Home Blog Page 1090

Le40M worth of Food & Non-Food Items Donated by Masada

By Amin Kef Sesay

On Friday 22nd May 2020 , the Management of  Masada Waste Management Company (MWMC)  donated food items and boxes of approved N95 disposable face masks worth over Le 40,000,000 to various small-scale waste management enterprises and other individuals in Freetown with a view to help cushion the health and economic impact of COVID-19 in the environment and sector where Masada operates.

Food items such as rice, oil, onions and Maggi seasoning cubes were distributed on a first come, first serve basis.

In full compliance with the preventive measures indicated by the health authorities to avoid direct contact with the beneficiaries the food items and face masks were placed in packages and distributed at different time intervals to avoid crowding at the scene of distribution.

The beneficiaries included small-scale waste management enterprises using tricycles in the Freetown municipality, residents of the Black Hall Road Community, waste operatives at the Granville Brook and Kingtom dumpsites respectively as well as Masada staff.

Chief Executive Officer and Proprietor of the company, Gibril Wilson and the National Project Manager and Partner, Ami Dumbuya, intimated that the company is aware of the adverse effects the COVID-19 has brought upon Sierra Leoneans which was what moved them to extend a helping hand during this crucial moment.

A key player in the waste management sector, Management of Masada is quite aware of the threats that the small-scale waste management enterprises are exposed to in their strides to earn a living whilst at the same time contributing to the improvement of sanitation in the city.

According to them the gesture is also geared towards registering the company’s resolve to work with small-scale waste management enterprises to address the waste management needs of the Freetown Municipality.

Managing Director for Leister Road Waste Management Cooperative Society, Saidu Kamara, who was among the beneficiaries, thanked the Masada Management for what he described as not only a timely but a very laudable gesture.

Saidu maintained that food and safety during this pandemic is a big challenge for them but applauded the intervention of the company saying it has helped to ease that.

Receiving the donated items, the waste management youth groups were motivated saying they are highly poised to dispense their duties with the necessary precautions that are required to safeguard them from contracting the corona virus.

Management of the company says that it believes that if the public complies with the pieces of advice churned out by the health authorities in maintaining social distancing, regular washing of hands, putting on of face masks, avoid touching the face, eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands and covering coughs and sneezes with bent elbow, etc. the fight against this global health threat will be won.

NP-SL Proudly Continues to Give its Esteemed Customers Value for Money

By Amin Kef Sesay

The National Petroleum Limited, NP (SL-Ltd) which has been rated as the country’s foremost importer and dealer in petroleum products, which includes petrol, diesel, gas as well as lubricants of various types is ever-ready to give its ubiquitous and esteemed customers the best in terms of giving them  value in return for money.

The company’s competent and result-oriented Managerial think tank, currently headed by its indefatigable Chief Executive Officer, Kobi Walker, in tandem with the Board of Directors, have always endeavoured to be at the pinnacle of affairs within the petroleum landscape in this country, looking at best options, in order for effective service delivery to be executed timely, excellently, all geared towards enhancing good business relationships. If there is any outstanding feature for which the company is identified with then it is giving customer satisfaction to the fullest  which is why it has earned the enviable reputation of ‘1st for Customer Care’.

Prioritizing customer care is considered very paramount out of the strong conviction that the company will be nowhere without its cherished customers.

Against such a backdrop, the company has a customer care unit that primarily interface with members of the public. Concerns and recommendations channelled through it are raised in certain management meetings, discussed and the way forward mapped out.

Regarding their customers as priceless jewels, NP-SL Ltd always ensures that to give them optimal satisfaction, value must be derived from their monies spent. It was thinking along that line that prompted the shareholders of the company to replace their old fashioned pumping machines to calibrated pumping machines of high standard which transparently pump the requisite quantity of petrol or diesel demanded for. Confidence is now high among its customers that they are getting exactly what they are paying for.

Still within the domain of 1st for Customer Care, the company is always in position to enter into payment plans with its reliable and dependable customers including Ministries, Departments and Agencies for fuel and lubricants supplies as long as all the necessary modalities have been put in place. When cognizance is taken of the fact that some of these institutions receive intermittent budgetary allocations then such an arrangement is very significant. Its significance in real terms borders on functional continuity of those institutions as they will be assured of supplies of petroleum products in as much as they keep honouring their obligations.

In this country today, for one to see a successful business entity that is owned mainly by Sierra Leoneans and having a maximum number of indigenes as members of staff is like trying to find a lost needle on the beach, although there are some that could be identified.

