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SLCB Assures Restoration of Hacked Website

By Amin Kef Sesay

Sierra Leoneans woke up on the 6th January 2020 to the disturbing news making the round on social media that one of the country’s commercial banks, the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank’s website has been defaced by Iranian hackers placing  pro-Iranian messages and images on the sites. The Sierra Leone Commercial Bank’s website was displayed as “H4ck3D IRANIAN HACKER” in Google search results. Screenshots posted on Twitter showed a drawing of former IRGC Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a US airstrike on Friday with the words “hacked by Iranian hacker, hacked by shield Iran.”

This revelation sent shock waves among the Bank’s numerous customers, some thinking that their hard earned savings are at risk. However, the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB) in a statement stated that it has safely secured its website after an attempted hacking by a group called Shield Iran.

It furthered that immediately after learning about this ugly development the Bank’s IT engineers both at home and abroad ensured the restoration of the website to normalcy and secured the ITC system of the bank without any damage to document and information of clients.

According to a release from the Bank, the slcb.com site is hosted externally by a service provider in the United States and Management believes that the attack was carried out by hackers based in Iran as retaliation to the killing of the Iranian Military General, Qassem Soleimani. According to the bank, assurance is given to its clients that the attempted hacking did not affect any information.

“We hereby assure the public that none of our other systems or services has been affected. Although we do not believe that the bank is a primary target in this attack, we are giving the situation our utmost attention,” the Bank assured.

The Bank also informed that there is no sensitive information stored on the website and therefore no cause for fear.

A spokesperson from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security
Agency, a section of the US Department of Homeland Security,
acknowledged that the hack took place.

“We are aware the website of the Federal Depository Library Program
[FDLP] was defaced with pro-Iranian, anti-US messaging,” the
spokesperson said in a statement. “At this time, there is no
confirmation that this was the action of Iranian state-sponsored
actors. The website was taken offline and is no longer accessible.
CISA (the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) is
monitoring the situation with FDLP and our federal partners.”

Another senior US official noted that the defacement is a small-time
event that was likely carried out by Iranian sympathizers.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo mentioned on Friday that one
possible response by Iran against the US could be a cyberattack. It is
unclear whether the hackers had any official status or connection to
Iran.

The hack comes amid increased tensions between the United States and Iran following the assassination of Iran Revolutionary Guards Corps Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani in a US strike in Baghdad on January.

Iran has since vowed to take revenge for the assassination, alluding
to potential attack against US assets and interests throughout the
Middle East, in addition to attacking US allies. On its own part, the Government of Sierra Leone in his response came out with a Press Release on the matter saying:

“The attention of the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) has been drawn to a cyber incident involving the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB) official website (www.slcb.com) which occurred on the 5th January 2020. The compromise is attributed to a group claiming to be “Shield Iran”. This incident led to a temporal unavailability of the website that is hosted by a service provider based in the USA. However, this incident had no impact on SLCB operations and online banking applications. The web site is an information-only portal with no direct or indirect access to any banking operation assets. It also holds no sensitive information.

This incident has been thoroughly investigated by a joint technical team from the Ministry of Information and Communications Cyber Unit and the SLCB Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT) that have taken immediate and appropriate actions to reinforce existing security measures to mitigate any potential impact.

The Cyber Security Unit of the Ministry of Information and Communications would like to inform the general public that stringent measures and modalities have been put in place to prevent future attacks on National Critical Information Infrastructure (NCII) in the country.
The Government would like to assure its citizens that it will continue to put in place the necessary modalities to ensure the continuing protection of all personal and official data at all times.”

Government’s Economic Interventions Must Cut Across Frontiers

Economist Prince Jacob Macauley

By Economist Prince Jacob Macauley

Energy supply is  key  to any economy. Its relevance to economic development cannot be overemphasized and as a matter of importance if Government in general and the Ministry of Energy in particular fail to come up with a stable energy supply in the country, such will definitely affect economic growth in 2020.

