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Sierra Leone News: NPPA Makes Public 1st Quarter Price Norm

On Friday 28th June, 2019 the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) launched the 1st Quarter of  Price Norm at the Ministry of Finance Conference Hall in the presence of media practitioners and other relevant stakeholders .

The Chief Executive Officer of the National Public Procurement Authority, Ibrahim Brima Swarray, said when he was appointed as Head of that institution he noticed that the state of national procurement was in a total mess. “The status quo was rotten to the core,” he bemoaned adding how the country has highly qualified procurement practitioners but such was not reflective in the way and manner procurement procedures were done.

He highlighted that under his jurisdiction he will ensure that the era of corrupt procurement practices, as contained in various past audit reports, will become a thing of the past.

The NPPA CEO informed that the Price Norm encompasses prices of various goods or commodities used in the country and should serve as a reference whenever procurement is to be made by Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

He appealed to procurement officers to always comport themselves professionally in order for transparency to be seen at play.

Swarray disclosed that very soon this country will commence the use of electronics procurement which he assured will come to fruition by 2020. He further revealed that an e-procurement Directorate has been established.

The CEO averred that if countries like Rwanda and Zambia are better off today it is simply because they have good procurement procedures intact. “We have resources which can make us become economically stronger more than Rwanda but that cannot happen if we do not put right procurement procedures in place,” he argued.

Swarray stated that in their decentralization drive, in order to make their presence felt countrywide and enhance efficiency, they recently opened an office in Bo, saying they have one in Makeni and pretty soon they will open another in the Eastern Province.

Earlier, the Deputy Financial Secretary, Mathew Dinge,  representing his boss, Sahr Jusu, who was unavoidably absent posited that technical and forensic audits revealed that for quite a considerable period of time there had been lapses in the way procurement were done. “This kind of situation has the tendency of eroding donor trust in the country which will seriously affect us,” he furthered.

He urged relevant stakeholders to make wise use of the Price Norm to guide their procurement decisions stressing how it should be a reference document.

Deputy Director of Public Procurement in the Ministry of Finance, Fodie Konneh, said the underlying aspect of procurement practices borders on value for money going further to maintain that the Price Norm is very important to achieve that.

He noted that it will promote transparency and accountability. He added that corruption always rear its ugly head in situations where procurement is not done correctly.

Konneh stated that the Price Norm gives credibility to the national budget. He then congratulated the NPPA CEO for his commitment, handwork and high sense of professionalism.

 

Sierra Leone News: Orange Launches Pro Bundle Package to Boost Businesses & Institutions

GSM operator in Sierra Leone, Orange SL on Thursday 27th June 2019 launched its Orange Pro- Bundle Package with Voice, Data and SMS that will enable customers to enjoy one month talk time.

Patrick Kamara Marketing Manager Enterprises Business Orange SL said the Pro Bundle is a non-binding monthly prepaid offer providing abundant Voice Call On-net, SMS and Data, adding that with its cost effective offer that meets the need for mobility and performance of business people. He added that there are three bundles which customers can choose and instantly benefit from.

Patrick Kamara Marketing Manager Enterprises Business Orange SL said business people and customers can choose and instantly benefit from the huge discount and bonus of over 400% from their payment.

He stated that to qualify for the service, customers must complete and sign a subscription form and provide proof of business activity such as City Council Certificate Business Registration, etc. He added that to qualify for this service, customers can send message to 420 and agents will do follow up and make sure you are connected or customers can visit any of Orange shop countrywide, and subscribers can dial *420 and select the specific offer you want which enables customers to recharge Le29, 990 and have 200 minutes talk time, 200 MB and 250 SMS, Le49,990, 300 minutes talk time, 600MB and 1,000 SMS.

Patrick Kamara maintained that subscribers may purchase as many as they wish within the month as each bundle purchase is valid for one month.

In the last six month, Orange has launched the Digital Revaluation and the Rial 4G Service bringing internet speed to the doorstep of Sierra Leoneans.

The Pro Bundle is also meant to extend large benefits with abundant Voice, SMS and Data for less. Orange remains committed to providing good telecom services in the country, he said.

He added that there is discount and bonus of over 400% on payment.

Djiak Aram Ndaw Head of Communication Department Orange SL said in the last six month, Orange launched the Digital Revaluation and the Rial 4G Service bringing internet speed to the door step of Sierra Leoneans

The launching of the Orange Pro Bundle for Business and Institutions is also bringing an exceptional support to the professional sector regardless of size or sector or activity.

