IG Sellu Leads Concerned Institutional Heads to Inspect Erection of Guardrails

August 31, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

In order to inspect the ongoing erection of guardrails along selected streets within the Central Business District in Freetown, the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) together with the Road Maintenance Fund Administration (RMFA) and the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) visited Sani Abacha Street on Monday, August 29, 2022.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), William Fayia Sellu, led the team of institutional heads including Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Road Maintenance Fund Administration (RMFA), Mohamed Kallon, Director of Operations, Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) Ing Alfred J Momodu and representatives of the Sierra Leone Roads Safety Authority (SLRSA).

IGP Sellu disclosed that the purpose was to get first hand information on how the project was doing and to assess the security strength.

“We are not an implementing partner, our role is just to provide security to ensure the safety and security of the MDAs and equipments,” he said.

Director of Operations from SLRA, Ing Alfred J Momodu, explained that the project is about demarcating between vehicular and pedestrian traffic by creating a sidewalk.

“With this project, the safety of pedestrians within the Central Business District (CBD) would be better,” said Ing Momodu.

He went on to state that the project is in phases and targeting several streets within the CBD.

The erection of the guardrails is funded by RMFA and it is a project implemented by SLRA aimed to enhance a faster flow of traffic and ensure the safety of pedestrians and motorists alike.

The first phase of the work targets Sani Abacha Street, Wilberforce Street and part of Goderich Street, and the second phase will target Rawdon Street, Garrison Street, ECOWAS Street and ‘Salad Ground’.

So far, all parties were satisfied with the progress of the work. After the completion of the work, the Traffic Division of the SLP will ensure that pedestrians do not walk beyond the guardrails and trading will be limited to shop owners along the road.

Protection of the Environment Must Be Prioritized

August 31, 2022

By Ranger

It’s time to demand prompt and robust action from the Government, the populace, and the younger generation to protect the environment in light of the ongoing environmental hazards we face, particularly in the country’s capital.

As a suggestion, the Government should make “Environmental Education” a major, compulsory subject in all levels of education, from primary to tertiary. This will impart environmental protection knowledge to the next generation and inspire community action.

Also, in order to reduce the rural-urban migration for basic facilities, which has clogged and overpopulated the capital city [Freetown], some Government Ministries and other institutions’ head offices should be completely relocated to other major cities in the country.

Added to that, measures against poor urban settlements should be implemented without regard for the people affected or out of fear. As much as humans require shelter, the environment also has to be preserved and conserved for safety and long-term needs.

Finally, people should be made to realize and believe that climate change is real, it is happening now, and collective action is required to combat it, extensive environmental awareness programs should be carried out at the local level and in the simplest form.

Sewa Grounds Market to Host Over 1,000 Traders after Completion

August 31, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

As discussions in various circles continue as to whether Government should allow traders to continue to conduct their business activities on Sani Abacha Street or for the traders to find alternative locations, on the 29^th August, 2022 the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) officially handed over the Sewa Grounds Market for its completion to 7 contractors with the projection that after completion the market will host over 1000 and more traders.

According to, Abel Onomake, the Consultant for NASSIT the work is expected to be completed in the next 120 days starting from Monday the 29th of August 2022.

Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Hinga Sandi thanked NASSIT for its timely intervention, adding that he has looked at all the engineering processes saying it would be good for traders. He said traders within the Central Business District of Freetown have suffered for so long, stating that after the completion of the building, traders would now have a dignified market place to find their livelihood.

Minister of Transport and Aviation, Kabineh Kallon briefed that before the start of the project, his Ministry and NASSIT have been engaging behind the scene just to see the project gets to its completion stage. He informed that as a Ministry they have also started implementing a World Bank project of constructing market structures, over-head bridges for pedestrians and street traders across the city of Freetown.

The Director General (DG) of NASSIT, Mohamed Fuaad Daboh started by explaining the delay for the completion of the Sewa Grounds Market. He said since 2018, the contract of the market has been under serious investigations by different Government institutions especially the ACC to know how the contract was awarded and why the project was not completed before the time frame given.

