Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles
The Legal Aid Board will bring action against fathers who have been flouting Court Orders to pay Child Maintenance. The first set of fathers will be brought before the courts for Contempt as early as next week.
For quite some time now, the Board has been under mounting pressure from mothers, guardians and caregivers who have come to the office to collect child maintenance money only to be told there is no money for them. This is because fathers have reneged on the settlement reached with the Board to pay a certain amount on a monthly basis towards the maintenance of their children.
The Board hopes to send a clear message to these fathers and others who may be brought before the Board in future that there are penalties for flouting a Court Order. “We have to set an example for fathers to treat us seriously,” the Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles. “We will fife their property to raise money for the maintenance of their children, if the money raised is not enough, we will stop at nothing in ensuring they pay up and being without a paid job is not an excuse.”
Ms. Carlton-Hanciles said they saw this coming, noting that many fathers have proven to be very irresponsible by leaving the upkeep of their children in the hands of their mothers. “This is why the Chair of the Board, Justice Miatta Samba insisted that we assign a lawyer to maintenance cases in the courts,” she said, adding, “We have been put in a very embarrassing situation having to explain to mothers, guardians and caregivers why the money is not available after receiving Court Orders.”
The Red Flag Movement [RFM] is one the most popular music labels in Sierra Leone and also among one with the biggest Fan Base in the country. The group is headed by its CEO, Alhaji Amadou Bankaria Bah aka LAJ who is one of Sierra Leone’s finest hip hop rappers.
From a confirmed source, a group calling itself the ‘Five Billion Strong’ quitted the Red Flag Movement on the 6th July 2019. The Movement used to have young talented hip-hop artists like Vuga C, Camouflage, K. Mill, under the Five Billon Strong chapter.
Talking to this medium most of the above mentioned artists claimed that the main reason for opting out borders on monetary issues. Vuga, who is now representing the Tee Zee music, owned by a Sierra Leonean living in the diaspora, in his new song titled “Fire for Fire” explained that among other reasons that led to his leaving is that LAJ always fail to show interest about the welfare of others.
He gave an example of “Coke n Gin”, his colleague who is presently remanded at the Pademba Road Prison, whom he claimed CEO LAJ has not made any move to secure his release furthering how there had been many projects and staged shows from which they as label artists have not benefitted .
Yusufu Bangura and Alpha Wury Bah of the Five Billion Strong disclosed that for quite some time they exercised patience with the CEO maintaining that even though it is understandable that some shows that were staged were personally supported by LAJ but in as much as they were with him in promoting those shows and performed all over the country they deserve something no matter how small.
They bemoaned realizing that the CEO was very selfish during and after the release of their ‘Loyalty Album’ at Hotel 5/10, on the 1st of May 2019. The disenchanted duo claimed that they had no representatives at the entrance and that the gate takings were never presented to them after the show.
Many fans in the East End of Freetown, where RFM has the highest number of fans in the country, have raised concerns as Vuga C, K Kill and others who were in the 5 Billion Strong are considered to be their brothers. Some have even threatened to withdraw their support for the Label.
CEO of Border Line (BL), Abdul Rahman Kamara, also known as Camouflage intimated that he has nothing to say about his withdrawal saying everything is now behind his back and he is presently moving on with his new label, BL,. He has signed to a set of artists, a group called Famile and a lady called Precious of Housemates Salone fame.
This medium tried to get the side of the CEO LAJ to respond to these allegations but he was very busy to give us the full story but we are very optimistic to get his full response by next week.
Minister of Local Government, Tamba Lamina and President Bio
During a short ceremony during which the newly approved Minister of Local Government, Tamba Lamina, subscribed to the Oath of Office before His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio as per Section 57 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, the President congratulated the Minister and thanked him for accepting the offer to serve in the new position.
He said he was joining the Government at an extremely difficult time and would require extra efforts to face the difficulties ahead. He said he had created an environment that was supportive and assured of his guidance and support at all times.
Shortly after subscribing to the Oath, Mr. Lamina expressed his sincere gratitude on behalf of himself and family for the consideration to be appointed to serve in Cabinet. He said performance had always been his strength, adding that he hoped to bring additional values to the Cabinet. He said together they would ensure the New Direction becomes successful and beneficial to the people of Sierra Leone.
