SEND Sierra Leone Ends Women Engagement with Political Parties

July 25, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of their efforts toward strengthening and promoting women’s participation in politics, governance, and decision-making in the country the Social Enterprise Development (SEND Sierra Leone) through its Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship Project (WISE) in collaboration with Trocaire and with support from Irish Aid held a one day women engagement with Political Parties, CSOs, PPRC, etc. The one day engagement which was held at the Western Rural District Council in Waterloo was geared towards unearthing what efforts has been made by political parties towards promoting women’s participation in politics as the country’s heads for its 2023 general elections.

Present at the ceremony were women draw within the Western Rural District, representatives from the All People’s Congress and the Sierra Leone People’s Party.

In her address, the Project Officer of SEND Sierra Leone (Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship Project), Grace Kortu-Kargbo, revealed that the WISE project has three problems which includes low representation of women in political and governance position, limited access to finance and healthcare services for women and high level of gender inequality and marginalization of women at the home and in communities.

She added that the objectives of the WISE project is to boost women’s right to economic resources, enhance women’s control over meaningful decisions that benefit them in their households and communities and enhance women’s contributions in the political and governance spheres, at the community, district and national level of which she furthered that they deemed it fit to hold the engagement with Political Parties, CSOs, PPRC etc. in order to enhance women’s contributions in the political and governance arena, at the community, district and national level.

The Project Officer however pointed out that the project activities include support to Port Loko Farmers Network, gender transformative approaches training sessions, identifying, building the capacity of women to contest for political positions in the 2023 General Elections, the launch of the training manual for female aspirants and candidates and subsequent trainings and finally the creation and support to village savings and loans associations.

She, however, maintained that responses of the representatives from the two main political parties in the country the All People’s Congress Party (APC) and the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) were that they have supported the need to have more women on board, although it was not really clear on what efforts have been made by these political parties towards promoting women’s participation in politics but said that at the end of the engagement they will have an action plan in order to continue to engage political parties.

Grace Kortu-Kargbo concluded by disclosing that lessons have taught them that long-term sustained capacity building, mentoring, coaching, and networking are essential to get women elected at local and national levels and to deliver on shared commitments to transformational political inclusive processes in the country.

The Public Relations Officer of the WISE project, Isatu Kamara commended SEND Sierra Leone for the Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship Project (WISE) which she described as a workforce towards the promotion of women’s participation in politics, governance and decision-making in the country.

On her part, the Women Representative on the 21 Man Committee of APC, Marie Tambaka Kamara commended SEND Sierra Leone through the Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship Project (WISE) for the laudable venture towards the promotion of women’s participation in politics in the country.

She said that the promotion of women’s participation in politics is a move in the right direction of which she said she is in support.

“At first when I told my husband about me going into politics he was not in support of me, but when he heard that I have been appointed as women representative in the 21 Man Committee of the APC party he was the first person to call me and congratulate me on my appointment, this is to tell you all that no matter the challenges keep pushing especially within the political landscape in the country,” she stated.

Marie Tambaka Kamara concluded by encouraging women present to empower themselves even as they aspire to go into politics.

Following the statements were a open discussions, comments, and questions from women present which closed the engagement. During that session women present shared their ideas and challenges they face in their different communities and further proffered solutions going forward. These women also appreciated the move by SEND Sierra Leone through the Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship Project (WISE) for amplifying their voices through their activities and programs all geared towards the promotion of women’s participation in politics.

Over 40 Women Benefit from Agricultural Training by MoPADA-SL

July 25, 2022

By Jonathan Hindolo KURABU, D CATALYST

Over 40 women drawn from among 40 project communities in Yawei, Peje Bongre, Peje West and Njaluahun Chiefdoms in Kailahun District have been trained by the Movement Towards Peace and Development Agency-Sierra Leone (MoPADA-SL).

The three days training tagged, “Women Led Community Extension Volunteers Training on Proper Cultivation and Management of Nutrition Sensitive Crops’’ which took place in Bonumbu Town, Peje West Chiefdom, commenced on July18^th and ended on July 20^th 2022.

Objective of the training, according to the Programme Manager of Livelihoods and Food Security, MoPADA -SL, Bob Amos Patricks was to build the capacity of women farmers in proper cultivation and management of nutrition sensitive crops to enhance proper food intake and dietary diversity among local food recipes.