It has been established that the true test of any Government is what it does when it is confronted with serious allegations of maladministration, corruption, and governance failures. Again, the true test of any Government is what it does when it is continuously confronted with serious allegations of clear hatred for poor people especially in a country that has been plagued by legislated and institutional backlashes for decades. The Government closed the year 2019 with the celebration of making education fashionable also of rebranding the country’s Tourist sector and strengthening economic growth.

Since the research for the integrity scorecard is still going on around the country it is important to know that we are indebted to the people of Sierra Leone to let them see how our politicians in offices are doing. There is a need to have more banks in the country especially community banks and also to move away from the monopoly of banks there should be more access to finance. These Banks should give out loans to all sectors including women and those should be regulated well.

One major thing we should let the people of this country know in terms of revitalizing the economy of the country is a process which is not going to be achieved instantaneously. To boost the economy is not a sprint race but a marathon race. We also need to look at the trade Sierra Leone is doing with other countries in the world and the government should make sure the country trades within the region.
As a matter of utmost importance Government should explain the country’s position towards the adoption of a new West African currency, the ECO. The Government needs to let the people of this country know if they have worked towards meeting the criteria which were communicated to them by ECOWAS.

NP is set to Roll out Effective Service Delivery this 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

From what this medium learnt from the Management of one of the most enterprising companies in the country, the National Petroleum –Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd), the company is really set to roll out effective service delivery to its numerous and esteemed customers everywhere it is operating within the country and beyond. It was iterated that even though the company has been highly commended for doing so in the past yet it is more than ever determined to step up its operations with the avowed objective of giving out the best that members of the public really deserve.

Without any iota of exaggeration, forward looking and business savvy Sierra Leoneans are indeed very proud of the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL-Ltd) which generally is known for short as NP. This pride large emanates from the mere fact that NP is a living testimony of determination, selflessness and hard work on the part of the original founders of the company who said nothing will deter them from achieving their dream of establishing a towering business entity that will serve as a beacon of hope for many.

From its humble beginning, years back, NP-SL has become the leading petroleum business entity in the country with its Filling Stations located in nearly all the districts of the country, marketing various petroleum products which have been rated to be of high quality.

A real manifestation of a result-oriented company that has been generally rated as highly focused on its viability and operations, is its opening of sub-regional branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia where there are functional filling stations rendering qualitative service delivery to esteem customers all in a bid to give value for money that definitely brings along utmost satisfaction. Gauging the views of many on this expansionist move on the part of the company most have commended it as one of the few indigenous business entities that have really taken such a remarkable leap ,worthy of emulation. They furthered that it is move that can be categorized as a shining projection of the country’s image to the outside world, telling the story of how Sierra Leoneans can positively make things happen with huge shared benefits to be derived by all and sundry.

One thing which, according to revelation, has helped the company to reach such a height is the proper harnessing of customer care. To ensure that such works effectively it was ensured that Customer Care should be prioritized to an extent that a whole unit was created with contact numbers which members of the public could use to channel all enquiries relating to the company’s activities and operations. This has been maintained in tact to such an extent that it has now become a tradition.

And when customers believe that they do matter and are catered for there is the tendency to become very loyal and compliant. It is an arrangement that is very advantageous to the company in the sense that inputs from customers have served as a roadmap or guide in taking important decisions. For instance, customers’ suggestions have led to the introduction of new petroleum products that could be procured from NP shops, rehabilitation of stations, improved attendance by the company’s attendants and a whole lot of other positive transformations. This bottom to top approach is a business tool that makes room for a liberal way of running the company by bringing customers on board for win-win outcomes.

From what was understood, through thorough research and interviews conducted, the shareholders and Management of the company are very keen on exploring various platforms through which customers could make their views and concerns more relevant as well as heightening customer care.

The company as a matter of fact is renowned for its proper implementation of its Corporate Social Responsibility that it has been steadily rolling out. In a country that is economically recovering from deep scars of bad governance and rampant corruption it is understandable that Government alone cannot undertake various development programmes which is why the contribution of the private sector is very much significant.

