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SLCS Regional Commander Trivializes Sexual Penetration Case of 19 Year Old Girl

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By Amin Kef Sesay

Assistant Superintendent of Corrections of the Sierra Leone Correctional Services (SLCS), Umaru Vandi Magbay, who also happens to be the father of a seventeen years old girl, who is a SSS1 Science pupil, reported a matter of sexual penetration against the aforementioned daughter by one of his (the father’s) colleagues, Mohamed Massaquoi, an incident that took place in Makeni, Northern Sierra Leone.

Since the matter was reported to the Police in Makeni on the 27th. March 2022, it is still under investigation at the Family Support Unit and the victim is presently housed in a safe home in Makeni.

On the 7th April 2022, the Police communicated to the Regional Commander of the Sierra Leone Correctional Service (SLCS) North-East, Chief Superintendent of Corrections (CSC) Christian R. Sisay requesting for the production of the accused person (officer Mohamed Massaquoi).

According to the complainant, Umaru Vandi Magbay, on the 8th April 2022,, his boss, the Regional Commander North, called him on phone with anger querying him  as to why he reported to the Police  the matter of sexual offence without his consent.

In his response, the father of the 17 years old daughter, responded that he called him on his phone twice but to no avail and after that he then decided to call his Deputy, the Chief Superintendent of Corrections (CSC), Moses B. Conteh and explained the issue to him with the expectation that he would further relay the information to the Regional Commander.

The father continued to intimate that he  also reported the matter to the Second-in- Commander of the Makeni Correctional Centre, Superintendent,  Muniru Kamara, who was at that time attending a funeral in Bo. According to the father, it took over a week without any of them calling him or attempted to meet him with the aim of looking into the allegation.

This medium was made to understand that the Regional Commander told the father on the phone that he has already committed an offence for in the first place failing to consult him before reporting the matter to the Police and as a result of that a disciplinary action will be instituted against him by querying him.  It was also learnt that the Regional Commander made it categorically clear that he was not going to produce the accused person, Mohamed Massaquoi further revealing that as a matter of fact the accused person has been transferred.

The complainant claims that there is a recorded audio containing the responses of the Regional Commander related to the matter.He continued that after that transpired the accused person , Mohamed Massaquoi, could no longer be located and he came to understand that he is on the run.

Left in a dejected mood, the father of the alleged abused 17 years old girl is calling for justice to prevail. He is claiming that his boss, the Regional Commander, has been boasting of being in constant touch with the AIG North-East with regards the sexual penetration case maintaining that it would yield no justice thereafter, in other words nothing will happen next against the alleged perpetrator.

The father of the child stated that he was reliably informed that the Regional Commander mentioned during a muster parade that the Police AIG is the one who has been calling him assuring him that there is nothing to worry about.

It is said that during the muster parade the Regional Commander boasted that it is good to have connections.

As for the complainant he was not present when the muster parade took place as he is on study at the University of Makeni (UniMak) and highly  engaged in his academic pursuit.

This medium has established that there is an audio recording of the discussion between the Regional Commander and him plus a copy of   the request letter sent by the Police.

As we go to Press it was also reliably learnt that both the Regional Commander and his Deputy have been transferred to Freetown whereas the Second -in-Commander of the Makeni Correctional Centre has been transferred to Bo.

It was said that before his transfer memo was released,  the Regional Commander  had threatened to effect a transfer of one Principal Officer called Felix Abu Turay whom he claimed is the one who has been motivating the complainant to pursue the matter  with the Police.

The father of the 17 years old girl, who is the complainant, stated that had it not been for his transfer, the Regional Commander planned to locate an Officer in the kitchen room where his kitchen utensils and water containers are with the objective of suppressing him in the quarter where he is  occupying only a single room.

The father also narrated how he was asked out of the Regional Head Quarter on the 14th April, 2022, when he went there to receive his rice supply. According to him he was asked out on the premise that he went to report to the Police about a sexual offence matter without his consent maintaining that he is still the Commander until he is relieved.

It was understood that some officers from the Family Support Unit in Makeni and the victim together with some staff from the Safe Home on 16th April 2022 visited the scene of crime at the Correctional Barracks Mena, Makeni.

In a letter written by the Family Support Unit Coordinator North
East Region, D/ASP ,Siru Bakarr Kanu,  dated 7th April, 2022 and addressed to the Regional Coordinator North-East, Sierra Leone Correctional Service copying the AIG North-East, LUC Makeni Division, Human Resource Manager Correctional Service Makeni and captioned : Request For The Escort of Third Class Correctional Officer-Mohamed Massaquoi (3CCO) NO:3815, it was stated that, “Be inform that the above office is investigating an alleged case of Sexual Penetration of Child and other related sexual offences reported by Assistant Superintendent of Corrections Vandy Magbay of Block 3 Prison Barracks Makeni attached to the North East Correctional Center on behalf of his daughter who is 17 years of age against the aforementioned personnel who is currently working under your command.

