Fisheries Ministry to Cough Up Over Le1.3 Billion Registration & Licensing Fees

January 12, 2023

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

According to information in the purview of this news medium, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources is currently struggling to adequately and convincingly account for registration and licensing fees paid by Fishing Companies for fishing vessels for the year, 2021, amounting to Le1,324,208,393. .

Cognizance must be taken of the fact that in accordance with provisions in Section 17 of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Regulations of 2019, license or authorization shall not be issued unless the approved fee and other required charges have been paid at the required time.

Worthy of note is that when licensing vessel(s) or fishery support & processing plant(s), fishing companies are required to pay a fishing protection fee, fishing statistics and research fee, and fishing observers fee where applicable.

Lamentably though, records for registered vessels (for Industrial Fishing Licenses, Semi-industrial Fishing Licenses, and Fishery Support and Processing Licenses) for the period under review,2021, show no evidence of payment of fishing protection fee, fishing statistics and research fee, and fishing observers fee which amounted to Le1,324,208,393.

When the Director of Fisheries was asked to immediately submit evidence of payment of revenue to auditors who were verifying or otherwise the full amount must be recovered from the fishing companies and paid into the Consolidated Fund, he responded that there is evidence of the aforementioned payments made.

He categorically stated that records of payment of Fisheries Protection, Research, Statistics and Observer fees had been compiled by the account office and ready for verification by the audit team.

“We had challenge with one fishing company – Annsenkal Fishing Company operating Tuna Vessels who was constrained to honor payment of Fisheries Protection and Research fees since Tuna Vessels mostly operate on the high seas,” he furthered adding that the Ministry had sent a reminder to the company (Annsenkal Fishing Company) to honour payment of the said fees in order to mitigate a situation of serving as a deterrent to subsequent licensing of the vessels.

He added that the company’s Management responded that the company experienced shock due to COVID-19 pandemic that led to the withdrawal of some vessels and the non-inclusion of fees for fisheries protection and research into the MoU disclosing how they promised to include that component into the subsequent yearly MoU.

However, he failed to mention why fees collected from other fishing vessels were not accounted which gives an hint that something fishy has taken place somewhere which is why transparency and accountability are not seen at play with regards the aforementioned fees.

Besides, considering the fact that we are talking of 2021, there is no convincing reason to justify why up to this moment there are no evidence of fees been paid by fishing vessels.

Notwithstanding the Director’s cover up story or account, the auditors are of the strong conviction that the Ministry breached the provisions in Section 17, Subsection (2a) of the Fisheries and Aquaculture Regulations 2019 and Section 13, Subsection (2b&h) of the PFMA of 2016 and therefore, the issue is still to be addressed.

Investigation into the issue continues…

Afrimoney Customers Enjoy Free Sending and Receiving Money

January 12, 2023

By Foday Moriba Conteh

During a well-attended press conference held on Thursday 12^th January 2023 at Africell Headquarters on Wilberforce in Freetown, the Director of Afrimoney, Martinson Obeng-Agyei, informed pressmen that Afrimoney has extended it Lelemu Special Promotion.

The promotion, which has been extended till the end of February 2023, will give Afrimoney customers the opportunity to send money free of cost.

Welcoming the gathering, the Afrimoney Marketing Supervisor, Theresa Jane Wright, described the ceremony as a special ground breaking Lelemu special event.

In his address, the Director of Afrimoney, Martinson Obeng-Agyei, said December is a celebration month with different activities such as giving money to loved ones.

He pointed out that in December 2022 Afrimoney noticed that lot of customers enjoyed the December Lelemu for 30 days but when it wants to end customers raised concerns about the end of the promotion and because of that the company thought of extending it.

January, Obeng-Agyei went on to say, is a stiff month but when Afrimoney said they love their customers they have to do that when things are hard as they don’t want to lose their customers and they don’t want customers to loose them, that is why they are extending it till the end of February 2023.

Martinson Obeng-Agyei further stated that Afrimoney has their customers at heart and even think about them in good and hard times.

He disclosed that customers can send Afrimoney as many times as they can Free of charge till the end of February 2023, adding that because they also care for their agents they are giving them 50% cash in commission on every transaction.