For NP-SL Ltd this has been a big achievement as the company is strongly adhering to the country’s Local Content Policy. Making use of local brains has been identified as one of the conduits through which developing countries like Sierra Leone could attain economic empowerment. Correspondingly, if there is a continuation of the colonial mentality that it is only by importing foreign ideas and skills that we will get there then such could be a very sad mistake.

By providing job opportunities for hitherto jobless Sierra Leoneans, NP-SL Ltd continues to help in alleviating poverty by putting monies into pockets which could be utilized to take care of responsibilities.

For those who have not tried NP Gas for the first time it is now time to give it a try. Designed in sizable varying cylinders and sold at various NP Filling Stations, this cooking device has been rated as one of the best that is on offer for sale. NP Gas is safe, user friendly and portable. Trying it will spur you to recommend it to others.

NP Smart Card is now in vogue and is one of the latest technological devices used to purchase petroleum products. Using it has attendant advantages as evident in procuring fuel at any time of the day even during times when monies could not be accessed from banks. It is secured, easy to use and very quick. It is now trending.

To crystallize proposed projects into tangible realities on the ground, Government needs the requisite financial resources to effectively do so and one sure way is from the collection of taxes which is the mandate of the National Revenue Authority (NRA).  NP is indeed one of the big time tax payers in the country and it is very compliant in that direction.

From all indications, it is crystal clear that NP-SL Ltd is here to stay in order to give the best and contribute tremendously to the socio-economic development of the country. Indeed the company is passionate and committed towards attaining those objectives.

 

Shifaa and Dialysis Center Offers Professional Medical Treatments

By Amin Kef Sesay

For many years running, Sierra Leone’s Health System had a serious vacuum as the country was lacking a modernized Dialysis Treatment Center meaning that individuals who were diagnosed with renal failure had to go through the hassle of having to incur the expenses of travelling to Ghana and other countries with good health systems in order to access professional treatment.

Invariably, what that meant was that it was only rich people that could access qualitative treatment abroad and the poor had to bear the brunt of living their lives on tenterhooks, only surviving by the grace of the Almighty God.

Fortunately, there was a U-turn to this abysmal situation when on the 5th of August 2016, the Alhaji Umaru Sillah Dialysis Center was established which later culminated into the Shifaa and Dialysis Center (SD&C) with Dalanda Bah as the Manager and Director of Administration. Dalanda’s father, Alhaji Umaru Sillah, was the Proprietor of the original Center and he was the only patient treated there.

The initiative behind the establishment of the Shifaa Dialysis Center in this country was borne out of her father’s diagnosis with an End Stage Renal failure in October of 2013. Because her father could not access medical treatment in Sierra Leone there was no option but for him to be flown out to the United States of America at age 72 where he had to learn how to live life making sure he gets his dialysis treatment three times a week in a country that he was not familiar with. It meant he had to adapt to a culture that was very different from his and more importantly leave family, businesses, and many other responsibilities behind. It was inevitable that he missed home tremendously.

With time, her father established a good relationship with the Proprietor of a Dialysis Center in Conakry. His name is Professor Lamine Kaba, a man who established an unbeatable empire of kidney specialists including Nephrologists, dialysis nurses and dialysis technicians.

Prof. Kaba’s relationship with her father led to an agreement. The Professor provided her father with a team of dialysis professionals every month to care for him which she saw as a true blessing. After a very long stay in the United States, her parents were on their way back home and they ordered two dialysis machines. All the machines and systems were in place with the help of the Guinean team and supportive family members.

As at present the functioning Center in Freetown has six machines.

This was just a brief background as to how the Shifaa and Dialysis Center originated!

Situated on 8 Campbell Street in Freetown, the Dialysis Center is very easily accessible to patients of any physical condition and ambulances in case of an emergency and more importantly they are neighbors with pharmacies, laboratories, clinics and their clinicians are also a short distance away from the location.

As a privately owned and managed Dialysis Center in Sierra Leone, the entity aims to offer dialysis treatment to those who have been diagnosed with Renal Diseases thereby facilitating patients’ need for good quality of life and the enhancement of their wellbeing.

In terms of the Center’s philosophy and vision, Management of S&DC are striving their best to make sure that no dialysis patient goes untreated.

