Sierra Leone News: Fanday Turay Appointed NCP Chairman

May 21, 2019

President Julius Maada Bio has appointed Alhaji Fanday Turay, a onetime ADC to the late former President, Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah as Chairman, National Commission of Privatization. Turay currently serves with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force in the Golan Heights.

His letter of offer dated May 15, 2019 confirming the lawyer who also served the Republic of Sierra Leone Army from 1990 until 2011 when he retired states, “In accordance with Section 5(3) of the National Commission for Privatization Act, No12 of 2002, it has pleased His Excellency the President Rtd Brig Julius Maada Bio to appoint you as Chairman, National Commission for Privatization”.

Responding to the President’s call, the result- oriented Colonel said, “The fact that the President is giving me this opportunity shows the confidence and trust he has in me.”

Fanday comes with over a decade of international experience working across various roles with the United Nations including as Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff at the Office of Military Adviser, United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations, New York. He was also part of the country’s contingent to ECOMOG in Liberia in the early 90s where he served both in command and staff roles.

Back at home, Turay also served as Brigade and Battalion Commander respectively. He was also Chief Personnel and Manning, Joint Forces Headquarters, Sierra Leone. Turay also was ADC to Kabbah from 1997 to1999.

He says he hopes to bring his international experience, including best practices from the UN to the new position for which he will have to go through Parliament for approval.

The recently appointed NCP Chairman is a graduate of the University of West London, and London Metropolitan University where he attained his LLB and LLM in International Transport and Maritime Law respectively and alumnus of the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College with MA Degree in International Affairs from the University of Legon Ghana. The UN Diplomat is inspired to serve his nation once again in the ‘New Direction’ Government of H.E Julius Maada Bio to transform and deliver the NCP Mandate. The NCP Chair who awaits Parliamentary approval is happily married with three children.

Sierra Leone News: Armed Robbers Terrorize Moyamba Town

May 21, 2019

As Catholic Diocese Bitterly Complain…

Moyamba town woke up one morning with a rare case of armed robbery in the township. About 11 armed robbers terrorised 5 houses at the Reservation Area, some of which had staff from the CSE construction company and the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, Southern Region.

The Human Rights Commission staffs from Bo were in Moyamba with their Commissioners to undertake outreach activities when they were attacked by the armed robbers. Their phones, iPads and bags containing cash were carted away and their volunteer was damaged with a machete on his head and foot. The attackers were said to be dressed in black overall.

During their operations at one house where they seriously wounded the inhabitants, one of them could not escape after an alarm was raised by the Moyamba District Council Chairman. The robber was caught after missing his way. The Chairman brought him to the Police immediately.

The armed robbers also invaded the Convent were Catholic nuns are resident and also carted away properties worth millions.

The Moyamba District Council Chairman, Joseph Benedict Bogba however mobilised some men and they went on the rampage to apprehend the armed robbers who were said to have come from Bo City to cause havoc in Moyamba.

9 out of the 11 armed robbers were caught in the last village out of Moyamba. They were brought to the Police station amidst thunderous applause from hundreds of people who had gathered at the station. Some phones and properties were also retrieved. Three accomplices were also arrested.

As all of this was going on, the Catholic Diocese of Makeni was also attacked. In the press release below issued by the Catholic Diocese in Makeni, the victims state that inasmuch as they are ordinarily serving the community in which they live by providing religious direction and humanitarian services, they feel threatened and are considering pulling out of Makeni if their concerns are not immediately addressed by the local and national security agencies.

Below is the press release issued by the Catholic Diocese of Makeni:

CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF MAKENI

Vicar General’s Office

Diocesan Curia

Makeni City

18th May, 2019

IN TWO WEEKS, TWO ARMED ROBBERIES OF OUR FEMALE RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS

A MESSAGE OF CONDEMNATION

It is with acute pain and sadness that we inform our parishioners and all people of goodwill about the tragic and heinous incidents which occurred in the convent of the School Sisters of Notre Dame in Bumbuna on the 2nd May, 2019 and in the Convent of the Clarissan Sisters of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mile 91 on the 16th May, 2019.

