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ACC &ASSL Sign MoU to Renew Strategic Partnership in the Accountability Sector

By Abubakarr Harding

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on the 13th October, 2022 between the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) geared towards strengthening and deepening partnership and collaboration to promote integrity, accountability and transparency in the public service throughout Sierra Leone.

The signing ceremony took place, at the Conference Room of the ASSL, 12th Floor, Freetown City Council Building, Wallace Johnson Street, in Freetown.

Speaking during the event, the Commissioner of ACC, Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. said he was very thrilled and grateful for the renewal of the partnership as previous partnerships have been geared towards ensuring there is accountability and also to put Sierra Leone on a greater height when it comes to transparency. He added that what the ACC had done is to learn from mistakes from previous partnerships, “we have learnt from the past in preparation for the future to ensure better collaboration with ASSL”.  The Commissioner thanked the leadership and Management of Audit Service Sierra Leone for their support to the ACC in carrying out its functions.

The Acting Auditor General of ASSL, Abdul Aziz, in his address, thanked the Commissioner for renewing the partnership agreement which shows the dynamic leadership of the Commissioner. “ACC and ASSL are strategic partners in the accountability sector. Therefore this MoU will take this partnership to another level.” he continued. He added that the partnership with ACC will be of great benefit to citizens of Sierra Leone.  Aziz furthered that, the ASSL has reviewed their Audit approach to urge MDAs to fulfill their functions in a transparent manner, by focusing on effective service delivery. He ended his statement by commending the ACC Commissioner and urging him to continue the fight against corruption with great enthusiasm and energy.

Earlier, in his opening and welcome statement, the Deputy Auditor-General, Aiah Gbondo-Tugbawa, who chaired the ceremony underscored that, as watchdogs institutions of Government in ensuring accountability, ACC and ASSL have always worked in collaboration to ensure Government entities follow due diligence in their duties. He also stated that this MoU captures other areas that were not included in the previous ones (MoUs). He reassured ACC of a continued bilateral working relationship.

The relationship between the ACC and ASSL has over the years helped the Commission in its anti-corruption campaign. The ACC has effectively utilized the findings and recommendations of the Annual, Technical and Real time Audit Reports, which would highlight anomalies of misappropriation and other financial improprieties. Through its interventions into these Auditor General’s Reports, the ACC has been able to recover public funds, prosecute corrupt public officials, and conduct systems and processes reviews of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of Government.

According to the citation of the MoU read by the Director, Public Education and Outreach ACC, Patrick Sandi, the ACC and ASSL will collaborate with each other to ensure that any request made by one party to the other shall be promptly attended to. This includes the sharing of information between the two institutions as it would relate to their functions and mandate.

Moreover, the MoU states that in the conduct of an Audit or a Review, where ASSL is of the opinion that fraud or financial malfeasance has occurred, the ASSL shall duly inform the ACC-SL for on-the- spot intervention prior to the submission of the said Audit Report in line with Section 78(1)(d) of the Anti-Corruption Act 2008 (as amended in 2019).

The MoU also notes that ACC and ASSL will provide institutional and or professional support and expertise to the other upon request were the same is requested and available without the requesting party incurring any cost.

The ACC is a corporate body established by statute for the objects outlined in the Anti-Corruption Act 2008 (as amended in 2019) including, to take all necessary steps to prevent and or eradicate corruption in Sierra Leone, to educate the public on the ills of corruption, to investigate and prosecute all incidents of corruption offences; and to co-ordinate the National Anti-Corruption Strategy.

Audit Service Sierra Leone, being the supreme audit institution of Sierra Leone, is a constitutional body with mandate drawn from the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, the Audit Service Act 2014 and the Public Financial Management Act 2016 to; audit the public accounts of Sierra Leone and of all other public offices, advise on how the public accounts of Sierra Leone and of all other public offices shall be kept; and advise the Minister responsible for Finance on any financial matters deemed necessary.

The signing of the MoU by the two leaderships of the ACC and ASSL formed the high point of the ceremony.

 

 

If Politicians Are Paid Like Teachers, They Will Pay More Attention To Economic Challenges…

By Ranger

Sierra Leone is one country where there is a great disparity in income between political appointees and ordinary public and private sector workers with no real concerted effort being made by the political and governing classes to give the highest priority to economic development.

