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NP-SL’s Moves to Deepen Wide Accessibility to Petroleum Products are Phenomenal   

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

By Amin Kef-Ranger

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 the collection of taxes which is the mandate of the National Revenue Authority (NRA). NP is one big taxpayer to Government and it has been doing so timely.

NP-SL Ltd is passionate in addressing energy poverty by ensuring wider accessibility to petroleum products, making transactions technologically skewed, making cooking quick and easier as well as improving standards of living, and above all contributing to the Government’s revenue mobilization drive.

With Some Heads Rolling during 2nd Eviction… SLCB Launches ‘Support U Housemates’ Promotion

Sierra Leone Commercial Bank

By Amin Kef-Ranger

Yesterday’s eviction of some among the 22 Housemates currently competing in the Season 3 edition of Housemates Salone, with the slogan, “Di Game Get Yagba, If You Nor Able Na for Pull Hand”, was very interesting, exciting, moving and solemn especially for the Housemates and their fans who were affected. Seeing them leaving the House reluctantly in tears theirs would mark a very momentous day in their lives as an end was put to their wildest dreams and ambitions to emerge as the ultimate winner of the Reality TV Show.

The drama , the glitz and the momentary suspense  keeping viewers guessing what will come next all added flavour and style to the show and created all the trappings befitting an excellent episode of a Reality TV Show which some described as tough, crazy, fearful but also funny.

In a positive development, Sierra Leone’s leading commercial institution, the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, with a reputation for promoting many worthy human and social causes, has thrown its weight behind the popular African Young Voices (AYV) media Housemate Salone Season 3 show as an official sponsor and also with its promotion “SUPPORT U HOUSEMATES”.

During the promotion period, existing SLCB account holders have to enroll for digital services and maintain a minimum account balance of L250,000 to have the chance to win weekly prizes.

Non-customers are encouraged to open an account, sign up for digital services, and keep a minimum account balance of Le 250.000 to be eligible for weekly prizes.

The SLCB “Support U House Mates” Promotion is also meant to vote for a favourite Housemate on SLCB Creative Tasks in the House by texting to 4488 Africell Network or on the website: www.slcbvote.com.

Housemates Salone is a Sierra Leonean Reality Game, Love and Impacts Reality TV show based on a local content format.

Housemates Salone features a group of contestants known as “Housemates” who live together in both enclosed and open-space houses that are accessible to the public.

This year’s “Yagba Season,” which was officially launched on Sunday, February 13th, 2022 at Mamba Point Lagoonda in Freetown, was graced by high-profile guests including the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs,  Memunatu Pratt, CEO of AYV, Amb. Anthony Navo Jnr, CEO of Africell, Shadi Gerjawi, Ms Saraih Robert, winner of the Housemates Salone Season 2, and people from various walks of life.

In the three years that it has been hosted, Housemates Salone has gone international. This year’s show is shown on the global Multi-Choice DSTV platform.

Prominent personalities that battled in the heats to enter the House this year include Patricia Rose Tucker (#53), a student at Njala University studying B.Sc Honors in Business Administration and Management; Ina Elizabeth Cole (#30), an IT graduate in Database Technology at IPMC College in Accra (Ghana); and George Taylor (#26), a chef based in the United States of America.

Almon Sall (#8) is an undergraduate pursuing a B.Sc. Degree in Public Sector Management and also takes modelling as a career. Lolo Simeon (#41) is an international model, interpreter, entrepreneur and founder of Fashion To Empower SL and Let Our Children Dream Foundation; Nohmi George (#49), an actor who has been part of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) after featuring in several Nigerian movies for years; Jeanie Healen Sundufu (#59), is a graduate of Fourah Bay College (FBC) with a certificate in Population Analysis and Social Statistics and a Bachelor of Science in Commerce; Daniel Sesay (#14), an

the entertainer who has helped and inspired youngsters that want to promote movies, modelling, acting, and dancing; Patricia Rebecca

Jamestina Will (#52), is enrolled at Fourah Bay College; Juliana Conteh

(#35), currently living at Iowa State, and streetwise kid and young

entrepreneur Francis Mo Conteh (#23) respectively.

Housemates Salone Season 3

As 2021 Census Results Released… Oppositions Figures Swiftly React with Venom

Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats-SL)

By Amin Kef-Ranger

Professor Osman Sankoh, the Chief Census Officer, who doubles as the Statistician-General of Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats-SL) says Stats-SL now has a reliable sampling frame to support all important socio-economic surveys for local and national development planning purposes, adding that henceforth they will be able to provide Locality, Ward, Section, Chiefdom, District and Regional level population data that can be generated in a timely manner.

