FOCUS 1000 Holds Two Day Inception Meeting on Livelihood & Environmental Protection

September 14, 2022

By: Sulaiman Stom Koroma

In order to orient participants on issues of climate change, the environment, food security, livelihoods, and nutrition and the linkages among them as well as to discuss strategies for a Kombra Farm, Kombra Savings and Loans Scheme and actions to address climate change, FOCUS 1000 has concluded a two days inception meeting on livelihood and environmental protection with key stakeholders, partners, and participants from the 16 Districts in the country.

The event was held on the 8th and 9th of September at the Adele Robert Hall in Freetown.

Delivering a statement during the program, the Chief Executive Officer of FOCUS 1000, Mohamad Bailor Jalloh, said that the world is currently experiencing a series of disasters and Sierra Leone is no exception as the country is prone to disaster because of the massive deforestation and other human activities.

“Human activities such as increasing population density in some parts of the country, logging, charcoal burning, bush burning, mining, construction, etc. have contributed immensely to destroying the environment and increasing the potential for floods, landslides, higher temperatures, water scarcity, drought, and other devastating climate change emergencies. These conditions no doubt contribute to the escalation of poverty since farming becomes incredibly challenging, which in turn deprives people of accessing food and clean drinking water,” he said.

Dr. Ramadan Jalloh is the President of the National Kombra Network. He thanked FOCUS for identifying the network which comprises religious leaders, traditional healers, market women, CSOs, and the media to implement the project in all the 16 districts of the country.

Meanwhile, the network will be supported to plant and market local crops that are suitable as complementary foods for infants such as rice, banana, plantain, pawpaw, beans, and orange-fleshed sweet potato. It will also plant trees of economic importance such as coconut, cashew, mango, oranges, guava, and others. Proceeds from the marketing of these crops will be used to set up a Kombra Savings and Loans Scheme (KSLS), which will generate better livelihoods, provide access to diversified foods, easier access to loans, and support for child care.

Representing Bennie Mix Company as a private sector company Dr. Joseph Zed Bahsoon underscores the importance of public-private sector investment which the Bennie Mix Company has enjoyed over the years. He said that to attain food sufficiency, the country should have to produce more for itself than what is imported.

According to the 2018 Sierra Leone Integrated Household Survey, almost 60 percent (56.8%) of Sierra Leone’s population is said to be living below the poverty line. This poor nutrition, health, and generally poor well-being condition have been exacerbated by recent disease epidemics – Ebola from 2014-2016 and COVID-19 from 2019-2022. The recent conflict between Russia and Ukraine could further exacerbate the country’s economic and food system crisis because of the dependence on the two countries for imports.

Bernadette M. Allieu, Technical Office, Office of the Vice President represented the Scaling up Nutrition (SUN) Secretariat. She said malnutrition is a severe problem in the country, going back to the civil war, the Ebola epidemic, and natural disasters have impaired on the gains that the country has made in the area of food security, which is why the SUN Secretariat was set up to ensure that women and children have enough to eat and are well-taken care off.

Although Sierra Leone’s National Demographic and Health Surveys of 2013 and 2019 and the National Nutrition Survey of 2021 indicate some improvements in its child wellbeing indicators including specific nutrition conditions, Sierra Leone has still not been able to meet its nutrition and health targets for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement Goals.

In his statement on behalf of the National Disaster Management Agency, Abu Bakarr Bangura said that the Agency was formed by the Government to respond to disasters throughout the country and to build the capacities of people so that they can adapt to those happenings, which is why they are working with different departments to ensure they collaborate their efforts in whatever they do.

According to the Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN) Country Index 2019, Sierra Leone is ranked as the 17th most vulnerable country to climate change and the 49th least ready to adapt to climate change. It is globally accepted that Climate change has been triggered by continued environmental damages to our Earth’s ecosystems since through such damages natural habitats are lost, and increased carbon emissions are experienced, which in turn intensifies the climate crisis.

