SL Brewery/HAF Launch New Water & Sanitation Projects Worth Over Le1.8 Billion

July 25, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

With support from the Heineken Africa Foundation, the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) has on the 22^nd July, 2022 launched two new community development projects that will benefit residents of Wellington and Calaba Town respectively. The two projects to be implemented, which falls under the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility are ; WASH Project for Calaba town community worth €70,585 and Gravity Water Supply system project for the people of Wellington worth €89,589.5.

Those in attendance, during a brief ceremony that was held at the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited in Wellington, were the Managing Director of the company-Laurent Bukasa , the Corporate Affairs Manager of the company- Foday Daboh, the Communications Manager-Unisa Conteh, the Legal Officer-Melisa Sesay, the Member of Parliament of Constituency 115 (Wellington) -Hon. Alpha Bah, the Member of Parliament of Constituency 114- Unpha Koroma, Councillors, constituents from the two communities and members of the Fourth Estate.

In his capacity as Chairman of the occasion, the Corporate Affairs Manager of SLBL, Foday Daboh welcomed all present furthering how the main purpose of the meeting is to do a symbolic launching of the two projects. He intimated that some time in the past residents from the two communities approached the company and kindly requested assistance for the provision of certain facilities which they were constrained with.

Foday continued that as a caring company, after listening to their requests they then decided to forward them to the Heineken Africa Foundation (HAF) also divulging how the latter gave approval of two and agreed to fund the implementation of the projects.

“HAF decided to support the WASH Project for the Calaba Town community with the sum of €70,585 and the Wellington Community Gravity Water Supply System Project with the sum of €89,589.5,” he disclosed, information that was followed by a round of applauses.

Foday Daboh also disclosed that over 22,000 people will benefit from the Calaba Town WASH Project and 23,000 residents including women and children from the Gravity Water Supply System Project.

In his statement, the Managing Director of SLBL, Laurent Bukasa, said as a company they believe in having a better world where everyone enjoys a peaceful life. He underscored that without water there will be no existence maintaining that water is life but clean water is health.

The Managing Director added that residents must ensure that the Projects are completed within record time also appealing to residents to take ownership of the Projects, and monitor their progress but cautioned that such should be done responsibly.

A symbolic presentation of the two cheques to both Members of Parliament was then done.

Hon. Alpha Bah informed the audience that this will be the first mega project that he will be monitoring to ensure that they get value for money. He disclosed how he first knew about gravity water during a launching programme he attended. The Member of Parliament said everyone should clearly know that the money for the project is not meant for sharing and appealed for all to get onboard and monitor its implementation.

Hon. Unpha Koroma extended gratitude to HAF and SLBL for their intervention. He disclosed that they have been lobbying for the project for quite some time until they were finally approved adding that the facilities that will be provided are what the people want adding that it is a blessing. He assured of monitoring the project. “It will benefit us living as well as posterity,” he said adding how they are looking forward to the implementation of more projects.

Councillor Lamin Kamara of Ward 409, within Constituency 115, said he feels delighted for the implementation of the Project in their midst. He extended thanks and appreciation to Hon Alpha Bah for his relentless efforts in deepening development within his constituency and to the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited for rolling out the project maintaining that it will benefit a lot of people.

He assured of monitoring the progress of the implementation of the Project and appealed to all to do the same.

On his part, Councillor Lucky M Mansaray stated that he is very pleased with the good work that SLBL has been doing referencing how the company facilitated the construction of a modernized Health Centre adding that the relationship between the company and residents is symbiotic. He extended gratitude for what the company had done and what it intends doing that will positively impact lives.

Councillor Lucky mentioned that with the completion of the Project such will ease the constraints residents are facing to fetch clean water. He also assured of monitoring the construction work.

Councillor Mary Kamara from Calaba Town revealed that some time ago when a needs assessment was conducted most of the residents identified clean water as a felt need adding that when she heard that the company will facilitate a project to provide clean water she was glad.

“My Constituency and Ward falls within one of the slum communities in Freetown and plays host to people from other communities that are engaged in business activities,” she pointed out adding how accessing WASH facilities has been a big challenge stating that there are some people who openly defecate on the rivers.

