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Chief Minister Raps With the Press on the Big Five as Enshrined in 2023 SLPP Manifesto

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The Chief Minister, Jacob Jusu Saffa, in his capacity as Chairman of the SLPP Manifesto Committee, engaged members of the Fourth Estate and Civil Society Organizations at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown on the 30th May, 2023 to intimate them about the achievements made in actualizing the 2018 SLPP Manifesto and what the new SLPP Manifesto encompasses, some being gains that should be consolidated and expanded.

He informed journalists and Civil Society activists that the 2023 SLPP Manifesto Committee categorized the future of President Bio’s leadership into five game changers for the next five years which includes: (1)Nurturing skills for the 21st century – the Human Capital Development, (2)Tech and Infrastructure – Pathways to Sustainable Economic Growth, (3)Feed Salone – an initiative to boost agriculture productivity to ensure food security, (4)Youth Empowerment Scheme – Presidential initiative to create 500,000 jobs for the youths, and (5)Revamping Public Sector Architecture.

The Chief Minister disclosed how  the 2023 SLPP Manifesto was crafted from an informed view, taking into consideration the technical knowledge of the Manifesto Committee members. He added that consultation was extensive, making the Manifesto Document a participatory document of the people of Sierra Leone emphasizing that the SLPP 2023 Manifesto is owned by the people of Sierra Leone.

JJ Saffa maintained that there has been a shift of the SLPP’s flagship programme from Free Quality Education to that of agriculture. “We have a track-record of delivering on our flagship programs. Our flagship will be on food security to feed our people. Like we delivered on education, we will deliver on agriculture to stabilize the exchange rates, create jobs for people, reduce hunger, improve nutrition and learning outcomes of our children,” he said.

The Chief Minister also stated that the Manifesto caters for Youth Empowerment with a special Presidential Initiative that will create over five hundred thousand (500,000) more jobs for youths in the next five years and also promoting entrepreneurship for youths.

He said the New Direction Agenda was launched at Port Loko Teachers College some fives ago, where a promise  was made to promote peace and security in the country adding that  irrespective of the numerous challenges  they promised to deliver, and they have done that, stressing that amidst global upheavals, Sierra Leone is in a better standing today.

JJ Saffa highlighted that it was very deliberate to have enhanced women’s participation in governance, thereby prioritizing girls education through the Hands Off Our Girls Project and the passage of the GEWE Act.

He spelt out the infrastructural development that was achieved mentioning the construction of the new Airport in Lungi, township roads and bridges saying in the pursuance of good governance, the SLPP Government removed the seditious libel law, and the death penalty from the law books of Sierra Leone.

The Chief Minister said  is determined r to transform the country giving assurance that he is ready to undertake the herculean task for another five years.

He called on the Press to help in popularizing the SLPP Manifesto which, according to him contains serious plans which the Party will roll out effectively for the development of the country.

A question and answer session formed the climax of the engagement.

Residual Special Court Frees Allieu Kondewa, Former CDF High Priest & Initiator

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone on the 29th May,2023 stated that Allieu Kondewa  has completed his sentence and is now free from the Jurisdiction of the Court. It continued that the former Civil Defence Forces (CDF) High Priest and Initiator, completed his 20-year sentence on Sunday, 28th May, 2023 and as of Monday, 29th May,2023 was officially free from the custody of the Residual Special Court.

According to the Residual Court, he was the second person convicted by the Special Court to complete his sentence disclosing that the former CDF Director of War, Moinina Fofana, completed his 15-year sentence and was discharged in May 2018.

It was also revealed that Kondewa was convicted by the Special Court for murder, cruel treatment and pillage (war crimes), and murder and inhumane acts (crimes against humanity) and on the 31st October, 2009 he was transferred to Mpanga Prison in Rwanda to serve his sentence.

Added was that on the 18th June, 2018, after serving two-thirds of his sentence and completing training on correct behaviour as a citizen of Sierra Leone, the President of the Residual Special Court issued an order granting Kondewa conditional early release.

Furthermore, on the 7th July, 2018 he was transferred from Mpanga Prison to Sierra Leone to serve the remainder of his sentence in Bo and was subject to strict conditions and monitoring, from which he is now freed.

