NP-SL Continues to Takes Customer Care to the Highest Pedestal

September 9, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

There is no doubt that NP-Sierra Leone Limited is highly known for taking customer care to the highest pedestal in the country. Indeed such is indisputable when cognizance is taken of how Management is very keen in optimizing customer satisfaction in its service delivery on different fronts.

Members of staff of the company are very mindful of the fact that it is the customer that comes first and therefore needs the utmost attention always ensuring that transactions are conducted under a congenial atmosphere that result into a win-win situation. For this brilliant and managerial initiative the company has been making positive headways positioning to stand tall among other business entities in this part of the world.

With a capable and result-oriented ‘Team NP’, working collaboratively and assiduously, where even the cleaner is regarded as highly relevant there is bound to be positive outcomes and the company has mastered this by ensuring that synergy is enhanced.
One admirable quality that NP-SL Ltd possesses is working tirelessly and effectively using its contacts with oil producing countries in order to ensure that there is timely purchase and delivery of petroleum products to avoid shortages.

It goes without saying that fuel, for example, could be a political commodity in the sense that fluctuation in its price would make a Government likeable or unpopular. When the price goes up then people blame the Government for that but if it goes down it is kudos for the political administration.

Its timely importation of petroleum products has earned NP high commendations from various quarters simply because it helps to cushion unrest and other forms of disadvantageous effects one of which is increase in transport fares, increase in the prices of certain commodities. The pro-activeness of the company invariably has a direct impact on poverty reduction in variable ways.

Some who may not be aware of the fact that NP-SL Ltd is wholly owned by Sierra Leoneans vis-à-vis the visibility of the company and how it is remarkably striving could find it hard to believe that it a truly indigenous company.

However, that remains the plain truth when it is learnt that it was Sierra Leonean 35 workers formerly working for British Petroleum (BP) who pulled together their end of service benefits to purchase shares which were used to establish NP, which today is a success story of an indigenous company, having branches in various parts of the country and in other four West African countries namely Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. The company’s operations right across the spectrum is contributing towards revenue generation and job creation for many.

With gas as one its marketable products it was thought wise to be producing gas cookers, popularly known as NP Gas, which could be access at their different filling stations. According to investigation conducted NP Gas is cooking-friendly, safe and long lasting. It is going at an affordable price and many are going for it.

When reference is made to Local Content then NP-SL Ltd stands tall within that realm as nearly all its members of staff are Sierra Leoneans thereby making use of local talents everywhere they are operating. The Local Content Policy is indeed an engine of growth and NP is making full use of it.
Without any iota of doubt NP-SL Ltd is growing taller and taller as time goes by.

Gender Minister Receives Standing Ovation

September 9, 2022

Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs.

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Ninth International Policy Conference (IPC) on the African Child seeking to look deeply into climate change as a disaster that is reversing progress made in children’s rights in Africa situate the African child within the climate crisis discourse, with the avowed objective of triggering urgent policy and action, was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia from the 6^th to the 7^thSeptember 2022.

Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Manty Tarawalli, who was in attendance, after her address on the 6^th September, 2022 which focused on the effects of climate change in Sierra Leone, its effects on children and the key actions taken by Government to address the problem, received resounding round of applauses and a standing ovation from participants drawn from other Africa countries.

Such a conference, when held is expected to generate a dynamic conversation towards an African position on addressing the impact of climate change on children in Africa, was attended by various policymakers and dignitaries from Africa and the United Nations, including renowned humanitarian and activist, Ms Gracia Machel, widow of the former South African President, Nelson Mandela.

The Minister informed the gathering that there are many interventions that Sierra Leone is undertaking which includes the Free Quality Education that involves free school feeding and transportation which she stated provide children basic education, a safe haven and at least one healthy and nutritious meal.

She maintained that there are provisions in the Mines and Minerals Act that include annual Gender and Children’s Assessment adding how such assessments will highlight the challenges with proposed solutions that will be undertaken by companies and supervised by the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs.

She referenced the review of the Child Rights Act to include strengthening protection mechanisms, the development of the Disaster Management Agency, Environmental Protection Agency etc.

The Minister stated that the effects of COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine have dented many economies including the Sierra Leone economy maintaining that the funds to implement many urgent interventions to prevent the impact of climate change on children are just not available, adding that Africa accounts for 5-7% of the causes of climate change while Western Countries are the major culprits.

She pointed out that promises were made by Western countries at the Paris Summit and 90% of those promises have not been fulfilled, and that children in Africa are the worse off compared to their Western counterparts of which she therefore called for collective action from the African Union and UN Agencies.

