Ministry of Finance’s Technical Audit Report launched last Tuesday April 2nd 2019 by the Minister of Finance, Jacob Jusu Saffa, has received fierce condemnation from members of the public for what they describe as an unfair treatment of the darling mobile operator of the nation. In their view, the audit report seems to be one-sided, as officials of the company and the former operators at NATCOM, who are au fait with what transpired, were not contacted to give their own side and ensure a balanced report.

The report which was developed by some fifty international and local auditors, accused the country’s Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM) of demonstrating unfair and unequal treatment to mobile phone operators on the same circumstances and the payment of fines.
According to investigations, it is understood that a good number of like-minded Sierra Leoneans have questioned the findings and recommendations of the report, describing it as one sided and bias, as the auditors did not talk to former NATCOM officials to get their own side of the story to ensure a well-balanced report. Some seasoned auditors have even questioned the methodology used by the audit team to arrive at their findings.
Section 10 of the Telecoms Act 2006, (as amended), makes the Commission completely independent in its operations. It is very clear in the Act that the Commission’s major responsibility among several others is to expand telecoms services to rural areas, which it executed very well, especially between March 2015 and March 2018.
According to documentary evidence seen, sometime in 2017, NATCOM received an executive clearance from the office of the President requesting the Commission to prevail on mobile phone companies to expand their network to the interior parts of Kenema, Falaba and Koinadugu districts. Our findings revealed that apart from the President’s instruction, the people also called on NATCOM to ensure the expansion of network to their areas.
In the light of this development, NATCOM decided to engage all GSM operators in the country. It was reliably learnt that one of the operators bluntly refused to comply.
However, documentary evidence has clearly proved that NATCOM contacted all GSM operators to know who was interested to complement government efforts in providing telecom services to the rural areas, unfortunately only Africell consented to work with the Commission in that direction.
Sources say that no shady deal was done in the whole process, contrary to the findings in the technical audit report. The company’s service to the nation has been widely acclaimed and subscribers say that the company is not only providing reliable communication service to the people, but it has alleviated their economic situation through its numerous promotions and support in education, agriculture, sports among others.

It is on record that Africell installed cell sites to the above mentioned areas as outlined in the agreement, which were commissioned by the previous administration in the presence of traditional leaders and several government functionaries.
NATCOM sources say that some of the documents can be traced at the ACC and if the audit team had taken time to contact the former administration, they would have got a clearer picture of the whole issue and will not come out with such a report. It was also disclosed that the commission never forced any mobile company against its will to contribute to UADF and that it also never applied different regulations to any special operator, contrary to the findings in the report.

Documentary evidence show that NATCOM requested all operators to expand their network to the most remote areas in the country, but it was only Africell that complied with that request. All what the commission did regarding the expansion of network in the four remote areas, was done in line with section 9 (1) and section 2 (1) of the telecom Act of 2006 as (amended).

Some social commentators say that Africell was not treated well by the Special Audit team. NATCOM sources say that the Company used its own resources to buy the equipment to connect the people to the global village. “If they have done a marvelous job, I think they should be commended rather than castigating them for a job well done” Mariama Sesay an Africell subscriber maintained. Thomas P Babadie, a seasoned Civil Society Activist stated that “Africell is now being crucified for doing the correct thing in line with their mandate of providing better services to the people including those in remote areas and such a situation will definitely discourage investors”. But not deterred by this matter, Company officials say they are more determined to move ahead and work with the government and people to get quality, affordable services.