The Residual Special Court for Sierra Leone is responsible for the ongoing legal obligations of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, which concluded its mandate in December 2013. These include supervision of prison sentences, witness protection and support, maintenance and preservation of the archives, and assistance to national prosecution authorities.

ACC Discloses Investigation Findings on EAP Group of Companies & “Motherland City’’

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), in a Press Release dated  8th March, 2023 confirmed that it had commenced investigation into criminal allegations against the President/Chairman of the EAP Group of Companies, Edward Alex Olubode Philips and the “Motherland City” project, following joint surveillance exercises by the ACC, the Central Intelligence and Security Agency (CISA) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

The ACC said its investigation was related to alleged fraudulent activities by the EAP Group of Companies between 2022 and March 2023 in which the Chairman of the Company, Edward Alex Olubode Philips, was accused of conspiring with other persons to establish the aforementioned company in Sierra Leone purporting to build affordable houses for interested clients/customers for a Project titled “Motherland City/ Estate”, at York Village in the Western Rural District.

It furthered that, allegedly, the company had collected huge sums of deposits from members of the public/clients at home and abroad regarding affordable housing scheme and that the Chairman used fictitious names to open Bank Accounts at several Commercial Banks in Sierra Leone to facilitate the running of the Company and also to engage in potential money laundering activities.

The Commission  said it wishes to inform the general public that it has concluded the investigation and hereby confirms the that the EAP Group of Companies with address as 25 Lawrence Street, Funkia, Freetown is a private Company incorporated in Sierra Leone on the 18th May, 2020 by the Registrar of Companies and is also registered with the National Revenue Authority (NRA) and Freetown City Council (FCC) respectively.

The ACC also revealed how the building occupied by the Company was leased from a Lebanese businessman, who due to lack of payment by the company had issued them a Notice to Quit.

According to the ACC,  Edward Alexander Olubode Philips is the Major Shareholder of the Company, and the other shareholder with a minority interest is one Professor Ricky White who is said to be residing in the United States of America with one Mabinty Philips, wife of Dr. Philips-Chairman of the EAP Group of Companies serving as the Vice President of the said Company.

That Edward A.O. Philips is the holder of a Sierra Leonean passport issued to him on 11th March 2021, by the Immigration Department.

It was also established that between 2017 and 2021, Edward A.O. Philips was issued four (4) Sierra Leonean passports by the Immigration Department, and that the passport dockets which will give a clear history about the four (4) Sierra Leonean passports issued in favor of Edward A.O. Philips within the said period could not be traced at the Immigration Department due to apparent destruction by his collaborators within.

That through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Nigeria, the ACC learned that Edward A.O. Philips is a Nigerian citizen and convict known as Olufunmilade Adeyemi who escaped criminal charges by the EFCC for real estate fraud in July 2018.

Also, that Mr. Philips is also a holder of a Ghanaian passport with serial number G1517140 with the name Moses Alexander, and also known in Dubai as Alex Moses. He also is a qualified lawyer having passed Lagos Bar in 1999.

The ACC said the the primary alleged objective of the EAP Group of Companies was to engage in the construction of houses for its clients at the York Village which otherwise would have been known as the Motherland City Project.

That the Company entered into several agreements/contracts with various persons for the construction of houses ranging from two bedrooms at Two Hundred and Sixty (New) Leones (NLe:260,000) and three bedrooms at Three Hundred and Sixty (New) Leones (NLe: 360,000) basic flat; Economy two bedrooms at Seven Hundred and Twenty (New) Leones (NLe:720,000) and three bedrooms flat at One Million and Eighty (New) Leones (NLe:1,080,000); and Premium two bedrooms at One Million Eight Hundred (New) Leones (NLe:1,800,000) and Economy three bedrooms flat at Two Million, One Hundred and Sixty (New) Leones (NLe:2,160,000) respectively.

Based on the ACC investigation, the modes of payments to EAP Group of Companies were through bank deposits and cash payments in installments to last for over a period of twenty years or less depending on the income level or mode of payment of interested clients.

The ACC said at the commencement of the investigation, visitation to the project site at York village was made and that no construction works had commenced by the EAP Group of Companies on the proposed Motherland City Project, but excavation work could be seen.

