Pass Rate for NPSE Increases by 34%

July 15, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

It was disclosed that the pass rate of the National Primary School Examination (NPSE) has increased by 34 percent since the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) was introduced in 2018 under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio.

In 2018, 97,726 pupils passed the NPSE out of the 123,394 pupils that took the exam; in 2022, 131,433 passed the exam out of the 162,068 that took the exam.

The results were released on the 11th July by the Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Dr. Moinina David Sengeh, which is the earliest release date in the last decade.

According to the Minister, this matters because it gives parents and families enough time to help their children and wards prepare for the new school year, noting that when families and children prepare, they perform better.

162,068 candidates entered the exam. That is 79,617 (49.1%) boys and 82,451 (50.9%) girls. 421 of these students are Sierra Leoneans in Guinea. For a third-year running, this is the highest number of students ever registered for this exam. Candidates sitting the exam numbered 161,797 – that is 79,477 (49.1%) boys and 82,320 (50.9%) girls.

“We have so far received results for 4,635 primary schools, 23 of which were in Guinea. 59 results are currently being with-held due to some form of irregularity that have been detected and reported by the West African Examination Council (WAEC). These irregularities range from impersonation to carrying foreign material into an examination room to collusion to entering the exam under false pretenses,” according to the Minister.

He said this year, from the 162,068, 131,433 candidates, comprising 65,152 boys and 66,281 girls, passed the NPSE in 2022, noting that these are candidates whose aggregate scores were on or above the cut-off score of 230 stipulated by the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education.

He said the total number of passes corresponds to an overall pass rate of 81.2% which is a 4.2% improvement from the overall pass rate in 2021 which was 77.0%.

According to the Minister, regionally the best performances were North, followed by South and Eastern Region and the top five best performing Districts are Falaba, Bonthe, Koinadugu, Kenema and Bombali respectively with the top 2 districts having over 90% pass rates.

“It is also worth noting that 10 districts, that is: Bonthe, Koinadugu, Kambia, Bo, Kono, Moyamba, Tonkolili, Western Rural, Port Loko and Karene had higher pass rates this year than last year. These districts are moving in the right direction and are worth commending,” he said.

Dr Sengeh said 1,071 out of 4,635 schools (23%) had 100% pass rates; that is, all their candidates who attempted the examinations passed, noting that this is an increase from the 20% of schools that had 100% pass rates in 2021. Apart from the Western Area, all other regions and Guinea had more schools getting pass rates of 100% this year than last year.

“Disappointingly, 114 schools across the country had zero percent pass rates. The Teaching Service Commission is already working with such under-performing schools and additional support is planned but as it usually happens, heads of schools with zero percent pass rates, accompanied by their proprietors, School Management Committee Chairpersons and District Deputy Directors of Education will be invited to explain the cause of the poor performance and to help map out actions to improve learning and performance in the affected schools,” he said.

MoPADA-SL Launches PLANN Project to Benefit 1,200 Farmers in Kailahun District

July 15, 2022

By Jonathan Hindolo Kurabu, D Catalyst

Through the Movement Towards Peace and Development Agency-Sierra Leone (MoPADA-SL) and with funding support from the Irish Embassy,1,200 rural community members drawn from Njaluahun, Peje Bongre, Peje West, and Yawei Chiefdoms in Kailahun District, have launched the Promoting Livelihood Agriculture, Nutrition and Natural Resources Management(PLANN PROJECT) at the Community Barry in Bunumbu, Kailahun District.

The PLANN PROJECT, with a 12 month project life span, is geared towards ameliorating the existential and monumental problems of malnutrition and hunger in Kailahun District.

In his statement, the Paramount Chief of Njaluahun Chiefdom, Kailahun District, PC Dr. Shamsu Mustapha, underscored the timely nature of the project and appreciated MoPADA SL for the gesture.

Dr. Shamsu Mustapha avowed that most of the serious-minded people in his chiefdom are women who toil day and night to make ends meet for their children and some exploitative husbands and urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the opportunity.

Deputy Chairperson, Kailahun District Council, Madam Doris Baby Momoh showered profuse gratitude on the Management of MoPADA SL for their relentless strides to bettering the lives of women in Kailahun District and also appealed for extension of the project facilities to the remaining chiefdoms in Kailahun District.

