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UN Commissions Specialized COVID -19 Treatment Centre at 34 Military Hospital

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The 29 May 2020 will go down the annals of history as the day when the United Nations in Sierra Leone successfully constructed and handed over a specialized COVID 19 treatment centre at the 34 Military Hospital to the Government of Sierra Leone as part of the UN support to the national COVID-19 efforts.            `

The 13-bed treatment centre which was commissioned on 28 May 2020 by the United Nations and the Government of Sierra Leone represents shared efforts between the UN family in Sierra Leone, national authorities and the 34 Military Hospital.

UNFPA provided the overall coordination, technical leadership and funding for the construction of the specialized treatment centre, with the construction alone costing approximately $ 120,000.  UNDP led the way in developing a Memorandum of Understanding with the 34 Military Hospital; WFP provided technical leadership in the design and the on-the-ground execution of the project, and also provided the huge ‘Rubb Hall’ tent under which the facility was constructed; WHO provided technical guidance to ensure adherence to quality standards; The Health Manager of the UN Joint Medical Services provided on-site technical support throughout the process.

In his statement at the commissioning, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Mr. Sunil Saigal said “This treatment centre is just one part of the UN support to the COVID-19 preparedness and response efforts in Sierra Leone.  In addition to the public health response, we are also supporting, together with many other partners, food and nutrition, water and sanitation and socio-economic recovery.  The last part covers work in many different sectors to help mitigate the negative impact of the pandemic and to allow society to recover from the pandemic – to build back better.”

Mr. Sunil Saigal further said “While we are still refining our figures, we initially estimate the collective UN Response at over $ 150 million. This amount includes activities and resources within the existing UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework, which we have been able to rapidly realign, as well as funding being requested under the COVID-19 Global Humanitarian Response Plan.”

Speaking at the event, the Country Director of DFID, Kobi Bentley, remarked that “DFID is pleased to have played a role in establishing this treatment centre here at Military 34 hospital.  As the world faces the unprecedented challenge of coronavirus, we must work together.  In addition to over £760 million of UK aid made available to global response instruments, including £10 million to UNFPA, the UK continues to support the Sierra Leonean health system.  We will help to maintain vital health services and to tackle coronavirus through the Saving Lives in Sierra Leone programme and our partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone and the UN. The UK stands with Sierra Leone in these difficult times.”

Commenting as she showed guests around the treatment center, the UNFPA Country Representative, Dr. Kim Eva Dickson explained that “the center is a specialized facility that has intensive care equipment that will boost the capacity of the 34 Military Hospital to manage critically-ill COVID-19 patients. Even after the COVID pandemic is over, the center will be available to provide intensive care facilities for other ailments.”  She thanked the government of the United Kingdom for providing funding through UK aid for the equipping of the specialized treatment centre through the Saving Lives in Sierra Leone Programme.

Dr. Kim Eva Dickson also remarked “I am very pleased that UNFPA has been an integral part of this joint UN effort, this is an example of UN collaboration at its best. UNFPA remains committed to supporting the national COVID-19 response whilst ensuring that we remained committed to support the government to strive towards achieving zero preventable maternal deaths, zero unmet need for family planning and zero gender-based violence and harmful practices against women and girls.”

EU Unveils €10 Million COVID-19 Economic Budgetary Support                     

EU-Ambassador-and-Head-of-Delegations-Tom-Vens

By Amin Kef Sesay

In an emerging development, the National Authorising Office (NAO) in the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development has announced on the 1st April 2020 that the Government of Sierra Leone has met European Union (EU) requirements for early disbursement of a €10 million fixed tranche of budget support for the 2020 financial year, under the Third State Building Contract for Sierra Leone.

It could be recalled that the Government published its Post-COVID19 economic response strategy noting how it will cost over $300 million to deliver.

The €10 million fixed tranche of budget support will provide much needed flexibility for Government initiatives to maintain macro-economic stability and support livelihoods, as well as help mitigate funding gaps created by the need to divert significant public development resources towards the Coronavirus response.

