NCRA Commences Production & Issuance of Identity Card

February 17, 2023

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) in collaboration with Constrat Systems SL LTD has commenced the production of Securitised and Multi-purpose Biometric Identity Cards and ID Verification System in the Western Area and other Regional Headquarter towns on the 30th January, 2023.

The categories of the ID Cards include: National Identity Cards – For Sierra Leoneans only aged 12 and above, ECOWAS ID Cards – On demand for Sierra Leoneans and ECOWAS citizens and Non-National ID Cards Mandatory for all foreign residents in Sierra Leone.

It further stated that foreign nationals, with the exception of those with Diplomatic waivers, are strongly encouraged to acquire their Non-National ID Cards by 1st May 2023.

NCRA added that following a Parliamentary Ratification of the ID Card Agreement that tied access to various services to the National Identification Number (NIN), Applicants for Work and Residence Permits must present their Non-National ID Cards which include their NIN at the relevant Ministry or Department for processing.

It also informs the general public to report at the following respective NCRA Offices and other designated Centres for Application and processing of their ID Cards.

1. NCRA Headquarters at 2 Walpole Street, Freetown.
11. NCRA Office at 23B Off Kingharman Road, Freetown
III. NCRA Office on Kennedy Street, Freetown
IV. NCRA Branch Office at 230 Lumley Road, Freetown (By the Round & About)
V. NCRA Office at Waterloo along the Freetown High Way (Opposite the Police Station).
VI. NCRA Offices at the respective Regional Headquarter Towns of Bo,
Kenema, Makeni and Port Loko.

The NCRA ended by stating that in a bid to increase accessibility to members of the public, Corporate facilities will be available from Monday 20th February, 2023.

It also advised Organisations/ Institutions interested in the Corporate service such as Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAS), Foreign Missions, Financial Institutions etc to contact the following numbers: +232-33-433-333/+232-30-500-000/+232-6 0-000/+232-78-221- 812 and EMAIL: idverification@ncra.gov for details of the Service.

High Court Judge Slams Injunction on APC Delegates Conference

February 17, 2023

By Abubakarr Harding

As few months from now the country will be holding its multi-tier elections there is now a big hurdle for the main opposition All People Congress (APC) Party as High Court Judge, Hon. Justice Hannah Bonnie has slammed an interim injunction restraining the Interim Transitional Governance Committee (ITGC) of the main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) from holding the National Delegates’ Conference slated for 17, 18 and 19 February, 2023 in Makeni City pending the hearing and determination of a recent application filed by a member of the APC Party.

Among other things, the Plaintiff also asked the Court to grant an interlocutory injunction restraining those members who were found “culpable of dishonest nature” by the COI from contesting for any position in the APC, especially when the said COI Judgments have not been overturned by the Court.

The matter was adjourned to the 23rd February, 2023.

In another Press Release dated 16^th February, 2021 issued by the Sierra Leone Police captioned, “Revocation of Police Clearance Issued to The All Peoples Congress Party to Hold National Delegates Conference”, it was stated that the general public must be informed that it received a letter dated 10th February, 2023, signed by one Alhaji Mohamed Aka Koroma (Secretary and Head of the Secretariat – Interim Transitional Governance Committee – ITGC).

The said letter notified the SLP that the All Peoples Congress (APC) Party will be conducting its National Delegates Conference at their Regional Office in Makeni from 17th to 19th February, 2023 and therefore requested the SLP to grant permission for the said convention to be held.

According to the SLP in a letter dated 15th February, 2023, it acknowledged receipt of same and further conveyed the Inspector General’s approval of the request to provide security coverage for the proposed National Delegates Conference.

The Police continued that whilst preparations were ongoing to provide security coverage for the National Delegates Conference, the office of the Inspector General on Wednesday 15th February, 2023, received a High Court Order, which slammed an Interim Injunction on the All Peoples Congress from holding the said National Delegates Conference.

The SLP said in view thereof, it would like to inform the general public that its letter dated 15th February, 2023, which conveyed the Inspector General’s approval for the conduct of the All Peoples Congress Party National Delegates Conference in Makeni from 17th February, 2023 to 19th February, 2023, is hereby withdrawn.