It discovered that Mr. Philips is in possession of a conveyance for 53 Acres of land at York Village alleged to be owned by the Pratt family indicating an amount of Five Hundred Thousand (New) Leones (NLe:500,000) whilst a handwritten undertaking by him stated him agreeing to make a payment of Five Million, Three Hundred Thousand (New) Leones (NLe:5,300,000) to the aforementioned family against an unspecified date.

However, the Pratt family claims that the plan they shared with Mr. Philips was not the one in the conveyance provided by Mr. Philips saying they also have not received any amount to date from him.

Another discovery of  a 19 Acres of land’s site plan by the Richards family at York Village was also provided to him for his proposed Motherland City Project after he seemed to have convinced the family for which a verbal fee of One Million, Nine Hundred Thousand (New) Leones (NLe:1,900,000) was agreed upon at One Hundred Thousand (New) Leones (NLe:100,000) per acre. The Richards family, represented by Walter Richards, claimed that no money was received from Mr. Philips for the said property up to date.

The ACC continued that as at 31st March 2023, the investigations recorded Three Hundred and Sixteen (316) persons who claimed to have entered into agreement with the EAP Group of Companies for the construction of houses of different categories.

The total amount of money received from clients, according to the ACC, as against the aforementioned is Three Million, Seven Hundred and Twenty Six Thousand, Six Hundred and Seventy Five (New) Leones (NLe:3,726,675) and Eighteen Thousand, Five Hundred and Seventy Five United States Dollars (USD$ 18,575) respectively.

The ACC pointed out that there is no evidence of any funds committed to the project by the company itself or any donor, other than a facility of One Million, Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand (New) Leones (NLe:1,450,000) obtained from a local Bank by the company in late January 2023 and that paid by clients.

It stated that Edward A.O Philips is the sole signatory to all of the bank accounts and the accounts statements highlight deposits of customers, withdrawals by Edward Philips and other persons.

The ACC claimed the One Million, Four Hundred and Fifty Thousand (New) Leones (NLe:1,450,000) facility was obtained from a local Bank by EAP Group of Companies with a six-town lot title deed at Angola town in the name of Edward Alex Olubode Philips submitted to the bank as a collateral with one year duration for repayment.

It says information further provided by the Bank is that the reasons advanced by EAP group of companies for the facility by Edward A.O. Philips was for the launch of the Motherland City Project and purportedly for payment of EAP staff salaries.

Investigation conducted at the property at Adonkia, which documents were submitted as collateral to a commercial bank revealed that, the six-town lots have already been sold by the wife of Alex A.O Philips, Mrs. Mabinty Philips, that Mabinty Philips being the wife of the Chairman of EAP Group of Companies has been at large since the arrest of her husband by the ACC.

The Commission said it  received responses from banks where the EAP Group of Companies hold and operate accounts saying analyses of those accounts showed unfavorable bank balances as follow:

According to the ACC, based on the above and upon interviewing and recording statements from over twenty Persons of Interest, analyzing the records of accounts, concerning the Chairman and EAP Group of Companies, it hereby confirms that the matter i.e., fraud and obtaining money by false pretenses, etc. fall within issues concerning the wider powers of the Sierra Leone Police.

The ACC said it has therefore referred the matter to the Sierra Leone Police to carry out full and thorough criminal investigations that fall within their responsibility and mandate adding that they will give the Police the detailed findings they have and collaborate with them to ensure full closure.

It says the suspect was therefore handed over to the Sierra Leone Police together with all evidence they  have adding how the police will conclude and decide how to proceed with the issue, including any possible charges.

“We have notified the Police of the request from our Counterparts, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to have him returned to Nigeria to face sentencing in a prosecution that he escaped from, having been convicted, just before he could be sentenced,” says the ACC revealing how they plan to ensure that and therefore advised that issues pertaining to bail and custody should be jointly determined.

The Commission said it wishes to thank the Public for their interest and support in the course of the investigation at the ACC, reassuring the public of its commitment to address all levels of corruption in Sierra Leone.

Interswitch and Sierra Leone Commercial Bank Partner to Revolutionize Payment Solutions

Interswitch, Africa’s leading technology-driven company specializing in innovative payment and digital solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB), one of Sierra Leone’s premier financial institutions.