“The Third State Building Contract is central to the EU’s development partnership with Sierra Leone and has a total value of €80,000,000, with €25,000,000 yearly disbursements comprising fixed and variable tranches of €10,000,000 and €15,000,000 respectively.

“These tranches are released through direct financial transfers conditional on the Government meeting pre-agreed sustainable development reforms, and are intended to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Government to implement its Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP),” the statement reads.

In its submission to the EU, the Government included a summary of key activities implemented under the 2018 Supplementary Budget and MTNDP, with a particular focus on progress achieved in the key areas of agriculture, education and governance, and foreseeable challenges.

It mentioned that a review of the macro-economic environment indicates that the cumulative effect of fiscal measures adopted in response to Covid-19 would negatively impact progress of the MTNDP and delivery of public services adding that early disbursement of the fixed tranche would help provide the fiscal space to contain the spread of the pandemic in Sierra Leone and mitigate the impact on its people.

Also maintained was that there must be a review of progress made in public finance management, which includes a review of the Government’s progress in fighting corruption, as well as other improvements in Governance.

The National Authorising Officer and Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr Francis Kai-Kai thanked the EU Ambassador, Tom Vens and said: “The Government of Sierra Leone’s economic policy response to the Coronavirus pandemic, necessitates meeting growing health emergency needs, supporting economic activity and preparing the ground for a seamless transition from recovery to development.”

The EU’s early disbursement of the €10 million fixed tranche of budget support for the 2020 financial year, under the Third State Building Contract for Sierra Leone will help the Government of Sierra Leone deliver on its commitments in those areas.

It has been identified that this is a critical period for Sierra Leone. Some have expressed determination that the trust and spirit of cooperation that have been nurtured with EU partners could be reflected in invaluable solidarity.

The National Authorising Office, as part of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, works with the EU Delegation to manage the implementation of EU funds, oversee EU-funded projects, and ensure their alignment with Sierra Leone’s national development priorities.

The NAO currently monitors a range of projects spanning infrastructure, governance, education and agriculture.

Constituency 115 Embraces Hon. Lawyer Bah’s Mask-Up Campaign

Hon. Lawyer Alpha Amadu Bah

By Amin Kef Sesay

The COVID-19 combat it has been accepted requires collective resolve and strategic confrontation geared towards eliminating its presence in our midst. It has been established that there is the need to intensify the fight against COVID-19 and such requires collective efforts by all Sierra Leoneans irrespective of shades of political opinions.

In a bid to contain the deadly pandemic, Hon. Lawyer Alpha Amadu Bah representing Constituency 115 in Wellington again displayed his resolve to combat the COVID-19 pandemic through robust sensitization drives backed up with an intensive mask-up campaign targeting approximately two thousand beneficiaries in that part of the country.
This laudable initiative which was launched recently in Constituency 115 attracted sixteen community based organizations, who were in attendance with their COVID-19 sensitization action plans which were later on submitted to the Honourable Member of Parliament.

In addressing the well-spaced gatherings, Hon. Lawyer Bah started by thanked the various individuals and organizations for their unwavering support towards the fight against COVID-19 which have registered an indelible memory in the minds of ‘Wellingtonians’ for the positive impacts created by the Taylor Street COVID-19 Response Unit, Nice & Crew, One Best Family, YPADO, CYDO, Brain Tree, Alkaline, National Youths for Development, Bike Riders, Market Women and many more within the nook and cranny of Constituency 115.

This well-attended  ceremony was climaxed with a distribution process of approximately two thousand masks together with financial support amounting to five million Leones to the sixteen community based organizations in a bid to embark on an intensive two-day COVID-19 sensitization and Mask-up Campaign in Constituency 115.

Chief Minister in the Spotlight

(In grey African suit) Prof. Francis speaking whilst head of DfID and British High Commissioner looked on

By Amin Kef Sesay

Understandably, the Office of Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister was controversially misunderstood after being created by President Julius Maada Bio in 2018 as part of his efforts to ensuring that his New Direction Government delivers on key strategic priorities.

