwashing stations, he said that it is the best and sustainable type he has seen in the district. He described the donation as a lifesaver donation and promised to utilize the food items for its intended purposes.
Expressing appreciation for the gesture by Meya, the Town Chief, Saffia Doe of Kokoeyima town, thanked the company for their support, as this, he said, is not the first time the company has been making such donations. Similar compliments were made by Councilor Moro of constituency 079, Nimikoro Chiefdom, who also called on the people of Kono District to support Meya Mining in their operations.
Demonstrating the operations of the handwashing Station, Madam Catherine said Meya Mining, through its corporate social responsibility program also values the importance of human security and has deemed it necessary to fully adopt the handwashing hygiene practices as a sustainable project worthy of emulation post-COVID-19. Adopting the hygiene practices, she said, is of utmost importance to Meya, as it enhances the wellbeing of the community. She donated the first 210-liter handwashing station, complete with a 1.5-liter liquid soap dispenser designed by the company’s engineering department to the DECOVERC Kono and assured them of Meya’s continued support to the district beyond Covid-19.
After the demonstration of the handwashing process and the operation of the handwashing station, the manager handed over the handwashing station to the coordinator and disclosed that 10 more will be donated to the center and an additional 40 drums will be positioned at different locations, in collaboration with the stakeholders, MDA’s and the two councils across the Koidu Municipality.
Speaking on the sustainability of the project, she said that coordinates of the various distribution points will be captured and stored in a map database for ease of reference and delivery schedule and Meya will be supplying the drums with clean treated water from Meya water points, stressing that the water that will be supplied by the company for use, is recommended for handwashing ONLY and NOT for drinking.
On the 6th,7th and 8th June 2020, Pavi Fort –Sierra Leone donated cash ,bags of rice and Personal Protective Equipments worth millions of Leones to the Kailahun, Kenema, Kono and Makeni Districts COVID-19 Emergency Response Centres (DICOVERCs) in order to scale up the fight against the spread of the coronavirus in the aforementioned districts.
The leading indigenous road construction company in the country, Pavi Fort Construction Company on the 8th June 2020, led by its dynamic and charismatic Chief Executive Officer, Alimou Barrie, landed in Bombali District, Northern Sierra Leone where they handed over a Twenty Million Leones (Le20,000,000) Cheque, 50 bags of rice,20 gallons of sanitizers and 3,500 face masks to the District COVID-19 Emergency Response Centre (DICOVERC) in Makeni meant for scaling up the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in that part of the country. An additional ten million Leones (Le10, 000,000) and 20 bags of rice were also handed over to the local authorities in order to facilitate their movements, coordination and activities in containing the spread of the deadly virus that has brought some developed economies to their knees and claimed so many lives.
“Words could not express our happiness for this your wonderful gesture,” were the words of the Paramount Chief of Bombali District, Bai Sheborah Kasanga 11, during the donation ceremony , a view that resonates the views of majority of the residents of Bombali. The Paramount Chief further expressed profound thanks and appreciation to the CEO of Pavi Fort, Alimou Barrie for what he described as a timely as well as patriotic gesture. He stated that the country truly needs people like Alimou Barrie, who out of innate patriotism and selflessness stepped in to give support to the Government as well as to uplift his fellow compatriots out of the tight situations and quagmire they currently find themselves.
The Coordinator of the Bombali DICORVERC, Alhaji Mohammed Saffa, maintained that indeed the support came in at the right moment and assured that they would be used for the intended purposes.
He highlighted how the donation is the biggest support they have so far received in recent times underscoring that it is soul touching that it came from an indigenous construction company and called on other well-meaning Sierra Leoneans to follow the footsteps of the company.
A representative of Civil Society Organizations and Non-Governmental Organisations operating within the district, Gibril Menasieba, also thanked the Pavi Fort CEO for the donation.
In his statement, Alimou Barrie, the Chief Executive Officer of Pavi Fort revealed that he decided to join 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 all the 16 districts within the country.
The Pavi Fort team, headed by CEO Alimou Barrie, then proceeded to do another donation in Kono District where they handed over a Forty Million Leones (Le40M) cheque, 150 bags of rice and Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) to the Kono District COVID-19 Emergency Response Centre (DICOVERC) in Koidu Town on the 7th June 2020 geared towards the containment of the spread of the coronavirus in Kono.