This collaboration marks a significant milestone for the nation’s financial system as both organizations unite to transform payment solutions and introduce cutting-edge financial products to the market.

The partnership combines Interswitch’s advanced payment solutions with SLCB’s extensive banking expertise, enabling the provision of a range of state-of-the-art financial products, including ASPFEP Integration, ATM driving, Integration to the National Switch, Connection between the Switch and the Banks’ Core Banking Application (CBA), mobile and internet banking applications/platforms and Card Production (Visa & Prepaid Cards). These solutions offer substantial benefits to customers in Sierra Leone, including streamlined payment processes, reduced transaction costs, faster settlements, enhanced interoperability across various payment platforms, and seamless transacting capabilities.

SLCB customers will also enjoy the convenience and security occasioned by the Thales Payshield hardware, POS terminals, and FEP software licenses. These protocols and licenses will bolster the overall infrastructure and security of payment systems. This collaboration aims to revolutionize the financial landscape and empower individuals, businesses, and government entities in Sierra Leone and throughout Africa.

Mitchell Elegbe, Group Managing Director of Interswitch, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing their belief in the power of digital innovation to drive economic growth and financial empowerment. He cited “the strength of the success of our collaboration with the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank is ground breaking, and we are excited about the outcomes. As other banks in the Sierra Leone market prepare to get Integrated onto the National Payment Switch, we assure them of our availability to provide support for a seamless integration and faster positive outcomes. The feat we have achieved with SLCB is a testament to our expertise and commitment to driving financial inclusion and facilitating seamless digital transactions across Africa”.

Sierra Leone’s growing economy and evolving financial sector present significant opportunities for innovative payment solutions, and this partnership aims to tap into this potential by delivering enhanced financial services and driving economic growth.

MirrorAfrica Founder Bags 50 Most Influential Sierra Leonean Women Award

MirrorAfrica, founded by Simeonette Pontis, a young woman from Sierra Leone, has been making a difference in the lives of young women and girls in crisis through her non-profit organization,

The organization provides services that engage girls in sexual reproductive health and rights, advocacy on issues that promote gender equality, mentorship, skills, and leadership training.

Through her work with MirrorAfrica, Pontis has become a champion for women’s rights in Sierra Leone and beyond. She has been recognized for her efforts and was recently awarded the 50 Most Influential Sierra Leonean Women Award..

Pontis started MirrorAfrica after witnessing firsthand the challenges faced by young women and girls in her community. She saw how girls were often forced to drop out of school due to early pregnancy or marriage, and how they lacked access to basic healthcare and education about sexual and reproductive health.

Determined to make a difference, Pontis founded MirrorAfrica in 2015. Since then, the organization has helped hundreds of girls and young women through its various programs and services.

One of the key areas of focus for MirrorAfrica is sexual and reproductive health and rights. The organization provides education and resources to help girls make informed decisions about their bodies and their futures.

MirrorAfrica also advocates for gender equality and works to empower girls through mentorship, skills training, and leadership development programs. Through these initiatives, the organization helps girls build confidence and develop the skills they need to succeed in life.

Pontis’ work with MirrorAfrica has not gone unnoticed. She has been recognized by numerous organizations for her efforts, including the 50 Most Influential Sierra Leonean Women Award. This prestigious award recognizes women who are making a positive impact in their communities and beyond.

Despite the challenges she has faced along the way, Pontis remains committed to her work with MirrorAfrica. She knows that there is still much work to be done to ensure that all girls have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.

Taking to her social media after the award ceremony, she said “My mama Evelyn Motopay Cole thanks for nurturing this fine ,strong ,resilient , result oriented lady.

Mirror Africa thanks for giving me the platform to serve .

Women and girls seeing this , it’s not impossible, it can be done ,we will have a Sierra Leone where  empowered girls and women are in vital leadership positions .”

Through her leadership and dedication, Pontis is helping to create a brighter future for young women and girls in Sierra Leone and beyond.