Over the years the Chief Minister, Prof. David J. Francis, has attracted development partners and foreign diplomats to the admiration of President Bio making the office strategically important in achieving the country’s Medium Term National Development Plan, 2019 to 2023.

At a virtual meeting summoned by President Bio at State House in Freetown, the Chief Minister, Prof. Francis told development partners that irrespective of the deadly effect of the Corona Virus Disease (COVID 19) which started in Wuhan Province in China, they have made progress as a Government in winning the fight. He thanked them on behalf of the President, Government and people of Sierra Leone for their unwavering support, as according to him, “we are very grateful.”

In another engagement in his office with the British High Commissioner, Mr. Simon Mustard and head of DfID, Kobi Bentley, the Chief Minister reiterated Government’s commitment on service delivery, adding that the President’s vision is to transform Sierra Leone through human capital development. In all those engagements, he has several times assured that the Government will continue to work with development partners to achieve this vision.

Chief Minister’s roles and responsibilities include but not limited to serving as central hub to facilitate the co-ordination and implementation of Government policies across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). As directed by the President, the Chief Minister chairs the 3 cross-cutting sectorial ministries for inter-governmental co-ordination including: Education and Social Development Sector Ministries; Finance and Economic Development Sector Ministries, and the Peace, Security and Justice Sector Ministries.

The Office of the Chief Minister performs advisory, supervisory and coordinating functions of all cabinet ministers to ensure they deliver in a timely manner. Also, to ensuring that they meet their deliverables scheduled in their performance contracts.

The Office of the Chief Minister incorporates the former Office of the Chief of Staff and is supported by the following strategic Directorates: Directorate of Presidential Infrastructural Projects and Service Delivery (DPIPSD); Directorate of Strategy, Policy and Planning (DSPP); Directorate of Performance Management, Monitoring and Evaluation (DPMME); Millennium Challenge Coordinating Unit (MCCU); and Directorate of Institute for Science and Technology (DIST). Like other Ministries, the Permanent Secretary provides the administrative leadership for the Office of the Chief Minister.

Worth More Than Gold And Diamonds… Sustainable Fishing Requires Robust Government Regulations

By Amin Kef Sesay

Sierra Leoneans here and abroad are expressing divergent views on how to revive the economy after COVID-19. Whilst some commentators have spoken lengthily on belt tightening and stimulus packages, very little seems to have been said on how to utilize the country’s vast natural resources that could result to medium term development gains; such as was successfully done in Botswana.

Take the case of our unregulated poorly monitored fisheries and marine resources which if properly regulated, monitored and economically exploited by very credible operators would easily take away the country’s demand for foreign exchange; as experts on the downside estimate that the entire fisheries and marine resources industry when fully developed and regulated could earn the country not less than USD500 million annually; given how much, highly wanted stocks such as shrimps, lobsters, crabs, salmon, herring, spanish, tuna, etc., whose catches are largely unreported by foreign trawlers fetch in rich countries such as Europe and China.

It is estimated that global losses to illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing are estimated to be as high as $23.5 billion annually.

Large scale illegal fishing often goes hand in hand with other criminal activities including tax evasion, money laundering), transnational organised crime such as drugs smuggling, human trafficking or  trade in illegal wildlife products. It was decided that stopping illegal fishing requires action at local, national, regional and international levels.

One of the issues that had been identified as inimical to the growth of the sector is that illegal operators use vessel identity fraud to get away with illegal fishing. There have been instances of one vessel illegally using several names or flags or several vessels using the same name. It is recommended that mandatory IMO numbers are needed to help stop identity abuse.

Another issue relates to Flag States selling their flags to fishing vessels without checking the history of the vessel to know whether they are safe and seaworthy.

Within the purview of human trafficking it has been noted that such occurs when workers are tricked into working on fishing vessels: their wages are unpaid, they live and work in unsafe and unsanitary conditions and they are far from land for months or years at a time with no opportunity for escape.