In this vain, the letter continues, we are kindly asking that you use your good office to bring under escort the said Mohamed Massaquoi (3CCO No 3815) for him to answer to the allegation made against him on Friday 8 April 2022 at 10 AM for statement making.

ACC Calls on Government Institutions to Verify Academic Qualifications of Employees

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By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on the 19th April 2022 issued a Press Statement in which it stated that its attention had been drawn to public discussions relating to the  issuance of Certificates (Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate Degrees) by mainly, the Dominion Christian University (DCU) and the African Graduate University (AGU) and that those Certificates are deemed to be “fake” since the afore-said institutions are not accredited to award such certificates.

The ACC further stated that it is also aware of a Press Release issued by the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) dated 8th April, 2022, in which the TEC clearly stated that AGU is not accredited and is not a recognized University in Sierra Leone.

Moreover, the ACC said it is alleged that some employees within the Civil and Public Service possess these “fake” Certificates not just from the aforesaid universities but other sources of fake or unaccredited institutions and may have used them to gain employments, promotions and other benefits in the Civil and Public Service thereby undeservedly conferring an “advantage” on themselves within the meaning of corruption in the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 as amended in 2019.

The ACC states that it hereby confirms that recruitments, promotions, assessments, reviews, transfers, punishments etc. within the Civil and Public Service are primarily the functions and mandates of the Public Service Commission (PSU), the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO), the Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU) and Cabinet Secretariat.

It furthered that, therefore, those aforementioned Departments are expected to provide leadership in ensuring that employees within the Civil and Public Service hold genuine qualifications required for a specific job/position.

“The various administrative and human resources offices/officers within Public institutions also have a responsibility to ensure that proper qualifications are used to access public jobs/positions,” the ACC stated and continued that in a bid to collaborate with these entities in the midst of the on-going allegations that there are persons in the Public Service that hold these fake Certificates, the ACC is calling on ALL Ministries, Departments, Parastatals and Agencies of Government through their Human Resource Divisions/Units or Internal Audit Units to immediately carry out verification audit on ALL Certificates used by employees to gain employment, promotions and other benefits within their respective institutions of work and furnish the outcomes of same to the ACC by way of referral.

The ACC said as a parallel approach it has set up a TASK FORCE comprising Investigators and Prevention Officers, to progressively do a credential integrity review for Public Officers with the mandate to look into employments, promotions of persons within the broad spectrum of the Civil and Public Service, who would have willfully and knowingly used or submitted what would amount to “fake” Certificates/Degrees to confer Advantage on themselves – as the conduct, once established may constitute a corruption offence as stipulated in Section 128(3) of the Anti-Corruption Act 2008 as amended in 2019.

According to the anti-graft institution, the public is further informed that, this should be part of normal administrative responsibilities of institutions and that even the ACC had in 2021 conducted similar verification audit on ALL its staff, and reports that no staff within the employ of the Commission holds Certificate(s) from DCU or AGU.

It was also underscored that the Commission further did a full confirmatory verification of degrees with the respective Universities, including the University of Sierra Leone, Njala University and UNIMAK.

The Commission said one staff who had stated that he had a degree and it turned out he was still pursuing his degree was summarily dismissed by the Commissioner after the credentials audit.

In that light, the Commission wishes to reassure the general public of its resolve to consistently fight acts of corruption at all levels in Sierra Leone, especially in public sector institutions.

 Peace Activist Farrah Nasiru Koroma flee for fear of death threats issues by Secret Society

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The missing Farrah Nasiru Koroma the Peace Activist

By Karifa Kello Thoronka

According to sources, the Poro Society is a male secret society that exercises their initiation ceremony in forest conservation, mainly in the northern part of Sierra Leone. Secret societies have grown so powerful in the name of tradition that it is very difficult, if not totally impossible, for victims to have their complaints heard in police stations.

Whiles narrating the story of Farrah Nasiru Koroma, one of the close family member by the name of Abdul Kamara, noted that Farrah was living in Freetown when he heard the intimidations and harassment of young men in Magburaka Tonkolili District for them to be initiated into the Poro society without their consents. ‘Poro is very, very powerful that if you are not part of the society you cannot be part of decision-making in our Community’, Says Abdul.