Kailahun District Nutritionist, Victor Samuel Palmer lamented on the appalling rate of malnutrition in Kailahun yet reiterating that amid the trending issue of malnutrition in the district which inhibits growth among children, yet the best food products nationwide come from Kailahun.

He appealed to pregnant and lactating mothers to embark on exclusively breastfeeding for their children for six months and urged them to eat what they grow. Similar sentiment was shared by the Crop Officer from the Ministry of Agriculture in Kailahun District, Daniel G.B. Kamara.

On his part, Executive Director, Movement Towards Peace and Development Agency-Sierra Leone (MoPADA-SL), Patrick Momoh thanked the Irish Embassy in Sierra Leone for the funding and promised to use the fund for its intended purposes.

He underscored among other things his organization’s approach to development which he affirmed is taking development to the doorsteps of the beneficiaries and noted that although four out of the fourteen Chiefdoms were selected, plans are underway to extend a similar aid to the remaining chiefdoms contingent upon the availability of funds and the seriousness attached to the PLANN project by the 1,200 beneficiaries.

In his keynote address prior to the official launch of the PLANN Project, Dr. Sulaiman Sowe, Senior Nutrition and Food Security Programme Advisor and Focal Point-Environment and Climate Change, Embassy of Ireland, said ending hunger and nutrition are one of Ireland’s International development priorities to reinsert nutrition into other headline priorities such as health, education, gender and climate adding that they have recognized that hunger and malnutrition are major impediments for children not realizing their potentials within a given timeframe.

He emphasized that numerous reports have been made about the significance of nutrition in the cognitive development of children within 0-2 years noting that the 2021 Sierra Leone National Nutrition Survey (SLNNS-2021) rates Kenema and Kailahun Districts as having the first and third highest stunting rates in Sierra Leone at 30.1% and 32.9% respectively compared to the national rate of 26.8% translating into an increase in stunting rates in Kailahun district over the last five years.

Accordingly, the PLANN Project seeks to achieve the following outcomes:

Diversified food production yields, 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 In terms of gender roles, division of responsibility and decision making at household and community levels enhances capacities of targeted households on nutrition sensitive crop production and sustainable land use and increased community- based income generation through village savings and loan associations.

Former President Ernest Bai Koroma Departs Sierra Leone for High Level Engagements

July 15, 2022

By Abubakarr Harding

In a Press Release dated 13th July 2022 issued by the Communications Team of Former President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, it was revealed that the erstwhile Head of State has departed Freetown for Lusaka, Zambia to attend the Advisory Board meeting of the Brenthurst Foundation scheduled for 14th to 16th July 2022.

It was further revealed that the Brenthurst Foundation is a think tank with “a focus to attract the investment needed for continental regeneration and prosperity.”

Added was that former President Koroma will join other leaders, diplomats, and policy experts who make up the Advisory Board from across the continent, to continue deliberations on development and investment in Africa.

Also stated was that while in Zambia, the Foundation will pay a courtesy call on host President Hakainde Hichilema.

And from Zambia, the former Sierra Leonean leader will proceed to Arusha, Tanzania where he will deliver the keynote address at the Africa Drive for Democracy Conference slated for the 20th to 22nd of July 2022. According to the Press Release, under the aegis of the Strategic Litigation, MS Training Center for Development Cooperation and the Institute Security Studies, the conference brings together participants from over thirty countries to renew commitments on the promotion of democracy viz a viz the guaranteeing of a safe space for democracy activists, as well as to share experiences on the trends on the rapid decline of democracy in Africa.

President Ernest Bai Koroma, it was mentioned, will be sharing his rich experience in building peace and democracy in Sierra Leone, as well as the ECOWAS sub-region.

The Communication Team revealed that as the organizers put it: “we would like your Excellency to reflect on your experience in Sierra Leone and what lessons could be replicated in the continent. Based on these reflections, for your Excellency to discuss the role of civil society on the continent (notwithstanding all its limitations) in the democratization process…”

It was disclosed that the former President will return to Sierra Leone on July 24 2022.