During sea transhipment it has been established that illegally caught fish finds its way to the market. Unauthorized transhipment enables illegal operators to avoid port controls and to maximize profits.

Shark fins attract a premium price in the Asian market that creates cut off whilst the rest of the shark is thrown overboard often still alive. Unable to swim properly, they suffocate or die of blood loss from their huge wounds.

Highly destructive and illegal, blast fishing destroys the marine environment, killing marine creatures indiscriminately; reducing future catches, affecting food security and the livelihoods of fishing communities.

Identifying illegal operators is difficult, but bringing them to justice, secures convictions and achieves sanctions that match the severity of the violations and acting as a deterrent is challenging.

King SL Zee Releases Single ‘Pray Everyday’

King SL Zee

By Foday Moriba Conteh

One of Sierra Leone’s finest songwriter and Hip-Hop Artist Boizie Gadd popularly known as King SL Zee Born in Freetown Sierra Leone, who is currently based in the United Kingdom representing the Black Game Entertainment has released his new single classical song tiled ‘Pray Everyday’ featuring one of Africa’s most trending Kids Lyrical Joe

The Song ‘Pray Everyday’ is nothing but an International hard-core Hip hop song which many described as a song that will surely hit the length and breadth of Sierra Leone and Africa as a whole.

He started his music career in 2006 at aged 15 and because of his perseverance in the music industry, King SL Zee put out many single songs like “Cut yah put yah” with Innocent. This song was a great success for him as it served as a breakthrough for him in the music industry.

After he released that very single, he has been working tirelessly towards building his music career and in the same year he also released another single called “Yams White Coba Ram” which also paved the way for him as it was loved by many Sierra Leoneans in and out of the country. The song went viral and up till now the song is still been played by different Radio and TV stations across the country and beyond.

King SL Zee got this overwhelming recognition outside the Sierra Leone music industry from the Gold Coast now Ghana after jumping on the Kenyatta Challenge. Inarguably he had one of the Best challenges that landed him an International collaboration with the sole aim to rebrand SL Music and give it a new face.

He has been working tremendously to promote the talents of young Sierra Leonean Artists and has contributed towards the growth of the music industry in the country.

King SL Zee attended the Trinity Primary school where he attained his National Primary School Examination (NPSE) Certificate and later furthered his studies at the St. Edwards Secondary School Kingtom in Freetown and finally in 2005 he left for the United Kingdom where he is currently pursuing his music career.

Fans who want to download his songs can access them on diverse music platform or visit: https://youtu.be/9gI36y3tchE

King SL Zee is currently working with few artists from Cameroon and Nigeria on songs that will be released soon.

During 2nd UBA Africa Day… Pres Weah, US Senator Chris Coons, Tony Elumelu & Other Global Leaders Calls for Collaboration

By Amin Kef Sesay

  • Demand a new deal in and for Africa
  • Advocate speedy implementation of AFCFTA
  • Call for Increased Investment in Digital Connectivity

United Bank for Africa (UBA) celebrated Africa Day 2020, by bringing together global leaders at the 2nd UBA Africa Day Conversations, screened live across the continent.  UBA helps set the debate around African economic development through its series of “Africa Conversations”.  This year, the focus was on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Covid-19 pandemic.  Leaders emphasised the need for meaningful collaboration between Governments and the private sector, as a requirement for the quick recovery of the economy of the African continent post Covid-19.

The panel included the President of Liberia, H.E George Weah; United States Senator Chris Coons; the President & Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export–Import Bank (AFREXIMBANK), Professor Benedict Okey Oramah; President, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Peter Maurer; and was moderated by the Group Chairman, UBA Plc, Tony O. Elumelu.

Other leading voices contributing were the Founder, Africa CEO Forum, Amir Ben Yahmed; the Secretary-General of the African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), H.E George Chikoti; Administrator, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Achim Steiner and Donald Kaberuka, the former President of the African Union.

