Home Blog Page 741

SIERRATEL Interim Chairman Updates the Press

SIERRATEL
SIERRATEL

By Foday Moriba Conteh

During a Press Conference held on Wednesday 15th June 2022 at the Sierra Leone Telecommunications Company Limited Office on Wallace Johnson Street, in Freetown, the Interim Committee Chairman of the company, Francis Matturi intimated the current status of the entity.

He informed that during March and April of 2022, SIERRATEL workers were staging a strike action on the basis that Management owed them backlog salaries and other benefits spanning over six (6) months, adding that during that unfortunate period services to customers were disrupted for almost three (3) weeks.

Francis Matturi furthered that the National Commission for Privatization (NCP) subsequently relieved the Management of their duties on the 8th April 2022 and on that same day appointed a five-man Interim Management Committee with him as Head to manage the affairs of the Company until further notice.

Underscoring the Committee’s achievements, he stated that on an assumption of responsibility, members of staff called off the strike action and returned to work on Tuesday, 12th April 2022 revealing that the company’s network was restored and customer services commenced.

He also disclosed that members of staff were paid two (2) months’ salaries within three weeks adding how another month’s salary was affected shortly after.

The Interim Committee Chairman further told newsmen that customers who had made pre-payment for services that were disrupted during the strike period were compensated thus: Two weeks of free service to all, full 30 days reactivation of services, and further consideration to Corporate Clients.

He pointed out that the company engaged in a thirty days promotions of their products and services, mobilized revenue collection;
engaged in operational maintenance and restored Fiber connectivity to Bo, Kenema, Makeni, and Port Loko.

Dilating on the challenges, he revealed that the company is currently faced with aging infrastructure and outdated technology, retention of worn-out vehicles, huge outstanding debts to suppliers, vendors, and contractors, lack of spares and working tools, destruction/damage to the company’s UG Cables and Ducts by construction companies and outstanding salary and benefits payments to Staff.

Francis Matturi concluded by highlighting the following recommendations, infusion of capital into the enterprise, bringing up or revamping provincial exchanges, and the urgent need to optimize the Network on 4G and ADSL.

Earlier, the Sales Manager at SIERRATEL, Augustine George, commended the Interim Committee for their move towards the resuscitation of the company adding that as a commercial team their responsibility is to ensure that they generate revenue for the company and provide services for their valid customers.

He said, unfortunately, over the past months, there have been challenges towards the provision of services to their valid customers but thanked the Committee for their intervention by ensuring that those services are provided again to their customers, furthering that after the two weeks strike action a proposal was made to the Committee in relation to customers who had paid for services and due to the strike action the company shutdown.

Augustine George stated that the Committee agreed and all customers who had paid for services during the strike action were given two weeks of free service as compensation.

He concluded by stating that following the compensation the company also unveiled another promotion tagged, “Double Double” of which customers who pay for every service benefit in double ways, that is if a customer pays for a week he/she will be given another week free service.

The Secretary-General of the Sierra Leone Union of Postal and Telecommunications, Edward Yeremeh Kamara, who was present also, applauded the efforts of the Committee towards addressing the challenges faced by the company.

He expressed gratitude to all those supporting the Committee to ensure that such a strike action doesn’t repeat itself. He concluded by reassuring their commitment to workers to ensuring that the company is taken back to where it should be.

Closing the event was a question and answer session which was moderated by the Public Relations Officer of SIERRATEL, Mohamed Badamasi Cole.

SIERRATEL
SIERRATEL

To Mark 30 Years of 1991 Constitution… ILRAJ Set to Release a Collection of Essays

Sierra Leone's 1991 Constitution
Sierra Leone's 1991 Constitution

By Amin Kef-Ranger

To mark the 30th anniversary of the enactment of Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution, the Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice (ILRAJ) is on the verge of releasing a publication of a collection of essays.

This medium reliably learned that the collection is seeking to reflect on Sierra Leone’s constitutional dilemma and as well proffers some solutions.

Further informed was that the volume is divided into three parts with the first part being introductory and setting the tone for the discussion. In addition, the second part relates to issues of democracy and human rights as the third part addresses critical human rights issues.

