Honorable Daniel Koroma (APC) and Honorable Alhaji Dr. Kandeh Yumkella NGC) in cooperation with MPs from C4C and SLPP have introduced a motion to amend the Finance Act passed last week. The move is a show of a sense of responsibility and joint action by MPs to reverse the carte blanche imprest expenditure given to the President, Vice President and the Speaker of Parliament.
Hon. Yumkella announced the motion in the budget debate and Hon. Daniel Koroma submit the same motion to the Speaker. The Speaker commended the two MPs for their action in following the right procedures under the Standing Order SO42, which inter-alia allows Parliament to reverse its decisions “upon a substantive motion made after notice”.
One of the foremost human rights organizations in the country, Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI), has called on the Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate both Honourable Paran Tarawally, the Administrative Head of the Sierra Leone Parliament (otherwise known as Clerk of Parliament) and Honourable Ibrahim Tawa Conteh in order to shed light on alleged disclosed corruption issues.
In a letter dated 22nd November 2019 , written to the ACC Commissioner by the Chief Executive Officer of Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) Abdul M. Fatoma, it was stated : ‘we are extremely concerned about allegations presented on national radio (Radio Democracy 98.1) on the 22nd November, 2019 by two Honourable Members of Parliament who were engaged in accusations and counter accusations for corrupt activities.’
CHRDI, according to the letter, believes that the ACC has the mandate to address the concerns of corruption in the interest of the general public.
Over the years, CHRDI has focused on public accountability by holding public institutions accountable because it believes that public accountability is integral to a comprehensive approach to public management and public services.
‘We at CHRDI know that accountability and transparency are support systems for success in any society. We are equally aware that in a democratic society like Sierra Leone, accountability to the public by its elected representatives is vital because policies will not be made by officials with little or no connection to the public,’ the letter stated.
It added: ‘Our flagship campaign, the Accountability Campaign, successfully raised public awareness around the Constituency Development Fund and the administration and operations of the Parliament of Sierra Leone and also implores citizens to ask their Parliamentarians to give account of their stewardship and all monies received for and on their behalf in 2018 to 2019.’
Report doing the rounds states that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has invited Honourable Paran Tarawally, the Administrative Head of the Sierra Leone Parliament (otherwise known as Clerk of Parliament) and Honourable Ibrahim Tawa Conteh of Constituency 132 to assist the Commission with their investigations into an alleged corruption matter.
ACC’s Director of Public Education and Outreach, Patrick Sandy said the two public officers are to report on Monday 25th November, 2019 at 10 am.
Their invitation reportedly came after both of them made direct allegations against each other of corrupt acts and misappropriation of public funds in the current parliament over the popular “Gud Mornin Salone” program on Radio Democracy 98.1 FM.
Members of the newly-constituted Sierra Leone Premier League Board and the Sierra Leone Football Association on Thursday 21st November, 2019 engaged President Julius Maada Bio at State House on preparations for the 2019/2020 league season.
Presenting the visiting team at State House, Minister of Sports, Ibrahim Nyelenkeh, said the meeting is important because it gives an opportunity for the President and members of the newly-constituted Board to interact. He noted that as a moral guarantor, it was his responsibility to ensure that football was up and running in the country and commended the President for his support for the development of sports.
Vice President of the Sierra Leone Football Association, Brima Manzola Kamara, said it is a normal procedure to select a Board at the start of a season that would be in charge of the running of the league. He also used the opportunity to thank the President for the financial support from the government during the last premier league and assured that they would do their best to make sure that football reaches its highest level in the country.
Chairman of the new Board, Allieu Vandi Koroma Esq. said he is grateful for the opportunity to meet the President, saying that was demonstrative of the President’s commitment to the development of football in the country. He said they were aware of the enormity of the task ahead of them, but assured him of their readiness knowing full well how important football is to the country and the New Direction.
“We are pleased with the budget that was read out by the Finance Minister in Parliament, especially the promise to support the activities of the premier league. With your dispensation of delivering on your promises, we are very hopeful that this will come to pass. We want to tap into your passion and deliver to the people of Sierra Leone,’’ he said.
In his response, President Bio said that it is the responsibility of the government to support whatever that would bring happiness and joy to its citizens. He said Sierra Leone is a football-loving nation and therefore the government would continue to support the growth of the sport.
He expressed hope that the new leadership at the Board would provide the governance needed for another very good premier league season this year. He also used the occasion to call for sanity within the football administration, adding that Sierra Leoneans should develop the spirit of sportsmanship and see football as a game of discipline.