Elumelu spoke on the need to mobilise quickly and explained the necessity to identify a more fundamental solution to Africa’s challenges.  “This is the time for us to deal with the situation, this is not the time for finger pointing, but for collaborative efforts by Governments and organisations, to fight the pandemic globally.  There is need to flatten the curve, we need global co-operation to stem global depression.  Africa requires a large stimulus package, and we need long-term solutions to prevent a cycle of debt.”

Liberian President, George Weah, demonstrated how collaboration has assisted his country to stem the sufferings brought about by the coronavirus pandemic.  “In Liberia we have taken measures to ease the financial burden on vulnerable business in the informal sector by providing small loan assistance to SMEs and traders.  In addition, we are working with commercial banks to manage the repayment of loans as well as to create stimulus packages for citizens,” President Weah said.

US, Senator Chris Coons made valuable contributions to the discussions, saying, “We must develop a vaccine that is free and affordable and freely distributed so that full economic activities can return.  This is no time to be looking backwards.  We recognise the power of collective collaboration on the continent.”

Prof. Benedict Okey Oramah called for the swift implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement and disclosed that Afrexim has made available $200million to supply fertilisers and grains amongst across Africa.   The Afrexim boss asserted “If Africa allows hunger takeover the people, it will see an increase in insecurity, which will take a long time to overcome.”

George Chikoti of ACP, said that the huge task of economic recovery on the continent, rests on both the government and the private sector. “African governments need to accept the support of the Private Sector in alleviating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa.  We have so far been able to release $25m to all member states”, Chikoti added.

Achim Steiner of the UNDP focused on digital connectivity as an enabler of development.  “What we need to look at is to find a way for government as a regulator and also as an investor, to leverage private sector investment into these areas” Steiner said.

Peter Maurer, President, ICRC, said there is the need to look at pandemics as part of a broader health system which needs stabilisation.  “We must do more than life-saving.  This pandemic has illustrated the weakness of health, water, sanitation and social systems, and we have to heavily invest into the stabilisation of these systems,” he said.

Amir Ben Yahmed said the crisis is going to be a super accelerator of already existing trends.  “We have to get away from the commodity driven model which has failed in creating prosperity.  “We need to use this crisis to take Africa to the next level.  We also need to attain self-reliance.  Self-reliance is an important goal,” Yamed said.

The UBA Africa Conversations concluded with the need to act quickly and effectively, highlighting that Africa has lessons to teach the world in containment, but was economically vulnerable.

The United Bank for Africa is a leading pan-African financial institution offering banking services to more than twenty million customers globally. With footprint in 20 African countries and presence globally in the United Kingdom, the USA and France, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross border payments and remittances, trade finance and ancillary banking services.

NP-SL: Always Proactive in Servicing Esteemed Customers Countrywide

By Amin Kef Sesay

With the avowed objective of gauging the views of individuals from diverse backgrounds within the country relating to the operations of the National Petroleum Limited-Sierra Leone (NP-SL Ltd) this medium decided to conduct interviews in different parts of the country. The resultant outcome of that random survey, which captured a large percentage of the populace, was very interesting.

Most of those engaged during the interviews praised the company for its effectiveness with regards customer care. According to an employee of one of the commercial banks in the country, Abdul Sawaneh, “The Company truly deserves to be tagged as 1st For Customer Care simply because it has really proven that their customers do matter and so they are really doing everything humanely possible to optimize their utmost satisfaction.”

He noted that the calibrated pumping machines which were installed at the company’s Filling Stations do pump the exact quantity of fuel that customers do request for and display the prices simultaneously. According to him such a transparent way of transacting business gives confidence to the company’s numerous customers that indeed they are doing business with a trusted partner.

Abdul underscored that contrary to the suppositions that certain pump attendants are cunningly cheating purchasers of petrol and diesel he has proven beyond all reasonable doubts that such do not transpire. He argumentatively confirmed that there is no way that pump attendants could circumvent the system to clandestinely cheat customers simply because the calibrated machines are sophisticatedly programmed to exactly churn out what they are commanded to do.

