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As COI Recommended… Justice Ministry Orders Capt. Benjamin Davies & Kemoh Sesay to Pay over $1M

Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice,

By Amin Kef-Ranger

In a Public Notice issued by the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice, dated 1st July, 2022, it was categorically stated that pursuant to the recommendations of Justice Annan Atuguba Commission of Inquiry, No. 67 of 2018 and the Government White Paper 2020, Captain Benjamin O.N. Davies and Alhaji Ibrahim Kemoh Sesay are  to pay the sums of USD 1,600,000 (One Million, Six Hundred Thousand United State Dollars) and USD 135,000 (One Hundred and Thirty-Five Thousand United State Dollars) respectively.

According to the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice, the Commission discovered, among other things, that Captain Benjamin O.N. Davies masterminded the irregular and corrupt award of the contract for the purchase of a pilot boat at US$ 1,600,000, to a company called Davis and Dann.

It continued that the Commission also found that the said company supplied an Iveco engine which is cheaper and less robust than that of a caterpillar as was stipulated in the contract document and ordered that the whole purchase price of the pilot boat should be recovered from him.

The Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice said Alhaji Ibrahim Kemoh Sesay is to refund to the State the sum of US$ 135,000 for the fraudulent grant and sale of property situate lying and being at and known as nursery land at Regent Road, Regent, Hill Station, and Freetown which formed part of the subject matter of the Commission of Inquiry 2018.

The said amounts, according to the Ministry, are to be paid into the Commission of Inquiry Special Recovery Bank of Sierra Leone Account within fourteen days of the receipt of letters served.

It was stated that further legal steps will be adopted to enforce compliance of the said order.

At Lungi International Airport… Securiport Presence & Roles are Paramount to Security & Decorum Freetown International Airport, secured by Securiport

Sierra Leone Airport Authority, Securiport

By Amin Kef-Ranger

Regardless of information making the rounds on Social Media that it is unnecessary and an additional burden to levy a security levy on flight passengers, however, from what this medium reliably learnt the Government is not against  the payment of $25 security levy by Securiport at the Freetown International Airport.

From what was further understood by this medium that  the Government regards Securiport  as a reliable and trusted partner that had been and is still supporting the growth and development of Sierra Leone, noting that the $25 collected is justifiable further emphasizing that it is aware of it.

“We cannot allow foreign or local companies to scam our people,” an official of the Ministry maintained adding how Securiport’s integrated immigration control system makes it possible for the effective verification of passengers’ identities and check the authenticity of travelling documents.

The presence of Securiport at the airport also makes it possible for a real-time connection to Interpol, to have instant access to terrorist watch-lists, no-fly lists, fraudulent document lists and other critical information.

According to an official, who is a long time employee of the Sierra Leone Airport Authority, Securiport is a global leader in the design and implementation of civil aviation security, biometric screening, immigration control, and threat assessment systems.

He continued  by revealing that Securiport’s Civil Aviation and Immigration Security Services is a comprehensive security product that performs secure biometric recognition of travelers at immigration posts, provides proprietary systems for the identification of potential security risks, criminal activity, and disease prevention based on the comparison and multi-dimensional analysis of the biometric data and traveler information collected during immigration processing.

It could be recalled that as a reputable American technology firm, Securiport signed a contract with the Government of Sierra Leone in March 2012 to provide traveler, airport, and civil aviation security systems.

“Securiport’s systems are the most advanced in the world and are provided within the frame of a comprehensive civil aviation security service. Besides the biometric identification of travelers and a number of security features installed in the airport, they provide all the elements to identify potential criminals attempting to enter or leave the country on commercial flights, applying advanced artificial intelligence methods,” an official of the company stated with professionalism.