“I hope you will provide the leadership people are looking for, because football has an impact on the mood of people. I congratulate the Board and wish you the best as we are looking forward to a successful premier league season,” he said.
The long-awaited launch of the National Achievement Awards 2019 hosted by All Works of Life (AWOL) successfully ended on Friday 22nd November, 2019 at the prestigious Radisson Blu Hotel, Aberdeen in Freetown.
Present at the occasion, which took the form of a cocktail, were a galaxy of personalities including the Minister of Tourism, Chief Minister, President of AWOL among several other AWOL members and other invited guests.
Before officially launching the National Achievements Awards (NAA), Chief Minister Prof. David Francis recalled the famous words of former US President John F.Kennedy when he said: ‘do not ask what your government can do for you; rather ask what you can do for your government,’ and likened this scenario to that of AWOL, which he described as an organization which has as its aim and objective to celebrate ‘change-makers.’ He described ‘change-makers’ as those people who are doing their utmost in their little corners to put Sierra Leone first and set bright examples for others to emulate.
According to Prof. Francis, for eighteen years now AWOL has been at the forefront of transforming the lives of people in Sierra Leone while serving as an inspiration at home and even in the Diaspora devoid of political, regional and other sentiments. He added that AWOL has been a credible partner to successive governments including the current government. He used the opportunity to call on every Sierra Leonean not to underestimate their respective roles in giving support to governance and development issues, because it is only when each and every Sierra Leonean gives support to the government that the much-needed change everyone needs will come about and urged AWOL Executive and members to continue the work they have been doing since their establishment.
Prior to the launch the Minister of Tourism, Dr. Memunatu Pratt, in her statement reminded the audience that the methodology used in identifying the final nominees to be voted for would have to be explained in simpler terms so that the average Sierra Leonean would understand how nominees emerge winners of the awards in the various categories.
She added that the nomination process is academic and therefore it would have to be broken down so that the least person can understand at the end of the day why his/her nominee won or lost as the case may be and so there would be no accusations or counter-accusations about any nominee being cheated. She maintained that at the end of the day the most important issue is that voters are satisfied that their votes are reflective of their efforts against the odds.
She called on the organizers of the National Achievement Awards not to leave any stone unturned and ensure that they brace themselves to reactions which might not be complimentary, adding that in these days of cell phones and social media it is very easy for dissatisfied persons to use such technology to tarnish the names of people or institutions. She called on all Sierra Leoneans to participate in the process, as it is a rebrand move for the Ministry of Tourism and for the country as a whole.
On his part, President of AWOL, Ambassador Anthony Navo Jr. started out by giving a brief synopsis of the organization. He informed the audience that AWOL was formed 20 years ago to serve the country in a distinct fashion. He added that coming from a 11 years’ war, as young people, they decided to form a group with a distinct mission to recognize distinguished Sierra Leoneans as well as to complement and serve as an auxiliary to government and this they have been doing successfully since the founding of AWOL.
He said AWOL was privileged in May 2001 to have former President Tejan Kabbah (deceased) to officially launch the organization at the British Council. He went on to say that ever since, AWOL has comprehensively complemented the efforts of successive governments and is poised to continue the same with the current Bio-led administration.
He recalled that apart from recognizing distinguished Sierra Leoneans, AWOL has been involved in development programmes, citing the construction of a school at Gondama, Tonkolili District valued at $1.5M, supporting at least 40 students that have now graduated from various colleges and universities, renovating the X-Ray Department at the Connaught Hospital and providing X-ray equipment worth over one thousand US Dollars.
He stressed that AWOL is apolitical and is here to put Sierra Leone and the interest of Sierra Leoneans above all other considerations. He said AWOL members come from diverse backgrounds, but they all have a common goal and share the same belief.
He informed his audience that the business of AWOL is to launch the process, but when it comes to taking decisions as to who qualifies and who does not for the awards, that task is left with the National Achievement Awards Committee (NAAC) comprising of 50/50 President Dr. Taqi as Chairman, Asmaa James Vice Chair and other prominent members.
Other speakers at the well-attended ceremony included Ahmed Sahid Nasralla – AWOL’s Secretary General, Mahmoud Idriss and Asmaa James who gave the vote of thanks.