According to Dalanda Bah, “We pride ourselves in the importance of living life peacefully and with integrity. We also promote education of the risks of Renal Disease in order to prevent the diagnosis of such predicament. As for those who come to us with this diagnosis, the goal is to treat and educate them to improve their quality of life, counsel them and their caregivers to stay positive and to cope with their new way of life and stand by them as their means of support. We are working hard to make this center a safe haven for those patients that need it the most. We are working diligently to aid those who cannot afford their treatments to have financial support to pay for their treatments and all other incentives at our center.”

The Shifaa and Dialysis Center has a team of competent and specialized medical staff comprising a Certified Nephrologist, General Physician Consultant, Dialysis Nurses, Dialysis Technicians and nurses who deliver onsite education and counseling on nutrition, dialysis and renal disease. These are professionals in their own rights.

Dr. Komrabai Kanu, a highly professional Sierra Leonean doctor, examines patients regularly and plays a supervisory role over the team of medics in accordance with the laws of Sierra Leone concerning medical practitioners working in the country. He mentors, counsel, guides, corrects and participates in daily services professionally and with courtesy. His immense wisdom is very impressive.

This important medical entity has nephrologists that always re-evaluate patients before commencing dialysis. In order to do so professionally,  they demand that the referring physician sends a patient with a referral letter containing the following: – Patients Medical History including all comorbidities, Presenting Complaints and Clinical Findings – Results of laboratory and imaging examinations (X-rays, Ultra sounds etc.) – Current treatments including medications the patient is taking.

It is important to note that the Center demands a strict compliance on this matter but in the absence of a “referral letter”, the patient’s complete hospital file will be adequate and any patient who fails to meet these requirements will not be accepted for dialysis at the Center.

As a matter of fact, the Center is considered as a One-Stop Renal Center in Sierra Leone as it provides quality care for all dialysis patients at every level of their disease. The Center is capable of treating renal patients requiring dialysis at any stage of their disease. It also provides the following services: Consultation for Renal patients, Hemodialysis Treatment, Temporary and Permanent (Tunnelized) catheter insertion, referral to other specialists as necessary, dialysis education for patients and their families. Other services provided include, Diet Counselling, Psychological and Coping advice, Catheter Dressing change for those who need it on the days that they do not have a dialysis treatment.

There are plans to commence onsite healthy food services for clients and their families to ensure that they are having a healthy and balanced diet.

In respect of fees and daily schedule, individuals are required to contact the Center’s Administration for payment information and fees.

One can safely conclude that indeed Sierra Leoneans can now breathe a sigh of relief because the hassle of having to travel overseas with huge financial expenses involved to access dialysis treatment is now a thing of the past as Shifaa and Dialysis Center is now here offering highly professional treatments.

Indeed, S&DC is a dialysis center for all, both rich and poor as it is well established that it prides itself in education, quality dialysis treatment and counselling, enhancing the basics of life and facilitating the overall wellbeing of dialysis patients.

“We plan to do so by facilitating workshops and organizing free health screenings onsite and the services we provide as of now are Hemodialysis for patients in Acute and Chronic renal failure. In addition, we also provide counselling and education to all patients and their family members. As of the first week of February 2019, S&DC was equipped to accommodate up to fifteen (15) hemodialysis patients daily,” Dalanda Bah intimated.

Shifaa and Dialysis Centre is opened between the hours of 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Monday through Saturday. On Sundays and after hours, they are open for emergencies only. Shifaa Dialysis Centre is calling on all Sierra Leoneans on Dialysis to come and visit their facility.

The Center could be reached via: WhatsApp: +1347 400 6288, Salone number: +232 79225639, Email: Shifaadialysiscenter@gmail.com, website: shifaadialysiscenter.com

Elumelu says Covid-19 Presents Opportunity to Reset Africa 

Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Tony Elumelu

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Chairman of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Tony Elumelu, has stated that the Coronavirus Pandemic currently ravaging the world presents an opportunity to reset the African continent so that Africans can be empowered to become more productive and self-reliant. He said this at the high-level Roundtable discussions made up of African leaders including Dr. Ngozi Okonjo – Iweala, the Special Envoy of the African Union on Covid-19 and Tidjane Thiam who is also a Covid-19 Special Envoy responsible for mobilizing international economic support for Africa.

During the session titled ‘Resilient World: An African Call for a New World Order’, Elumelu stated “I see this pandemic as an opportunity to reset Africa.’ Whilst pointing out that Africa as a continent has all it takes to emerge into a strong digital economy, the UBA Group Chairman advocated a martial plan that will galvanise the entire continent and make Africa less dependent on the ‘circularity of debt’ from developed nations, which according to him, has been a major setback for decades.