Freetown International Airport

For Housemates Salone, Voting & Eviction are Inextricably Linked

Housemates Salone Season 3 is Getting Hotter & Tantalizing
Housemates Salone Season 3 is Getting Hotter & Tantalizing

By Amin Kef-Ranger

Following last Sunday Housemates Salone Season 3 eviction, the number of competitors currently in the House has dwindled and recalling it was indeed a touching moment leaving sadness in its trail as the affected participants and some of their friends were seen bitterly weeping.

Inevitably, though,  as part of the show eviction is not in any way ruled out and as a matter of fact it is one aspect that had been and is still making the contest more competitive and much talked about especially among young folks.

What is certain for now is that the ‘Yagba’ continues and close to the heart of each of the aspirants in the ongoing Reality TV Show is the Le 250M and a round trip to Dubai which form the winning prize in the competition.

According to how the Reality Show is tailored, the Housemates are displaying innate talents bordering on creativity, using strong language, displaying humour and nudity all which are holding viewers spellbound, giving them excitement .

For the survival of a Housemate from eviction voting by members of the public is highly paramount.

Members of the public residing in Sierra Leone could either start or continue to vote via Afrimoney. To do so, they should just dial *161*10*1# with the NUMBERS of the Housemates.   For International voting it must be done via  www.housematessl.com or www.africell.sl.

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

Housemates Season 3 could be watched on AYV DStv CH 399, AYV CH 34 and YouTube channel in real-time 24/7.

The organizers of this much talked about show, the Africa Young Voices (AYV) and Africell, with support from certain corporate entities have bagged a long list of praise for putting together such a thrilling and breath-taking Realty TV Show
If again the show is  lively and catchy it is the role being played by the intriguing Invisible Chief with the commanding baritone voice giving intermittent instructions to the Housemates to carry out certain assignments or to articulate themselves by responding to questions posed.
There are certain unfounded rumours that some have expressed dissatisfaction over the eviction of their favourite Housemates protesting that they were unjustifiable.

However, cognizance must be taken of the fact that in such competition there are always expectations and apprehension but the truth of the matter is that there will be winners and losers. This is all the reason why your vote for the Housemate you are supporting highly counts and matters because the number of votes influences the eviction criteria.

 

NP SL Continues Demonstrating Dynamism in its Service Delivery Posture

NP-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd)

By Amin Kef-Ranger

One of the striking attributes that has made NP Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) very outstanding and endearing to many is its demonstration of dynamism in service delivery posture always placing serious premium on giving the best of attention to its numerous customers countrywide

“We are ensuring that all our esteemed customers enjoy rapt attention and response while transacting with us because we believe that their utmost satisfaction is paramount,” one of the company’s Managers intimated at a NP- Filling Station in Freetown.

He continued to inform at standard Filling Stations around the country , Station Managers and Pump Attendants, who are partners of  the company are providing problem –solving and qualitative  services , a feat for which the company is well known for and made it to be rated as one of the most successful  caring indigenous business entities that  always maintains standards.

Probably, because it is an indigenous business entity the shareholders and Management has seen it as a moral responsibility to always ensure that high grade petroleum products are easily made accessible to the public.

One thing that is indisputable is the fact that Management and shareholders are always on top of situation by ensuring that the required stock of petroleum products are available thereby preventing the occurrence of shortage.

When cognizance is taken of the inextricable link between availability of petroleum products to human existence and especially improved standards of living then the major role played by the company by going at extreme lengths to ensure that petroleum products are available could be seen in perspective and highly appreciated.

This is in no way an apologetic posture but underscoring the reality of the situation which has been exacerbated by the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine which put an additional strain on oil marketing company to easily access petroleum products on the world market.

However amidst the varying challenges, among which is the fluctuation of the dollar exchange rate to the Leone, NP –SL is doggedly poised to ensure that it continues to explore several avenues just to ensure that petroleum products are available.

So far, NP-SL, has offered job opportunities to many who were hitherto jobless and from what was understood, conditions of service are not too bad.

The company also markets  NP Gas a cooking gadget which has been rated as good and environmental friendly manufactured in different cylinder sizes and  could be found at all NP Filling Stations in the country.