Parliament Enacts Bill to Amend the 1991 Constitution

July 15, 2022

By Ophaniel Gooding

The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohamed Lamin Tarawally on Tuesday 12th July, 2022 presented two Bills in Parliament.

He said that the proposed Bill seeks to amend for two reasons:

(a) that the members of the Electoral Commission who shall be the Chairman and such other members appointed for each electoral region shall be known as Electoral Commissioners and

(b) by replacing the word misbehavior with the words “gross misconduct”.

The object of the Bill sought to amend Subsections (2) and (8) of Section 32 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991 (Act No. 6 of 1991) respectively, by repealing and replacing those subsections with new subsections and by repealing the word “misbehavior” and replacing it with the words “gross misconduct”.

Hon. Sulaiman Marray-Conteh, Chairman of the Legislature Committee in Parliament, stated that they were in Parliament as representatives of the people and to promote patriotic motives, adding that the modifications were not in controversy.

Hon. Agibola Manly Spain stated that the term “gross misconduct” must be defined before proceeding to query, raise issues, and express skepticism.

Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh informed Parliament that Section 5 of the 2012 Public Election Act addressed the amendment and that there was no cause for it to be modified again.

Hon. Alpha Amadu Bah Esq said that, the current opposition is very effective and that is why such issues are coming up for clarity.

Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina, Leader of the C4C, stated the words, “grave misconduct”, were justified, referring to international benchmarks and criticizing the previous administration for specific activities.

Hon. Daniel Koroma questioned whether the bills before them were sufficient, stating that they were in Parliament to avoid the wrath of a specific Section of Article 108 of the Constitution and advised the Minister to keep that section in mind.

“We are advising the Attorney General and Minister of Justice that these two instruments do not suffice,” he stated, adding that they will always support good things in the interest of the nation.

According to the MP, there are four (4) regions in the Constitution, but there are currently five (5), and he requested that the figure be appended. “We are prepared to assume the place of the Constitution’s drafters. Let’s go with the present trend of 5 points, “he stated.

Hon. Daniel went on to say that “misbehavior” is likewise weak, and “severe misconduct” is standard. He stated that they want clarification and action to introduce the phrases by definition in order to make the Electoral Commissioner more independent.

According to Hon. Osman Wurie Jalloh, revising the constitution will stand the test of time.

Hon. Sahr Charles said the amendment is not controversial and informed that they needed more explanations on the changes. He also suggested that let number be attached to the regional amendment in light of Electoral Commissioners. According to him, they are asking the Government to be very clear about the amendments and to bring the amendments in full, not in piecemeal. “We don’t want to commit treason,” he noted.

Deputy Leader of Government Business Hon. Bashiru Silikie recalled how the 2012 Public Election Act was passed and spoke about the lapses. He patriotically asked the House to support the Attorney General and Minister of Justice on the passage of the bill, adding that they are making it very difficult not to remove Electoral Commissioners, just like Judges or President. He encouraged the opposition to support the bill to become law.

Opposition Whip, Hon. Hassan Sesay, said they were asking for specificity of figure and definition, making reference to the recent saga related to the Auditor General. He said they want to ensure that things are done properly, relative to the Commissioner’s independence and specific figure attached to regions, in tandem with the Electoral Commissioners.

The Leader of Opposition, Hon. Chernor R. M. Bah said the two issues are direct and let specific figures be tied to the number of regions they have. He spoke about the trend of times for a change and circumstances, in light of future amendments. “We do not want to be obstructed, but we want specific figures to be tied to it,” he concluded.

Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma said they were positive about the process and supported the position to have the Chairman and five commissioners. He applauded the opposition for their support and went on to express disappointment over the negative public perception about MPs regarding the bill.

The Leader expressed happiness over the process and went to thank all Members of Parliament for their various contributions.

For “gross misconduct” he referred to Section 5 of the Public Election Act of 2012. He suggested that either they leave the definition to the tribunal or leave it.

Responding, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice cleared some issues and concerns. He said the words “gross misconduct” intends to harmonize the law, in light of the protection of the Electoral Commissioners.