FOCUS 1000 with funds from Irish Aid will be working with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security (MAFFS), Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Sierra Leone Meteorological (SLMet) Agency, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ministry of Local Government, National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), Kombra Network and representatives from other community structures to sustain the gains made over the years in the fight against child under-nutrition, scale up interventions to promote appropriate infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices and undertake new initiatives to address the burning issue of climate change in the 16 districts of the country.

Infinitum Energy Group is Set to Power Freetown with 38 Megawatts from Waste Energy

September 14, 2022

By Ibrahim Sorious Samura

A Singaporean-based Energy Company – Infinitum Energy Group (iEg) is on the verge to provide 38 Megawatts of electricity to Freetown and its environs. The company’s source of generating electricity is by transforming or converting wastes into energy/electricity.

Infinitum Energy Group (iEg) already has such existing projects across the world, and more are under construction across Africa. And, with the Sierra Leone Government’s drive towards providing sustainable electricity in the country, the Infinitum project will be of utmost importance, both in the area of energy generation and supply, and in the areas of health and environmental safety.

Waste management and disposal will definitely be a challenge of the past, as the new energy company will be extremely reliant on wastes as a source or means of generating electricity. Hence, the Councils’ (Freetown City Council & Western Rural Council) existing challenges regarding waste management will be solved for once.

The Infinitum Energy Group has been in Sierra Leone for the past 14 months, engaging the Government and community stakeholders for the planning and successful implementation of this project. The company seeks to do an initial investment of 180 million dollars, with many additional benefits to the communities and the nation as a whole. Additional investments are expected from other investors across the world.

In their latest stakeholders engagement meeting, the Infinitum Energy Group met with the Local Government Ministry and Western Rural Council authorities, to further register their commitments for the actualization of this very important project and to explain the roles of the Government, the Councils and community stakeholders. This took place at the Local Government Ministry Conference Room, 6th Floor Youyi Building, in Freetown on Thursday 8th September, 2022.

The CEO of Infinitum Energy Group, Lindsay Nagle made a thorough PowerPoint presentation about the project, with special emphasis on the company’s history and structure, vision and the implementation phase.

Lindsay outlined his company’s global presence – with ongoing projects in the United States, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Uganda, etc.

An excerpt from the company’s website reads:

“Infinitum Energy Group ( iEg SL) Waste to Energy Ltd., has set out to create a meaningful impact in the young and growing country of Sierra Leone by implementing a 1,000 ton per day, waste to energy facility. The proposed facility will have the ability to create up to 38MW of clean, renewable base load power that iEg intends to evacuate to the local grid operated by Electrical Distribution & Supply Authority, under the control of the Minister of Energy.”

“The goal of the proposed project is to allow for the safe diversion of approximately 30% of the waste generated in the greater Western Area of Sierra Leone. The Western Area consists of the City of Freetown, the city of Waterloo and some other rural areas, with a combined population of approximately 2.2 million people.”

The Deputy Minister of Local Government, Madam Melrose Karminty expressed her Government’s willingness and commitment to support development programs with special emphasis on attaining sustainable electricity supply. She lauded the efforts of Infinitum on their drive to provide 38 Megawatts of electricity to Freetown through the conversion of wastes to energy.

Minister Karminty also urged the Group to speed up with the necessary framework and roadmap towards the implementation in the shortest possible. She added that once that is done by the company, her Government will immediately do the needful to ensure the kick start of the project.

The Country Manager of Infinitum Energy Group, Yassin Kargbo reiterated his company’s commitment to ensure the successful implementation of the project, which they wish President Julius Maada Bio to turn the sod of the construction of the plant in March 2023.

Yassin noted that they have been engaging the central and local Government authorities for a lengthy period of 14 months, which to some extent, has frustrated their efforts due to the bottlenecks along the line.

It is his wish for the Government to prioritize this project because of its socio economic benefits and contributions to national development.