On these two occasions, our sisters were viciously assaulted by armed robbers at their convents in the early hours in the morning – around 1:30am. Besides the physical injuries sustained by some of the sisters who were ruthlessly beaten with machetes, all of them who experienced these ugly incidents are now going through painful mental and traumatic crisis. It is shocking, brutal and disgustful for the sisters, their young novices and aspirants. The convents were looted, community and workers’ monies stolen and other valuables like computers carted way. This is not only a violation of the nuns’ privacy but of their human dignity. It’s abhorrent!

These are the words of one of the victims of the second attack: ‘We are no longer safe, our security is not guaranteed;’ we might not return to that community.”

We, as a diocese, out-rightly condemn such brutal and dastardly acts perpetrated against our innocent sisters who came to serve our people in the areas of education, health and human development especially for our women, and to bring the message of love and peace to all.

As a country renowned for its peace, security and stability, this is intolerable and we wish to implore all our major local and government stakeholders – the security forces, police personnel, chiefdom and local authorities to ensure the safety of our dear Rev. Sisters. Why attack the innocent who came to give us life? We are also equally aware that this does not reflect the character of the vast majority of Sierra Leoneans but it is the outrageous handiwork of a few criminals who must be stopped and taken off our communities and streets.

At the moment we, as a diocese, have no option but to stop the Sisters from resuming their activities in the parishes since they cannot carry out such services in an unsafe and insecure environment. Besides, we are also considering to withhold our services or close down our diocesan institutions – university, primary and secondary schools, hospitals and clinics etc until the safety and security of all our agents of evangelization, especially our religious sisters are assured.

Meanwhile, we humbly ask our Catholic faithful and all people of goodwill to join us in praying for our sisters that they may fully recover from this tragedy eventually, and that peace, security and justice may prevail in our nation and in our communities.

Sierra Leone News: World Bank Approves $18M for SSL

May 21, 2019

As Statistics S/Leone Gains UN Recognition:

In a new development under the leadership of Professor Malam O. SanKoh, Statistics Sierra Leone (SSL) is growing from strength to strength, with the institution recently receiving a World Bank $18,000,000 grant approval, coupled with the SSL’s election to the United Nations Statistics Commission.

In a letter to Statistician General Professor Osman Sankoh, dated 14th May, 2019, Director of United Nations Statistics Division, Stefen Schweinfest wrote: “I would like to bring to your attention the election of Statistics Sierra Leone as a new member of the United Nations Statistics Commission. As you may know the Economic Council held its Coordination and Management meeting on 7 May 2019 and filled the vacancies on the Statistics Commission. Sierra Leone was one of the newly-elected countries. Your membership is for four year term beginning 1 January 2020.We are certainly looking forward to working with you and your office on our common challenge to further develop the global statistics.”

Acknowledging the letter from the United Nations Statistics Commission, Professor Malam O.Sankoh stated that “This calls for a national celebration. I will do my best as my country’s Chief Statistician to make Sierra Leone proud.”

On the World Bank grant, he said it would be used to fund a host of statistical activities over the next 5 years, “transform our building into a multi-floor modern office complex, make data collection more efficient, and strengthen analysis and visualisation.”

He said “We plan to establish research field sites in the country for a comprehensive health and epidemiological surveillance system to be used to assess human capital development.”

He said they would further use the funds to strengthen the national statistical system to involve universities, schools, Ministries, Departments and Agencies, civil society organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations in their drive for credible data for national development.

The United Nations Statistical Commission, established in 1947, is the highest body of the global statistical system. It brings together the Chief Statisticians from member states from around the world. It is the highest decision making body for international statistical activities especially the setting of statistical standards, the development of concepts and methods and their implementation at the national and international level.

The Statistical Commission oversees the work of the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), and is a Functional Commission of the UN Economic and Social Council.

Sierra Leone News: VP To Marshal Krio Land Dispute Case

May 21, 2019

Sierra Leone’s Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh

As President Bio Allays Fears…

Following the complaints made by Krio landowners to President Julius Maada Bio in recent days, President Julius Maada Bio has ordered his Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh to preside or marshal over all the concerns expressed by the Krio Descendants Union (KDU).

