Budapest-Bamako Rally Aims at Actualizing Sierra Leone as an attractive Tourist Destination

November 11, 2022

By Abubakar Harding

The Budapest- Bamako and Freetown rally is the world’s largest amateur vehicular rally and Africa’s biggest humanitarian event.

Over 500 participants from over 40 countries with 242 vehicles and motorbikes participated in the 2022 Budapest-Bamako Freetown finish line rally.

The rally took 19 days and 9000 kilometres to get to Sierra Leone, journeying through Hungary, Austria, Slovenia, Italy, France, Spain, Morocco, West Sahara, Mauritania, Senegal Mali, Guinea and into Sierra Leone via Gbalamuya and Madina Oula entry points respectively.

They spend their first night in Sierra Leone at Magbando Village in Masiaka where they donated educational materials to Emil Elementary School before proceeding to Bureh beach where a beach fiesta was held. The participants drove through Bureh beach into the city with a state escort and were warmly welcomed by jubilant Sierra Leoneans as they hit the finish line at Lumley beach on the 8^th November, 2022 at Gigibonta Car Park, Lumley Beach.

The President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Julius Maada Bio welcomed the 600 participants of the 2022 Budapest-Bamako Freetown Rally, says the rally was a true test of resilience and human limits, mental strength and the unification of people. The finish line ceremony was held at Lumley beach and attracted top Government officials, the diplomatic community and head of MDA’s.

The Director of Tourism, Mohamed Jalloh said they were gathered to welcome their good friends and adventurists whom they admired for their courage to go out of their comfort zones to traverse countries in two continents covering more than 9000 kilometres and ending the amazing journey in Freetown, saying that the rally provided an opportunity to present the true picture of Africans to Europeans who would have found it difficult to visit the continent on their own.

The Coordinator of the Budapest-Bamako Freetown Rally, Andrew Szabo told President Bio that they waited two and half years to embark on this journey and have enjoyed the warm welcome for which they were grateful. He thanked the Minister and the Director of Tourism for the welcome saying that it was the best they have had in the 17 years history of the rally. He congratulated the participants for making it to the finish line. He added that the beauty of Sierra Leone should be appreciated, while emphasizing that the hospitality of the people of Sierra Leone and its environment are precious and should be protected.

The Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt remarked that the occasion was a historic one for the sector playing host for the second time to over 500 participants for the Budapest-Bamako Freetown rally finish line. She noted that this kind of celebration aimed at telling the Sierra Leone story to the rest of the world that the destination has a new face that was ready for business. She said the Budapest-Bamako Freetown Challenge has proven that Sierra Leone is a hospitable country as participants were overwhelmed by the reception they received from the entry points to the finish line. She appreciated the inter-MDA’s collaboration in making the event a success. She thanked the rally Coordinator, Andrew Szabo and Visit Sierra Leone for pulling this through and commended President Bio for his willingness and unwavering support in changing the tourism narrative.

In his keynote address, the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Julius Maada Bio welcomed the participants to Sierra Leone saying that their presence in the country for the second time in two years was a testimony to the fact that Sierra Leone has graduated from a country with a glooming picture to one that is now recognized for positive reforms at the international level. He urged the participants to tell more people to join the rally and come to Sierra Leone. He thanked the organizers for choosing to come to Freetown, Visit Sierra Leone for establishing and maintaining contact with the organisers of the rally and the Ministry for making sure that the tourism sector is promoted around the world.

Representative of the World Bank Country Manager, Government Ministers, the private sector and the Sierra Leone Hotel Association were all part of the discourse.

The Budapest-Bamako Freetown Challenge aimed at actualizing President Bio’s vision of making Sierra Leone an attractive tourist destination, create a platform for cultural exchange, facilitate foreign direct investment and provide jobs for the youth, women and other vulnerable groups.

Transitional Justice Must be Taught in Schools

November 11, 2022

By Millicent Senava Mannah

The TRC Report 2004, states that “full and effective exercise of the right is essential to avoid any recurrence of such acts in the future.” (Vol l, Chpt 1, Page 44, Para 75)

Even though the ruling party has set up the Peace Commission and a Peace Museum, which were recommendations of the TRC Report, however, there is still a need for Transitional Justice to be introduced into the school curricula in the country.

The majority of youths in the country have little or no idea about the circumstances that led to the war, some of them were babies and some were not yet born, when the war occurred. This is one of the many reasons why they are perpetrating violence.