NP, indeed, has been on the side of the people of this country through thick and thin, always trying to complement the interventions of Government in fostering development. There are numerous things that the company has done in terms of improving standards of living, some of which they do not even want to mention as if they are showing off but doing so sincerely to better humanity.

When it comes to strict adherence to the country’s Local Content Policy the shareholders and Management of the company have made it a matter of must to get in its employ indigenes and even in cases where expatriates are engaged, local members of staff are given the opportunity to understudy them so that at the end of the day they will imbibe the necessary skills to take over. This is very advantageous in the sense that it helps in providing jobs and to develop a crop of competent individuals which the country needs in its development interventions.

Cooking is inextricably linked to human life or existence, whether for domestic or commercial purposes. Man depends on food for survival, individuals invest in food businesses and the like. Very mindful of the hazardous effects of depleting the environment, by using traditional means of cooking, here specifically talking of making use of wood, charcoal, the company deemed it prudent to introduce NP-Gas which is very fast to ignite, quick to perform, safe and highly convenient. NP Gas, which is in different sizable cylinders could be accessed at the company’s filling stations and authorized dealers, going at affordable prices.

The company has high profiled customers with tight schedules who may have limited time to always wait in queues in order to purchase petroleum products. Besides, some people are not used to havig huge cash in their possession but prefer using smart cards. For these reasons the company went the extra mile to introduce NP Smart Card which customers, those who can afford it, could use to purchase petroleum products. From what was so far gathered all the customers who are using NP Smart Card are well satisfied doing so saying it is very convenient further praising NP for rolling out that initiative.

One thing which cannot be challenged is the fact that NP, not only here in Sierra Leone but in other places where it is functioning, is greatly contributing to revenue accumulation when we think of its timely payment of taxes which Governments are using to fund various development projects.

Regardless, of all the teething challenges that stand in the way of NP, one of which is the depreciation of the Leone to the Dollar, as the company purchases petroleum products in dollars, yet still the company is navigating its way through murky economic waters.

Although all what have been said about the company is really laudable the heart of the matter is that it is not all that is rosy. Like other business entities, the company is grappling with loan recovery from its debtors running into billions of Leones. According to Management of the company it will be in the best interest of the company if those loans are paid so that it will continue to operate vibrantly.

But for now the company is determined to roll out more goodies which will considerable contribute to the socio –economic development of the countries where it is present.

 

NP is Poised to Offer the Best in Petroleum Products

Shareholders and Management of the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) have expressed dogged determination to continue to import and market qualitative petroleum products in this New Year and whenever it is possible to expand further in order to reach far and wide. This disclosure was made during a recent engagement with this medium.

By all estimation the company has to a certain extent being a very successful petroleum marketing entity that assiduously continues to ascend the slippery ladder within the economic landscape of this country. The meteoric rise of NP should not come as any big surprise to anyone as it epitomizes the crystallization of determination, hard work and sheer entrepreneurial skills on the part of Sierra Leoneans who formed the company and the capable managerial teams that have been steering the affairs of the 100% indigenously owned outfit. Its continuous ascendancy is indeed a clear manifestation of dogged commitment by all those who are associated with it to succeed.

If there is one outstanding feature which makes the company to be quickly identified then that could be its innate passion to give maximum care and attention to its numerous customers. The company’s shareholders and management do not joke with Customer Care as it is prioritized in all the company’s transactions. This could sound very simplistic when looked at from the face value but for NP; its thorough and cautious implementation is very close to their heart and indeed such is paying fruitful dividends. This is all the more reason why it has Customer Service Numbers through which customers in particular and the wider public could make enquires.

Of course it really makes sense that availing customers with qualitative petroleum products, dealing with them respectfully , negotiating win-win deals will all contribute in retaining customers as well as wooing new ones. With all amount of certainty it could be safely concluded that NP has mastered that business technique, deepening it and is working well to which many have attested.