The nervousness among Housemates Salone TV Reality Show is apparent as the competition heightens. It is a show that is hotly debated in various quarters, on the Social Media with individuals expressing divergent views as to how the participants are faring on, whether it was justifiable to evict some of them and predictions churned out as to who will ultimately emerge as winner to take away the covetous Le100,000,000 star prize.
The ongoing Reality TV Show, which will end in two weeks’ time, is becoming tense, very interesting and captivating as the clock ticks every moment.
In reality, it seems as if the House is on fire as the noise within the four corners, caused by the Housemates, sometimes becomes somehow deafening. At times it becomes irritating to viewers but with the intermittent interjections of jokes and ‘blasting’ at each other with name-callings, it finally turns out to be funny especially when it is interjected with singing, playing of games, story-telling and all sorts of craziness.
The crux of the matter is that all the Housemates are really trying to be humorous, trying to be considered effectively using strong language and to be seen displaying nudity that should be very captivating.
The show, as the organizers ,Africa Young Voices (AYV) Media Empire and Africell Lintel Sierra Leone, planned it should be tilted towards youth empowerment providing the level playing field for expression of God given talents and at the same time affording them the opportunity for the acquisition of new skills. That is why the participants are taken through various activities to build up their confidence and transform them into individuals who have been inspired.
In the case of the Chief Executive Officer of AYV, Ambassador Anthony Navo, the dream and passion to empower young people and elevate them in society inspired him to establish the Empire from which many talented young people have benefitted and are still benefitting. There could be no surprise why he was recently awarded so prestigiously as an outstanding personality and entrepreneur.
With Africell, giving support to the young who have entrepreneurial potentials and talents whether in the music industry, sports, education has been part of their Social Corporate Responsibility.
So for the duo, AYV and Africell, to team up and present for the first time the Housemates Salone Reality TV Show geared towards youth empowerment such must not be a surprise anyone.
As the competition continues to build momentum lobbying by fans of the Housemates for members of the public to vote for participants of their choice on Africell No 5500 via text messages is becoming more and more intense. As a matter of fact the names of the Housemates and their tag numbers are displayed on the footage of AYV Television Channel 34 which is airing the Show on a daily basis.
Reaching its climax the public is eagerly looking forward to who will become the youngest millionaire that will emerge from the 2019 Housemates Salone Reality TV Show.
In a related development, it was disclosed that after 2019 Housemates Salone Reality TV Show, the leaders in media and communication, the Africa Young Voices (AYV) Media Empire and Africell Lintel Sierra Leone will be launching another bigger bomb code named Celebrity Housemate Salone 2019 (CHMSL). Le300 Million will be at stake for this next show that will be championed by the two communications giants.
Indeed, AYV and Africell are taking the entertainment industry to another level in this country.

A notice released by the Secretariat in the Government Commissions of inquiry (COI) has issued a notice hearing to senior former Ministers in the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources in the Past Koroma Administration to appear before Justice Biobele Gorgewill Commission on Tuesday 8th April .
The former ministers include Alhaji B. Kanu, former Minister Mines and Marine Resources 2009, Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray former Minister of Mines and Marine resources 2010, Abdul Ignosis Koroma, former deputy Minister of Mines and Mr. Sahr Wonday (former Director General of National Mineral Agency) respectively.
‘’Take notice that the justice Biobele Georgewill Commission’s Of Inquiry will on the 8th Day of April be receiving testimonies from witnesses , whose testimonies are likely to touch and concern your conduct as persons of interest to the said commissions on issues pertaining to the Ministry of Mines and Marine Resources and the National Mineral Agency respectively,’’ the notice stated.
According to the notice from the Commissions of Inquiry Secretariat, the former senior government officials are requested to attend on the 8th April and to avail themselves with opportunity to cross examine the said witnesses on any of their testimonies that relates to their person.
It could be recalled that when President Bio assumed office he set up a Government Transition Team to look into the activities of past Koroma administration release the Government Transition Report (GTR) which recommended for a setting up of the COI.
Justice Biobele Georgewill visited Cockerill this morning where ambulances and motorbikes used for the Ebola response are still parked.

This on d spot visit is part of the Commission’s investigation into the Ebola fight.

Fmr Minister of Health Madina Rahman and Former NERC boss Paolo Conteh are the persons of interest in this case.

State Counsel- Lawyer Robin Mason and Defense Counsel – Lawyer Ady Macauley were present.