He further stated that when Farrah Nasiru Koroma realized that the intimidation is too much on youths in that part of the Country, he traveled to  preach against forceful initiation and bad effects of secret societies in the District, which the Poro members see as disrespect to their society and tradition and went after him.

In Sierra Leone, campaigners of secret societies have received death threats and some have even had their houses burnt down because of their work, even some reporters have been threatened and some have actually stopped talking about Poro society in the Country. Some people have been forced to go into hiding, including the peace Activist Farrah Nasiru Koroma who is still on the run for his life.  With tears in her eyes the mother of Farrah, Rakiatu Koroma explained by saying that since her son disappear some fear months ago in 2022 they have never received a call or either know his  where about.

However, secret societies in certain parts of the rural areas in the Country still being practiced with so much exuberance and radicalism.

President Bio Continues his Provincial Tour in the Southern Province

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By Theresa Kef Sesay

President Julius Maada Bio has on the 12th April 2022 continued his tour of the south, this time visiting Monghere in Valunia Chiefdom, Nengbema in the Naiwa Lenga Chiefdom, Ngalu in the Bagbwe Chiefdom, Njala in the Komboya Chiefdom, Ngelehun in the Badjia Chiefdom to emphasize the importance of Human Capital Development as a strong pillar for national development.

In each of those town and village meetings, the President would thank the people for their trust in his leadership and tell them that his visit was to give an account of his stewardship, adding that it was also important for leaders to share their success stories and challenges with their people.

He further stated that his vision for Sierra Leone is one that everyone would be proud of, arguing that such sustained and long-term ventures would only be rewarding by investing heavily in the people, the citizens of the State.

“When I talk about Human Capital Development, I mean feeding the brain with Free, Quality and Accessible Education that is fit for purpose. I mean feeding the tummy through agriculture and taking care of the body through affordable healthcare systems,” he explained.

President Julius Maada Bio also noted that his Government had made a 22% budgetary allocation to the education sector, making it the highest any Government had allocated to education in the sub-region. He maintained that because of such a huge investment in education more than 2.5 million children in Government and Government-assisted schools had access to education in the country. He added that that had consequently caused the need for Government to add more classrooms and buildings that would house the ever-increasing number of school-going children.

“When I took up office in 2018, I allocated 21% of the national budget to education. We provided teaching and learning materials to schools and even provided food for the kids in some parts of the country. This move saw an increase in school enrolment across the four regions of this great country. Then, I saw the need to increase the allocation to 22%. We are making progress and we will continue to encourage and cater for our children for a brighter and prosperous nation that we all will be proud of,” President Bio assured.

He urged citizens in the Southern District of Bo to take farming as a way of life, saying that if only Sierra Leoneans concentrated on farming, they would be able to feed themselves and not rely on imported foodstuff. He said that the Ministry of Agriculture had provided tractors to every district of the country to help farmers engage in mechanized and large-scale farming.

“I am very happy to be with you here today in Bo District and to share with you the many developments we have done and will continue to embark on for the future of this country. Thank you very much and God bless the Republic of Sierra Leone,” he concluded.

Njala University Recognized during 14th Congregational Ceremony

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By Ralph Sesay –PRO

Njala University has been recognized last weekend by the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Professor Alpha Tejan Wurie during the 14th Congregation ceremony of the University held at the Bo Mini Stadium on Saturday 9th April 2022 under the Grand Chief Patronage of Professor Sahr Moses Gevao, newly appointed Chancellor of Njala University.

Minister Wurie while delivering the keynote address recognized Njala University for hugely contributing toward the Universal Health Suffrage by training Nurses, Community Health Officers, Community Health Assistants and Public Health Practitioners who according to him undertake the bulk of the work in the peripheral and hard-to-reach communities and the respective District Health Management Teams across the country.

Despite contributing to the Universal Health Suffrage, the Higher Education Minister also aligned Njala University to two of the other Government flagship sectors of Agriculture and Education and recounted the immense contributions of the institution in training the requisite experts to service these sectors.

The Minister concluded by calling on the authorities at Njala University to take Centre stage in the Governments’ Agricultural transformation agenda by not only producing agricultural experts but to transforming such prowess to use the fertile soils and favourable climatic conditions in the country to feed Sierra Leoneans.

The Government, according to him is using over two hundred million dollars a year to import rice into the country and the intervention of Njala University to salvage this problem was critical.

Chancellor Njala University, Professor Sahr Moses Gevao while delivering his maiden speech as Chancellor of the University thanked the Government of His Excellency Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio for appointing him as Chancellor of Njala University.

He also lauded the Government for maintaining the goodwill by depoliticizing the management of higher educational institutions thereby creating academic freedom and autonomy in their operations.