To put this in context, how much has Sierra Leone’s GNP grown since 2000? 22 years ago. And how much have the salaries, employments and retirement benefits of Ministers, MPs and top political appointees grown since?

In the highly stratified society that has been created by the political class and cronies for their benefit only they can now afford three highly nutritious meals a day whilst they proclaim to be fighting poverty.

We are well on the road to reducing poverty when we reduce the country’s ever growing budget deficits, when we understand that we cannot continue to import the foods that we eat, when growing them here on a large sustainable scale can definitely reduce hunger, malnutrition, unemployment across many interconnected food production, processing, marketing and distribution sectors, as it will definitely reduce the huge amount of foreign exchange required to import.

We talk about improving on the people’s standards of living when we see new conducive housing estate going up; when we see mass transport systems in place for the growing number of low-income workers and business people that live far away from work and business places.

Certainly, there is no way poverty and the high cost of living can ever be solved without the focus being on robust sustained economic growth and development and most importantly redistribution of wealth to the masses in the various forms mentioned above.

 

 

 

Orange Mobile Company Unveils Commercial Site at Mile 91

By Abubakarr Harding

One of the leading telecommunications service providers in Sierra Leone, Orange SL has on Thursday 13th October 2022 officially unveiled a new commercial site (tower) located at the Canadian College, Mile 91, Yoni Mamella Chiefdom, Tonkolili District, Northern Sierra Leone.

The rationale behind the opening of another tower at the aforementioned locality is geared towards dogged continuity on the part of the company to provide effective and efficient services to its customers in that locality and its environs.

Speaking during the event, the Regional Commercial Manager of Orange Sierra Leone, Augustus Bendu, affirmed that the launch of the new commercial site will create easy access for residents of Mile 91 who are using Orange Sierra Leone Services.

Augustus also added that the said commercial site is not a property of Orange-SL but instead it’s a property of residents of Mile 91 further urging them to protect it as theirs.

He said the new site will help to make life better for residents of that locality further disclosing that the Canadian College site becomes the 538 sites of the mobile company that would connect chiefdoms in that district and beyond.

Augustus implored residents to own the site and become watchdogs urging all to come onboard the company.

According to LUC, Madam Tity Lansana, a Police Officer who is a representative of the Police Institute, she stated that there used to be a poor communication between the Police and the people but acknowledged the fact that with the intervention of Orange-SL such will become a thing of the past.

In his remarks, Member of Parliament representing Constituency 048 in Tonkolili District, Hon. Aaron A. Koroma commended Orange Mobile Company for continuing to provide reliable services to its customers at their doorsteps.

He noted that it’s a very unique day because Orange-SL is the only telecommunications company that has a presence in Yoni.

He underscored that no other telecommunications company has never erected towers in that part of the country with the exception of Orange-SL maintaining that because of that they want to profoundly thank the company graciously for living up to their expectation.

The Member of Parliament also added that one of the expectations of a telecommunications company is a quality network system adding that such is what Orange SL has lived up to. The Member of Parliament remarked that the tower would improve the security sector.

He therefore implored his people to patronize with the mobile company in order to put it at a vantage position to continue to render qualitative services at the highest peak.

A representative of the Paramount Chief of Yoni Mamella Chiefdom, Mohamed I. Sankoh also expressed gratitude to Orange Mobile Company for their excellent services. He implored the company to continue moving in the right direction in order to achieve one of their objectives of reaching out to the least valued customers.

Sankoh assured that the Chiefdom would own the site by ensuring that it would not be of any security threat.

Climaxing the event was an inspection of the site.

NP-SL is Jealously Guarding its Enviable Position as an Indigenous Pacesetter

NP-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd)

By Amin Kef-Ranger

NP-SL Ltd continues to jealously guard its enviable position as the indigenous pacesetter that ventured into undertaking the importation and marketing of high grade petroleum products in the country. Since it gained a foothold on the petroleum landscape of the country, the company has not only maintained consistency in its marketing activities but also in expanding its operations from which the Government and general populace continue to benefit from in various ways.

The company’s competent and result-oriented Managerial think tank, currently headed by its indefatigable Chief Executive Officer, Kobi Walker, in tandem with the Board of Directors, have always endeavoured to be at the pinnacle of affairs within the petroleum landscape of this country, looking at best options, in order for effective service delivery to be executed timely, excellently, all geared towards enhancing good business relationships.