It could be recalled that there have been numerous complaints from the Krio community claiming that the Minister of Lands, Dr. Denis Sandy is unilaterally and unlawfully seizing their lands.

This comes after several weeks of anger and frustration felt across the Krio community in Freetown over accusations of forceful land grabbing by the Ministry of Lands.

However, President Julius Maada Bio has met with representatives of the Krio Descendants Union (KDU) at State House to settle the impasse.

State House sources informed journalists that the meeting was part of the President’s continuous engagements with stakeholders across the country.

Speaking at the meeting, Special Adviser to the President and Ambassador at Large, Dr. Kona C. Koroma, recalled that in President Bio’s first meeting with the Krio Descendants Union after his inauguration, President Bio promised to have periodic engagements with KDU about the governance of the state.

She added that over the past few days, there have been debates about land issues which have prompted the President to call the KDU “for a family dialogue”.

Deputy President of KDU, Ambassador Haja Alari Cole said they are thankful to President Bio for meeting with the KDU representatives, despite his busy schedule.

She added that the meeting demonstrates a true manifestation of a leader who cares for his people. She said as an Association, they are pleased with the gains made so far by the New Direction Government – citing the free quality education and the clearing of Lumley, which she said has eased the traffic burden in that part of the city.

Leader of the Unity Party, Femi Claudius Cole, who also at the meeting, said she is impressed with President Bio’s timely intervention in the land row, and welcomed discussions with the President, especially at a time when the country is preparing for the Bintumani 3 peace and reconciliation conference.

She said that this latest land row is creating mixed feelings among people – especially in Freetown, and welcomed the Government’s move to start finding a way forward for a sustainable solution.

In his response, President Bio said he decided to call the meeting because he knew some members of the Krio community are not happy about land issues in the Western Area. He said he decided to engage with KDU because dialogue is the best means of finding sustainable solution to any problem.

“Our country is one of Rule of Law and that must be accepted by all of us. I have decided to call you all here to let you know that I take your concerns very seriously and that government will look into them.

“We will be developing a framework to put to an end all the land related issues across the country. We want this meeting to be the start of a dialogue process because that is the only way of arriving at the best solutions, as we need a united society that will allow development to thrive,’’ he said.

Sierra Leone News: Fatima Bio Spurs Muslim Women to Do More

May 21, 2019

At 2019 National Quranic Recital Competition:

First Lady Mrs. Fatima Maada Bio has called on Muslim women to take their role seriously in their respective communities. She told them that: “Being a Muslim woman doesn’t limit you to the kitchen alone. Our responsibility as Muslim women is to make sure things work for our home, community and our nation.”

The First Lady was speaking to her audience gathered at Fourah Bay College on the occasion of the 6^th National Quranic memorisation competition 2019 organised by the Foundation of the Islamic Information, Sierra Leone Limited (FOISIL) where she served as a special guest of honour.

She added that the essence of the Quranic competition is to reward deserving competitors who have mastered the Quran and is also a way of inspiring young people to learn the art of reciting the Holy Quran.

HE Fatima Maada Bio received the Ambassador Siray Timbo Award alongside the Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh. Attending the competition were a cross-section of Muslims around the country and supporters of Islam.

Speaking in the capacity of Guest of Honor at the event held by FOISIL on 19^th May 2019 at the Adjai Crowther Amphitheatre, she maintained that the essence of the Quranic competition is to reward deserving competitors who have mastered the Quran and as a way of inspiring more young people to learn the art of reciting the Holy Quran.

The First Lady called on other Muslims and non- Muslims to support the Quranic memorization competition, saying that ‘this is one of the ways we can show the world that our religion is peaceful.’ She said whenever she stands to talk for Islam, she talks the right thing so the listener would understand exactly what Islam is all about and the role of women in Islam.