In Makeni most Kekeh riders commended NP-SL for making it possible to easily access petroleum products. They unanimously stated that the qualities of the company’s petroleum products are of high standard which they endorsed are good for their gadgets or machines. “At this point in time when things are economically tough we cannot afford to be regularly engaging mechanics to repair faults that are caused by bad petroleum products including lubricants, petrol and diesel we buy,” Mohamed Fornah, a Kekeh rider stated adding that since he has been using petroleum products marketed by NP-SL he has long since not experienced major faults.

One of them maintained that their main source of deriving income is from commercially transporting passengers from one location to another stressing that NP’s petroleum products are helping them greatly to maintain sustainability.

When residents of Bo were engaged some of them heaped praises on NP-SL for introducing their Smart Card which could be used to procure petroleum products. They attested that with NP Smart Card they can procure fuel within record time further stating that it enhances their personal security and prevent them from being cheated by fraudulent hired drivers because what is pumped is debited from the Smart Card and what remains is clearly shown when the card is slotted into any of the calibrated pumping machines. One of them revealed that most Executive officials and business people are now using NP Smart Card.

At Wellington, Mammy Fatu, a house wife intimated that she has been using NP Gas for the past two years now. She explained that she never regretted securing one as it is quick in terms of performance, is environmental friendly and non-hazardous compared to using charcoal or wood and very economical with regards consuming gas which can be procured at the company’s Filling Stations and above all is very portable.  She suggested that the company should really advertise it so that many will come to know about its effectiveness and usefulness.

The Chief Fire Officer of the National Fire Force told our reporters that NP is the power house that powers power. He was dilating on the water facility that NP-SL facilitated to be built for them at their Kissy Branch. He averred that what the company did for them with regards providing them the water facility from which they could easily source water to extinguish fire incidents is helping them greatly in their work.

“I want to tell you guys that there are companies and other institutions that are capable of doing the same but they are not doing so. I really have great respect for NP-SL for utilizing millions of Leones to avail us with such an important facility which is a true manifestation that they are really committed to rolling out their Corporate Social Responsibility,” he expressed gratitude.

In Kenema, Dr. Mansaray noted that one striking thing he greatly admires NP SL for is its strict adherence to rolling out the country’s Local Content Policy. He said the posture of the shareholders of the company to have in its employ 100% of Sierra Leoneans is highly commendable stressing how it clearly portrays that the company is really indigenous. “Considering the high level of poverty in the country for a company like NP to be offering jobs to qualified Sierra Leoneans is highly commendable as such puts individuals at vantage positions to take care of basic responsibilities,” he highlighted.

A Civil Society Activist in Kono said the company has made many Sierra Leoneans very proud especially when cognisance is taken of the fact that it has successfully opened branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia which are all vibrantly functioning. He argued that it is not easy to see such an accomplishment by other business entities claiming that indeed it is a true testament that Sierra Leoneans can accomplish big things if they selflessly work towards achieving such.

From all what was gathered it could be safely concluded that NP-Sierra Leone Limited is indeed a great business establishment that is commendably contributing to the socio-economic progression of nations where it is vibrantly operating. The company is really satisfying the petroleum needs of all and sundry.

Debunking False Publications…   Samir Hassanyeh Sets the Record Straight

Samir Hassanyeh

By Amin Kef Sesay

After perusing various skewed media publications aimed at smearing the good image of the President of the Lebanese Community this medium decided to take look at the situation and come up with an objective dissection and analysis of the real situation on the ground.

Before going further it must be hammered home here that President Samir Hassanyeh and his Executive were legitimately elected for their popularity during an election that was declared as free and fair by credible observers and therefore has the locus standi to represent the Lebanese Committee in this country.