Freemasonry Grand Lodge Donates NLe 21,000 for Rehabilitation of Mende Mosque

By Abubakarr Harding

On Tuesday, May 30, 2023, in a commendable act of generosity, the Freemasonry Grand Lodge made a substantial donation of 21 thousand new Leones to the Resident Imam of Jamiu Sheriff Mosque, commonly known as Mende Central Mosque for the much-needed rehabilitation of the religious site.

Emile Moses Charles Carr, the District Grand Master of District Grand Lodge Sierra Leone and The Gambia, under the United Grand Lodge of England, expressed his organization’s commitment to charitable initiatives and shed light on the history and global presence of the Freemasonry Lodge.

He added that the Freemasonry Grand Lodge was founded more than three centuries ago and has a rich legacy spanning 300 years. Carr explained that the organization’s headquarters is based in England, with lodges established worldwide. He emphasized the unity among English, Scottish and Irish Freemasons, operating under their respective constitutions, while remaining united in their charitable pursuits.

Carr further revealed that the decision to donate 21 Thousand New Leones( Twenty-One Million Leones in Old Notes) was prompted by a member of the lodge who had heard an appeal for assistance during an Islamic program on Friday.

He continued to narrate how one of the local Imams had expressed the urgent need to rehabilitate the mosque and recognizing charity as one of their core values and acknowledging the importance of helping their neighbors, the Freemasonry Grand Lodge promptly decided to extend a helping hand.

He affirmed the organization’s unwavering commitment to assisting those in need and encouraged others in positions of influence and privilege to do the same. He emphasized that in times of adversity or prosperity, it is one’s neighbors who will be the first to experience the impact.

The Resident Imam of Jamiu Sheriff Mosques, Sheikh Sulaiman A.R Kpukumu, expressed heartfelt gratitude and appreciation on behalf of the mosque for the generous donation from the Freemasonry Lodge. He highlighted the deteriorating condition of the mosque during the rainy season, with leakage becoming a challenging issue and the prayer mats deteriorating rapidly.

Sheikh Kpukumu revealed that due to the dire state of the mosque he had taken to the airwaves appealing for help to rehabilitate the religious site adding that with the Freemasonry Grand Lodge stepping forward to offer their support, the rehabilitation efforts can now commence without delay.

He concluded by stating that the charitable contribution made by the Freemasonry Grand Lodge exemplifies their commitment to improving the lives of others and fostering community well-being.

The partnership between the Freemasonry fraternity and the Jamiu Sheriff Mosque serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion, unity and the collective responsibility to lend a helping hand to our neighbors in times of need.

President Bio Appoints Yulisa Ahmadu as Youth Envoy to Serve as Representative & Advocate  

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

A very influential youthful personality, Yulisa Ahmadu, has been appointed by His Excellency the President, Brig. (Rtd.) Julius Maada Bio, on the 25th May, 2023,  to serve as Youth Envoy with specific mandate to be the representative and advocate for the voices and interest of the Youth of Sierra Leone.

Up to the time of his appointment, Yulisa’s ideas and activities have so immensely contributed to the advancement of various worthy causes related to young people in and out of the country to an extent that he gained both internal and international recognition, bagging different awards and hearty commendations for his active roles in positively driving socio-economic interventions and programmes to meaningfully impact the lives of young people in and out of the country.

In the performance of his responsibility, he is expected, as Youth Envoy, to effectively address the needs and aspirations of the country’s youths, promote their participation in decision-making processes and empower them to contribute to the socio-economic development of Sierra Leone.

He is now considered to be a global advocate for the Youth of Sierra Leone, granting them access to opportunities in Technology, STEM, Grants, Scholarships, participation in seminars and to promote Sierra Leonean young talents worldwide.

From time to time , he will be advising the President, the Minister of Youth and other related Government departments on Youth matters as well as to be the Voice of Youths at the UN, AU and other Youth Affairs seminars and meetings globally.

The newly appointed Youth Envoy will also, from time to time, carry out other duties assigned to him by His Excellency the President either directly or through the Minister of Youth Affairs.

Sierra Leone’s new Youth Envoy, Yulisa Ahmadu, is a Multimedia Content Producer, Owner of the Brand Yulisa & Co, Artist Manager for Sierra Leone’s top musician Emmerson and a Communications Professional.

