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Sierra Leone News: Blue Line CEO Launches 10 Buses

On Friday 21st June, 2019 Mohamed Fornah Chief Executive Officer of Blue Line Construction and Investment Limited situated at 94 Bai Bureh Road, in the East end of Freetown launched 10 buses in the Freetown Municipality.

The ten (10) buses will start to ply the routes, five (5) from/to the East and five (5) from and to the West.

From East it will be Jui to Regent Road and from Lumley to Regent Road in the West end.

The project is rolling out a commendable initiative that will ease the transport constraints which school going pupils have been facing to and fro school.

According to Sulayman Condeh the Managing Director of Blue Line Limited Sierra Leone, he said that the Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Fornah is a Sierra Leonean based in the United States of America who saw the need to give back to his country through humanitarian gestures.

He said he decided to make free bus services to school going pupils free of cost.

‘The forty buses will convey school going children to and from school in the morning hours onto the evening hours every school day as long as a school pupil is in uniform; he or she will definitely benefit and it is open to both public and private school going pupils,’ he maintained.

He noted that the drive is geared towards complementing the Government Free Education initiative, adding that the buses are not only meant for Freetown but will be rolled out to other parts of the country.

Hassan Turay a pupil of Prince of Wales Junior Secondary School thanked Blue Line Limited for this gesture. He said this gesture is not only important to them as pupils but timely.

‘This is the first time in the history of this country for us to have free transportation and I believe with this gesture we will no longer suffer from transportation as we used to do in the past,’ he noted.

He encouraged his colleagues to make good use of this opportunity in order for it to be sustainable.

Fatmata Bangura a pupil of the Annie Walsh Junior Secondary School said the facility is good and thanked the Blue Line Construction and Investment Company for providing free school buses.

She further stated that transportation has been a big challenge for school going pupils especially those living in the East part of Freetown as in most cases they will be late for school due to transportation problem.

She said that schools hours start as 7: 30am in the morning and sometimes they will be waiting for transportation till 9:00am when classes will already be in sessions.

Mohamed Bangura a parent of one of the beneficiaries expressed his profound gratitude to the providers underscoring that it is not only timely but a humane gesture that should be well embraced.

He said transportation has been a challenge for their children as in most cases they have to give excess money to their children because they have to pay excess transport as most drivers could prefer to stop half way.

He also admonished school going pupils to behave themselves well and ensure that they must refrain from doing things that will destroy the free buses.

He ended by calling on the government of Sierra Leone to support the blue line construction and investment company Sierra Leone limited as they have shown great patriotic towards the country. He also called on other Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora to follow the foot step of Mohamed Fornah in contributing towards the development of the country.

In a related development Blue Line Construction Company and Investment Limited is currently constructing eight bus stops in different locations meant for school going pupils to wait for the buses with the consideration that we are now in the rainy season.

The company is also undertaking construction of a school in Kabala and is also facilitating cleaning exercises in Koinadugu District.

Sulayman Condeh is the Managing Director of the company and he also made very salient points about the gesture.

The Chief Executive Officer Blue Line Construction Company and Investment Limited Mohamed Fornah is poised to do more in terms of development for future generations.

 

Sierra Leone News: For National Cohesion & Peace… VP Juldeh Visits Ernest Koroma 

Hon. VP Juldeh Jalloh has reportedly visited the former President Koroma of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma at his Makeni residence.

Reliable sources say, VP Juldeh’s visit to Ernest Koroma may not be unconnected with the reinstatement of the former president’s state security personnel and could have been initiated by President Julius Maada Bio, but we are yet to confirm this.

However, this move has been described by majority Sierra Leoneans as a step in the right direction by the SLPP New Direction Government of President Julius Maada Bio.

Many people view the VP’s visit to Ernest Koroma as an instruction coming from President Julius Maada Bio. The VP was reportedly accompanied by the Resident Minister, North. Former 2018 flag bearer of the APC, Dr. Samura Kamara, was in attendance.