“We love you and we are giving you your money back and give you free airtime back. If you don’t have Afrimoney you can Dial *161# ,don’t wait till February ending, do it now,” the Afrimoney Director admonished.

The Commercial Manager of Afrimoney, Dennis Duah Awuah, outlined key activities for the two months and encouraged all to brace up for them as they visit different places across the country.

Guild of Newspaper Editors Awards Mercury International for Outstanding Support

January 12, 2023

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The Guild of Newspaper Editors (GoNE) has shown appreciation to Mercury International by awarding the company for its outstanding support, over the years, to the growth and development of the print media in Sierra Leone. The demonstration of appreciation and gratitude was done on the 11^th January, 2023 at the company’s Head Office.

Chairman of the Guild of Newspaper Editors, Theo Harding, commended Mercury International on behalf of his colleagues for the support the company has been rendering to them.

He continued by narrating the parable in the Bible of the ten lepers who got healed by Jesus, but only one returned to say thanks stating how they don’t want to be the nine who were not grateful and how that is the reason why they are showing their appreciation.

Theo Harding continued that the Company has been assisting them since 2010, as his memory could recall, and how it has been there for them through thick and thin.

According to him, during Ebola when the corridors of sponsorship were shut, they got support from only Mercury International furthering that, when the COVID-19 pandemic break out it continued and even at this present moment of economic hardship the company is still giving support.

Theo Harding stated how if not for Mercury International most newspapers would have been closed by now underscoring that even though there are other sponsors, however, Mercury is the biggest, in terms of giving adverts and sponsorship.

On his part, the Managing Editor of “Teacher Lemp Lemp” , who also doubles as the President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, expressed profound gratitude to the Management of Mercury International for their continued support and prayed that the working relationship between them and the company will rewarding and fruitful.

After receiving the Award, the Managing Director of Mercury International, Martin Michael, disclosed that it is very unusual for people to visit them just to say thank you further maintaining that they have received many awards that they appreciate because they are genuine and how this is one such Awards.

He said they have been through hard times together but they were still here to work together to survive, giving assurance that they will still be there.

He expressed the view that the economic situation in the country, especially with the depreciation of the Leone to the Dollar, is posing a great challenge to their businesses.

Martin revealed that most of the equipment and materials they use are purchased out of the country and that the prices of those goods have doubled and in some case even tripled.

The Managing Director stated that he is aware of the fact that their relationship in terms of consideration has been stagnant for few years, asserting that he owe all of them reconsideration.

He added that they will see how they will be able to balance that with their expenses furthering how he also owes a commitment to the Welfare Fund, which he has not honoured yet.

He disclosed how they recruited a lot of journalists for their radio station but not from the Print Media. He further disclosed that they are waiting on the economy to be stable, and how they are hoping to expand in the field working with all of them.

Martin Michael also assured that they will try to find ways and means to ensure the relationship between them and the media stays alive as well as become commercially viable for them. According to him, that is the issue.

The Public Relations Officer of the company, who directly deals with the media, Alhaji Komba, encouraged the media practitioners to continue to promote their business as they continue to maintain the cordial relationship, furthering that whenever he puts the case of the Media to the Managing Director the latter always shows concern.

He promised that they will be more prudent in 2023 than the previous years.

Kadiru KaiKai Returns Home Today with Renewed Vigour

January 11, 2023

Resurfacing after two weeks of a restful vacation to share time with immediate family members and re-evaluate the progress made last year to reelect His Excellency, the President, Rtd Brigadier Julius Maada Bio, Chief Abdul Kadiru Kaikai is set to return to the country today Wednesday, 11th January, 2023.

In a telephone chat, Chief Kaikai revealed that his agenda and focus are geared towards achieving the dream of a smooth continuation of power with President Bio at the helm and as such is encouraging those SLPP Party members who are trying to assert their relevance in the party and on social media through his name to take that energy to the APC Party and other opposition parties.

He further maintained that discussions among party supporters should be a friendly and family thing, adding that there is the need for the SLPP Party to be more united ahead of the numerous tasks each loyal party member is going to be engaged in to ensure a smooth first round victory for the party.