This medium will like to intimate that through a thorough, sustained  investigation professionally mounted into the imbroglio said to be presently rocking the Lebanese Community in this country facts have been  unearthed pointing to the act of a calculated and well machinated ploy to unethically oust the existing President of the Community, Mr. Samir Hassanyeh, who over the years has constructively enhanced the longstanding bi-lateral relationship between Sierra Leone and Lebanon besides peacefully resolving certain misunderstandings involving Lebanese nationals that do from time to time emerge.

Though the Community does not have a constitution and has no constitutional clause to expel or remove members, such an action is said to be based on mutual understandings and mistrust.

Samir is well known to be a man of principles and has on various occasions demonstrated a very firm posture not to be part of any illegal ploy or machinations that some may want him to support. He has on various occasions stated that if any Lebanese deliberately do anything untoward he is in no positioned to advocate on his or her behalf.  Lamentably, it now appears that certain saboteurs within the Lebanese Community in this country are really hell bent on smearing the good reputation that this reputable personality, in the person of Samir Hassanyeh, has well built over the years.

This time around they decided to use the tactic of not only provoking but also verbally attacking his wife, over the social media,  using all kinds of invectives against her with the avowed objective of provoking her and then later use her retorts or responses to cast allegations against her husband in order to create the impression that her husband is supporting or backing her with the calculated aim of using that as the basis to clandestinely oust the charismatic gentleman who has done so much to the appreciation of many geared towards positively furthering the interests of Lebanese in this country.

It has been proven that these saboteurs, headed by one Adnan Antar and Co, who is the main architect behind the dastardly plan, are falsely claiming that the man who has done a lot to champion the interests of Lebanese in this country was involved in a shady and fraudulent contract relating to the supply of uniforms to the military and contravened procurement laws and procedures.

This is the same Adnan Antar, who is known of inflaming incitement when the Lebanese Community had the opportunity to be evacuated via a chartered aircraft an issue that was all over the place, posting on social media false alarms that they want to fleece them of their monies. Most have ascertained and postulated that Adnan is a Mafia who is bent on terrorizing others. However, it  is understandable that he is bent on cleverly terrorizing people with the fake pretext that he is telling people the gospel truth when in actual fact he is acting on the contrary, a true hallmark of a terrorist who is very notorious of abusing women with  reckless abandon as if he was not borne by a woman. His moves are well premeditated.

For confirmation that this is not a mere fabrication or allegation against Adnan Antar social media is awash of his past proclivities in using very caustic and unprintable adjectives against people and getting away with it. The guy is damn too rude to the annoyance of his Lebanese brothers and sisters who are residing in this country.

Backfiring right in front of their faces, the country’s anti-graft institution, the Anti-Corruption Commission  (ACC) proved it beyond all reasonable doubts that indeed the alarm is false, that nothing went amiss relating to the issue and Samir has no case to answer or any doubt to clear in that regard. This has been affirmed.

This medium’s investigation has made bare the fact that Adnan Antar, the man who made the false allegation against the Lebanese President but dismally failed in his diabolic scheme, decided to resort to the using of all kinds of abusive language against President Samir Hanssanyeh sustainably for two months now, but in a matured way the Lebanese President refused to respond to his attack.

Having woefully failed in one range or in the aspect of raising a false alarm, Adnan Antar, resorted to raining unimaginable abuses against the wife of Samir Hanssanyeh, Mariam Bittar, using all kinds of unprintable language.

Scientifically and medically, it has been established that human beings, when provoked naturally have the tendency to retaliate and the manner of retaliation could depend largely on the person’s frame of mind at the material time. Within this context, Mariam Bittar, as a woman who no longer decided to stomach such abusive languages from those she considered as haters against her and her husband, caustically retaliated and in revenge also replied using the same unprintable language out of the belief of giving the devil its due.

It must be underscored at this juncture that the aforementioned imbroglio is seriously laced by serious political shenanigans that have rocked the Lebanese Committee based on some who have resorted to insubordination and stage managing a coup against the current Executive especially the President of the Lebanese Community. The plan is to get rid of Samir, a personality that has so loyally and faithfully served members of the Community so well to the pleasure of many. He has indeed been exposed Adnan a ring leader hiding behind the excuse of insanity.

