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Orange-SL to Donate Ramadan Iftar Nationwide

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Ramadan being a period of fasting, generosity, reflection and sacrifice and ahead of the Lailatul Qadr (the Night of Power in Ramadan), One of Sierra Leone’s leading telecommunication company, Orange Sierra Leone, is poised to undertake nationwide distribution of assorted food items worth over Two Hundred and Seventy-one Million Leones to Communities and Patron mosques across the country. The assorted food items, which includes bags of Rice, Gallons of oil, Bags of Sugar, Onions, Milk, Tomato etc.. is scheduled to start his week with an official launching to be held in Freetown.

During the donation, all community mosques that have been identified for the donation, will receive twenty bags of rice (50Kg), ten bags of onions, five bags of milk, five bags of sugar, ten cartons of tin tomatoes, five gallons of cooking oil and three cartons of Maggie; Whilst the Patron Mosques will receive ten bags of rice (50Kg), three gallon of cooking oil, three bags of sugar, three bags of milk, four bags of onions, five cartoon of tin tomatoes and three cartons of Maggie.

According to the Public Relations Department of Orange-SL Mabel Mason, Orange as a company has gone through transformation due to the cooperation of subscribers, and the Holy Month of Ramadan, being a month of giving and receiving, the company saw the need as a tradition and culture to give back to Sierra Leoneans, even at a time when the country is being hit with the coronavirus that has hindered all sectors in society, adding that fasting is one of the Pillars of Islam and it is obligatory to every Muslim, but most of them find it hard to fulfil that sacred obligation due to the economic situation. Therefore, they thought it wise to share those assorted food items that are needed during the month of fasting to the less privileged.

She stated that the distribution will start on Monday 18th May, 2020 to 24th May, 2020 and during this process they will target Freetown CBD, Freetown Lungi, Southern Providence, Eastern Province and the Northern Providence, adding that they have identified both the community and patron mosques in the districts that will benefit from the donation.

She said that they have also been distributing food items to handicapped and the blind across the country, but maintained that because of the covid-19 they have decided to limit the donation to mosques across the country.

She noted that this gesture by the company is a clear manifestation that Orange-SL cares for the nation and its citizens and that they are determined to stand by the side of the people of this country during good and bad times.

She said that Orange-SL is a law abiding company and will ensure that during the donation process they will adhere to all protective measures instituted by the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Health and Sanitation in order to curtail the spread of the coronavirus in the country.

“Whether you are a subscriber of Orange or not, we have the onus to reach the last village or town in Sierra Leone to share this blessing as we believe in equality”. She said.

Welthungerhilfe Donates to Sefadu Correctional Centre

By: Tamba Borbor, Public Relations Officer, Welthungerhilfe (WHH) Koidu City

German International Non-Governmental Organization, Welthungerhilfe (WHH) has on Tuesday 12th May 2020 continued its crucial interventions in the fight against the novel Coronavirus by donating various items to the Sefadu Correctional Centre in Koidu City, Kono District.

The items include: Six big-sized Veronica buckets, six medium-sized rubber buckets, six medium-sized hand liquid soap and two Infrared Temperature guns.

Speaking before formally handing over the items to the Deputy Head of the Correctional Centre, the County Director of WHH, Ursula Langkamp stated that her organization notes the fast spread of the Covid-19 all over the world hence the reason for undertaking sensitization and distribution of hygiene materials across operational districts including Kono, Kenema and Kailahun.

“We are also planning further support to Quarantine and Treatment Centres,” the WHH Boss disclosed; expressing her wish that everyone would play their part in protecting the country from further spread of the virus.

She expressed that “We are very happy that Kono District is still safe for now although the situation is unpredictable as to how long it will stay like this.”

Lanka as she is fondly called, lauded the efforts of the Government of Sierra Leone in the continued fight against the Coronavirus and the Sefadu Correctional Centre for ensuring the inmates are still uninfected.

She maintained that the donation is geared towards ensuring needed health preventive materials are always available to protect the management and inmates of the Correctional Centre.

Receiving the hygiene and sanitary items, the Second-In-Command of the Sefadu Correctional Centre, Mr. Raymond Njai thanked WHH for the items which he noted were recently unavailable.