He made that statement on the 31st May, 2022 , at the official announcement ceremony of the provisional result for the 2021 Mid-Term Population and Housing Census (MTPHC), which is the first ever digital Census in Sierra Leone.

“We wish to emphasize that before the Mid-Term Census was conducted, Stats SL was most of the time unable to provide data to development partners and other institutions requesting specific area-based population data…

“Today, the results of our digital cartography and digital enumeration will provide answers,” says Prof. Sankoh.

He said the results would assist Government to identify the social and economic status of the citizens in the country,

“This will help Government to devise interventions necessary to leapfrog the vulnerable in our society from their current socio-economic status,” he said.

The SG stressed that everyone in Sierra Leone was counted where he or she slept on the Census Night of December 9th, adding that the population reported was the “census night population”, where people slept on that night, whether or not those were their usual places of residence.

“It is an established fact that for various reasons, people move to their home towns and villages to be counted there. We call this phenomenon the influential one night in-country census migration,” he explained.

Prof. Sankoh announced the provisional results providing the total population figures by sex at the District and Regional levels, stating that the population of Sierra Leone from the 2021 Mid-Term Population and Housing Census was 7,541,641 with 3,716,263* males and 3,825,378* making a sex ratio of 0.97 in favour of females.

He said the result also shows a total increase in the population from 2015 to 2021 of 449,528 which is 6% more than the 2015 population.

On his part, the Development Secretary, Peter Sam-Kpakra explained the role of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, particularly the current Minister, Dr. Francis Kai-Kai and his predecessor Nabeela Tunis for their exceptional support provided to Stats SL during the period the census lasted.

He said the Census would provide baseline data that would continue to serve as a reference point for Sierra Leone’s development trajectories.

Mona Korsgard, Chief of Evidence, Policy and Social Protection for UNICEF Sierra Leone, in her statement, said UNICEF was pleased to support the Census process, noting that it would be important for all to use the data for policy making, planning and programming to better reach the population with social services such as health, education, and sustainable jobs for young people who enter the labour market.

The Executive Director of Accountability Sierra Leone, William Sao-Lamin said as civil society they believed that any development activity should be informed by a credible and reliable data that would help to hold duty bearers accountable if there are any defaults.

He appealed to all development partners, Ministries, Departments and Agencies to always call on StatsSL for reliable data of any development activity they may want to carry out in any community in the country.

The 2021 MTPHC is Sierra Leone’s first fully digital census which used technology to capture data at real-time; the process also ensures quality data monitoring, facilitates faster data processing and faster release of the census data.

As soon as the Census results were announced and released, a flurry of reactions started emanating from various angles. Leader of the main Opposition in Parliament, Hon. Chernor R.M. Bah described the results as far from credible while urging the House not to entertain it.

One of the former flagbearers of the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party, Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara (JFK) described the mid-term census report as corrupted data saying it is a flawed Census Report and very disturbing.

He said, “More dangerous is the manner in which it is being forcefully shoved down our throats in a chilling cold-blooded fashion, choking our common sense and intellect to death.”

Dr. Dennis Bright, the Chairman & Leader of NGC said It is abundantly clear that this census was brewed specifically to favour the chances of the ruling SLPP regime in the forthcoming election. Using these skewed results, it is more than likely that the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) will soon be going to work to try to carve out new boundaries and provide more seats in Parliament for those areas in the South and East where SSL says the population has increased and probably reduce the number of Parliamentary seats for the Northern and Western regions where they say the population has decreased.

Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats-SL)

Dr. Turad Senesie Rubbishes an Appeal to Reconcile Census Results

Dr. Turad Senesie

By Amin Kef-Ranger

The census results that were released a few days ago by Statistics-Sierra Leone have generated heated debates and discussions in various circles around the country bordering on its credibility.

Joining the fray, is the Minister of Lands, Housing and Country planning, Dr Turad Senesie, who was responding to an appeal made by an APC Member of Parliament for a reconciliation of the census figures after the results have already being published.

He predicated his response on the deliberate unwillingness on the part of most members of the main opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) Party to work with particularly President Julius Maada Bio and by extension the ruling Government to bring positive national transformation.