If there is any outstanding feature for which the company is identified with then it is giving customers satisfaction to the fullest which is why it has earned the enviable reputation of ‘1st for Customer Care.

Prioritizing customer care is considered very paramount out of the strong conviction that the company will be nowhere without its cherished customers.

It is along that line that the company interfaces with members of the public. Concerns and recommendations channeled through it are raised in certain management meetings, discussed and the way forward mapped out.

Regarding their customers as priceless jewels, NP-SL Ltd always ensures that to give them optimal satisfaction, value must be derived from their monies spent. It was thinking along that line that prompted the shareholders of the company to replace their old-fashioned pumping machines to calibrated pumping machines of high standard which transparently pump the requisite quantity of petrol or diesel demanded for. Confidence is now high among its customers that they are getting exactly what they are paying for.

Still within the domain of 1st for Customer Care, the company is always in position to enter into payment plans with its reliable and dependable customers including Ministries, Departments and Agencies for fuel and lubricants supplies as long as all the necessary modalities have been put in place. When cognizance is taken of the fact that some of these institutions receive intermittent budgetary allocations then such an arrangement is very significant. Its significance in real terms borders on functional continuity of those institutions as they will be assured of supplies of petroleum products in as much as they keep honouring their obligations.

In this country today, for one to see a successful business entity that is owned mainly by Sierra Leoneans and having a maximum number of indigenes as members of staff is like trying to find a lost needle on the beach, although there are some that could be identified.

For NP-SL Ltd this has been a big achievement as the company is strongly adhering to the country’s Local Content Policy. Making use of local brains has been identified as one of the conduits through which developing countries like Sierra Leone could attain economic empowerment. Correspondingly, if there is a continuation of the colonial mentality that it is only by importing foreign ideas and skills that we will get there then such could be a very sad mistake.

By providing job opportunities for hitherto jobless Sierra Leoneans, NP-SL Ltd continues to help in alleviating poverty by putting monies into pockets which could be utilized to take care of responsibilities.

For those who have not tried NP Gas for the first time it is now time to give it a try. Designed in sizable varying cylinders and sold at various NP Filling Stations, this cooking device has been rated as one of the best that is on offer for sale. NP Gas is safe, user friendly and portable. Trying it will spur you to recommend it to others.

NP Smart Card is now in vogue and is one of the latest technological devices used to purchase petroleum products. Using it has attendant advantages as evident in procuring fuel at any time of the day even during times when monies could not be accessed from banks. It is secured, easy to use and very quick. It is now trending.

To crystallize proposed projects into tangible realities on the ground, Government needs the requisite financial resources to effectively do so and one sure way is from the collection of taxes which is the mandate of the National Revenue Authority (NRA).  NP is indeed one of the big time tax payers in the country and it is very compliant in that direction.

From all indications, it is crystal clear that NP-SL Ltd is here to stay in order to give the best and contribute tremendously to the socio-economic development of the country. Indeed the company is passionate and committed towards attaining those objectives.

Mayor Yvonne Aki Sawyer Granted Self Bail in Lungi Magistrate Court

By Abubakarr Harding

The Mayor of the Freetown Municipality, Her Worship Denise Yvonne Aki Sawyer was on the 15th October 2022 granted self bail in a Magistrate Court.

His Worship Magistrate, Sheka Papa Kamara, the Resident Magistrate of Lungi Judicial District admitted the Mayor of Freetown Municipality, Her Worship Denise Yvonne Aki Sawyer to bail in her own recognizance (self bail) following her maiden appearance in Court.

Mayor Aki Sawyer was before the Court to answer to two Count Charges; Obstruction of Police Duty, Contrary to Section 39 of the Police Act, 1964, Act No. 7 of 1964 and Disorderly Behaviour contrary to Section 12(b) of the Public Order Act No. 46 of 1965 as repealed and replaced by the Public Order (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1973, Act No. 15 of 1973.

According to the particulars of offence, Mayor Aki Sawyer on Saturday, 17th September, 2022 at the Airport Police Division, Lungi in the Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom, Port Loko Judicial District, North-West of Sierra Leone obstructed Detective Sergeant 7966, Richard Junior Caulker and Corporal 12225 Fanta Fofanah while executing their lawful duties.

Accused Mayor Aki Sawyer was represented by a battery of Lawyers led by Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara. The matter was prosecuted by State counsel North-Western Region M.P.M.Lappia.