The classroom has always been the best way to pass on information to children, because, teachers spend more time with their pupils, than their parents do. This is all the reason why, Transitional Justice must be introduced into our school curricula.

There is an adage that says ‘catch them when they are young.’ If only children are taught in schools, about the issues that led to the war, and how lives and properties were lost, if not all, majority of them will grow up to become responsible citizens, which will also prevent the repetition of the civil war.

During the August 10 insurrection that led to the death of civilians and police officers, majority of the protesters who took part in the violence were youths. While they were to be blamed for their actions, in the other way, one may also say that, they are ignorant of the events that led to the ten years civil war.

The History of Sierra Leone and the Wider World, are taught in schools, these include topics like Colonialism, the Hut Tax War, the decline of the Krios, amongst many others. However, key topics like the circumstances and events that led to the civil war in the country, where millions of people were massacred and some amputated are never taught.

The Report states that, the truth is essential to avoid any recurrence of such acts in the future, therefore, one way to a peaceful and a better Sierra Leone is to have the truth been told to the younger generation, to avoid the repetition of the violence that happened.

The Report also states that, “every people has the inalienable right to know the truth about the past events and about the circumstances and reasons which led, through the consistent pattern of gross violations of human rights, to the perpetration of aberrant crimes.” (Vol l, Chpt 1, Page 44, Para 75)

Growing up as a young girl; I used to listening to my father lamenting the story of how his brothers and his baby sister lost their lives during the war. To his greatest surprise, after more than twenty years of mourning, his sister whom he taught had died, she showed up last year, and narrated how she managed to escape to Guinea during the war.

This is where we don’t want to go back to as a nation. Sorie Sesay, a 21 year old, said he knows nothing about the war, and how he had only heard that there was war, and doesn’t know what led to the war or what really happened.

Hawanatu Deen, an 18 year old, also said the same thing. We don’t want a nation wherein, the younger generations are ignorant of relevant issues like the history of the civil war in the country. This is more so to avoid repetition. Therefore, Transitional Justice must be introduced in our school curricula.

This article is produced with support from MRCG through the ATJLF Project on “Engaging the media to change the narrative on Transitional Justice (TJ) issues in Sierra Leone.

Rotary Club TEKA Makes Huge Donation to Rotary Club of Freetown

November 11, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

During a snap ceremony held on Thursday 10^th November 2022 at the Bank Complex on Kingtom in Freetown, Members of the Rotary Club TEKA from Targu Mures, Romania, Europe, District 2241within the Budapest-Bamako Rally who visited Sierra Leone has officially donated 45 Dell Latitude E7250 notebooks to be distributed to schools in Freetown and a sum of 1000 USD for the support of development at the Emil Torday Elementary School in Magbondoline to the Rotary Club of Freetown.

Handing over the donations, the Past Assistant Governor and Past President of Rotary Club Targu Mures TEKA, Attila Z. Jeszenszky, said that he is proud to present the donation of 45 Dell Latitude E7250 notebooks to be distributed to schools in Freetown and a sum of 1000 USD for the support of developments at the Emil Torday Elementary School in Magbondoline to the Rotary Club of Freetown on behalf of the Rotary Club TEKA from Targu Mures, Romania, Europe, District 2241within the Budapest-Bamako Rally who visited Sierra Leone.

He said that they also decided to donate the a sum of 1000 USD for the support of developments at the Emil Torday Elementary School in Magbondoline, adding that they met the school on the highway and they deemed it fit to support the school.

Attila Z. Jeszenszky stated that the donation is a start of a big friendship and they also hope to work with other clubs, furthering that are very happy to visit Sierra Leone and going further they will see what they can do for communities in the country.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the Rotary Club of Freetown, the President of Rotary Club of Freetown, Hawa Sally Samai, expressed appreciation to the Rotary Club TEKA from Targu Mures, Romania, Europe, District 2241 for making the donation to Rotary Club of Freetown.

She described the donation of the 45 Dell Latitude E7250 notebooks which will be distributed to schools in Freetown as very important towards achieving one of their pillars of Rotary Club of Freetown which is education.

Hawa Samai stated that they deemed it fit to contribute towards education in the country wheather primary, secondary or tertiary education and it against that backdrop when they were contacted by Rotary Club TEKA from Targu Mures that during their visit in Sierra Leone on the Budapest-Bamako Rally they would like to make donation of computers they welcomed the idea whole heartily.