He said, “I feel that as we engage the rest of the world in providing relief, we need to look for a more fundamental solution to Africa’s challenges. I have often argued for a martial plan overtime. We need to mobilise everyone. If we have a martial plan that mobilises resources to address particular issues, then we can mitigate against this constant begging for assistance.”

Explaining further, Elumelu pointedly said, “The truth is that we have resources to help mobilise people. As the founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, we committed to endow $100m to support young African entrepreneurs and we have been seeing the positive results this has yielded so far. It is evident that if we can fix access to electricity, ensure stability of the macro-economic environment, ensure prioritisation of the youth, empower our small and medium scale enterprises and fix youth migration, then we are in for a better and more resilient economy’. “There is the urgent need to prioritize our youths and empower our SMEs. The people who work hard need to be encouraged,” Elumelu noted passionately.

Tidjane Thiam who supported what Elumelu had proposed, said that rather than depend on international assistance at every point, there is the need for Governments and institutions to invest in activities that will prioritise the youths and create a better enabling environment.

“I totally agree with Tony Elumelu. The major challenge is that we do not see enough entrepreneurs. Similar to what obtains in Asia and Europe, there is the need to promote a class of Entrepreneurs to drive the African economy.  We need to groom more Tony Elumelus’ from Africa’ he said. Tidjane continued, ‘We know what needs to be done. We need government and multinational institutions to bring in capital so that there will be investment in health, infrastructure and the like. We do need to get rid of this debt cycle because constant rescheduling and begging for relief for debts is not good for us as a continent,” Thiam said.

Okonjo-Iweala, on her part, called for a system where youths and women will be empowered to create and produce more to boost the African economy.

Whilst calling on private and government parastatals to engage in meaningful partnerships that will help to galvanise job creation and entrepreneurship among youths in Africa, she said, “As Tony pointed out, we can see this pandemic as an opportunity for the continent. We have the African Free Trade Agreement, and we have to make it real.

“We have to specialise our countries to manufacture the things we need so we can trade with others. We need to produce good jobs for our young people. We need to empower our women and youths and put them at the centre. It is said that Africa would have the largest number of youths in the world by 2050, so we need to fix this,” she noted.

The roundtable which was organised by the New York Forum Institute, also had in attendance African Heads of States including President Mahamadou Issoufou of Niger; President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya; President Alassane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire; President Macky Sall of Senegal and President Julius Bio of Sierra Leone;

 

“There is sufficient stock of rice in the country…” -CTC Assures the Nation  

By Foday Moriba Conteh 

Sierra Leone’s biggest and most reliable rice importer, the  Commodities Trading Company (CTC) has on Monday 18th May, 2020 during the launch of  one hundred and fifty six million United States dollars ($156M) for the Quick Action Economic Response Programme an event which took place at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Finance on George Street in Freetown during which Management of the company assured the nation that there is sufficient stock of rice in the country that will last for several months.

The Quick Action Economic Response Programme is geared towards maintaining the macro-economic and financial stability and to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 shocks on businesses and households.

Speaking during the event the Spokesman for the company, Khalil Halloway, disclosed that there is enough rice and people should have no need to hoard rice now and that those hoarding it are doing so at their own risks.

He reiterated how CTC is assuring the nation that there is sufficient rice in the country and that there is no need for panic buying and storage of rice.

He established that they have increased their buffer stock from the usual 15,000 metric tons of rice to 40,000 metric tons and that they are doing so to be on the safer side and to avoid any shortage of rice in the market during this critical time when the country is been hit by the coronavirus that has affected all sectors in the country.

Commodities Trading Company (CTC) has been in the commodity business for several years now. They have consistently maintained an impeccable record in the country, are the biggest and most reliable rice importers in Sierra Leone.

The Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed R. Swarray, who chaired the meeting expressed appreciation to the Management of CTC for their prompt action in bringing in excess supply of rice in to the country at a very difficult moment like this, adding that this effort by the company is an indication that they are true friends of Sierra Leone.

Financial Management Consortium Decries Constitutional Instrument No.10

Public Financial Management Consortium

By Theresa Kef Sesay

In a Press Release dated 20th May 2020 issued by a Public Financial Management Consortium which include the Budget Advocacy Network (BAN), Center for Accountability and Rule of Law (CARL)

Christian Aid (CA),Campaign for Good Governance (CGG),Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD),Action Aid International Sierra Leone ( AAISL),Transparency International Sierra Leone (TI-SL),Search for Common Ground (SFCG),Western Area Budget Education Advocacy Network ,Water and Sanitation Network (WASH-Net), Health Alert they stated how they are sincerely appalled by the content of a proposed Corona Virus Disease Emergency Fund Regulations as captured in Constitutional Instrument No. 10 of 2020 dated 7th May 2020.

