Home Blog Page 1127

UK’s Global Finance Awards RCBank as Best Commercial Bank in Sierra Leone

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Rokel Commercial Bank has continued to gain international recognition with a plethora of awards in 2019. This week, the Bank officially received an award for best Commercial Bank from the UK based Global Banking and Finance Magazine.

Global Banking and Finance Awards was started in 2011 by the United Kingdom based Global Banking & Finance Review magazine to recognize notable changes happening in the global financing community. The awards are presented annually and they reflect the innovative, progressive, and inspirational changes taking place within the global financial sector, including banking, corporate finance, Islamic finance, inward investment, tax and accounting, asset management, mergers and acquisitions.

The Bank’s head of Corporate Affairs, Millicent Cole described the award as very credible from a reputable international institution which conducted a very rigorous selection exercise with other banks in Africa and the rest of the World.

“We are very much happy to receive an award from such an internationally recognized entity. Our bank has weathered the storm….we are here to serve our customers and we assure them that their finances are in good hands” she said.

Pres. Bio Talks Tough on Safety Measures to Prevent Covid-19

President, Julius Maada Bio

By Sam Pratt

At exactly 8:00 PM on the 18 March 2020 , His Excellency the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone addressed the nation on the current steps that his Government has put in place to enhance preparedness vis a vis the current spread of the corona virus which is claiming the lives of infected persons in different continents.

President Bio told the nation that we are threatened by the global Corona virus pandemic which he described as a public health emergency of global concern.

“It is a deadly virus that has infected hundreds of thousands of people all over the world from China and the far East to Europe, America, and some African countries,” the President furthered adding that the Corona Virus has tested and overwhelmed the organisation, expertise, and vast resources of the healthcare systems of the richest and most advanced countries including China, America, United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain, to name a few.

He underscored that like the Ebola virus, it is easily transmitted from person to person emphasizing that like Ebola it is spread through social contact.

“It is spread through contact with respiratory droplets through the mouth, eyes, and ears. If you have flu-like symptoms including fever, cough, and difficult breathing that last three days, you must self-report by calling 117 or at the nearest healthcare facility,” the President admonished also stating that the Corona or COVID-19 is a virus for which there is currently no vaccine.

The 1st Gentleman stated that it can even be transmitted by certain population groups that show no obvious symptoms of an infection also underscoring that like the Ebola virus, the Corona virus can be deadly.

The President stated that our immediate neighbours, Guinea and Liberia have both reported confirmed cases of Corona virus infections saying the deadly Corona virus is in our neighbourhood saying it is no longer a question of whether the Corona Virus will come to Sierra Leone, it is a question of WHEN.

“Over a month ago, my Government began implementing a raft of measures to prevent the incidence of the Corona virus. We have implemented stringent entry port surveillance measures at our international airport at Lungi and two major land border posts at Gbalamuya and Gendema. We have instituted robust entry port screening, monitoring, and quarantine arrangements,” the President informed.

He told the nation how he has personally assumed leadership of all preparations, that he has visited and overseen the diagnostic and isolation unit at 34 Military hospital; the Lungi International Airport Quarantine facility and airport; and, the Gbamulaya border post in Kambia.

The President said at all those locations and at every public speaking opportunity since he has publicly called for heightened vigilance pointing out that Corona, like Ebola, is a highly infectious and deadly virus.

“We have three testing laboratories, an equipped purposely built isolation unit, and we are fully equipping treatment centres. We have also approached a friendly Government to support our effort with equipment and medical supplies,” he went on.

The President said they have triggered public health emergency measures and have committed some financial resources to preparedness and public health education.

He said the Ministry of Health and Sanitation has activated the Emergency Operations Centre to Level 2 to coordinate initial preparedness and response and they have activated the Emergency contact number 117 revealing how an associated call centre will process all calls to that number and act on each call and every information received accordingly.

The President told Sierra Leoneans that they have streamlined standard operating procedures to cover screening, quarantine, laboratory, and data management for persons from identified epicentres and sites of incidence of the Corona Virus stating how they have positioned expert contact tracers and disease surveillance units in all district levels.