He assured that he would provide a very professional leadership at the Ministry of Local Government wherein respect for the Rule of Law, and particularly for Paramount Chiefs, would be paramount and would be centered on collaboration and consultation. He added that decision making would be based on evidence as required by the New Direction.
It could be recalled that before his new assignment, Tamba Lamina was Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom where he performed remarkably well.
Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Lahai Lawrence Leema
Receiving the National Leadership Award for “Outstanding Public Leadership 2019” by the African Consulting Group (SL) Limited on Saturday 6th July, 2019 at the Golden Tulip Hotel in Aberdeen, Freetown, the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Lahai Lawrence Leema, expressed gratitude to His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio for appointing him to serve in his New Direction Government as a youth. Minister Leema described his appointment as an opportunity to learn leadership skills from President Bio, and an effort by President Bio to prepare youth including him (Leema) towards contributing to national service. He therefore thanked and appreciated President Bio for having confidence in him to have appointed him (Leema) to such leadership grooming position to help oversee the internal security sectors in Sierra Leone.
The Deputy Internal Affairs Minister assured the public of living up to the expectation of President Bio and the people of Sierra Leone, by ensuring that he help to oversee the security agencies under the Internal Affairs Ministry in a responsible manner for the peace and security of the people of Sierra Leone. He reassured Sierra Leoneans that his Ministry is working assiduously to ensure that the security of Sierra Leoneans and other nationals resident in Sierra Leone is guaranteed especially the movement of people at night.
The aim of the National Leadership was to raise the profile of dedicated and committed individuals and organizations, and highlight their contributions towards developing a fairer, sustainable, peaceful and prosperous future for all Sierra Leoneans. The work of the award is anchored on the belief that the organization recognizes the tremendous and essential roles of individuals and organizations in leadership and empowerment in society towards moving the country forward.
The goal of the award initiative was to recognize and encourage individuals to use their abilities to contribute to national development, peaceful co-existence, best practices and outstanding achievements.
Climate change is real – and for a country like Sierra Leone, the consequences could be far reaching if we continue to neglect a looming threat. The 14th August 2016 cataclysmic landslide on Mount Sugar Loaf and the resultant flooding that sent nearly 3,000 compatriots to painful deaths lingers on. As our forest cover speedily gives way to dry savanna grassland, it is obvious we are headed for doom if affirmative action is not taken to reverse the trend. Statistics from the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization say Sierra Leone’s forest cover is now less than 10%.
However, amid the uncertainty there is hope – hope that cannot be a better exemplified by the Rokel Commercial Bank with a new eco-friendly policy that does not only complement Government’s efforts at preserving our environment but would also blaze the trail for other corporate institutions in Sierra Leone.
The Bank is partnering with Keeping Hope Alive a local NGO to plant trees on hundreds of acres on the Bo/Masiaka Highway. The brief commissioning ceremony that took place near Petifu-Masiaka viallge in the Koya Chiefdom saw the attendance of prominent personalities like the Senior Adviser to the President, Raymond Desouza George, Paramount Chief of Koya, PC Bomboli III and representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security, the Environmental Protection Agency and the entire leadership of the Rokel Commercial Bank.
“We are moving towards an eco-friendly bank…our mandate is all about money from a narrow perspective of the word itself, but we have what we call corporate social responsibility, and this goes beyond monetary affairs, it goes beyond helping society and contributing to the overall developmental objectives of the government. We have taken up this particular exercise to help save our environment and invariably improve the human development index ……we are not as relevant as we want to be if we only restrict ourselves to financial management ….we are building up a financial institution that’s going to be the pride of Sierra Leone and eventually Africa…” said Walton Gilpin, Managing Director, Rokel Commercial Bank whose comments were re-echoed by the Chairman of the Rokel Bank Board, Buffy Bailor.
Both representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment Protection Agency underscored the need for a paradigm shift from traditional slash and burn farming to mechanized farming as former had proven to be far more destructive to the environment.
Perhaps at that ceremony, there is no one with a better appreciation and understanding of the benefits of afforestation than the Paramount Chief of Koya who said he had not requested any monetary compensation for the land we gave to Keeping Hop Alive. “I know the importance of trees…. during our days, forests used to provide water during the dry seasons…I planted trees some years ago and I am now getting money from them,” he said.