Lead Facilitator, who also doubles as the Block Extension Supervisor, Ministry of Agriculture, Abu Mohamed Momoh, stressed the importance of the training putting into perspective the high rate of malnutrition in Kailahun District and also stressed the need for women to eat what they grow unlike selling them whilst their children remain malnourished.

The training, among others, dealt in detail crop diversification, proper dietary intake, leadership, financial prudence, mediation among conflicting parties, empowerment, transparency and accountability et al.

One of the beneficiaries, Gbessay Abibu thanked MoPADA-SL for the eye opener and empowerment skills acquired. She thanked the Embassy of Ireland in Sierra Leone for the succour and promised on behalf of colleague beneficiaries to live up to expectations and to use the project items for their intended purposes.

The three days training on proper cultivation and management of nutrition sensitive crops is a progeny of the 12 (Twelve) months Promoting Livelihood Agriculture, Nutrition and Natural Resources Management (PLANN PROJECT) for 4 (four) Chiefdoms in Kailahun District targeting 1,200 beneficiaries.

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.

The Movement Towards Peace and Development Agency-Sierra Leone (MoPADA-SL) is a Non-Governmental Organization in Sierra Leone that is geared towards poverty alleviation, rural development, gender mainstreaming, women’s empowerment to name but a few.

Accordingly, the 2020 Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis Report, ranks Kailahun district as one of the most food insecure districts in Sierra Leone.

Legal Aid Board Facilitates Release of 14 Accused Persons

July 25, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

During two separate Special Criminal Sessions of the High Court held in Kamakwie in the Karene District and Magburaka in the Tonkolili district the Legal Aid Board secured the discharge of fourteen (14)of thirty-one (31) accused persons.

The sessions were held from 27 June to the 8 July 2022 and presided over by Justice Abdul Sheriff and Justice Unisa Kamara respectively. Seven of the beneficiaries were discharged in the Sessions in Kamakwie while the seven others were discharged in the Magburaka Sessions.

The fourteen (14) were among thirty-one (31) accused persons whose matters were slated for hearing during the two week Sessions. Twenty-three (23) accused persons had their cases heard in Tonkolili District while eight were in heard in Karene District.

Thirteen (13) accused persons were convicted and sentenced to various prison terms including Life Imprisonment. Twelve of those sentenced were in Kamakwie while the one was in Magburaka. Two others were absent, one was remitted and another was referred for mental examination.

All the accused persons in Magburaka, Tonkolili District were represented by Legal Aid Counsels Mohamed Korie and O.A Kamara while those in Kamakwie in the Karene District were represented by Counsel Ibrahim Samba.

In a related development, the Board secured the discharge of three accused persons in the High Court in Freetown. The three were discharged in two separate courts. Alpha Mansaray and Ibrahim Bockarie who were jointly charged with burglary were discharged by Justice Monfred Sesay, Justice of the Appeals Court while the third Ibrahim Sorie Bangura who was charged with murder was discharged by Justice A.K Musa. The three were represented by Legal Aid Counsels Cecilia Tucker and Randy Bangura.

The Executive Director of the Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles praised the Legal Aid Counsels for rising up to the challenge of representing all the clients. “What we are lacking in number, we are making up for in our commitment in ensuring no client is unrepresented,” she said. She assured of the Board’s continued commitment to ensuring that the poor and vulnerable are represented in the courts.

On a final note, Ms. Carlton-Hanciles extolled the Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards for expanding access to justice by organizing Special Criminal Sessions around the country.

H.E Ambassador Atumanni Dainkeh Inspires Leone Stars Ahead of Cape Verde Match

July 25, 2022

By Aminaash N.N. Brima, Information Attache

Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco, His Excellency Atumanni Dainkeh has called on the Leone Stars home-based squad to raise the country’s profile a notch higher by defeating the Blue Sharks of Cape Verde in the double-header slated for Sunday 24th and Wednesday 27th July 2022 at the Marrakech Grande Stade in Morocco.

H.E Atumanni made this patriotic plea during his visit to the Leone Stars’ Camp at the Kenzi Farah Hotel in Marrakech where he, together with Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Finance II, Bockarie Kalokoh and the Embassy’s Head of Chancery, James Sylvanus Lebbie, officially welcomed the delegation to Morocco.