Dr. Senesie said he could still recall after the 2018 elections when President Bio contacted some of the opposition members to be appointed to join cabinet but all of those contacted refused to join him in running the country.

He also highlighted that some Civil Society activists that are women were also asked to be appointed in an effort to get the 30% women representation the President promised in his Manifesto but they all refused because their political godfathers told them not to join President Maada Bio maintaining that when they get to the radio people begin to hear the negative opposition voices.

The Minister then gave a litany of instances during which APC functionaries decided to be non-cooperative or boycott important State functions or activities for no justifiable reasons. He mentioned their refusal to join the Government at Bintumani to map out a pathway for national reconciliation but they refused, to listen to what the President wanted to say in running the State but they walked out of Parliament, to do a mid-term census to help determine development trajectory but they shouted at rooftops asking people not to be counted.

He also stated that when former President Ernest Bai Koroma was recently visited by the current Vice President, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, the APC media handlers misinformed the public that Maada Bio is begging President Koroma rather than seeing it as a move to working together and so on.

The Minister then asked the rhetorical question; “So who do you blame for all this tension in Sierra Leone?”

He continued that the Commission of Inquiry, as he had stated often and again was a move by the President to send a message to Appointees but that was taken out of context and again taken to some other level.

Dr Senesie argued that the economic situation that is globally affecting all countries has been turned into just a Sierra Leonean problem to a point that some sections of the opposition were even inciting the military to brutalize citizens and cause carnage and suffering to members of the Executive arm of the Government.

He suggested that we have to work assiduously to forestall that.

Again, he posed the question: “who should work towards uniting our people when your actions demonstrate your level of hatred for another group of people you believe are suppose to be under dogs and should not lead our country?”

He maintained that uniting the people is easy when others are ready to do so and not work towards destabilizing the State by refusing to cooperate with the executive on all policy issues.

He went on to state that the APC is setting bad precedents and he will keep reminding them just the way he was reminding them when we (SLPP) were in opposition.

“You cannot be in opposition and want to run the State using your own terms,” he stated adding that even the weakest regime on earth will never allow that to happen.

Dr Turad Senesie ended enjoining all to put Sierra Leone above individual interests adding that when there is a policy drive, let us look at that policy from a national lens and if there is an alternative such should be brought forward.

He concluded lamenting that in Sierra Leone everything is opposed and no alternative suggested.

Hundreds Continue to Perish Due to Unwillingness to Honour Insurance Claims

Sierra Leone Insurance Commission (Slicom).png

By Amin Kef-Ranger

One of the conspicuous opposition figures in the country, Olufemi Claudius-Cole, in one of her recent Social Media posts, touched on an important topic which seems to be least talked about these days, the deliberate act of non-payment of claims by insurance companies to clients.

She began by asking the question: “Are insurance companies in Sierra Leone taking us for a ride?”

According to her, Government mandates that all vehicles must be insured saying over a million vehicles are insured yearly and many with 3rd party coverage.
She continued by indicating that the 3rd party means: third party car insurance policy ensures that if one causes an accident, any damage to the other person’s vehicle or property will be paid for by one’s insurer. She said that, however, damage to one’s vehicle will not be covered and one will need to pay the bill by oneself to get things fixed.
Olufemi Claudius-Cole lamented that such is not happening here, and said we must ask why?
She again asked: “How revenue is being collected and what happens to those millions of Leones?”, “Why are people not being paid, when they have been in an accident?” and “Are the people being scammed?”

Indeed, there are people in this country who are silently suffering as a result of the reluctance or unwillingness on the part of some insurance companies to honour insurance claims. We have heard of stories of how certain individuals made frantic efforts to have their claims honoured but all ended in futility with some ending up dying in frustration.

Concerns have been raised by some individuals that the credibility of certain insurance companies is questionable but they keep mushrooming in the country. As a matter of fact, most insurance companies generate revenue in two ways: charging premiums in exchange for insurance coverage and then reinvesting those premiums into other interest-generating assets.

Seemingly, it seems that profit maximization is what most of these insurance companies are particularly focused on more than providing support, as the law requires, to their clients after eventualities.

Claims made by clients should be validated by insurance companies or denied. If they are approved the insurance companies will issue payments to the clients or insured or approved interested parties on behalf of the clients or insured.

Insurance claims cover everything from death benefits on life insurance policies to routine and comprehensive medical exams. In some cases, a third party is able to file claims on behalf of the insured person. However, in the majority of cases, only the person(s) listed on the policy is entitled to claim payments.