According to them, the Constitutional Instrument, which establishes the Corona Disease Response Fund, essentially suspends all accountability laws and institutions in the management of resources dedicated to respond to the Corona virus disease.

They made mention specifically to Regulations 9(1) and (2) which provides that the National Public Procurement Act, 2016 and Public Finance Act, 2016 shall not apply to the management of Corona Response Funds, adding that any laws that conflict with the Regulations shall not apply to the management of the funds.

“This represents a significant step backward in our collective fight to promote a culture of accountability and transparency in the management of public resources. The lessons of the alleged mismanagement that characterized the Ebola response funds should have guided the drafting of this regulation. Unfortunately, those seeking to push through these Regulations seem to have forgotten quickly and are now plotting to essentially slaughter accountability in the COVID-19 response efforts,” said Ibrahim Tommy, Executive Director of Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law.

The consortium acknowledges the Ministry of Finance’s proactive disclosure of information in respect of COVID-19response funds, underscoring how such is why they are extremely disappointed by this attempt to essentially diminish accountability standards in the management of COVID-19 response resources.

Members of the consortium further noted how we are in a state of public emergency but said that does not justify the suspension of laws that seek to promote accountability in the management of public funds quoting Section 29 (5) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone states as follows:

“During a period of public emergency, the President may make such regulations and take such measures as appear to him to be necessary or expedient for the purpose of maintaining and securing peace, order and good Government in Sierra Leone or any part thereof”.

They added that the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act 2016 makes adequate provisions for the prudent, efficient, effective, and transparent management and use of public financial resources, including during times of emergency saying such includes provisions in the Act between budget lines, contingency spending and supplementary budgets.

The consortium maintained that similarly, the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) Act 2016 and its related regulations make provisions for the procurement of goods, works and services in any given situation, including emergencies such as the current public health emergency.

“Whilst responding to the current health crisis requires swift and decisive action, we cannot afford to sacrifice the golden principles of transparency and accountability in the management of funds on the altar of emergency,” they highlighted adding how ultimately, sustaining public trust in the response efforts will be critical to defeating COVID-19.

The consortium urged Members of Parliament to annul or reject the Instrument whenever it is laid before them saying they particularly wish to remind them of the remarks of His Excellency President Bio in his nationwide address announcing the index case of Corona in Sierra Leone.

They quoted the President saying , “I also promised that we would be open, transparent, and responsive to the views of citizens because we believe that openness cultivates public trust and confidence in what we are doing and why we are doing what we are doing.”

“These Regulations have strong bearing on deepening transparency and openness in the delivery and use of COVID-19 funds,” said Abu Bakarr Kamara of the Budget Advocacy Network.

Members of the consortium pointed out that while countries like Gabon, Nigeria, Moldova, Sao Tome and Principle are strengthening their laws to enhance transparency and accountability in confronting COVID-19, Sierra Leone is about to suffocate the key accountability laws such as the Procurement Act, 2016 and the Public Finance Management Act 2016 in the use and management of COVID-19 resources.

They maintained that all the instrument seeks to do is to supplant the role of key accountability institutions such as Audit Service Sierra Leone and the National Public Procurement Authority in regulating the use and management of COVID-19 response funds.

“It is therefore significantly concerning that any attempt to suspend these accountability provisions will constitute to the highest possible degree a risk register in the delivery of COVID-19 funds; with greater propensity of exacerbating the existing weak systems and some of the gains Government has long made may be eroded”- Musa Ansumana Soko –Executive Director WASH-Net postulated.

“We urge the Government, and in particular, the Ministry of Finance and the leadership of the Emergency Operation Centre, to rely on the provisions in the PFM Act and the NPPA Act for the procurement of goods and services and management of funds in the current emergency situation. We also urge Audit Service Sierra Leone to carry out real time audits on COVID related spending to ensure that the lapses and leakages identified in the Ebola Audit are not repeated.

We acknowledge that during times of emergency, it is imperative that the Government act quickly. However, there should be due regard to controls, transparency and oversight to ensure that limited funds can reach as many people as possible. Accountability in the use of public funds is a key part of fighting the virus,” the Consortium’s Public Notice concludes.