It was learned that the contributors of the collection of essays include former President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, Rhoda Nuni, Sierra Leone’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland, Lansana Gberie, Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative (Legal Affairs), Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone to the United Nations in New York, Michael Imran Kanu, the Head of  Department of Law at Fourah Bay College and Executive Director, Society for Democratic Initiatives (SDI), Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, a member of the Constitutional Review Committee, Aminata Sillah, Senior Rule of Law and Human Rights Officer at UNDP Sierra Leone, Cheryl Eugenia Angela Sembie and the Founder and Head of ILRAJ, Basita Michael.

The preface of the collection is written by the Chair of ILRAJ, Martin Michael and the book is now available in paperback and Kindle on Amazon.

You can pre-order at 12 Pademba Road Freetown and receive your copy by the end of June 2022.

As Time is of  the Essence…. Continue Voting to Save Your Favourite Housemates from Eviction

Housemates Season 3

By Amin Kef-Ranger

The next eviction for Housemates Salone Season 3 is slated to take place on Sunday, 19th June 2022 which will mark the end of an amazing journey for some of the competitors in the Reality TV Show.

It must be noted that after the last eviction the Housemates were uncoupled by the Chief of the House for a new coupling. The new couples are now performing various tasks as directed by Sir Chief or Madam Chief in order to gain winning points that could probably count in saving them from eviction.

As the Yagba continues for the Le 250 M cash prize & a round trip to Dubai, members of the public are now earnestly voting for their favourite Housemates. Members of the public residing in Sierra Leone should 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 .

When the eviction takes place on the 19th of June 2022,  the Housemates will be uncoupled again by the Chief of the House for a new coupling. They will then be given the opportunity to choose someone with whom they will be comfortable within the following week and perform assigned tasks to win points.

It must be reiterated that the fate of any of the Housemates is determined largely by the public through the aforementioned voting channels. Members of the public could vote as many times as possible for their favourite Housemates.

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. It must also be noted that Housemates Salone Season 3 is also shown on what is widely referred to as Nigeria and Ghana DSTV.

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

Housemates Salone Season 3 is all about Youth Empowerment and is socially considered to be a Youth Empowerment platform which succeeded in both seasons 1 & 2.

As it has been realized the boarding of twenty-two Housemates under one roof, for a specific length of time, giving them the opportunity to interact on a daily basis is exposing the innate potentials they possess that could be harnessed and tapped for productive ends.

They are expected to perfect assignments delegated to them by Sir Chief or Madam Chief who are controlling their moves and actions as well as grade them as and when the show is progressing.

They are learning new skills from their co-competitors in the House, displaying coping mechanisms under various conditions and probably learning how to comport themselves when they find themselves in any public arena or gathering.

The Housemates are taught or learning by themselves how to prop up their self-esteem, be courteous, and courageous and control their ego under stressful conditions. They are being taught how to express themselves publicly, respond to questions, how to play certain roles in real-life situations.

In addition, some corporate institutions are using the platform not only to advertise but to also teach or school the Housemates and by extension the watching public what types of services they have to offer, how to go about performing certain tasks and anything else that has to do with empowering their minds geared towards cultivating positive mindsets. For example, the Rokel Commercial Bank taught them how to open an account.

The Reality TV Show is also exposing the Housemates to the outside world as it is viewed far and wide. Talents may be spotted and interested individuals may want to harness those talents to be used for the advancement of various human endeavours.

For now relax in your comfort zones, enjoy watching Reality TV Show per excellence and continue voting to save your favourite Housemates from eviction.

Housemates Salone Season 3
Housemates Salone Season 3

NP-SL Ltd Remains a Vibrant Importing & Marketing Entity of High Grade Petroleum Products

National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL-Ltd)

By Amin Kef-Ranger

Going down memory lane it could be recalled that the Shareholders of one of the vibrantly functioning importing and marketing petroleum business entities in the country, the NP-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd), were mainly members of staff of the former British Petroleum (BP) Company, of which the latter sold its shares to the Government of Sierra Leone at that material time in the history of the country, way back over twenty years back ago.

In 1996 Government sold its 60% shares to these members of staff who were working for the British Petroleum Company. 55 % of the shares were paid upfront from the end-of-service benefits of the workers of BP and the 5% offered to all the other workers.
It must be noted that the 55% sale of the Government’s shares came as a result of the World Bank’s advice to privatize.

Since that time NP-SL Ltd was born and became a purely indigenous-owned company.

There is not a single iota of doubt that the National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) is currently the premier oil marketing company that has been doing extremely well in the areas of importing and marketing various petroleum products in the country, notably petrol, diesel, gas, and lubricants of which the most outstanding is Castrol oil.