The iEg Country Manager, Yassin Kargbo, highlighted some of the benefits that come with the project including providing jobs for young people, from the waste collection, to technical work, etc; the community will also benefit from the company’s Community Social Responsibility (CSR), in which 2% of the investment fund of $180 Million (representing $3.6 Million), will go to community development; waste management, collection and disposition will be boosted by the energy Group, thereby ensuring a healthy and safe environment, the local Council will be provided with support, in the form of capacity to collect and manage the wastes; the State will benefit from clean energy and taxes when the project comes to fruition.

“All we need is the willpower to ensure that this project is implemented in March next year,” Yassin Kargbo.

A site at Hastings in the Western Rural community has been identified as the potential and appropriate location for the plants which means, that both the Freetown and Western Rural communities will be connected.

Yassin further mentioned that the road leading to the proposed site will be constructed, plus a clean water supply system for the community will be provided by the Infinitum Energy Group, excluding the investment fund of 180 Million Dollars.

The meeting was also graced by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government, the Director of Local Government Ministry, representatives from the Western Rural Council, Infinitum Energy Group representatives and the media, at the Ministry of Local Government Conference room, 6th Floor Youyi Building, in Freetown.

APC Parliamentary Leader Highlights Lapses in the Ongoing Voter Registration Exercise

September 14, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Leader of the main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) Party in Parliament, Hon. Chernor Maju Bah popularly known as Chericoco has expressed his impressions about the ongoing voter registration process.

He stated that the voter registration process for the 2023 elections, which started on the 3rd of September 2022, has continued to attract an impressive turnout of citizens at registration centers across the country.

According to him such portrays the determination of citizens to exercise their constitutional right and responsibility adding that the June 2023 General Elections would be crucial to the nation’s unity, peace and development which is why he is heartened by the huge turnout thus far. Hon. Chernor Maju Bah maintained that credible elections start with a credible registration process and so he is disconcerted by the persistent challenges hampering a critical electoral process.

He said since the commencement of the exercise, Members of Parliament (MPs) of the All Peoples Congress (APC), including its leadership, have been actively engaged in monitoring the exercise, identifying, and collating details of the existing and emerging challenges with an objective is to facilitate the participation of their constituents in the process.

Chericoco stated that as the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, he has, with grave concern, witnessed and also been receiving updates, indicating that the process is fraught with challenges which should be addressed as soon as possible.

He said some of the key challenges identified are: Logistics and Technical Challenges.

According to him, most centers do not start on time and in some cases, will ironically stop the registration process before the prescribed closing time of 5pm. He said in the first few days in particular, the challenges ranged from constraints relating to the transportation of registration equipment to the centers; delays in setting up of the centers; deployment of equipment in the wrong centers and districts; the unavailability of login pass codes amongst others.

The other ,he named, was Malfunctioning of Equipment.

The Legislator claimed that there has been a recurrence of failure of equipment for the capturing of biometrics, personal data and photographs, in some of the centers. He continued that there are complaints that computers are freezing rather too often; their batteries serve for very limited number of hours, and in many cases, there are no back up batteries or charging facilities.

Hon Chernor Bah said First Time Voters are finding it difficult to Register.

He said first time voters are being confronted with challenges in the registration process maintaining that ECSL staff are not consistent with the required criteria for the registration of that important group of citizens. The Parliamentarian underscored that the controversy around the use of birth certificates, school documents, identification by community leaders, are all being interpreted differently by ECSL staff, thereby hampering the registration process.

The Leader of the main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) Party in Parliament pointed out that it should be noted that the Public Elections Act is very clear and unambiguous on the eligibility requirement for the registration of voters. He said a birth certificate can be used as a form of identification and in the instance where a birth certificate is not available, a Pastor, Imam, Councilor or any other community leader, can be called upon to identify and vouch for the person.

He lamented that reports abound of instances wherein a limit is placed on the number of persons a community leader can identify saying that is not part of the law.

The APC Parliamentary Leader also mentioned Capacity and Attitude of the ECSL Staff as an impediment.