In that regard, the Sierra Leone Police said it is advising everyone to comply with the High Court Order and further urged to desist from converging at the said venue for the planned National Delegates’ Conference.

The Police added that meanwhile, in compliance with the Order of the High Court, the Office of the IGP has officially dispatched a letter dated 16th February, 2023, to the APC Party, informing same about the revocation of the earlier Police Clearance issued on 15th February, 2023 also urging the general public to go about their normal legal business.

QNET is Not an Overseas Travelling Business

February 17, 2023

Ever since QNET was incorporated in Hong Kong as a business enterprise some 25 years ago, the most spurious lie and misconception peddled against QNET is that the organization is engaged in overseas travelling.

That narrative is deceitfully parroted by detractors and impersonators, aimed at using the name of the organization for selfish gains and thinking that they are derailing the efforts or tarnishing the name of a worldwide renowned and legitimate business.

Contrary to the wishes of unscrupulous detractors, it should be categorically stated that QNET does not engage in any overseas travelling whatsoever and does not facilitate the travelling of Sierra Leoneans to overseas.

Most relevant to Sierra Leone at this point is clearing the misconceptions and setting the records straight, given the fact that QNET does not offer any products related to “travel assistance with immigration services, or even overseas jobs in exchange for payment” of any kind.

Additionally, QNET has nothing to do with travel assistance for immigration, visas, and overseas job offers in exchange for payment. The abundant availability of travelling programmes to the Middle East for work has led to a mad rush of people showing interest and unsuspectingly, they are consequently swindled by fake and deceitful agents posing as legitimate business people.

It should be emphatically stated that these people are not part of the QNET business network and anyone caught using the name of the organization to conduct dishonest and deceitful business with members of the public must be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the laws of Sierra Leone.

Mel Adjoussou, Esq, Qnet Regional Counsel for Sub-Saharan Africa QNET has similarly stated that those fraudsters who want to spoil the hard-earned image of QNET as a legal, trusted and legitimate business must be apprehended by the police and charged to court for fraudulent conversion.

For assurance purposes, he asserted that if anyone has encountered fraudulent activities being carried out in the name of QNET, that person must contact QNET immediately at africa.supportcentre@qnet.net.

Lawyer Adjoussou reveals that QNET adopted a business model that combines the two principles of major industries which involve E-Commerce and the direct selling of products, as according to him, any individual who chooses to purchase the product will have the opportunity to become an Independent Representative(IRs).

The IRs he furthered, would earn commissions from the sale of the products which must be in line with compensation plans and went on to note that QNET normally conducts business by way of Licensing agreements through a local representative serving as an agent.

“We have been shipping products to Sierra Leone and a few years ago some Sierra Leoneans decided to become distributors or independent representatives of QNET products. They earned commissions on the products sold at the end of the day”, he discloses.

It should be noted that QNET actively enforces strict regulations/policies that IRs must comply with in their day-to-day operations when marketing QNET products. To guarantee the legitimacy of business transactions IRs must be legally entitled to work in their country of residence and must conduct their business dealing in accordance with all local laws and regulations.

QNET does not encourage cross-border movements and IRs are made to commit to QNET’s Policies and Procedures which govern their ethical behaviour while marketing its products. IRs are trained on QNET’s ethics and professionalism periodically.

To manage the expectations of prospective people interested in QNET business, it is important to note that direct selling is not a get-rich-quick scheme. QNET makes it very clear on its website www.qnet.net and all its marketing materials that the QNET Business Opportunity does not guarantee any income and results are commensurate with the effort put in by the IR.

That notwithstanding, in the last 25 years, hundreds of thousands of people around the world have benefited from QNET products and services and have been empowered to become entrepreneurs using direct selling business opportunities.

The company offers diversified business varieties. QNET offers products in the form of Holidays, Wellness, Watches & Jewellery, Home & Living, Education, Health, Personal Care & Beauty and Technology product categories. At the moment, QNET can boast of product sales in more than 100 countries and is actively present in more than 25 countries through offices and agencies.