China to Provide US$2 Billion to COVID-19 Ravaged Countries

H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China

By Amin Kef Sesay

In Beijing on the 18 May 2020 H.E. Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China delivered a statement at the Virtual Event of the Opening of the 73rd World Health Assembly. He started by saying  that it is of significant importance for the World Health Assembly to be held at such a critical moment as the human race battles with the novel coronavirus.

The President said what we are now facing is the most serious global public health emergency since the end of World War II. He furthered that catching the world by surprise, COVID-19 has hit over 210 countries and regions, affected more than seven billion people around the world and claimed over 300,000 precious lives.

“I mourn for every life lost and express condolences to the bereaved families,” he lamented.

H.E. Xi Jinping said the history of human civilization is one of fighting diseases and tiding over disasters adding how the virus does not respect borders, race or nationality relevant in the face of the disease. He intimated how confronted by the ravages of COVID-19, the International Community has not flinched.

“The people of all countries have tackled the virus head on. Around the world, people have looked out for each other and pulled together as one. With love and compassion, we have forged extraordinary synergy in the fight against COVID-19,” he underscored.

The Chinese President informed that in China, after making painstaking efforts and enormous sacrifice, they have turned the tide on the virus and protected the life and health of their people.

He said all along, they have acted with openness, transparency and responsibility, have provided information to WHO and relevant countries in a most timely fashion.

“We have released the genome sequence at the earliest possible time. We have shared control and treatment experience with the world without reservation. We have done everything in our power to support and assist countries in need,” he continued.
He said even as they meet, the virus is still raging, and more must be done to bring it under control underscoring that to  this end, he wants to make the following proposals:

“First, we must do everything we can for COVID-19 control and treatment. This is a most urgent task. We must always put the people first, for nothing in the world is more precious than people’s lives.
We need to deploy medical expertise and critical supplies to places where they are needed the most. We need to take strong steps in such key areas as prevention, quarantine, detection, treatment and tracing. We need to move as fast as we can to curb the global spread of the virus and do our best to stem cross-border transmission.

We need to step up information sharing, exchange experience and best practice, and pursue international cooperation on testing methods, clinical treatment, and vaccine and medicine research and development. We also need to continue supporting global research by scientists on the source and transmission routes of the virus.

Second, the World Health Organization should lead the global response. Under the leadership of Dr. Tedros, WHO has made a major contribution in leading and advancing the global response to COVID-19. Its good work is applauded by the international community. At this crucial juncture, to support WHO is to support international cooperation and the battle for saving lives as well. China calls on the international community to increase political and financial support for WHO so as to mobilize resources worldwide to defeat the virus.

Third, we must provide greater support for Africa. Developing countries, African countries in particular, have weaker public health systems. Helping them build capacity must be our top priority in COVID-19 response. The world needs to provide more material, technological and personnel support for African countries.

China has sent a tremendous amount of medical supplies and assistance to over 50 African countries and the African Union. Five Chinese medical expert teams have also been sent to the African continent. In total, in the past seven decades, over 200 million people in Africa have received care and treatment from Chinese medical teams. At present, 46 resident Chinese medical teams are in Africa helping with COVID-19 containment efforts locally.

Fourth, we must strengthen global governance in the area of public health. We human beings will eventually prevail over the coronavirus. Yet this may not be the last time a major health emergency comes knocking at our door. In view of the weaknesses and deficiencies exposed by COVID-19, we need to improve the governance system for public health security.

We need to respond more quickly to public health emergencies and establish global and regional reserve centers of anti-epidemic supplies. China supports the idea of a comprehensive review of the global response to COVID-19 after it is brought under control to sum up experience and address deficiencies. This work should be based on science and professionalism, led by WHO and conducted in an objective and impartial manner.

Fifth, we must restore economic and social development. While working on an ongoing basis to contain the virus, countries where conditions permit may reopen businesses and schools in an orderly fashion in observance of WHO’s professional recommendations. In the meantime, international macroeconomic policy coordination should be stepped up and the global industrial and supply chains be kept stable and unclogged if we are to restore growth to the world economy.

Sixth, we must strengthen international cooperation. Mankind is a community with a shared future. Solidarity and cooperation is our most powerful weapon for defeating the virus. This is the key lesson the world has learned from fighting HIV/AIDS, Ebola, avian influenza, influenza A (H1N1) and other major epidemics. And solidarity and cooperation is a sure way through which we, the people of the world, can defeat this novel coronavirus.”