Mrs Ayodele Babalola (nee Ademu-John) Massa’s mother has strongly denied police statement at a press conference that the body exhumed today are the remains of her daughter Massah KaiKai. Mrs. Babalola has asked for the remains to be taken to the United States for forensics analysis.

Her daughter was a Sierra Leonean American who last seen in August 2018. The Sierra Leone Police today held a special press conference on the missing person case of 40 year-old Kaikai. In early August 2018, the news of the sudden disappearance of Massah KaiKai went viral social media.

After 3 months of no word, the public began to ask questions. What had happened to KaiKai, who had returned to Sierra Leone to work for an NGO. Why had police not found any leads? How had this woman described as kind and generous by friends just disappeared in Freetown without a word. Mrs. Babalola who resides in the US came to Sierra Leone to locate her daughter.

She enlisted the help of Standard Times’ Philipp Neville who began to run the missing woman’s image, and mother’s plea for new information in the paper. Back at Police headquarters the public was informed that the body of KaiKai had been found and the truth came out on the 2nd of April 2019, when a man Ibrahim Mansaray who is in custody confessed he was the one that killed Kaikai. Her body he said was buried inside of the compound in which she had lived.

Police and Mrs. Babalola went to the site and indeed human remains were found. “Some of the investigators went there with people that knew her, so from the physical feature identified yes we are convinced, but since we are going to court we have to present professional evidence identification, and should be provided by the forensic pathologist,” said Police Chief Inspector Moigbeh While the police appears sure Mrs. Babalola, KaiKai’s mother said she has her doubts. ” I am seeking to have the body sent to the United States for forensics, you cannot just say this is Massa without forensic confirmation, ” she said.

”I myself saw the body from the way it looks and knowing my child, that body is not my child.” At the end of the press conference Mrs. Babalola accused her husband of being aware of the death Kaikai. This led to a confrontation between them and other family members. Ibrahim Mansaray the accused is said to be a driver whom Kai Kai had helped to acquire his driving license, so that he could better support himself and his family.

At the press conference the one question that was left unanswered was why? If indeed Mansaray did kill Kai Kai what were his motives?

The result-oriented and charismatic Sierra Leone Premier Board (SLPB) Chairman Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai has debunked an allegation of a brawl involving him and match officials on Wednesday 3rg April 2019 at the Siaka Steven Stadium.
Several social media platforms reported that match officials officiating between Ports Authority and Old Edwardians during the break refused to officiate the second half.
Names of match officials are yet to be known but, the reports stated that the Old Edwardians Chairman, who doubles as the Premier League Board Chairman was directly tangled in mix-up confrontations after some mediation the match was allowed to continue.
“New reports making rounds that I was involved in a punch-up with one of the Referees is untrue,” Saffa stated after the news broke out.
“I met a few fans fighting with match officials during the half time at the national stadium. I merely went into it to stop the fight and, separate them. In the process, I was slapped by the Referee’s Assessor.”
“I stopped him from slapping me again and walked away. I don’t fight and, I will never be involved in a fight in a league that I am organizing. Match has resumed,” he explained.
Ports Authority went on to defeat Edwards 2-1 in the ongoing domestic league season.