“So this caused the delay but however, for the past two years now, we have been working with the Management and Board of NASSIT to see how we can complete this project. It has been back and forth, we have to go through the procurement process and I think that went well. So we are here today to officially hand over this building to the contractors,” he said.

The DG went on to explain to the general public that with efforts made they have been able to reach to the stage of awarding the contract to 7 contractors that would ensure the building is completed within the stipulated time given to them.

He emphasized that the money for the project is an investment money and so therefore, he added “after the completion of the market traders are expected to pay for the facilities before they can have access to it.”

The Chairlady for Abacha Street trader in her statement said that: “At first we saw this relocation as against our existence and became angered, but after series of meetings with traders we now agreed that the said new location would enable us the market women the opportunity to work in a dignified environment. Abacha Street has become choked and taken over by all sorts of negative things, including street trading and lawlessness. We are excited that businesses could be transacted in a more conducive environment. I want to implore all our members to embrace the Project, the complex is made for all even those on the streets. We are excited about the new move.”

The Guinea Store Chairperson also added that, the Government’s decision to relocate their daily business activities to a more conducive environment is ideal to uphold its international image. He added that the Abacha Street trading as it is today is no longer good enough for business transactions due to the social vices that have given the place a negative image.

He also appealed to contractors to ensure its completion within the stipulated deadline to enable traders actualize their dream of a befitting and conducive business environment.

On his part, Abubakarr S. Jalloh, President of Phone and Allied Products Dealers Association said the new Business Park was their dream maintaining that the present Abacha Street has no room for expansion and that the environment is not befitting for doing business anymore.

“So we need a more befitting and organized place for our business like this Sewa Grounds business complex,” he expressed delight.

US Training Program Produces 35 New “Disease Detectives”

August 31, 2022

By Amin Kef Sesay (Ranger)

Trainees graduating in the Field of Epidemiology after undergoing training for a specific period of time were on the 29^th August, 2022 warmly congratulated by the U.S. Ambassador David Reimer, the leadership of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, and other dignitaries. After going through the training program to become “disease detectives” the graduates, are believed, to be equipped with knowledge to investigate outbreaks of disease and find ways to prevent future outbreaks.

The 12^th cohort of the Frontline level and the 5^th cohort of the Intermediate level of the program demonstrated the ongoing commitment to strengthen workforce capacity at each level of the public health system in Sierra Leone.

“The Field Epidemiology Training Program is modeled on the United States’ own best practices,” noted Ambassador Reimer.

“The U.S. Government, through CDC, is committed to supporting impactful programs like FETP in Sierra Leone. This is a mission both of our Governments share, and the Government of Sierra Leone has shown real leadership in establishing and building disease surveillance capacity at all levels,” the Ambassador commended adding how the impact of the trainings extends beyond individuals and communities, regions, and beyond Sierra Leone.

As global spread of new sub-variants of COVID-19 and new global health threats like monkeypox show, disease prevention and control has never been more critical.

The FETP residents have undertaken investigations of Lassa fever, Ebola Virus Disease, Anthrax, Monkey pox, Measles, COVID-19 and Polio, to name a few.

Additionally, previous trainees of the program are also working with their counterparts to investigate the tragic food poisoning incident in Kenema. The new graduates join a notable network of over 300 other FETP graduates and will serve as leaders and mentors for future FETP residents.

It must be noted that the program represents a successful collaboration between the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to increase the number of trained public health leaders in Sierra Leone.

Torrential Downpour, Floods & Mudslides Claim Lives & Destroy Properties

August 31, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Sunday, the 28^th August, 2022 was indeed a sad day for residents of Freetown as nature seemed to vent her anger for all the destruction caused to her by mortals as it was manifested on that day as torrential rain pounded heavily leaving in its trail deaths and destruction.

Fatalities occurred when a mudslide destroyed two adjacent homes in an informal settlement in Looking Town, situated on a steep slope in the hills above the neighbourhood of Kissy.

The Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, visited areas affected by the heavy rains. “My heart goes out to the families of the six people who died in the mudslide at Looking Town today,” she lamented.

According to the Mayor, like many other informal settlements, there is no road to the community as it is accessed via a 15 minutes’ walk along a narrow footpath.

“As I spoke with survivors and neighbours, I could clearly see a huge boulder positioned precariously above the community. A poignant reminder of the risk of disaster this community lives with daily,” Aki-Sawyerr narrated.

In a statement issued on the 29 August 2022, President Julius Maada Bio described the situation as alarming and offered his condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives.

The heavy rain impacted other areas of the city, including Kaningo and Tengbeh Town. Most of the major roads in Freetown were transformed to heavy flowing rivers after several hours of rainfall, posing serious threats to life and property. Many residents evacuated due to the threat of landslides and flooding.

It was the second spate of heavy rain in Freetown in the last 2 weeks. Areas of the city including Culvert and Kroo Bay were flooded after a heavy downpour on 17 August, 2022.

“The heavy downpours experienced this August points to the impact and consequence of global warming and climate change. But years of poor urban planning and mismanagement of the city’s resources are an enormous contributor to flooding across Freetown,” the President added.

Torrential Downpour, Floods & Mudslides Claim Lives & Destroy Properties

August 31, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

Sunday, the 28^th August 2022 was indeed a sad day for residents of Freetown as nature seemed to vent her anger for all the destruction caused to her by mortals as it was manifested on that day as torrential rain pounded heavily leaving in its trail deaths and destruction.

Fatalities occurred when a mudslide destroyed two adjacent homes in an informal settlement in Looking Town, situated on a steep slope in the hills above the neighbourhood of Kissy.

The Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, visited areas affected by the heavy rains. “My heart goes out to the families of the six people who died in the mudslide at Looking Town today,” she lamented.

According to the Mayor, like many other informal settlements, there is no road to the community as it is accessed via a 15 minutes walk along a narrow footpath.

“As I spoke with survivors and neighbours, I could clearly see a huge boulder positioned precariously above the community. A poignant reminder of the risk of disaster this community lives with daily,” Aki-Sawyerr narrated.

In a statement issued on the 29 August 2022, President Julius Maada Bio described the situation as alarming and offered his condolences to the families and friends of those who lost their lives.

The heavy rain impacted other areas of the city, including Kaningo and Tengbeh Town. Most of the major roads in Freetown were transformed to heavy flowing rivers after several hours of rainfall, posing serious threats to life and property. Many residents evacuated due to the threat of landslides and flooding.

It was the second spate of heavy rain in Freetown in the last 2 weeks. Areas of the city including Culvert and Kroo Bay were flooded after a heavy downpour on 17 August, 2022.

“The heavy downpours experienced this August points to the impact and consequence of global warming and climate change. But years of poor urban planning and mismanagement of the city’s resources are an enormous contributor to flooding across Freetown,” the President added.

Koinadugu Embraces National Population Policy

August 31, 2022

By Abaubakarr Harding

The Sierra Leone National Population Policy document was presented by the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), with support from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), on Friday 26th August 2022 to various stakeholders in Wara Wara Yagala Chiefdom, Koinadugu District during a well-attended ceremony at the Koinadugu District Council Hall in Kabala at which event it was underscored that the policy encompasses inclusive governance and radical inclusion.

It must be recalled that in December last year, similar events were held in Kenema, Makeni and Bo cities respectively at which events it was revealed that there are eight objectives and 21 indicators in the policy, that 75% of the population is made up of youths, that 46% of the population is uneducated and that there is a big gap between school going boys and girls.

All the stakeholders, including the representative of the Paramount Chief of Wara Wara Yagala Chiefdom, Gbawuru II Mansaray and the Chairman of the Koinadugu District Council, Yembeh Mansaray pledged their unflinching support to the policy but underscored that if youths are not catered for they would become armed robbers, prostitutes and seek greener pastures abroad.