“As we are charged with the responsibility of managing this Centre, it is also our responsibility to keep ourselves safe from the virus so that the inmates would not be infected through our going out and coming in,” Njai stated; stressing that the items would be duly utilized.

The Environment and Social Officer of the Koidu New Sembehun City Council (KNSCC), Ibrahim Bockarie on behalf of the Mayor of Koidu City- Mathew Komba Sam thanked WHH for the timely donation.

He recalled that the German INGO has been working closely with Councils around the country and started operations in Koidu City in 2019 to implement the Improved Waste Management Project funded by the British people through the Department For International Development (DFID).

“The Coronavirus is very serious and has affected all countries of the world which is why WHH had started sensitizing the people of Koidu City and the district about the COVID-19 through a bi-weekly one hour radio programme that brings all stakeholders together on one platform to provide vital information to the people about how to prevent themselves including symptoms of the virus,” Bockarie stated.

He noted that the items provided are for inmates, visitors and staff of the Correctional Centre to be able to regularly wash their hands which is one of the preventive methods; while expressing hope that the items would be utilized for the intended purpose.

Earlier, Country Director Ursula Langkamp met with the Coordinator of the District Emergency Operations Centre (DEOC)- Sahr Samuel Sam and Team at their United Methodist Church Girls School Compound, Kimbadu in Koidu City.

During the meeting, the DEOC Coordinator appealed for urgent logistical and financial assistance from Welthungerhilfe to enable effective set up of their offices and operations.

Langkamp acknowledged the efforts of DEOC Kono District in battling to ensure the district remains one of few not to have registered a single case. She says WHH would continue to work in close collaboration with the DEOC and assist when the opportunity is available. “We intend to start a programme which includes feeding Quarantine and Treatment Centres, training of COVID-19 Contract Tracers and Mobilisers among other activities under our Covid-19 intervention,” Ursula Langkamp informed.

During the two-day visit to Koidu City, the WHH Country Director also assessed ongoing constructions works at the Waste Management Department (WMD) at D.O. Barracks including a visit to the fully cleared land for the construction of the Controlled Waste Disposal Site at Boroma for which contracts have been awarded and construction expected to start soon.

As EOC Spokesman Calls for adherence to Preventive Measures …   Sierra Leone Records 477 cases of COVID-19

Covid-19

By Amin Kef Sesay

Twenty-one new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Sierra Leone as of the 15th May 2020, bringing the total to 477 cases. The total number of people that have so far died is 27 according to the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).

The number of confirmed cases is one of the highest since the country recorded its index case on March 30, 2020, despite wide-ranging measures introduced by the authorities to prevent the rapid transmission of the virus.

“Epidemiological data and other evidence indicate that there is community transmission of COVID-19 in Sierra Leone,” President Julius Maada Bio had said in a nationwide address prior to declaring the last three-day lockdown (May 3-5).

One of the difficult challenges the country faces is to slow down the number of cases recorded every day, in order to flatten the COVID-19 curve at a level where the healthcare system could cope or not be overwhelmed.

In a recent development, on the 12th May 2020 the Spokesperson for the Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), Solomon Jamiru, stated that confirmed cases of COVID-19 kept increasing and that the country might record more cases, if medical measures are not adhered to by people across the country.

The Spokesman, who also doubles as the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, was speaking at the Radio Democracy Good Morning Show programme, where he reiterated that based on what is currently happening and how the COVID-19 entered, the country is likely to record more cases.

He said currently there are people in quarantine homes from where the EOC generate confirmed cases, and from people who go to hospital for medical cheek-ups.

He said as a team at the EOC it is their commitment to see that they continue to do testing, contact tracing, do more sensitisation and awareness raising across the country on how people should prevent themselves from contracting the virus.

He further stated that health care workers are doing a great job in the fight against the coronavirus, noting that previously the fatality was like 74% of people below 45 years.

He said the fatality was now among the age of 60 years with mostly underline conditions.

He said the country’s health care system was not well placed, adding that it was now that Government is working to strengthen it.

The spokesman said the only way to prevent the rapid increase in confirmed cases in the country is to abide by all the medical measures- washing of hands regularly, avoiding crowded places and using face masks in public places.

 

2019-2020 Premier League Season to Continue As soon As….