He said information from some of their MPs on the ground referenced with concern, the condescending and confrontational approach with which some of the ECSL staff relate to their clients – the public; as well as the lack of proper ICT and technical knowledge to perform their duties.

Uneven/Disproportionate Allocation of Registration Centers was also stated by Hon Chernor Bah as another impediment. He mentioned how he has also noted that the number of centers per (area/village) particularly in the Northern and Western Areas are fewer than those in other parts of the country.

According to him, in the rural areas of the affected regions, citizens have to endure the burden of trekking for hours in order to access registration centers pointing out such is a key disincentive for participating in a very critical electoral process, especially by older people and the physically challenged.

He said while they grapple with all of those challenges, he would like to highlight two other very critical issues: The first is ECSL’s cumulative registration figures for the first 4 Days.

Hon Chernor Bah stated that on Wednesday 7^th September the Commission announced a cumulative figure of about 415,465 which it says represents the total number of registrants for that period. He said his expectation was that such update ought to be disaggregated by centers and made available on a daily basis, especially to political parties.

He said the second issue is the use of unverified existing data to update the voters roll maintaining that as far as he is aware, political parties have not been intimated about ECSL’s existing data.

Chericoco stated that the public would note that the current registration exercise is in two phases. One is the fresh registration of eligible citizens. The second is an update of existing data already with ECSL.

However, he said there is lack of transparency and inclusiveness relating to the existing data which raises questions about the comprehensiveness, accuracy, and reliability of such data.

He argues that if political parties are not given the opportunity to verify some of the data which would eventually constitute the voter roll that may impugn the integrity of the process.

“I therefore urge that the data which existed before the start of this registration process be made available to political parties for verification,” he requested.

The Parliamentarian disclosed that he had several conversations with the Electoral Commission and several other stakeholders, with the aim of ensuring that an integrated approach is adopted to addressing the challenges as soon as possible.

He said he also noted that the Commission has acknowledged some of the challenges, made a commitment to address them, and to ensure that every eligible Sierra Leonean exercises their constitutional right and responsibility.

However, he stated that it is astonishing that after seven 7 days, logistical challenges such as distribution of booklets still persist. Giving an instance he said on Saturday 10th September, 2022, in Constituency 124, Ward 429, Christ Church Primary School Center Number 16156 in the Western Area Urban, registration was done for a few hours only and the center had to close down owing to lack of registration material.

He said it beggars belief that such challenges could still affect the registration process in the nation’s capital.

Chericoco maintained that in a democratic state like ours, citizens must be able to elect their leaders through the ballot box in a process that is seamless, free, fair and credible.

He said as he pointed out at the opening of his statement, credible elections start with a credible voter registration process he is therefore kindly urging ECSL to take the necessary steps to actualize the commitment of ensuring that every eligible citizen is able to register.

Expressing profound thanks and appreciation to all those who have already registered, he used the opportunity to kindly encourage every eligible Sierra Leonean who has not yet done so, to exercise patience in their endeavour to register.

“Your power to vote for your next leaders in the June 2023 elections lies in making sure that you register, no matter the difficulties,” he encouraged adding that as he looks forward to a peaceful, transparent and satisfactory conclusion of the process, he is sending good wishes to all.

SLAJ Denounce Physical Assault on Managing Editor of Night Watch by Njala Staff

September 14, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

In a Press Release dated 12^th September, 2022 and issued by the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) it was categorically stated that the media umbrella entity vehemently condemn the beating of journalist Emmanuel Christian Thorlli, Managing Editor of Night Watch Newspaper by some Njala University (NU) staff on Sunday 11th September 2022 at Ellen Street, Ebo Town in Waterloo, Western Rural District.

SLAJ narrated that according to Emmanuel, after giving a tribute at the New Life Ministries International Waterloo Fellowship Church to his late colleague, Ralph Simeon Sesay, he was invited outside of the church by the Deputy Public Relations Officer of NU, Ayuba Koroma, to discuss with some staff of the University.