It has been established by development specialists that proper implementation of the Local Content Policy is indeed a very important cog that should be in the wheel of the engine to thrust growth. One business entity that is strictly adhering to enhance the Local Content Policy in this country is NP. The shareholders and Management of the company have made it a matter of policy to get in its employ indigenes and even in cases where expatriates are engaged, local members of staff are given the opportunity to understudy them so that at the end of the day they will imbibe the necessary skills to take over. This is very advantageous in the sense that it helps in providing jobs and to develop a crop of competent individuals which the country needs in its development interventions.

Cooking is an inevitable aspect of human life, whether for domestic and commercial purposes. Man depends on food for survival, individuals invest in food businesses and the like. Very mindful of the hazardous effects of depleting the environment, using traditional means of cooking, here specifically talking about making use of wood, charcoal, the company deemed it prudent to introduce NP-Gas which is very fast to ignite, quick to perform, safe and highly convenient. NP Gas, which is in different sizable cylinders could be accessed at the company’s filling stations and authorized dealers.

The company has high profiled customers with tight schedules who may have limited time to always wait in queues in order to purchase petroleum products. Besides, some people are not used to have huge cash in their possession but prefer using smart cards. For these reasons the company went the extra mile to introduce NP Smart Card which customers, those who can afford it, could use to purchase petroleum products. From what was so far gathered all the customers who are using NP Smart Card are well satisfied doing so saying it is very convenient further praising NP for rolling out that initiative.

The viability of NP could be measured by its expansionist achievements both within the country and in the West African sub-region as is evident with the opening of branches in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. For a hundred percent indigenously owned company to go to such a level of spreading its tentacles is actually commendable and worthy of praise. As far as we know the branches in all those countries are doing extremely well although there are inevitable challenges which it has been surmounting.

One thing which cannot be challenged is the fact that NP, not only here in Sierra Leone but in other places where it is functioning, is greatly contributing to revenue accumulation when we think of its timely payment of taxes which Governments are using to fund various development projects.

Regardless, of all the teething challenges that stand in the way of NP, one of which is the depreciation of the Leone to the Dollar, as the company purchases petroleum products in dollars, yet still the company is navigating its way through murky economic waters.

Without mincing the truth, NP’s ascendancy is really breath-taking and highly impressive.

Pres. Bio Looks Back & Promises Sierra Leoneans on New Year’s Day

President, Julius Maada Bio

In his New Year’s Speech to the nation on New Year’s Day His Excellency, the President, Julius Maada Bio retrospectively looked back at the strides his Government has made so far since it took over State Governance, the challenges they inherited, the achievements they have scored and the plans they are poised to roll out in 2020 towards translating manifestoes promises into tangible realities on the ground to foster development.

The President first thanked God for preserving us all through 2019.  He said his Government he is heading came into 2019 shackled with high domestic and foreign debt repayments, unfavourable mining lease agreements, low domestic productivity, high youth unemployment, high inflation, and currency depreciation further noting that throughout the year, our confidence and optimism as a nation were shaken by mild economic turbulence and unavoidable shocks we inherited.

He highlighted that typically, Sierra Leoneans have made light of  the situation with the usual humorous jibes, “the gron dry,” but in 2019, they launched the medium term national development plan, increased domestic revenue mobilisation by streamlining and automating revenue collection and deposit processes, clarified and reduced the tax and duty burden on businesses, made it easier to establish and run a business including providing aftercare at the highest levels, and provided more support for small to medium enterprises. He furthered that as a Government they did such with the firm belief that private enterprise is the engine for economic expansion.

“We go into 2020 as a country at peace with falling crime rates, lower prison populations, and no security threat,” he stated with pride.

The President told the nation that at Bintumani 3, Sierra Leoneans suggested ways to further lower tensions and establish a permanent infrastructure for peace.

He dilated on how they have moved to repeal criminal libel laws that successive governments had used to suppress free speech maintaining that they continue to open up civic spaces and encourage citizens to speak up and make our democracy stronger and better.

“In spite of the cynicism about foreign travel, we have, through those travels transformed the reputation and image of Sierra Leone abroad by comprehensively telling our friends and partners who we really are and where we are taking our nation. And they have watched our unrelenting and determined fight against corruption and pass the MCC’s “Control of Corruption” with very high scores,” he highlighted.