Paul Gerber Saquee V, Paramount Chief of Tankoro Chiefdom, said the support from Pavi Fort is well in place and highly welcomed. He was speaking during the handing over ceremony of the aforementioned cheque and other items. He furthered that the donation is huge one especially as it came from a locally road construction company.
Speaking about the company’s support in the fight against COVID- 19 in the country, the CEO of Pavi Fort Sierra Leone, Alimou Barrie, said they are extending the gesture to all the districts in the country further informing how his company has already provided support to NACORVERC and other districts.
Deputy Managing Director of Pavi Fort S/Leone, Ing Sahr Saquee Gbondo, said the support offered by the company to the district is geared towards curtailing the chain of transmission of the virus in the district, more especially in communities that are close to border areas.
He clarified that the Le20M and 50 bags of rice are meant to facilitate the work of the Paramount Chiefs in their fight against the corona virus within their respective chiefdoms in the district.
Kono DICORVERC Coordinator, Saa Samuel Sam, expressed gratitude to Pavi Fort for the support maintaining that they are indeed somehow constrained with finance and food to fight against the spread of the virus.
“The support came at the right time when we really needed them as the district has been recording cases,” he intimated.
The Deputy Minister of Works and Public Assets, Hon. Philip Tondoneh and the Member of Parliament for Constituency 027, Kono district, Hon. Rebecca Yei Kamara, appealed to other Sierra Leoneans to emulate the good example of Alimou Barrie at this crucial moment.
They praised him for the support saying the CEO has always been supportive in trying times. The occasion was attended by other Government officials and local authorities in the district.
Prior to those donations the company led by CEO, Alimou Barrie, on Saturday 6th June 2020 donated over 70 bags of rice, 10 million Leones, 4 thousand litres of sanitizers and 3 thousand facial masks meant for residents of Kailahun District.
On that same date, the company also donated 30 gallons of sanitizers, 4,000 facemasks and 100 bags of butter rice to the Kenema District COVID-19 Emergency Centre (DICOVERC) as well as 20 bags of rice to the local chiefs and a cheque of Le10, 000,000 to facilitate the movement of the DICOVERC officials.
The District Coordinator of the Kailahun DICOVERC, Morie Feika, heartily commended the CEO of Pavi Fort S/Leone, Alimu Barrie, for what he described as a timely, selfless and patriotic move to fight a deadly virus, restore sanity and continue to embark on development programmes. Feika highlighted that since an account was opened in the name of the Kailahun DICOVERC nothing was deposited there until Alimu Barrie gave them ten million Leones geared towards the fight against the COVID- 19.
He maintained that the support came at the right time especially with the challenges the district had been facing particularly by those manning the border areas with the objective of preventing illegal entries that could pose risks of the high spread of the virus.
In Kenema District, Pavi Fort also donated 30 gallons of sanitizers, 4,000 pieces of facemasks, 100 bags of butter rice to the Kenema District COVID-19 Emergency Response Centre COVID 19 Operation Center and 20 bags of rice to the local chiefs plus a cheque of Le10, 000,000 in the same vein of complementing Government’s efforts in the fight to contain the spread of the Corona Virus.
Chief Executive Officer of Pavi Fort, Alimu Barrie, maintained that since there had been an increase of COVID- 19 cases in the district, there is likelihood that the number of suspected cases would increase in quarantined homes, hence more food items would be needed to feed those who will be affected.
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.
Joseph Samba Kaifala, an influential personality in that part of the country, praised the donor, Alimu Barrie, regarding him as one of the diligent and dedicated road construction contractors in the country whom ,he said, has immensely undertaken various and well completed road construction and rehabilitation projects over the years under his company, Pavi Fort and went further to laud his humanitarian gestures during trying times and in complementing Government’s efforts during these trying times, adding that plans are also underway to extend similar donations to other districts in the country.
He spoke on the significance to adhere to the COVID- 19 regulations admonishing all to be very vigilant, cooperative and not to be complacent in fighting the virus.