“We are not only peaceful but we celebrate one another and we protect one another. Most times when I go the mosques, I go along with the JMB Women and most of them are Christians and I tell them to worship as I do. It’s not a way of forcing them but I always try to let them know how peaceful our religion is,”Fatima Bio said

Attending the competition was a cross-section of Muslims around the country and supporters of Islam

Alhaji Abdul Latif Kargbo the Director of the Foundation of Islamic Information thanked all the Muslims for their attendance and called on the Muslim “Ummah” in Sierra Leone to continue to show love for the Quran especially during the holy month of Ramadan.

The event attracted over one thousand Muslims across the country. The winner of this year’s competition was graded over 90 per cent by the judges. The competition attracted representatives from all the regions.

Chernor, who is from the Western Area bagged ten million Leones (Le 10,000,000.00) as the cash star prize.

Sierra Leone News: Bintumani III: Evolving Challenges, Responses and New Thinking

May 21, 2019

=COMMENTARY=

Changing landscape of political conflict and social antagonisms in the country has thrown up challenges that exceed the scope of existing peace-building structures and thinking. This lacuna has exacerbated the divisions in the society that post-war peace arrangements were supposed to have erased.

Among others, as we prepare to meet and hang heads at Bintumani III, the urgent questions inviting reflection by the actors that will be on stage and the nation at large include the following:-

Whose thinking is shaping the peace-building agenda in the country?
What are the conceptual, methodological and paradigmatic issues in the face of complex conflict, peace and security challenges?
Where is the national effort in rethinking the research and policy agenda in the evolving peace-building terrain?
Are such national efforts contributing to new knowledge and practice in nation peace-building?
What, if anything, is new and/or transformational in these efforts?
What are the relationships between these national efforts and international engagements on this peace-building terrain?
If concerted efforts are not at the heart of this terrain, what should be done to enable collective leadership in peace-building thinking and practice?

As such, the key points we should look forward to coming out of the Bintumani III Peace dialogue are:

The new challenges in the current national security terrain threatening established frameworks, existing capacity and approaches of both the government and the people.
A paradigm shift in the approach to peace building required to unlock the potential of political economic, social and cultural actors to overcome the challenges to building and sustaining peace.
Conflict and crisis provide the opportunity for a re-organization of the status quo, and for pivotal moments of potential change and creative innovation that can drastically alter the power and justice dynamics of the country.
There is a range of actors – from the local to the international, the state to the non-state; from those traditionally involved in peace and security issues and also to those only now coming into the conversation – that are part of, or work in concert with, the peace and security architecture. Ways of working in complementarity with all of these actors need to be identified and put in place.
It is important to understand that peace-building as the entire range of interventions intends to maintain, restore and /or sustain peace and security within a given context. While often-used to refer specifically to post-conflict activities, peace-building should also include any activities associated with conflict prevention, peace-keeping and peace-making.
Peace-building models and processes need to take into account the range of understandings, priorities and concerns generally contained under the umbrella in terms of peace and security.
Strategies need to take into account the non-military and non-violent aspects of conflict, and broader human security considerations.
There is need to integrate communities of practice, communities of policy and communities of thought in developing peace-building strategies, processes and interventions, drawing from local examples to develop a toolbox of approaches to peace-building.
The nature of the state needs to be revisited and new models addressing the social contract between state and citizen developed for the twenty-first century, taking into account citizen aspirations, realities, priorities and citizen-led processes.
Issues of social and economic justice need to be central.
Citizens have as much to contribute to the discourses on peace-building as they have to benefit from them. Strategies and approaches developed need to be documented, theorized and made available to the national community.
As critical, as Marcella Samba Sesay of CGG notes, the document emerging from the Bintumani III conference should like important human development documents that have been previously worked out not be left to gather dust on the shelves but vigorously, systematically and diligently implemented for the benefit of this and yet unborn generations of Sierra Leoneans.

Sierra Leone News: Bintumani 3 Will Foster National Cohesion

May 21, 2019

According to seasoned political scientists no country on earth can attain true socio-economic prosperity if its citizens are not cohesively united. Widespread disenchantment, according to them, is a recipe for conflagration and such has the tendency of reversing gains that have been achieved.