Application made for the matter to be transferred to Freetown was also granted by Magistrate Kamara on Friday, 14th October 2022.

 

Gento Storms Kuntorlor, Kroo Bay Communities & Garners More Support  

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The Masjid Maruff commonly known as Limba Mosque situated within the Kuntorlor Community in the East End of Freetown was the place of worship where, on the 14th October 2022, Mohamed Gento Kamara and entourage observed Jummah Prayers amidst the mammoth crowd that has already turned out simply because the news had made the round that he will be worshiping there on that day.

Even before his arrival hundreds of Muslims and non-Muslims stood patiently waiting to wave and have a hand shake from the man of the moment, Chief Gento.

As he arrived, he was welcomed by the Chief Imam and other Muslim Clerics as well as community leaders. After saying prayers, Mohamed Gento Kamara addressed the congregation by intimating them that he deliberately decided to worship with them with a view of informing them of his decision to vie for the Mayoral position of the Freetown City Council come 2023.

He said he has been in the shadows for a while but has decided to come out in the open to serve the nation adding that one of the things he really  wants to instill in people residing in the city is that tribalism is a dangerous cankerworm that undermines progress. He called on all to resist tribalism and consider ourselves first as Sierra Leoneans that are ready to embrace development.

“Unity is strength,” he told them admonishing all to be law abiding and refrain from violence.

Gento said indeed the world, including, Sierra Leone is going through hard times but commended President Julius Maada Bio for his commitment to chart a new direction for the country through hard work. He added that if only there were no constraints brought about by the COVID-19 outbreak and the Russia-Ukraine war the current SLPP Government, headed by President Bio should have accomplished much to benefit the majority. Gento added that there are indications that significant changes will take place.

He also informed about his determination to change the face of Freetown and make it become more cosmopolitan than it is by ensuring that residents have access to essential or basic amenities.

On their part, the Muslim leaders and community stakeholders thanked him for deciding to worship with them. They commended him for the good work that he continues to do and promised to throw their lot behind him.

The rapturous welcome that residents of the Kroo Bay Community , one of the most deprived communities in the Freetown Municipality greeted the highly respected, result-oriented and unassuming Mohamed Gento Kamara, on Saturday, 15th October, 2022 was so electrifying and overwhelming to the extent that it speaks volumes of a forgone endorsement by majority of the people residing in that community.

Before the arrival of Mohamed Gento Kamara and his entourage, the Kroo Bay Community Field was already jam-packed. with residents, thronging with people from all walks of life some from the environs,  noisy as music was blasting from loud speakers and people were seen chatting in various groups.

As he disembarked from his vehicle, the crowd went wild as it shouted from all the corners of the field, “Gento, Gento, Gento” as the man of the moment waved on.

Received by the community authorities, Mohamed Gento Kamara respectfully greeted the relevant community stakeholders who welcomed him and his entourage.

Addressing the mammoth crowd that has converged to listen to him, Mohamed Gento Kamara, informed the residents that it is his intention to vie for the Freetown City Council Mayoral Seat come 2023.

He told the crowd that the chief motivating factor why he decided to throw his hat to the ring or to vie is to change the tribalism narrative that has eaten into the political fabric of the Freetown Metropolis. He said the city of Freetown is a melting pot where people from various ethnic backgrounds reside and where equal opportunities must be made available. Gento decried how tribal politics has divided Sierra Leoneans not only in the city but the country as a whole.

“It is high time for us to change that narrative so that we will refrain from practicing politics along tribal lines as we have seen that such only stifles socio-economic development and deepens poverty,” he stated adding that he believes he possesses certain qualities that speak to transcending tribal bias.

Gento said he hails from a family in which his father is Temne, mother Limba and having a wife who is Mende by tribe. “So you see, I cut across the three major tribes in the country which gives me the impetus to endeavour to unite the tribes in the metropolis,” he assured revealing how, as an initial step, he has already engaged all the Tribal Heads in Freetown.

The Chief Executive Officer of Gento Group of Companies , Mohamed Gento Kamara, intimated the Krootonians that there is a need to sustainably transform the city by ensuring that critical infrastructures or social amenities befitting a city are provided to positively impact lives. He stated that to that effect he intends and wish to ensure that street lights are installed on all the major streets in Freetown and to improve on water supply to private homes.