“The project will drastically reduce pollution,” she expressed optimism extending thanks to the Heineken Africa Foundation for providing the funds. She said the community residents will value the Project as it is a felt need.

Councillor Arthur Sheki Mansaray of Ward 403 said the project is indeed what residents want adding that it will benefit them greatly promising to monitor its progress.

Giving assurance of excellently implementing the projects, the Chief Executive Officer of CADA-Sierra Leone, Denis Jusu, said as the contractor it is not the first time to implement projects of similar nature.

He stated how he has worked with the company in the past adding that the two pending projects they will be implementing are the least projects they will be undertaking as they have done big ones in the past.

Denis Jusu said because of their good track record that was why they won the project and promised of doing a thorough job.

The vote of thanks was done by the Communications Manager of SLBL, Unisa Conteh.

Aid Pioneers e.V Boosts 34 Military Hospital with 12 oxygen concentrators and 12 Oximeters

July 22, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

“Aid Pioneers ” in cooperation with “Apotheker Helfen” have facilitated the arrival of 12 oxygen concentrators and 12 Oximeters from Germany meant for the 34 Military Hospital in Freetown.

Oxygen concentrators are used to supply 90-95% pure oxygen to people suffering from any condition that causes the oxygen levels to drop too low. These devices are crucial for the treatment of COVID-19 patients and are often used after operations to ensure a steady supply of concentrated oxygen to the patients.

However, there were only a few oxygen concentrators available in Sierra Leone, as the Aid Pioneers team members learned while traveling to Freetown in February to gain a better understanding of the Sierra Leonean healthcare system.

Ibrahim Mansaray, the Head Pharmacist of the 34 Military Hospital indicated that although oxygen concentrators were the most urgently needed equipment, the hospital was unable to fund their procurement.

Aid Pioneers, therefore, identified the supply of oxygen concentrators as the most effective way to help the “34 Military Hospital” to treat more patients and thereby improve Sierra Leoneans’ access to healthcare.

With the support of Apotheker Helfen, who provided 10.000 EUR of the 11.500 EUR that were needed to buy the oxygen concentrators, the “34 Military Hospital” is finally equipped with the vital medical devices.

“These are life-saving devices, critical to helping patients heal after surgery and treating respiratory illnesses of all kinds. There are only a handful of ventilators in Sierra Leone, and even fewer oxygen concentrators – making the need acute. This delivery also coincided with the opening of a 100-bed pediatric unit at 34 Military Hospital, equipping their new wing with the equipment necessary to treat children”. – Michael Pusic, Aid Pioneers team member and former Senior Advisor to the Mayor of Freetown.

Michael was responsible for identifying the need for oxygen concentrators and liaising between the hospital, the vendor, and the funding team at Aid Pioneers.

The first cooperation with the 34 Military Hospital and “Apotheker Helfer developed in the course of Aid Pioneers organizing high quantities of life-saving medical goods (more than 30.000 items worth over 100.000 USD) including important medical equipment for skin transplantations in response to the devastating fuel tanker explosion in Wellington, Sierra Leone last year.

To conduct the project, Aid Pioneers was fortunate to be joined by a team member with extensive knowledge of the medical landscape in Sierra Leone due to his previous engagement as Senior Advisor to the Mayor of Freetown. He was responsible for identifying the need for oxygen concentrators, the communication with the hospital, the vendor and the funding team at Aid Pioneers.

Also during a visit to Freetown, Sierra Leone in February this year, four Aid Pioneers team members from Germany got the chance to visit the hospital themselves, talk to the doctors, pharmacists and nurses and learn about the great work they do every day. Aid Pioneers got a tour of the whole hospital and visited the wards that are about to open this year to treat many new patients.

Aid Pioneers is currently planning a shipment of important medical goods to Sierra Leone for the end of this year to further support the “34 Military Hospital” and many other hospitals in the area.

About Aid Pioneers:

Aid Pioneers is a German-based non-profit organization founded by students in August 2020 during the explosion in Beirut. “Aid Pioneers” aim is to find the most effective NGOs and institutions in the Middle East and Africa and help them impact even more people. This can be done either by organizing logistics and procurement for our partners, by raising funds for them in Europe, or by consulting them on how to operate more efficiently.