To keep abreast with latest technological trends the company has availed its customers the opportunity to use Smart Cards for purchasing purpose, meaning that buyers could top-up their cards to the tune of any amount which they can then use intermittently to procure petroleum products. This has made transactions very convenient.

NP-SL has established branches in Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast and The Gambia which are vibrantly operating in the same like manner guided by its corporate principles.

The quantum of tax payment and its timeliness in honouring such has made the company to be rated as one of the largest taxpayers to Government.

Management of NP is steadfast in enhancing the positive roles that the company is playing that continue to contribute meaningfully to overall national development.

NRA Non-Tax Revenue Department Engages MDAs on a New App for Revenue Collection

National Revenue Authority (NRA).

By Elisha Harding

Representatives from twenty- four Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were engaged at the Shangri- La Hall on Beach Road at Aberdeen in Freetown on the 28th June, 2022 by the Non-Tax Revenue Department of the National Revenue Authority (NRA). The engagement was geared towards informing them about a new Application that has been developed for the purpose of collecting taxes.

It must be noted that in as much as the NRA continues to build systems to automate all revenue collection channels,  it is on the verge  to automate and digitalize revenue collection processes through Mobile payment for services delivered by Government. Such services range from payment of passport forms, court fines, birth certificates, building permits, mining licenses etc.

In a statement on behalf of the Commissioner General, Jeneba J. Bangura ,the Deputy Commissioner General, hastened to clarify to Stakeholders from the MDAs that the Mobile Payment App will not be the only payment channel but it could extensively lessen the constraints especially for small service fees or court fines which are expected to be paid by people in the provinces.

The Commissioner of the  Non-Tax Revenue Department of the  NRA,  Sheki Fadika,  updated participants at the gathering on the status of the reform , expressing the view that the payment process was done manually but disclosed that such is about to be automated.

Commissioner Sheku Fadika highlighted the benefits of the Mobile App, among which he posited that with the App, reports and payments could be made on time.  He allayed the fears of some staff that the system is not intended to replace humans but will rather help to ease the burden of their job.

The Director of Finance and Budget at NRA, Joseph I. Kormoh who has had an experience with similar system, during a study tour in Kenya, shared few experiences on how important it is for an automation of such nature to be put in place to boost  non-tax revenue collection.

Along the similar trajectory, the Senior Director of Information and Communications Technology at NRA, Gerald P. Ganda and the Senior Director of Modernization, Sahid Conteh, who moderated the session respectively, shed light on the security features of the system and the efforts made by NRA to enhance tax and revenue compliance.

High point of the engagement was when the Service provider of the Mobile App, Blue Ribbon, made a practical PowerPoint demonstration of the features of the Payment Application and the means through which those payments are to be done. The Service Provider stated among other things that Orange Money, Afro money, Automated Teller Machines (ATM) will also be used as conduits means through which payments for services could be made.

 

 

 

Towards Gender Equality & Women Empowerment… Assist. UN Secretary-General & Deputy ED UN Women Pledge Commitment

Deputy Executive Director (DED) of UN Women ,Asa Regner

By Foday Moriba Conteh

During a snap Press Conference held on the 1st July 2022 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Freetown, the Assistant Secretary General (ASG) of the United Nations and Deputy Executive Director (DED) of UN Women ,Asa Regner and Regional Director for West and Central Africa  UN Women, Oulimata Sarr re-affirmed UN Women’s support towards the advancement of gender equality, empowerment of women and girls with a view to furthering advocacy and partnership in line with the development agenda of Sierra Leone and the sustainable Development Goals.

Speaking to journalists, the Regional Director of UN Women for West and Central Africa, Oulimata Sarr, revealed that the media plays critical roles through the work that they do further maintaining that the media needs to amplify  messages of  UN Women in order to help them change narratives.

She furthered that in order to do that, they need to work closely with the media and to ensure that their office in Sierra Leone shares with the media information, data and  advocacy papers needed to  play  critical roles in enhancing Gender Equality and Women Empowerment.