The company has never reneged in doing so save only in certain situations where, as a result of unforeseen contingencies, most often beyond its control, there has been some delay. However, in such circumstances measures are quickly rolled out to address them and restore normalcy in the supply chain.

One of the laid down policies of the company is that which places a premium on enhancing or maximizing customer care to create a situation where its customers are always made to feel good and satisfied.

Indeed, it is in that light that a conscious move was made to make the company’s Filling Stations very attractive and welcoming. Built in state-of-the-art fashion, painted with yellow and green paints, these sales points are very spacious to accommodate a fleet of vehicles, are very eye catchy and in some of them, there are shopping marts where customers could purchase basic items and even relax to socialize.

To promote transparency and win the trust of its numerous customers as well as match up with international standards, it was decided on the part of the company to invest so much in procuring and installing calibrated pumping machines. These have the capacity to pump the exact quantity of fuel in vehicles and containers to the utmost satisfaction of buyers.

One very striking feature which NP-SL has so far exhibited, to the admiration of many, is its strict adherence to the country’s Local Content Policy. Enhancing local content has its attendant merits one of which is creating employment opportunities and ensuring that monies paid to workers are not remitted overseas.

The National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited is one of the few companies in this country that has successfully implemented its internal policy of giving employment preference to Sierra Leoneans. This is indeed very impressive and is helping in major ways to reduce poverty.

If today NP Gas is going at the pace of a Supersonic Jet, in terms of sales, then this is simply because it has been discovered that it is very fast, efficient, and environmental friendly for cooking purposes. Besides, it can be refilled without going through the hassle of having to find gas elsewhere as the company markets gas alongside petrol, diesel, and other lubricants. They are manufactured in different cylinder sizes and are easily accessible.

What is much talked about today is the NP Smart Card. As the name suggests the card is so smart to such an extent that as long as it is loaded with money it can be slotted in the calibrated pumping machine and after demanding the amount of petrol or diesel requested, it churns out the exact amount plus displaying the price. It is trending, secured and convenient to use.

“NP Smart Card works well and since I have been using it I always procure fuel for my car and generator in record time. Using it, there are many benefits one can derive,” a Civil Servant, Mohamed Jusu, underscored.

The company stands tall for having vibrant branches operating in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, and The Gambia where they are operating efficiently, offering jobs, and paying taxes to Governments.

NP-SL indeed has a humble beginning but today it has become a towering company with supported Filling Stations in almost all the districts in the country offering qualitative and timely services to its numerous customers. Management is determined to continue to make more inroads within the petroleum landscape of the country.

Invitation for Bids

National Tourist Board
National Tourist Board

Invitation for Bids

National Tourist Board

Construction of Manager’s Quarter, Outside Kitchen, Store, Outside Toilet and Bathroom

Procurement Number NTB/UNDP/NCB/WORKS/2022/002

Date of First Issue 15th June, 2022

The coastal zone of Sierra Leone is highly vulnerable to the increased frequency and severity of coastal erosion, flooding, and storm surges which severely impact social wellbeing (health), livelihood security (and water resources), and major economic sectors such as fishing, tourism, water resources, and agriculture. Coastal communities are already experiencing considerable repercussions of these impacts, notably on their livelihoods with reduced fishing productivity, ecosystem degradation, and low farming outputs. The limited accessibility of climate-related data limits the ability of decision-makers to make informed planning and policy decisions for the coast (in particular marine and sea parameters databases such as wave height, wave period, wind speed, and direction), and to take any clear strategic actions to remedy these negative effects. This inadequate lack of knowledge is contributing to undermining social and economic development, particularly under a changing climate.

The National Tourist Board (NTB) has received funds from the United Nations/GEF to partially implement Outcome three (3) of the ‘Adapting to climate change-induced coastal risks management Project’ in Sierra Leone. Activities implemented will contribute to project Outcome 3 “Adaptation strategies for alternative livelihoods are designed to strengthen women and sand miner youth association’s resilience to CC impact on the coastal zone so as to reduce pressure on natural resources. The project will undertake the design and implementation of an adaptation “package” that shall encourage the promotion of nature-based interventions in the coastal zones at six selected pilot sites.