QNET is a socially-responsible company and through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm, RYTHM (Raise Yourself to Help Mankind), it has implemented many empowering and life-changing social responsibility projects and activities across the West African sub-region.

QNET keeps supporting a social intervention that helps provide education to young deaf and blind children through sports and social inclusion activities. When Covid-19 hit hard, QNET provided personal protective equipment to hospitals and security agencies and supplied needy households with food items and essentials. QNET has been the official direct selling partner of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) club competitions on the African continent since 2018. QNET is also the Direct Selling partner of Manchester City Football Club.

The Dilemma of the THREE MUSKETEERS: EBK, Minkailu Mansaray and Pa Yansaneh: A Tale of TWO APC Constitutions

February 17, 2023

In Sierra Leone, the All People’s Congress (APC) has faced controversy over the selection of members to key positions within the party. Favouritism and disregard for constitutional provisions have plagued the selection process.

This report examines the risks of using the old constitution to select APC members and highlights the opportunity provided by the new constitution in electing members to key positions.

The report also emphasizes the dangers of the old constitution’s selection clause, as well as the consequences of shortlisting Presidential flagbearers in violation of the rules.

The Dangers of Using the Old Constitution

The Sierra Leone Constitution of 1991 and the Political Parties Act of 2002 both contain specific provisions outlining the process for electing members to key positions within political parties.

According to Section (78) 1 of the 1991 Constitution, “the High Court shall have jurisdiction to hear and determine any question whether-

any person has been validly elected as a Member of Parliament; and
the seat of a member of Parliament has become vacant.”

Section (149) 4 adds,

“Where a Commission of Inquiry makes an adverse finding against any person, which may result in a penalty, forfeiture, or loss of status, the report of the Commission of Inquiry shall, for the purposes of this Constitution, be deemed to be a Judgement of the High Court of Justice, and accordingly an appeal shall lie as of right from the Commission to the Court of Appeal.”

According to Section (14) 1 of the Political Parties Act of 2002,

“a political party shall not have as a founding member, leader of the party, or member of its executive body, whether national or otherwise, a person who is not qualified to be elected as a member of Parliament under the Constitution.

The requirements for selecting candidates for elections are also outlined in the Electoral Laws Act 2002, specifically Section (29) 2 d.

The APC, on the other hand, has been accused of ignoring these constitutional provisions, as members of Former President Ernest Bai Koroma’s (EBK) old school preside over meetings to select candidates for key positions.

This approach has led to accusations of favouritism, as some members of the old guard who have yet to step down from APC affairs as a result of the Commission on Inquiry (COI) have been given preferential treatment in the pre-selection to ELECTION process.

Warning Regarding Justice Fisher’s Decision:

The current ruling of Justice Fisher must also be considered by the APC. Justice Fisher has stated unequivocally that the party must follow the provisions of the new constitution.

This ruling puts the APC in a bind because the party’s old guards, EBK, Minkailu Mansaray, and Pa Yansaneh, are heavily invested in the old constitution.

Ignoring this ruling is undemocratic, undermines the principles of fairness and transparency, and may lead to the arrest of some OLD GUARDS.

Members of the APC must insist on the use of the new constitution, which allows all party members to vote for their leaders.

The Old Guards are a threat, and shortlisting presidential flagbearers is against the rules.

There is certainly danger on the horizon when one of the old guards is given the MANDATE to hold private meetings to INTERVIEW and SELECT before allowing PARTY MEMBERS to elect party executives; especially the FLAGBEARER.

The risks of using the old constitution to select APC members are obvious. The selection process must be scrapped, and the OLD GUARDs must follow the provisions of the new constitution and allow for a fair and democratic election.

The consequences of shortlisting presidential flagbearers in violation of the rules are detrimental to the party’s success, and the APC must be mindful of Justice Fisher’s current ruling.

The APC must work to ensure that the best candidate for the position of flagbearer is chosen and that members from all regions and ethnic groups are given equal opportunities to hold key positions within the party. The party must also ensure that the election process is transparent and that all members have equal access to participate.

The New APC Constitution Provides Opportunities

The new constitution opens the door to a more democratic and inclusive election process. The constitution allows for a broader membership to vote in the election of key positions. This means that the party membership has a say in who becomes the party’s presidential Flagbearer and other key positions.