Below is the short-listed nominees:
AWOL NAAs 2019 CATEGORIES & NOMINEES
—————————–
EDUCATION
1. TERTIARY INSTITUTION OF THE YEAR 2019
– IPAM
– Njala
– UNIMAK
2. SECONDARY SCHOOL OF THE YEAR 2019
– Dele-Peddle International School
– Sierra Leone Grammar School
– Providence International High School
3. PRIMARY SCHOOL OF THE YEAR 2019
– Gateway Preparatory Primary School
– International Primary School
– Modern Elementary School
4. YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR 2018- NPSE
– Menjor, Esther Sia (Leone Preparatory Prim. School)
5. YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR 2018 –BECE
– Hooke Johan Harmonette D. (Providence Int. Snr High, F/Town)
– Taqi Hafeez Othman (Sierra Leone Grammar Sch., F/Town)
– Jalloh Khadijatu (Annie Walsh Memorial Sch., F/Town)
6. YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR 2018 –WASSCE
– Saffia Kai (Hermann Gmeiner Int. Sch., F/Town)
– Turay Abdulai S. (Dele-Peddle Int. High, F/Town)
7. YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR 2019 –NPSE
– Russell Affuah (The International School Ltd., Prim)
8. YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR 2019 –BECE
– Manyeh Kaiwanday Nova (Sierra Leone Grammar Sch., F/Town)
– Koroma Umu B. (Modern High, F/Town)
9. YOUNG ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR 2019 –WASSCE
– Gbakima Aiah (Sierra Leone Grammar Sch., F/Town)
SPORTS
10. SPORTS PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR 2019
– Mohamed Buya Turay
– John Keister
– National Swimming Team
GOVERNANCE
11. MINISTRY OF THE YEAR 2019
– Ministry of Health and Sanitation
– Ministry of Tourism and Culture
– Ministry of Information and Communications
12. PARASTATAL OF THE YEAR 2019
– Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC)
– National Revenue Authority (NRA)
– Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL)
13. PARLIAMENTARIAN OF THE YEAR 2019
– Hon. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella
– Hon. Abdul Kargbo
– Hon. Ibrahim ‘Tawa’ Conteh
MEDIA
14. PRINT MEDIA HOUSE OF THE YEAR 2019
– Awoko
– Sierra Eye Magazine
– Standard Times
15. RADIO MEDIA HOUSE OF THE YEAR 2019
– Radio Democracy 98.1 FM
– SLBC Radio
– Kiss 104 FM
16. TELEVISION MEDIA HOUSE OF THE YEAR 2018 2019
– AYV TV
– SLBC TV
– Star TV
17. MEDIA PRACTITIONER OF THE YEAR 2019 (FEMALE)
– Stella Bangura (AYV TV)
– Zainab Joaque (Awoko Newspaper)
– Khadija Bangura (98.1)
18. MEDIA PRACTITIONER OF THE YEAR 2019 (MALE)
– Amadu Lamrana Bah (AYV TV)
– Mohamed Asmieu Bah (SLBC TV)
– Kemo Cham (Politico Newspaper)
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
19. PERFORMING ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2019 (MUSIC)
– Rozay Sokota
– Arkman
-Drizllik
20. PERFORMING ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2019 (MOVIE)
– Desmond Finnie
– Henrietta Mbawah
– Phebean Swill
21. PERFORMING ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2019 (COMEDY)
– Desmond Beinya
– Kindo Armani
– Richie Obama
22. ARTIST OF THE YEAR 2019 (FINE ART)
– King Dus Art
– Alusine Conteh
– Cyril Oronto-Cole
FINANCE & BUSINESS
23. BANKING INSTITUTION OF THE YEAR 2019
– Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB)
– Ecobank SL
– Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB)
24. INDIGENOUS BUSINESS OF THE YEAR 2019
– Union Trust Bank (UTB)
– Gento Group
– NP-SL
MEDICINE
25. MEDICAL PRACTITIONER OF THE YEAR 2019
– Dr. Jalikatu Mustapha
– Dr. Francis Lansana
– Dr. Aiah Lebbie
HUMANITARIAN
26. HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR 2019
– Sick Pikin Project
– Pikin Bizness
– Melqosh Mission
LAW
27. LEGAL PRACTITIONER OF THE YEAR 2019
– Musa Mewa Esq
– Ibrahim Fayia Sawaneh Esq
– Joan Bull Esq.