“This early home retuning of Chief Abdul Kadiru has been widely regarded by many who believe in me as a great step in strengthening the party’s grassroots and also creating a huge panic for the APC Party, considering my previous timely moves and possibly what I may have in store for 2023,” he proudly stated.

Miss Freetown Dishes NLe150, 000 to Contestants of 2022 Beauty Pageant

January 11, 2023

By Millicent Senava Mannah

Lake Production, in partnership with Eminence Africa, has given a cash prize of One Thousand Five Hundred New Leones (NLe150, 000) to all the contestants that participated in the just concluded 2022 Miss Freetown Beauty Pageant.

It is the first time in the history of pageantry in the country, for all participants to receive a cash prize. The star prize for the winner was One Hundred Thousand New Leones (NLe100, 000) including 50 Million Leones in Service as listed: Eventful Make up, Monthly Hairdressing (12 months), Monthly Photo-shoot (12 month), Monthly Salary (12 months), a Four (days) vacation to Ghana including tickets, hotel and feedings, 6 months internet subscription worth $500, Financial incentive for all 6 contestants, an annual branding support on all her social media platforms.

The 1st Runners Up bagged Le 15 Million + 6 months internet subscription worth $500 and the 2nd Runners up Le 5 Million + 6 months internet subscription worth $500 with a Grand Total of
Le 150,000 Grand Prize for the winner and 1st, and 2nd runners up and cash consolation prize for 6 contestants.

This landmark event took place at the Eminence Africa Conference Room on Pademba Road in Freetown.

Speaking during the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Lake Production, who also doubles as the CEO of Miss Freetown Limited, Alhaji Kamara aka LAJ K, intimated that what they are doing is historic and geared towards the rebranding process of pageantry in Sierra Leone furthering that after Miss Sierra Leone the other pageant that is widely considered is Miss Freetown.

He noted that it is an opportunity to have worked with Eminence Africa, stating how they are reliable also underscoring how they made no mistake in partnering with them. According to him, the process was credible and very transparent with the winner emerging out of consensus from the audience.

LAJ K commended the Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyer, for her tremendous support towards the success of the Miss Freetown Beauty Pageantry and also commended Sarah Solomon for giving back to young people after winning the Miss Sierra Leone few years ago.

He revealed that, giving cash prizes to all the contestants has never happened in the history of pageantry in the country. He further revealed how the ladies were hosted for seven days and how they were well taken care of prior to the contest.

The Executive Director of Eminence Africa, Sarah Laura Solomon, expressed how happy she is that everything turned out well even though they had challenges. She disclosed how she is very passionate about entertainment and how she cares about making impacts.

She maintained that, the ladies gave their best, supported and cared for one another further emphasizing that Miss Freetown is only for a day, and how they have so many places to meet after Miss Freetown.

She encouraged them to be open minded, grab opportunities and make impacts adding that if at anytime they have any project they can get on to them for their support.

Sarah Solomon disclosed that the winner will receive a cash prize of Fifty Million Leones Old Notes (Le50, 000,000) of and how the balance Fifty Million old Leones (Le50, 000,000) will be for supporting her project, changing her wardrobe and six months free internet service.

The winner, Miss Brookfields, a twenty year old who is a second year student of the Chemistry Department, Fourah Bay College, stated that she participated in the contest because she wanted to change the narrative that if someone is in the Sciences, or doing any other serious courses he or she is not permitted to participate in other courses.

She maintained that, she was really excited to be part of the contest and emerging as the winner, even though she was the youngest also expressing her thanks and appreciation to her manager, her family and well wishers for their support.

The father of the winner, one Abdulai, expressed his gratitude to Lake Production and Eminence Africa for giving such a privilege to his daughter. According to him, the process was credible, stating how he will lead the campaign for parents to start allowing their children to participate in pageantry as the narrative about it has been changed.

Yumvita Sponsors 2nd Edition of Little Mr. & Miss. Sierra Leone

January 11, 2023

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In their quest to excellently nourish kids within Freetown with good food and enable them unleash their talents and skills, Yumvita, which is one of the products that is marketed by Premium Divine Trading Company Ltd, a food distribution company that operates as an agent for Promasidor, a leading supplier of quality food products in more than 30 African countries, including Sierra Leone has supported the 2^nd edition of Little Mr. & Mrs. Sierra Leone that was organized by Tivia Events held at the Sierra Palm Hotel on Aberdeen Beach Road in Freetown on the theme: “Eliminating harmful Practices affecting children.”