She said that the Rotary Club of Freetown over the years has been contributing to towards schools and libraries in the country.

The President pointed out that in the distribution process of the computers to the schools the Rotary Club of Freetown selected schools they have been working with over the years.

Climaxing the ceremony was the official handing over ceremony of the computers to the benefiting schools which include the Government Rokel Secondary School, Sierra Leone Grammar School, Freetown Secondary School for Girls, Annie Walsh Memorial School etc.

Africell Sierra Leone Launches Freetown Marathon 2022

November 11, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

During a well-attended ceremony held on Wednesday 9^th November, 2022 at Lumley Beach Road in Freetown, Africell Sierra Leone , officially launched its Freetown Marathon 2022 powered by Africell Impact Foundation and Afrimoney.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Executive Officer of Africell, Shadi Gerjawi, revealed that the Marathon is an initiative of the Africell Impact Foundation under the health pillar, which is designed to promote healthy lifestyles, well-being and sport, adding that the Marathon is open to all; young and old, professional and Amateur, boys and girls, men and women.

“As a company, we have through our CSR supported several health and sports initiatives. And to show how committed we are to continuously support healthy living, connecting with our subscribers we’re hosting the biggest Freetown Marathon,” he revealed.

Shadi Gerjawi further thanked the team from Street Child for bringing their expertise on board to power the organization of the Marathon maintaining that they cherish the partnership and will continue to support, especially the hosting of their yearly Street Child Marathon.

Country Director of Street Child, Kelfa Kargbo, thanked Africell for their support and for being there for them. He maintained that they are there to ensure that the Africell Freetown marathon is successful.

A representative from the Ministry of Sports, Harounekorjie, said that sports means a lot in the life of people, especially when it comes to health. He then congratulated Africell for such a meaningful initiative, and encouraged Africell to continue to support the Sport Ministry.

Media Manager of Africell, John Konteh,in his contribution, encouraged residents in the country to register for the Africell Freetown Marathon 2022 by using the short CODE *277#, adding that there are various categories that members of the public can register for in order to participate in the Marathon.

The Legal and Compliance Manager, Hajaratu Turay said that earlier this year they launched the Africell Impact Foundation which marked an exciting start to creating a single strategic framework of all their cultural and community work, stating that as a business, they take their responsibility to individuals, communities, and by extension Sierra Leone very seriously asking for nothing in return.

He maintained that Africell Impact Foundation focuses on 3 key impact areas which include: Education and Entrepreneurship, Art Culture and Heritage, Sports, Health, and Well-Being promoting active lifestyles Providing health-related information and resources helping talented athletes fulfill their potentials.

Closing the ceremony was the officially launching of the Africell Freetown Marathon 2022 by stakeholders present at the ceremony.

In another development, the company on Thursday 10^th November, 2022 also launched Africell’s “Kip Am Klin” Initiative which was borne out of the desire to support communities all over Sierra Leone to nurture and preserve a healthy ecosystem.

Making a statement during the ceremony, the Legal and Compliance Manager, Hajaratu Turay, said that with the initiative, Africell hopes to alert, support and educate communities about the alarming deterioration of our environment and how we can work together to preserve it.

She said that they are devoted to promoting a clean and conducive environment because, as an institution, they are fully aware that their existence depends significantly on interaction with the environment, adding that Africell has, over the years, supported communities and, most recently, provided cleaning materials to various communities across the country, including the Crab Town Community through Save the Beach Organization, the Head Woman other key community stakeholders.

She pointed out that Sierra Leone’s potential is vast, therefore, Africell is reaffirming its commitment to “Kip Am Klin” around the Lumley beach area and all communities within Sierra Leone.

“This is the beginning of many interventions Africell will take to ensure a clean beach environment, City and a clean Sierra Leone that will hugely contribute to socioeconomic development and attract sustainable tourism. Finally, the Kip Am Klin initiative would resound Sierra Leone’s pride in being the home to the most beautiful beaches in the world,” she concluded.

Tourist Board GM & Entourage Market Sierra Leone at World Trade Market in London

November 11, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The World Trade Market which commenced on the 7^th November, 2022 ended on the 9th November 2022 in London with the mass presence of trade visitors and the general public, visiting booths, exchanging business cards, closing deals and hopes expressed for the adoption of new concepts that will create meaningful impacts dominated most of the meetings that were held during the course of the three day event.