By Edward Vamboi

As soon as the COVID-19 pandemic is declared eradicated and/or the ban on sports activities is lifted by the Government of Sierra Leone the Sierra Leone Football Association has decided to continue with the 2019/2020 Premier League Season to completion.

The decision has been communicated to the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in response to a communique CAF had sent, requesting for reports from all Member Associations on the Planning of National Competitions for the 2019- 2020 Season.

The Sierra Leone Premier League was halted before the end of its first round in compliance with Government’s ban all sporting activities as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. There are seven (7) more matches to end the first round and Ninety One (91) matches to be played in the second round of the league.

CARL Issues Position Paper on Recent Spate of Violence

Ibrahim Tommy Esq – Executive Director, CARL

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law (CARL) with Ibrahim Tommy as Executive Director has issued a position paper on the recent spate of violence countrywide.

The organization stated that the Sierra Leone Government is currently confronted with the twin challenge of ending Covid-19 transmission and ensuring peace and order saying both seem to be arduous tasks, especially given the recent spate of violence in the country.

It continued that as of 13th May, 2020, the country has recorded 387 confirmed Corona virus cases, 21 deaths, and nearly 1700 persons held in quarantine centres.

“Amidst efforts to slow down the spread of the violence, we have witnessed a spate of violence in the last couple of weeks. In this position paper, the Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law condemns violence as a criminal and unacceptable conduct, stating that it must be punished by all means,” CARL maintained, adding that the President recently addressed the nation; arrests have been made in respect of the recent acts of violence, and some changes in the security sector are underway.

“We note that these steps may be helpful, but they will not, without more, address the key governance and rule of law challenges confronting the country,” the organization asserted.

It said the Government cannot use a single-dimensional approach to addressing the problem of violence in the country underscoring how it has to lead in an inclusive and people-centred fashion, and broaden the space for dialogue with the opposition.

The organization furthered that there is need for good leadership across the board, including at the level of the justice sector and political parties. “Our challenges cannot be wished away or ignored; otherwise, efforts at reconciliation may be undermined and potentially make the 2023 elections more violent,” CARL pointed out revealing how they have made a number of recommendations, including, the need for His Excellency to expand – rather than constrict – the space for dialogue with the main opposition.

“Do not shut the door on dialogue,” the organization appealed adding that the spirit and objectives of Bintumani 3 must be kept alive.

“We note that whilst the President’s speech on 9th May was partly meant to send a strong message to those who participate in or sponsor violence, its accusatory tone may have further deepened the suspicion between the Government and the main opposition APC,” CARL concluded.

Tsunami Hits Sierra Leone Police Force

Former Deputy Inspector General of Police, Foday U K Daboh

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Police Council, headed by Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh as Chairman, has on the 13th May 2020, sent five senior Police Officers on retirement. Those affected were AIG Karrow Kamara, AIG Amos Kargbo, AIG Kallia Sesay, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Foday U K Daboh and AIG Ibrahim .S. Koroma alias ‘Sizeman’, who was the former Head of the Criminal Investigation Department

This latest development comes few days after 10 other senior officers ranging from the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police (CSO) to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) were dismissed from the Force for various reasons.

There have been mixed reactions to the relieving of the Police Officers with some expressing the view that it has some amount of political undertones were as others have said all those affected have attained the retirement age of sixty years.

It could be recalled that in recent times Police personnel have come under a barrage of criticisms with some calling for restructuring and reforms to be instituted. It is for now not quite certain whether the relieving of the five senior Police Officers is one of the steps geared towards achieving that.

 

Panda-Noah, Dr. Harding and Nine Others Approved by Parliament

Mr. David Maurice Panda-Noah-as Minister of Internal Affairs

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Committee on Appointments and Public Service in Parliament, chaired by the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sahr Mathew Nyuma on Thursday 14th May 2020 debated and approved its 14th Report .