Madam Oulimata noted that Gender Equality could be achieved through partnership underscoring the importance of major stakeholders in society forming collaborations maintaining how it could not be reasonable to wait for one hundred, and two hundred years to attain Gender Equality and Women Empowerment.

On her part, the Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women, Asa Regner, highlighted  meeting with the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Brigadier (Retired) Dr. Julius Maada Bio, the Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, the Speaker of Parliament Dr. Abass Bundu, officials of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Gender and Children’s Affairs, and Finance, members of the Female Parliamentary Caucus and the Statistician-General of Statistics Sierra Leone.

She disclosed also meeting with members of the Diplomatic Corps, and Heads of International Financial Institutions (IFI), development partners, Civil Society Organizations, Women and Youth groups in Sierra Leone.

Asa Regner, mentioned paying a courtesy call on the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, Dr. Babatunde Ahonsi, attending a special United Nations Country Team meeting, and a host of town hall styled engagements with the UN Women team in the country.

She explained how they have got the views of all the aforementioned stakeholders and learnt about the Gender Equality bill as well as other related issues bordering around Sexual and Gender Based Violence, the gains made and challenges faced disclosing how they are ready to work with State and Non-State actors to advance the causes of women in the country and strengthen the rights of children.

She concluded by re-affirming the UN Women’s support towards the advancement of gender equality and empowerment of women and girls with a view to promote or advance advocacy and partnership in line with the development agenda of Sierra Leone and the Sustainable Development Goals.

 

 

 

Currency redenomination, fuel price hike amid a global economic freefall: Checkmating the Sierra Leone Scenario

Dr. Ezekiel K. Duramany-Lakkoh
Dr. Ezekiel K. Duramany-Lakkoh

Dr. Ezekiel K. Duramany-Lakkoh

Most people in Africa, especially Sierra Leone, still do not understand that the world is changing. First, the twin shocks of Ebola and the fall in global iron ore prices in 2014 saw the collapse of the mining industry in Sierra Leone and a fall of the GPD to -5%. The public completely misunderstood this economic quagmire as just the administrative incompetence of the mining companies and state stakeholders. We did not realise that a few years before the shock, the Chinese, who are the off-takers of iron ore, changed their economic policy from infrastructure development to strengthening domestic service consumption, which transmitted to the reduction in demand for iron ore hence a fall in the price for its rendering Sierra Leone fiscally handicap in few months. Now the COVID-19 pandemic and the War in Eastern Europe.

When the war in Ukraine started, I asked hundreds of people who were busy shouting ‘Team Russian, Team Ukraine’ how it would affect them. I told them,’ Africa will pay for every bit of the war in Ukraine, including them’. Most of them laughingly say, ‘We are not connected to it. The problem is we play too much and understand less. A straightforward lesson that every Sierra Leonean should learn is that our economy is so vulnerable to shocks that we have few options to adjust in the short term. If you take a typical Sierra Leone meal (food) and list the ingredients, you will find that more than 90% of items are imported. We do not plant what we eat! Therefore, even a little crisis from our importing countries will disrupt supply chain processes and lead to inflation in Sierra Leone, compounded by other internal economic challenges.

My simple argument is people (especially the elite) do not take notice and proactive steps on sensitive issues that will seriously affect our socioeconomic dispensations. We instead spend all our time complaining and lamenting on social media while our foreign business partners are brilliantly and strategically adapting to every economic volatility from external shock or internal constraints.

The International fuel market is unpredictable, coupled with a global supply chain constraint that will continue to spread financial risks worldwide, including Sierra Leone. Every day the war in Ukraine continues, the more financial risks are transmitted to exposed economies globally. No simple economic assumptions can stop it in the short-term. Most people think a short-term measure would be reducing fuel taxes to subsidise the transaction costs. Well, that strategy will have severe inflationary challenges from an expanded fiscal imbalance. An increase in salaries will also mean increased taxes to enhance the consolidated funds to pay for the increased salary cost. Most people attempting to discuss the current economic constraints fail to analyse the counterfactual and just constraint on obvious realities.