Minister of Children’s Affairs, Manty Tarawalli also called out to countries that contribute more to climate change, noting that extreme weather events, mudslides and flashfloods are having severe impact on children in Sierra Leone of which she called on international organizations such as the UN and AU to mobilize resources to address the impact of climate change.

She further took the opportunity to present the Government of Sierra Leone’s efforts in tackling climate change mentioning Government’s efforts to increase access to education through the Free Quality Education programme, school feeding and improved policies and laws that protect children and women.

After delivering her statement, Dame Graça Machel congratulated the Minister and asked her to convey her warmest greetings and congratulations to President Julius Maada Bio.

Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs.

Peace Commission Holds Familiarization Meeting with Muslim Leaders

September 9, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

The Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) has on Wednesday 31st August 2022 held a one-day meeting with leaders and representatives of different Muslim organizations in the country. The meeting was held at the Peace Commission Conference Room on Lamina Sankoh Street in Freetown.

Declaring the purpose of the meeting, the Executive Secretary of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, Hawa Sally Samai stated that it was a familiarization meeting geared towards bringing together Muslim leaders of various organizations and officials of the Commission which in other words was introducing the Peace Commission to leaders stating that, there are some people who were not aware of the institution and some that have heard of its existence but do not know the work of the Commission.

She dilated on the formation of the Peace Commission, its mandate and activities they have undertaken so far, the August 10 violent protests and how the Commission intends to join force with all Muslim leaders on a nation-wide peace awareness sensitization drive in the international peace month of September.

In her presentation, Madam Hawa Sally Samai, dilated on the antecedents that led to the establishment of made the Commission, its mandate, implementation of its mandate, the successes and challenges they have been facing since inception.

She explained that what they are desirous of achieving is a Sierra Leone that is peaceful and cohesive maintaining how the responsibility lies with them to facilitate peaceful co-existence, inclusiveness and to building a network for peace and national development.

“As representatives of different Muslim organization it is good that you work closely with the Commission to preach peace throughout the country knowing that the mosque serve as moral guarantors, as such will create huge impact in enhancing peaceful co-existence,” she appealed.

Madam Samai mentioned major thorny stalemates that they have mediated to ensure peace and stability in communities, adding that notwithstanding gains made it was not all issues they were able to amicably resolve or prevent from escalating citing the August 10 violent protests saying the Commission was not knowledgeable of the group or persons responsible for the violent protests in Freetown and parts of the provinces.

She called for a fair dialogue by all present through presentations of disaffections in order to find possible ways to maintain peace in the nation.

With regards the August 10 violent protests representatives of different Muslim organization present made references to various factors and also proffered possible solutions to certain societal ills. One thing that featured prominently was lack of communication on the part of the Government some expressing the view that the President and his Ministers must work effectively to counter false rumors.

Some maintained that the Government should completely eradicate or roll away the alcohol from the society, because that has been one of the main factors that causes the August 10 incident which resulted to lose of life’s

It was ultimately agreed that as leaders they are ready and willing to work hand in hand with the Commission to preach peace among their congregation and denounce violent activities or words that could lead to violence.

In an interview with Abubakarr Koroma, a member of a Muslim communities, diluted on the August 10 incident stating that there are lots of factors that lead to protests, mentioning the late response to the cries of the people or mistrust of some institutions

Three Mining Communities in Kono Receive Le 1.4 Billion from Pan African Rare Metals Mining Company

September 9, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

The Sum of Le 1.4 Billion was paid by the Pan Africa Rare Mining Company Sierra Leone Limited to the three mining communities of Nimikoro, Nimiyama and Sandor in Kono District as surface rent for the use of their land.

It should be noted that diamond mining is synonymous with Kono as its

soils are by far the home to some of the country’s precious minerals, like diamond, gold, bauxite, iron ore, etc.

This time round, it must be noted that it will be the first time Coltan mining is going to commence in the district by the Pan African Rare Metals Mining Company.

Coltan is a dull black metal used in the manufacturing of mobile phones, cameras, personal computers and other items.

The maiden exploration of Coltan in Kono District is expected to begin in the three chiefdoms of Nimikoro, Nimiyama, and Sandor. The Pan African Rare Metals Mining company is expected to start producing over millions of Coltan for exporting in one year.

Even before the start of mining operations, residents in the three chiefdoms are already boasting of numerous developments.

Meanwhile, to make known the relevance of the Operations of Pan Africa Rare Mining Company and in line with the fulfillment of the Mines and Minerals Act of 2009, the company has paid one billion Leones as surface rent to the three communities in Kono.