The two men reportedly had a one hour tête à tête in a closed-door meeting. Although the nature of their discussions have not been made public but it was evident from their dispositions that both men were happy to meet and discuss. It must be recalled that since President Bio assumed office last year, his Vice President has been at the fore front of his peace and mediation missions of his New Direction Government.

This is what Sierra Leone needs at this point in time if we are to move forward as a nation. We have come way from civil strife to conquering Ebola, mudslides and political misunderstanding and the people generally are calling on the government to exploit all avenues to ensure peace and national cohesion and therefore they are commending the government for going the extra mile to amend fences with the main opposition and other political players.

 

Sierra Leone News: Fatima Bio Urges: ‘No Protecting for Rapists’

Mrs. Fatima Jabbi Bio, Sierra Leone's First Lady

Mrs. Fatima Jabbi Bio, Sierra Leone’s First Lady, has called on women of Africa to work as a team to educate the men about the dangers associated with rape, to end violence meted against women and girls over the years.

Mrs. Bio made the remarks in Monrovia during the official launch of the “She’s You Movement”, the flagship program of Liberia’s First Lady, Clar Marie Weah.

The She’s You Movement aims to promote gender equality, women empowerment and to eliminate gender-based violence and other conditions that inhibit the potential of women and girls to be active participants in community and national decision-making.

Mrs. Bio said the First Ladies of the African continent are not ready to be silenced by any man on the issue of rape and other forms of violence against women and girls, adding, “We cannot tolerate rape in our society anymore.”

Mrs. Bio recounted how Liberia and Sierra Leone shared something in common by defeating the deadly Ebola Virus Disease and will work together to defeat domestic violence on women and girls. “We need to stop protecting rapists and say enough is enough,” Mrs. Bio stressed. She said it is easy to become a first lady, but more difficult if you do not have the support of your husband.

She said until Africa can work together as a team and makes the men understand through education about abusing the women, the men will not stop. “Let’s start educating our men, and the continent about ending the violence against women.”

Mrs. Bio said she believes that Mrs. Weah is prepared to add her voice to the many voices to help change the African Continent case, especially on rape and domestic violence.

“I’m not willing to be silent on rape. Mrs. Weah’s voice will be louder if everyone in Liberia stands by her and believes that ‘She’s You’ and one will not say such if you don’t believe it,” Mrs. Bio said.

The program was witnessed by thousands, led by the First Lady Mrs. Weah and Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, as a demonstration of their condemnation of all forms of violence against women and girls in Liberia and Africa.

The program was attended Mrs. Fatima Jebbeh Bio of Sierra Leone, First Lady Rebecca Akufo-Addo of Ghana, representative of the First Lady of Niger, as well as ECOWAS Ambassador to Liberia, Baba Tunde Ajisomo, UN representatives and ambassadors.

President George M. Weah, who officially launched the campaign, pledged his government’s commitment in addressing issues affecting women and girls.

President Weah said development cannot succeed if violence continues to exist in the society, especially against women and girls. “Liberia will not be developed if the girls and women are left out,” he noted.

President Weah, who continuously praised Mrs. Weah for her kindness over the years, said the She’s You movement is perfectly aligned with the Pro-poor movement and appreciate the Liberian First Lady for the initiative.

Theodosia Slewion Kolee, chairperson of the National Aids Commission of Liberia said Liberia and other African countries have made commitment to end HIV/AIDS. Madam Kolee said Liberia has 39,000 people living with HIV/AIDS, which comprises 22,000 women, 14,000 men and 3,000 children.

“Liberia has shown tremendous progress in ending mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, but stigma and discrimination remain the major challenges,” Kolee said.

First Lady Weah said the national advocacy program aims to ensure the improvement of women’s lives for a prosperous and better Liberia. The launch is a new movement introduced in Liberia, a nation that is so dear to her life.

Mrs. Weah said she feels the pains and trauma that abused women go through and it is time she sparked the conscience of society to remain awake and responsive to the plights of women and girls in the country.