Lands Minister Strongly Warns Illegal Occupants to Immediately Leave Bell Air Park

July 22, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

Dr.Turad Senesie, Minister of Lands and Country Planning, Has on Wednesday 19th July, 2022 urged illegal occupants at the Judiciary’s Quarters, Bell Air Park, Dwarzack in Freetown to immediately vacate the property/land.

The Minister said the Ministry, under his leadership, did not allocate any land/property to any individual or group of persons and encouraged them to prepare their minds psychologically in leaving the said land/property, adding that the Ministry of Lands will devise a relocation plan for only those who were mistakenly given legal documents by the Ministry.

The Inspector General, on his part, gave a stern warning regarding his next visit to forcefully remove those land grabbers or illegal occupants.

According IG Sovula, the issue of land grabbing is a very serious one and therefore those illegal occupants at Bell Air Park should leave in peace rather than allowing the Police to intervene.

The team comprising the Hon. Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards; the Minister of Lands; Inspector General of the Sierra Leone Police – Ambrose Sovula; Deputy Minister of Works- Philip Tetema Tondoneh and some senior staff of the Judiciary toured the entire land/property to ascertain the veracity of the illegal occupancy.

The Hon. Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards said before now the quarters were occupied by only Judges, Magistrates and staff of the Judiciary. He added that even former Chief Justices were staying there because the environment was peaceful and well secured to house them.

He stressed that it is now time to reclaim all the lands/property for the intended purpose.

Randa Skeiky Granted One Billion, Five Hundred Million Leones Bail

July 22, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

Supreme Court Judge, Hon. Justice Allan B. Halloway on the 19^th July 2022, in agreement with two Court of Appeal Judges- Hon. Justice Jamesina King and Hon. Justice Komba Kamanda admitted Randa Skeiky to bail pending the hearing and determination of an Appeal filed by Lawyer Mohamed Pa-Momo Fofanah.

The State was represented by Aruna Jalloh Esq.

The application was filed by Lawyer Mohamed Pa-Momo Fofanah on behalf of Randa Skeiky by way of Notice of Motion dated the 16th June, 2022, principally for the Court to grant an Order admitting the Appellant/Applicant to bail, pending the hearing and determination of her appeal.

Madam Randa Skeiky, a Lebanese national and a convict who is involved in a Five Hundred Thousand United States Dollars case was at the Court of Appeal sitting in Freetown, granted bail in the sum of One Billion, Five Hundred Million Leones (The Old Leones).

Reading the judgment, the presiding Justice Allan Halloway said the decision of the Court of Appeal is based on the strength of the Appeal.

According to Justice Allan Halloway, Lawyer Mohamed Pa. Momoh Fofana had good grounds of Appeal, especially on the audio recording evidence which the Judge, Justice Alhaji Momoh Jah Stevens excluded during the trial with no reason; which might have raised a reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the convict.

“This is a serious flaw committed by the Court below,” Justice Allan Halloway stated.

The Appeal Court decision was supported, pursuant to Rule 58 sub-rule 8 of the Court of Appeal Rule 1985 and the Criminal Appeal case of Ibrahim Bah and Civil Appeal of Mustapha Amara, presided in 2003 by the then Court of Appeal Judge, Justice Nicollas Browne Mark, now Supreme Court Judge.

In their ruling, Justice Allan Halloway and two others described the decision of the High Court as grossly unfair to the Appellant Randa Skeiky; and there is a risk that she (Appellant) would have served her sentence by the time her appeal is completed.

He assured the State Counsel, Aruna Jalloh, of having nothing to lose if bail is granted.

Madam Randa Skeiky was admitted to bail with two sureties to stand in her recognizance.

The court also ordered Madam Randa Skeiky to surrender her passport and all her traveling documents to the Master and Registrar and shall not leave the shores of Sierra Leone without orders from the Court.

Justice Allan Halloway also ordered for a speedy hearing of the Appeal within three weeks.

The Appellant, Randa Skeiky is a convict, serving a total of six- years jail term after she was found guilty on two counts criminal indictment of larceny in a dwelling house to larceny by servant, contrary to the Larceny Act of 1916.