The President of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Thomas Daddy Brima who doubles as the leader of delegation from Freetown, warmly received the Ambassador and delegation from the Sierra Leone Embassy in Morocco.

In his statement, Ambassador Atumanni Dainkeh expressed joy in playing host to the young and promising home based Sierra Leonean squad who are out there in a quest to fly the country’s flag.

He encouraged the players to do well not only for Sierra Leone but for themselves.

H.E Dainkeh admonished the squad to consider such representation as a given opportunity, more than ever, to excel and earn a professional career, as well as to properly raise their personal profiles, which he observed should be the wish of every player.

The SLFA General Secretary-Christopher Kamara thanked and appreciated the Ambassador and the Sierra Leone Mission in Morocco for visiting the team, adding that the presence of the statesmen was very inspiring not just to the players but to the entire membership of the Sierra Leonean delegation.

In another development, the sport bodies including CAF, SLFA and FCF have agreed to reschedule the kick off tìme of both matches slated for Sunday 24 and Wednesday 27 July to be moved from 16:00 GMT to 19:00 GMT which is 4 and 7 pm in Morocco tìme and 3 and 6 pm in Sierra Leone.

This was as a result of a proposal submitted by CAF based on the prevailing hot weather condition in Morocco during the daytime.

Two Sentenced to Long Term Imprisonment for Sexually Penetrating Girl,13

July 25, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

High Court Judge presiding over cases at the Sexual Offences Model Court in Freetown, Honourable Justice Mohamed Bawoh on the 21^st July, 202 sentenced 31-year-old Karim Swarray, a Pegapak Seller and 37-year-old Abdul Koroma, a messenger to 100 years and 60 years imprisonment respectfully for the offence of Sexual Penetration.

Accused persons Karim Swarray and Abdul Koroma were before the court on a four count indictment of Sexual Penetration committed against a 13-year-old pupil.

It was alleged that Karim (1st accused) on the 14th and between the 15th and the 21st of August 2021, at Freetown in the Western Area of the country engaged in an act of Sexual Penetration with the victim.

The second accused, Abdul Koroma was also alleged to have on the 21st and 22nd day of August 2021, at Freetown in the Western Area of the Sierra Leone engaged in an act of Sexual Penetration with the victim.

Upon their arraignment, both accused persons pleaded not guilty.
The State Prosecutor E. T. Jalloh’s Application for a trial by judge alone was granted by Justice Bawoh and she led in evidence seven witnesses in support of her case.

In her statement to the Police, the 13-year-old victim at the time (now 14 years) said she was held against her wish by the second accused Karim Swarray for a week in his house where he sexually penetrated her and later took her to the house of the second accused Abdul Koroma who equally penetrated her in a violent manner.

Narrating her ordeal in court, she said, “I was tied to the chair in Karim Swaray’s room and he (Karim) was smoking “Kush” and emitting the smoking on my face.”

Solemnly continuing, she said “my mouth was stuffed with clothes and I was violently penetrated.”

At the close of the Prosecution’s case, both accused persons relied on their statement to the police.

Delivering his judgment, Justice Bawoh noted that the Prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt for which the accused persons were found guilty.

In their allocutus, both the convicts pleaded for mercy.

In respect of counts one and two, convict Karim Swarray was sentenced to 100 years’ imprisonment, 50 years for each count with both counts to run concurrently.

With regards to count 3 and 4, convict Abdul Koroma was sentenced to 60 years’ imprisonment, 30 years for each count with the sentence to run concurrently.

Pst. Mambu Oppose Proposed Law To Legalize Abortion

July 25, 2022

By Jeremiah Kargbo

A draft bill meant to legalize abortion in Sierra Leone has become a very contentious issue that is debated in certain groups around the country. One of those, among others, who have vehemently condemned the passage of the bill in order for it to become law, is Pst. Francis A. M. Mambu.

The General Overseer of the Faith Healing Bible Church worldwide, and CEO of Redeemer Media Network (RMN), Pastor Francis A. M. Mambu, has taken forefront in strongly objecting to Government’s attempts to bring back the already drafted abortion bill that failed in its previous attempts in 2015, when MPs passed an abortion law that would have legalized it, but was blocked by the then President Koroma, due to pressures from religious leaders.