During its deliberations the following presidential nominees were approved by Parliament: Hon. Dr. Prince Alex Harding as Chairman of the National Commission for Privatization, Ing. Abdulai Ansumana as Deputy Director-General, SLRA, Mrs. Sybic Bailor as Chairman, Board of Directors of the Sierra Leone Local Contents Agency, Ing. Trudy Morgan as Member, Board of Directors of the Sierra Leone Local Contents Agency, Mr. Sheku Mattia-as Deputy Commissioner, of the Insurance Commission of Sierra Leone, Mrs. Haja Mariama Fatu Myers as Member of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Mr. Lloyd Hindolo Jusu (Esq) as Member of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Bro. Mamoud Foday Sesay as Member of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Mrs. Amy Elizabeth Green as Member of the Corporate Affairs Commission, Mr. David Maurice Panda-Noah-as Minister of Internal Affairs and Mr. Paul Saffa Tapema as Deputy Executive Director of the National Youth Service

Seconding the motion, the Deputy Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie called on the nominees to apply due diligence in light of national service and the “New Direction Manifesto”.

“Make sure you perform for the State,” he noted adding that Parliament will ensure that they conduct oversight on the various MDAs. He also encouraged colleague MPs to speedily approve all the nominees especially Dr. Harding whom he described as “the Chairman of the ruling SLPP and my political mentor”.

On behalf of the Parliamentary Female Caucus, Independent Member of Parliament from Kailahun District, Hon. Emilia L. Tongi extended thanks and appreciation to President Bio for appointing qualified women to serve in high offices of the State. She admonished all of them to perform, particularly the Minister of Internal Affairs having in mind the recent incidences of violence in the country.

Hon. Paramount Chief Member of Parliament from Moyamba District, Fatmata Bintu M.K Koroma encouraged the nominees to work in the best interest of the State and asked the Minister of Internal Affairs to deploy reliable Police Officers in the various chiefdoms in order to enforce the bye-laws that are related to fight COVID-19.

Leader of NGC, Hon. Dr. Kandeh Yumkella wished all the nominees well and encouraged them to deliver especially in critical areas where wisdom demands, in light of nation building and peaceful co-existence.

The Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sahr Mathew Nyuma commended all those who contributed to the debate for the approval of the nominees.

Extending his felicitations after approval, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu wished all the nominees well and asked them to keep safe by adhering to the enhanced measures aimed at fighting COVID-19.

In another development, the Parliament of Sierra Leone has ratified the following agreements that were presented by the Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr. Patricia Laverley:

  1. Amendment to the financing agreement (Agriculture value chain development project (AVDP) between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, grant Number 2000002586 and loan number 2000002587 dated 27th November 2019
  2. Loan Agreement (revamping of aquatic environment in the Greater Freetown Project) between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, dated 17th November 2019
  3. Project Agreement (Revamping of the aquatic environment in the Greater Freetown Project) between the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development and Guma Valley Water Company, dated 17th November 2019
  4. Dollar Credit Line Financing agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone and the Export- Import Bank of India, dated 13th October 2019
  5. Framework agreement for Protection of investment between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, dated 17th November 2019

 

Jolaks Uses Local Content in its Production Chain

By Fatmata Jengbe

Jolaks Manufacturing Company Limited has been commended as one amongst key private sector companies that prides itself on using local raw materials to produce quality products for both local and international consumption.

As a focused company, with a vision of going global, Jolaks is currently producing the best cooking oil and soap as its main products, and the company has ensured that they are of high quality. This investment has created lots of direct and indirect jobs for all works of life.

The Sierra Leone Local Content Policy Act was passed to provide development of all sectors of the economy through the incorporation of local content in their productive activities. The private sector has taken the lead in the local content platform that does not compromise standards and efficiency.

Jolaks Manufacturing Company Limited is one amongst key private sector companies that prides itself on using local raw materials to produce quality products for both local and international consumption. Jolaks operates Sierra Leone’s biggest palm oil refinery. The company’s Palm Oil Refinery produces RBD Palm Olein (Vegetable Cooking Oil).

The company is of the fervent view that quality standards are usually related to improving the safety of food products suitable for consumption by specifications. These standards are essential elements for local and international businesses that contribute to economic progress through industrial development and trade in Sierra Leone.

It uses Palm Fatty Acid Distillate (PFAD) in soap manufacturing, animal feed, and as raw materials for oleo-chemical industries, and Vitamin E can be extracted from PFAD.