The President said they have watched the crack down on fraud and waste and reformed public institutions and practices pointing out how the IMF, EU, DFID, World Bank and our international partners have all expressed confidence in what they were  doing and they have re-engaged fully.

He underscored how they have actively promoted business in Sierra Leone through various investment conferences saying the fisheries, tourism, and agricultural sectors are set for significant foreign private sector investments in the near future zeroing that they are focused on rice-sufficiency, cash crop production, and agricultural value-chain addition.

“As we go into 2020, two million children, especially, girls have access to free quality education, free teaching and learning materials, expanded healthcare services, school buses, and free school feeding in some areas,” he intimated going further to say that they have intensified a national campaign against early child marriage, introduced robust enforcement and tougher sentencing guidelines for rape, sexual and gender-based violence and rape.

President Bio said teenage pregnancy, menstrual health and hygiene are no longer taboo topics as women are at the centre of our country’s future development and security and the Government has recruited more women into the armed forces than at any time in our country’s history.

“We are investing heavily in STEM disciplines especially for girls and through the Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation, we are harnessing the power of data and technology to support governance, business, healthcare, education, and agriculture,” he said in his speech.

The 1st Gentleman of the nation told the nation how recently they launched the first drone corridor in West Africa and the first block-chain-based national digital identify platform that will improve financial inclusion among other benefits.

“Soon, we will convene a national forum on the future of education. We do so mindful of our national development priorities and goals and knowing that for our children to lead and participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the global economy, they must be equipped with a 21st century education,” he promised.

President Bio stated that we enter 2020 in a Sierra Leone where mothers in labour and critically ill-cases can now be rushed into a nearby hospital or community health centre by an ambulance they can call toll-free from the comfort of their homes.

He assured that they will continue work on lowering maternal mortality rates, expanding primary healthcare, training and recruiting more healthcare workers, and refurbishing or building new health centres all over the country also informing how in 2020, the Government will turn the sod for the construction of an ultramodern diagnostic health Centre using funds recovered from corrupt officials as seed money.

“Our public sanitation and waste disposal investments have yielded public health benefits. We enter 2020 with a renewed commitment to fighting climate change while improving clean energy access in off-grid rural areas and tackling energy poverty through the nearly-complete regional grid and other new initiatives. We enter 2020 with extensive judicial reforms that have led to more access to justice,” he guaranteed.

His Excellency mentioned in his speech that the Government’s social protection programmes continue to support vulnerable families and they have launched a $50 million urban-mobility project.

He went on to say they are also rehabilitating key trunk roads from Kailahun to Freetown and building new bridges nationwide promising that big impact and high-value infrastructural projects will commence this year.

The President said their youth empowerment projects and the Government’s support for sports development (especially the Sierra Leone Premier League) have been very significant and despite the baseless cynicism and mindless partisanship, he calls for relentless optimism and hard work to develop the nation.

“If you share my belief that we can make Sierra Leone a better place, I urge you to share the responsibility with me for doing so with a firm commitment to make, act, be the change you want to see. Happy New Year everybody,” he concluded.

 

 

 

 

António Guterres Catapults Zainab Bangura to UN Director-General

Zainab Hawa Bangura

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, on 30 December 2019 announced the appointment of Zainab Hawa Bangura of Sierra Leone as Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON).

António Guterres went further to extend his appreciation and gratitude to Ms. Maimunah Mohd Sharif, Executive Director of the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat), who will continue to serve as Acting Director-General until Ms. Bangura assumes this position.

Ms. Bangura, a relentless advocate for conflict resolution and reconciliation, and human rights champion, was most recently Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict from 2012 to 2017.  She began her United Nations career in the United Nations Mission in Liberia, where she was responsible for the management of the largest civilian component of the Mission, including promoting capacity-building of government institutions and community reconciliation.