In his brief statement, Honorable PC Aiah Bona of Minikoro Chiefdom said the company has brought massive infrastructural and financial development in their communities and they are deeply gratified for the swift response thus far.

On their part, the people of Nimiyama Chiefdom were extremely happy for having such a huge investment and a source of livelihood within their communities for their young people to be gainfully employed and engender sustainable National development in the country and not just Kono district.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources reaffirmed Government’s commitment to create the enabling environment for private sector investments boom.

He cautiously encouraged residents to work with the company closely for the benefit of both the district and the country as a whole.

In his statement, Pan African Mining Country Chairman, Fassally Tawarally, said they would continue to pay the surface rent for mining rights in all three chiefdoms, as well as building the capacity of their workers that will form part of the workforce from the three chiefdoms.

The people of Kono perceived the coming of Pan African Metals Company as a means to bolster the country’s economy and forestall growth in the mining sector following the shutdown of other mining companies in recent times.

The company is poised to create massive employment opportunities for young people particularly for those in the areas of operations.

Since the 1930s when mining started in Kono district, there has been no tangible impact and development in the district but it is the sincere hope of stakeholders in the district to see a reverse.

1st Cohort of 32 Students Graduate from the Orange Digital Centre

September 9, 2022

By Millicent Senava Mannah

The 8^th of September, 2022 will continue to be a momentous day as Orange Sierra Leone Foundation celebrated a graduation ceremony for the 1^st cohort of 32 students who will be graduating from the Orange Digital Center Coding Schools Web and Mobile App Development Course Programme.

All of the new graduates, 32 of them, are now internationally certified developers, having undergone an intense 6 months full stack course on coding, content management systems, and IT culture.

The ceremony was held at the Orange Sierra Leone Headquarters Terrace, where statements and words of encouragement were delivered by the Orange SL CEO Sekou Amadou Bah, General Secretary-Haffie Haffner, OSL Foundation Director- Jestina Betts, Orange Digital Center Coding School Head- Priscilla Okechukwu, the CEO of Standard Chartered Bank SL -Yetunde Oni, the CEO of SMEDA- Sharka S. Sannoh, the Founder of Insight Consulting SL- Farida Bassa and the MD for UBA Bank SL -Usman Isiaka.

Presentation of projects they have tirelessly worked on was done by the students who also explained how they plan to use them to correct certain social issues in the country.

Special thanks were conveyed to the OSL Directors and Senior Management for their support and participation.

Earlier during the programme, in her welcome address, the Head of the Orange Digital Centre, Priscilla Okechukwu, stated that it is her sincere pleasure to welcome all to the auspicious occasion of the graduation ceremony of the first cohort of 32 students, who have successfully completed their course on Web and Mobile Application Development adding that she is indeed very much elated!

Priscilla said she could remember vividly the first day they set out to start the training at the ODC, a roadmap for the journey was drawn, timetable and course schedules crafted, all waiting for implementation.

She disclosed how precisely on the 15^th of January they effectively kicked off with the training underscoring how meeting with those to be graduated for the first time, she saw hope, readiness, willingness, determination, resilience and the tenacity to break barriers to succeed.

The ODC Head stated that they began the journey, not having a glimpse of what the end would turn out to be saying on one hand it was a difficult journey but on the other hand, it was made easy by her ever formidable and committed ODC team, who without, such a major feat achieved, would not have been possible.

Priscilla Okechukwu revealed that the 32, completed a six (6) month course on Web and Mobile application Development with soft skills, developed master piece projects, faced an international defence Jury and were certified successful.

She informed that the Orange Digital Center (ODC) is an innovation hub, with state-of-the-art facilities for young people to gain vital digital and entrepreneurial skills; to enable them gain employment and become thought leaders.

According to her, the ODC brings together several strategic programmes for digital inclusivity offered in Coding schools, Digital manufacturing spaces (FabLabs) and Start-up incubation and acceleration spaces (Orange Fab).

It must be noted that the Orange Digital Center will continue to conduct trainings and capacity-building activities throughout Sierra Leone.

Fatmata Kargbo calls for end to forced initiation of Bondo Secret Society

September 9, 2022

Karifa Kello Thoronka

Female Circumcision, which is very dangerous to women’s health, is a process of excision of the clitoris and labia minora with razor by a senior society member called Sowei, who has no medical training but believed to be spiritually powerful.

The 33-year-old Fatmata Kargbo learned the spirit of resistance from her mother who once undergo female genital Mutilation, whiles narrating to this press, Fatmata noted by saying that her mother once told her the danger of Bondo Society. Relating to a girl the wife of one Sahid Aminu who had been cut the same day as her mother, experience serious bleeding and died during the process.