In a country where certain cases take donkey years before verdicts are given, some people do shy away from taking matters to court. This is the case with certain individuals whose genuine insurance claims have been denied.

It is against such a bleak or grim backdrop that it is high time for steps to be taken by the Sierra Leone Insurance Commission (Slicom), the regulatory institution of all insurance companies in the country, to ensure that best practices must be followed and that the right things are done.

The Anti-Corruption Commission must launch an investigation into the operations of these insurance companies to determine whether they are operating according to laid down laws or just by the whims and caprices of those running them.

The time to act is now because there are people out there who deserve payments but otherwise, they are suffering.

King Tommy Appointed Brand Ambassador whilst Eviction Awaits 22 Housemates

Housemates Salone Season 3

By Amin Kef-Ranger

The second eviction of some among the 22 Housemates that are currently competing in the Season 3 edition of Housemates Salone, with the slogan, “Di Game Get Yagba, If You Nor Able Na for Pull Hand”, is slated to take place over this weekend.

From the gossips and strands of entertainment news that have been filtering in it seems that this weekend is going be tough, crazy, fearful, but also funny as all the 22  Housemates will be up for eviction and sadly , with no joke some will definitely go home in tears.

However, the organizers of the Reality TV Show were so tactful to put in place an effective preventive mechanism which they have no control over but rather handed over the key to members of the wider public. In other words, the preventive power or ability that will determine the eviction or continued stay of Housemates under the roof of the House will be largely determined by members of the public through VOTING!!!

Voting could be done via using 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.

The prize at stake in this season’s Reality TV Show is Le250M plus a fully sponsored round leisure trip to Dubai. Also, one of the sponsors of the Reality TV Show, Zarlux Car Rental, revealed that a brand new car will be given to the winner of the Zarlux Car Rental task that will be performed by the Housemates in the House during the course of the show.

Housemates Salone Season 3 is aired on AYV Entertainment Channels 34 & 33 and AYV on DSTV Channel 399. It must be noted also 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.

If some of the Housemates are appearing sexy by the kind of dresses they wear then that must not come as any big surprise simply because they are expected to display nudity.

Again, if sometimes they are seen talking harshly then it is because they are to intermittently use strong language and act funnily as the expectation is for them to be humorous. Manifestation of these traits is what is really making the Reality TV Show very interesting to watch, providing some form of comic relief for viewers and serving as a therapy to reduce stresses.

In actual fact, the Reality TV Show exhibits the everyday style of living of young people in an open society and is also serving as a conduit through which the Housemates are taken through mental and physical exercises that will end up to mould and shape their characters. They are given the opportunity to display talents which can be spotted on and further harnessed for productive and impactful purposes.

Having been exposed to the outside world, some of the talents of the Housemates have been spotted and they could be contracted to serve as Brand Ambassadors, advertisers, film characters etc.

Indeed, Housemates Salone is all about enhancing Youth Empowerment and already it is thrilling many with its funny episodes.

In a related development, popular and prominent Sierra Leonean fashion icon and social media influencer, Tommy Bangura, widely and better known as King Tommy, who is based in New York, United States of America, has been appointed by the organizers of the show, AYV and Africell, as a Brand Ambassador for Housemates Salone.

His appointment came in the wake of public appeals and the recognition of King Tommy’s creativity and deep commitment to the Housemates show.

Ambassador Anthony Navo Jr., Chief Executive Officer of AYV, after congratulating King Tommy via a video link from AYV Headquarters in London said:

“It’s unfortunate that King Tommy was unable to participate in the show due to him missing the deadline for the required medical examination.  However, King Tommy has demonstrated great interest in the Housemates Salone Show.

He is a true champion and Ambassador for our people. He continues to invest his time, intellect, talent and resources and so it is only right that AYV supports his efforts”, said Ambassador Navo, Jr.

“King Tommy has shown that a powerful voice and powerful action can make a difference for our people and communities through entertainment”. Ambassador Navo Jr. added.

There is both local and global interest in King Tommy and his fashion design. Tommy’s commitment to the Housemates Show will highlight the importance of new media, entertainment and the development of young people.

Members of the public should continue to vote for their favourite Housemates in order to determine their fates and indeed they really depend on you as the Le250M, a brand new car and holidaying in Dubai keeps floating in their imagination.

It is all about the organizers and the public empowering the youth for a brighter future.