She was Minister of Health and Sanitation (2010-2012) and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (2007-2010) for the Government of Sierra Leone.  Ms. Bangura has also served as Executive Director of the National Accountability Groups as well as Coordinator and Co-founder of the Campaign for Good Governance.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Fourah Bay College in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and advanced diplomas in insurance management from the University of London and Nottingham University.

Samura Kamara Blasts Government

Dr Samura Kamara

Leading opposition figure, Dr Samura Kamara has taken a swipe on the current SLPP led Government, headed by President Julius Maada Bio for what he termed as running the country on the “storm of misinformation and inexactness”.

Dr. Samura Kamara, the main challenger of Bio in the 2018 elections, was quoted as lamenting that the policies and governance style of the administration had divided the country, weakened its fledgling democracy and consequently fend off potential investors.

According to Kamara, the Government is relying on misinformation to continue on a path of blaming its predecessor for its failure.

Kamara, who ran under the ticket of the then ruling All People’s Congress (APC), said the current problem of the country is that the Government is not just headed by people who could not understand and appreciate much earlier the rigours and challenges of governance, but a political leadership that would not listen to wise counsel and holds on to ‘winner-takes-all’ as the only instrument of governing a State.

“They would tell you that they inherited a broken, battered and the worst economy since independence. This is certainly not true,” Kamara said in a statement widely circulated on social media as part of his New Year message.

He said it is an “unacceptable insult” to the intelligence of Sierra Leoneans, who witnessed the revival of the country’s economy that was devastated by the 11-year civil war, adding that the current administration’s claim of inheriting a poor economy amounted to a denial of the negative impacts on an economy also “devastated by a lethal Ebola Virus Disease outbreak, by unprecedented floods and mudslides, and by unavoidable external economic shocks”.

Kamara, an economist, spent much of his career in the banking and finance sector, starting off at the Central Bank of Sierra Leone where he rose to the position of Governor. He also served as Financial Secretary, and in Cabinet as Foreign and Finance Minister. He also worked with the International Monetary Fund.

Kamara was the last Foreign Affairs Minister under the administration of former President Ernest Bai Koroma, when he was hand-picked in controversial circumstances to lead the APC in the 2018 polls.

Bio, a former military Head of State himself and long -time presidential hopeful, defeated Kamara in a run off. But the then incumbent APC disputed the outcome of the poll it said had been rigged with the help of foreign Governments. Kamara is widely expected to run for the presidency in 2023.

 

To Renew or Not… Chief Electoral Commissioner’s Position Hangs on the Balance

Mohamed N’Fa Allie Conteh

The position of Chief Electoral Commissioner is such a very sensitive one considering the fact that he is Head of the National Electoral Commission, the institution that is constitutionally mandated to conduct all public elections in the country. According to constitutional provisions, the sitting Head of State has the sole prerogative to appoint a new Chief Electoral Commissioner but such an appointment is subject to Parliamentary Approval.

Currently there is a school of thought which believes that the fate of the head of Sierra Leone’s National Electoral Commission (NEC) has been thrown into doubt with an alleged appointment of an Acting Chief Electoral Commissioner after the substantive holder went on terminal leave.

Mohamed N’Fa Allie Conteh’s leave is scheduled to end in February in 2020 which also marks the end of his first term in office. He will require his contract to be renewed by the President for him to continue.

Before he left, Mr Conteh wrote to the presidency, informing it of the expiry of his tenure. It was said that the response of State House was leaked on social media indicating that someone was appointed as Chairman in an Acting capacity prompting members of the public to start to interpret the intention of the SLPP led Government in different.

It must be noted that the Chief Electoral Commissioner can serve not more than two terms of five years each. Conteh was appointed by former President Ernest Bai Koroma. He presided over the Presidential election that brought Bio to power in 2018.

Some are expressing surprise that his term will not be renewed.

But a government spokesman on Thursday rejected suggestions about the president’s intention.

Information Minister, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, said whatever decision President Julius Maada Bio would take, would be done in line with constitutional provision.

“This president respects democracy. N’Fa Allie still remains the NEC Chairman. His terminal leave will end soon – February,” Swaray said in a radio interview. But he declined to comment on the possibility of him coming.