For 32 (2), he said, they are correcting the wrongs and went on to say, the issue is not about five to be specific.

According to him, the country is growing and the provision is not a trap. He said the amendment cannot harm anyone.

The Bill for the amendment of the Constitution was passed into law unanimously, with some amendments and without a dissenting voice in the midst of one hundred and thirty-five Members of Parliament present.

APC Takes the Lead in Parliament

July 15, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

The All People Congress (APC) Party, which is the main opposition party in the House of Parliament is currently in the majority having a total of 59 Seats followed by the SLPP with 58 Seats , C4C 08 Seats, NGC 04 Seats, Independent MPs 03 Seats and 14 PCMP, bringing the total of Members of Parliament to 146.

The twist came as a result of the outcome of the bye-election that was conducted in Constituency 056 in Tonkolili District by the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone, which saw the emergence of the APC Candidate in that Bye-Election, Jawah Sesay, as the winner.

On the 13^th July 2022, the Clerk of Parliament, Hon. Paran Umar Tarawally administered the oath of office to the newly elected Member of Parliament, Hon. Jawah Sesay as made provision for by the Third Schedule of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.

After the oath was taken, the Clerk of Parliament handed copies of the Standing Orders and the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone to enable Hon. Jawah Sesay to do his work in Parliament. The new MP was conducted to his seat in Parliament by the Principal Table Clerk, Anthony C. Kamara.

The current composition of Parliament is now as follows: SLPP 58, APC 59, C4C 08, NGC 04, Independent MPs 03, and 14 PCMP, bringing the total to 146.

In his statement, the Leader of Opposition, Hon. Chernor R.M. Bah welcomed the new MP and thanked the Electoral Commission for the conduct of the bye-election. He insisted that, the first credit goes to the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone and asked all and sundry to support the institution. He used the opportunity to ask colleague MPs to be patriotic.

Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma thanked the new MP and applauded the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone. He also made reference to the Leader of Opposition, in light of the felicitation extended to the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone. The Leader wished the new MP well and encouraged him to work in the interest of the State.

On his part, the Speaker welcomed the new MP and referred to him as ‘the last born’. He re-echoed the felicitation of the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone. “Mr. Chairman we want to see NEC to continue what is right”, he stated and asked Parliament to support the independence of the institution.

In another development, Parliament has continued its debate on the Public Elections Act 2022.

The Bill seeks to repeal and replace the Public Election Act, 2022 (Act No.4 of 2012), to provide for supplementary provisions to sections 32 and 33 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone 1991 (Act No. 6 of 1991).

In his submission, Hon. Daniel Koroma said the memorandum and objects of the bill did not capture the intention of the bill and underscored that Section 32 is applicable, but questioned the relevance of Section 33 in the Bill.

“We only received constitutional amendment for 32 and not 33,”he concluded. He said the bill is not properly before the House, cognizant of Section 33 as stated in the long title of the bill and the memorandum of objects and reasons. He also questioned the mode of registration as cited in the bill, and underscored that it contravenes the 1991 constitution of Sierra Leone. He also cited other provisions in the Bill that contravene other election-related matters.

A Dilatory Motion was moved for the suspension of the debate to a later date by Leader of Government Business Hon. Mathew Shar Nyuma and it was seconded by the Deputy Leader of Government Business Hon. Bashiru Silikie.

Meta Leone SL Company Launches “In Salone” App

July 15, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

During a snappy Press Conference held on Thursday 14^th July, 2022 at the Ministry of Trade and Industry Conference Hall at Youyi Building on Brookfields in Freetown, the Meta Leone SL Company Limited officially launched the “In Salone” App.

The “In Salone” App has a classified information system that offers all kinds of business information as well as provides the public with the facility to post online in order to make information accessible to anyone across the globe.
The development of the aforementioned App was made possible through the tireless efforts of the Director of Communications, In Salone APP in Sierra Leone, Sinneh Kamara.

Speaking to this medium, the Director of Communication of In Salone App, Sinneh Kamara, said that the New APP called “In Salone” App was created in the country.