It continued that the late colleague, Ralph, was the former Editor of Night Watch Newspaper and former Public Relations Officer of NU adding that Emmanuel reported that upon arrival at Ellen Street, he was quickly surrounded by some NU staff who started asking him questions randomly relating to his tribute and also ordered him to return to the church and withdraw a statement he mentioned in his tribute about NU.

“I was surprised at the way they came at me. I attempted to leave but they held me and started slapping and beating me on the head,” it was said Emmanuel narrated adding that the incident happened in the presence of the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the University and a Night Watch staff by the name of Ragan Conteh.

According to SLAJ, Emmanuel was rescued by the SLAJ National Secretary General, Alhaji Manika Kamara, together with the SLAJ Southern Regional Chairman Abubakarr Mustapha and other journalists, who also attended the funeral service of their late colleague.

The SLAJ National Secretary General says even when he tried to intervene amicably to get Emmanuel from the scene, the NU staff also threatened to assault his person.

SLAJ says it is disappointed that the staff of NU will go so low as to beat a journalist for merely mentioning the University in a short tribute to a late colleague.

In his tribute, SLAJ stated, Emmanuel explained that when his late colleague informed him about his new job at NU, he advised him thus: “You know say Njala na institution wae dorti eh?”.

Reacting to the incident, SLAJ President, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, says: “This is very shocking! How can you beat a journalist, or any citizen for that matter, for giving an honest tribute to a colleague? This is great dishonor to the late gentleman, who was a distinguished staff of NU. We keep saying that if you feel aggrieved about what a journalist says or writes, there are appropriate channels to seek redress rather than taking the law into your own hands.”

Further stated was that SLAJ wishes to continue to inform the public that journalists can be reported to the SLAJ Disciplinary Committee or the Independent Media Commission (IMC).

SLAJ says it is calling on the Administration of Njala University to investigate the incident and take appropriate action adding that

meanwhile Emmanuel has reported the matter to the Waterloo Police Division and has sought medical attention.

NP-SL is Keen on Taking Petroleum Products to Even Hard to Reach Areas

September 14, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

NP- Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd), being the leading indigenous-oriented petroleum marketing company in the country and beyond, is progressively expanding its operations as evident in the commissioning of new Filling Stations in different parts of the country.

Also, as 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 and many now repose confidence in it for its timeliness 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 of the country, places where hitherto it was extremely difficult to access those petroleum products. Such collaborations are bordered on mutual trust and the objective of not only maximizing profits but to meaningfully contribute to overall national development.

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 Government derives 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 to the National Revenue Authority (NRA). Filling Stations fall within that bracket and by extension they are large tax payers. Those taxes paid are in return utilized by Government 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 the country’s Local Content Policy which the company continues to uphold.

Note that the company is also operating in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia.

It can be safely anchored that indeed NP-SL Ltd’s expansionist drive is largely driven by competent and efficient Management initiatives. One thing which is indisputably incontestable is the fact that the company is making steady progress within the petroleum landscape of the country.

Abdul Kadiru Kaikai Engages Paramount Chiefs in the South

September 14, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

All Paramount Chiefs of the Southern Region converged at the Wizard Conference Hall in Bo on the 10th of September 2022 on the invitation of Abdul Kadiru Kaikai for the main purpose of discussing with them the role of the traditional leaders in mobilizing citizens.

According to Kaikai, he deliberately singled out the Paramount Chiefs as a key conduit through which he believes the participation of citizens, in the ongoing voter registration, could be improved.

Speaking to the Paramount Chiefs, Abdul Kadiru Kaikai told them that anybody who is professing love for H.E Julius Maada Bio and the good works he is doing for the nation should take time out to mobilize his or her constituents or subjects to register and ultimately vote overwhelmingly for H.E Julius Maada Bio in the 2023 Presidential election.