One of the activities under Outcome 3 is promoting alternative and sustainable income generation activities; through the implementation of a pilot project i.e. undertaking the development of two pilot eco-lodge at Turtle Island (Chepo), Bonthe District. The construction works for the pilot eco-lodge are almost completed. Due to several monitoring assessments undertaken at the site, it was recommended that a complimentary facility be constructed to service the eco-lodge.  The National Tourist Board has received a grant from the United National Development Fund (UNDP) for the Construction of the Manager’s Quarter, Outside Kitchen, Store, Outside Toilet, and Bathroom located at Chepo Turtle Island and now invites sealed bids from eligible bidders for the construction of the above facilities:

Bidding is open to all Contractors who have the required technical skills and who can demonstrate professionalism in undertaking the work. It should be noted that the terrain can only be accessed by boat.

Interested bidders may obtain further information and inspect the bidding document at the address below between the hours of 9:a.m to 4:p.m on Mondays to Thursdays and Fridays between the hours of 9:a.m to 1:30 p.m.  Bidding documents may be purchased upon payment of a non-refundable fee of Three Hundred and Fifty (Le 350,000) to the under-listed accounts:

Bank Name:          Bank of Sierra Leone

Account Name:      NPPA-Revenue from Sale of Bidding Documents

Account Number:   0111003981

BBAN:                  000001011100398165

Bank Name:          Union Trust Bank

ACCOUNT NAME:    Revenue from Sale of Bidding Sub Treasury

ACCOUNT NO.        210113253-01

BBAN NO:             00-4001113253120144

Bank Name:          Sierra Leone Commercial Bank

ACCOUNT NAME:   Revenue from Sale of Bidding Sub Treasury

ACCOUNT NO.       003001081791112183

Bank Name:          Rokel Commercial Bank

ACCOUNT NAME:   Revenue from the sale of bidding Sub Treasury

ACCOUNT NO.       02-011012428

BBAN NO:              002001002101242863

Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before 28th June 2022 at 12 p.m.

All bids must be accompanied by:

  • A valid Business Registration Certificate
  • Bid Security of Le 15,000,000 from a reputable Commercial Bank;
  • A valid NRA Tax Clearance Certificate;
  • A valid NASSIT Clearance Certificate;
  • A signed Integrity Pact
  • Signed and Stamped Bid Form
  • Local Council registration Certificate
  • Ministry of Works Class 1 License

Bids will be publicly opened on the 28th of June 2022 at 12 p.m, in the presence of the bidders’ designated representatives and anyone who chooses to attend, at the address below.  Late bids will be rejected and returned unopened to bidders.

The Procurement Unit

National Tourist Board (NTB)

Adjacent Lumley Beach Police Post

Beach Road, Lumley

Freetown;

Sierra Leone

Tel: +23276634949

Currently Installing 1st State of the Art Street Lights…. Pavi Fort Undertakes Fastest Road Construction Project from J-Matter to Bomeh

Pavi Fort Construction Company, Sierra Leone.png

By Amin Kef-Ranger

The Sierra Leonean businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Alimu Sanu Barrie, who also doubles as the Chairman and CEO of Pavi Fort Construction Company, Sierra Leone, is currently engaged on improving the condition of the road stretching from J-Matter, Ferry Junction to Bomeh in the East End of Freetown with many praising the company for doing what they have termed as a fantastic work.

As a highly recommended company, with Alimu Barrier, as its very result oriented Chief Executive Officer, which has to its credit both national as well as international acclamations and recommendations for acceptable completion of standard design and completed road works, has again exhibited craftsmanship and professionalism at J-Matter, Ferry Junction to Bomeh, in the East End of Freetown as currently the company has gone far in its construction work with the spread of the first coating of asphalt with the current installation of State of the Art street lights and a traffic light.

With World Bank funding, geared towards the implementation of the Integrated Resilient Urban Mobility Project (IRUMP), as part of the implementation process by the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, the contractor of the road expansion and upgrading of a 400 metre stretch, Pavi Fort SL, has really demonstrated that local content should be prioritized as opposed to the past when it was deemed that only foreign companies could deliver in that regard.

Out of the plethora of comments received during a random survey, the company’s impressive past performances and immense professionalism were highlighted, commended and according to a school of thought has placed it at a vantage position to be awarded contracts, as it is now implementing geared towards improving road safety at Ferry Junction as well as enhancing institutional capacity in the transport sector.