“We cannot or will not boast of a democratic society until the issue of inclusiveness in society is achieved, where the rights of all are respected and the opportunity for one to develop oneself; also the opportunity for women to develop themselves by giving the most valuable skills, protection and place to develop,” Mrs. Weah said.

She said the pride of women has improved, citing former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and now Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor.

“As these distinguished Liberian women are trade blazers in the advocacy of the rights of women, not just in Liberia but in Africa as a whole, I stand to support their worthy efforts and all women of Liberia, especially the market women,” she said.

Mrs. Weah said: “I rise to bring forth a revolutionary idea of She’s You movement. Additionally, we launched the free to shine campaign that hold as the bedrock the eradication of the HIV/AIDS for mother to child, a campaign whose time has surely come. The campaign is possible but depends on what the people of Liberia will do.”

Mrs. Weah went on to state that over the last several months, she has travelled to rural towns and villages interacting with women from all walks of life, including women, girls, men and boys and has been “inspired and moved to do something, which is now the She’s You movement,” she stated. She said the She’s You Movement maybe a dream of hers, but requires collective efforts.

According to her, this program seems to redefine the way Liberian men treat women and girls — with respect, unhindered access to education, political, social, economic, and access to equal opportunity for leadership for all levels.

“Pushing for the adoption for sound policy and enforceable legislation that will be keen on women and girls’ issues, and looking keenly on harmful practices such as child marriage and teenage pregnancy, which will be high on the She’s You Movement,” Mrs. Weah said.

Marie-Goreth Nizigama, UNWomen Country Representative said of the five (5) UN Women Liberia programmatic areas, the First Lady’s Flagship: “SHE’s YOU MOVEMENT”, is closely aligned with two (2) programmatic areas which include Women’s Economic Empowerment; and Ending Violence against Women.

She said building synergies with the First Lady’s flagship program is key to ensuring a harmonized approach to maximizing program impact at the national and sub-national levels.

 

 

Sierra Leone News: Judo Association Celebrates DAC

The Sierra Leone Judo Association marked the International Day of the African Child celebrations by staging the latest leg of their school and community tour on Sunday at the Rokuph Bay Side Community School.

Hundreds of children were in attendance as the SLJA President Mr. Idrissa Massaquoi and Alusine Mansaray joined their top Judoka for a Judo demonstration and to teach the group the rules and history of the sport as well as the fundamental skills.

The children stepped onto the mat for a practical and theory section and a quiz which offered prizes to the winners.

Rokuph Bay Side Community School Headmaster Mr. Alusine Kamara thanked the Association for giving the school and the community the opportunity to learn about judo and expressed his desire for a continued collaboration with the national governing body.

SLJA President Mr. Massaquoi aims to continue the project to develop the next generation of judoka in Sierra Leone.

 

Sierra Leone News: Ebola Survivors End 3-Day Paramedics & Leadership Training

Sierra Leone Association of Ebola Survivors (SLAES) leadership on Thursday 20th June 2019 ended a 3 days training on Paramedics and Leadership at their headquarters at Jui Junction, Freetown through funding from Project 1808 and other partners.

The training was geared towards preparedness for a possible resurgence of the Ebola virus in Sierra Leone as it is now the case in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Training courses included Infections’ Protection Control (IPC), Disease Surveillance, Psychosocial Care, Leadership, Health Advocacy, and Time Management.

Sierra Leone recorded the first confirmed case of Ebola in May 2014; but nearly two years after on the 17th March 2016, WHO declared the country Ebola-free. In between that period, the country recorded 14,124 total confirmed cases and 3,956 total confirmed death cases according to a data from the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention.

Facilitators for the training were Dr. Alhaji Njai – founder of Project 1808, Lt. Col. Dr. Stephen Sevalie – Commanding Officer 34 Military Hospital, and Mr. Brima Abdulai Sheriff – former Commisioner of the Human Right Commission and Consultant Trainer in Human Rights, Advocacy and Leadership.