Speaker after speaker including the Special Adviser to the President were unanimous in their endorsement of the partnership between Rokel Commercial Bank and Keeping Hope Alive in heling to save our environment.
Within the business landscape in this country one entity that has exemplarily stood the test of time amidst daunting challenges that could have seen it vanish in thin air of course is indisputably the National Petroleum (NP) Sierra Leone Limited.
As a matter of fact, the company is impressively one of the most successful indigenous companies growing through the economic ladder since its humble establishment by 35 Sierra Leoneans who bought shares from the Government from their end of service benefits.
Through the mapping and rolling out of prudent business initiatives and competent managerial steering, NP-SL metamorphosed from an indigenous baby to a towering company whose landmarks could not be easily counted with the fingers. An evident testimony of the company’s viability could be interpreted in its opening of branches in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia where it is providing qualitative customer care services to residents in those places.
Besides, trading in petroleum products, the company has been grossly contributing to economic growth through payment of taxes and churning out meaningful gestures under the cover of Corporate Social Responsibility that are transforming lives and improving communities.
A demonstrable impressive attribute is its commitment to ensure that petroleum products are always available and such has been preventing shortages that could create shocks in many quarters. The level of confidence which overseas business partners have reposed in the company has made it possible for entering into payment agreements thereby keeping the demand and supply chain open and running.
Very mindful of operating in a competitive space and dealing with people from various walks of life as well as private and public institutions, Management deems it befitting to put premium on enhanced customer care. For NP the customer is their number One Priority which is why it treats customers with kids’ gloves ensuring that they are availed opportunities and innovations geared toward making transactions easier and convenient.
The company has gained reputation for offering different jobs to Sierra Leoneans throughout the country where it is operating and this has helped in reducing stress and alleviating poverty.
It is a policy of the company that Sierra Leoneans must be given preference in terms of job opportunities which is a testament of the fact that the company is operating in line with deepening the country’s Local Content Policy. Making use of local talents makes it possible to forestall financial flight as it usually obtains in situations where foreigners are employed to do jobs which indigenes can do better.
Apart from primarily dealing in petroleum products the company also offers the general public a convenient way of cooking through NP Gas. It could be found, in different sizes, at all their filling stations and can also be accessed from other agents.
Moving away from the traditional way of transacting business through using physical cash or chits which at times lead to controversies, it was thought wise by the shareholders and Management to introduce the use of smart cards. With these cards, customers do not need to have huge cash in their possession to procure petroleum products, which is of course risky. They could purchase any quantity of petroleum product based on how much they have in their smart cards and want.
“I have been enjoying purchasing petrol for my car through the use of my smart card because I have been doing so in terms of other transactions and so this one fits in,” Mohamed Turay a Business Consultant frankly intimated noting that such is how developed countries operate within the business realm.
For its exceptional service delivery to numerous esteemed customers right across the country, the company has over the years gained accolades and recognition evident in bagging awards from institutions.
It therefore came as no big surprise recently for it to be awarded “Best Company of the Year” on 6th July 2019 during the National Business Award 2018/2019.
In the 10th Edition of the Global Corruption Barometer –Africa 2019 Transparency International and Afrobarometer it was indicated that in the DRC, eight out of ten citizens accessing services have to pay bribes. In Liberia it was almost half and that goes also for Sierra Leone at 52 percent, meaning half of the citizens have to pay bribes.
What is good about this latest Report as far as Sierra Leone is concerned is that only 43% said corruption increased in the past year – 2017/2018, compared to 70% in 2014. 52% of public service users in Sierra Leone said they paid a bribe in 2017/2018; 26% said the government is doing a bad job of tackling corruption; and 39% thought that ordinary citizens can make a difference in the fight against corruption.
The Report also encompassed that there are also improvements in the percentage of people who think that most or everyone working in key public institutions in Sierra Leone are corrupt.
In 2017/2018, 24% of people said that the President office was corrupt, compared to 48% in 2014.
The perception levels of citizens in Sierra Leone about their Members of Parliament being corrupt went down in 2017/2018 to 25%, from 50% in 2014.
In 2017/2018, 33% of people said that Government officials are corrupt, compared to 55% in 2014, with the percentage for Local government officials falling from 49% to 22%.