“The president will respect the law, but whether he (Conteh) comes or not will be a matter for another day,” he said.

 

 

Presidential Pardon Liberates Prison Beauty Queen & 533 Others

Ms Sia Kembe

In an unprecedented development the winner of Sierra Leone’s first ever prison beauty contest has been granted a presidential pardon Ms Sia Kembe, 20, was among over 500 prisoners earmarked for release as part of a presidential clemency to mark the New Year, this medium learnt.

On New Year’s Day, the list released by the Sierra Leone Correctional Service (SLCS) entails the statistics of the inmate to be released and the center in which they are serving their sentences. The 507 male inmates and 27 female inmates were drawn from 20 prison and detention facilities across the country.

Officials said the move is a continuation of a tradition that is based on a constitutional provision giving the President the power to forgive prisoners on festive occasions.

Lesely Cole-Showers, a spokesman for the SLCS, said the practice is not to release the names of the inmates but he confirmed that Ms Kembe was part of those currently being processed for release as part of the clemency.

Ms Kembe was sentenced to five years for Manslaughter. She was serving her term in the Southern Bo district. She came to the limelight in November when she participated in the maiden edition of the Miss Correctional. She emerged winner in the contest that included nine other inmates drawn from female correctional facilities across the country.

Kembe, who was jailed for the killing of her husband, was 20 months into her term.

As enshrined in the Constitution of Sierra Leone gives the Head of State has the ceremonial mandate to exercise the Prerogative of Mercy on special occasions, one of which is New Year’s Day, by ordering the release of certain incarcerated persons. On the 1st of January 2020 a total of five hundred and thirty-four (534) incarcerated inmates were set free from various detention centres in the country. Attached is a breakdown of prisoners that were freed by Presidential Pardon:

Presidential Pardon Statistics

➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖➖

Freetown Male Centre (Pademba Road) = 211

Freetown Female Centre = 20

Freetown Male Reintegration Centre (Former Special Court) = 29

Pre- Trial Detention and Simulation Centre (Waterloo) = 33

Bo Male Centre = 09

Bonthe Centre = 03

Moyamba Centre = 15

Pujehun Centre= 13

Mattru Jong Centre = 11

Kenema Male Centre = 18

Kenema Female Centre = 03

Kailahun Centre = 09

Sefadu Centre = 11

Makeni Male Centre = 23

Magburaka Centre = 15

Mafanta Centre = 46

Kambia Centre = 17

Kabala Centre = 11

Port Loko Centre = 26

Approved School (Juvenile) = 11

Total: 534

 

 

Hon. Musa Bendugu ‘Orders’ Manhandling & Beating of SLBC, Hamzas Radio & The Calabash Journalists

Hon. Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Jalloh, commonly known as Musa Bendugu

The current sitting Member of Parliament of Constituency 056, Sambaia Chiefdom, in the Tonkolili District, Northern Sierra Leone, Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Jalloh, commonly known as Musa Bendugu, now stands accused of ordering the attack and beating of three journalists in the chiefdom. The three journalists are Ibrahim Mansaray aka Hebro of the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) based in Makeni, Abdul M Jalloh of Hamzas Radio Station in Makeni and Foday Moriba Conteh of The Calabash Newspaper in two separate incidents. It must be noted that the two narrowly escaped from the Chiefdom on the 24th December 2019 and Foday was seriously beaten with his properties carted away from him on the 4th January 2020 while he was carrying out a special assignment for his news medium.

The whole episode started on the 24th December, 2019 when a Community Based Civil Society Organization, Put Sambaia Chiefdom First, whose membership comprise some young people hailing from that part of the country and very keen to see the materialization of positive developments geared towards improving the standards of living of residents convened a meeting in the chiefdom to chart the way forward with regards progress.

According to thorough investigations conducted by this medium, on that fateful day (24th December 2019), the well-attended meeting was in progress when all of a sudden some violent youths, said to have been sent by the Member of Parliament, Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Jalloh, descended on the scene and rudely disrupted the whole meeting, physically manhandling most of those in attendance including the Founder of the Community Based Civil Society Organization, Abu Bakarr D S Jalloh. The latter was seriously beaten in the full view of Regent Chief and other authorities.