Furthermore, the new constitution ensures that all candidates have a level playing field. This means that all candidates, regardless of their background, tribe, religion, region, or affiliation with the party OLD GUARDs, have an equal chance of being elected. This ensures that the best candidate for the job is elected, rather than just a few biased party members.

The Success of the Party

It is important to note that the success of a party is dependent on its members’ unity and cooperation. As a result, the APC must work to foster a sense of inclusivity in which all members feel valued and respected.

This can be accomplished by fostering an environment conducive to open communication and constructive criticism.

Let me conclude!

The risks of using the old constitution to select APC members are numerous. The party must work to ensure that the new constitution’s provisions are followed and that a fair and democratic process is in place.

The consequences of shortlisting presidential flagbearers in violation of the rules can be harmful to the party’s success, and the APC must work to ensure that the best candidate for the Flagbearer position is elected.

The APC must also ensure that members of all regions and ethnic groups have equal access to key positions within the party.

The THREE MUSKETEERS; EBK, Minkailu Mansaray, and Pa Yansaneh, must recognize the importance of implementing the new constitution and holding a democratic and inclusive election process.

To ensure the APC’s success, the party must prioritize the interests of its broader membership over the interests of a few individuals.

I am Bhai-D

NP-SL Lauded for Exemplary Customer Care & Service Delivery

February 17, 2023

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

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

One of the most successful entities seriously operating in this country, NP-Sierra Leone Limited, has been lauded for its sustainable contributions, over the years, all geared towards overall national development. Operating as a very successful petroleum marketing entity, NP-SL had and still continues to contribute tremendously towards the socio-economic development of Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and the Gambia as the company is actively functioning in all the aforementioned countries.

A 100% indigenously-owned company, NP-Sierra Leone has so far offered various jobs to residents in the afore-mentioned countries, thereby contributing greatly towards poverty reduction to a considerable level.

Worthy of note is that it is further recorded that the entity is one of the largest taxpayers to the National Revenue Authority (NRA),the institution charged with the mandate to collect revenue on behalf of the Government, which the latter then uses to fund the rolling out of various development projects. Among the outstanding features that the company possesses is its competent managerial team, which from time to time comes up with good initiatives, always ensuring that they are effusively, effectively implemented to create value for money.

Since it was established by 35 Sierra Leoneans, who bought shares from the Government years back, the company has grown from leaps and bounds; weathering storms that would have run it down. But the resolve of its shareholders and Management to succeed has been the centrepiece that has propelled NP to a higher level, equal to none in the sub-region.
If you ask those who really know NP, the feedbacks you will receive will definitely revolve around its commitment to customer care, which it strongly believes must be prioritized in order to give utmost and wider satisfaction.

The selflessness and commitment of the shareholders have indeed made it possible for the company to empower many Sierra Leoneans and at the same time put it at a vantage position to continue to open more filling stations across the country.
NP-SL has doggedly maintained a good business relationship with its numerous customers right across the sub-region and most have confessed that they are realizing optimum satisfaction dealing with NP.

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

This keen symbiotic relationship with its customers has been paying dividends, always resulting in a win-win situation, making NP very endearing to all and sundry.
The regulatory institution of the different petroleum companies in the country, the Petroleum Regulatory Authority (PRA), has lauded NP-SL for its efficient service delivery wherever it is operating.

The company is also known for offering Sierra Leoneans NP Gas cookers of various sizes, which are affordable, safe and very friendly to use. NP Gas could be purchased at all their filling stations across the country.
When we talk of the serious implementation of the Local Content Policy, NP stands out tall, as it is truly has 100% indigenes, particularly in Sierra Leone, as workers. This is one of the pillars that have made the company to be a success story.

The company’s introduction of a Smart Card to purchase fuel has been widely applauded as a very good initiative. A particular customer, with money in his or her NP Smart Card, could easily put in for the quantity of petrol or diesel that he or she wants and the supply is facilitated, after which the amount of money expended is deducted from the card.