The first accused in the military court martial trial involving ammunition discovered at the Presidential Lodge in June 2018, Captain Patrick E. Kamara has started giving evidence in his defense. Testifying before Justice Alhaji Momoh-Jah Stevens on Tuesday 2nd April 2019, the accused tendered a series of documents in his defense.
He said he worked at the Lodge between 2009 to April 2018 and that he left the premises he occupied on the periphery of the Lodge on 3rd April 2018 after the election. He said he went to the Lodge after he vacated the premises. He said he came to the Lodge because the entire guard force for both the President and Vice President were on 24 hours duty.
Kamara said on 7 April 2018 he was called by Brigadier General A.Y. Kargbo to do a back loading of arms and ammunition that were in the stores controlled by the former President. He said during the back loading, a comrade, Captain James Robin and himself were in the store issuing the ammunition to other soldiers who transported them to the vehicle where Brigadier General Kargbo received it at the vehicle.
The accused said during the back loading it became apparent that the 12.7mm A.A. that were back loaded came from different countries. He gave a detailed description of the records he took during the back loading stating that 3,000 of 14.5 mm A.A. were issued to the Force. He added the same were back loaded.
He further stated that 5,000 of the 12.7 mm A.A. were issued however 4,920 were back loaded. The accused also identified his voluntary caution statement to the police stating that during the investigation, he was not informed of his right to legal representation.
He also said there were training and test firings being conducted in 2009 and 2013. He said when he was deployed at the Presidential Guard Force in 2009, the officer commanding the force by then wrote for training exercises for personnel and also to test fire the heavy weapons. The training for the personnel in that year was done at the now Peace Mission Training Centre at Hastings.
The firing exercises were moved to the Armed Forces Training Centre at Benguema. He tendered a series of documents relating to the trainings. The accused, Captain Patrick E. Kamara is jointly charged with Samuel Conteh, a Warrant Officer Class One, and Abu Bakarr Jalloh, a Warrant Officer Class Two. The three were believed to be senior officials of former President Koroma’s guards.
Between 1 January 2008 and 19 June 2018 in Freetown, it is alleged that Captain Patrick Kamara, Samuel Conteh, a Warrant Officer Class One, and Abu Bakarr Jalloh, a Warrant Officer Class Two, conspired and stole from the Government of Sierra Leone, 4,245 rounds of 12.7 millimetre anti-aircraft (AA) rounds of ammunition, 3,828 rounds of 14.4 millimetre AA rounds, 11 grenades and 6 rounds of 7.62/39 millimetre gun, 14,100 rounds of 7.62/39 millimetre tracers, amongst many others.
The trio are before a military Court Martial to answer to five charges, ranging from Conspiracy, Larceny by Servant, Willful neglect and ordering damage to service property, willful damage of service property, and conduct that was prejudicial to the group order and military discipline contrary to the Armed Forces of the Republic of Sierra Leone Act No.34 of 1961, as amended.
First accused Captain Patrick E. Kamara is represented by lawyer Ady Macauley, and D. Taylor represents the second accused, Samuel Conteh. Third accused Abu Bakarr Jalloh is represented by Amadu Koroma.

Former Sierra Leonean President Ernest Koroma has flown out of Freetown on Wednesday 3rd April 2019 in the evening hours to Portugal where he will be a guest at an international business forum,
It was learnt that Mr Koroma will be a guest at the 2019 Horasis Global Meeting in Cascais, Portugal, which is being convened from 6 to 9 April. The annual Horasis Global Meeting is one of the world’s foremost gatherings of business and government leaders, offering an ideal platform to explore and foster cooperation, impact investing, and sustainable growth across the world.
This year discussions, according to a statement on the event’s website, will center around the theme of “Catalysing the Benefits of Globalization”. Dozens of sessions have been lined up, with speeches and panel discussions featuring experts and authorities in diverse walks of life: banking, technology, food, energy and politics.
President Koroma is listed as speaker on the first day on a working dinner session dedicated to Peace. The former President will give a special address in front of a panel that include the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Adviser for Reconciliation, Canon Sarah Snyder.
Koroma served as President of Sierra Leone from 2007 to 2018 when the APC party was defeated in elections that brought Julius Maada Bio to power. Koroma assumed control of the country when it was just coming out of an eleven year civil war.
Report on the local media indicates that the former Sierra Leone President will fly to Germany for “routine” medical check-up after his Portugal engagement. He is expected back home towards the end of the month.