Yulisa uses Digital Media to promote Entrepreneurship (www.yulisa.co), Business as an Entertainment Executive and constantly sharing his views on Relationship matters which are highly regarded by his followers worldwide.

He is a recipient of the ‘50 Most Influential Young Sierra Leoneans Award’, an honorary recognition from the Institute of Leadership and Entrepreneurship in Sierra Leone. He’s a Highly Respected Youth Activist who was recently honored by the Ministry of Youths and a Non-Profit Youth Organization as ‘Youth Ambassador’ in Sierra Leone for outstanding contributions in promoting Youth affairs in the country.

He is also a Radio and TV personality, most popularly known for his Love program, “The Dr. Love Show” and is the brand Influencer for BnB Remittance Corporation in Sierra Leone.

He has a wealth of experience of over 10 years as a broadcasting personality on various shows and radio stations including: AIRadio (Afri Radio), Star Radio, AYV to name a few with an extensive background in digital marketing, content production, strategic communications and marketing.

It must be noted that the Youth constitute an important segment of the population as they are not only in the majority but their physical and mental contributions in driving change and development within any nation cannot in any way be underestimated.

Their voices are very significant in decision-making processes; they are the brains behind technological and innovative changes and above all are the future leaders whom the older generation will inevitably give way to.

Creating opportunities for young people to advance themselves and make meaningful contributions for young people are important gains which any serious minded and development-focused Government should endeavour to accomplish through various means.

In trying to drive development, through youth empowerment, there is every need for Government to bring on board influential stakeholders that will provide leadership and galvanize young people to be very productive.

It was within that context that President Julius Maada Bio saw the need to appoint, Yulisa Ahmadu, as someone who has distinguished himself with proven track record of championing youth affairs  and in advancing issues related to young people by way of seeking for opportunities to give young people the need space and abilities to better themselves and contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of the nation.

NP (SL)’s Commitment in Rolling Out its Mission is Unflinching

National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL-Ltd)

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

NP (SL) Ltd is a sterling petroleum importing and marketing entity that has gained a firm foothold within the petroleum marketing landscape of Sierra Leone offering varieties of high grade petroleum products and as a corporate citizen, serving as a dependable partner in development. As an indigenous business entity, the company has a humble beginning but grew rapidly to become of the country’s successful enterprises that has offered and continues to offer so much in terms of development.

The company has truly proven that it is committed to the attainment and fulfillment of its mission which borders around “maintaining its dominant leadership position in the local market and strive to operate at sub-regional level by assuring the supply of petroleum products in an environmentally friendly manner while offering superior value for their customers, employees and other stakeholders based on a proud corporate culture with emphasis on safety consciousness, profit optimization, corporate expansion thereby contributing to national development”.

To a large extent the company has, over the years, successfully rolled out what is encompassed in the aforementioned Mission Statement. Today, in Sierra Leone and within the West African sub-region, NP-SL Ltd stands tall, dominating the petroleum marketing landscape in terms of its timely importation of high grade petroleum products, its effective marketing strategies, the number of dealers it has attracted to open Filling Stations even in hard to reach areas as well as the impressive way it is optimizing customer care, earning it the covetous respect as 1st for Customer Care.

With regards safety consciousness, the company always ensures that it provides tips at all its Filling Stations on how customers should conduct themselves when they are transacting businesses. Information such as “No Smoking”, “Avoid Naked Flame”, “Turn Off Engine While Fuel is Being Pumped”, “ Don’t Make-Up While Driving”, “Switch off Mobile Phones” are just some of the precautionary measures that are constantly made visible to all and sundry amidst the fact that fire extinguishers are always handy.

In all the countries within the West African sub-region where the company opted to establish, it was more particularly concerned of building a well-run dominant petroleum company in Liberia that is poised to compete in the West African sub-region. To a large extent that Vision has been achieved as NP-SL Ltd is a vibrant functioning entity that is assuaging the petroleum needs of people in that part of the world and doing so commendably well.

When the company was set up, the owners thought of having a Culture bordering around “developing a disciplined family with an institutional culture working towards building a great company”.

It is against such a backdrop that the company made it a policy that in terms of employment indigenes should be given priority as opposed to expatriates or foreigners. The culture is in sync with promoting the Local Content Policy and has contributed to the improvement of the lives of many locals. Employees of the company are well disciplined, are motivated and courteous in the way and manner in which they treat customers from diverse backgrounds and walks of life.