Expertise by Pavi Fort at Ferry Junction is evident in the widening of the road from a two lane to three lanes on both sides.

Very spectacular at the moment is the installation of street lights and a traffic light at the intersection of Ferry Junction with work stretching from J Matter to Bomeh, which it has been underscored by experts, will largely enhance safety and ensure speed.

Indeed, many have expressed delight predicating such on the installation of state of the art street lights, improved security at night and reduction in crime rate as well as enhancing public beautification.

In a recent visit by officials of the World Bank, Pavi Fort was highly acclaimed for the construction work they have so far executed in that axis ,praising the CEO, Alimu Barrie, for the high display of expertise.

The World Bank was not the only one that heaped praised on Pavi Fort as even the Financial Secretary, Sahr Jusu, who was also present on that day, was highly impressed and could not mince his words of praises.

From interviews conducted, completion of  the project will  allow the Ministry of Transport and Aviation and its respective Agencies to achieve comprehensive corridor improvements that will cover complete traffic management measures including intersection improvements, coordinated traffic lights, improvement of sidewalks for pedestrian movement, drainage etc.

It must be reiterated that the work entails re-gravelling works, covering a 400 metre stretch from J-Matter around the Dockyard axis to reach as far as the Bomeh axis, in the East End of Freetown.

Already, the company has spread the first coating of asphalt on the surface of the road, said to have been constructed forty years back, to bring it up to 10 cm from the previous 5cm and that involve three layers.

The company has also expanded the road from two lanes, on both sides, to three lanes, fixed a new drainage system to replace the old small clogged ones which will curtail or drastically reduce flooding on the road during the rains, made provision for a traffic light to be fixed at the J-Matter, Ferry Junction to Bomeh intersection to control the traffic flow which will eliminate the presence of Traffic Police Officers and SLRSA Wardens, made provision for street lights , guard rails to be fixed as well as convenient bus stops or parking spaces.

Though, inevitably the construction work is posing certain inconveniences to road users, however, for now or at this material moment the speed at which the company is undertaking or moving forward with the work, according to research conducted by this medium, continues to impress many pedestrians as well as motorists, as captured from their comments all cumulating into commendations for the Government for coming up with the initiative to be funded by the World Bank.

The Chairman of one of an Ataya Base within the construction site, Nkawo Douglas, in an interview stated that Pavi Fort is really on top of the construction work maintaining that the company provided job opportunities for most of the youth who were hitherto jobless, has improved the road furthering how they have a very cordial relationship with the company.

Pavi Fort Construction Company.png Pavi Fort Construction Company, on duty.png

Chinese Embassy Boosts Sierra Leone Police Force with 10 Bikes

Chinese Embassy Boosts Sierra Leone Police Force with 10 Bikes.png

By Elisha Harding

His Excellency Hu Zhangliang, the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone has on Tuesday the 14th June 2022, through the Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, donated ten (10) Motorbikes to the Sierra Leone Police.

The Inspector General of Sierra Leone Police, Ambrose Michael Sovula, warmly welcomed the presence of both the Vice President and the Ambassador. In his welcome statement, the IGP said President Dr. Julius Maada Bio and team are always in support of the Sierra Leone Police, and that support has helped to foster the effectiveness of the Sierra Leone Police in combating crime.

Ambassador Hu Zhangliang ,in his statement, said that both the Chinese and the Sierra Leone Governments have been in a bilateral relationship for fifty two (52) years now adding that it will continue to blossom. He continued by giving thanks and appreciation to the Sierra Leone Police especially under the leadership of IG Sovula for the peace and security the country continues to enjoy.

The Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh stated that fighting crime requires so many resources pointing out that one of the key resources the Police need to increase their operational capability is mobility asset.

He furthered that, “the Government is going to continue to buy more vehicles and bikes, and that the donated bikes should be used for the rightful purpose which will help to make work easier for the Police because there are some places especially in the provinces where vehicles cannot reach but with these bikes those places can be reachable”.

In an interview with the Inspector General of Police he was appreciative of the donations made by the Chinese Ambassador and stressed the need to ensure that the bikes are used for the intended purpose. He acknowledged that provision of mobility to enhance the work of the SLP is the responsibility of Government.

He therefore called on the end users to take very good care of the bikes and not using same as their private properties.