To achieve that goal, Kadiru Kaikai, who is nothing other than a member of the Sierra Leone Peoples’ Party and a fervent believer in President Julius Maada Bio, asserted that no effort will have the required impact if it is not channeled through the Paramount Chiefs who are the custodians of the people.

“One of the best ways to go about mobilizing citizens in this voter registration process is to engage our Paramount Chiefs. Our traditional leaders play an important role in democratic politics when they mobilize their subjects to partake in electioneering processes,” Kaikai underscored.

He reminded the Paramount Chiefs of his belief that no development can take root if the Paramount Chiefs are not the conduits through which such programs are channeled.

To him, any political party that wants to improve internal security and maintain longevity in governance should embrace and empower traditional leaders.

He maintained that the motivation for such an assertion anchors in a set of implicit assumptions regarding how the Paramount Chiefs can effectively exercise their authorities through a well-defined and structured channel from section – town – village.

In affirming his assumption, Kadiru Kaikai said there is no voter that is not in a village, town, or section which means that every citizen can be located and monitored by the chiefdom structures and by extension the Paramount Chief.

Responding to the clarion call of Kadiru Kaikai, the Paramount Chiefs did not hide their admiration for his approach to development. In their own words, the Paramount Chiefs informed the gathering that it is the first time they have been rightfully called upon to do a national duty. “Most times politicians enter our chiefdoms and give instructions to our subjects without involving us. In their absence, nobody has the authority to monitor the implementation of such instructions as we might have done, that is even, by extension, responsible for the lots of uncompleted or delayed development projects in the country,” one of the Paramount Chiefs asserted.

The meeting ended with Kadiru Kaikai encouraging all the Paramount Chiefs not to focus on the many constraints identified with the registration process but rather produce the results to show the politicians that they can do it better. He promised to award the chiefdom that goes nearest to harvesting the Mid-Term National Census figures.

Voter registration mobilization involving the Paramount Chiefs generates a layer of political structure within the locality that enforces authority and improves participation. Although Paramount Chiefs are not typically elected, there is great variation in their linkages with the communities they govern and their independence from the State. Because of their strong institutional, economic, and social connections to their communities, they are often very effective in community mobilization.

Rather than isolating them, we should move with them, Abdul Kadiru Kaikai is of the strong conviction.

Hungary Awards Scholarships to 44 Deserving Sierra Leonean Students

September 14, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Honorary Consul of the Republic of Hungary to Sierra Leone, Jihad N. Eter, has on Tuesday 13^th September, 2022 handed over resident visas to 44 Sierra Leonean students going to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Hungary under the 2022/2023 Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship program. The handing over ceremony was held at the Hungary Embassy on Matu Close, Spur Road in Freetown.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Honorary Consul, Jihad N. Eter, stated that on behalf of the Republic of Hungary he is pleased to announce that he is handing over 44 resident visas to 44 Sierra Leonean students who won the 2022/2023 Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship.

He added that the move by the Hungarian Government in awarding these scholarships is to improve the education status of the Sierra Leonean students and it also part of their efforts towards complementing the Government’s human capital development initiative.

Jihad N. Eter said that according to a plan with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Republic of Hungary for the next five (5) years the Republic of Hungary will be awarding 50 scholarships to deserving students on a yearly basis to study in Hungary.

He pointed out that in December last year the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education under the Stipendium Hungaricum invited applications from suitably qualified Sierra Leoneans wishing to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate Courses in Hungary of which the Ministry received 280 applicants. He said after that the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education invited them for interview and those students who qualified proceeded to the next step.

The Honorary Consul maintained that after all those processes 47 students were selected for interview and 44 students only showed up for the interviews and they were awarded the scholarship.

He ended up by congratulating all awardees for their relentless efforts and urged them that as they travel to Hungary they must take their studies serious of which after the completion of their courses they will come back home and contribute towards the development of Sierra Leone.

On behalf of the beneficiaries, Suffiatu Allieu Moigboi, who will be pushing Masters in Communications and Media Studies, expressed appreciation to the Republic of Hungary for the laudable venture which she described as move towards supporting Sierra Leonean students.