“We have implemented handwashing procedures at most medical institutions and urged citizens to observe limited social contact, have alerted our healthcare personnel and strengthened our healthcare systems across the country,” the President added.

He said they are determined to prevent the incidence and spread of the virus stating how they are also extremely cautious that like Ebola, by the time we identify one positive case, we would have had several dozen disease contacts maintaining that we cannot afford to wait for a positive case.

The President informed that we are not going into imminent lockdown but said the actions and the preventive measures we take now as individuals and as communities are critical to ensuring we don’t have to.

He said this is not a time to panic.

“I have held consultative meetings with fellow Sierra Leoneans right across the board including those persons who managed the Ebola crisis.  To my mind, this is a time for close attention to detail, focus, and intensify discipline,” he cautioned.

The President announced the additional guidance to citizens in order to further enhance our national preparedness: Directed the military to immediately deploy to our international airport and land crossing points in order to enhance security and support compliance with all public health directives and advisories.

That Ministries, Departments, and Agencies are urged to collaborate very closely to support and ensure compliance with all preventive measures we have put in place. That all Government officials are directed to suspend all foreign travel until further notice, that citizens are strongly encouraged to postpone all overseas travel especially to locations with reported cases of the Corona virus. He stated that the country’s biggest source of threat is persons who have travelled from Corona infected countries.

President Bio said the Ministry of Health has issued a comprehensive advisory for the administration of quarantine for citizens, legal residents, and visitors who arrive in Sierra Leone saying we urge strict compliance adding that these measures will be monitored and continually reviewed.

He mentioned that citizens are strongly encouraged to tell their family members, their neighbours, and other persons in their communities that the Corona virus is already in Liberia and Guinea. It is highly infectious; it is a virus for which there is currently no vaccine; and it can kill.

The President cautioned citizens to avoid physical contact and practice social distancing at all social and public gatherings stating how such applies to public events including but not limited to football matches, public concerts, social events, religious congregations, weddings, funerals, and other such large gatherings.

He furthered that citizens with flu-like symptoms, including a fever, cough, and difficult breathing are encouraged to seek immediate medical attention and call 117. He advised, “Nor peppeh doctor Yousef”.

The President said as at the time of Ebola, good personal hygiene and behaviour are critical to preventing the spread of the Corona Virus. He said citizens must:

Avoid handshakes and hugs when greeting people, avoid direct contact with persons with cold or flu-symptoms, cover their noses and mouths when coughing or sneezing; wash their hands often with soap, clean water, and use a hand sanitiser.

He appealed to private businesses, public institutions, event organisers, stores, supermarkets, and market women to provide enhanced hygiene facilities including handwashing stations with clean water, liquid soap, hand sanitisers at all entrances. They should also ensure that all toilets and common areas are regularly cleaned and disinfected.

The 1st gentleman urged operators of minibuses, taxis, and kekehs to minimise congestion and to provide hand sanitisers to passengers encouraging them to call 117 and report persons who are visibly sick with a fever, cough, and difficult breathing.

“ I urge all public and private radio stations; religious leaders; chiefs, tribal authorities and headmen and women; community leaders; local council administrators and leaders; political party leaders and representatives at the ward, constituency and national levels; and, administrators and staff of educational institutions at the basic, secondary, vocational, and tertiary levels; to continually broadcast and reinforce public health education information on Corona virus prevention including hand hygiene, cough etiquette, and social distancing,” he admonished.

He said although there are no confirmed cases in Sierra Leone at this time, we must adopt the foregoing immediately in order to forestall the deadly risk of the Corona Virus.

He said they will continue to actively monitor developments around the Corona Virus and will announce further enhanced measures including a declaration of a State of Emergency to protect public health and safety.

The President ended by stating that as a nation, we have triumphed together over war, Ebola, and natural disasters inspiring all that together again, by the grace of God, Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, and through our collective resolve, vigilance, and determination to strive and thrive as a nation, we will overcome the menace, yet again.