The Chinese President said China stands for the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind that China takes it as its responsibility to ensure not just the life and health of its own citizens, but also global public health. He said for the sake of boosting international cooperation against COVID-19, he would like to announce the following:
“China will provide US$2 billion over two years to help with COVID-19 response and with economic and social development in affected countries, especially developing countries.

China will work with the UN to set up a global humanitarian response depot and hub in China, ensure the operation of anti-epidemic supply chains and foster “green corridors” for fast-track transportation and customs clearance.

China will establish a cooperation mechanism for its hospitals to pair up with 30 African hospitals and accelerate the building of the Africa CDC headquarters to help the continent ramp up its disease preparedness and control capacity.

COVID-19 vaccine development and deployment in China, when available, will be made a global public good. This will be China’s contribution to ensuring vaccine accessibility and affordability in developing countries.

China will work with other G20 members to implement the Debt Service Suspension Initiative for the poorest countries. China is also ready to work with the international community to bolster support for the hardest-hit countries under the greatest strain of debt service, so that they could tide over the current difficulties.”

H.E. Xi Jinping concluded by  calling  on all to come together and work as one adding that there is the need to make concerted efforts to protect the life and health of people in all countries.

“Let’s work together to safeguard planet Earth, our common home. Let’s work together to build a global community of health for all,”he enthused and thanked all.

In Memory of a Fallen Hero… 5 Years ago DJ Clef was Murdered

Sydney David Buckle was widely known as DJ Clef

By Amin Kef Sesay

Family members, musical artists and friends will on Saturday 23rd May 2020 commemorate the fifth remembrance anniversary of the death of Sydney David Buckle who was cold bloodedly murdered and sadly missed by a cross section of the citizenry of this country here and abroad. This date has gone down the annals of history of the murdering of one of the country’s most adored Disc Jockeys and musician who was mourned many.

Sydney David Buckle was widely known as DJ Clef and he was allegedly murdered by Baimba Moi Foray (alias LA Chocolate) and Foday Amara Kamara (alias G-Fag).

The corpse of the deceased was discovered at the Murray Town cemetery. Both accused persons were tried and found guilty on two counts because of circumstantial evidences and the statements of witnesses of conspiracy and murder by the High Court of Sierra Leone Presided over by Justice Alusine Sesay and twelve (12) Panel of Jurors who on Thursday 8th September 2016 sentenced Baimba Moiforay aka L.A Chocolate and Foday Amara Kamara aka G Fag to death by hanging.

However, the 3rd accused person, Avril Orehdola Renner (Oreh), was acquitted and discharged. The three (3) accused persons were in remand while attending trial since their arrest in May 2015.

According to the particulars of offense, the then accused persons in May 2015 allegedly conspired to murder and did murder David Sydney Henry Buckle aka DJ Clef (Deceased) at a birthday party organised by the third accused (Orehdola Renner) in the house of the first accused (LA Chocolate) at Aberdeen, in the West End of Freetown.

Justice Sesay maintained, while giving his judgement in court that “Circumstantial evidence is good and has weight as direct evidence to incriminate anyone. It is evidence of relevant facts which work cumulatively in a geometrical progression to fuse all possibilities of facts. It is not all cases that have to be proven with direct evidence.”

He furthered that the 17 witnesses and 26 exhibits before the court provided circumstantial evidences that link directly to the 1st and 2nd accused and their behaviours during the period of the incident indicating that they were guilty of the crime.

He furthered that the inconsistency in the statements of the accused and failure of defence to provide a solid alibi formed strong evidence against them.

The Judge also mentioned that the missing items from LAC’s house cannot be a coincidence to be found with the deceased when his corpse was discovered at Murray Town cemetery and also the doctors’ reports when the corpse was exhumed stated that the deceased died of unnatural death with part of his body severed connecting it to ritual murder.

What again indicted the accused persons was the fact that certain missing items were found at the scene of crime which included a brown car dust cover, yellow nylon ropes and brown carpet all claimed to have belonged to LAC by his security guard.

Justice Alusine also questioned the behaviour of the 2nd accused, Foday Amara Kamara, alias G-Fag pointing out that he went into hiding, destroyed his sim cards. According to him his behaviour indicated that he was deliberately destroying evidences.

Besides, witnesses who testified in Court said that it was G-Fag who lured them to meet LAC privately at his Gym during the party and also cautioned them not to inform or mention their meeting to anyone but the witnesses said they refused to oblige to the caution.

It was also established in court that it was G-Fag who stopped the party goers from entering into the main house and also stopped the security guard from entering into the premises after the party to cause a diversion.