About a year ago, the Bank of Sierra Leone unveiled its plan to redenominate the Leones by recalibrating three zeros from the face value of the leone. As of today, July 1st, when the new notes are introduced, people are still asking for the economic benefit to the country. It Does not have any direct economic benefit! The focus of the Bank of Sierra Leone is to reduce the volume and manage transactions in the economy and, in the future, save the huge costs of printing new notes.

Meanwhile, currency redenomination happens when inflation is stable, which I am sure was the intention of the Bank of Sierra Leone at the time of the announcement. The initial assumptions might not be present with the current fuel price hike.

In conclusion, we have a moral and socioeconomic responsibility to focus on understanding basic accounting practices during the tenure of the currency transition. The quicker we understand transacting the new currency, the faster we will be ready to address the 0ramifications of the new economic order.

Dr. Ezekiel K. Duramany-Lakkoh
Dean Faculty of Accounting and Finance / Financial Management Consultant
Institute of Public Administration and Management
University of Sierra Leone

Chief Justice Deploys 4 Judges To Decongest Correctional Centers

Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards

By Elisha Harding

The Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards has deployed four High Court Judges in Kamakwie Town-Karene District, Magburaka Town-Tonkolili District, Mattru Jong-Bonthe District and Pujehun Town-Pujehun District to look into various cases of Sexual Penetration, Murder, Robbery with Aggravation, Wounding with Intent and Larceny among other offences.

It was intimated that the High Court Criminal Sessions are fully funded by the Judiciary of Sierra Leone courtesy of the Government of Sierra Leone and geared towards improving access to justice and decongesting Correctional Centres across the country.

It is held in places where there are no sitting Judges.

In Magburaka Town, the Bombali District Resident High Court Judge, Hon. Justice Unisa Kamara is currently handling 27 cases. In Pujehun District, the Bo District Resident High Court Judge, Hon. Justice Alfred T. Ganda is handling 23 cases; in Mattru Jong the Moyamba District High Court Judge, Hon. Justice Abu Bakarr Sannoh is handling 21 and 11 in Kamakwie District to be completed by the Port Loko District Resident High Court Judge, Hon. Justice Abdul Sheriff.

Still with the Judiciary, the Resident Magistrate in Bombali District, His Worship Magistrate Mustapha Braima-Jah, on the 28th June, 2022 sentenced 5 accused persons who were before the Court for Riotous Conduct contrary to Section 12(i) of the Public Order Act No. 46 of 1965 and Disorderly Behaviour Contrary to Section 12(c) of the Public Order Act No. 46 of 1965 as repealed and replaced by Section 12(a) of Act No. 15 of 1973.

According to the particulars of offence, Ali Tarawallie of No. 51 Masuba Road, Amadu Williams of New England, Umaru Fornah of No. 1 Kamara Street, Alpha Kargbo-Back of Benevolent School and Ibrahim Morlai Turay of No. 21 Lady’s Mile in Makeni City on Monday, 27th June 2022 within Makeni Township in Shebora Chiefdom in the Bombali Judicial District in the Northern Province rioted and behaved in a disorderly manner.

The accused persons pleaded guilty and asked for mercy.

In his remarks before delivering the sentence, His Worship Magistrate Braima-Jah said bike riding is not a bad trade but the action of the riders have degenerated into an ugly situation that should be properly addressed for the peace and security of the District.

“I therefore sentence as follows; 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th convicts are sentenced to twelve months on Count 1 and twelve Months on Count 2,” said Magistrate Mustapha Braima-Jah, stressing that, “two years imprisonment for both counts and sentencing shall run consecutively. I so order

Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards

Engaging Tourism Ministry….. ECOWAS Delegation Explains Criteria for Granting Prize & Restitution of Cultural Properties

ECOWAS

By Elisha Harding

A delegation from ECOWAS has in an engagement with the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and other state actors on the 27th June, 2022, explained the criteria and procedure for the grant of the ECOWAS prize of excellence and the restitution of cultural properties. The engagement took place at the Ministry’s Head Office on Kingharman Road in Freetown.