An essential ingredient for most palm oil derivatives; RBD Palm Stearin is commonly used in fully natural hard fat components for products such as shortening, pastry, bakery kinds of margarine, and soaps.

The company has a good track record in exporting RBD Palm Olein, PFAD, and RBD Palm Stearin to neighboring countries. With a Saponification and Soap Finishing Line, Jolaks is making soap noodles available for local use and export. Soap noodles are the core ingredient to make finished soap bars.

“We have plans to launch a state-of-the-art beauty soap and laundry soap production line where we will be able to make beautiful soaps, laundry soaps, medicated soaps, and multi-purpose soaps. We will have the flexibility to produce paper wrap packing, box packing, and pillow wrap packing,” company authorities say.

Jolaks is already in progress to receive ISO 9, 000 and ISO 14, 000 certifications, following which they will apply for ISO 22, 000 certification. Jolaks is registered under the ETLS Scheme which has been implemented to drive more export to neighbouring ECOWAS countries. Sierra Leone is at the heart of the ECOWAS region. Benefits of the ETLS Scheme include duty-free concession; shorter transit times to each destination port; and cheap freight options.

WFP Delivers 900 Mt of Seed Rice to Farmers

By Edward Vamboi

Moses Ceesay, on behalf of the Country Director of the World Food Programme stated in Kambia on the 11th May 2020 that :“The direct health threat of COVID-19, coupled with its widespread indirect socio-economic impacts, are exacerbating already alarmingly high rates of food insecurity in Sierra Leone.”

He made that statement during the handing over ceremony of 900 MT of seed rice to farmer groups by the Smallholder Commercialization and Agribusiness Development Project (SCADeP)   with funding from the World Bank in districts all over the country as part of the Quick Action Economic Response of the Government of Sierra Leone to the impact of COVID19 under the Food Production Pillar.

Referencing the joint January 2020, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry – WFP Food Security Monitoring System (FSMS) assessment, he said that food insecurity rates in Sierra Leone are 47.7 percent. At the same time the regional food security analysis “Cadre harmonisé” based on this monitoring, stated that 1.3 million people are estimated to suffer from food insecurity under the Phase 3 “Crisis” and the Phase 4 “Emergency” (of which 73,500 people under the phase 4)  between June and August 2020. With data collected in the post-harvest period, when access to and availability of food is at its highest, it is anticipated that food and nutritional insecurity will have further risen as both food stocks are depleted and due to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Against this backdrop, especially in view of the expected challenges in both international and local food supply chain systems, it is very important to help farmers in Sierra Leone obtain rice seeds that they can plant in time in order to boost their production.

Mr. Ceesay thanked the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry for its trust in WFP, and he considered it a great honour for WFP to support this important response through its strong logistics capacities.

Chaired by the Kambia District chairperson, in attendance at the ceremony also were the Member of Parliament, SCADeP Representative, chiefdom authorities,staff of MAF and farmer groups.

Speaking on behalf of SCADeP, Mr. Alimamy Kargbo implored farmers to partner with Government to increase rice production not only to reverse the negative effects of the Covid-19 but going forward.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Ambassador Abubakarr Karim mentioned that Sierra Leone has all the ecologies for rice production and should have no business in importing rice which costs Government over 200 million dollars every year. He further stated that these improved rice seeds support will help the farmers to avert the effects of the lean season which is normally the hunger period. He thanked WFP for its supply chain support to farmers across the country pointing out that without such the farmers would not have received the rice seeds.

The Minister also mentioned that farmers will be supported with fertilizers and hired tractors to prepare their fields at no cost to the farmers. Representing the farmers, Madam Isata Sesay of the Takelene Women Farmers Association thanked the Minister for such good news, stating “this could not have come at a better time.”

In addition to providing  storage and transportation, support of non-food and medical supplies, WFP is also helping the Government’s COVID-19 response in strengthening the infrastructures such as Treatment facilities and holding centres; providing food support for quarantined people, as well as the most vulnerable people like the homeless and orphans prior to the two lockdowns.

According to Mr. Ceesay, WFP will soon start the treatment feeding for pregnant and lactating mothers and children below 5 who are suffering from moderately acute malnutrition.