Known for effective service delivery, the company has calibrated pumping machines that gives the exact amount of fuel requested for.

Also, it introduced what is now known as NP Smart Card which is a memory chip that could be credited from time to time by the holder in order to buy fuel. It is a cashless way of conducting business and many have attested that it is very convenient.

There is also NP-Gas which is a cooking devise that could be refilled with gas. Manufactured in different cylinder sizes it is said to be very efficient and they are sold at the company’s Filling Stations or authorized dealers at affordable prices.

With its core values of NP-SL Ltd are anchored on: Safe Working Environment, Good Customer Service, High quality products, environmental sustainability and building positive teams, NP-SL Ltd has come a long way in executing its roadmap to become a viable business entity.

EU Election Observers Mission Deploys 28 LongTerm Observers to 16 Districts

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In a Release dated 27th May, 2023 and issued by the European Union it was stated that this week the EU Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) deployed 28 long-term observers (LTOs) to all 16 districts of Sierra Leone.

“The long-term observers are the backbone of this election observation mission. Their findings and observations will be vital in forming an impartial and evidence-based assessment of these elections,”  the Chief Observer, Ms Evin Incir, Member of the European Parliament is quoted to have said.

It was also pointed out that in line with the EU methodology, the EU EOM to Sierra Leone applies a long-term, country-wide election observation approach that enables the mission to offer a balanced and substantive analysis of electoral processes across the country.

Further mentioned was that in their respective areas of observation, the EU EOM LTOs will follow and analyze at the regional level the aspects of the electoral process that the core team members assess at national level. Giving an example, it stated that the LTOs will observe the election preparations, the election campaign, and the activities of electoral stakeholders.

Worthy of note is that the long-term observers have been deployed in multinational teams of two and, prior to their deployment, received comprehensive briefings on a wide range of issues, including on the election administration, the political environment and the legal framework governing these elections, as well as on the traditional and social media landscapes.

Additionally stated was that the EU EOM is deployed in a response to an invitation by the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone and started its activities on 11 May and is led by Chief Observer Ms Evin Incir, Member of the European Parliament, who officially launched the Mission on 23 May in Freetown, after holding a series of meetings with many high-level stakeholders.

The EU stated how closer to election day 40 short-term observers will join the EU EOM to observe the voting, counting and tabulation of the results.

In addition, a delegation of members of the European Parliament and some 10 locally-recruited short-term observers from the diplomatic missions of EU member states accredited to Sierra Leone will also join the EU EOM to observe the election day proceedings.

The EU said at full strength the EU EOM will comprise some 100 observers, drawn from 26 EU member states, Canada, and Norway.

It continued that the EU EOM will hold a press conference and issue a preliminary statement two days after the elections and a final report offering recommendations for future electoral processes will be presented after the completion of the entire election process.

Also added was that the EU EOM is bound by a code of conduct, which requires strict neutrality and non-interference and it undertakes its work in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, endorsed under UN auspices in 2005.

PPRC Chairman Expresses Optimism of Heightened Political Tolerance

By Alpha Good Kamara

As political activities gains momentum, PPRC Chairman, Abdulai Masiyambay Bangurah Esq, has expressed optimism that he expects heightened political tolerance, free and unhindered access of political parties to all communities, and a quiet and peaceful campaign, which is the precursor to a free fair transparent and credible election.

He expressed that sentiment at the end of the Commission’s Unhindered Access engagements with Paramount Chiefs across the country, during which he also said that he expects mutual respect between Politicians and the electorates and Traditional Authorities.

Reacting to the issue of the commitment made by Paramount Chiefs, he said he expects constant communication and engagement on emerging issues, relative to the campaign trail and the role of traditional leaders.

He admonished political parties and their supporters and Independent Candidates to be respectful to Paramount Chiefs and informed them of their campaign activities in their Chiefdoms.  Political Parties, he says, must be peaceful and civil in the conduct of their campaigns frankly assessing the campaigns so far as being relatively and substantially peaceful.

“There is room for improvement, but we will continue to guide the process, with an intention to curb the challenges” he concluded.

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