THE FORCES
28. MILITARY OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2019
– Brig Gen Victor Samba
– Lt Col Roland Robin Gbondo
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29. POLICE OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2019
– Mr Francis Musa Hazeley (Chief Supt of Police)
– Mrs Juliette Kumba Kondoh (Supt of Police)
– Mr Edward Tamba Keimbay (Asst Supt of Police)
30. FIRE FORCE OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2019
– Sahr I. Aruna (Sub Officer)
– Abu Bakarr Fofanah (Sub Officer)
– Adebayo Williams (Sub officer)
31. CORRECTIONAL OFFICER OF THE YEAR 2019
– Mohamed Santigie Turay (Director of Corrections)
– Rev Mrs. Josephine R.M. Findlay (Chief Supt of Corrections)
– Mr. Joseph Emmanuel Manley (Chief Supt of Corrections)
AGRICULTURE
32. FARMER OF THE YEAR 2019
– Kabia Farm
– Jam Jay Enterprise
– Madam Haja Sundu Marrah
CIVIL SOCIETY
33. CSO/CBO OF THE YEAR 2019
– Campaign for Good Governance
– CARL- SL
– CHIRDI- SL
HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
34. HOSPITALITY HOUSE OF THE YEAR 2019
– The Place- Tokeh
– Radisson Blu
– Lagoonda
When an acute fuel shortage hit Sierra Leone the past couple of weeks, it was only National Petroleum Sierra Leone (NP-SL) that kept the fire burning by not hoarding its stock and not increasing the pump price, but steadfastly ensured that it kept alive and buoyant the lives of the ordinary people and the country at large.
It could be recalled that for the past couple of weeks, Sierra Leone experienced acute fuel shortage which nearly disrupted the lives of ordinary people as well as create near havoc on the economy and businesses across the country.
Much to the surprise and satisfaction of many people, during this difficult period of fuel scarcity, it was only the National Petroleum Sierra Leone (NP-SL) which did not hoard but sold its meagre stock to consumers; thus living up to its name of being truly indigenous, customer-friendly and caring.
However, an in-depth investigation conducted by this medium led to the discovery that there are surmountable challenges that are really militating against the smooth operations of oil marketing companies in the country, which could be the main cause of the present ugly situation in which we find ourselves.
Against such an unfortunate backdrop, it will be prudent on the part of Government, through the Ministry of Trade and Industry, to act very smartly in addressing some of the debilitating constraints oil marketing companies are facing to import and sell petroleum products; particularly that which has to do with accessing foreign currency with ease and at affordable prices.
It is really unfortunate that certain individuals during this fuel scarcity scare, out of ignorance unfairly and unduly have been blaming the National Petroleum Sierra Leone for the quagmire. This is very unfortunate. NP-SL, just like other oil marketing companies in the country, is going through real challenges militating against its smooth operations. One of them has to do with timely access to foreign currency, specifically the Dollar, which it uses to purchase petroleum products. The company does exchange the Leones they derive from sales in order to be in a position to import petroleum products, but of late with the depreciation of the Leone to the Dollar it is no mean feat to do so.
Just in the recent past, the Parliamentary Committee on Trade summoned the Management of National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited to explain about the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility and other activities. It was at that meeting that the Management of NP laid bare the huge debt, running into millions of Leones, which the Government of Sierra Leone owes the company and pleaded for the intervention of Parliamentarians to help remedy the impasse.
When this medium went out to find out whether indeed fuel is available but hoarded, we discovered that there is not much in the offing for sales to the public and no attempts were revealed of any form of hoarding. The plain fact is that fuel is not available in the required quantity, simply because the hands of the oil marketing companies are tied to import petroleum products with ease.
There has always been the misconception by certain people that the National Petroleum Sierra Leone is owned by the Government of Sierra Leone. However, it will interest some people to know that the company is privately-owned by Sierra Leoneans, who years back, established it out of their end-of-service benefits and worked assiduously for it to become the towering business entity that is today renowned for marketing qualitative petroleum products.
The company, although it keeps reminding the Government of the outstanding debts, is in no way disillusioned to discontinue serving members of the public diligently, as it is a 100% indigenous company.
Regardless of that, the company has been steadfast with regards marketing qualitative petroleum products and from what was gathered, its shareholders and management have resolved to serve humanity and deal with outstanding issues professionally without the slightest objective of undermining the Government or stability.
While Sierra Leoneans are going through all this making the situation so confusing was when the regulatory institution, the Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA), of all oil marketing companies operating in the country issued a statement that there is no fuel shortage.
Currently, the NP-SL pumps are opened and the company is selling to members of the public. As an indigenous company, NP-SL is desirous of serving the nation.
To its credit, NP-SL has been rated 1st for Customer Care, and is held in high esteem for introducing both NP Gas and Smart Card, and is impressively rolling out its Corporate Social Responsibility and offering lots of goodies to its numerous consumers. In recognition of all the good things that the company is doing to foster development in the country, it emerged as the winner of the prestigious 2018 NEA Award as Best Indigenous Company of the year.