The SLPP Chairman of Constituency 125 at Kroo Bay Community, Alhaji Komba, stated that being a development oriented personality there is the greatest possibility that Gento will deliver Freetown including Kroo Bay. He underscored that he is a young man who has contributed to beautifying the city through the construction of the Hill Cut Road expressing the belief that if he is given the platform he could replicate the same feat by beautifying the whole city.

Alhaji Komba said they are also grateful to Gento for reconstructing Little Kroo Street that leads to Kroo Bay and also the road that leads to Spaine Community.

He also expressed gratitude to Mohamed Gento Kamara for rehabilitating the steps leading to the community and for proposing to construct the bridge and a retaining wall which has been their cry for a long time now.

Chairman of the Kroo Bay Community, Charles Karoo, stated that it has been a long time since politicians have been making promises and not fulfilling them. He said what Gento has done has actually proven to them that he is capable to serve effectively and efficiently. He therefore pledged his support promising to convince others to do same.

Most of the residents interviewed stated that though some of them are supporting the APC Party but because of Gento’s intention to contest they will now throw their weight behind the SLPP come the 2023 Presidential, Parliamentary and Municipal elections.

There is a school of thought which holds the view that the entry of Mohamed Gento Kamara will tilt the political dynamics in the Metropolis. They argue that even though the Freetown or the Western Urban area has been a predominantly APC stronghold, however, the love many, especially the grassroots have manifested for him will definitely shift the voting pattern.

They disagreed with the contention that Gento will be treated like the late Solomon Berewa, whom it was said individuals financially exploited on the false pretext of voting for him but did otherwise. According to them Gento has proven his mettle, has changed lives positively prior to this time of the declaration of his intention maintaining that under such a circumstance hypocrisy will not thrive.

HIGH COMMISSION OF INDIA FREETOWN

HIGH COMMISSION OF INDIA FREETOWN

TENDER NOTICE

The High Commission of India Freetown invites bids/proposals from reputed security service providers for providing round the clock security services of two unarmed local Security Guards for its Chancery premises at 32-B Wilkinson Road for a period  2 years.

For complete details, scope of work, and conditions of eligibility etc., the High Commission’s website https://www.hcifreetown.gov.in/Tenderand Central Procurement Portal (CPP) at https://eprocure.gov.in/cppp/may also be referred to.

For any queries, please send an e-mail to hoc.freetown@mea.gov.in

Last date of submission of bids is 03 November 2022.

 

Grain in Hand, No Panic in Heart —China’s Contribution to World Food Security

By Mr. Li Xiaoyong (Chargé d’Affaires Ad Interim Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone)

In recent years, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the international situation, global food shortages and rising food prices have become very problematical for the world. Thanks to the new types of seeds, new technological advances, new models of cultivation and new agricultural equipments, there have been good harvests both in wheat and rice in China this year. The Chinese farmers have started sowing seeds of hope this summer and yet another season of crops on the splendid land has begun to grow.

As the largest developing country, China is always committed to safeguarding food security. H.E. President Xi Jinping said that since China is a country with 1.4 billion people, the fundamental role played by the agriculture sector can never be ignored or weakened because it is always true that with grain in hand, hearts do not panic.

President Xi’s book entitled:  “On the Work of Agriculture, Rural Areas and Farmers”, published in June this year, provides China’s answer to the question of food security.

In fact, China uses 9% of the world’s arable land to feed one-fifth of the world’s population. China is not only the largest grain producer, but also the third largest grain exporter in the world.

China has vigorously helped other developing countries in agriculture sector, for example the cultivation of 8 million hectares of Chinese hybrid rice in Asia, Africa and the Americas provides food for 80 million people.

Since the beginning of the year, China has provided more than 15,000 tons of humanitarian food aid to other developing countries in order to relieve the urgent needs of the people there.

As a responsible major country in the international community, China proposes a global food cooperation initiative and leads the world’s food security governance. Last year, President Xi Jinping put forward the Global Development Initiative(GDI) at the 76th UN General Assembly, making food security one of the eight key areas of cooperation.

In late July this year, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi proposed a cooperation initiative on global food security, while addressing the G20 Foreign Ministers’ meeting, which proposes the following:

First, supporting the central role of the United Nations in coordination. The role of the UN should be strengthened rather than weakened, and the work of FAO, IFAD and WFP should be supported.