COMMENTARY Bendugu Violence…Mischievous Youths  Accused

Bendugu Violence…Mischievous Youths  Accused.png

By Ranger

Playing the role of a police investigator it can be certainly stated that all the evidence point at certain ill-motivated persons who ignited the violence that took place in Bendugu last week.

The history of conflict between SLPP and APC goes back to shortly after the country’s independence in 1961. Sierra Leone became deeply divided between the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), drawing its support from the Mende-dominated south, and the All People’s Congress (APC), drawing its support from the Temne-dominated north and west.

According to the TRC, “Party politics became the greatest obstacle to national cohesion and identity”.

Rather than developing a strong publically-oriented State, each party developed a patronage network through which it distributed resources to favoured supporters, building exclusive chains of authority that extended from the capital to aligned chiefdoms.

Without going further to apportion blame for last week’s political violence in Bendugu, both the ruling SLPP and the main opposition APC must pull back from the brink and tone down the rhetoric to avoid Sierra Leone degenerating into chaos and widespread violence.

Ahead of the crucial June 2023 national elections, there are calls from concerned citizens for the formation of a cross-party Peace-building Commission, which must include religious groups and civil society organizations, to look into the grievances of all sides and make recommendations.

UN Resident Coordinator, Babatunde Ahonsi, after the Bendugu incident  has called for dialogue between the two parties aimed at establishing common understanding, tolerance for each other and respect for law and order that will ensure the peace and national cohesion that President Bio seeks for when he set up the Bintumani III national conference.

In the meantime, both the Party-Political Registration Commission (PPRC) and the Electoral Commission must carry out their own independent investigations into the continued cause of political violence so that lessons can be learnt; as well as  ensure that those politicians held responsible for the violence face the full force of the law – including banning from national politics.

LAB Facilitates Division of Property between Husband & Estranged Wife

Division of Property.png

By Elisha Hardingnel

A client of the Legal Aid Board, Fatmata James, took possession on Saturday, 6 June 2022 of her share of the matrimonial property on Tower Hill in Freetown allocated to her by the court after the eviction of tenants by bailiffs.

Fatmata James was given part of the matrimonial estate even though the property is in the name of her husband alone.  The court had ruled that the matrimonial property is jointly owned and should therefore be divided between the wife, Fatmata James, who is the plaintiff and husband Sahr James who is the defendant. The latter is a member of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF)

The court ruling follows an application by the Legal Aid Counsel, Cyril Taylor-Young at the High Court before Justice Mohamed Bawoh for partitioning of the property following the decision of the husband to separate from his wife. The husband had done so by forcing her out of the matrimonial home by subjecting her to intimidation and domestic violence. He then went ahead to bring in her girlfriend who he has been cohabiting with since then. 2020

“I had no choice but to leave our home because he (husband) did not want to see me and our son anymore and he was getting paranoid, I was afraid he could do anything to get rid of us,” Fatmata James said.

The Judge ordered that the joint property should be appropriately partitioned between the wife and husband. He further ordered that the rooms, apartments or buildings allocated to the wife should be made available to her immediately failing which the appropriate action will be taken to facilitate the eviction of the occupants.

Moreover, the husband should prepare similar document of an everlasting ownership pending the attainment of a freehold to the said land. Also, the husband was ordered to pay five million Leones (Le5, 000,000) to the wife which should be spread over a five (5) month period.

The matter was referred to the Legal Aid Board by the Gender Department of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces in February 2021. “Please give assistance to Madam Fatmata James whose marital status has been violated both domestically and psychologically by husband Sahr James of the 5thBattalion Wilberforce Barracks,” the referral letter notes.

“This lady reported marital issue on the 21 January 2021 and case scheduled for 23 January 2021. The matter was investigated and persuaded husband to see reason for reconciliation after 13 years of relationship with a child. The husband has threatened to divorce his wife,” the letter concludes.

Mediation of the matter by the Board stalled after Sahr James stopped attending the sessions. He became more interested in discussions around the mandate of the Board in terms of its jurisdiction over the matter than cooperating with the mediation. Moreover, he was adamant the property is not jointly owned because all the documents pertaining to ownership including the lease agreement were in his name alone. In the circumstance, the Board had no alternative but to go to court.

The Executive Director of the Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles has welcomed the judgement by the court describing it as a huge relief to the Board and most importantly female clients who find themselves in a similar situation. She underlined that the judgement has set a precedent which greedy husbands should learn a lesson from, that the person whose name is on the documents is irrelevant in determining ownership of a property that was acquired in the course of the marriage.