He maintained that the APP is an amazing tool for the public as it offers certain services and gives the laxity to post materials for public consumption, such as the contents of local newspapers and magazines furthering how the APP offers the following services to the public: all sorts of advertisements, jobs advertisements, NGO Public Announcements, online shopping, community services, car dealing/rentals, land/property sales and offers, housing services, traveling information, dating, among others.

The Director of Communications encouraged Sierra Leonean business people as well as foreign investors to fully make use of the new App to help improve their businesses globally through the international communication highway underscoring how the “In Salone” App will bring all Sierra Leoneans together.

The Director revealed that most of the modern businesses nowadays are done online and therefore no one should be left behind.

He disclosed that for those with Android phones they can download the APP by clicking the link: https://insalone.info/index.php?monxin=diypage.app and for IPhone users they can also click the link: https://apps.apple.com/cn/app/insalone/id1598836125.

The Director of Communications revealed that the Management of “In Salone” APP has offered a one-month free online service to all Proprietors/Publishers of the local newspapers and magazines to enable them post their publications online. He therefore encouraged Publishers of all newspapers and magazines to start publishing their news stories and other articles on the new APP.

He concluded by urging members of the public to contact him for more information, on the following phone numbers respectively: +23276762287/+23275828286/+23278818818/123288008888Email: leonleeway@gmail.com

Orange SL Gives Orthodox FC a Standing Ovation

July 15, 2022

By Abubakar Harding

The Chief Executive Officer of Orange SL, Sekou Amadou Bah, on the 13^th July, 2022, met with the Management and players of Orthodox Football Club at the telecommunications company’s Head Office in Freetown.

It could be recalled that the Orthodox F.C represented Sierra Leone in the Orange You-Kids Tournament, otherwise known as Orange Africa U13 Tournament that was recently hosted in Morocco emerging as the third runners-up.

During the meeting the young players presented medals and the third place trophy which they bagged to the Orange CEO.

On his part, Sekou Amadou Bah welcomed the delegation back home and congratulated them for the marvelous performance they put up against the other teams that participated in the tournament in Casablanca further encouraging them to seriously concentrate on their studies and football. He assured the team of the company’s commitment to continue supporting football in Sierra Leone.

Orange-SL Head of Marketing and Media, Mohamed Kallon, disclosed that the company will commence the next youth tournament in September and the winner will represent Sierra Leone in the next Orange- Kids Tournament to be hosted in Ivory Coast.

Head Coach for the Sierra Leone Football National Team, John Kiester, who also worked as Technical Director for Orthodox FC, said that he is not talking on behalf of Leone Stars, but for Orthodox FC, as a Technical Director for the team. He furthered that they are indeed grateful for the support Orange SL gave the boys as it is not too easy in this part of the country to do such.

Keister continued that Orange SL should not only stop there but should give the boys more opportunities for their talents not to fade away, as this has given them a very good background.

Representative from SLFA, Alimamy Conteh, expressed thanks and appreciation to Orange SL for their support to the boys furthering that the company should replicate the same kind of assistance to other football clubs around the country stressing that most of them have young talented player, and that such assistance will foster football in Sierra Leone.

During the occasion, the young players were taken on a conducted tour around the company’s headquarters at IMATT, where staff gave them a standing ovation and congratulated them for a job well done and for making the company and Sierra Leone proud.

Four Ex-Housemates Brought Back to the House

July 15, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

Now considered as Ex-Housemates, Aminata Mansaray aka Nata and Francis M.O Conteh aka Karafilo were gracefully evicted from the Big House during the Mid-Week Eviction that took place on the 13^th July, 2022. It marked the end of an amazing journey in their social lives putting an end to their big dreams and imagination of individually lifting the Le250M star price coupled with going on a round trip to Dubai.

Well as the saying goes a journey of a thousand miles starts with just one foot step. What really seemed to be a long journey, since it was launched at the Lagoonda Entertainment Complex, is now coming to a close.

Housemates Salone Season 3 with the slogan, “Di Game Get Yagba, If You Nor Able Na for Pull Hand” will finally come to an end on Sunday, 17th July, 2022. It will bring the Yagba to an end after which the winner of Le 250 Million cash prize will be announced, who will also be given the opportunity to embark on a round trip to Dubai.