When sentencing both of them, Justice Alusine Sesay, noted that for conspiracy both accused are sentenced to 25 yrs imprisonment and for murder they are sentenced to death by hanging furthering that murder is a substantive offence and its constitutional penalty is death.

It is expected that, on Saturday, friends most of whom are musicians and family members will organise some form of memorial program for the late Sydney David Buckle aka DJ Clef.

Pres. Bio Meets Civil Society Leaders

President Dr. Julius Maada Bio

By Foday Moriba Conteh

President Dr Julius Maada Bio on the 20th May 2020 engaged leaders of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) at State House on the Coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic and other development issues in the country.

Chairing the event, Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh stated that the meeting was part of Government’s plan to work on a sustained dialogue with Civil Society Organisations and assured them of continued engagements.

In his presentation, President Bio said that he had personally invited the CSOs to talk frankly about the relationship between Government and Civil Society. He furthered how his Government intended to continue hearing and staying engaged with every voice in the Civil Society space because his Government believes that each voice matters and every voice would make the country’s democracy better and stronger.

He also thanked members of the Civil Society for their diverse support to Government’s response to the COVID-19 through direct support and other initiatives including advocacy, social mobilisation. He also reiterated Government’s appeal to citizens to adhere to all COVID-19 healthcare and other directives, adding that they had strengthened healthcare systems and implemented measured policies to prevent, protect against and curtail the spread of the COVID-19.

“We thank Civil Society for condemning the violence outright and taking the strong view that violence is inimical to peace, stability, and development. We note the sundry concerns around the issue and we will work on recalibrating next steps accordingly. Government wants a stronger relationship with civil society. As a Government, we do not believe we should simply impose our own understanding of governance on citizens. We need the voices of citizens”, the President enjoined.

He said the Government and Civil Society want similar outcomes for Sierra Leone and for the future of Sierra Leone, how they therefore want a relationship that is not one of mistrust and suspicion, not one of fear and dread, not one that is adversarial but a partnership built on mutual trust and cooperation; one based on a shared aspiration to ensure that the right things are done at the right times, for the right reasons and with the right impact for the peace and development of the nation.

During the discussions, Executive Director of Campaign for Good Governance, Marcella Samba Sesay, said that the COVID-19 response required every country to design its own pathway, adding that it was very important for the Government and civil society to sit together to enable effective co-creation processes.

Executive Director of Health for All Coalition, Charles Mambu, commended the Government for the recruitment of healthcare workers, saying that they were pleased that the Government’s expenditure on health is increasing. He also commended the Government for the ongoing infrastructural projects across the country.

Cross Section of CSOs Present at the meeting

Transparency and Accountability Central To Proper Management Of Public Resources And Funds

By Amin Kef Sesay

In true democracies, “transparency” and “accountability” are important pillars of proper administrative and financial management of the State and its resources and funds; without which corruption, mismanagement and wastage drain away vital resources for national development that benefits the majority of the people.

Given the above, transparency and accountability are critical for the efficient functioning of a modern economy and for fostering social well-being.

Many powers are delegated to public authorities. Some assurance must then be provided to the delegators—that is, society at large—that this transfer of power is not only effective, but also not abused. Hence, the Parliamentary Accounts Committee, Audit Service, ACC, etc.

Transparency ensures that information is available that can be used to measure the authorities’ performance and to guard against any possible misuse of powers. In that sense, transparency serves to achieve accountability, which means that authorities can be held responsible for their actions.

Without transparency and accountability, trust will be lacking between a Government and those whom it governs. The result would be social instability and an environment that is less than conducive to economic growth.

Resources create major opportunities, especially in developing countries. The Government—including Parliamentarians—plays an important role in managing these opportunities.

At what pace should the resources be extracted? How should the proceeds be used? Which investments will best address the country’s development needs?

The decisions made on such issues can have a long-lasting impact, and can affect the well-being of today’s as well as future generations in a society.

Adequate transparency and accountability are therefore critical for ensuring that resource wealth is managed for the benefit of the whole population.

Transparency in all sector operations allows democratic debate on how wealth should be handled. In that regard, while the economic implications of poor resource management are clear, we must never overlook the likely social consequences of such failure.

In recognition of the importance of these issues, there have been many recent initiatives at the international level which are aimed at promoting transparency in natural resource management.

Given the increasing role of Parliaments in economic policymaking, engaging Parliamentarians on this issue is especially important. It helps to promote awareness of the importance of good governance and enhances country ownership of reform efforts.

 

1...1,0891,0901,091...1,360Page 1,090 of 1,360