Mohamed Kallon Marketing Communication Managing Orange SL said this Pro bundle is a professional offer which helps to make communication easy for professionals and also helps to develop their businesses which is a major development in Sierra Leone.

He stated that Orange always thinks ahead of its customers and that is what makes it a favourite.

 

 

Sierra Leone News: Africell Celebrates American Independence Anniversary

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Sierra Leone’s leading mobile operator, Africell, on Friday 28th June 2019, commenced the 243rd Independence Anniversary of the United States of America with a bang at its head offices in Wilberforce. Present at the celebration were officials of the US Embassy in Sierra Leone, Ministers of Government, Members of Parliament, Brand Ambassadors of the company, staff of Africell, subscribers and members of the Press.

During the celebration, which was held under a huge canopy, guests interacted with staff and officials of the Embassy in a family manner. Afri Radio’s Manager, John Konte, disclosed that a raffle draw will be held at exactly 18.00 hours and all present should send a blank SMS to 7474 and stand a chance to win 2 Airline tickets to the USA plus other attractive prizes. Abdul Aziz Gabisi of Africell welcomed all the guests, informing them that the gathering is in celebration of the 243rd Anniversary of the American Independence Day, which is on the 4th July 2019.

 

Speaking to the visibly party-ready guests, Joe Abass Bangura, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of Africell, gave a brief history about the origin and growth of the USA. He disclosed that from humble beginnings and with a population of 2.5 million people in 1776, the USA has grown to over 300 million embracing all nationals in its wake. Presently the USA has 43 million foreign nationals from every continent in the world. Significant to note is the presence of some 38,257 Sierra Leoneans in the country (According to US State Bureau figures 2017) Remittances from these is estimated at US$12.1 million in 2017, second to remittances from Guinea.

Joe Abass Bangura further disclosed that Africell is an American company, owned by its citizens and relationship with the US Embassy dates way back to the inception of the company. Today Africell has an enviable space in Sierra Leone, offering relevant services to Sierra Leoneans in every sector and enhancing the right to communicate as well as providing the relevant space for the development of youths and complementing the development of the country’s human capacity. Africell, he said, is proud to partner with the US Embassy in Sierra Leone to celebrate this year’s Independence Anniversary, which will fall on the 4th July 2019. In respect of this celebration, Africell will Launch on Monday 1st July 2019, a new promotion to last for one week. Subscribers will be able from the 1st – 7th July to make calls to the USA for just Le3, 000 and can talk for 30 minutes. This amount is valid only for 24 hours and can be replicated the next day till the 7th July for the same amount.

The high point of the celebration came with the cutting of the cake which was designed with the American flag. Africell’s CEO and the representative of the US Embassy in Sierra Leone then did the cutting of the cake, which was later served to all the guests present.

Excitement grew when the raffle draw began as guests prayed fervently to win the 2 tickets to travel to the USA. Several prizes were won including 1 Samsung sound bar, 1 water dispenser, 1 Panasonic Home Theatre, 1 Ultr Turbo Vacuum Cleaner, 1 Techno 43’’ LED TV, 1 4 Bonner Gas Cooker and 1 refriferator. Winners of the 2 tickets to the USA were Mohamed Barrie, a sales rider and Mariama Turay a staff of Africell in a transparent electronically controlled digital mixing. The event was climaxed with a party session.

 

Sierra Leone News: President Julius Maada Bio urges actions on ECOWAS’s forensic Audit Report

Abuja, Nigeria – On Saturday 29 June 2019, His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio has urged colleagues at the 55th Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Authority of Heads of State and Governments to take action on corruption.

“Public probity and accountability are not optional to good governance. We cannot afford to continue to see corruption as a minor inconvenience to ignore just because the thieves may be our own countrymen. As leaders, an adequate response to corruption on such a massive scale is not just perfunctory expression of discomfort at seeing our own nationals named and shamed,” he said, adding that ECOWAS must be alarmed that corruption at that level could undermine the integrity, vision, and efficiency of the Commission and the union.

In a 16 December 2018 press release the report of the Auditor General of ECOWAS Institutions, which was presented to the Council, recommended that the Commission’s Management should oversee a transparent, comprehensive and rigorous forensic audit.

In that regards the President submitted that the Commission re-engaged the external auditors for a further 90-day period to undertake deeper investigations into inconclusive matters and provide a comprehensive report with solid, incontrovertible evidence.