On health advocacy and leadership, Brima Abdulai Sheriff trained them on how they as Ebola Survivors can appropriately channel issues affecting them to policy makers and other authorities, and solution centred advocacy.

“Ebola can be crystallized. Scientists do crystallize it but such crystallization at the most part does not cause an outbreak” Dr. Njai’s response to a question of whether Ebola can be man-made during his surveillance and psychosocial care session. He further intimated the Survivors that they are protected against the Zaire Ebola but very unlikely that they could be cross protected against other types of Ebola.

National President of the Sierra Leone Association of Ebola Survivors, Yusuf Kabba, explained that the training is to certify them as Paramedics and build their capacity in order to help in tackling any future resurgence of Ebola. He assured that they as the leaders, upon undergoing such training, will cascade same to the entire 4,000 membership of the association.

“We are really grateful for this training as it has equipped us a lot on health preparedness, health advocacy, surveillance, time management, and psychosocial care. And we will surely put it into practical use” stated by Juliet Spencer who was one of the trainees.

This training is one of many programmes that Project 1808 has partnered with SLAES gearing towards building the capacity of the Survivors to fend for themselves.

 

Sierra Leone News: Parliament Approves 11 Presidential Nominees

The Parliament of Sierra Leone on Thursday 20th June 2019 debated and approved the Third Report of the Second Session of its Committee on Appointments and the Public Service, chaired by the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sidie M. Tunis.

Congratulating the nominees after approval, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu called on them to use their expertise to live up to the expectations of President Bio and Parliament for the confidence reposed in them to serve in high offices of State for the development of Sierra Leone.

The following presidential nominees were approved by Parliament:

  1. Mr. Hadji Dabo-Chairman, Board of Directors, National Minerals Agency
  2. Dr. Sonia Melisa Spencer-Board Chairman, Teaching Hospitals Complex Administrative Board

III. Ms. Fatu Yumkella-Member, Sierra Leone Council for Post-graduate Colleges of Health Specialties

  1. Ms. Constance Sama-Member, Board of Directors, Sierra Leone Maritime Administration
  2. Mr. Nelson N. Lahai-Member, Board of Directors, SALWACO
  3. Hon. Emmanuel T. Babonjo-Member, Board of Directors, Sierra Leone Maritime Administration

VII. Ms. Rosetta A. Wilson-Member, Board of Directors, Sierra Leone Electricity Generation and Transmission Company Board

VIII. Mr. Alfred V. Gborie-Member, Board of Directors, SLRSA

  1. Mr. Abrahim S. Turay-Member, Board of Directors, Sierra Leone Local Content Agency
  2. Alhaji Mohamed A. Sheriff-Member, Board of Directors, Produce Monitoring Board and
  3. Mr. Francis D. Ganda-Member, Board of Directors, Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority

Seconding the motion, Hon. Veronica K. Sesay of SLPP commended President Bio for putting square pegs in square holes whilst describing the nominees as “the most fitted” to occupy such important positions of trust. Speaking on the protection of women, she called on the women who have been nominated to work diligently and use their expertise to advance the cause of women and children in Sierra Leone.

Hon. Shiaka M. Sama, an independent MP from Pujehun also commended President Bio for nominating qualified persons to serve in high offices of the State. He urged them to take tough decisions that would bring change for the development of Sierra Leone.

Hon. Daniel B. Koroma of APC said that “the APC is desirous to continue its participation in the approval of presidential nominees” and spoke on the need for improving tourism in the country.

Hon. Bernadette Songa of SLPP also commended President Bio for carefully selecting qualified persons to assist in the realization of the New Direction. She decried the attitude of presidential nominees who had been approved as “appalling” towards MPs, especially when they are knocking on their doors to seek answers for their constituents.

Hon. Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Leader of NGC recalled the number of persons who had been approved by Parliament, he urged Board Members to provide strategic direction to Ministers for effective delivery. Speaking on the minerals sector, he revealed that Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia were hit by Ebola but the mines did not close in Guinea and Liberia except Sierra Leone which he attributed to poor governance.