This sharply brings to the fore the proposed Bintumani 3 slated to commence on the 23rd May 2019 in Sierra Leone which is geared towards creating a platform where citizens of all shades of opinion will sit around a roundtable to deliberate on sensitive national issues to chart a formidable roadmap to move the country in the right direction for an improved standard of living.

Indeed, it is of paramount importance for us as a nation to undertake stocktaking from how far we have come so far, examine the things that are keeping us apart so that at the end of the day we will build up recommendations as to how we could squarely deal with challenges.

This is exactly what Bintumani 3 is all about, completely devoid of exclusively dwelling on partisan issues but rather to foster national cohesion and sustainable peace. Let us make no mistake that Sierra Leone is a fragile State, although we are not sitting on a time bomb, but there is the need to come together as one people to frankly discuss national issues and proffer solutions that may take us to a brighter future.

There are of course various complaints that have been coming up from certain Civil Society Organizations, individuals against State and Non-State actors. Indeed, we have relevant institutions that were set up to address grievances, impunity though the efficacy of some have been questioned but Bintumani 3 is not meant to usurp their functions but rather to strengthen accountability, transparency and at the end of the day promote peace.

Bintumani 1 which called for dialogue with the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and Bintumani 2 which called for election before peace all had successful outcomes culminating in fostering peace and cohesion. It is highly likely and expected that Bintumani 3 will have a similar result. It is said that the voice of the people is the voice of God.

Indeed, there is no justification to politicize Bintumani 3 which is intended to be purely a national dialogue and not the projection of the image of any political party. It should not be narrowed down to adjudicating any political impasse but rather to discuss national issues to take us from where we are today to another level.

At the end of the day recommendations will be made in order to close gaps, eliminate lapses and those suggestions will be documented which could form the basis for a Commission to be set up to implement them.

Sierra Leoneans, it is high time we rise above parochial interests and put Sierra Leone first. Let all embrace Bintumani 3. May Common Sense Prevail!

Sierra Leone News: 3.2 Million Children to benefit from Measles and Rubella vaccines Nation wide

May 21, 2019

The Ministry of Health and Sanitation supported by GAVI, WHO, UNICEF, CDC and all health development partners in Sierra Leone, has on Tuesday 21^st May 2019 hosted one day orientation meeting for Media Practitioners/Journalist on the integrated National Measles Rubella Campaign which is proposed to take place from the 10^th to the 16^th June 2019. The measles and Rubella campaign is said to target children from 9 months to 15 Years and to reach approximately 3.2 Million Children nationwide.

Speaking at the ceremony Pa Osman Manneh, Communication for Development Specialist UNICEF, made a statement behalf of his colleagues

His said it a pleasure for them to be part of the remarkable event, ‘Measles and Rubella Campaign’ and the measles and Rubella vaccine routine immunization programme in Sierra Leone.

He also disclosed that the introduction of such a vital vaccine is a positive milestone towards reversing the plight of under five children suffering from Measles and Rubella, which is at 94 deaths per 1,000 live births according to a 2017 multiple indicator cluster survey. He underscored that one of the main causes of deaths is measles. He also congratulated the Government of Sierra Leone for making it possible for the country to be one of frontline countries in Africa which have introduced the measles and rubella vaccine into the routine immunization schedule.

“We are aware that the media is an important gateway to public information and we are grateful that you remain available to shape society’s views and attitudes towards positive health practices such as immunization,” he maintained

Dr. Lyinda Forma, Deputy Program Manager Child Health/EPI in her presentation emphasized the importance of the Measles and Rubella Campaign which is proposed to take place from the 10^th to the 16^th June 2019.

She said that in 2016 WHO estimated that Sierra Leone was the third country in Africa with the highest U5MR = 113.5 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Infant mortality rate 56/1000, under-five mortality rate 94/1000 (1 in Every 10 children in SL)

One of the causes of High Mortality rates in Sierra Leone she maintained is Measles

Measles is greatest in children aged less than 5 years in overcrowded living conditions, particularly if they are malnourished, have Vitamin A deficiency or are immune – compromised. It remains one of the leading causes of preventable deaths in children under 5 years in spite of the availability of a safe and cost effective vaccine she maintained.