Pst. Mambu during one of his recent nationwide television and radio broadcast, appealed to President Bio to withdraw his backing for such a bill, which he says undermines both the Christian and Muslim values and has potential to set a bad precedent, emphasizing, “God from the beginning hates murder of any sorts.”

Abortion is currently illegal in Sierra Leone under any circumstance and the Government keeps no statistics on abortion. However, President Julius Maada Bio has seemingly give his backing to legalize abortion, when he stated recently at the 10th Africa Conference on Sexual Health and Rights, “My Government has unanimously approved a safe motherhood bill that will include a range of critical provisions to ensure the health and dignity of all girls and women of reproductive age in this country.”

The leader of the Sierra Leone for Jesus Great Redemption Crusade program, spearheading this campaign against the proposed abortion law, calls abortion murder and amounts to killing of defenseless, innocent babies during formation, which he considers a devilish act to undo the wonders of God’s work and believes it must be discouraged to avert God’s wrath on the nation.

He declared to the Minister of Health that abortion is a human rights issue. “The right to life of the unborn child is inherent to the child and precursor to all human rights,” he said. Most Muslims and Christian leaders in Sierra Leone oppose abortion, Pa Mambu asserted. Legalizing it would foster an anti-child mentality, help to drastically reduce the fertility rate, and destroy the destiny of our young girls, the pastor argued.

He concluded by urging all religious leaders to stand against the draft abortion bill by joining him in the campaign against the killing of babies in the womb in the name of civilization and President Bio not to ever sign the bill into law He quoted Exodus 1:15-21 and 20:13 of the Holy Bible, as saying “thou shall not kill.”

ECSL 2021 Annual Report Discloses Setting up of Elections Conflict Mediation Groups

July 25, 2022

Chief Electoral Commissioner, Mohammed Kenewui Konneh,

By Abubakarr Harding

President Dr Julius Maada Bio on Thursday 21^st July, 2022 received the annual report 2021 from the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone saying the institution operates freely and independently in the fourth most peaceful country in Africa.

“A cursory look at the history of elections in Sierra Leone would highlight elite domination of politics – a mindset where a party uses a toxic blend of divisive rhetoric, misinformation, and unleashes violence – that is orchestrated and controlled by a few key players – on the voting public.

“While some parties have never used that approach; some parties have probably significantly intensified its use. They would rather not present and debate alternative policies and positions and engage citizens in peaceful ways about why their positions and perspectives are better. Our position as a Government has been that there is a better way,” he said.

President Bio emphasized that his Government had and would never interfere with the work of civil society organizations and rights activists who continued to operate freely within the ambits of the law, adding that they had observed elections freely and generated and discussed post-election reports freely on all media platforms.

“My Government remains fully committed to supporting peaceful, free, fair, and credible electoral processes. Dates for the parliamentary and local council elections have been declared at least fifteen months to election day. We have also proposed fixed dates for elections and other such reforms that will enhance the quality of elections and the governance space. The Chief Electoral Commissioner has also declared dates for Presidential elections in accordance with his mandate,” he reiterated.

He added that there was also greater access to justice where citizens could get redress from the courts on petitions and elections-related matters. He cited as important the establishment of the National Commission for Peace and National Cohesion and the fact that there was greater engagement of traditional and religious leaders in tamping down tensions within and between communities.

In his statement, Chief Electoral Commissioner, Mohammed Kenewui Konneh, said the Commission’s report had focused on the achievements in 2021 and planning processes in readiness for 2023 multi-tier elections within the context of the current trends of best practices in elections.

He further stated that despite the global and local social restrictions, largely due to the Covid-19 pandemic, they were able to keep to their commitment of conducting successful by-elections and paramount chieftaincy elections across the country in 2021. He added that they also undertook quite a remarkable transformation within the calendar year in terms of development of communication policy and strategy, review of human resource policies, including standing orders and improvement in staff motivation.

“I was very mindful about election conflicts when I assumed office based on experiences from previous elections,” he said, disclosing that that was why they had established elections conflict prevention and mediation groups and that the initiative had been effective and productive in all bye elections.

The Chief Electoral Commissioner also went on to state that they had made commitments to demonstrate inclusion in the electoral process and to set up a department with the objective of increasing participation of women and persons with disability.

He concluded by seeking the support of the Government, the people of Sierra Leone and multilateral partners to be able to continue to build on their credentials of conducting free, fair and credible elections in Sierra Leone, including the 2023 elections.