Fourteen Paralegals Benefit from Legal Aid Board Refresher Training

Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board (LAB), Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles officiating the training

By Theresa Kef Sesay

Fourteen MOTT funded Paralegals  have benefitted from a two day refresher training workshop organized by the Legal Aid Board on the 11-12 March 2020. The Paralegals were drawn from seven districts including the two new districts of Karene and Falaba.  Unlike the other districts which have had resident Paralegals since 2016, the new districts had theirs in the third quarter of 2019.

In her opening statement, The Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board (LAB), Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles underscored the crucial role of Paralegals in the provision of primary legal aid services more so in remote communities whose inhabitants mostly have access to Local and Informal Courts.

Ms. Carlton-Hanciles emphasized that Paralegals should read and understand the laws to be able to do their work effectively. “Where there are no lawyers they should be able to provide advice and legal assistance to people,” she stressed. She urged the Paralegals to be confident and fearless in the discharge of their duties particularly in ensuring that women are not abused or taken advantage of in seeking justice.

She revealed that the Board will be recruiting women volunteers because they better understand the challenges women face in accessing justice particularly in the Local and Traditional Courts which handle customary law matters.

Legal Aid Board Manager, Counsel Cecilia Tucker taught the Paralegals on the difference between misdemeanors also known as petty crimes and felonies also known as serious crimes. She urged them to know the difference between the two so as to avoid coming in conflict with the Police.

She implored the paralegals to have copies of the relevant laws including the Legal Aid Act 2012 noting that it will help them know the mandate of the Board and also the Local Court Act 2011 to know the cases Local Courts can intervene in and fines they can impose.

Ms. Tucker urged them to know how to interact with people, noting that they should be respectful and polite. “Let me emphasize that our services are free,” she averred; noting that paralegals should under no circumstance accept any money from their clients. She called on them to know where and how to do their referrals.

She said they should know and maintain a good relationship with partners of the Board. She reiterated that working at the Board does not confer immunity from prosecution should they fall foul of the law and as a result they should know how to conduct themselves. She added that they maintain a good relationship with the authorities in their areas of operation.

The Legal Aid Board Manager concluded by urging the trainees to always sensitize adult males on sexual offences during community outreach events.

The National Supervisor for the Board, Counsel Mohamed Korie in his presentation taught the trainees on the relevant sections in the Legal Aid Board Act 2012, Devolution of Estate Act 2007, Local Court Act 2011, Registration of Customary Marriage and Divorce Act 2007, Sexual Offence Amendment Act 2019 and Child Rights Act 2007.

He also drew the attention of the Paralegals to Section 14 (2) of the Legal Aid Act 2012 which provides that the Board should have at least one Paralegal in each of the 190 chiefdoms in the country. He averred that despite that provision, the Board can only boast of 42 paralegals prior to the grant from MOTT Foundation. “Paralegals should note that they are there not only to provide legal assistance and legal education to the inhabitants of chiefdoms but to traditional chiefs as well,” he stressed.

He noted that Paralegals can mediate civil matter. However, he warned against getting involved into matter relating to divorce and conveyance because they are not within the purview of the Board.

Counsel Korie also spoke on the need for the paralegals to understand Section 35 of the Legal Aid Act which forbids police officers from obtaining statements or charging indigent suspects to court in the absence of a Legal Aid Provider. He added that the Section further provides that a Magistrate or Judge should advice an accused person who appears to be indigent to contact the Legal Aid Board for free legal representation.

He said that Section 37 of the Legal Aid Act provides for a fine or imprisonment for legal aid providers that demand or request money from their clients, while Section 38 talks about confidentiality between the Legal Aid Provider and the client.

Speaking on the rationale for the enactment of the Devolution of Estate Act 2007, Counsel Korie explained that it was passed into law to help solve issues relating to inheritance more so protect women who are disadvantaged on such matters. He said Section 3 talks about cohabitation, testate, intestate and the right to inheritance; while Section 4 talks about the right to education onto university level for the child of an intestate. Section 8 talks about the distribution of the property of an intestate to his/her surviving spouse, children and family.