Housemates Salone Season 3 Housemates Salone Season 3

NP-SL Tenaciously Prioritizes Customer Care & Enhances Local Content  

NP-SL: Held in Esteem for Being Foremost as a Resilient Company

By Amin Kef-Ranger

The effective implementation of the Local Content Policy is imbedded in the internal dynamics of NP-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) and forms an integral part of its modus operandi most certainly because it is a 100% indigenous petroleum marketing entity, established by 35 former Sierra Leonean workers who invested their end of service benefits.

This remarkable attribute has been jealously guarded over the years and has distinctly set the company apart from others in the country.

Indisputably, by making it categorically clear that preference should be given to Sierra Leoneans when it comes to employment, is indeed a clear indication that the Shareholders, Board of Directors and Management of the company wants the citizenry to access gainful employment that could improve their living conditions.

Besides, from time to time, members of staff as well as employees of agents and dealers that partner with NP to market the petroleum products that the company imports were afforded training opportunities to optimize their abilities in order to improve on their performances. A case in point were the recent training programs that NP-SL conducted for Station Managers and Dealers in all the regions of the country after which Certificates of Completion were awarded to the beneficiaries.

NP-SL Ltd is widely and better known as 1st for Customer Care, a reputation built over the years for timely response to the needs of customers and treating them with respect and dignity.

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.

Above all the respectability that Station Managers and Pump Attendants accorded to the customers have been characterized or referred to as exceptional and very impressive.

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 the collection of taxes which is the mandate of the National Revenue Authority (NRA). NP is one big taxpayer to Government and it has been doing so timely.

NP-SL Ltd is indeed a very sober business entity that is enormously contributing to the improvement of lives generally and to overall national development.

 

Red Cross Hands Over Brand New Keke to Raffle Draw Winner

Sierra Leone Red Cross Society.png

By Foday Moriba Conteh

At a snappy ceremony held on Tuesday 31st May, 2022 at the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society Office on Liverpool Street in Freetown, the Health Coordinator of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society, Magnus Lahai handed over a brand new Keke to the Sulaiman M’ballu winner of their just concluded Sierra Leone Red Cross Society Raffle Draw held on Sunday 29th June, 2022 at the Family Kingdom on Aberdeen in Freetown.

Handing over the Keke to the winner, the Health Coordinator of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society, Magnus Lahai said that the raffle draw is part of their 60 years celebration of the society in order to raise the sum of one billion Leones to address emergency and disaster relief efforts to help the country make a remarkable difference in the lives of those in need.

He said by celebrating their 60th anniversary of excellent humanitarian service they aim to reach more people with the bond of kindness across the country but said one of them can do a lot, more of them can do a lot more; of which he called on all to therefore form a Bond to save vulnerable lives in the country.

Magnus Lahai pointed out that SLRCS has remained true to its vision, mission, and mandate by continuing to build a resilient National Society that delivers quality and sustainable humanitarian assistance to the vulnerable. In the process of alleviating suffering and restoring human dignity, and since it became a full member of the RCRC Movement in November 1962, SLRCS has been consistently operating in alignment with the Movement’s fundamental principles and values.

He concluded by congratulating all those who won different prizes during the raffle draw and a special congratulations to Sulaiman M’ballu the winner of the brand new Keke which was the grand prize of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society Raffle Draw and wished all those who were not fortunate better luck next time.

The Health Coordinator concluded by calling on individuals and organizations to show their support for the organization’s emergencies and disaster relief efforts to help the country and make a remarkable difference in the lives of those in need.

Receiving the Keke, Sulaiman M’ballu a resident of Bo District, who happens to be the winner of the grand prize commended the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society for organizing the raffle draw which he said, has made him become a Keke owner.

He said that during his visit to Freetown he was approached by staff of Red Cross for him to participant in the raffle draw and he bought a book of the raffle ticket at the cost of One Hundred Thousand Leone (Le100, 000).

“I bought the book of tickets with faith even though I had never known much about Red Cross; fortunately for me on Sunday 29th June, 2022 I received a call that I have won the grand prize of the raffle draw which is a brand new Keke and on receiving the news I celebrated because even in my wildest dreams I was never expecting myself owning a brand new Keke,” Sulaiman M’ballu expressed joy and pride.

He promised to make good use of the Keke in order to support himself and his family.