This medium is not holding a brief for the Lebanese President but as an objective media outlet we cannot sit idly by allowing some unscrupulous persons to pull down others. Either, we cannot be complicit to acts that are seriously permeated by hate, jealousy and misrepresentation of facts without setting the records straight.

Adnan Antar’s ranting in the video clips he has made viral actually borders on outright and deep seated hatred for the Lebanese President and being confirmed by his family members as a mentally deranged person who has failed in his business enterprises and cannot in any way be taken with any modicum of seriousness, trust or credible. The fellow, presently residing in London, is very idle and is now used by others as a conduit to cause mischief and raise hell within the Lebanese Committee.

Adnan Antar and certain Lebanese nationals in this country are on a mission to make the current Lebanese Executive very unpopular and unable to govern as a result of all their machinated distractions.

It must be reiterated that there is huge fight amongst the past Lebanese Executive and the present because of differences in ideology.  It is on record that the Lebanese President Samir Hassanyeh has been under constant attack from Adnan Antar and Co. It is now outright that this is a political war hinging on “if I cannot win I will not allow you to rule or govern in peace”.

Based on this current impasse there is news making the round that the Lebanese Community has been dissolved because certain members have tendered their resignation. It must however at this moment be underscored that the numerical composition of the Community is made up of sixteen members out of which eight members have resigned. This clearly shows that the few failed coupists do not enjoy the unanimous support of the entire membership. It is an indication of the fact that there is an unjustifiable split.

However what is realistically known is that there are reputable and influential Lebanese nationals in this country who strongly believe in the leadership of Samir Hanssanyeh and are very au fait of the diabolic plan of provoking his wife and use her reactions as a basis to oust him but those who know what has so far being unearthed will see the facts and agree that indeed it is a calculated and diabolical plan.

As was understood, the Lebanese Community is intact with Samir Hansanyeh as President. Though the Community is going through turbulent times yet plans are afoot to restore sanity within its membership. However, it must be maintained that the truth must be told other than giving the false impression that the President is no longer relevant after doing so much.

Dayu Mining Company Donates Le500 M Towards COVID-19 Fight

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Dayu Mining Company has joined the growing list of donors that thought it fit  to contribute the Covid-19 Fund that was set up by President Dr Julius Maada Bio, by donating the sum of 500,000 million Leones (about $50 thousand US Dollars) to help combat the spread of the coronavirus disease.

Working together with the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Mines and the National Minerals Agency, Dayu Mining Company on Friday 29th May 2020 donated 500,000 million Leones to the Emergency Operations Centre.

Presenting the cheque to the EOC on behalf of the Company, the Freetown Office Manager and translator, Wendy Wang, applauded the Emergency Operation Centre for their tireless effort in curtailing the spread of the virus in the country, adding that at a time like this when everybody is struggling with the pandemic, the company thought it fit to make the donation with the strong belief that such could be helpful to contain the spread of the virus.

Speaking to this medium from China, the Chairman of the Company, Mr Zha You said, “These are extraordinary times and we must all do our part to reduce the transmission of COVID-19. We strongly encourage everyone to strictly adhere to the Government of Sierra Leone’s protective measures and support the efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.”

The company said that even though it had temporarily suspended operations, it will continue to closely monitor the evolution of the Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic and its impacts, with a key focus on protecting the well-being of its employees, contractors and host communities.

On behalf of the EOC, the Spokesperson of the National Covid-19 Response Team, Solomon Jamiru Esq expressed appreciation to Dayu Mining Company Limited for the kind gesture, adding that they are not surprised to receive such gesture from the company because their good work is evidenced in the dispensation of their various corporate social interventions. He further assured that the donation is timely and will be used for its intended purposes.

Mr Jamiru admonished all to adhere to all the precautionary measures that the Government and its partners have put in place also underscoring that it is only when strict adherence is maintained that the fight will be won.

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