The Sierra Leone National Tourist Board, led by its General Manager, Fatmata Mida Carew represented the country at the annual event.

It must be underscored that the World Trade Market in London is the market leading international travel event, unlocking business opportunities for inbound and outbound tourism professionals.

Furthermore, it must be noted that the B2B event allows tourism businesses from around the globe to showcase their brand and exhibit at the show along with the biggest names in the accommodation , hospitality and renowned tourism destinations and attractions, innovative travel technology providers and airlines.

The event helps the NTO and international travel providers to do business with world class travel buyers as well as to showcase their services to the international Press.

During the event, Fatmata Mida Carew, was very proactive with her Marketing Manager, Ms. Lucinda M. Kargbo, in all the B2B meetings with key stakeholders from countries around the world and leading tourism institutions.

This year’s World Trade Market was very strategic and steadfast in tapping into every opportunity that will continuously boom the tourism sector and other related sectors respectively.

The Sierra Leone delegation took advantage, with a one on one engagement, with 2500 exhibitors and 100 countries in pushing for Sierra Leone as an emerging Eco-Tourism destination in West Africa and Africa with the country’s tourism assets.

‘Explore Freedom’ was the new catch phrase with the newly launched iconic logo capturing the minds and attentions of trade visitors and the general trade visitors in this year’s WTM 2022.

In her presentation, the General Manager of NTB, Fatmata Mida Carew, articulated the mandate of positioning Sierra Leone as the place tourists can have the Freedom to Explore the country’s attractions using the Unique Selling Position (USP) especially with eco-tourism and Cultural products.

Sierra Leone’s well designed and decorated stand in the African and Middle East section brought Sierra Leone to the limelight, as the country shared place value with: South Africa, Maldives, Egypt, Morocco, Seychelles, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Senegal, The Gambia and several others.

One of the arrangements arrived at was that Sierra Leone should penetrate new tourist-generating markets, the USA and Canada as David Digregorio from CornerSun concluded a Terms of Reference to lead the representation.

It must be noted there was a confirmation of a contract agreement for which Terms of Reference were drawn with UK and German Tourism representatives. The benefits include developing campaigns for domestic and international markets to promote group tours and meeting and convention travel by planning, budgeting for, and participating in trade shows and sales missions and as well increase tourist arrival and plan profitable familiarization trips to Sierra Leone.

This medium learned that the Wanderlust Travel Magazine is to commence featuring Sierra Leone as an emerging Eco-tourism destination.

Wanderlust is the leading travel magazine in UK and Europe. It is perfect for digging deep into destinations and Sierra Leone will soon be featured in this amazing wide-coverage travel magazine.

Wanderlust TM are known to have some fantastic long articles giving detailed insights into the places, the people blend with cultural tastes of these places that profile country.

The magazine will place strong focus on the country’s authentic beauty of places; the exotic landscape, wildlife, people, Culture and heritage respectively.

Sierra Leone’s continuous presence and appearance in the biggest world’s trade event will add destination value and visitors trust and confidence in the country Sierra Leone.

Lamentably, the emergence of COVID-19 posed stagnation on hotel occupancy, tour operating, ground handling, restaurateurs, casinos and disposing several households of daily survival from these employments chains.

The good news is the country’s mitigation and resilience approach to combat the menace is compared to none, which brought Sierra Leone to be one of the countries that outsmarted the outbreak.

Commendably, the interest generated in visiting Sierra Leone in this year’s WTM is amazing and well pleasing as this year’s inquiries visiting in November, December and the year 2023 is quite huge.

It is appreciating as local tour operators join this year’s WTM: IPC Travel and Tours and Tourism is Life Tours are well represented and very smart in their engagement in giving relevant destination facts on the country.

These two tour operators are as well helping to raise the profile with their well designed and informative brochures, meeting leading Tour Operators in UK and other travel institutions for healthy partnerships for now and the future.

Sherin Kousa of IPC and Peter M. Bassie were creative in their tour operators deals and negotiations.

The Chairman, Board of National Tourist Board- Chief Tamba Allieu Kokobaye attended the Ministerial Summit organized in Future Stage in the WTM grounds. His attendance and contributions during the meet and greet session was timely and necessary as Sierra Leone was in full recognition.

With SLEDP Coordinator joining this year’s WTM, Mary Jalloh assessed and monitored Sierra Leone’s impact during the event.