It would be recalled in 2018, Skeiky, being the Manager of Alie Abess General Transport in Kenema, was accused of stealing Five Hundred Thousand United State Dollars from her boss, Alie Abess` private safe while in care of his house and shop in Freetown in absentia.

During the trial at the High Court, the State Prosecutor, Aruna Jalloh led eight witnesses in total, including the complainant, Alie Abess, while the accused person now convict, led three witnesses in her defense

Energy Ministry & Stakeholders Discuss Development Cost for Bumbuna Phase11 Project

July 22, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

Discussions were held on the 19^th July 2022 by the Chief Executive Officer of the Blue International Group, Christian Wright, the Minister of Energy, Alhaji Kanja Sesay, and representatives from the Ministries of Finance and Justice held discussions on the 19^th July 2022, bordering on the development cost for the Bumbuna Phase ll Project.

In his introduction, Christian Wright stated that he led the delegation to the Minister because they intend to update him on development thus far, noting that the project is now at a critical stage for which the Government of Sierra Leone is now expected to make a decision.

Minister of Energy, Alhaji Kanja Sesay, welcomed the delegation, stressing that even though the project under review is an inherited project the Government of Sierra Leone is seriously committed to implementing it.

He described the project as a renewable energy project but raised concerns over the new project and development cost. He commended the Task Force for the project for the good job they had done.

Director of Public Private Partnership, Abu Kamara and a representative from the Ministry of Justice weighed in on the discussion.

The Bumbuna Phase ll Project is part of the Government of Sierra Leone’s long-term energy sector plans to increase the number of households and businesses that has access to electricity through the national grid.

Bumbuna Phase ll, which will be located on the Upper Seli River in Northeast Sierra Leone, is expected to provide 152MW of new generating capacity to Sierra Leone and a minimum of 80MW of firm power throughout the year.

CCSL Recommends Ways of Protecting the Electoral Process

July 22, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

The Council of Churches in Sierra Leone (CCSL), which currently has a membership of 24 full members and 9 affiliate members has as one of its strategic directions the promotion of good governance with three (3) broad activities namely: Supporting peace with justice activities, supporting the consolidation of democracy initiatives and building effective leadership of the Council.

In a recent statement it issued out, the CCSL stated that by participating in the country’s election process as observers and monitors, it aims to

promote citizens’ participation in the elections in particular and generally in public life, encourage a peaceful campaign and election environment, deter possible election irregularities and fraud as well as make recommendations to the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) and report findings to the Commission and the public in an accurate and timely manner.

The faith-based organization emphasized that the primary concern of a non-partisan group like the CCSL in participating in the election process of the nation is to protect the integrity of the electoral process regardless of who wins or loses.

It continued that in preparation for that task and for a positive involvement in the electoral process, the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone has organized over the past six weeks a series of consultative workshops facilitated by experts in the legal and electoral fields. The said workshops involved primarily leaders of the two principal Faiths in the country — Christianity and Islam.

The workshop participants reviewed the Government White Paper on the recommendations of the Justice Cowan Constitutional Review Commission; critically examined the proposed Public Elections Bill and the constitutional provisions with regard to the electoral systems that are operative in our country.

Issues that were raised and discussed over included the insistence on a 4-tier election on the same day, the threshold of 50% + 1 for the elections of the President, the reference to the proportional representation electoral system.

The CCSL noted that the necessary amendment has been made to the Local Government Act thus making it legally possible to hold Local Government Elections in tandem with Presidential and Parliamentary Elections.

Council came out with the view that in a country with a high percentage of illiteracy and whose politics is influenced by colour rather than political ideology multi-tier elections is viewed as critical and lends itself to suspicion of encouraging election fraud.

According to CCSL, it becomes all the more critical against a background in a country of just over 3 (three) million registered voters being called upon to vote for 17 (seventeen) political parties.

Council revealed how it is cognizant of the current debates on the electoral systems as contained in the country’s constitution and regards such as a positive demonstration of the level the country’s democracy has attained.

Council also holds the view that whatever electoral system is to be introduced into the electoral process, the people should receive adequate education/sensitization to fully understand the electoral/constitutional provisions governing the system.

In addition, the Council of Churches in Sierra Leone stated that it is following quite keenly the ongoing debate on the Public Elections Bill and guided by experts’ opinion calls for a close scrutiny of the bill so that it may not appear contrary to the 1991 constitution of Sierra Leone.