 

Red Cross Hands Over Brand New Keke to Raffle Draw Winner

By Foday Moriba Conteh

At a snappy ceremony held on Tuesday 31st May, 2022 at the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society Office on Liverpool Street in Freetown, the Health Coordinator of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society, Magnus Lahai handed over a brand new Keke to the Sulaiman M’ballu winner of their just concluded Sierra Leone Red Cross Society Raffle Draw held on Sunday 29th June, 2022 at the Family Kingdom on Aberdeen in Freetown.

Handing over the Keke to the winner, the Health Coordinator of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society, Magnus Lahai said that the raffle draw is part of their 60 years celebration of the society in order to raise the sum of one billion Leones to address emergency and disaster relief efforts to help the country make a remarkable difference in the lives of those in need.

He said by celebrating their 60th anniversary of excellent humanitarian service they aim to reach more people with the bond of kindness across the country but said one of them can do a lot, more of them can do a lot more; of which he called on all to therefore form a Bond to save vulnerable lives in the country.

Magnus Lahai pointed out that SLRCS has remained true to its vision, mission, and mandate by continuing to build a resilient National Society that delivers quality and sustainable humanitarian assistance to the vulnerable. In the process of alleviating suffering and restoring human dignity, and since it became a full member of the RCRC Movement in November 1962, SLRCS has been consistently operating in alignment with the Movement’s fundamental principles and values.

He concluded by congratulating all those who won different prizes during the raffle draw and a special congratulations to Sulaiman M’ballu the winner of the brand new Keke which was the grand prize of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society Raffle Draw and wished all those who were not fortunate better luck next time.

The Health Coordinator concluded by calling on individuals and organizations to show their support for the organization’s emergencies and disaster relief efforts to help the country and make a remarkable difference in the lives of those in need.

Receiving the Keke, Sulaiman M’ballu a resident of Bo District, who happens to be the winner of the grand prize commended the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society for organizing the raffle draw which he said, has made him become a Keke owner.

He said that during his visit to Freetown he was approached by staff of Red Cross for him to participate in the raffle draw and he bought a book of the raffle ticket at the cost of One Hundred Thousand Leone (Le100, 000).

“I bought the book of tickets with faith even though I had never known much about Red Cross; fortunately for me on Sunday 29th June 2022 I received a call that I have won the grand prize of the raffle draw which is a brand new Keke and on receiving the news I celebrated because even in my wildest dreams I was never expecting myself owning a brand new Keke,” Sulaiman M’ballu expressed joy and pride.

He promised to make good use of the Keke in order to support himself and his family.

 

GTBank Launches Express Point Service

GTBank Launches Express Point Service

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a bid to take banking to the doorsteps of their valid customers and the unbanked across the country, Guaranty Trust Bank (SL) Limited has on Monday 30th May 2022 launched its Express Point services during a ceremony held at its Headquarters on Wilberforce Street in Freetown.

The service is the Bank’s franchise in making sure that it works in line with the Central Bank’s financial inclusion objective and reaching out to the over four million unbanked, some of which are in areas the bank does not have branches.

In his statement, the Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank (SL) Limited, Ade Adebiyi, said the bank has trained 30 Agents that are spread within and outside the Western Urban District, adding that with the launch of the Express Point services customers can go to do basic banking services, pay bills, withdraw and pay monies, etc.

He added that the launch is a milestone for the bank in taking banking to the footsteps of Sierra Leoneans irrespective of where they are.

He informed all that with the Express Point customers can now enjoy fast banking services at their agent outlets in selected locations and that it allows them to make cash deposits, cash withdrawals, pay bills like EDSA, Mobile Top-up, etc.

The Managing Director continued by stating that the product has gone through a penetration test that states that it is safe and secured. “We have put in place a mechanism that customers can always have access to the product. The thirty locations have signages to show the location of Agents,” he said.

“All the Agents have been asked to pay initial liquidity to the bank. The Agents generate cash for the cash out to take place. The Agents are always liquidated to ensure that customers don’t have gaps. The system is re-calibrated to meet the re-denomination of the currency. We are just waiting for the official Launch,” he further informed.

Mustapha Yamba, Head of Agency Banking Units, said for withdrawal the customer uses the bank’s *9737 app on their mobile phones to complete a transaction, which later goes to the Agent. After both sides have received alerts the process is done cash is paid. “Our customers are safe and the Agents are safe also. Transactions cannot be done twice without the confirmation of the customer and Agents. The process is well safe and secured,” Yamba said.

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