And according to her this is first time we are giving Measles and Rubella Vaccine to children nationwide which targets children from 9months to 15 Years and to reach approximately 3.2 Million Children nationwide.

“Rubella is a viral infection transmitted by airborne droplets when infected people sneeze or cough. It generally cause mild disease in children but can cause arthritis and encephalitis in adolescents and adults. Maternal rubella infection in early pregnancy can severely affect the foetus and can result in miscarriage, foetal death or a combination of disabling conditions collectively known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS),she informed.

She ended by calling on journalists to educate the public on the importance of the measles and rubella vaccine to children.

Sierra Leone News: Petroleum Directorate Lauds NP-SL for Efficiency

May 21, 2019

The regulatory institution of the different petroleum companies in the country, Petroleum Directorate, has lauded NP for its efficient service delivery wherever it is operating.

It has emerged that among petroleum dealers in Sierra Leone, only the National Petroleum Company is being highly commended and respected for its reliability in terms of prompt service delivery.

It is indeed a remarkable feat that NP continues to maintain in order to ensure that there is sufficient high grade petrol, diesel, kerosene and other petroleum products available in the country to avoid shortage.

It is a fact that the National Petroleum (NP) Sierra Leone Limited is held in very high esteem for its progressive and steady provision of petroleum products to its numerous consumers across the country and even in the sub-region.

Indeed, this contention has been proven perfectly correct by this medium after conducting a thorough survey gauging the views of Sierra Leoneans from different walks of life. What came out clearly throughout the period of the survey was that NP is rated as one of the most successful 100% owned indigenous company that has stood the test of time.

“It is of course rare for one to see in this country a purely and result-oriented indigenously-owned company like NP with all its members of staff being Sierra Leoneans which is truly a testimony of commitment and resilience,” posited a seasoned economist who further said that ‘when we talk of optimizing the Local Content Policy, which is a sine qua non to overall national development, then the company should be given a pat on the back.

The selflessness commitment of the shareholders have made it possible for the company to empower many Sierra Leoneans and at the same time put it at a vantage position to continue to open more filling stations across the country.

The company deals with individuals and various sectors of society, always ensuring that its various petroleum products are available and are sold at affordable prices.

This keen symbiotic relationship with its customers has been paying huge dividends, always resulting in a win-win situation, making NP very endearing to all and sundry.

It is a fact that fuel is regarded as a political commodity and based on its availability and non-availability it has the potential of making a government popular or unpopular.

For too long this country has been contending with unemployment; one of the issues which the government should be addressing by creating avenues for young people to be gainfully employed. However, it is not only the prerogative of government to do this as the private sector too could play a vital role in that direction.

NP – Sierra Leone, operating in different parts of the country, has been very instrumental in availing Sierra Leoneans with jobs in various categories and from what was gathered, conditions of service are very satisfactory. Justifiably one can state that NP-SL has been greatly contributing to poverty reduction, putting food on tables which beneficiaries hitherto found tough to achieve.

NP-SL is not only thinking within the confines of maximizing profit but also is also thinking out of the box when performing its demand and supply chain, taking into consideration the harmful health consequences to humans and depletion of the environment by using coal and wood for cooking purposes. This is why NP Sierra Leone thought it fit to provide Sierra Leoneans with a safer and cleaner means of cooking devoid of inhaling carbon-dioxide which is the NP Gas Cooker. These are affordable and readily available in all NP outlets and from their agents.

To keep abreast with latest technological trends the company has availed its customers the opportunity to use Smart Cards for purchasing purpose meaning that buyers could top-up their cards to the tune of any amount which they can use intermittently to procure petroleum products. This has made it convenient for easy transactions to transpire and many are comfortable with that.

When we talk of an indigenous company that has put smiles on the faces of Sierra Leoneans and is making the people of this country very proud, the National Petroleum Company stands taller than the rest! For a company to move beyond the shores of this country and establish branches in Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast and The Gambia which are vibrantly operating is no mean feat. Indeed, NP has added another feather to its cap and is being copiously praised for such an accomplishment.