It must be reiterated that there is the utmost need to make the oil marketing companies very financially solvent in order to capacitate them to be in better steads to effectively engage in the purchasing and selling of petroleum products and prevent avoidable shortages in the future.
NP-SL, as an oil marketing company, from our findings, is not in any sense undermining the government; it is not anti-government as it has always maintained an apolitical stance, only focusing on its business ventures. It will therefore be a great disservice to the company if anyone were to accuse NP-SL of being politically motivated in its business dealings. This has never been the case and will never be the case, according to NP-SL management; especially when the country experiences fuel shortage.
As a matter of fact, this medium was made to understand that had it not been for NP-SL, the impact of the fuel shortage could have been worse, had the company behaved irresponsibly or in a manner to suggest that it loves money more than the people of Sierra Leone.
Thankfully, the erudite board members, management and staff of NP-SL kept to their pledge of serving the people of Sierra Leone in whatever circumstance.
Fuel is now available for sale to members of the public and the prices still remain the same.
Investigations conducted by this medium has unearth harrowing stories of a family’s quest for survival (the Kamara-Kargbo family of Kambia), which seem to be having new developments by the day.
This writer encountered this family (only survivors) in a squalid Orphanage in Waterloo (a Western rural suburb), where they narrated their ordeal. Living in poor hygienic situation with meagre food to eat, due to the absence of adequate funding from the owner of the facility, whose hope of revamping and maintenance of the orphanage depended on the possibility of donor intervention, which is yet to happen, the plight of this family is precarious.
Desirous of getting more information about how they found themselves in this orphanage, this writer went further to probe into the beginning of their struggle for survival. In this quest for more information, this medium visited the home town of Kambia, where the family had its root. In order not to let out the whereabouts of the remaining members of the family, for security reasons, the investigations were done discreetly.
Sources spoken to, disclosed that the woes of the family started with the father and head of the family, Abu A Kamara-Kargbo, who was a senior military officer in the army prior to the civil war that ravaged the country. It was further disclosed that Abu A Kamara-Kargbo was also a senior member of the much dreaded secret society (the Poro Society), whose initiation ceremony has been linked with drinking of human blood, ritual murder of those seen as unable to complete the initiation or too weak etc. He is said to have had a change of mind when he returned from pilgrimage in Mecca, and commenced a campaign against the said secret society, much to the disdain of its members. It is against this backdrop that when the rebels attacked his hometown, Kambia, those aggrieved members teamed up with other parties and machinated his execution in cold blood and since then vowed to take their revenge on his family.
Our sources further disclosed that Abu A Kamara-Kargbo had several kids by the name of Ibrahim S. Kanu, David Issa Kamara-Kargbo,Abdulai Bakarr Kamara-Kargbo, David Kamara-Kargbo, Michael Kamara-Kargbo and Rugiatu Kamara-Kargbo. Being fearful of their lives after the death of their father, these kids then escaped to a secret location. As the secret society got wind of their whereabouts, they stormed the area at night and abducted them.Fortunately for the abducted family, the rebels attacked the hide out and as everybody fled for their lives, the family then escaped to neighbouring Guinea, where they joined others in a refugee camp in Guinea. After the war, some of the members returned, as the whereabouts of the others were not known, and settled in Kambia.
Notably absent was the female member of the family, Rugiatu and their last brother, Michael Kamara-Kargbo. It was further disclosed that she returned to discover her brothers doing menial jobs in the market place in Kambia. Reunited, the remnants of the family decided to stay together again, but this time the whereabouts of their little brother (Michael Kamara-Kargbo) was not known, as has been the case for many families trying to reunite after the war. Whilst trying to live as one family again, Rugiatu discovered that her other brothers had married and had children. The eldest of the brother, Ibrahim S. Kanu married Trinisha and they had 6 kids, namely: Alimamy Shereef Kanu, Isha Shereef Kanu, Mohamed Shereef Kanu, Alieu Badara Shereef Kanu, Ibrida Shereef Kanu and Kadijatu Zainab Shereef Kanu, and the second eldest brother, Daniel Issa Kamara-Kargbo also had married to a lady by the name of Ann-Marie and they too had 5 kids, namely: Naomi Fatima Kargbo, Daniel Issa Kamara-Kargbo, Memunatu Kamara-Kargbo, Yusuf Kamara-Kargbo and Mohamed Kamara-Kargbo.