Fatmata Kargbo’s Campaign against bondo was vocal, she always shows up at the local police station, and government offices to preach against bondo society but the Government pay less attention to her.

Speaking with one of the senior Sowei by the name of Baromie Koroma, she mentioned that it’s a must for a female child to go through Bondo before they can be respected and accepted in the society. Noting that since Fatmata has refused to be initiated, the community will continue to humiliate and harassed her like they have done to others.

The situation that Fatmata Kargbo found herself was really a nightmare, as everyone in the community is supporting bondo society. Moreover, since people are not supposed to talk about the Bondo secret society, the life of Famata is in danger.

Successive governments have made little or no effort to change this picture, either because the practice is so deeply embedded in the culture of the people or because politicians fear losing the votes of the people if they attempt to ban it.

Maripoma Enterprise Arrives with Equipment to Construct the Kpetema to Mattru Road

September 7, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

The Chief Minister, Jacob Jusu Saffa, has on the 5^th September, 2022 inspected the construction equipment of Maripoma Enterprise Limited, at Queen Elizabeth II Quay, to verify and get first-hand knowledge of the volume and type of equipment the company is bringing to embark on the construction of the 42.5-kilometre road spanning from Kpetema to Mattru, in the south of Sierra Leone. The inspection exercise on Monday, August 5, 2022, was attended by engineers of the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA), the Press, Government officials, and members of Maripoma Construction Company.

The Chief Minister, Jacob Jusu Saffa, said, “As a Government, we promised the people of this country that we would fix the Bo-Mattru Road, which happened to be one of the few roads in the entire country where the districts and towns are not connected.” He stated that the 10-kilometer roads from Bo to Tinkonko have been completed, except the $24 million US dollar Kpetema to Mattru road project, which will be built by the Maripoma company.

The Chief Minister said, “This Government cares about the people of Sierra Leone, which is why our actions are based on putting words into reality. This road work project will create lots of opportunities not only for our local people within the project corridors but will also benefit the entire country as a whole,” he assured.

He noted, “The entire Bonthe district does have more than three kilometres of tarred roads. Even though it is part of the country, it is this Government that has made all the strides to give such a place a facelift. ”

Maripoma Enterprise is a Ghanaian company that won the bid for the construction of the 42.5-kilometer road spanning from Kpetema to Mattru, in the south of Sierra Leone. The company shipped their equipment to facilitate speedy and successful work on their project areas to ensure they were completed in record time.

Upon completion, it will reduce travel time, increase productivity, promote trade, and increase social and development activities in that part of the country.

A representative of Maripoma Enterprise in Sierra Leone, Mahama Ayariga, said they came with 64 units of equipment to start the road construction process, stressing, “We have imported all the equipment needed for the project.” He disclosed that their company is one of the biggest construction companies in Ghana with over 70 percent of construction sites and a large fleet of equipment as well.

He disclosed how they had been invited to several countries but decided to choose Sierra Leone based on the country’s investment climate. He said, “We are here to make a statement that Sierra Leone is a good place to do business and to also assure the Government and people of this nation that we came with double equipment to finish the Kpetema to Mattru road on time.”

The company’s vision is to set the standard for the local construction industry by delivering high-quality projects on time and with due regard to the client’s specifications and expectations.

The equipment that was inspected included 64 units of various vehicles; track excavators, tippers, vibratory soil compactors, wheel loaders, motor graders, trailers, and low-bed and DSD trucks, among other equipment.

Former Pres Koroma & EU Ambassador Discuss Election-Related Issues

September 7, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

Former President Ernest Bai Koroma has on Monday September 5 received in audience the European Union Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Manuel Muller. The two had lengthy but fruitful discussions on a range of issues particularly those related to the preparations of the General Elections slated for June next year.

“I’ve just had a lengthy but fruitful discussion with EU Ambassador on issues bordering on democracy, preparations for the June 2023 elections and national cohesion,” said erstwhile President Koroma.

The statesman also encouraged the public to do their part by continuing to be patient in trying to register in a process that is widely reported to be problematic in some parts of the country.

Since the start of the ‘voter registration’ process, there have been widespread reports of significant logistical, technical and human resource inefficiencies in the registration process. Ambassador Muller and his EU team of observers who have been in various registration centers have also twitted about some of those ‘technical challenges’.

Therefore, emphasizing the right of eligible Sierra Leonean to be registered, former President Koroma urged the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) to speedily address the bottlenecks affecting the registration process.