Speaking on the Local Court Act 2011, Counsel Korie said it is an extension of the country’s formal justice system albeit at the local level. Therefore anybody who feels dissatisfied with its decision has the right to appeal to the District Appeal/Magistrate Court. He said the court has powers to fine and imprison people found wanting, but that such fine or imprisonment should not exceed fifty thousand Leones or six months respectively.

He acknowledged some problems in the Local Court which include the low level of literacy of some of its officials and non-payment of salaries to some. On the part of the Registration of Customary Marriage and Divorce Act 2007, Counsel Korie delved into the need for the paralegals to understand Section 2 which he said talks about validity of Customary Marriage.

Speaking on the Sexual Offence Amendment Act 2019, Counsel Korie urged the Paralegals to pay close attention to Sections 19 to 33, as well as Sections 23 to 36 of the Child Rights Act which talk about child rights, parental duty and responsibility. He concluded by urging the paralegals to ensure they report on their work because the Board relies on them for their data.

Public Relations Manager of the Board, Mr. Derrick Nat-George, spoke on how Paralegals can use the media to enhance their work. He urged them to always discuss matters first with their Regional Managers before going to the media as the media can make and unmake people and society. “If you want to use the media, ensure you talk to people in your local language, I mean the language that they can understand,” he said.

Mr. Nat-George encouraged them to be thoughtful on how they should use the social media noting that they should be careful of the type of information they post. He concluded by stating that the Board is here to change people and as such its staff should be role models.

The Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, Sallu Jusu presented a paper on Data Collection and Reporting. Mr. Jusu took the Paralegals through the various data collection tools used by the Paralegals.  This includes the following Forms: ADR/Mediation, Mediation Agreement, ADR Beneficiary Payment, Local/Traditional Court Monitoring, Community Outreach, Referral and Invitation to Respondent.

The Regional Programme Managers Mohamed Jalloh and James Thomas Mafinda explained the success and challenges in the implementation of the project in the first cycle. This includes protecting the rights of women against sexual offences and domestic violence which are treated with the seriousness they deserve under customary law. Also, Inheritance and Property matters are skewed against women and Child and Spousal Maintenance cases.

The training was climaxed with the presentation of two motorbikes one each to the Paralegals from Bumpe Ngao Chiefdom in Bo District and Sandor Chiefdom in Kono District.

Orange SL Improved Connectivity Widens its Subscriber Base

Aminata Kane CEO Orange Sierra Leone

By Fatmata Jengbe

Definitely it could be no gainsay to assert that Orange Sierra Leone is the country’s premier telecommunications company that has been in the lead to a vail members of the public access to various modern and qualitative communications packages at affordable rates and at the same time giving utmost satisfaction to many as far as communication is concerned. It will, therefore, not come as any big surprise to maintain that there is no room for questioning why the company’s subscriber base continues to expand by leaps and bounds as more and more people are becoming eager to join the most dependable and trusted network family.

It is on record that the company, up to the end of 2019, invested a total of $114.4 million dollars (One hundred and fourteen Million four hundred thousand dollars) in excess in the modernization of its passive infrastructure, generators, DC power systems and RAN Equipment. With the overall vision to deliver an unmatched service in the country’s telecoms sector such an investment was prudently done in order to match up with improved standards and to broaden connectivity so that residents in areas that were hitherto not served begin to enjoy the benefits of mobile communication and internet browsing.

To expand rural connectivity the company built forty five (45) new sites in 2017; forty two (42) in 2018 and 29 in 2019 which culminated into the connection of 1,170 new locations across the country with voice, data/internet and Orange Money financial services   becoming possible in remote communities.

Undoubtedly, such an expansion has improved small scale businesses and inter-community and border trade.

Though the expansionist drive was fraught with challenges such as site accessibility; heavy rains; core node migration impact on voice and data services; localized service availability during equipment replacement; shipment delays amongst others, yet the dogged determination on the part of the company to improve communications in the country created the impetus to get it completed.

It is no doubt that the company is now the proud owner of over 925 sites across the country with the widest network coverage of around 74%.