“All persons named in the report stand down from their positions to allow for unfettered investigations. May I remind Your Excellences that at the commencement of investigations, the Sierra Leonean ECOWAS Commissioner for Finance was asked to step down in hopes that Commission would launch a full-scale investigation into the alleged financial impropriety and hold those responsible fully accountable for their actions,” he said.

He also called on the Commission to act with urgency to not only fully investigate the matter but to also act precipitously to avert future occurrences, adding that that could be achieved with comprehensive institutional reforms.

“Corruption is a threat to the governance of the Commission and we must confront it resolutely,” he urged.

On behalf of his colleague Heads of State and Government present at the meeting, President Bio closed by expressing a deep appreciation of His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari GCFR, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and his people for the warm hospitality extended to them in the truly African fashion and for the success of the summit.

“We equally wish to thank him for his commitment to peace, security and good governance and for his remarkable leadership in steering the affairs of our community. We pay him a well-deserved tribute for his contributions as chairman of the Authority, to deepening the integration process in West Africa,” he said.

 

 

Santigie Dumbuya face threats, Intimidation and Harassment…

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The missing Santigie Dumbuya

By Karifa Thoronka

A young Human rights defender and political activists working with Citizen Rights network in Sierra Leone Santigie Dumbuya, has faced serious political threat, intimidation and harassment. The media continues to receive reports of harassment, and threat against human right activists and social communicators, in many of these cases, the source of the threat is unknown, but may result to failing to keep to manifestos by the running government.

In May 2019, a judge ordered the arrest of Santigie Dumbuya, worker at one of the popular and indigenous human rights organization in Sierra Leone, who was pending trial for charges related to protest against the government for not keeping to their manifestos. The Government warned during the weeks leading up to the protest, which was announced that anyone joined would be punished for inciting violence and attempting to return the Country to civil war, police arrested several demonstrators, including journalist and human rights activists.

Speaking with Santigie Dumbuya, he noted by saying that when he was in custody with some unidentified group of residents at the criminal investigation office, he told the police officers that he will not bow to intimidation by the authorities, and he will continue to fight for the ordinary citizens. In addition, the police said he has insulted the judiciary and encouraging people to go against the government, ‘’I was brutally taken to the prison without any further questioning’’ he says.

This medium is still following up the release of Santigie Dumbuya but since after Wednesday 29 April 2020 when the fire incidence at the Pademba prison, which they stated it was a failed attempt to escape from prison by some of the inmates, we have been searching for Santigie to know how he is doing but to no avail.

Unconfirmed source from one of his relative Isatu Dumbuya revealed to this media that Santigie got missing some months ago, and Santigie Dumbuya is wanted by the government of Sierra Leone to face the law of the Land.

 

Sierra Leone News: FCC Unveils 49 Classrooms with Support from UK Charity

On Monday 24th and Tuesday 25th June 2019 Her Worship the Mayor of Freetown Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr unveiled at total of 49 newly constructed Classrooms across three Municipal Schools.

With funding from Make-It-Happen a UK Charity Organisation, 20, 18 and 11 classrooms at Henry Fergusson Municipal School, Fattah Rahman Municipal School and E. B Williams School respectively have been constructed.

The nine months construction of the classrooms blocks aligned with one of Transform Freetown Education Sector Initiative aimed at improving the teaching and learning environment in municipal schools. Previously, the school were deplorable to the extent that E.B Williams was popular called “pan bodi skul”.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremonies Mr Michael Collins Chief Executive Officer of Make-It-Happen explained “What we have provided is planting an apron. From the seeds that we have planted we very much hope that there will be a mighty oak tree, which will be the performance of you students in the years to come. The reward is to look and know that a student sitting here today will be a president of this country tomorrow.”

Also present at the unveiling ceremonies were the British High Commissioner, a representative from the Ministry of Education,  members from the schools boards, Henry Fergusson (former Mayor of Freetown)  the member of Parliament, Councillor, and FCC’s Education Officers.

Addressing the students before cutting the ribbon Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr said, this is about you.  This is us actively playing our part to ensure that the quality of your education improves. The ball is now in your court make use of these classrooms! Your success is our ultimate reward”

In addition to the classrooms blocks toilets and office spaces were constructed at the schools.

 

Sierra Leone News: 248 Sierra Leoneans to be Repatriated from Mali

Director of Corporate Strategy and Planning, Immigration Department of Sierra Leone, Abdul Karim Bangura, has on Wednesday, 26th June, 2019, disclosed that 248 Sierra Leoneans consented to be repatriated from a holding centre in Mali to Sierra Leone.