Giving an instance, it stated that whilst Council welcomes stipulating a fixed date for elections, Council holds it must sync with the stipulations of the current constitution dealing with the end of a presidential term of office and the going to the polls to fill the vacancy.

CCSL also noted that there are a few issues that need to be made clear not least for the benefit of the populace furthering how it believes that the National Identification Number (NIN) is good but it must not be made a condition for voter registration at this point in time.

Concluding, the CCSL said as an organization that prides itself as the Voice of the Voiceless and on successes it has achieved as an Advocacy Group, it urges that in all of these the interest of the populace must be the priority of all concerned.

It insisted that any faux pas (wrong step) in the whole process will come to haunt the nation as posterity is always a hard judge of present actions maintaining that if the interest of the people must be in the vanguard then high premium must be put on civic education and voter sensitization.

Chinese Foreign Minister Commends President Bio for his Quality Leadership

July 22, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

Professor David John Francis, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on the19th July 2022 held a successful bilateral telephone conversation with his counterpart, His Excellency Wang Yi, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China.

The two Foreign Ministers expressed satisfaction with the credible, special and longstanding relationship between their respective countries.

The conversation also focused on trade and investment of mutual interest to both countries. In that regard, Professor Francis presented Sierra Leone as the land of investment opportunities in the mining, infrastructure, agriculture and marine resources sectors for Chinese investment.

His Excellency Wang Yi commended His Excellency, Brig. Gen. (Rtd.) President Dr. Julius Maada Bio for his quality State leadership. Further to that, he confirmed China’s in-principle commitment to support Sierra Leone’s bid for the UNSC in the non-permanent category. He emphasized the need for China and Sierra Leone to support each other at all times for the maintenance of international peace and security on the global stage.

US Ambassador Commissions New Surveillance & Diagnostics Testing Lab in Makeni

July 22, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

The U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone, David Reimer, on the 21^st July, 2022 joined the Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby and implementing partners to commission a new lab in Makeni that will help combat maternal and infant deaths in Sierra Leone.

The international-standard laboratory will serve as a space for surveillance and diagnostics testing and has been made possible by funding from the United States, through the non-profit CDC Foundation.

Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) has equipped the new laboratory with biomedical and technological tools and furnishings including laboratory equipment, bio safety cabinets, robots designed for molecular and microbiological testing, workstations, freezers, and refrigerators.

Currently in Sierra Leone one in every 32 babies born dies within the first 28 days of life; and one in every 10 children dies before their fifth birthday. This means out of 1,150,000 children under the age of five, more than 27,000 die across the country every single year – that’s approximately one under-five death every 20 minutes.

The clinical research laboratory which is attached to the Makeni Regional Government Hospital is expected to enhance the country’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to public health emergencies.

The international-standard laboratory will serve as a space for surveillance and diagnostics testing which has been made possible by funding from the United States, through the non-profit CDC Foundation.

Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS)has equipped the new laboratory with biomedical and technological tools and furnishings including laboratory equipment, bio safety cabinets, robots designed for molecular and microbiological testing, workstations, freezers and refrigerators.

Currently in Sierra Leone one in every 32 babies born dies within the first 28 days of life; and one in every 10 children dies before their fifth birthday. This means out of 1,150,000 children under the age of five, more than 27,000 die across the country every single year–that’s approximately one under-five death every 20 minutes.

To tackle the high infant and child mortality rates in Sierra Leone, in 2017 the Ministry of Health & Sanitation (MoHS) entered a partnership with CHAMPS to determine and track the causes of under-five mortality and stillbirths through epidemiologic surveillance. This includes post-mortem sampling (needle-based autopsies) and reporting within 24 hours of death.

The laboratory has been established as a new workspace for CHAMPS and MOHS and will help to build national capacity to better understand the causes of these deaths. The generated data will in turn inform preventive actions at the policy, capacity-building, health facility, community and family levels across the country. The laboratory is also set to enhance readiness for future pandemics and can be utilised for testing diseases such as COVID-19.