Orange Sierra Leone has also enhanced its operations by partnering with a number of financial players which are no doubt leveraging on the huge customer base of the Orange Money platform to provide increased financial services to their customers. This is against the backdrop that the creation and operation of banks in traditional communities is quite pretty expensive.

It is also in line with the clarion call of the Central Bank and the Government of Sierra Leone to integrate financial services and improve rural connectivity for many Sierra Leoneans.

2019 saw Orange Sierra Leone creating very strong partnership with Zenith and UBA Banks, the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority, the Guma Valley Water Company, EDSA etc.

The company’s financial service in the country has provided employment for over 5,000 people directly and indirectly; and has enabled people to transfer money, pay for goods and services in shops, supermarkets and stalls, undertakes salary payments and payment for utility bills, amongst others.

In terms of rolling out its the Corporate Social Responsibility, Orange Sierra Leone has implemented various ambitious and costly projects as a way of giving back to society and its numerous subscribers. Just recently the company committed 1.5 million dollar to the country’s free and quality education, it gives two billion Leones yearly support to 50 kids at various SOS homes in Bo, Kenema and other major towns. 20,000 Euros was provided as support to the building of a separate orthopedic and pediatric theatre unit at the Connaught Hospital for children, amongst other key supports to the religious community and the Freetown City Council’s environmental and sanitation drive.

The company continues to leave a very strong footprint in the Educational, Health, Environment and the empowerment of women and children.

It is the intention of Management of the company to continue to expand the network by building more sites, connecting rural areas in line with the Government’s aspirations.

The company’s strategic milestones, both in terms of direct and indirect investment in the people would go a long way to enhance its profile and leave it as the people’s choice.

“Prepare for the coronavirus global recession & Sierra Leone is not exempted”  – Economist Prince Jacob Macauley 

Economist Prince Jacob Macauley

By Foday Moriba Conteh

What initially seemed localised is now worldwide and economic pain will go on for far longer than first thought. Travel bans; Sporting events cancelled. Mass gatherings prohibited. Stock markets in freefall. Deserted shopping malls. Get ready for the Covid-19 global recession!

Up until a month ago this seemed far-fetched. It was assumed that the coronavirus outbreak would be a localised problem for China alone and that any spill over effect to the rest of the world could be comfortably managed by a bit of policy easing by central banks but when it became clear that Covid-19 was not confined to China and that the economic effects would be more widespread, forecasts started to be revised downwards. But Central Banks, Finance Ministries and independent economists took comfort from the fact that there would be a sharp but short hit to activities followed by a rapid return to business as usual.

If history is any guide, the global economy will eventually recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, but the idea that this is going to be a V-shaped recession in the first half of 2020 followed by a recovery in the second half of the year looks absurd after the tumultuous events of the past week.

What’s more, policymakers know as much. The Sierra Leone Central Bank – did not need to be told by Julius Maada Bio that it needed to cut interest rates and resume large-scale asset purchases known as quantitative easing by slashing rates to nearly zero and pledging to expand its balance sheet by normal rate.

In the coming weeks the Bank of England can be expected to cut interest rates to 0.1%.

In the UK the coordinated response by the Bank of England and the Treasury last week was seen as a textbook example of how policymakers thought to respond to the crisis. It was, though, only the start. Airline companies will quickly go bust unless they receive financial assistance. So, in the coming weeks the Bank can be expected to cut interest rates to 0.1% – the lowest they have ever been. It has been clear from the start that Covid-19 affects both sides of the economy: supply and demand. The supply of goods and services is impaired because factories and offices are shut and output falling as a result. But demand also falls because consumers stay at home and stop spending, and businesses mothball investment.

Conventional policy measures – such as cutting the cost of borrowing or reducing taxes – tend to work better when there is a demand shock. There is a limit to what they can do in the event of a combined supply and demand.

One reason for that is because the economic disruption caused by Covid-19 is enormous.  Discretionary spending by consumers appears to have collapsed in recent days. Despite globalisation, much economic activity remain but here, too there  will be an impact as people cancel appointments at the Government Ministries.