NP-SL’s result-oriented managerial team will definitely and sustainably continue to put NP-SL at the top.
Without saying it loud indeed NP-SL Ltd is doing exceptionally well in all the countries it is functioning and there are prospects for further expansion to continue taking place.

Sierra Leone Commercial Bank Celebrates 50 Years of Existence

February 17, 2023

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In an engagement with the Press, on the 15^th February, 2023 at the Banks Conference Room,newsmen representing various Media Houses Management disclosed that the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB) is currently celebrating its 50^th Anniversary on the theme, “Moving Towards a More Prosperous Future”.

Present on the Management side of the Bank were the Managing Director of the Bank, Yusufi Sillah, the Deputy Managing Director, Festus Sowa, Director of Business Development, Moses Combo Sesay, Director of Corporate Affairs, Victor Biandoma, Director of Corporate Affairs, Moses Combo Sesay, Olayinka Philips, who served as the Anniversary Chairperson and some other staff of the Bank.

Chairing the Press engagement was Dr Julius Spencer who informed all present that the Bank was established in 1973 further maintaining that it is the most successful among the parastatals that were set up by then Government within that particular period.

He furthered by intimating that over the years the Bank has gone through various challenges but stated that because of the efficient and effective ways Managements of the Bank have manned the affairs of the Bank it has withstand those challenges and today it is still going strong.

“As one of the successful indigenous Banks that is operating in the country it is very important for Sierra Leoneans to patronize with it mainly because being a State owned bank profits that are generated are spent in the country were as for those that are foreign banks the profits are taken out of the country,” he encouraged all to bank with the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank.

Chairperson of the Anniversary, Olayinka Philips, thanked God for enabling them to celebrate 50 Years of existence adding that over the years they have maintained their brand and has made considerable progress in the digital space with regards banking operations.

She informed newsmen that Management of the bank is redirecting resources to improve service delivery and to reach the unbanked communities as it is part of the bank’s mission for more to be on board the enduring legacy.

Olayinka Philips revealed that as they are celebrating the bank’s 50^th Anniversary they want to use the opportunity to launch two new products which she said are very important for people to take advantage of.

“We want a lot of people to take advantage of the various products that we are now offering our clients as we continue to churn out initiatives that will make the bank a Pan African bank,” she appealed maintaining that together all can make SLCB an international bank.

The Director of Business Development, Moses Combo Sesay stated that the bank started with a capital of Five Hundred Thousand Leones but can boast of over Two Hundred Million USD, a growth which he attributed to seasoned management initiatives. He said the products that will be launched are very significant with lots of benefits for people who will be making use of them assuring all that they will do all within their reach to do more in order to make banking simple.

Yusifu Sillah, the Managing Director informed that they are determined to set the stage that will take the bank to a higher level. He told newsmen that modern banking is becoming cashless adding that one of the current threats they are faced with is the rate at which mobile money is expanding but encouraged all to bank with them.

The Managing Director pointed out that they are targeting the vulnerable in society with the introduction of the new products. He said they have a broader customer base and are moving in line with competition with the objective of providing modern day banking as they continue to build their infrastructure.

Launching of the two products was done by the Director of Business Development, Moses Combo Sesay. The two products are: Mi Yone Retirement Account and Me Yone Seniors Account.

For the Mi Yone Retirement Account it is a savings account that allows the holder to save without withdrawals for a period geared towards the account holder’s retirement or when they stop working. Savings in this account can be done whether the person is employed or self employed and can be in the form of a standing order. Main features of this account are: long term savings, Initial Deposit is Le100, 10 percent interest is paid annually if no withdrawals are made, Cheque book, VIP Card and a dedicated Teller if the deposit is above Le100.000, One free statement request per year, Automatic signed sign up for VISA card services and the SLCB Mobile App and Access to an ATM network.

For the Mi Yone Seniors Account, it offers convenient banking to individuals aged 60 years and above. It can be opened either as a Savings or Current Account, initial deposit is Le50, reduced COT Charges of 1.5% on a current account and 8% on a savings account annually, Cheque book, VIP Card and a dedicated Teller if the deposit is above Le100, 000, one free statement request per year, automatic sign up on Visa card services and the SLCB Mobileapp, access to an ATM and other visa-automated machines globally.