The company’s result-oriented managerial team will definitely and sustainably continue to put NP at the top.

NP-SL Ltd is doing exceptionally well in all the countries it is functioning and indeed there are prospects for further expansion.

It can therefore be justifiably asserted that the National Petroleum Limited is the country’s reliable fuel provider as it always ensures that its stockpile is always at an appreciable level.

It against this background is the reason why NP is believed to be one of the strongest backbones of Sierra Leone’s economy.

For any Government to match up with what is encapsulated in its manifesto in the direction of deepening national development through funding various projects then it must have sources of generating domestic revenue. NP is one conduit through which government past and present had and is deriving revenue as it falls within the category of being one of the largest taxpayers to the National Revenue Authority.

It goes without saying that the National Petroleum Limited-Sierra Leone continues to give confidence to its numerous customers and it is doing so excellently.

Sierra Leone News: Gento Kamara Testifies at COI…

May 21, 2019

The three Commissions of Inquiry have recommenced public hearings at the former Special Court premises.

Commission 1, chaired by Nigerian-born Justice Biobele Georgewill, heard evidences from senior officials of the National Minerals Agency – Messrs Julius Daniel Mattai, Peter Bangura, Samuel Koroma and Joseph Tarawallie.

Of special interest was the payment of gratuity and ex-gratia to contract workers of the NMA.
Justice Bankole Thompson recalled that they had heard from three witnesses before the recess. The Commission examined and cross-examined witnesses for the road contracts for the RMFA/SLRA. Key to the Commission was the abrogation of contract awarded to BEGEC- TP for the construction of four roads – Macauley Street, Mountain Cut, Kissy Road and Fourah Bay Road. This contract was terminated at mobilization stage without any tangible reason given.

The Commission of Inquiry was told that BEE GEC, a local Sierra Leone company actually won the bid for 4.4 kilometers road for fourteen billion (Le14B) but the SLRA cancelled the contract and gave it to China Railway for over seventeen billion Leones (Le17B). The Waterloo – 12.1 kilometer contract awarded to Gento at 16.9 million US dollars but later rescinded an addendum made to 20 kilometer totalling 42.7 million US dollars was awarded to Gento because the Hill Cut Road should continue to Regent. But the Chinese promised that they would make this road for free from Limkokwing University to Regent.

Finally, the Government gave the Chinese the contract to build the road from Limkokwing to Regent; but because a breach of contract between Government and Gento, the Government added 20 more kilometres to the Gento contract.

The NMA DG told the Commission that he was appointed to the position on February, 2019 after he left the Commission in 2013 as Geo-Data Information Manager.

Mr. Mattia disclosed that he was Secretary to the NMA Board and was also responsible for the overall administration and supervision of the National Minerals Agency, amongst many other functions.

He further revealed to the Commission that there was in existence a Minerals Advisory Board, which, had among other functions, to advice the Minister of Mines on issues related to exploration; recognizance and mining license allocation. The NMA DG also dilated on the composition and structure of the NMA.

He cited that governance challenges with regards the structure and operations of the NMA since its establishment in 2013 are still being undertaken with a view to make it more viable. Peter Bangura, Director of Mines at the Ministry of Mines, was also recalled by the Commission to testify after having testified as CW 3 before the Easter break.

In another development, Ahmed Gento Kamara was cross-examined before Justice William Annan Atugbah on matters relating to the King Jimmy project.

Defense Counsel, lawyer Mohamed Kanu grilled the witness on his knowledge of other contractors during the bidding process. The witness vehemently objected to having knowledge on this, on the grounds that he does not have evidence to prove this, even though he had initially accepted in his statement to the Commission that he was told that other contractors have bid for the project.

The State counsel noted that while making their case, the King Jimmy project was not exposed to other bidders.

The Commission of Enquiry is investigating and enquiring into what happened with the management of government resources between November, 2007 and April, 2018.

Presidents, Vice Presidents, Government Ministers and other Government officials are appearing before the three Commissions represented by renowned lawyers.

Hearings continue on Wednesday 22^nd May 2019.