What’s more, in a service-sector dominated economy much of the lost output is never going to be recovered. If people do not go out for their weekly meal at their favourite local restaurants for the next two months they are not going to eat out four times a week when the fear of infection has been lifted.

It also seems likely that the economic pain will go on for far longer than originally estimated. Having imposed bans and restrictions, Government and private sector bodies will be hesitant about removing them.

There is also a question of how long it will take us consumers and business confidence to recover.

Lands Minister Sets the Pace on Fight Against COVID19

Minister of Lands, Dr. Dennis Sandy

By Edward Vamboi

It cannot be for nothing that the recent Integrity Score Card puts the Minister of Lands Dr. Dennis Sandy among the top six Cabinet Ministers in the country. Dr. Sandy is highly innovative and always full of new ideas.

In a recent interview which video has gone viral on Social Media, Dr. Sandy came up with an idea to curb the spread of Corona Virus if it were to enter this country which most Ministers and other MDAs will soon be emulating.

Since members of the public have taken to visiting people of high repute in society Dr Sandy saw the need for measures to be taken that will help stem the spread of Corona Virus in the country throwing crowding in one place.

In the video Dr Sandy who described the Lands Ministry as “the people’s Ministry” said that members of the public who want something done in the Ministry must make it a must to book appointments from his Secretary.

Dr Sandy said that unlike the past days when he stayed late at the Ministry to settle land matters, from now the office will be closed at 6pm.

Minister Sandy disclosed that Veronica buckets and soap have been provided at every entrance to the Ministry which all members of public must make use of before entering the Ministry and on leaving it.

Siting by the side of his Deputy, Mr. Rex Bonapha, Dr. Sandy encouraged all to adhere to the new idea so that Corona will not be given the chance to thrive in this country.

NP-SL is Indeed a Success Story

By Amin Kef Sesay

One of the most successful business entities seriously functioning in this country, the National Petroleum (NP) Sierra Leone Limited, has been widely lauded for its positive contributions towards overall national development.
Being a very successful petroleum entity, NP had and still continues to contribute tremendously towards overall national development. The company has branches in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia.

This 100% indigenously-owned company has so far offered various jobs to residents in the afore-mentioned countries, thereby reducing poverty to a considerable level. It is further recorded that it is one of the largest taxpayers to the National Revenue Authority (NRA), financially empowering the Government to roll out various development projects.
Among the outstanding features that NP possesses is its competent managerial team, which from time to time comes up with good initiatives, always ensuring that they are effusively, effectively implemented to create value for money. Since it was established by 35 Sierra Leoneans, who bought shares from the Government years back, the company has grown from leaps and bounds; weathering storms that would have run it down.

But the resolve of its shareholders and Management to succeed has been the centrepiece that has propelled NP to a higher level, equal to none in the sub-region.
If you ask those who really know NP, the feedbacks you will receive will definitely border around its commitment to customer care, which it strongly believes must be prioritised to give satisfaction.
The selflessness and commitment of the shareholders have made it possible for the company to empower many Sierra Leoneans and at the same time put it at a vantage position to continue to open more filling stations across the country. That again is another lane that the company is pursuing with fruitful dividends realized.

NP has doggedly maintained a good business relationship with its numerous customers right within the sub-region and most have confessed that they are realizing optimum satisfaction in dealing with NP. The company deals with individuals and various sectors of society, always ensuring that its various petroleum products are available and are sold at affordable prices. This keen symbiotic relationship with its customers has been paying dividends, always resulting in a win-win situation, making NP very endearing to all and sundry.

The regulatory institution of the different petroleum companies in the country, Petroleum Directorate, has lauded NP for its efficient service delivery wherever it is operating.
When we talk of the serious implementation of the Local Content Policy, NP stands out tall, as it is truly has 100% indigenes, particularly in Sierra Leone, as workers. This is one of the pillars that have made the company to be a success story.
The company’s result-oriented managerial team will definitely and sustainably continue to put NP at the top.
NP-SL Ltd is doing exceptionally well in all the countries it is functioning and indeed there are prospects for further expansion.