Hon. Ibrahim Ben Kargbo, the Acting Leader of the Opposition commended President Bio for exercising his constitutional obligation by appointing qualified persons to serve in high offices of State. He urged the Government to provide funds to enable the Boards to effectively carryout their duties for the development of the country. He observed that Dr. Alpha Wurie and Alpha Timbo are the two Ministers who are going to succeed in their respective appointments. He also spoke on the importance of improving aviation, energy and tourism in the country.

Concluding, the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sidie M. Tunis commended President Bio for nominating four women in light of achieving affirmative action and for the honorary Doctoral Degree recently conferred on him in Ghana. He also thanked President Bio for launching the feasibility study for the construction of the “Lungi Bridge” that will connect Port Loko to Freetown. He described the nominees as “qualified” and called on them to support the Government for a successful tenure.

In another development, the Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Thursday 20th June 2019 approved membership to over 40 Sessional Select Committees including international organizations such as Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the International Parliamentary Union.

Sessional Select Committees are constitutionally charged with the responsibilities to inquire into the activities of MDAs to which they are assigned and make recommendations that may lead to proposals for legislation.

Following the announcement and approval of these Committees, some Chairmen retained their Committees and others were either promoted or transferred to other Committees in the House.

 

Sierra Leone News: President Bio Engages Deputy UNFPA Boss

The United Nations Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund, (UNFPA), Dereje Wordofa, has paid a courtesy call on President Julius Maada Bio in Freetown.

UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency with the mission to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every child birth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation, Nabeela Tunis, who chaired the meeting, said the UNFPA boss was meeting President Bio to share their organisation’s activities in Sierra Leone, especially at a time when the UN agency is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. She noted that Sierra Leone was among the top countries on their agenda.

Mr. Wordofa said he was delighted to visit the country for the first time. He congratulated President Bio for his great strides in improving the lives of Sierra Leoneans, especially the recent declaration of a national emergency to end gender-based violence in the country. He said the move was welcoming and as an organisation, they would like to see zero gender-based violence across the world.

He also commended the President for his commitment to the free quality education programme for children in Sierra Leone, saying that that was very important for the development of young boys and girls in the country. He lauded the Office of the First Lady for its fight against gender-based violence through the “Hands off Our Girls” campaign and added that they were committed to supporting her.

“We also understand you have launched the National Nursing and Midwifery Strategy, which is critical to improving maternal health and cutting down on the number of teenage pregnancies and maternal deaths in the country. We want to ensure gender equality, end gender-based violence and bring family planning as a human right and making sure that no woman dies during pregnancy or when giving birth,” he said.

On his part, President Bio said his Government had shared concerns on all the issues highlighted by the UN Deputy Executive Director. He said as a new government they were struggling but were committed to serving the people by taking concrete actions. He mentioned that the Government needed some technical support to meet the challenges ahead.

He also stated that he was committed to improving the welfare of women and girls in the country because they constitute the bulk of the country’s population, adding that it was, therefore, important to bring them as part of the country’s development process. He said that teenage pregnancy was responsible for the majority of the maternal mortality in the country.

“Whatever we can do together to move on these areas of cooperation, we are ready to do just that to let you know that we are genuinely committed to serving the best interest of our people. We still lack the technical support to meet the challenges of rape and sexual assaults but we will continue to seek more partnerships,” he assured.

 

 

Sierra Leone News: NEC Updates Bio on Current Activities

State House -Thursday 20 June 2019 – The National Electoral Commission, (NEC), has presented their Annual Report to President Julius Maada Bio and given update on their ongoing preparations for emerging electoral engagements.

Chief Electoral Commissioner, Nfa Alie Conteh, said that it was mandatory and constitutional for the Commission to present their annual report to the President.

“Your Excellency, Section 32 (12) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone Act No. 6 of 1991 states that the Chief Electoral Commissioner shall submit a report on the programme and work of the Electoral Commission at least once a year to the President and a copy of such report shall be laid before parliament,” he said.