Interestingly, some Ex-Housemates have been welcomed back to the big House. They are Nohmi George (Dubai), Juliet Konya Sesay (Juju Jeks), Yeanie H. Sundufu and Abdul Mitchell Koroma (M’Posh), as they continue their amazing journey in the Housemates Salone Yagba Season 3.

Because they have unfinished businesses to accomplish in the House the four (4) outstanding Housemates have been INvicted (not EVicted), that is brought back into the Big House.

However, it is important to note that members of the public don’t have to vote for them as they will be in the House to draw down the curtains.

Indeed, the Reality TV Show is reaching its climax and the House has become hotter, full of intrigues and surprise packages.

The remaining Housemates continue to captivate viewers with their amazing performances in deeds and words giving leeway to animated discussions in social circles in communities and workplaces with some of them being criticized for failing to do certain things, their excesses as well as bagging commendations for excellence.

Members of the public are still at liberty to vote for their favourite Housemates until the Last Standing Couple finally emerge at the top to make it to the final.

To vote, members of the public can do so via AFRIMONEY by simply Dialing: *161*10* plus the NUMBER of an Housemate from an Africell line.

It could also be done online by going to: https://housematessl.com or https://www.africell.sl and follow the instructions there.

Voting could also be done via PayPal or Scratch card from Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB) website, at: www.slcbvote.com.

Many are now watching the Reality TV Show live, on a 24/7 basis, on AYV Entertainment Channels 34 & 33 and AYV on DSTV Channel 399.

Viewers now have a wide variety of platforms through which they could enjoy the Reality TV Show.

For now the remaining Housemates are frantically putting on their best performances in order to attract votes from the wider public .
Some of the Housemates are appearing sexy by the kind of dresses they wear because they are expected to display nudity. Again, they are sometimes talking harshly because they are to intermittently use strong language and acting funnily as a result of the expectation of being humorous.
Organizers of the event, Africa Young Voices (AYV) and Africell-Sierra Leone have since been very enthusiast to enhance youth empowerment in the country and the 2022 Housemates Salone Season 3 is one platform that is providing that for the young competitors.

The participants have benefitted and are still benefitting from motivational lectures and added to that they were and are given the opportunity to socialize, learn how to play different games, how to speak fluently etc.

With all those the characters of the Housemates have been changed from what they were before they entered the House.
But financially empowering these Housemates is one of the most important channels of making them relevant in society. Each day spent in the House earns a Housemate Le100, 000.

It is an open secret that since its inception the African Young Voices (AYV) has been providing opportunities for young people to have their voices heard, to learn new skills and meaningfully contribute to overall national development.
This youth empowerment drive is one of the cardinal objectives of this renowned media empire and it has been successfully rolling it out.

On the part of Africell, the telecommunications service provider, has been supporting various entertainment activities and even young artists in the country with the avowed aim of catching them young and as well contribute to enable young people to realize their potentials and bring them out.

Being an interesting and widely watched Reality TV Show on AYV TV Channel 34, Housemates Salone has also provided a marketing platform for many corporate and business institutions such as Banks, business houses, entertainment entities etc, who are effectively making use of the channel to advertise their products and services.

Continue to vote in order for your favourite Housemate to emerge the ultimate winner.

Orange Money & Higher Education Ministry Enters into Partnership for University Fees Payment

July 15, 2022

By Millicent Manah

Orange Money, an appendage of Orange Sierra Leone, has on the 14^th June 2022 entered into a partnership agreement with the University of Sierra Leone and the Ministry of Tertiary and Higher Education to officially launch a scheme for the payment of University fees during a Press Conference that was held at the company’s Headquarter on Hill Station.

Stating the purpose of the meeting, one of the officials of Orange Money, Abibatu Baxter, stated that it is one of her happiest days and a wonderful moment after surmounting various challenges. She informed the audience that they are about to partner with the Ministry of Tertiary and Higher Education for students to be using Orange Money to pay their University fees maintaining that it will be an easy access or route for the students to do so.

The Chief Executive Officer of Orange Money, David Mansaray, informed members of the Press that they’ve come a very long way to reach at this final point stating that he is very excited about partnership agreement.