The National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), through its GIZ Funded Employment Promotion Programme (EPP 111), has under taken a one week sensitization meeting in Falaba, Kono and Kailahun districts respectively on the implementation of its ‘cash for work’ programme which is targeting a total of 8,500 rural and peri-urban youth of which 30 percent shall be female. The main objective of the sensitization is to raise awareness about the project across the communities and its stakeholders in which the project is been implemented.
Welcoming guests and participants to Mongo Bendugu, the District headquarter town of Falaba District, the Regent Chief P.C. Sheku Korio Jawara thanked NaCSA and GIZ for choosing Falaba District for such a project, as Falaba district is a highly agricultural driven district in terms of rice, beans, vegetables, cattle rearing etc.
The Chairman of the Falaba District Council, who also doubles as Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji Sajor Bah, praised NaCSA for its intervention in his sister district of Koinadugu, where he noted that if had it not been for NaCSA, Falaba District would have been a hard- to- reach area due to the deplorable roads conditions. He said that NaCSA has constructed and rehabilitated roads, bridges and culverts across Koinadugu District linking to Falaba District, and as such making the two districts accessible.
Giving an overview of the project, the NaCSA District Coordinator Koinadugu/Falaba, Musa Dauda, explains that the project is a pilot phase mainly for the youths, and as a new project, NaCSA is always doing consultation and sensitization before the commencement of its projects. Mr. Dauda informed the gathering that the project will be implemented in seven chiefdoms in Falaba District. Mr. Dauda also informed the gathering that the project will be implemented only in areas where GIZ has not operated in the past.
The District Agriculture Officer for Falaba District, Mr.Philip Moi Rogers thanked NaCSA and GIZ for collaborating with the Ministry, describing it as the right step in the right direction. Mr Rogers further stated that, as a Ministry, they are responsible to provide technical support to all government ministries and agencies implementing agricultural programmes, and that they are ready to provide key skills and the support needed to make the project a success. He encouraged farmers to pay more attention on Inland valley Swamps (IVS), which is one of the components of the project, as it increases more yield than up land farming.
On behalf of farmers in Falaba District, Chief Ansumana Sesay pleaded to the donor to provide fencing for their swamps so as to avoid further threats from stray animals as they are ready to embrace the project.
The Project Officer for the Employment Promotion Programme (EPP 111), Jonta Fatima Moiba said, the project is a GIZ funded grant that is being implemented by NaCSA in three districts which includes Falaba, Kono and Kailahun. Madam Fatima went on to say, that the project is an employment promotion project and is geared towards job creation and youth employment through three cash for work components and a facility for innovation programme.
She explain that among the three district, Kono stand to benefit from all the three cash for work components including, garbage collection and disposal, rehabilitation of cocoa and coffee plantations and rehabilitation of inland valley swamps (IVS) as well as facility for innovation programme, while Falaba she noted, will only benefit from IVS Rehabilitation and Kailahun from Cocoa and Coffee Rehabilitation.
Madam Jonta revealed that the total targeted youth population in Kono District is 6,360, out of which, 3,400 will be working on garbage collection and disposal. 60% which is 2,040 of 3,400 targeted for IVS Rehabilitation comprise youth and 920 youth which is 40% of 2,400 targeted for Cocoa and Coffee will be targeted in Kono. From a gender perspective she said, 35% of the targeted population should be women across the board and the age bracket for youth is within 18 and 35 years she went on to say.
Madam Fatima also informed the gathering that in all three districts that the sensitization meeting is to inform the authorities about the upcoming targeting process which will commence soon, as to know who and who will be working on the swamps. She said there will be a total number of 9,100 beneficiaries for the three districts, 1,360 for Falaba, 2,040 for Kono, 1, 150 for Kailahun all for the IVS Rehabilitation and 3,400 for garbage collection only for Kono District.
In Kono the team was welcomed by the District Council Chairman Mr Solomon Sahr Gbondo, who praised NaCSA for its intervention in Kono District through its GPC and SSN Projects. Chairman Gbondo said that the people of Kono are more of farmers than miners in recent years now as they will welcome the project with open hands. Speaking on behalf of the farmers in Kono, PC Duramany Solouku the fifth of Toli Chiefdom thanked NaCSA and GIZ and called on all Kono People to join hands together for the success of the project. Chief Solouku further went on to say that Government will not be able to employ everyone but call on the youths to use this opportunity to make the people of Kono once more be proud as they are the only district to implement all three components of the projects.
On behalf of the youths in Kono, the Chairman Kono Development Youth Coalition, Melvin Konguwa said, the youths of Kono today are development oriented young people and that they are ready to join hands together to see this project come out as a success as they will be competing with the other two districts.
The team was welcomed in Kailahun by the Town Chief, Chief Moiwo B. Kogie, who expressed his greatest admiration for NaCSA and GIZ. The Chief called on the donor to continue its support to the Kailahun people not only with the rehabilitation of their swamps but also in the area of Tree Crop rehabilitation.
On behalf of the Kailahun District Council, the Development Committee Chairman, Councilor Nasiru Deen Cole expressed his concern for the sustainability of the project as it is key for the overall achievement of the goals and objectives of the project as a whole. Councilor Nasiru Deen said, as a youth, he will be a watch dog and promised that council will provide oversight in monitoring the project.
Similar sentiments were expressed in Falaba, by the District Agricultural Officer for Kono, Mr. Lamin A.B. Mbogba and Kailahun, Mr. Daniel G.B. Kamara who both said when the time comes they will cascade to their people the agronomic practices, which is the different ways of growing crops, as they are the expert in charge of agriculture in the country.
Speaking at the end of each district sensitization, the Project Officer Madam Jonta Fatima Moiba said, the project will be providing Le 22, 000 per day for each worker and that they will be working for 23 working days and a total of 78,200 man days, and that the following chiefdoms will be benefiting from the project: Falaba District: Dembelia Musaia, Barawa Woray, Niya, Mongo, Morfindugu, Kamadugu Yiraia and Dembelia Sekunia Chiefdom.
And for Kono District: Lei, Mofindor, Gbane, Nimiyama, Siama, Gbense, Tankoro, Gorama Kono and Nimikoro Chiefdom.
Kailahum District: Jawei, Malema, Upper Banbara, Mandu, Njaluahun, Kpejeh Bongre, Kpejeh West, Yawei and Kissi Teng Chiefdom.