NP-SL’s Business Collaborations Hinge on Mutual Trust & Transparency

November 11, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

The leading indigenous oriented petroleum marketing company in the country, NP-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) has a presence in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia where it is marketing qualitative petroleum products and at the same time offering other services to its numerous and esteemed customers.

Being a dependable business entity that has over the years demonstrated shrewdness and efficiency in the importation and marketing of various petroleum products among which we have diesel, petrol, gas, lubricants like Castrol Oil as well as other products, NP-SL Ltd has become a household name in those countries and many have reposed confidence in it for its timely service delivery and orderliness.

It is against such a backdrop that, on a frequent basis, certain savvy business individuals do not hesitate to partner or collaborate with NP-SL Ltd to open up Filling Stations in different parts in those countries. Such collaborations are bordered on mutual trust and the objective of not only maximizing profits but to meaningfully contribute to the development of those countries.

When cognizance is taken of the fact that the opening of new Filling Stations provides employment opportunities for the jobless then one comes to the realization that NP-SL Ltd is indeed making a meaningful contribution in the reduction of unemployment.

Looking at it from the perspective that youth unemployment is a real social malaise that most times leads to high crime rates then the fantastic moves made by the company in the area of creating job opportunities are indeed worthy to be celebrated. To take it a little bit further, creating job opportunities is another way of reducing poverty in the country.

One way in which the Governments of the aforementioned countries derive revenue is through internal mobilization of funds and one channel is via the imposition of various forms of tax. Business entities are bound by law to pay taxes. Filling Stations fall within that bracket and by extension they are large tax payers. Those taxes paid are in return utilized by Governments in the listed countries to provide basic amenities for the populace and fund other development projects.

NP-SL Ltd has etched its name in the sands of time as a company which does not compromise customer care and it is in that regard, long time ago, the company bagged the prestigious accolade of being 1^st for Customer Care.

Management of the company is of the firm conviction that giving utmost satisfaction to its numerous customers right across the country is very imperative. The company has in all its Filling Stations calibrated pumping machines which pump the exact amount of fuel requested for and display the price at the same time.

It is on record that the company markets cookers which are known as NP Gas, manufactured in different cylinder sizes. They are environmentally friendly, easy to refill with gas that can be secured at the company’s Filling Stations where NP Gas could also be accessed.

To simplify transactions, the company introduced the NP Smart Card which could be used to purchase fuel without using physical cash. As long as the NP Smart Card has credit in it such could be used to buy fuel at certain Filling Stations. It is a quick, safe and a secured way of conducting transactions which many have lauded the company for.

NP-SL Ltd is one company that long ago made it a laid down policy of predominantly employing indigenes everywhere it is operating. This policy is in sync with deepening the Local Content Policy which the company continues to uphold.

It can be safely anchored that indeed NP-SL Ltd is contributing greatly to the socio-economic developments of Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. In all those countries the company is doing extremely well.

China Urges Developed Countries to Fulfill their Historical Responsibilities for Climate Change – CGTN

November 11, 2022

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian at a regular press briefing in Beijing, capital of China, November 9, 2022. /Chinese Foreign Ministry

China supports the 27th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP27) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in making reasonable arrangements on the issue of loss and damage, which is of great concern to developing countries, and urges developed countries to earnestly fulfill their historical responsibilities and their due international obligations, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said on Wednesday.

“In particular, developed countries should deliver on their promise of mobilizing $100 billion per year for climate action in developing countries as soon as possible, offer a roadmap for doubling adaptation finance, and take credible steps to help developing countries improve climate resilience, enhance mutual trust between the North and the South and form greater synergy in actions,” Zhao said.

Zhao made the remarks at a regular press conference on Wednesday when asked about a new report commissioned by the COP26 and COP27 climate summit hosts that said developing countries need investments well beyond $2 trillion annually to stop global warming and cope with its effects.

The global process of climate change now faces severe challenges, and developing countries have suffered the most from climate change, Zhao said.

China is a country that walks the walk in climate response, highlighting that it has actively implemented the national climate change strategy and unswervingly pursued a green and low-carbon path of development that prioritizes ecological protection, he said.

Since China announced the ambitious goals of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality, notable progress has been made in that direction, he added.

From 2012 to 2021, China supported an average annual economic growth rate of 6.6 percent with an annual energy consumption growth rate of 3 percent; its carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP dropped by about 34.4 percent, and its energy intensity fell by 26.4 percent, achieving a cumulative saving of 1.4 billion tonnes of standard coal, Zhao noted.