Chief Electoral Commissioner Reveals Preparations for 2023 Public Elections

July 25, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

During the third Elections Steering Committee meeting held at the Bintumani Conference Hall in Freetown on Friday 22 July 2022, in which members of Diplomatic Corps and multilateral partners,
other Commissioners, representatives of Civil Society Organizations, public and private officials were present, the Commissioner of the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL), Mohamed Kenewui Konneh provided updates on the public elections to be held in 2023.

He appreciated the Office of the Chief Minister and the UN Resident Representative for coordinating the third meeting of the Elections Steering Committee saying especially when the ECSL has now activated operational mode for voter registration.

In terms of Voter Registration, the Chief Electoral Commissioner said

the Register of Voters will be updated for the conduct of Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council elections in accordance with Sections 12 to 40 of the Public Elections Act, 2012 and Section 25 of the National Civil Registration Act, 2016.

He disclosed that in March 2022, with reference to Section 22 of the Public Election Act, 2012, His Excellency the President by Proclamation declared the period 3rd September to 4^th October 2022 as the period for all eligible Sierra Leoneans to present themselves for registration as voters.

According to him, the Electoral Commission increased the number of Voter Registration Centers (VRCS) by 10%, an increase from 3,300 to 3,630.

He continued that the spread of the new VRCs was even across the country with emphasis on the geographical distances between existing VRCs and the population density of localities.

“The Electoral Commission has concluded procurement of VR kits, development of the voter registration systems/software and 2,000 laptop computers and accessories for voter registration,” he also disclosed adding how delivery of equipment is expected end of July to early August 2022.

He intimated how the Electoral Commission is working with the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) on the inter-institutional arrangements for the extract of civil registration data and provision of civil registration staff and registration kits for the purpose of updating the Register of Voters.

On Boundary Delimitation, Mohamed Kenewui Konneh said with reference to Subsection 4 of Section 38 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, the Electoral Commission has the mandate to review the division of Sierra Leone into constituencies at intervals of not less than five (5) years and not more than seven (7) years.

He maintained how the Electoral Commission will use the 2,000 laptop computers in two registration cycles of fifteen (15) days each within the registration period 3rd September to 4^th October 2022 saying in each registration cycle of 15 days, only half of the Voter registration centres will be opened in each district.

The elections conducting entity boss stated that the provisional results of the Mid-term Population and Household Census, 2022, indicate an increase in the total population and significant shifts in population at the district level in Sierra Leone.

He said for the purposes of the Boundary Delimitation, the Electoral Commission has done the following: Resolved to review the division of Sierra Leone into constituencies using the minimum interval of five (5) years, set up an internal Boundary Delimitation Committee to facilitate the review processes, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Statistics Sierra Leone for collaborative support in technical and logistical matters during the review process, that the Parliament of Sierra Leone has confirmed that the number of seats for Ordinary Members of Parliament will remain 132 seats for the next Parliament.

The Chief Electoral Commissioner furthered how they have submitted a budget to the Ministry of Finance for the conduct of the review of boundaries, that the Electoral Commission will use the results of the Mid-term Population and Household Census, 2022, for the purpose of conducting the review of boundaries and has requested Statistics Sierra Leone to provide the data.

He revealed that the timeline for the conclusion of the review of boundaries, including enactment of new boundaries is October 2022.

On Elections Funding and Inter-Institutional Collaboration, Mohamed Kenewui Konneh, said the Ministry of Finance has established the National Elections Sustainability Trust (NEST) Fund at the Bank of Sierra Leone from which the Ministry is financing the electoral programmes of the ECSL.

According to him, it is expected that other institutions would be funded from the NEST fund to implement their related electoral activities.

“The determination of the budget for the elections in 2023 is currently being discussed at Subcommittee on Elections Financing and subsequently at the Elections Steering Committee,” he intimated.

For Electoral Calendar he revealed the following:January 2023- Distribution of voter ID cards, February 2023 – Conduct of Village Head lections, March 2022 – Declaration of election dates, April 2023 – Nomination of candidates, May 2023 – Conduct of Paramount Chief Members of Parliament ,May/June 2023 – Campaigns, June Elections 2022- Mobilization of staff, logistics, voter registration systems and equipment, Boundary Delimitation preliminaries seats allocation, drafting constituency and ward boundaries, June 2023 – Conduct of Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Council elections, July 2023 -Conduct of possible Presidential run-off election.