The company also offers for sale an efficient cooker which is known as NP Gas. It has been proven to be highly efficient and good in terms of performance. Manufactured in different cylinder sizes these gas cookers are sold at the company’s filling Stations and its authorized dealers. They are said to be going like hot cakes.

With NP Smart Card customers are now able to purchase petroleum products and it has been assessed to be very advantageous as it avails the holders to easily procure petroleum products without moving with physical cash. It also enhances personal security and helps to promote transparency especially when sending another person to purchase these petroleum products.

It cannot be an understatement to register that NP-SL is indeed a success story.

PRA Boss Pats Oil Marketing Companies on the Back

Dr. Brima Baluwa Koroma, Executive Chairman of the Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA)

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Dr. Brima Baluwa Koroma, Executive Chairman of the Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA), intimated that there is no need to be worried over any form of fuel shortage. He made that statement against the backdrop of a recent shortage of fuel which prompted the queuing for fuel at Filling Stations across the country.

He maintained and assured of the huge availability of fuel in store to last over a period of time. The PRA Boss stated that his institution is putting all necessary measures in place to enhance the importation of petroleum products to meet the demand of customers.

He made mention of the moves that the agency has been taking to ensure that petroleum products are available at all time for customers’ satisfaction.

He reiterated his institution’s resolve and commitment to continue robust monitoring and inspections on all petroleum infrastructure and products to ensure timely delivery.

Dr. Brima Koroma stated that the Government has taken immediate action to reduce pump price of all petroleum products from Le9,000 to Le8,500 as prices decreased in the international market of the products.

He cautioned against price speculations on the social media purporting the price for fuel in the international market and what was expected to be the pump prices for petroleum products in the country.

The PRA Boss ended up by allaying the fear of the public that pump prices will not increase following the queue.

He profusely commended Oil Marketing Companies especially LEONCO, NP SL for their compliance with Government regulations thereby meeting the needs of the people.

Fatima Bio, Interview Video & Complex Stereo: On Her Public Service

First Lady of Sierra Leone, Madam Fatima Maada Bio

By Paul A. Conteh – Octopussian Corner

Over the weekend, the topic – Fatima Bio was trending on several public places and social media spaces. This latest episode came as a result of an interview she granted to renowned Gambian journalist, Omar Wally, on her recent stop in the smiling coast. The Sierra Leonean First Lady was in the country as special guest for the inaugural Heroes Awards.

This is the Gambian version of the AWOL Awards. Even though the interview latest for forty (40) minutes, nearly nine (9) minutes extract of the interview was shared widely around the country. The content of that extract has placed the First Lady in a difficult position – which has made it challenging for people to know the interview itself stretched beyond what was shared – and it was not all wrong.

The interview started with the First Lady providing clarity on her second marriage to President Julius Maada Bio. Later, Omar asked her about her coming to The Gambia for the Heroes Award. In her response, the former actress showered praises for the organizers of the event. She went on to further salute them for recognizing the contribution of Gambians in all aspects of life. As the interview progressed, Madam Fatima talked about the ‘Hands Off Our Girls’ campaign. She brilliantly tagged her recent sanitary pad drive in the conversation. She disclosed that her goal is to serve six hundred and thirty thousand (630,000) girls. But as things stand, her pilot phase will target thirty-five thousand (35,000) girls in Sierra Leone. The first lady spoke on women in development, early child marriage and the rape menace confronting women in Sierra Leone.

It was towards the mid part of the interview things got heated. Mr. Wally tried to connect the marriage ceremony of the Bios with the discomfort it caused for ordinary Sierra Leoneans. In her response, Fatima Bio lost it. She became defensive. And made controversial comments. This is the recent backdrop from a string of communication errors the First Lady has made. This further ignites a pattern of behaviour that is becoming a part of her identity.