Sometimes what explains improvements is the array of anti-corruption measures in place. Generally, in the Report it was noted that most people think that corruption is increasing and governments are not doing enough.
Paul Banoba, Africa Regional Advisor for Transparency International revealed that most people in Africa feel corruption has increased in their country. He said at the same, the majority feel that they, as citizens, can make a difference in the fight against corruption.
Paul Banoba maintained that the trigger for actors to take action is usually a report. “The first step would be that we have an increased number of reports about where corruption is happening. But people need to be safe and encouraged in reporting corruption. Some of the ways in which this can be clear to them is through legal means, the availability of whistle-blower protection legislation and mechanisms and the clarity of the information of this availability. So they know that this exists and they can trust it. Then the number of reports is increasing and the State can take action,” he stated during the launch of the Report recently.
He said we also need to remind citizens that we do have a responsibility as individuals to be of integrity saying if everybody acted with integrity, then ideally they are shooting corruption out. Banoba said it is the responsibility of citizens not to offer a bribe because often bribes are not solicited but instead offered underscoring how that would also be a contribution in the fight against corruption.
Banoba stated that where there is good rule of law and good practices with regard to it and well-resourced institutions with clear mandates, it improves the functioning of the State. And when that happens and leadership is committed, it trickles into social will. Where society trusts, it increases the relationship between the State and its citizens and then we have a situation that is continuously going up.
The Police was highlighted by citizens as the institution to which they had to pay the most bribes to access services. Police is the law enforcement institution and there is a high interaction between people and the Police to report incidences of crime. They are powerful and where that power does not have accountability and no clear commitment from the top leadership, we would have challenges.
It was mentioned that Money laundering and foreign bribery also play a large role in corruption. What was also underscored is that there is a lot of infrastructure development going on in Africa right now and a number of service providers are international actors.
“We are recommending that laws should be put into place, a number of frameworks for anti-money laundering laws. We are asking that they should be enforced in Africa but also in the home countries of these companies so these companies behave responsibly when they are doing business in Africa. We are also calling for good standards and guidelines for ethical procurement, because a lot of the bribery would speak to the procurement process,” he furthered.
The Report indicated that where political will is clear, there will be improvement in the fight against corruption. It always starts at the top level of leadership. Policies have to be made clear and followed consistently, regardless of who is involved. The laws must be applied uniformly without impunity exercised. That builds confidence in society.
In reality it seems rather problematic to uphold the laws in place.
It stated that Members of opposition in Parliament have a role to play as well as coalitions of civil society and oversight institutions in pointing out the problems.
“It is a far from easy task. In fact, it is a daunting task. We have to remind our leaders on a daily basis if people are failing to access basic services that they, as leaders, have committed to provide. It means resigning to living in a dire situation and keeping people in poverty. These are the consequences of this type of measure and this is what the report that we are putting out today reflects,” Banoba concluded.
The ruling SLPP Member of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh representing Constituency 111 was yesterday embarrassed in the Well of Parliament by the Acting Speaker of Parliament, when Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, who also doubles as the Deputy Speaker ordered the Sergeant at Arm to take Hon. Conteh out of the Well if refuses to sit down.
The issue came up during the ratification of the Financing Agreement that was brought by the Minister of Finance, Jacob Jusu Saffa. Hon Tawa Conteh stood up quoting SO 23 in order to address some issues in the Agreement but the Acting Speaker did not allow the MP to say anything and that if he insists on standing the Sargent at Arm should ask him out.
The Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sidi Tunis and other APC Members of Parliament intervened quickly and asked the Acting Speaker not to allow Hon. Tawa Conteh to leave the Well. At that point some SLPP MPs rushed toward Hon. Tawa and the Sergeant at Arm preventing the latter not to throw Tawa out of the Well.
Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh in his response in the Well of Parliament said this is not the first time the Acting Speaker has attempted to instruct him what to do saying he will never follow the wrong procedures in Parliament furthering how he will not sit down because he is an elected MP and that nobody has the right to tell him what to talk in Parliament as he is representing his people.
After the Leader of Government finally calmed down Hon. Tawa Conteh, the Acting Speaker then asked the MP to state his position on the Financing Agreement but the Member of Parliament refused to do so say and sat down.