He said in August 2022 there will be Stakeholder engagements and drawing of final constituency and ward boundaries, September 2022 – there will be Voter registration-field data capture, October 2022 – Voter registration data processing, Enactment of final constituency and ward boundaries, October 2023 – Conduct of bye elections and paramount chieftaincy elections, November 2022 – Exhibition and Inquiry of the PVR, December 2022 – Finalization of the Voter Register, October 2023 – Conduct of bye elections and paramount chieftaincy elections and in
December 2023 there will be a Post-elections evaluation.

On challenges he mentioned transportation/vehicles for electoral operations.

The Chief Electoral Commissioner concluded by stating that the Commission remains committed to engage and collaborate with stakeholders as they move into proper operational mood.

He also assured all present and the public that the ECSL is poised to conduct free, fair, credible and acceptable elections.

In an exclusive interview with the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Campaign for Human Rights and Development International, Abdul M Fatoma, who happens to be the Team Lead for the Election Conflict Prevention and Mediation Group ,which comprise the Inter-Religious Council, Eminent Women etc stated that the meeting was timely and necessary.

He continued how that is so because governance is about inclusion and participation. Fatoma maintained that Civil Society Organizations actually have a direct relationship with communities serving as a bridge between Government and people.

He opined that Government opening up the space to getting civil society involved in such a high level meeting is good. He went forward to state that they have a Civil Society Inclusion Committee comprising various civil society groups that meet outside of the main Steering Committee to deliberate on important electoral issues.

Fatoma disclosed that since 2020, he had got involved into electoral conflict prevention issues and has worked with the Electoral Commission to organize twenty-two (22) Bye-Elections and none of those election results were petitioned. He said it is good that there is a platform where political parties discuss concerns.

On the part of the Chief Minister, Jacob Jusu Saffa, the meeting was geared towards steering the electoral process and discus some of the important aspects just to make sure that they facilitate and coordinate the election process. He said there are going to be similar meetings to reaffirm Government’s commitment to have free, fair and transparent elections. The Chief Minister said as a Government they firmly believe that one major source of conflict is electoral rigging maintaining how that is not part of their trajectory. He said one thing that is important is that all parties need to communicate properly and be very sincere in their communication.

NP–SL Ensures Residents in Hard to Reach Communities Gain Access to Petroleum Products

July 25, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

NP-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) continues to be the proud recipient of warm commendations in and out of the country for its efficiency in timely service delivery and proactive stance in partnering with well-meaning Sierra Leoneans to construct and commission state of the art Filling Stations in different parts of the country.

These moves on the part of the petroleum importing and marketing company has ensured that residents in far to reach areas, which hitherto face serious constraints in accessing fuel and other petroleum products, can now do so with ease. Typical examples are the recent commissioning of Filling Stations in Mile 91, Kenema, Mattru Jong and Koidu City within the Kono District , places, where before residents had to travel miles and miles away just to procure fuel, an ordeal that bike riders, boat owners, business individuals operating cinemas and even for domestic use wrestled with.

It is in that direction that we can actually see that NP-SL Ltd is not only interested in making profits but takes it that it has the responsibility of mitigating the petroleum sufferings that residents in remote parts of the country have been going through.

What this pro-active stance on the part of the company also means is helping to make available job opportunities from which the qualified fortunate beneficiaries do earn a living. The benefits will cascade to other family members and friends.

It must be underscored that the National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) continues to demonstrate that it is determined to ensure that the vast majority of individuals and institutions gain easy access to petroleum products.

As a progressive business entity, the company, which has been in the business of importing and marketing various petroleum products, for over forty years, from time to time there are individuals that do partner with the company to open new Filling Stations in different parts of the country.

NP-SL Ltd continues to make meaningful inroads within the petroleum landscape of this country. Based on effective and efficient service delivery, the result oriented company has drawn wide-spread commendations from near and far for holding the fort for far too long, weathering various storms.

One thing that the company lays emphasis on is to give preference, in terms of employment, to exclusively Sierra Leoneans instead of considering bringing foreigners on board, except in instances where local expertise could not be sourced. This stance on the part of the company is in sync with the country’s Local Content Policy.