He furthered that the partnership will ease the constraints for students in Universities to pay their fees disclosing how it is most times very difficult for students to stand in queues at Banks just in a bid to pay their fees.

The CEO continued that the new system will enhance transparency in the payment of fees maintaining that they are not only digitalizing the payment process but also making it easy for the students.

He concluded by thanking the Ministry of Tertiary and Higher Education and all others who did their best to see that dream become a reality.

Gilbert Cooper, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, highlighted some of the platforms that they have put in place for students to get quick access to their books via the E-Learning system and how the Orange Money University fee payment will help students.

He said the Ministry has provided a learning management for students across the country, using the E-Learning system, maintaining that it is an opportunity for students to take classes and study online.

He continued that with the learning management system and the new fees payment system, through Orange Money, such will be advantageous for students in Universities.

He expressed optimism that students will be able to understand the importance of the Orange Money University fees payment system and how it will benefit them.

Martha Sumaila, an official of the telecommunications company thanked Orange Money and the University of Sierra Leone for the partnership and hoped that the relationship will continue, stressing that the platform is not only for students attending the University of Sierra Leone but all other Universities across the country, including Unimak, Unimtech etc.

NP-SL Scales Up Pro-Activeness in Accessing Petroleum Products

July 15, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

NP- Sierra Leone Limited, NP (SL-Ltd), as it has always be doing, is tirelessly working round the clock, engaging oil-producing companies in business discussions, to always ensure that petroleum products are accessed. This pro-activeness, on the part of the company, has made it quite possible for stocks to last over periods of time in order to avert the occurrence of shortages.

Interestingly, NP-SL is not a Government entity or appendage; no politician has a share in it as its shareholders are mere ordinary Sierra Leoneans, starting with 35 of them who some time ago bought shares from the Government out of their end-of-service benefits to establish what today has become a towering entity (NP-SL) to reckon with in the business landscape.

As had been fallaciously propagated by certain ill-motivated persons, who do not mean well for this country, that there are certain politicians that have vested interests in the company, our investigations have proven otherwise.

NP-SL is a 100% indigenous company to the letter and it has weathered various storms that could have dwarfed it or left it to extinct save therapeutic intermittent Managerial injections that keep it upright and on the right course.

Demonstrating its true Sierra Leonean identity the company has maintained a policy of strictly adhering to the Local Content Policy ensuring that it has a maximum indigenous staff in its employ. What this actually means is empowering our brothers and sisters to access employment opportunities and reduce poverty.

As a matter of fact some of its members continue to benefit from various trainings that have afforded them the conduit to imbibe useful skills to efficiently carry out certain tasks. If we are counting the number of companies that have upheld the Local Content Policy, without any iota of doubt, NP-SL could be seen at the top.

This intrinsic nationalistic posture of the company runs through and it is a sine qua non to overall national development. If such a compliance rate should have been followed by other local companies, willingly, without any pressure from the relevant authorities then indisputably this country should have been miles away in its development trajectory.

Business Management experts have made it abundantly clear that the way and manner in which customers are cared for in terms of talking to them, making them feel at ease go a long way in attracting them. Such should be done sincerely in order to make them more important. NP-SL for a very long period now has mastered that art and executing it so well which definitely is paying dividends.

1^st for Customer Care was earned by the company because it has been widely acclaimed by many for solidly executing such.

In its drive to optimize customer satisfaction the company went the extra mile to install calibrated pumping machines which are not only modern but trustworthy, as opposed to old pumping machines which certain unscrupulous individuals used to cheat unassuming customers.

This is helping to repose confidence in customers that they are dealing with a very transparent entity. The friendliness of their pump attendants is very impressive and they are always there to timely respond to various concerns.

Still within the purview 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 supplied fuel and lubricants 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 honoring their obligations.

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 required financial resources to effectively do so and one sure way is from collection of taxes which is the mandate of the National Revenue Authority (NRA). NP is one big tax payer to Government and it has been doing so timely.

NP-SL remains undaunted, unperturbed amidst all the challenges it is going through and conscientiously it is steadily contributing to the socio-economic development of the country as well as positively changing communities and lives.