Here are a few random thoughts from that entire episode:

First, there is a danger in a single story. Intellectuals and patriotic pundits should try to do their research before they take a position on trending topics. To be fair with the First Lady, her interview was not all wrong. The initial phase was a show of class, composure and competence. She articulated the initiatives and ideas she is working on. In that aspect, she carried herself as the true emblem of the artist people know her to be. Even though there were over thirty (30) minutes of information from that interview, the public only saw nine (9) minutes. Those nine (9) minutes are what has placed her in a difficult position.

Secondly, Madam Fatima Bio needs to have a communications team around her. A team that can help her get adjusted to this reality as First Lady of Sierra Leone. This is the latest in a string of communication blunders she has made. Just after the Presidential Inauguration Ceremony 2018, Mrs. Bio took to social media to register her dissatisfaction for the criticisms she received as lead planner for that event; she made a disturbing video during last year’s Holy Month of Ramadan; She occupied a controversial position on FGM at an interview with a foreign media outlet and she does Facebook Live on her page at events (which is something her team can help her do). Mrs. Bio is not an ordinary person.

She is married to the President of Sierra Leone. Her communication utterances matter to the citizens of the country. The communications apparatus around her can help navigate her emotional reaction to issues of national discourse. As you observed, she became defensive when the hard topic of her second marriage was shoved down her throat. In the process, she made controversial statements that might dent the political perception of her and her husband, especially to the people of Bo – which happen to be a strong base for the political party in power. On this point, a good communication team would have prepared her mentally on what to expect and how to remain calm during crucial questions.

Thirdly, the position of Madam Fatima Bio in the public policy space should be clarified by President Bio. The Office of the First Lady is ceremonial. It is not constitutionally empowered. The First Lady is a mere supportive partner to the President. The blunder started when President Bio made her head of the inauguration ceremony. President Bio did more damage by including her as a delegate for his first United Nations General Assembly in New York. From then on, she is confused about her actual place in the public policy sphere. Constitutionally, she is not in a position to provide clarity for Mr. Wally and viewers on the energy and economic situation of the country.

The professionals in those positions are the ones mandated to speak on them. Her knowledge base should be limited to the span of ideas and initiatives in her office. Due to the confused state of her position in public policy space, when her issues were connected to the public interest, she showed arrogance in her defence. If her position was clarified, she would not have fallen to the bait from Mr. Wally.

Finally, journalists should know when and how to approach sensitive topics. One school of thought might argue that Mr. Wally was only doing his job. But his questions have elements of toxic masculinity, bigotry and pettiness. This partially gave rise to the xenophobia that was unleashed by several commenters, as the interview was aired live on The Fatu Network Facebook page. Mr. Wally showed toxic masculinity by accusing the First Lady of ignoring the plight of men in the conversation around women empowerment. His bigotry was brought into focus when he mentioned Fatima, a Muslim, marrying Mr. Julius Maada Bio, a Catholic practising Christian.

In this sort of conversations, the journalist should have factored the context. It is no secret; women tend to be the ones left out of mainstream development programs. And for Fatima Bio, as First Lady, she is playing her part in changing that trajectory. Her approach might not be perfect, but she is showing some intention to put girls at the centre of her work. In the process, she has brought the male counterparts in the picture. In her campaigns, she encourages everyone to come, join the bandwagon.

Her marriage to Julius Maada Bio is based on LOVE. I do not think it was fair on the First Lady for Omar to factor religion. Even on religion, Sierra Leone has enjoyed a great deal of religious tolerance. Christians and Muslims have co-existed in peace for donkey years. There is nothing as beautiful as seeing the First Family demonstrate this positive pattern from a country known for negative news. The pettiness by Omar Wally contributed to making Madam Fatima Bio appear awkward in the interview.

Closing Statements:

People have the right to be disturbed with the statements of Fatima Bio. Some of her utterances were confusing, complicated and controversial. But the interview was not all bad. The First Lady needs to help herself by having a great communications team and knowing her place in the public policy sphere. Also, she might consider taking emotional and anger management classes. She is a reactionary figure when her emotions tend to be tested. Journalists need to consider weaving their questions towards context. It helps save the social cohesion paradigm of society.

1...1,1261,1271,128...1,359Page 1,127 of 1,359