Second, not imposing export restriction on humanitarian food purchases by the WFP.

Third, facilitating the entry of Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian agricultural products and inputs into the international market.

Fourth, major food producing and net food-exporting countries should release their own export potential, reduce trade and technical barriers, and control making fuel out of crops, so as to ease the tight food supply in the market.

Fifth, the emergency measures taken by countries for food trade should be short-term, transparent, targeted and appropriate, and conform to the rules of the World Trade Organization.

Sixth, supporting the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research and the cooperation on agricultural science and technology innovation among countries, and reducing restrictions on high-tech exchanges.

Seventh, reducing food loss and waste. China has hosted the International Conference on Food Loss and Waste and stands ready to jointly follow through on the consensus reached at the conference.

Eighth, helping developing countries enhance their capacity of food production, storage and loss reduction in terms of capital, technology market and others.

China and Sierra Leone are good brothers who stand together through thick and thin. Since 1991, China has sent more than 100 agricultural experts to Sierra Leone to provide technical training, agricultural machinery use demonstration and rice breeding research etc. Through bilateral and multilateral channels, the  Chinese Government has provided different batches of food aids to the needy people in Sierra Leone. Recently more than 2,700 pieces of various types of agricultural machinery given gratis by the Chinese Government have arrived to the warehouse of the Ministry of Agriculture.

Food security involves the lives of every household and the shortage of food poses as a major challenge to our planet. China will continue to lead and participate in global food security governance, and work with all friendly countries including Sierra Leone to actively implement the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and make greater contributions to safeguarding world food security.

 

First Female Premier League to Kick-Start Tomorrow in Makeni

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

The maiden National Women’s Elite League otherwise known as the National Female Premier League will commence on Saturday 15th October, 2022 in Makeni. Over the week end all roads will lead to the Northern City of Makeni as football loving fans from various parts of the country will be converging there to witness the event.

On the 12th October, 2022, President Dr Julius Maada Bio, received Board Members and the different teams at State House that constitute the Female Premier League and admonished young players to also pay attention to their education to help them succeed with their careers.

Thomas Daddy Brima, President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA) expressed gratitude to President Bio for his relentless efforts and support to ensure that the country had its first-ever female football league.

He went on to explain that seven months ago SLFA appointed seven women from diverse walks of life to run the maiden edition of the league and since their appointments they had been working tirelessly to ensure that the competition was organized across the country.

“His Excellency, this is a way to create job opportunities for girls around the country and support youth development,” he said.

Board chairperson, Asmaa James, said she was very positive about their visit to the presidency and used the occasion to also thank the First Lady, Fatima Bio, for being supportive since the Board was constituted.

She further noted that all the 12 teams that would be taking part in the competition, had been properly scrutinized as they went through a thorough panel of interviews to ensure that they had proper agreement contracts with the girls, adding that those were necessary criteria to ensure that the right things were being done.

She said because of the passion all the Board members had for football they had been working tirelessly, including going across the country to ensure that the league becomes a success.

“Mr President, I am happy to say that this is the first time in the history of the country for such to happen. In total there are 12 teams of which 8 are from the provinces and 4 from the Western Area. Notwithstanding the financial challenges, for which we are calling on your good office to intervene, we already have plans in place to start the league on Saturday 15th October in Makeni, the northern part of the country,” she said.

Madam James also thanked Board members, the teams and their managers for their commitment to ensuring that the league is played.

First Lady, Madam Fatima Bio, in her statement as a champion of the female football league, encouraged the girls to put in their best as they are lucky to have made history, noting that they should also endeavour to prioritize their education.

“To be a great footballer is one thing, but to also be a successful footballer is another thing,” she noted and used the opportunity to admonish the men to allow the girls to play freely without any harassment or intimidation.

While addressing the audience, President Bio said he was very happy to have received them at State House, adding that the process was a very important one because the platform had been created to give women and girls the space to express themselves freely.

He said in spite of the challenges they were facing, he wanted to assure them of his Government’s commitment and support to ensure that the league is played successfully, adding that the country is experiencing a female premier league for the first time.

President Bio thanked the leadership of SLFA for supporting the Board while also encouraging the Board to take up the challenge and make the league a success.