These Sierra Leoneans, who were leaving the country to seek greener pasture in Europe some years ago, were trapped along the Mediterranean Sea, picked up by security personnel and brought to holding centres in Niger and Mali.

Bangura, who was speaking exclusively in an interview at his Immigration office on Gloucester Street in Freetown, however noted that eight Sierra Leoneans rejected the offer to be repatriated out of 256.

“They faced several challenges while trying to force their way to Europe. Some died as a result of beating, some ran out of money. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) set up holding centres and tried to identify their nationality,” he explained.

He noted that IOM approached the government of Sierra Leone for a possible repatriation, adding that with the approval of the Chief Immigration Officer, Lieutenant (Rtd.) Andrew Jaiah Kaikai, arrangements were quickly put in place and two officials from the Immigration Department departed Sierra Leone to Mali.

He said IOM had already screened and placed the undocumented and irregular immigrants by their countries, adding that they had no travelling documents from Sierra Leone.

“Some of them told us that they sold everything they had in Sierra Leone including parcels of land, houses, etc., to embark on that dangerous journey.
We counsel them severally to see the need to return and reintegrate into the society. We issued emergency travelling documents to them free of cost,” he said.

He disclosed that there were 156 male and 92 female, noting that among the 156 male, there were 33 children below the age of 16, and among the 92 females, there were 31 children below the age of 16.

“There were even five babies between the ages of 6-4 months among the 248 Sierra Leoneans. There were single parents who lost their husbands and wives while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea. There was an Imam who had two wives and five children with him at the holding centre,” he disclosed.

On Sunday, 23rd June, 2019, the first batch of 115 repatriated Sierra Leoneans, arrived in Freetown.

He said the remaining Sierra Leoneans are expected to be repatriated this week.

Sierra Leone News: Amnesty Supports Pregnant Schoolgirls Case Challenged in ECOWAS Court

Various courts have already found that such bans violate the rights of women and girls to be treated equally

Sierra Leone’s ban on pregnant school girls attending schools and taking exams is being challenged by Amnesty International and two non-governmental organisations ahead of a hearing at the regional Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Community Court of Justice.

Amnesty joined forces with Equality Now and WAVES stating in a Tuesday press release that the ban, which was imposed by Sierra Leone’s former Minister of Education in 2015 following the Ebola crisis, was in conflict to the right to education without discrimination.

“Courts from South Africa, Zimbabwe to Colombia have already found that such bans violate the rights of women and girls to be treated equally and to receive education,” said Lucy Claridge, Director of Strategic Litigation at Amnesty International.

“This case represents the first time that a regional court in Africa has considered the issue. It, therefore, has the potential to impact the situation of pregnant girls outside of Sierra Leone and even beyond the ECOWAS community,” added Claridge.

In May 2018, Sierra Leonean NGO (WAVES) in partnership with Equality Now and the Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa, filed a case before the ECOWAS Court challenging the ban.

The court, meanwhile, has granted permission for Amnesty International to intervene as amicus curiae (“friend of the court”), to provide it with further information on how other international, regional and national bodies have treated policies that, like those in Sierra Leone, restrict the rights of pregnant girls to education, non-discrimination, bodily integrity and freedom from cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment.

Amnesty International has joined a legal case brought by two non-governmental organizations, Equality Now and WAVES, to challenge the Sierra Leonean government’s ban on pregnant girls attending mainstream schools and sitting exams, the organization said today.

The announcement was made ahead of a hearing at the regional Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Community Court of Justice on 27 June 2019, where the case was initially filed in May 2018.

“We at Amnesty International believe this ban clearly conflicts with the right to education without discrimination, according to international and regional standards,” said Lucy Claridge, Director of Strategic Litigation at Amnesty International.

“Courts from South Africa, Zimbabwe to Colombia have already found that such bans violate the rights of women and girls to be treated equally and to receive education. This case represents the first time that a regional court in Africa has considered the issue. It therefore has the potential to impact the situation of pregnant girls outside of Sierra Leone and even beyond the ECOWAS community.”

Amnesty International has documented how the ban, which was imposed after the Ebola crisis in 2015 by Sierra Leone’s then Minister of Education, put the rights of thousands of girls under threat.