12 children, who were contestants, gave a full display of their talents in fashion, talent presentation etc. which took the competition from one level to another until it reached the climax.

During the event, parents, fans and participants present could not hold it, shouting in appreciation and support for the excellent performances put up by the contestants which made it challenging for the Judges of the day to conclude who were the ultimate winners.

However, at the climax of the competition 11 years old, Franklyna Decker Born, who represented the Creoles of Sierra Leone was crowned as Little Miss Sierra Leone 2023 while Alhaji Jalloh who represented the Fullahs of Sierra Leone was crowned as Little Mr. Sierra Leone 2023.

In his Product Education on Yumvita at the ceremony, the Sales Manager of Premium Divine Trading Ltd, Kwaku Ampadu Afoani said that Yumvita is an infant cereal food with milk, that it is enriched with vitamins like Vitamins A, B6, B9, and C that is Iron, Calcium, and Zinc and putting all of these vitamins together they call it Nutri-V.

He added that infants from 6 months and above can take Yumvita maintaining that it is tummy friendly and easy to digest, prepared by just adding water when lactating mothers want to feed their child. He encouraged them to make sure they wash their hands properly.

Kwaku Ampadu Afoani informed the gathering that they have three types of Yumvita and they come in different grams and that for the 400g they have: Yumvita wheat, Yumvita maize and wheat mix and the 50g that has varieties including Yumvita wheat, Yumvita rice, Yumvita maize and wheat mix.

“Our head office is located on 51 Fourah Bay Road in Freetown and we have branches across Freetown on 10 Sir Samuel Lewis Road Aberdeen and offices in Bo, Kenema, Makeni and 5/5 Waterloo.

During the ceremony, the company embarked on massive education and sampling by availing actual and potential consumers of Yumvita the opportunity to enjoy good nutrition and that was executed by making available dry samples of Yumvita products as well as wet samples of Cowbell coffee and strawberry for participants to enjoy.

The company also presented cartoons of Yumvita products to the organizers and hampers/gifts to the top winners.

WAM Collegiate Buddies Construct Multipurpose Recreational Sport Court

January 11, 2023

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of their efforts towards contributing to the development of the West African Methodist Collegiate School, the West African Methodist Collegiate Buddies, Classes of 70s & 80s from all over the world have constructed and presented a multipurpose recreational sport court worth over 600 million old Leones to the school.

That disclosure was made during a snap press conference held on Tuesday 10^th January, 2023 at the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists Hall on Campbell Street in Freetown.

Speaking during the press conference, the Chairman and Leader of the West African Methodist Collegiate Buddies, Classes of 70s &80s, Rugnab Wahadi Bangura said that the WAM Collegiate Buddies comprises of ex-pupils of the school who are in different parts across the globe.

He stated that the initiative of forming the WAM Collegiate Buddies started in 2019 in the United States of America when the West African Methodist Collegiate Old Boys Association United States branch was doing a program in order to raise funds for the rehabilitation of the chapel in the school, of which he stated that members of the WAM Collegiate Buddies deemed it fit to support the initiative by raising the sum of about 16,000 United States Dollars which was donated to the West African Methodist Collegiate Old Boys Association United States branch for the project.

Rugnab Wahadi Bangura maintained that in late 2019 a cross section of their members traveled to Sierra Leone in order to ensure that the organization is registered and also did a tour on the school in order to establish a base line as to what the condition of the school is and how can they improve on the current condition of the school.

He elaborated that when COVID-19 hit Sierra Leone they donated veronica buckets to the school in order to curtail the spread of the virus in the school, adding that the WAM Collegiate Buddies also put together a 3 year activity plan and one of the activities was the construction of the multipurpose recreational sport court in the school.

The Chairman and Leader said the multipurpose recreational sport court which is worth over 600 million old Leones is geared towards ensuring that pupils access the facility easier in order for them to get more exercise that leads to better physical development over the course of life.