Kamara-Kargbo family of Kambia
Whilst trying to get their living from manual jobs in the town, members of the secret society got wind of their presence in the town and threatened to kill them if they refuse to join the society. On one fateful day, our source maintained, the members of the Poro society stormed the house in the dead of night and captured all those found in the house. Rugiatu is said to have been able to escape this attack, as she had taken children of her brothers; Naomi, Isha and Mohamed, who were sleeping with her, to attend to nature at the back of the house, and only heard cries coming from the house whilst still with those kids attending to nature, throughout the whole saga. She is said to have taken refuge in a nearby unfinished house of a neighbour with the 3 kids in her custody.
It was disclosed that since the attack and abduction of those other members of the family and their kids, nothing has been heard about their whereabouts. Rugiatu’s story was corroborated by some residents at Pamlap, close to the Guinea border, who said that she surfaced in the town and was engaged in some trading with the three kids. She then became the caregiver of the kids. As caregiver, she then embarked on trading between the Guinea border and Kambia town, travelling by motor bike to and fro. It was further disclosed that early in 2019, she became a victim of a gruesome accident along the Kambia-Pamlap highway whilst travelling on a motor bike with her wares and died instantly.
With nowhere to go and no one to take care of them,the three kids returned to Kambia, where they were discovered sleeping on the streets by some social worker of the Kings Orphanage, and were brought to Waterloo, where they met their missing uncle, Michael Kamara-Kargbo.
According to the social workers interviewed, Michael was discovered sleeping wild on a market stall at a popular trading centre known as Loma, some miles away from Kambia in 2015 and was brought into the orphanage. It was also discovered that during their engagement with the then young boy, he told them his ordeal and how he had lost his family, when they all escaped the war and had been living in nearby villages, working in small farms and helping in carrying food items to the trading centre at Loma. He is said to have intimated the social workers that his family sprang from Kambia, but he has not been able to locate them since the war, as their home was totally destroyed.
The social workers disclosed that whilst embarking on the sensitization in rural communities on the importance of protecting children, they stumbled on the three family members of Michael, but did not initially know them as relatives of the young boy. These kids were sleeping in market stalls, begging for food and were prone to abuse by adults. After interviews with the kids, they discovered that they too had nowhere to sleep and needed help, so the social workers appealed to their parent body, who gave them the permission to transport them to the Waterloo orphanage, where, by the hand of fate, they met their long missing uncle (small uncle) Michael. All four have clung together and are living on the meagre food that the orphanage is able to provide for them.
Sources at the orphanage say that the facility is overstretched and unable to meet with the daily demands for the kids, especially as donor assistance is not forth coming. The Kamara-Kargbo family are calling for any form of assistance to alleviate their sufferings in the orphanage.
One of the oldest serving members of the All Peoples Congress (APC) party, Eddie Turay Esq ,has on Thursday 21st November 2019 strongly debunked what he has termed “a false and baseless article” published in the yesterday’s edition of the “We Yone” Newspaper with a caption, “Comrade Eddie Turay Shares Political Experience…Lambasts Bio’s Agenda of tribal and regional ethnicity”.
Speaking to this medium, in an exclusive interview, the political octogenarian disclosed that he is not aware of what the said publication would say and indeed as a matter of fact he did not even grant that media outlet an interview as the impression was created.
“Putting the record straight for the benefit of the populace since after the last APC Convention that took place in Makeni I have never attended meetings convened by the party anywhere in the country. I am totally surprised as to how I was factored in the so-called interview they claimed they had with me,” the seasoned politician expressed bewilderment.
Pa Eddie, as he is commonly called, explained that since he was removed as a member of the party’s National Advisory Committee (NAC) during their convention in Makeni he has been inactive in participating in activities relating to the APC as he used to do in the past. He reiterated that since he is no longer a member of NAC he has not been attending meetings that were convened recently.
The fine legal luminary said he was totally taken aback to realize that it was stated in the aforementioned “We Yone” article that he blasted for the current sitting President, Rtd Brigadier Julius Maada Bio quoting him of saying that the Head of State has an agenda that is tribal and ethnically regional.
“I want the whole world to know that I was completely misrepresented as I never made such an assertion. As a legal personality I believe in constructive criticism and if things are not properly working I will say it loud and clear but to misrepresent the views of others is totally unacceptable,” he expressed dissatisfaction.
He said that he has had a good relationship with His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio underscoring how he believes that the good relationship will continue in good faith.
He said when he was serving as a sitting Magistrate in Moyamba, Southern Sierra Leone, overseeing Bonthe district, he had a good relationship with the Bio family which since has been maintained.