Ibrahim Dauda Sumah seeking refuge else where for fear of being killed
By Fatmata Jengbe
It has emerged last night that one Ibrahim Dauda Sumah commonly known as Dawize has been declared wanted by the police and community and religious leaders for his alleged involvement in gay activities contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.
Investigation revealed that on the 6th July 2019, Ibrahim Dauda Sumah attended a show at the Companero Night Club in Kambia Town, Northwest Region of Sierra Leone.
A senior police investigator ASP Alfred Lahai said after his performance, Sumah decided to relax in one of the rooms inside the Night Club.
He said the investigation revealed that one of his friends Patrick Williams visited Sumah to know his status after the show.
ASP Lahai said a female worker of the Club Mabinty Kamara entered the room unannounced not knowing that somebody was inside there. He said on arrival, she saw both Sumah and Patrick naked romancing, kissing, and making love. He said the lady immediately raised an alarm and a huge crowd of onlookers entered the place to ascertain the allegations levied against Sumah. He said both Sumah and Patrick were drunk and did not close the door.
A senior family member, Alhaji Sumah said a huge crowd invaded the room and started manhandling Sumah and Patrick for contravening the laws of the land. Sumah according to the report encountered a broken hand following the merciless beating they received from the irate youths.
Through the intervention of the owner of the Night Club, Mr. Joseph Conteh, Sumah had to escape to an unknown destination and since then his whereabouts remains unknown.
According to the Imam of the Community, Sheik Foday Swarray, Sumah’s father died during the Ebola outbreak in 2014.
He was ordered to stay with his Uncle Shiek Gibrill Sumah who is also a learned scholar in Kambia Town.
He said the family began hearing the rumor about Sumah’s alleged activities with his male counterpart. His Uncle then threatened to kill him if the report is confirmed, because according to him, they came from a religious background and will not allow anybody to tarnish the image of the family.
All the warnings issued to Sumah fell on deaf ears as he was busy in his gay activities against the wish of the family and contrary to the laws governing the country.
Sumah who attended the Magburaka Boys Secondary School had time with his male counterparts since the school is mainly for boys.
Many people are of the view that Sumah got involved in this bad attitude because of his interaction with boys.
Meanwhile, the police in Kambia has issued a warrant of arrest for Dauda Sumah and Patrick Williams for failing to respond to police invitation. The Paramount Chief has put five million Leones for anybody that will provide information leading to Sumah’s arrest and prosecution.
Family members have however expressed serious concern about his safety since his whereabouts are unclear.
Director General, National Social Security and Insurance Trust, Mohamed Fuad Daboh
Following the overarching problems faced by the University Administration in relation to students’ accommodation in Njala University, the Director General of the National Social Security and Insurance Trust, Mohamed Fuad Daboh has revealed plans to construct an ultra-modem students’ hostel for students on Bo campus.
He made this disclosure during the last concluded public lectures held on both Njala and Bo Campuses respectively.
He said students’ accommodation has always been a perennial problem in institutions of higher learning and used the opportunity to inform his listening audience about their efforts to construct students’ hostels in five tertiary institutions across the country.
The Director General of NASSIT furthered that they have held bilateral meetings with the administration of these institutions and arrangements are far advanced for the commencement of the project which he described as wonderful.
Accordingly NASSIT shall be constructing on Bo campus a block comprising 216 rooms for 432 students with ancillary facilities that will provide a conducive learning environment for the students.
Responding, Vice Chancellor and Principal, Professor Abdullah Mansaray lauded the huge strides made by NASSIT to further deepen the knowledge of staff and students on the nature of the NASSIT scheme and also on behalf of the University Administration congratulated NASSIT for factoring Njala in their Corporate Social Responsibilities.
Students present also lavished praises on DG Mohamed Fuad Daboh for cushioning the problems of accommodation faced year in year out.
With a growing student enrolment slightly above 12,000 and limited hostel facilities on both Njala and Bo campuses which cater for nearly 800 students, there is need for construction of more students’ hostels.
NASSIT is a statutory Public Trust that was established by Act No. 5 of 2001 and it is charged with the responsibility of administering Sierra
Leone’s National Pension Scheme. It provides retirement and other benefits to meet the contingency needs of workers and their dependents.