“But we also wish to emphasize the importance of timely investment to bolster the early recovery from the COVID’s social economic impacts. This seed distribution is one. We are also ready to resume the school feeding programme as soon as the schools re-open. We are also supporting the inland valley swamps rice production infrastructures as well as the nutrition sensitive agriculture supporting the production of oranges, fresh potatoes and yellow cassavas. One of our focus areas is border areas affected by the restriction of cross border movements like Kambia,” he revealed.

Civil Right Coalition Condemns Spurious Allegation against KADCO

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Alphonso Manley, who is the Director of the Civil Society Organization, popularly known as Civil Right Coalition, has totally condemned, in very strong terms, what he termed  as an unprofessional move on the part of a so called Civil Society Organization calling itself League of Democracy Advocates (LODA).

Alphonso Manley was reacting to a correspondence that the LODA Executive Director sent to the Director General of the Sierra Leone Standard Bureau. He first cried down the letter as one that was badly composed with so many grammatical mistakes furthering that indeed its contents are out of context and misdirected bordering on mere blackmail.

An excerpt of the letter in question is thus: “ the organization notes that the substandard and deliberate hashed-alcohol productions by KADCO Company is really creating dangerous effects on the lives of Sierra Leoneans especially in this moment of the existing pandemic the country is fighting to eradicate the spread of the Corona Virus”.  

It went further to state, “The organization has done huge survey about the negative and health hazards the alcohol productions are causing on  the lives of the youths and the dangerous spirit that stimulate them to be irresponsible and to the extent that they are becoming lawless and indiscipline, the survey proved with an indications that 75% of the youth and old aged people are adversely affected with such harsh and dangerous alcohol, therefore, the company’s license should be suspended to minimize the risk of the spread of the Corona Virus.”

The long and short of it is that the Executive Director of LODA, Ibrahim Sorie Dumbuya, through the letter, is calling on the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau (SLSB) to suspend the licence which gives KADCO, the mandate to produce alcoholic beverages.

“As far as this communication is concerned it amounts to utter rubbish as the so called Civil Society organization did not provide any cogent or convincing reason(s) why the license of KADCO must be suspended,” Manley fumed adding that from an in-depth independent investigation conducted recently it came out vividly that the Executive Director of LODA, Ibrahim Sorie Dumbuya ,demanded from the Management of KADCO the sum of Fifty million Leones (Le50,000,000) in order to bury the allegation or “scoop.”

“This is absolutely unacceptable and really borders on mere fraud which means it is indeed a premeditated ploy to fleece the company for no good cause and if charges are pressed the perpetrator could likely find himself in a very awkward situation,” Alphonso Manley expressed indignation adding that it is people like the so called LODA Executive Director who are giving Civil Society Organizations a very bad reputation.

He commended the Company for holding the fort since the outbreak of the corona virus, saying it is indeed laudable that Management has not laid any of the company’s members of staff off. “After thoroughly perusing the contents of the letter we arrived at the conclusion that KADCO has not violated any rule whatsoever. We contacted the Standards Bureau Regional Coordinator-North, Agnes Kanu, one Abdul Karim, who is also another member of staff and the Programs Officer, Tamba Deen and all clarified and ascertained that KADCO did not contravene any law. They unanimously consented that the letter must be withdrawn,” he stated.

He pointed out that the company has been operating for quite a considerable period of time now without doing anything unsavoury and untoward that has negatively impinged lives. “As a matter of fact the operations of the company has provided jobs for those who were hitherto jobless and is paying huge taxes to the Government which form part of what the latter uses to fund certain development programmes,” he averred.

Manley argued that it is not the type of drinks that the company produces that are disturbing young people because those drinks are manufactured in percentages. “It is only when those drinks are abused or over-consumed by young people that it makes them to become rowdy and engage in senseless activities,” he underscored further revealing that the company is strictly adhering to health safety directives outlined by supervisory bodies.

“It is really frustrating to see certain individuals parading as Civil Society activists when in actual fact they have nothing to show or offer but rather to be seen trying to intimidate and defraud unassuming individuals as well as institutions. Sometimes their unsavoury actions and activities reflects negatively on our credibility and integrity,” Alphonso Manley lamented.

All attempts made to contact the Executive Director of LODA to get his reaction proved futile as he was continuously responding that he is highly engaged and busy.

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