“Reading such a publication in the We Yone newspaper, the mouthpiece of the main opposition APC party one can only deduce that it is a machinated set-up against him by some unscrupulous members of the party who are bent on creating divisions and mistrust,” he debunked furthering how President Bio will definitely believe that such a trash is a plot coming from the APC. He ended up admonishing journalists to cross-check their information properly before writing their stories and to desist from putting words in the mouth of other people.
Stats SL has celebrated the African Statistics Day in the northern region city of Makeni whilst at the same time disseminating the findings of the Sierra Leone Integrated Household Survey to both North-East and North-Western Regional headquarter districts of Makeni and Port Loko.
These twin events which took place at the Makeni and Port Loko District council halls respectively on 18th 19th November 2019, attracted stakeholders from local and central government, development partners and the media.
In delivering his speech to mark the occasion of the African Statistics Day in Makeni, the Deputy Statistician-General, Andrew Bob Johnny, said that the day is an annual event to raise awareness on the importance of statistics in all aspects of social and economic life.
He further said that this year’s ASD theme is: “Everyone Counts: Quality Statistics for Better Management of Forced Displacement in Africa’ which is in line with the theme of the African Union summit 2019, ‘The Year of Refugees, Returnees and Internally Displaced Persons: Towards Durable Solutions to Forced Displacement in Africa’.
He went on to say that the theme was chosen to raise awareness on the critical importance of disaggregated statistics when responding to the core concept of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), “leaving no one behind” and specifically to the challenge of handling forced displacement in Africa.
The Chairman of the Makeni event, Camillo Kamara, who doubles as the Statistics Council representative for the Northern Region emphasized the need for cooperation from inhabitants of Makeni to the work of Statistics SL
The Paramount Chief of Bombali Sheboro Chiefdom, PC Bai Sheborah Kasanga, expressed his thanks to Stats SL for choosing to celebrate such a momentous occasion in his region and urged his people to support credible data collection through Stats SL.
Prof Osman Sankoh, who is the Statistician-General, encouraged people to give correct information whenever surveys are conducted because any wrong information given will negatively affect Government and donor policies towards the entire region.
In her statement, the Mayor of Makeni City, Her Worship Mayor Sunkari Kabba Kamara commended Stats SL for the tremendous job especially in putting together the SLIHS report. She however raised concern about the estimated population of her city as per the 2015 Population and Housing Census which she said is not reflective of the true picture and is currently affecting Makeni as very little is given to them in terms of wealth allocation.
Though she stopped short of questioning the credibility of the figures, she however pleaded with Stats SL to again look at the figures in the proposed 2020 mid-term census so that her city will not miss out on the required wealth allocation it is due.
She concluded by asking her people to support the work of Stats SL and went on to subsequently launch the SLIHS report.
In another development which saw the dissemination of the SLIHS report in the North- Western regional district of Port Loko, the Chairman of the event, who also happens to be the Stats SL Council representative in the North-Western region, Alhaji Yillah, said that he is happy to be in a district close to Kambia especially because he grew up attending school in Kambia. He further said that the people of Port Loko are essential components of the SLIHS report and therefore should read and absorb its contents.
The Deputy Statistician-General, Andrew Bob Johnny, who made a statement on behalf of Stats SL after his boss, the Statistician-General stepped aside and delegated the function to him, thanked his SG for the confidence reposed in him. He emphasized that Stats SL can only succeed with the cooperation of the people of the communities as credible data can only be gotten when the people give correct responses to enumerators.
The Chairman of Stats SL Council, Moses Williams, delved on the quality of staff now available at the disposal of Management of Stats SL due to the recent but rigorous recruitment process that was undertaken.
The Mayor of Port Loko City, His worship Abubarkarr Kamara expressed his satisfaction that Port Loko is amongst the first districts to have the SLIHS report. He thanked Stats SL for the good work in producing the report and urged his people to make conscious efforts in changing the narrative captured in the report
The Resident Minister, North-Western Region, Hon. Haja Afsatu Abdulai Kamara whilst officially launching the report thanked the Government of President Julius Maada Bio for supporting State institutions like Stats SL to be strong and credible. He however said that Stats SL is very central to Government’s success saying no Government will succeed without credible statistics. He therefore pleaded with Government to render more support to Stats SL and concluded by launching the 2019 SLIHS report to the people of Port Loko District amidst thunderous applause.
Many political pundits have stressed that it would do the ruling SLPP New Direction government no good to continue to be indifferent and give deaf ears to the concerns of the people over certain controversial issues that affect both the people and the country’s democracy.