The requirements to open this account are duly completed application form, valid identification card/NASSIT ID Card etc, utility bills and two passport-size photos.

Pavi Fort Translates President Bio’s Road Agenda into Reality

February 17, 2023

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Pavi Fort Road Construction Company has etched its name in the sand of times as the leading indigenous road construction company in Sierra Leone that many have been copiously commending for always delivering qualitative road construction works.

As an Engineering Firm that deals with Civil Engineering in terms of the construction of roads and bridges, the company has made tremendous progress in its latest activities which are mainly centred around firstly, implementing the World Bank funded Integrated Resilient Urban Mobility Project (IRUMP) that is targeting three road corridors in Freetown, specifically in the areas of Kissy Ferry Junction, Congo Cross Roundabout and Lumley Roundabout which are referred to as road corridors.

The second major activity in which the company is currently engrossed in has to do with road maintenance of some major streets in Freetown, the whole township of Kenema and refurbishing a hospital in Port Loko that was handed over to the Government by UAE among others.

Through the astute leadership of the result oriented and charismatic Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Pavi Fort, Alimu Barrie, one of President Julius Maada Bio’s manifesto promises which has to do with the delivering of improved road networks right around the country has been commendably translated into reality by Pavi Fort to the astonishment and admiration of funding agencies as well as the vast majority of people that are benefitting from those improved and qualitative works done by the reputable company.

Indeed, the current SLPP Government, under the stewardship of President Bio has done much to deepen development. One successful accomplishment that the current SLPP Government scored, under the leadership of President Bio, was securing funding from the World Bank for the implementation of the Integrated Resilient Urban Mobility Project (IRUMP).

The main objectives of the project are geared towards improving the quality of public transportation, addressing climate resilience, improving road safety in selected areas and enhancing institutional capacity in the transport sector.

As a reputable construction company, Pavi Fort won the contract for the implementation of the project in three areas or corridors namely : Kissy Ferry Junction, Congo Cross and Lumley. The works involved comprehensive corridor improvements that will cover complete traffic management measures including intersection improvements, coordinated traffic lights, improvement of sidewalks for pedestrian movement, drainage, etc.

Pavi Fort commenced work at Ferry Junction on the 15^th May, 2022 and within a short period of intense work the company completed re-graveling works, covering a 400-metre stretch from J Matter, around the Dockyard axis to reach as far as the Bomeh axis, in the East End of Freetown.

Next that followed was asphalt on the surface of the road, said to have been constructed forty years back, to bring it up to 10 cm from the previous 5cm and that involved three layers.

The company expanded the road from two lanes, on both sides, to three lanes, fixed a new drainage system to replace the old small clogged ones which will curtail or drastically reduce flooding on the road during the rains, and made provision for a traffic light to be fixed at the Ferry Junction intersection to control the traffic flow, fixed street lights, guard rails as well as convenient bus stops or parking spaces.

The only things that should now be done are to fix the traffic light and walkways meaning that 80% of the work has been completed to the delight of the funding agency, the World Bank and road users.

It must be noted that because of the rainy season the work slowed down, eliciting criticisms that the company was doing a bad work when in actual fact it was the heavy downpours that put the work on hold. However, to the joy of many the road has improved traffic flow and is now more convenient to motorists and pedestrians.

Construction and engineering works at Cong Cross and Lumley under the same project, IRUMP, have reached 90% near completion stages and it is the expectation that by March this year 2023 they would have been completed.

Pavi Fort is also engaged with road maintenance in Freetown, Kenema , Lungi and Kabala (Kroobola). In these areas the company is involved in stone basing and tarring of damaged roads with the aim of minimizing the number of pot holes on the road which also by extension minimizes risks and accidents from taking place.

In Port Loko the company is engrossed with landscaping, roofing and fixing of pillars on a facility which was once used by NaCOVERC during the COVID-19 and is now being transformed into a hospital.It is also constructing a 2.2km road, a perimeter fence, car park and the stabilization of the area of the containerized Hospital facility.

In Kenema the company has completed asphalt work on the township roads after preliminary works were done. Right at this material moment maintenance of roads in the aforementioned places is intensely ongoing.