“We have had a similar matter involving an academic doctor who had wanted to kick his wife out of their house because all the documents pertaining to ownership were in his name,” she said. “It does not matter to him that the property was acquired in the course of the marriage and moreover the wife had contributed immensely to the property. He became cooperative once I told him in his face that the Board will institute legal action for permission to sell the property and divide the proceeds equally between the two of them.”

As More Seeds Grown In-Country… Dr Chakanda Discloses No Need for Seed Importation

Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Seed Certification Agency.png

By Amin Kef-Ranger

The Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Seed Certification Agency, Dr. Robert Chakanda, has disclosed that the agency had made impressive achievements of its 2021 target, which included an end to Government’s importation of seed, more seed production locally and setting up of a better seed system.

Explaining further about the progress made, Dr. Chakanda revealed that all what they promised in 2021 they were able to achieve. He furthered that the Government is no longer importing seed into the country and that seed production has now been taken over by the private sector.

Since 2021 to date, he pointed out that seed companies in the country have produced eight times the amount of seed imported before the decision of the Government to stop importing seed.

To achieve that feat, he said, there was need to strengthen the seed system. Thus, people claiming to be seed dealers were given minimum criteria to fulfill before they are registered as dealers, which included the following: that they should at least have a shop where they could do their businesses, have a store to keep the seeds, should be registered with the Government and paying taxes to the NRA.

He disclosed that some 250 people applied but during the vetting it was discovered that some do not even have a telephone number that they could be reached on and many did not meet the criteria set down. Eventually, only some 22 were qualified to be dealers.

As the Government had stopped importation of seed, it was therefore necessary to strengthen the seed value chain, which meant that there should be a lot of research taking place to ensure quality seed is produced.

In that regard, he explained that a lot of research is being done at several research centres in the country, like the Rokupr Rice Research centre. The centres concentrate on developing new varieties of rice seed and these are then given to the companies, who in turn use the research products and advance them to foundation seeds, certified by SLeSCA. These advanced foundation seeds are then given to the growers. The vendors then sell the seeds to farmers for cultivation and better yield.

Dr. Chakanda noted that this arrangement has seen huge result, as the sector was able to produce 8 times the number of seed that was imported before this period. He disclosed that the International and National Seed Companies produced 919.2 tons of rice seed of high quality standard, against the 161 tons that was imported in 2021, also Local Seed producers nationwide, produced 1,018.29 tons of QDS under the supervision of District Agriculture Officers and SLeSCA, against 986 tons needed for farmer support. Thus all districts now have seed quantities of QDS to support rice production this year. He maintained that with this development, there is therefore no need for the Government to import seed for farmers. He however, hastened to say that not every grower was a seed grower, as they were able to identify seed growers. With this arrangement, seed operators were organized along the value chain of seed investment. Thus, they now have Researchers, Growers, Value addition sector, Vendors and users of seed, as well as private sector seed importers.

In respect of the latter, they had to meet certain minimum criteria, which included having a shop, storage etc. These belong to a special class and SLeSCA will have to inspect their facilities, get information about where the seeds are being imported from and the quality of such seed. He maintained that any single entity can import seed but they should have the facility and SLeSCA should know about the company from which they are importing seed from. He furthered that all seed producers were identified and monitored by the District Agriculture Officers and SLeSCA. He expressed happiness that things have taken shape now, a far cry from the old free for all system that was operating before.

Speaking on the voucher system introduced by the government to support farmers, Dr, Chakanda noted with satisfaction that the Ministry of Agriculture now has a data base of all seed operators in the country certified by SLeSCA. He further clarified that SLeSCA had encouraged seed companies and vendors to open shops in all districts across the country. Currently there are some five dealers with shops in every district, from which farmers could buy their seed, stressing that initially, seed shops were only located in Freetown, but with this new arrangement, the seed shops are brought closer to the farmers. Thus, they do not have to travel all the way to Freetown to get their seed.

This opportunity taken by SLeSCA to establish seed shops in every district has helped the farmers greatly to access seed. These dealers and growers are given technical advice by SLeSCA on how to manage their business and maintain the quality of the seed, as well as training, adding that training is a consistent practice in the sector to achieve the desired objective. So far things are looking good for the seed sector and food security in the country, he concluded.

1...740741742...1,375Page 741 of 1,375