 

TRIAD Engineering Company Limited Updates the Press of its Operations

By Alpha Sesay

The TRIAD Engineering Company Limited has on Wednesday 12th October, 2022, engaged newsmen at its headquarters on 21 Bai Bureh Road, Helena , Freetown.

The ceremony attracted various news outlets across the Freetown Municipality and also major stakeholders in the financial industry.

Addressing newsmen, the Operations and Managing Director of the Company -Alhaji Amadu Sesay threw light on the operations and scope of the organization. According to him, the Company obtained its legal status in 2017 and it is a 100% indigenous company that was established by young and ambitious Sierra Leoneans with the main objective of  changing the narrative in Mortgaging and Financial investment.

He disclosed that the TRIAD Company is in the business of Construction, Maintenance, Real Estate, Rental Properties, Furniture, Interior Decoration, Community Water Supply, Mortgaging, Affordable Housing Development, Solar Installation, Borehole drilling, and Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).

He underscored that the company is here to complement Government’s efforts in providing housing, creating employment for Sierra Leone and providing real investment opportunities for Sierra Leoneans of all classes and levels.

The Company therefore has two thematic areas they’re operating on:

the Mortgaging Scheme and the Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).

According to Alhaji Amadu Sesay, under the Mortgaging Scheme, the company is catering for three aspects of people:

1-Those with a legal parcel of Land,

2-Those without parcels of land and

3- And those with unfinished buildings.

He stated that for those with an already existing piece of land the company will construct a house based on the specification of the client with a 30% upfront payment and the remaining 70% is the Mortgaging amount which the client will pay with a minimal 10%  interest rate adding that the mortgage will span from 1-30 years period.

Regarding those without parcels of land, the company will acquire a parcel of land for the client in any location of his /her choice.

The company will then construct a house after purchasing the land  based on the client’s specification and with an upfront payment of 30% and the remaining 70%  will be paid within 1-30 years with a 10% interest as well.

And for those with unfinished structures who couldn’t afford to complete them  the company will also complete the structures based on clients’ specifications with upfront payments of 30% and remaining 70%  to be paid within 1-30 years period.

Alhaji Amadu Sesay continued that according to a recent survey the company undertook in 2016, Sierra Leone as a nation has an housing deficit of 1 million and Ten Thousand Units which, he said, clearly shows that we need more houses in the country to be able to house every Sierra Leonean.

He opined that such led to the birth of the company with the aim of ameliorating the current state of housing problem most Sierra Leoneans are going through.

He concluded that the company’s vision is to actualize the construction of at least 1000 housing units across the country within a five year period (2021-2025).

To achieve that, he said the company is working with major banking institutions like the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, United Bank of Africa (U.B.A), Skye Bank and A Call to Business Bank (ACTB) and the company is currently implementing 25 projects across the country.

In the area of Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), Alhaji Amadu Sesay, maintained that the company gives opportunity to low , middle and high income earners to invest income producing properties.

The company offers an investment unit for as low as NLe 1,000 per unit with a 15% -20% returns on investment.

He concluded that there is an ongoing negotiation with the Ministry of Lands and the Public Private Partnership and Investment entity for a 1000 hectares of land to construct a mini-grid city with all basic and social amenities.

He pleaded with all Sierra Leoneans be they middle , low and high income earners to invest with the company as it is owned by Sierra Leoneans.

The Director of Real Estate Investment Trust-Patrick Kallon when talking to pressmen assured Sierra Leoneans that the company is legitimate and has maintained its credibility since it was established.

“It has professionals and well equipped staff with the technical know-how and prerequisite knowledge and skills to undertake all sort of constructions and investment,” he stated with pride.

Currently, the company is embarking on 25 projects some which are 90% completed. They’ve also implemented a project for the First Lady of Sierra Leone-Her Excellency Fatima Jabbie Bio in the construction of mosques in Kono District, implementing construction projects for Direct Aid and also served as Consultant for the just reconstructed Rokupa Government Hospital in Wellington and many more.

He called on communities that are suffering to access clean and safe drinking water to go in for their Community Water Supply scheme adding that the company has created job opportunities for young Sierra Leoneans and is geared towards providing more job facilities for Sierra Leoneans.

He encouraged Sierra Leoneans to invest with the company and also tap into the Mortgaging opportunity.

The programme was also climaxed with the official unveiling of the company’s brand Ambassador-Alimamy Almon Sall Kamara,  Ex-Housemate from Housemate Salone Season-3.

 

 

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