The company’s introduction of a Smart Card to purchase fuel has been widely applauded as a very good initiative. A particular customer, with money in his or her NP Smart Card, could easily put in for the quantity of petrol or diesel that he or she wants and the supply is facilitated, after which the amount of money expended is deducted from the card.

Some users of NP Gas that this medium spoke with, intimated how it is a very good device which has a high speed performance and very environmentally useful and friendly. Manufactured in different cylinder shapes, it is portable and affordable. NP Gas could be secured at all the company’s major Filling Stations, where the gas to refill it could be accessed.

Indisputably, there is no way that we can talk of a very successful company, amidst challenges encumbered along the way, without mentioning NP-SL because the company is hugely contributing to the socio-economic development of nations.

Management is very keen in ensuring taking the company to every nook and cranny in the country.

CSOs Calls on NRA to Re-Introduce Excise Stamp to Reduce Smuggling

July 25, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

In a Press Release issued by the Civil Society Consortium on Community Accountability and Service Delivery, on the 18th July 2022, with William BM Sao-Lamin as Chairman, it was stated that the entity partners with Government Ministries, Department and Agencies INGOs, NGOs, and other Development Partners to protect and promote transparency and accountability in the use of development funds and facilities, ensuring Free and Fair disposal of the supports, transportation of goods and services, adhering to regulations, popularization of financial policies, monitoring the process of Decentralization of State Institutions to the Local Councils most especially the provisions made for community development in the country.

Further mentioned was that the Civil Society Consortium on Community Accountability and Service Delivery exists to contribute to promoting Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ECOSOC) for strong communities and ensure sustainable development for the people and to live in dignity and have access to basic opportunities and facilities such as markets, food, health, education, shelter, investors and basic amenities.

The Consortium, it was highlighted, functions through networking, partnership and collaboration with Government, communities, Local Councils, Local and International Agencies.

It was stated that the entity has observed the operation of an incessant smuggling cartel across various Border Crossing Points in Sierra Leone and further notes with dismay the inferior quality of smuggled goods across those crossing points which has exacerbated an already crippling health environment in Sierra Leone.

Also indicated was that quite apart from the smuggling, the Civil Society Consortium has also noted the production and promotion of different energy drinks and illicit drug substances and alcohol which continue to ravage the sanity of young people and the Sierra Leone population.

“As a Civil Society which holds Government accountable on Service Delivery, we have noted with great concern the budgetary toll or effects on Government in providing increased health and sanitation outcomes for its people,” it was highlighted.

According to the Consortium, in 2022, the Government of Sierra Leone budgeted around Le 897 billion on the Health Sector alone aside from the different interventions by International Donor Partners within the Health Sector.

As a responsible institution, it was emphasized that let it be known that Government cannot be seen as striving to uphold the health sector, whilst a portion of society continues to open doors to harmful and inferior products in the Sierra Leone; an action which clearly undermines the efforts of Government in the health sector.

The Consortium says it is therefore calling on all authorities concerned especially the Sierra Leone Standards Bureau, the National Revenue Authority, Sierra Leone Police, Importers of beverages, Civil Society Organizations, local producing factories, and Ministry of Trade to take the necessary actions on the aforementioned menace which should include but not limited to: Imported or Exported goods, especially consumables go through a thorough test before finding its way in or out of the local market/ store, to discourage smuggling or the production of harmful products, advocate for the introduction of tax stamps for products like spirits, alcohol, energy drinks and loads of others and an affirmative action to boycott certain productions which are clearly and consistently harming a huge chunk of Society.

The Consortium says it is immediately calling on Standard Bureau to engage with NRA for them to develop a strategy that will help the authority in introducing the Excise Stamp to minimize illegal importation of alcohol and other brand substances.

They also called on the Commissioner General and his team to further take the necessary actions by robustly engaging and collaborating with the relevant Government agencies for them to introduce the Excise Stamp for the authority to help minimize the illegal importation of alcohol, energy drinks and other substances through porous borders.

It was pointed out that as a civil society the good work of the Authority within record time is making Sierra Leone proud to be among countries that is growing digitally in collecting revenue for the State even at this difficult time in the world and to also ensure that all issues dealing with smuggling, illegal importation of energy drinks, alcohol and other substances across our porous borders are resolved in the interest of all, with key emphasis on the introduction of the Excise Stamp to cub smuggling.