The Chairperson and National Returning Officer for the 2018 elections said that the report included accounts of the Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council elections throughout the country with 132 constituencies, 446 wards, a Presidential runoff and 9 Paramount Chief Members of Parliament elections.

“Your Excellency Sir, the aforementioned Elections were noteworthy as the first to be conducted since the rebirth of multi-party democracy in 1996 without the supervision of the United Nations Mission under a Security Council mandate,” the Commissioner disclosed, adding that the report also explained his invitation by ECOWAS to lead a fact-finding mission from the 1-15 November 2018 for the Nigerian Presidential and other Elections held in February and March of 2019.

In his response, President Maada Bio thanked the leadership of NEC for holding on to the fort all through these difficult times, adding that democracy in Sierra Leone depends on the progress and work of the Commission.

“I am happy that we now have the intellectual capacity to conduct our elections without any foreign involvement, particularly when it was described by the international community as being free and fair. The job is very difficult and it is not pleasant to do. Thank you for fulfilling your constitutional mandate by compiling this report, despite all the challenges and difficulties attached to the work,” he said.

The President also stated that the country should agree on acceptable rules for the conduct of elections in the country, maintaining that such rules, which would ease the tensions, should be within the confines of the laws of the land.

 

 

Sierra Leone News: Poland, S. Korea & Uganda Envoys Meet President Bio

State House – Thursday 20 June, 2019: ambassador designates from Poland and South Korea and the High Commissioner-designate from the Republic of Uganda have presented their letters of credence to President Julius Maada Bio at State House.

Poland Ambassador, Joanna Tarnawska, said she was honoured to present her letters of credence and to represent her country in Sierra Leone. She expressed her sincere gratitude for the warm welcome she received. She added that Poland is present in Sierra Leone through the Polish Catholic Missionaries who run schools in the country.

She went on to state that Sierra Leone is a country with a unique and fascinating history marked by hardship and heroic struggles just like the history of Poland; but is also blessed with citizens committed to their motherland.

She further said that this made her see the common ideas of the two nations even though they are miles apart in terms of geographical location but close in terms of values.

Ambassador from Korea, In-Tee Lee, congratulated President Bio for the tremendous progress made under the New Direction. He said the country was witnessing impressive success in restoring peace and security and in rebuilding the economy.

He said South Korea had always stood with Sierra Leone since the establishment of diplomatic ties over five decades ago and expressed optimism that the ties would be further strengthened during his tenure in the country.

High Commissioner from Uganda, Nelson Ochege, said Uganda and Sierra Leone enjoy cultural and bilateral relations, adding that he hopes to deepen the cooperation during his time in the country. He said in expanding the relationship between the two countries, he has been mandated by his government to focus on political and diplomatic consultation on all issues of mutual interest including regional reintegration.

 

Sierra Leone News: Government Urged to Block Stiff Conditions

HE Julius Maada Bio

For the simple fact that pressures in the form of government’s stiff conditions and policies piled and placed on productive companies that are doing extremely well in this country, especially those that are locally owned, then there is the likelihood that they may either fold up or reorganize at the detriment of workers who will definitely be shown the exit door and affect the country’s revenue base since payment of taxes will no longer be forthcoming.

Despite losing millions, it is a fact that one of the most viable indigenously-owned companies that is been doing extremely well in terms of timely service delivery of petroleum products and customer care, which is the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL), the company has maintained its determination in assisting government in its development drive.

It is also a fact that NP SL Limited recorded a massive loss from January to May 2019 to the tune of over Le 96 billion (ninety six billion Leones).

At a time like this when the country’s legal tender, the Leone, has terribly depreciated to the US Dollar, many indigenous companies are finding it extremely difficult to operate efficiently and effectively as well as compete with foreign-owned companies producing the same products and services the affected companies are producing.

It is implicitly clear that the Sierra Leone Bottling Company Limited, which has been in operation for the past twenty years, recently decided to restructure to such an extent that most of its workers were sacked.