As the former Director General of the Sierra Leone Correctional Service retires His Excellency the President Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio has appointed Mr. Joseph Lamboi as Director General of the Sierra Leone Correctional Service, and Mr. Dennis Harman as his Deputy, subject to Parliamentary approval.
Addressing the DG’s muster parade, on Wednesday 3rd April, 2019, at the SLCS’ Headquarters New England Ville, Mr. Lamboi said he was thankful to the President for appointing him to the most exalted seat in the Department.
He expressed delight over his being alive to witness a moment of that uplifting nature.

“Do you remember sometime ago, in a gathering like this, the erstwhile DG was admonishing that the infights over who should replace him should stop. When I got the opportunity to speak, I told you not to be tensed over who would be the next DG, because I believe that power comes from God.”

He said he had reached that peak not because he was “lobbying” or “bootlicking”, but because he was a disciplined and forward thinking person.

Mr. Lamboi assured the parade that his appointment to the DG’s office will not reduce him into witch- hunting any of his subordinates.

He recalled that the former DG left a lot of pointers, which he would like to strengthen and flesh out “through team work”.

Stepping forward to speak, the newly appointed Deputy Director General- Mr. Harman said, in just over a month in office as then Acting DG, Mr. Lamboi had brought a lot of enviable changes to the institution.

“We now have a Conference Hall put up at the Male Reintegration centre, where the Special Court was stationed. That hall has helped us a lot in terms of meetings and workshops.”

“Apart from the Conference Hall, Mr. Lamboi and I have made a commitment to ensure that inmates get all what is due them, cautioning that any officer who is caught pilfering any item belonging to inmates, would face disciplinary action,” he revealed.

He encouraged all to be alert and attentive so that they can all work to fan the flames of development in the institution.