She said that in December 2021 she saw a notice displayed by the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education under the Stipendium Hungaricum inviting applications from suitably qualified Sierra Leoneans wishing to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Hungary and she grabbed the opportunity, applied and now she is a deserving beneficiary.

Suffiatu Allieu Moigboi encouraged her colleague beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity in order to go and empower themselves and return to give back to society.

The ceremony was climaxed by the official handing over of the resident visas by the Honorary Consul of the Hungary to Sierra Leone, Jihad N. Eter.

SLURC Conducts One-Day Conference to Tackle Urban Inequalities

September 14, 2022

By: Millicent Senava Mannah

The Sierra Leone Urban Research Centre, a globally connected research institute with support from African Cities Research Consortium, Pathfinders and other donors, has collaborated with the International Institute for Environmental Development (IIED) and Pathfinders to convene a one-day conference on the 13^th September, 2022 with the theme: “Tackling Urban Inequalities”. The event took place at the New Brook Fields Hotel in Freetown.

It must be noted that the conference is geared towards exploring what policies and actions can Governmental and Non-Governmental actors take to address urban inequalities through the provision of decent and affordable housing, understand major obstacles in achieving that, develop concrete recommendations and agree on commitments to drive the process of building inclusive cities and societies in Sierra Leone.

In his welcome address, Dr. Joseph Mcarthy, the Executive Director of SLURC intimated that Sierra Leone is urbanizing and has one of the fastest growing populations in Africa. He continued that nowhere is urbanization more acute than in the Western Area where the central and local Governments are increasingly coming under pressure to quickly close the widening gap of housing needs and the supply.

“As defined by us, housing is much more than the physical dwellings where people live, but includes the living conditions as well, consisting of the basic services which support people’s lives,” Dr. Joseph Mcarthy underscored.

He noted that six thematic issues have been their key research focus, which are land and housing, urban health, vulnerability and resilience, livelihoods and the city economy, mobility and transport and lastly urban services and infrastructure.

“In Freetown, the housing condition especially among low-income households is likely to worsen if urgent steps are not taken now to deal with the growing housing challenge,” the Executive Director expressed a concern

Dr. Joseph Mcarthy affirmed that the conference is specifically designed to provide a space to engage the outputs and to discuss and share experiences and learning critical to policy and reforms and, for driving change in the built environment.

In his closing remarks, he commended all their local and International partners for their unreserved technical support to SLURC. He also gave a special appreciation to all their financiers over the years.

The Minister of Lands, Dr. Turad Senesie, in his opening statement, congratulated the organization for putting together such a conference, which he called an historic conference, as he declared it open.

He further encouraged participants to develop a clear outcome of the conference, including the local materials and other impressive innovations and alternative financing models which SLURC and its partners presented for Government’s consideration..

Dr. Turad Senesie maintained that the housing situation in the country is troubling adding that they are grappling with a huge housing deficit estimated at 509,063 housing units, which according to him is the highest in the sub-region.

He emphasized that they cannot have a discussion on deeply rooted urban or spatial inequalities without addressing the housing challenges that exist for half of the country’s population.

“We have to provide innovative policy and technical solutions through public dialogue that are inclusive, participatory, climate-resilient and sustainable,” the Minister of Lands said.

The Mayor of Makeni, Sunkarie Kabba-Kamara stated that as a result of the growing population and urbanization, cities are faced with a boom in population growth with significant numbers of people living in slums and illegally constructed settlements without proper land allocation and plans by the city authorities.

She averred that the success of an urban development is heavily dependent on the willingness of local leaders to commit for the long term, to collaborate, change their working habits and take risks.

Dr. Alexandre Apsan Frediani of the International Institute for Environment and Development in his presentation highlighted the three most prevailing issues in six cities in Africa including Sierra Leone: dynamic rental markets are prevalent, the lack of coordination among different levels of Government in responding to housing needs and that housing policies and programmes favor large-scale construction companies, failing to support small scale interventions.