They went on to point out that the District is dynamic, that there are various tribes peacefully cohabiting in the District and described Koinadugu District as the land of milk and honey, promised that they would widely disseminate the policy for the benefit of the District, appealed to participants to be attentive and ask questions and promised to join Government to implement the policy.

They also highlighted the challenging topography of the District and its high maternal mortality rate.

In his PowerPoint presentation, keynote address and officially handing over of the policy document to stakeholders in Koinadugu District, the Director of Performance Management and Planning in the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), Dr. Robert Moikowa said the Midterm Census is to correct the anomalies of the previous one for accurate allocation of resources depending on the population of each district.

Dr. Moikowa apologized that due to the COVID outbreak in the country in 2018, Government was late to popularize the policy, enlightened that the National Population Policy (NPP) was the first document launched by the SLPP Government in 2018 to ensure that nobody is left behind citing the radical inclusion of all in the education sector, women’s empowerment, underscored that the policy is the roadmap that would be handed over to the people for ownership and appealed to them to monitor the process for sustainability.

According to Dr. Robert Moikowa, Sierra Leone pledged commitment at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) to among others provide family planning, promote the use of contraceptives to manage the birth rate, reduce maternal and infant mortality, end child marriage as well as improve the lives of youths and appealed to all to widely disseminate the policy in their respective communities.

He further articulated that if the population is effectively managed, Government would be able to provide basic services for the people and in the process increase life expectancy, stressed the need for decentralization of service delivery, that the policy prioritizes reproductive health and rights and that Government wants to manage the population to harness the demographic dividends as majority of the population is made up of youths.

He continued that the policy is forward looking, all-encompassing and is based on credible data, disclosed that Government plans to train and employ 1,000 midwives and health workers, reduce gender-based violence and harmful traditional practices in addition to prohibiting and criminalizing child marriage, disclosed that the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has a crucial role to play in the policy citing the progress Government has made to empower women, pledged that UNFPA would continue to support Government due to its strong commitments to accelerate the ICPDs as well as budgetary support to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation to reduce maternal and infant mortality in the country.

He furthered that they are now practicalizing the well-prepared policy, that UNFPA is supporting Government to achieve the Mid-Term National Development Plan in addition to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and working to address key issues in the policy.

The representative of the Paramount Chief, Yembeh Marah revealed that they are the custodians of Government policies, that chiefdoms account for three fourth of the country, that the event is very important and that implementation of the policy is now at their doorsteps.

Other stakeholders reiterated the need for the Mid-Term Census for proper planning, appealed to all for their support and effective dissemination of the policy, pledged their unflinching support to the policy and assured the people that their inputs would be taken onboard and presented to Government and partners.

In his brief statement, Gabriel Dumbuya of the National Population Secretariat, MoPED disclosed that the policy was developed in 2018 and launched by the Vice President of Sierra Leone in 2019 reiterating that the policy is very important for the country, underscored the need to manage the country’s population with the available resources so as to improve the lives of the people, especially women and children and affirmed that the Mid-Term Census generated credible data.

All the stakeholders reiterated that the importance of the Mid-Term Census cannot be overstated for proper planning, promised to sensitize their subjects on the policy adding that adult literacy would help to reduce the high illiteracy rate in the country and pledged their respective commitment to the policy.

Other dignitaries who made statements included representatives of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the security sector, women and youth leaders, nurses, religious leaders, teachers, the physically challenged and pupils.

The question and answer session and distribution of the policy climaxed the highly interactive event.

PLANN Project Targets Opinion Leaders On Gender Model Family…

August 31, 2022

By Jonathan Hindolo Kurabu, D Catalyst

Opinion Leaders drawn from Yawei, Peje Bongre, Peje West and Njaluahun Chiefdoms in Kailahun District have over the week participated in a day’s orientation session on the role of opinion leaders and their involvement in the concept of a Gender Model Family (GMF).