“I urge everyone to be patient, continue to try and register; ECSL to speedily address the recurring challenges hindering the registration process. Every eligible Sierra Leonean should be able to exercise this right,” said the former President.

Marcella Samba Sesay Extols the Free Quality School Education Initiative

September 7, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

Marcella Samba Sesay, the Executive Director of the Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) and the Chairperson of National Elections Watch (NEW) has stated that the introduction of the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) in 2018 has refocused and recalibrated the hearts and minds of Sierra Leoneans to the importance and value of Education.

She made that statement on Friday 2nd September 2022 during the unveiling of a new building at the Saint Joseph’s Secondary School named after a former Principal of the school, Florence Dillsworth of blessed memory, an additional structure to help return the school to single shift.

“Thanks, Your Excellency Julius Maada Bio for this inspiration. At a personal level and a student and practitioner of governance and politics all my life, the greatest achievement of the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) launched in 2018 and coincided with this vision (returning the school to single shift), is the level of awareness on the value of education refocusing and recalibrating the hearts and minds of Sierra Leoneans to the importance and value of education that has been in sharp decline and on the road to nothingness which many political analysts call decadence,” she said.

Explaining the purpose of the gathering a senior ex-pupil of the school, Professor Miriam Conteh-Morgan, said in October 2020 they laid the foundation for the construction of this beautiful edifice, noting that notwithstanding the challenges of accessing funds, there were high hopes for the project to be completed.

She said the initiative for the construction of the building was to synchronize the two shifts system to one quality education shift system.

Proprietors of the school, His Grace the Archbishop Edward Tamba Charles, said they were grateful to His Excellency the President and the First Lady for making time out of their busy schedules to open the building, adding that it showed commitment to education.

He also commended the ex-pupils of various chapters for their commitment to ensuring that their collective dream was realized.

Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Dr David Moinina Sengeh, said because of President Bio’s vision for quality education in the country there had been an addition of over 1 million pupils that had been enrolled in various schools under the Free Quality Education initiative.

First Lady Madam Fatima Bio, who is an alumnus of the school, described the occasion as one that needed to be celebrated, noting that President Bio’s focus on education was not political but intentional because he believed that that was the only way to sustainable development.

She further thanked the President for his numerous supports to education policies, adding that that was why she brought her own support for girls through the “Hands Of Our Girls” project, which also covered the provision of sanitary pads for girls.

She ended by donating 300 chairs and tables to the school while encouraging them to do more and assured the girls of another distribution of sanitary pads by end of September 2022.

Rainstorm Seriously Affects City Media Center in Makeni

September 7, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

It will indeed amount to a considerable sum of money to rebuild the City Media Center in Makeni City following a devastation caused by heavy rain storm on Thursday 1^st September 2022.

Management of the City Media Center in Makeni is currently devastated following a thunderstorm that swept through Field Road in Makeni taking away the roofs of the building housing HOPE FM: 93.3 and Provincial Times NEWSPAPER.

Eyewitnesses say the same storm did the same to the building housing City Bar and Restaurant and City Unisex Saloon on 46 Rogbaneh Road.

Other buildings were also affected including the Makeni City Council building at the Main Lorry Park.

“We lost key equipment and documents to the torrential rain that followed thereafter,” says the Chief Executive Officer, Stanley Bangura Junior, and added that given the current predicament they are currently off the air until they are able to fix a new roof and replace the affected equipment.

After a thorough impact assessment of the damage caused by the heavy rains, a technical team’s report suggested that 82% of critical equipment was affected by the water.

The Team furthered that the roof and ceiling of the affected building hosting the CMC office need an urgent exclusive overhaul.

“After post-disaster test on the said equipment, it was discovered that only about 17% could be repaired, while the remaining 65% were damaged beyond repairs. These include a 600watt transmitter, two mixers, six desktops used for recording, editing, and production, eight portable studio speakers, two Apple laptops used for streaming on Radio Garden, our websites, etc,” the Team revealed and furthered that critical documents relating to the CMC work, plus tens of novels and media literature were also destroyed by rainwater.

City Media Management has stated that the loss incurred is so huge that it cannot hastily project a definite date, but it will certainly run into weeks, if not months if only left with the current economic situation to handle.

“We are weighing our options on possible temporal relocation if we can secure key equipment,” they stated.

The Management expressed profound gratitude and appreciation to its numerous callers, messages of sympathy, prayers, hope, and assurances received from family members, friends, colleagues, and partners, following the devastating thunderstorm that seriously affected their institution in the early morning hours of Thursday, 1st September 2022.

“Our doors are open to all those kind-hearted people who may wish to come to our aid in difficult times like this,” CMC Management stated.