Speaking about the opening of the laboratory the Minister of Health and Sanitation, Austin Demby PhD, MSc, BSc said, “Our partnership with the CHAMPS network is already contributing to strengthening our health system towards universal health care in Sierra Leone. This includes counselling families and communities on maternal and child health and mortality prevention; strengthening the capacity of medical staff for proper diagnosis and care; facilitating improvements in the documentation and storage of clinical records and ensuring the functioning of health facilities by providing support for basic services and equipment. I’m pleased that this new laboratory will help to ensure the important work of determining and tracking causes of under-five mortality and stillbirths continues.”

Speaking about the contributions from the United States, U.S. Ambassador David Reimer said, “The United States Government, with support from the CDC Foundation and its donors and technical assistance from the CDC, is delighted to have been able to fund the construction of this new laboratory. Partnering with Sierra Leone on achieving better health outcomes for all, particularly those most vulnerable, is a cornerstone of our work here. This laboratory is an important part of U.S.-Sierra Leonean collaboration, together with the great work already being done to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic, treat and prevent malaria, and stop the global COVID-19 pandemic.”

Director of the Emory Global Health Institute, Dr. Rebecca Martin also noted, “This new laboratory will enhance Sierra Leone’s capacity to detect the most pressing causes of child death in Sierra Leone. That data will be used for critical decision-making to save the lives of children. Additionally, the laboratory will be important in strengthening Sierra Leone’s preparedness and response to public health threats.”

CHAMPS Site Director Sierra Leone, Dr. Ikechukwu Ogbuanu stated, “During the height of the pandemic, our previous lab was converted into a COVID-19 regional testing centre, and our team’s work pivoted to support that testing. This new state-of-the-art lab will help us to continue our contribution to the national goal of preventing young children needlessly dying in Sierra Leone.”

CHAMPS in Sierra Leone is managed by an international development organization, Crown Agents, with funding from the Gates Foundation through the Emory Global Health Institute (EGHI). The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also provided funding and technical support to CHAMPS since its inception.

NP –SL Regards its Esteemed Customers as Priceless Jewels

July 22, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

NP Sierra Leone Limited (NP SL-Ltd) deserves praise as a resilient business entity that had been rated as the country’s foremost importer and dealer in petroleum products, which include petrol, diesel, gas as well as lubricants of various types and is always poised to give its ubiquitous and esteemed customers the best in terms of giving them value in return for money.

The company’s competent and result-oriented Managerial think tank, currently headed by its indefatigable Chief Executive Officer, Kobi Walker, in tandem with the Board of Directors, have always endeavoured to be at the pinnacle of affairs within the petroleum landscape of this country, looking at best options, in order for effective service delivery to be executed timely, excellently, all geared towards enhancing good business relationships. If there is any outstanding feature for which the company is identified with then it is giving customers satisfaction to the fullest which is why it has earned the enviable reputation of ‘1^st for Customer Care’.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FBC Alumni Executive Expresses Profound Thanks to Ing. Alhaji Mohamed Babatunde Cole

July 22, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

The Executive of Fourah Bah College Alumni Association, on behalf of its membership, has on the 21^st July 2021 extended profound thanks and appreciation to Ing. Alhaji Mohamed Babatunde Cole for donating an Alumni office space in his newly constructed Tunde Cole Engineering building at Fourah Bay College which was commissioned by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio on the 18th July 2022.

It continued that Ing. Tunde Cole had always been a pillar of support to the Alumni Association revealing how twenty-five years ago, he personally launched the Alumni Association with a considerable sum of money which was more than enough to kick-start the Association.

The FBC Alumni Association Executive stated how once again it’s another story of his support to the Association maintaining that in his speech at the commissioning of the Tunde Cole Building, he said, “The building also houses offices for the Alumni Association”. For that the Executive expressed gratitude disclosing how office space had been their major challenge.

“We are also oblivious to the truism of his statement that ‘if the university should grow and maintain its standard to compete worldwide, the Alumni Association has to buck up and take control of their responsibilities towards the college,’” it stated.

On that note, according to the FBC Alumni Association Executive, they want to assure Ing Tunde Cole that what was their challenge (office space) is now a thing of the past due to his intervention.

It concluded that to that end, their newly donated office space will officially open in November 2022 for full-time Alumni activities adding that the date will be communicated formally after the Executive concludes deliberations.