The engagement, an offshoot of the 12 (Twelve) months Promoting Livelihood Agriculture, Nutrition and Natural Resources Management (PLANN PROJECT) targeting 1,200 beneficiaries from 4 (four) Chiefdoms in Kailahun District, is implemented by Movement Towards Peace and Development Agency-Sierra Leone (MoPADA-SL) a Non -Governmental Organization in Sierra Leone; geared towards poverty alleviation, rural development, gender mainstreaming, women’s empowerment in Four chiefdoms in Kailahun district, is funded by the Irish Embassy in Sierra Leone.

Amos Bob Patrick, Program Manager for the PLANN PROJECT said the Gender Model Family (GMF) is geared towards addressing the inequalities and marginalization faced by women in the hands of their husbands noting that a handful of rural women and children are often subjected to inhumane treatments and often than not, suffer in silence. The GMF ,he went on, will break the barriers of oppression and silence attributable to wife battery, domestic violence and child neglect.

Amos Bob Patrick reiterated the important role women play amid onerous domestic chores and admonished the male participants present to encourage their women and children to eat more of what they grow unlike selling them thereby promoting the concept of Livelihood Agriculture, Nutrition and Natural Resources Management in Kailahun district.

DPC Sub Inspector Mathew Sowa, Line Manager, Family Support Unit(FSU) attached at the Segbwema Police Station in Njaluahun Chiefdom, Kailahun disclosed, increased cases of family neglect and appealed to stakeholders present to always cater for the needs of their families rather than neglecting them.

“Parents have an obligation to take care of their children,’’ he opined.

Two of the participants interviewed, Ezekiel Saffa and Bockarie Murray, expressed delight over the engagement and also stated that their women and children will now form a key component in all decision making. They expressed profound thanks to the Irish Embassy and MOPADA SL for educating and empowering their rural women and urged them to replicate the same objectives to the remaining chiefdoms in Kailahun district.

The PLANN Project seeks to achieve diversified food production, yielding improved nutritional status and livelihood for targeted communities, improved knowledge on nutrition, mother & childcare as well as hygiene and basic sanitation practices, breakdown of gender- specific barriers among plethora of others.

NP-SL is an Epitome of Inspiration for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

August 31, 2022

By Amin Kef (Ranger)

It cannot be contested in any shape or form to assertively state that, unlike some business entities operating in the country, the NP-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) is currently one of very reliable sources of drawing inspiration by indigenes that have big dreams of coming together to establish business entities that they may want to see grow exponentially into becoming a towering business entity.

For the furtherance of any business plan, there are many useful lessons that could be learnt from NP-SL Ltd which could inspire aspiring entrepreneurs and definitely serve as a roadmap to navigate the business landscape in order to crystallize such dreams into tangible realities on the ground.

The company was founded decades ago by thirty-five Sierra Leoneans who were erstwhile employees of the British Petroleum Company that decided to fold up and sell its shares to the Government of Sierra Leone. Based on technical advice, the Government also decided to sell its shares and the 35 former workers bought those shares to set up what became known as the National Petroleum-SL Ltd.

It must be noted at this juncture that the company is a privately owned indigenous business entity and the Government has no hands in it, does not decide how it is operated.

One of the underlying factors that have been noted for the meteoric rise of the company could be attributed to the selflessness of its shareholders. These ambitious Sierra Leoneans were so dedicated to the cause of catapulting their “baby” to higher height to such an extent that they put all their best initiatives into play that culminated into the company becoming a formidable force to reckon with.

These fine business initiatives were well implemented to the letter which led to the realization of fruitful dividends. Selflessness, in this context, could mean putting aside ego, working with a collective sense of purpose, brushing aside deceit, greed and ready to give as well as take. This could be the first Lesson.

The next lesson borders around enhancing customer care with the avowed objective of giving optimum satisfaction. The Shareholders and various Management teams harnessed this so well to an extent that they have succeeded in broadening their customer base. As far as they are concerned it is the interests of customers which are paramount and therefore everything must be done to ensure that those interests are given due consideration whenever decisions are taken to push the company forward.