One such issue is the inclusion in the 2020 Finance Act of a clause for the President, Vice President and the Speaker of Parliament to be granted non-accountable travelling expenses. To the minds of many people this provision sounds like a license to corruption by a government that prides itself on transparency, accountability and is dedicated to fighting corruption.
Why is transparency and accountability central to the concept of good State Governance? It is because transparency serves to achieve accountability, which means that authorities can be held responsible for their actions. Without transparency and accountability, trust/credibility will be lacking between a Government and those whom it governs.
What is the meaning of transparency and accountability?
Transparency, as used in science, engineering, business, the humanities and in other social contexts, is operating in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are performed. Transparency implies openness, communication, and accountability.
Why is transparency important in government?
Transparency is the condition of being seen through. An example of transparency is the fact that you can see through glass. Simply put, Government transparency enables the taxpayer to easily research to be able to hold government/elected officials accountable for how they spend the citizens’ money at all levels of Government.
Why do we need transparency?
Perhaps the most important aspect of transparency is that it helps to build interpersonal trust, something which is absolutely essential for getting people to share and collaborate with each other. Organizations do not need to tear down the silos; they just need to make them more transparent.
Why is transparency important in a democracy?
The process of governing is most legitimate when it incorporates democratic principles such as transparency, pluralism, citizen involvement in decision-making, representation, and accountability. The rule of law is also an essential element of democracy.
As such, Government transparency is important for democracy. Open transparency is important. If Government officials weren’t transparent, they could avoid being held accountable by the public, make self-serving decisions and keep on hiding their hidden agendas. As such, transparency and accountability are pillars of good governance.
Sierra Leone’s quest for good governance will become a reality when transparency and accountability become the watchwords of all public office holders, including the President, Vice President and the Speaker of Parliament.
From a democratic point of view, the people who elect governments are the ultimate owners of the country’s resources, which must be managed for their benefit by Government.
Financial resources in particular are of special interest to all. When these resources are effectively, efficiently and economically managed for the benefit of the citizenry, good governance is said to exist. Corruption thrives under a hidden environment. From an audit point of view, you cannot have good governance when these pillars (transparency and accountability) are lacking.
Parliament entrusts Government of the day with public funds; the Government of the day in turn reports back to Parliament how these resources have been used or utilized. Between these processes lie two critical bodies which are at the heart of public accountability – the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Office of the Auditor-General.
PAC essentially seeks to ascertain to what extent revenues have been collected and expenditure incurred in the manner Government or the legislature approved or intended; PAC uses the Auditor General’s report (s) and oversight functions to examine accounting officers and other persons entrusted with the receipts and utilization of funds and other assets. At the end of its consideration of the Auditor General’s report (s), PAC submits a report of its conclusions and recommendations (guided by the Auditor General’s recommendations) to the whole House.
In ensuring transparency and accountability, the fundamental function of the Auditor General is the protection of public interest, through a detailed and objective examination of public accounts and timely reporting to the legislature, to enable it ascertain how the resources entrusted to government have been utilized.
Independent audit carried out by the Auditor General helps to give assurance; public accountability is diminished without such independent audits. PAC on the other hand, assists Parliament in ensuring that public funds are used in keeping with the intentions of government, particularly as regards economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the use of such funds.
To most people it is like the New Direction Government has thrown transparency, accountability and integrity out the window!
Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh
By Fatmata Jengbe
The Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh and delegation, on Wednesday 20th November 2019 met with six congressional members to discuss progress on Sierra Leone’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) partnership within the context of the New Direction’s Human Capital Development focus. The meetings were also an opportunity to identify areas to enhance and deepen the much cherished US-Sierra Leone bilateral relationship.
While speaking to Republican Congressman Member, Michael McCaul, the VP stressed Sierra Leone’s keen interest to improve trade with the United States. He also talked about the Government’s commitment to fighting Trafficking in Persons and sought the support of the Congressman on this issue as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
In another meeting with Congress Members Karen Bass, Susan Jackson Lee and three other members of the Congressional Black Caucus; the delegation showcased the progress that has been made in implementing the $44.4 million MCC Threshold program. The Congress Members were interested in exploring how a Compact could address the challenges in the water and electricity sectors to build on the gains of the Threshold Program. Congress Member Bass conveyed her support of Sierra Leone and His Excellency the President’s drive to promote Human Capital Development. She noted that Sierra Leone can count on her support in its bid for a MCC Compact.
Prior to this meeting, the Vice President and delegation have had successful engagements with key US stakeholders including the Deputy US Trade Representative, USAID Administrator, Ambassador Mark Green and the MCC CEO.