The Chiefdom Speaker of Nongowa Chiefdom, Kenema District, Chief Senessie Daniel Nilca on behalf of all the local authorities in the Chiefdom, expressed thanks and appreciation to Alimu Barrie for giving utmost priority to the nation’s interest and called on the District Coordinator of the Kenema DICOVERC to use the items for their intended purposes.
The Kenema District Council Chairman, Mohamed Amodu Sesay, dilated on the importance of helping others quoting a verse in the Bible which reads “Blessed is the hand that giveth”.
He said, on behalf of the 16 Paramount Chiefs of Kenema District and the People of Kenema, he warmly appreciated the gesture amidst these difficult times adding that the Pavi Fort CEO’s kindness will never be forgotten.
The Mayor of Kenema City, Thomas Baio, described the donor as a true patriot saying it came to him and many as no surprise as he knows the calibre of Alimu Barrie.
Mayor Baio stated that anyone who is willingly helping his/her country during these difficult times when the Corona Virus is ravaging different parts of the world, should be given a pat on the back and called on others to emulate the footstep of the CEO.
It could be recalled that on Friday 5th June 2020 Pavi Fort donated a huge consignment of hand sanitizers, five thousand clinical face masks, 50bags of rice and a cheque of ten million Leones (Le10, 000,000) to the District COVID-19 Emergency Response Centre (DICOVERC) in Bonthe District.
The donation of the aforementioned items and cash benefitted residents of Tihun, Sogbini and other chiefdoms. The Pavi Fort CEO also extended his kind gesture to the Paramount Chiefs of Bonthe district with the sum of five million Leones and ten bags of rice.
Prior to that, Pavi Fort Construction Company Sierra Leone on the 27th May, 2020 donated the sum of fifty million Leones (Le50, 000,000) and PPEs items including 5,000 face masks, 100 gallons of hand sanitizer (1 gallon) all worth Le. 120,000,000 to the Government of Sierra Leone through the National COVID-19 Emergency Response Centre (NACOVERC) in a bid to complement Government’s efforts geared towards combating COVID-19 in the country. The handing over ceremony took place at the National COVID-19 Emergency Response Centre (NACOVERC) situated at SLFA compound in Kingtom, Freetown.
Again, on Saturday the 30th May 2020 as a demonstration of its commitment to fight the spread of COVID-19 in Koinadugu and Falaba Districts, Pavi Fort Construction Company donated forty million Leones, five thousand Face masks, fifty gallons of hand sanitizers to the Koinadugu and Falaba District Emergency Operations Centers and ten million Leones to both the Paramount Chiefs of both districts at a ceremony held at the Koinadugu District Youth Council Hall in Kabala.
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.
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, the nation’s largest commercial bank and the most profitable and reliable financial institution in the country, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB) on the 6th June, 2020 donated handsomely food items worth thirty million Leones plus a cheque of Le5 million to the King George Home for the Aged at Regent Road on the Regent Grafton highway.
During the presentation ceremony, the Head of Corporate Affairs of the Bank, Mr. Leslie Bola Williams said the Bank was glad to be at the Home and to present the items obtained from profits accrued. He informed the recipients that it is SLCB’s corporate social responsibility culture to give back to the community where they operate.
In the Christian spirit of charity, he stated that anytime one ministers (gives) to the poor and needy it is an act that pleases God. Quoting bible scriptures, Mr Williams said; “He that giveth to the poor lendeth to the Lord.” He therefore stated that by giving to the poor and needy, SLCB has taken the right step.
Also to speak was the Bank’s Director of Business Development, Moses C. Sesay, who noted that it is the tradition of the bank to every year take a portion of their profit to give to their poor and needy brothers and sisters which he said is a very good gesture to God, stating that it is more blessed to give than to receive. He recalled that last year SLCB made similar donations to the Home.
Making the donation, the Director of Internal Audit, Mrs. Olayinka M.Y. Phillips said that though small, importantly it was to add value to the lives of the inmates. On behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of SLCB, she said they worked hard so that they too can live through their work to make life easier for them.
The items were warmly received by the Home’s Management who prayed that SLCB continues to survive and prosper and to inform the Managing Director and staff that the gesture was appreciated. The home’s choir interspersed the presentation program with the rendition of popular soulful Christian Hymns.