It is in this regard that the shareholders decided to go in for modern calibrated pumping machines which are capable of churning out the right quantity of fuel that a buyer puts in for as well as displaying the price. These machines make fuel transactions become very transparent, thereby giving customers satisfaction and confidence that they are deriving their monies worth.

Within that realm, the Shareholders also thought it prudent to introduce NP Smart Card which is now in vogue. This Smart Card can be used to purchase fuel, petrol and diesel, with ease avoiding the hassle of having to be rushing to the banks to re intermittently withdrawing monies for the purpose of purchasing fuel. The card could be credited with a certain amount of money and whenever transaction transpires the amount utilized is debited. Its greatest advantage is that it avails the holder of the Smart Card the opportunity to programme or budget him or herself to purchase fuel on a periodic basis.

NP Gas is now going like hot cakes on the market. It is a cooker which has been proven to be very effective in terms of performance. Manufactured in different cylinder sizes it has been attested to be environmentally friendly in terms of less gaseous emissions that could pose health risks. NP Gas can be secured at all the leading Filing Stations of the company and its authorized dealers.

With all these attractive offers, there is a lesson that enhancing customer care is very key to the growth of any business enterprise. Aspiring entrepreneurs could learn from this.

What also has been identified as a good business initiative which the company has mastered so effectively has to do with promoting the country’s Local Content Policy. The intent of this policy is geared towards ensuring that we make proper use of our local resources, human as well as material, in the production chain. It is against such a backdrop that the company limits employment opportunities to qualified Sierra Leoneans instead of bringing over expatriates to perform tasks that could be better done by indigenes. Knowing that they are employed by an indigenous company such gives the employees the sense of ownership and the extra motivation to give their best to the company.

Another Lesson: Make use of local resources which could be cost effective instead of spending much to use expatriates just for the sake of showing off. Besides, monies, in the forms of salaries and end of service benefits are retained and not taken out of the country. It gives any company operating with such a policy a nationalistic flavour.

To give back to society, in the form of Corporate Social Responsibility, brings with it respectability and integrity. It is very important to be in a position to always assist residents in communities where a business entity operates or to the country as a whole.

From all what have been said so far, it could be seen that NP-SL Ltd has valuable lessons which aspiring entrepreneurs could imbibe and infuse in their activities if fruitful dividends are to be realized. Indeed, NP-SL Ltd is really a source of inspiration and a reservoir of good business initiatives.

First Lady Briefs High-Powered Delegation on Her Contributions to the Health Sector

August 31, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

In an interactive engagement, the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Fatima Maada Bio briefed a high-powered delegation from the Susan Thompson Buffet Foundation and Equity Bank in Kenya on her contributions to the country’s health sector in line with the agenda of His Excellency the President.

One of the prominent interventions she highlighted was her contribution to the 34 Military Hospital Project.

“The 34 Military Hospital continues to play a leading role in protecting lives of Sierra Leoneans, especially during major disease outbreaks,” she pointed out, while emphasizing the need to upgrade the hospital in order to meet the high demand.

The First Lady stated that the reconstruction project will among other facilities house a one-stop center of excellence to care for rape and victims of various sexual offences.

According to her, it would be entirely digitized with technological equipment; professional nurses and social workers trained and qualified to care for the girls.

Dr. Bio told her guests that she has never received any funding from the Government or Non-Governmental organizations for the implementation of the project.

She used the forum as an opportunity to tell the visiting team that President Bio prioritizes women’s empowerment as evident in the appointment of several women into key leadership positions.

“The President believes women should have equal opportunities to serve the nation,” she noted.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Susan Thompson Buffet Foundation, Dr. Senait Fisseha, expressed satisfaction over the work being done by the First Lady in providing sustainable healthcare facilities for the citizens of Sierra Leone.

She disclosed that her institution has been collaborating and partnering with Sierra Leone’s Health Ministry to improve the health sector in the country while commending President Julius Maada Bio for creating an enabling environment for women to take up senior positions in his administration.