The two journalists; one from the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) based in Makeni, Ibrahim Mansaray aka Hebro and another, Abdul M Jalloh of Hamzas Radio Station (Makeni) were violently chased and narrowly escaped death.

Founder of the organization ,Abu Bakarr, sustained injuries and bodily pain after he was rescued from the clutches of his assailants, who are purportedly Karifa Thoronka aka ‘Fine Money’, Foray Musa Jalloh aka Banja (son of the sitting Member of Parliament), Yusuf Conteh, Abu Mohamed Sesay aka Borbor Abu, (who is accused of destroying the banner of the CSO and even burnt it), Bockarie Musa Jalloh (another son of Hon. Musa), Momodu Kamara, Ibrahim G Koroma aka Selleh Borbor and Osman Koroma aka Konday.

In a snap interview with the Founder of the Community Based Organisation (CBO), Put Sambaia Chiefdom First, Abu Bakarr D S Jalloh, he disclosed that as a young man from that part of the country, he decided to establish the organization with the key objective of promoting equal access to social justice and development devoid of any political affiliation or attachment. He furthered that at the moment there is heightened political intimidation and harassment within that chiefdom, that have instilled fear among residents to freely exercise their inalienable fundamental human rights. “It is against this backdrop that we decided to come together to restore sanity and foster development in the chiefdom,” Bakarr underscored, pointing out that what transpired on the 24th December 2019 is a clear manifestation of the rising level of political harassment that have engulfed the whole chiefdom.

He continued that the incident was reported at the Police Station, was issued a medical form, went for medical examination and returned the form to the Police Station only to be told that he should report the matter to the Legal Aid Board.

He pointed out that they are against using violence to attain their objective, stating that even when he was attacked, certain people wanted to react and also after the incident some wanted to retaliate, but as a peaceful individual he advised them not to go that far.

Bakarr disclosed that the community residents are yearning for a suitable market place, a befitting Court Barray, Community Centre and other basic amenities. He lamented that monies collected from the exploitation of the chiefdom’s endowed natural resources by authorities have not been judiciously used for development purposes by the chiefdom authorities, including the Member of Parliament, stressing that they are determined to change that narrative.

What has baffled many is why the Police should refer the complainant to the Legal Aid Board instead of inviting the perpetrators and the Member of Parliament for interrogation.

It could be recalled that the sitting Member of Parliament, Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Jalloh commonly known as, Musa Bendugu, is one the aspirants for the Paramount Chieftaincy election slated to take place on the 22nd February 2020 after declaration would have taken place at the National Electoral Commission (NEC) on the 8th February 2020. However, many have alleged that he is disliked and very unpopular because of his violent tendencies, partiality, selfishness, greed for power and lack of transparency. It was further disclosed that because of his inadequacies, Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Jalloh has resorted to the use of violent tactics to suppress anybody or group perceived to stand in his way, as well as anyone demanding accountability from him relating to how the chiefdom funds were and are still expended.

When this medium contacted Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Jalloh in order to get his own side in this saga, he retorted that he cannot comment until after the New Year holiday.

Since for the sake of fairness we are ready and willing to publish the MP’s own side, the Proprietor of The Calabash Newspaper called the Member of Parliament for the second time on the 4th January 2020 to know whether he is ready to grant us an interview. He invited us to meet him at the chiefdom and therefore decided to send one of its ace reporters, Foday Moriba Conteh, to engage the Member of Parliament.

It was there and then that hell got loose for Foday as he was mercilessly beaten and his properties including a large amount of money in his possession carted away. He was later rescued by the Police who took him to the Police Station. The Member of Parliament then went to the station and told the Police that Foday must be detained as an impostor. Up to the time of going to Press, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) and the Police have been alerted. Frantic moves are now underway for his release.

As we continue to monitor the situation, more on this human interest story in subsequent editions…    

 

 

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