The ECOWAS prize of excellence shall seek to recognize excellence and honor individuals or legal entities who through their activities, creativity and service have immensely contributed to promoting regional integration, peace and socio-economic development in the ECOWAS region.

The prize shall comprise 3 categories; award for science and technology, arts and letters, award of honor for distinguished personalities, award for deserving citizens of the community.

Welcoming the delegation to the Ministry, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt appreciated the team for visiting Sierra Leone and informed them that the Ministry has ratified all the six UNESCO conventions with no deficit. She said they are putting a handful of experience people to do the selection of those that will be competing for the awards and advise Government as to which ones are qualified. She said they are creating a forum to get more people interested and also a national selection committee for the different categories.

On the return of the restitution, she said they are working with Sowad and other groups to get their stolen artifacts back. She said they have returned boxes of stolen items from Sierra Leone to the national museum, hence she is running with this big museum idea.

The ECOWAS Director of Education, Science and Culture, Professor Abdoulaye Maga said ECOWAS award of excellence was established by Head of States in 2017 taking into account key categories; high personalities, deserving citizens and the technical categories. He noted that after the first two editions of the awards, they discovered that some countries are not applying much and also not respecting the criteria for application, hence they were mandated to go round the region to raise awareness about the awards to ensure countries apply properly and avoid any disqualification.

The Director of Culture, Foday Jalloh who has been part of the award process for the past two editions said it was better the ECOWAS delegation were in Sierra Leone and for the very first time they were able to bring people from all walks of life within arts and culture to get first hand understanding from the team from ECOWAS, a step which he said will add enthusiasm and impetus into the process.

Information Minister Reveals Government’s Frantic Moves to Deal with Fuel Crisis

Information and Communications Minister, Mohamed Rahman Swaray

By Elisha Harding

Information and Communications Minister, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, has revealed that the SLPP Led Government is not only mindful but also concerned about the fuel crisis which the country is experiencing. He made that statement on the national broadcaster, SLBC on the 28th June 2022.

The Minister informed viewers that even though President Julius Maada Bio was out of the country he has been closely monitoring the situation at home.

He averred how Government is not involved in the transaction of petroleum products but rather provides the congenial and enabling environment to ensure that those products are brought in and marketed by oil marketing companies who should operate according to laid down regulations.

The Information Minister said indeed it is not a good sight to see long queues at fuel stations maintaining how Government has been making certain interventions to put the situation under control.

He revealed how it is not now that Government has started expressing concern in that direction highlighting how a lot of resources have been dished out to ensure that the debilitating effects are cushioned in order to ameliorate the suffering people are undergoing.

Mohamed Rahman Swaray disclosed how during the outbreak of COVID-19, OPEC (the petroleum-producing nations) cut down on fuel production by Ten Million barrels a day, because movements were restricted across the Globe. He further informed that even though COVID-19 is not of high risk as before, OPEC has not been able to get the normal production in place.

The Minister attributed the crisis also to the Russian and Ukraine conflict but assured that as a Government they will do all within their purview to ensure fuel is available.

He disclosed that fuel is still available in the country, stressing that Government does not want fuel to be scarce.

On the same platform, the Chairman of the Motor Drivers Union, Alhaji Amadu Bah, revealed that certain unscrupulous persons are smuggling fuel to neighboring Liberia, stating that the fuel problem is everywhere. He said Government should not be blamed for the current crisis and urged his fellow drivers to be lenient with passengers.

Edmond Abu of the Native Consortium, on his part, stated that Government must ensure that fuel is available across the country stressing that the public is in dire need of it at this material time.

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