Underscoring the challenges faced by WAM Collegiate Buddies, he said that after the completion of the sport court, they extended invitation to Principals from various schools and Governments officials to grace the opening ceremony.

He furthered that the President of the West African Methodist Collegiate Old Boys Association Sierra Leone Chapter took upon himself to invite Principals and sent a message to colleague old boys not to attend the function on the premise that WAM Collegiate Buddies is a rebellious group.

However, Rugnab Wahadi Bangura concluded by condemning the act by the President of the West African Methodist Collegiate Old Boys Association Sierra Leone Chapter which he said is undermining the development of the school.

This medium made reasonable efforts to get the side of the President of the West African Methodist Collegiate Old Boys Association Sierra Leone Chapter but all proved futile but this medium is willing to publish his side whenever he responds.

High Commission of India Commemorates World Hindi Day

January 11, 2023

By Foday Moriba Conteh

During a well-attended ceremony held on Tuesday 10^th January, 2022 at the High Commission premises in Freetown, the High Commission of India in Freetown commemorated World Hindi Day 2023.

The programme started with a welcome remarks by the Charge d’ Affaires a.i. Shri Neeraj Kumar Saini followed by reading of the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi’s message on World Hindi Day.

Online entries for participations in Hindi Poetry and Essay Writing competitions were invited. Indian children, guests and High Commission officers Shri Pankaj Kumar Sharma, Second Secretary and Shri Deepak Kumar Kashyap, an Attache recited Hindi poems.

The fourteen winners of Hindi Poetry and Essay competitions received certificates and prizes. Among the winners were Harwinder Kaur, Samarth Choudhary, Suryaansh Singh, Ranvijay Jethwani, Kiyara Jethwani, Kamnish Choudhary, Mishika Choudhary, VidhvanChoudhary, Nihal Mahesh Tejwani, Shivanshi Dilip Dudiya in Hindi Poetry and Sonam Singh, Ishika Saini, Aarav Saini and Aradhya Priya in Hindi Essay Writing competitions.

During the celebration, an ‘India Corner’ was also set up in the High Commission premises.

Over 50 Hindi lovers from all walks of life including Indian diaspora, High Commission officers/officials and their family members attended the event.

High Commission of India

$750,000 Central Masjid Unveiled at Yogomaia Town

January 11, 2023

By Abubakarr Harding

The Project Coordinator for Masjid Ar-Rahman, Honourable Mohamed Alieu Jalloh (M.A. Jalloh) on the 31^st December, 2022 stated that an estimate of seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($750,000) was expended for the reconstruction and expansion of the Yogomaia town Central Mosque (Masjid) along Musaia in the Koinadugu District (Kabala).

The opening ceremony of the Central Masjid (Mosque)on Friday afternoon along Musaia Road ,brought together stakeholders from around the world such as some Diasporians( from America, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany etc.),Chiefs(from Kenema, Bo, Makeni, Kambia, Freetown etc.),Ministers, Members of Parliament, Special Adviser to President Bio, Ambassador Bond Wurie, community stakeholders, youths and many women in Islam across the country to grace the occasion in Constituency 044(Ward 147) Koinadugu District, Kabala.

In his statement during his presentation to the Jamaat and some members from the diaspora, the Chairman of the Yogomaia Central Masjid Project, Alhaji Balansama Marah, said he was the happiest man to see the reconstruction and completion of the Masjid project especially on Thursday when the ceremony started with the recitation of the Holy Quran in the mosque.

He told the gathering that he was among the first stakeholders and founders of the initial Masjid structure constructed before which had taken approximately seventy (70) years now. He said due to the insufficiency of space, the population growth in the town and dilapidation of the initial mosque he was called upon to serve as the chairman of the project.

He recalled the contributions of prominent stakeholders from the start and completion of the former Masjid and the present reconstructed one namely, late Alhaji Alimamy Jalloh, Musa Jawara, Alhaji Abubakarr Lee, Algassimu (the first Imam of the former Masjid) Ar-Rahman, Alhaji Boie, Alhaji Massie, Alhaji Yayah, and Alhaji Sallieu Jalloh among few he named. He further appealed to the Jamaat to take care of the Masjid especially for the benefit of the next generation.