In an exclusive but snap interview with the Director of Operations at Pavi Fort, Juel Bernard Lawson, he started by intimating that the company is a Sierra Leonean owned company that is well geared to implement more projects in the country.

He informed that 85% work has been done at Ferry Junction, that ongoing work at Congo Cross is virtually completed and that at Lumley it is only the asphalt work that should be done also stating that intense work is taking place in Port Loko but 90% of work has been completed and that the reconstruction of the Kabala-Kurubola-Kono Road Project (261Km) was recently awarded to Pavi Fort.

Lawson told this medium that they are engaged on major cutting of Hill Kabala to Dogolia like Madina with 82 villages completed, Earthwork 80% completed, sub base 50% completed and by passing major curves like Kanuka Affair and close to Dogolia.

He disclosed that though it is an indigenous company Pavi Fort that employs local staff, however, sometimes they hire the services of experts who foreigners if the expertise could not be secured nationally furthering that when it comes to equipment the company has fleet of machines at its disposal to undertake various tasks.

Lawson also mentioned that they have asphalt plants at different places as part of their decentralization strategy also disclosing how they have the best paver which is an electronics device with an expert controlling it and Sierra Leoneans understudying from him.

In terms of challenges, he mentioned how it is difficult to work during day time because of congestion revealing how they work mostly at night. He also stated that work slows down during the rains and funding sometimes though not all times is also an issue to contend with.

The Director of Operations commended President Bio for prioritizing road construction and maintenance as well as for having confidence in an indigenous entity like Pavi Fort to undertake projects that formerly only foreign companies were contracted to do.

A Social Commentator stated that he will copiously praise Pavi Fort for one thing which is implementing various projects at the same time in different and distant locations, a feat which others could not maintaining that it shows how competent and efficient Pavi Fort is.

NGO Fest to hold in grant style

February 17, 2023

NGOs across Sierra Leone will gather at the Radisson Blu Garden this weekend for a grand festival titled NGO Fest, in commemoration of the World NGO Day 2023.

The NGO Fest is part of the NGO Week, which is organised by the African NGO Council in partnership with the NGO Directorate of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), the Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (SLANGO), and NGO Consulting (SL) Ltd. to commemorate World NGO Day 2023 in Sierra Leone. The goal is to enhance NGOs’ contribution to national development, and to create a national platform to bring together donors, strategic partners, various UN and government agencies and businesses for them to interact, network and display their activities, products and services.

The NGO Week is a set of activities, including a two-day festival (trade fair and exhibition), which will involve the participation of government officials, private sector organisations, companies, and both national and international NGOs operating across the country in commemoration of World NGO Day.

In addition, an NGO Networking Dinner & Party will be held on the 24th as a networking event which will bring together national and international NGOs, donors and development partners, academia, media houses, ambassadors, bankers and lawyers, CEOs and senior executives in the private sector, policymakers, Ministers and heads of MDAs, and service providers to the NGO sector across Sierra Leone.

The World NGO Day (www.worldngoday.org) is an international day (February 27th) dedicated to recognize, celebrate and honour all non-governmental and non-profit organisations, and the people behind them that contribute to the society all year around. The NGO Week is a set of activities, including a symposium, media and public education outreach, public discussions, a gala dinner, and a four-day exhibition, which will involve the participation of senior government officials, private sector organisations, and both national and international NGOs operating across the country.

NCRA & Africell Take Giant Steps

February 17, 2023

The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) on Thursday 16th February 2023, authorized the leading telecommunication company, Africell Mobile Company the unfettered access to the recently launched identification verification platform.

Such is a welcoming news to all Africell’s subscribers as every Africell’s SIM Cards will now be linked to the Verification Platform. This will ensure the Verification of individual SIM Card Holders of Africell in the country, effective Friday, 17th February, 2023.

The Director General of NCRA, Mohamed Massaqoui commended Africell for the giant steps they have taken in the development trajectory of the country. He added that the recently launched I.D Verification Platform is key to national development.