According to the management of the company changes were effected as part of a strategic program designed to ensure the long term sustainability of their business so that they can better serve the people of this country.

 An example of one of the major factors impeding the growth of indigenous companies is the fact that there has been a huge difference between the actual price of PLATTS and the average purchase price of USD $ to the SL Leone, when matched against that of the Petroleum Regulatory Agency Pricing Formula.

The NP-SL as a result is currently paying an average of Le9, 000 to $1 (USD) as compared to L8, 600 to $1 (USD) in the PRA Pricing Formula. Another challenge facing NP-SL Limited is volatility and unavailability of US Dollars to effect transactions.

It is so serious that NP-SL Limited currently owes its suppliers over $42M which NP-SL Limited is challenged to honor.

From a thorough research that was conducted over time it was understood that in the past when the industry was faced with some challenges and in order to avoid fuel crisis the Government always steps in to subsidize the prices of petroleum products to ensure that the pump prices are at affordable level to the general populace but for now that is not the case.

What again came out is that if the route is not desirable, the Government increases the pricing regime to reflect the real market prices of petroleum products in the market, to ensure the industry does not collapse.

As it is right now, Oil Marketing Companies are subsidizing virtually all sectors in the industry to the detriment of its own survival.

“If the current fiscal regime is not reviewed many companies including NP and Sierra Leone Bottling Company (SLBC) and a few others will certainly go down such a painful and dreadful route,” stated Steven Williams, a Development Consultant, adding that indeed, sound policies must be urgently rolled out to ensure stability.

It was also discovered that the nature of NP-SL’s business is such that NP-SL imports petroleum products in US Dollars, sells in Leones and has to then convert the Leones into US Dollars to continue the buying and selling processes all over again.

Williams maintained how it is regrettable that the company is finding it extremely difficult to purchase US Dollars in the market place currently. It is a fact that over the years, NP-SL received tacit support from the Central Bank even though the amounts normally received were inadequate.

It is therefore recommendable for the Central Bank to develop a mechanism where foreign currency is provided for the oil marketing companies to enable them pay for badly-needed petroleum products.

Of course to promote transparency of goods that are brought into the country and required taxes that must be paid to Government, the ASYCUDA World digital software was introduced at the Port.

However, what this press gathered was that the method of implementation of the old ASYCUDA system was negative on NP-SL’s speed to market initiatives; the reason why it is good that the ASYCUDA World is now in place to help build solid capacity amongst their team to ensure seamless flow of products free of interruption and long delay.

The current pricing formula dictates that the pump price of petroleum products be adjusted upwards or downwards periodically as and when the combined effect of the changes in world market prices (quoted in PLATTS) and the exchange rate (measured by the average selling rates quoted by the Oil Marketing Company, commercial banks and Bank of Sierra Leone) cause a +/- 5% change in the Leone-based landed cost of the product (s).

It was noted that prices should be changed upwards or downwards in small increments that will not create panic in the market place. The way it is currently, allows for a big jump at any time which makes it difficult for Government to effect change at the right time.

It may interest readers to note that while a liter of fuel is sold at Le7,000.00 here, in Guinea it is sold at Le9,120.00, in Liberia it is Le9,321.00, Ivory Coast sells at Le9,244.20 and Ghana at Le 9,136.44.

To add salt to injury, NP-SL is further encumbered with other charges that are not provided for in the price build up formula, and these include: Toll Gate fees, ASYCUDA processing fees, Environmental Protection Agency fees, storage fees and other fees imposed by the Petroleum Regulatory Agency.

As it was stated inter alia, the government really need to relax some of its policies, conditions that are being implemented especially those affecting vibrant companies in the country as well as ensuring that economic measures are rolled out in order for the Leone to be weighty instead of continuous depreciation that we have been witnessing.

Failure to take drastic steps to protect locally owned companies will definitely lead to closure or restructuring with dire consequences that could take the form of labor downsizing, no more payment of taxes to government etc.

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