The highpoint of the conference were presentations made by various personalities in different sessions followed by a question and answer session.

Rokel Commercial Bank Records Le88 Billion Profit

September 14, 2022

Rokel Commercial Bank’s Managing Director, Amb Dr Ekundayo Gilpin.

By Abubakarr Harding

The Bank of Sierra Leone has approved the 2021 Financial Statements of the Rokel Commercial Bank and the figures show why the bank is indisputably the fastest growing financial institution in Sierra Leone.

According to the financial statements, the bank recorded a profit (before tax) of Le 88, 706,445 (Eighty-Eight Billion, Seven hundred and Six Million, Four Hundred and Forty-Five Thousand Leones) for the 2021 financial year. This represents a 6.1% increase from Le 83, 566,323 billion (profit before tax) in 2020.

Profit after tax amounted to Le 65,814,471 (Sixty-Five Billion, Eight Hundred and Fourteen Million, Four hundred and Seventy-One Thousand Leones) as against the previous year’s profit (after tax) of Le 57, 593, 377 (Fifty-Seven Billion, Five hundred and Ninety -Three Million, Three Hundred and Seventy-Seven Thousand Leones). The bank has also done extremely well with its prudential statistics as its positive retained earnings increased from Le 44 Billion in 2020 to over Le 77 Billion in 2021.

In spite of the harsh global economic climate occasioned by the outbreak of the Corona epidemic and its consequent effects on the nations’ economy, the Rokel Commercial Bank is on an upward growth trajectory with a very solid capital base.

There are strong indications that the bank will also be paying a dividend that far exceeds the amount it paid to its majority and minority shareholders last year. With 56.80% Capital Adequacy ratio, its loan to deposit ratio is 27.36% which is within the Bank of Sierra Leone’s minimum threshold.

In more recent times, the bank has expanded its digital space with a new Core Banking System that is flexible but robust enough to serve its customers. It has also increased its loan portfolio through a life changing SME scheme that mainly targets the informal sector and this has been like a magic wand in the growth and success of the bank.

“We want to make profit but we equally want to serve as an engine of growth in Sierra Leone. Therefore, we will continue to innovate and explore better opportunities that will create wealth and better livelihoods for citizens,” said Rokel Commercial Bank’s Managing Director, Amb Dr Ekundayo Gilpin.

CJ Edwards’ Judicial Reforms Should Include The Penal System Too…

September 12, 2022

Honourable Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards

By Ranger

Since he was appointed as the Chief Justice of the Judiciary, Babatunde Edwards, has implemented robust institutional reforms that have boosted the morale of personnel resulting in improved service delivery. However, it is the opinion of The Calabash that for these reforms to improve justice delivery they must be complemented with extensive reforms of the penal system.

It must be noted that some years back the Prison Service name was changed from Prisons to Correctional.

The intention of the change of name was to make the institution reform, reshape and train prisoners to live productive lives after serving their sentences. However, with limited financial and human resources, a lot remains to be desired. Number one issue to be considered is overcrowding in correctional centres which carries with it serious implications of disease transmission both inside the facilities and after release.

The other aspect tied to overcrowding is that of inmates’ access to recreational facilities. With correctional centres short of manpower, inmates spend most of their time in locked spaces with nothing creative to do with their time.

This penal system, experts believe, can be remedied by Police Prosecutors and Magistrate Courts resorting more to Alternate Dispute Resolution Solutions for minor offences than serving custodial sentences. Convicts can also be sentenced to house imprisonment and doing community service which results in a lot of savings for the Government in terms of lodging, feeding, etc.

The opinion of many people is that it is not economical for the State to keep idle thousands of able bodied men and women when they could be productively engaged while serving their sentences. Another aspect of penal review is preparation of convicts for a useful, productive life after jail.

The recommendation is for Correctional Centres to have vocational and technical training facilities or to link up with institutions that provide such services to make them available to inmates while serving their sentences.