Sierra Leone News: Japan Doles $1.5M to Treat Malnutrition in Sierra Leone

The Government of Japan has approved a supplementary budget of $1.5million to improve the coverage of critical Severe and Acute Malnutrition treatment services and thereby reduce child mortality in Sierra Leone.

This agreement was formally announced at a project launch officiated by the Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Alpha T. Wurie, His Excellency Tsutomu Himeno, Ambassador of Japan and Dr. Hamid El Bashir Ibrahim, UNICEF Representative.

With this grant, UNICEF and the Government of Sierra Leone will implement the project “Addressing critical gaps in the treatment of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) in four high burden districts,” which will see the uninterrupted delivery of critical SAM treatment services in 237 health facilities of Bo, Bombali, Port Loko and Western Urban.

“The Government of Sierra Leone acknowledges the long history of cooperation we have had with the Government of Japan towards meeting our development targets,” said the Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Alpha T. Wurie. “This new grant is timely as it will help ensure that the country remains on track to achieve global development goals, including the Sustainable Development Goal 3 to ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages.”

Sierra Leone’s child mortality rates remain high and these impacts on the progress made to achieve targets of the Sustainable Development Goals by the year 2030.  According to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey of 2017, Under-five mortality is 114 per 1,000 live births.  Most of these deaths are a result of undernutrition, which is triggered by household food insecurity, poor infant and young child feeding practices, and poor sanitation and hygiene practices amongst others.

Under this one-year grant, therapeutic supplies, including Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) and Therapeutic Milk will be procured for the treatment of severely acute malnourished children in the target districts.  Another important aspect of the project will be the training, monitoring and supervision of health workers assigned in nutrition treatment sites from the four districts, who will be equipped with new knowledge and skills based on the Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM) national protocol.

“As the Government of Japan, we are aware that any investment in improving children’s nutritional status is a foundation for good health, and to the ultimate development of the country,” said H.E. Tsutomu Himeno, Ambassador of Japan. “This new grant is an indication of our confidence in the efforts of the Government of Japan and UNICEF to support the wellbeing of every child in Sierra Leone and a show of our commitment to be part of the development process of the country. At the TICAD7 which Japan hosts in August this year, health and nutrition will be one of the important issues to be discussed.”

Within Sierra Leone, UNICEF has collaborated with the Government of Japan in support of Sierra Leone’s efforts to improve the lives of children in the areas of water and sanitation, education, child protection and nutrition.

“UNICEF views nutrition as a basic human right which is articulated in key international treaties, including the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Any partnership aimed at the delivery of quality and lasting nutrition results for all children in Sierra Leone is therefore very dear to us,” said UNICEF Representative, Dr. Hamid El Bashir Ibrahim.

 

Sierra Leone News: HRCSL Dialogues with SLP on Human Rights

The Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL) on Wednesday 26th June, 2019 met with   the Executive Management Board (EMB) of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) at their headquarters on George Street in Freetown.

The meeting is a continuation of the HRCSL’s strategic engagement with partners, institutions and communities. The SLP is one of the key partners of the HRCSL.

The meeting was chaired by the Inspector General of Police Dr. Richard Miogbe.

During the dialogue, the HRCSL Commissioners were formally introduced to the Police EMB and a further dialogue on general human rights issues across the country.

The IGP welcomed the Commissioners and congratulated them on their appointment. He registered his institution’s commitment to ensure that the life and property of everyone are protected thereby protecting human rights. IG Moigbe highlighted some of the challenges faced by the SLP more so in addressing public order matters.

He noted that officers of the Sierra Leone Police were most times injured in the process of quelling down violent protest but this goes unnoticed by the general public. He stated that officers of the SLP are human beings and therefore have rights too.

In her response, the Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, Mrs. Patricia Narsu N’danema, noted the critical role of the SLP in the Commission’s Referral Partnership Committee which meets quarterly to discuss actions taken on matters referred by the Commission to its partners.

Commissioner N’danema further underscored the need for strong collaboration between the SLP and HRCSL in areas such as data collection on sexual and gender based violence and capacity building on human rights.

In contributing to the dialogue, the Vice Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, Commissioner Victor Lansana called for the relocation of the police cell at the Central Police station in Freetown as it was observed to be appalling and below the minimum standards.

Also in attendance at the meeting from the Human Rights Commission were:

Commissioners Hassan Yarjah and Simiti Lavaly, and the Executive Secretary Mr. Joseph Kamara and the Director of Education, Communication and Training, Mr. Frederick Kamara.

 

 

 

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