“In July 2021, China formally launched the national carbon emission trading market, which covers about 4.5 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per annum, making it the biggest of its kind in the world. At the just concluded 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, important plans were laid out for fulfilling the dual carbon goals,” the spokesperson said.

And China will continue to work with other parties to play an active role in global climate governance and jointly respond to the challenge of climate change.

Government & GSM Companies Need to Reach a Consensus on Increase in Data Prices

November 11, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In Sierra Leone today, the inflationary rate stands at 33%. Prices of basic commodities keep increasing and the cost of living is becoming more burdensome for the vast majority who cannot even afford a square meal a day.

Under such a debilitating economic situation, there is every indication that sooner rather than later telecommunications companies operating in the country will soon take the decisive situation of whether they should increase data prices for the various services they are currently providing, mainly voice calls and internet services or to withhold their services provided their demands are not met or a common understanding not arrived at with the requisite authorities.

From what this medium understood, a recent attempt made by the telecommunications companies to increase data prices created panic amidst the continuous rise in the cost of living as the prices of essential commodities and services keep increasing astronomically. Certain Civil Society Organizations supported the move by the telecoms companies against the backdrop that they are utilizing resources to run their businesses.

Mindful of the dent to its reputation, vis-à-vis strides to demonstrate concern for the public good or interests, the Government reacted swiftly by ensuring that the regulatory institution of telecommunications companies in the country, NATCOM, gets the GSM or telecommunications companies to rescind that decision and revert to the previous data prices.

In as much as that move was somehow successful, however, it has not totally resolved a situation that is becoming more compounded by external forces which are beyond the control of the GSM Companies.

It could be stated, in other words, that the GSM Companies are currently in a tight corner as the gap keeps widening between the resources used in rolling out telecommunications services on a daily basis as compared to the proceeds they are deriving.

Simply put, the telecommunications companies are pumping more resources to provide services for which they are not deriving the desired proceeds from, meaning that they are losing more than what they are getting back, which could not be in the best interest of any thriving business entity.

Paradoxically, as the country’s economy continues to deteriorate the fact is glaring fact that the Government is unable to control the spiral inflation in which the country is engulfed in at the present moment as evident in the high cost of prices of basic commodities.

However, to create the impression that the Government is pro-people and such is why it is against the move of increasing the prices of data could not be an enduring way of squarely dealing with the problem.

Notwithstanding the above stance, it must be underscored that as long as the conditions that militate against the operations of telecommunications companies keep persisting there will inevitably come a time when a decisive action will have to be taken and that will not take long.

Contextualizing it, there have been rapid increases in Foreign Exchange rates against the Leones. The present-day value of the UD Dollar is at Le. 18,000 (Old Leones) to $1. This record an increase since the last time the GSM tariff adjustment took place the exchange rate was far below what it is today.

The cost of telecommunications companies doing business is also enormous when consideration is taken of the fact the cost of Terrestrial Fiber (Leoncom) has also gone up. The cost per Mbps that was $0.4 has also increased to $10 recording a 2,400% increase.

Besides, the cost of electricity tariff today has become a public hue and cry as individuals and institutions as well are loudly grumbling that it has gone up exponentially.

Even electricity tariff, which is a similar utility service and a cost driver for telecommunications businesses, has witnessed a significant increase of 78% from Le. 1,890 (old Leones) to Le. 3,364 (New Leones) as at July, 2022.

In the face of the galloping inflation that is rocking the country, these are just few of the economic costs that telecommunications companies are c heavily incurring currently, putting them in an awkward situation in as much as they are not charitable organizations but corporate businesses operating to maximize profits.

Though a senior public official said it openly that Government is mindful of the difficult economic climate under which these telecommunications companies are operating and it will have to conduct a cost study of telecommunications companies and more importantly reach a consensus after engaging the populace to determine the next move to be taken, the fact still stands that the current financial constraints telecommunications companies are going through need tangible economic solutions to reach an acceptable position and could not be predicated on public consultations or political coercion. Such could be short-lived and not sustainable.

What is true for now is that the country is going through difficult economic times and there is a looming telecommunications impasse hovering over the country and if something is not quickly and practically done now by the Government and telecommunications companies to reach a common understanding then the situation could degenerate to a serious problem.

This medium will continue to monitor the situation as well as go ahead with its investigations.

Government & GSM Companies Need to Reach a Consensus on Increase in Data Prices

November 9, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)