He further noted that it is good for Africell as a credible mobile company to take the lead in having access to the verification platform, adding that, the goal of the initiative is to strengthen National Digital Identification, modernize the country’s Credit Reference Bureau and radically transform Sierra Leone. He added that the initiative will put an end to paper-based credit, check and promote digital identity reference that ease the burden of time, resources, inconvenience, delays and social exclusion.

“This is a unique approach by President Bio to leverage the tremendous potential of technology, data science and artificial intelligence in making data-driven analyses and decisions, and scaling up solutions to society’s problems. This inter-link, with strong policy-making, problem-solving, and innovative application of technology, is beginning to have a transformative effect on the lives of all Sierra Leoneans,” he said.

In response, the Managing Director of Africell, Shadi thanked the Director General of NCRA for granting them the opportunity to use the platform. He assured that they will use the platform judiciously by making it available to their customers. He further thanked the NCRA for their usual cooperation.

The Constrat Systems Managing Director, Tarek Alhassane and other dignitaries were part of the ceremony.

SLAJ Celebrates World Radio Day 2023

February 15, 2023

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In celebrating the Centenary of Radio in Africa President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, on the 13^th February,2023 delivered a statement on World Radio Day 2023 on the theme, “Radio and Peace”.

The SLAJ President maintained that World Radio Day is a day that UNESCO encourages the world to acknowledge and appreciate the role and importance of radio in everyday lives, in the prevention of conflict and promoting peace and national cohesion, and the development of nations.

He stated how the year 2023 marks the Centenary of Radio in Africa and that Radio is still the dominant mass-medium in Africa in general; and Sierra Leone in particular, with the widest geographical reach, and the highest audiences.

The President revealed that In Sierra Leone today, the new media- particularly Facebook- accounts for more than 500 to 700,000 users maintaining that though that number is increasing it is still less than 10 percent of the population, whereas radio accounts for 80% of listenership in the population.

He argues that it is evident that radio is still the most pervasive (and cheapest) medium of mass communication in Sierra Leone adding that according to the Independent Media Commission (IMC) there are 209 registered radio stations in the country, including community radio stations.

Ahmed Sahid Nasralla informed that as the theme for this year’s commemoration is “Radio and Peace”, SLAJ, the Independent Radio Network (IRN) and the IMC are working with donor partners to effectively use radio to educate and sensitize voters, provide credible information to the public, and ensure peaceful national elections before, during and after 24th June 2023.

He disclosed that SLAJ, IRN, IMC, and the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) are also putting together a number of training programs for radio journalists across the country on conflict and gender sensitive reporting, elections reporting, and strengthening the governance and management structures of community radio stations to focus on independent journalism in the interest of their communities.

The SLAJ President revealed how they are working together to position radio, especially community radios, in a way that it becomes the most credible source of information around the upcoming national elections.

He pointed out that when abandoned or neglected or mismanaged, radio can indeed fuel conflict admonishing how we must invest in radio and use it as a tool to inform, educate, mobilize participation, prevent conflict and promote peace and national cohesion by ensuring the elections are free, fair, transparent, and credible.

“Over the last three decades, we have seen the role radio has played in significant milestones in our sociopolitical history; during the rebel war, the restoration of democratic governance, reconciliation and peacebuilding era, the increase in democratic participation and the change of regime during peaceful elections, the Ebola outbreak, natural disasters, and the fight against COVID-19 amongst others,” he stated adding how it should be noted that had it not been for the existence of radio the gains made by the nation over this period would have been an arduous task, if not impossible.

The SLAJ President intimated that, however, generating adequate resources to ensure sustainability has always been a challenge for the media industry, particularly for community radios. He said plans are currently underway to look into that concern to explore the possibilities of more Government and private sector investment in the media adding that Gender mainstreaming is also an issue that they are concerned about as an Association.

Ahmed Sahid Nasralla stated how efforts to support and encourage more women folks to be involved in radio are yielding positive results as women are now becoming owners of radio stations.

He paid tribute to the numerous men and women, and young people who are serving in the radio industry amidst challenges of inadequate resources; yet are committed to ensuring that their audiences are kept informed with credible information. He congratulated all and expressed hope that they will continue to strive for excellence and keep serving diligently as they perform their professional role during the elections.