The United Kingdom (UK) Coordinator who represented other members in the diaspora for the said project, Chernor Sheriff Jalloh (aka B. Med),disclosed: “Please give few minutes to say thank you to my brother, Honourable Mohamed Alieu Jalloh for his Coordination and mobilization strategies implemented on this project. To start with concerning the project, when my team was told about the project, immediately they responded positively and then decided to tax themselves to pay a minimum of $25 each every Friday in the diaspora. And I would communicate with them quickly they will also respond for the projec “he explained.

He highlighted and recognized contributors of the project from the diaspora among few were Alhaji Boie Saffa, Honourable M. A. Jalloh for steering their team as a Coordinator in Sierra Leone, Sister Adama Barrie, Alhaji Bello, Mohamed Rahman, Chernor Barrie, Haja Fatmata Jalloh, Mr. and Mrs. Sajalieu Jalloh, Adama Jalloh, Mohamed Ken Jalloh, Lamrana Jalloh among few he said.

The Project Coordinator of the Masjid in the Koinadugu district and the Diaspora, Mohamed Alieu Jalloh, thanked his Excellency, Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio and the Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh for their significant contribution to the Yogomaia Central Mosque, Masjid Ar-Rahman for its laudable and standard contribution in the town maintaining that despite the Masjid’s completion, maintenance work is key and must be taken into consideration on a regularly basis. He said because the land of the former Masjid was not spacious they asked stakeholders closer to the mosque to give them land space to expand the mosque which was built in two years period.

Representatives of Islamic Stakeholders, Honourable Minority leader in Parliament, Chernor Maju Bah (Chericoco) and the Minister of Labour, Alpha Osman Timbo, thanked the Coordinator of the project for promoting the ideals of Islam in the district.

The Architecture for the new Masjid construction, including other stakeholders from other parts of the country, further appealed for the construction of an Islamic school and college in the district.

Zulu-Mandingo Charity Foundation Donates Christmas gifts to Orphanage Kids

January 11, 2023

By Abubakarr Harding

The Zulu-Mandingo Charity Foundation presented 500 Christmas gifts to orphanage children within the age bracket of 1 to 10 years on Christmas Eve, 24^th December, 2022.

Five Christmas packages were distributed to five (5) disabled boys and girls during their visit to the Cheshire Orphanage Home at Race Road in the East End of Freetown.

A 16-year-old girl named “Blessed Cheshire,” one of the five youngsters at the Cheshire Home, delivered a brief remark after accepting the gifts on behalf of his inmates.

She said, “We thank the Zulu-Mandingo Charity Foundation for providing these gifts to us. We pray that as we receive the gifts in joy, the lord will make your heart fill with joy. We say thank you.”.

Mariatu Kargbo, a worker of the Cheshire Home, during her welcome statement, praised and thanked God for bringing the Charity Foundation at this time. She revealed how currently the Home has 12 kids but most had gone for the holidays to their relatives while the remaining were five in number and they were fortunate to receive the gifts presented.

She further informed that among the children that they met in the Home; three of them have lost their parents and had nowhere to go. Those children are between the ages of 10 to 16 namely Jane Cheshire (11), Blessed Kallon Cheshire (16), Natalia Cheshire and Abdulia Cheshire (10).

Another Orphanage Home visited was the “House of Place” located within the Low-cost Community in the East End of Freetown. At the Home, 10 children at the ages of 10 to 14 years old were given each a Christmas package including other gifts. 180 packages were also distributed to more than one hundred and eighty children at the back of 5-10 hotel within the Kissy community.

The Home Manager, Kumba Abiodu Christiana N’gauja, thanked the Zulu-Mandingo Charity Foundation for their kind gesture in offering gifts to the children in the Home during Christmas Eve and other holidays which included biscuits and Christmas play toys.

Aminata Lamin Yahffa and team of the Charity Foundation stated that the essence of dishing out the gifts was to show love to vulnerable kids in those Orphanage homes and other street children who do not have the opportunity to live happily during the holidays.

She explained that even her husband’s desire was against the backdrop or rationale of himself having undergone the same struggles like those helpless children when he was a kid.

According to her, with the Motto: “When You Smile, We Smile”, she said the gifts were targeted to benefit 500 kids in the East End and rural areas of Freetown.