The creation of the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, according to him, was also a laudable venture by Government and it had succeeded in streamlining issues of higher education in the country.

He entreated the Njala University Administration that he is very much interested in the efficient management of the resources of the University in tandem with the Anti-Corruption Laws of the country.

Professor Gevao concluded by assuring Government that Njala  University under his watch would increasingly take visible steps to meet the demands of His Excellency the President in transforming the Agricultural sector.

Earlier on, Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Andrew Augustine Baimba while delivering his statement on the Theme ‘’The Role of Njala University in Complementing the Government Human Capital Agenda” highlighted the contributions of the institution in providing the requisite human resource in the agricultural, health and educational sectors over the years and the provision of expertise to Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

He praised the Government of President Bio for its continuous support of Higher Education through the allocation of 21% of GDP to the sector and the continuous allocation of subvention to run public institutions across the country.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor also pinpointed the numerous challenges facing the institution such as lack of access to the national grid which according to him is a huge burden for past and present administrations.

The institution, he went on to say is also confronted with staff and student accommodation, decent teaching and learning facilities and deplorable internal roads.

“I am aware that Government has competing priorities and this is why am turning my attention to a private partnership arrangement to solve the perennial challenges of the University,” the veteran educationist recounted.

He congratulated the graduands and urged them to be patriotic Sierra Leoneans as they venture into the universe.

The graduation of three thousand and ninety-eight students from the respective schools at Njala University is the first since President Julius Maada Bio relinquished the position of Chancellor of all Public Universities pursuant to the Universities Act of 2021.

Professor Andrew Augustine Baimba took over the reins of Njala University in July 2021 from Professor Mallam O. Sierra Leone Statistician-General.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal have been recognized in the last eight months for undertaking a back to basics model at Njala University wherein the reviving of agricultural farming, effective and accountable teaching, research and community service and strict adherence to University calendar deadlines are the new trajectories.

Vote Now for an Aspirant as…   Housemates Salone is Going to be Big & Extremely Funny

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By Amin Kef Sesay

Public voting to determine those that will ultimately enter the House as Housemates in the upcoming Reality TV Show, Housemates Salone Season 3 with the slogan : “Di Game Get Yagba, If You Nor Able Na for Pull Hand” is in progress.

 From the shortlisted names of 60 applicants the organizers of the entertainment show are trying to get the best 22 out of which there will be 11 male and 11 female participants to finally enter the House for the Show to commence in full force.

The voting is gaining momentum after the whetting of the appetite of many in and out of the country when the three days audition was shown on AYV Television and DStv Channel 399. Replays of how the audition that provoked a cacophony of laughter among viewers with the way some of the applicants responded to the questions posed to them by the eminent panel of judges. The replays created a lot of fun among viewers and left in its trail arguments in social circles related to how the applicants performed.

It has been noted that some, who only became interested in the show and want to vote for certain shortlisted aspirants, are not aware of how the voting is done.

Now, to help them out with the right information of how to go about public voting, for those residing in the country they should vote by dialing:  *161*10# plus the NUMBER of their favourite contestants from an Africell line which is the approved link for voting until it closes.

With regards those aspirants residing overseas members of the public should call:  +232 99 005500 as the approved line for voting.

In order to know the numbers of the individual aspirants their names and respective numbers could be seen on the footage of AYV Television broadcasts on a daily basis.

It is important for members of the public to know that as the Reality TV Show is slated to commence on the 8th May, 2022 the public voting will end on that same day at 7:00 pm precise.

With the slogan “Di Game Get Yagba, If You Nor Able Na for Pull Hand”, the build-up to Housemates Salone Season 3 is one that is indeed tasking in every aspect for the aspirants and the public. Now it is the turn for members of the public to Yagba in choosing those whom they deem are competent to compete in the Reality TV Show.

However, it must be pointed out that to have a truly entertaining show members of the public must  objectively vote for those who they believe actually have the wherewithal to make the show funny, spicy, educative and inspiring, devoid of sentiments,.

What in actual fact is up for grabs by the contestants is the winning prize of Two Hundred and Fifty Million Leones (Le250M) plus a full round trip to Dubai.

If some of the Housemates appear 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 talk harshly then it is because they are to intermittently use strong language and acting funnily as they are expected to be humorous. In a bid to manifest those qualities is what really will make the Reality TV Show very interesting to watch providing some form of relief for viewers and serving as a therapy to reduce stresses.

Twenty-Two Housemates will enter the House and be there for a considerable period of time, interacting and performing different chores as directed by an unseen personality. Besides socializing, the Housemates are provided the platform to learn useful skills like cooking, singing, how to eloquently express themselves, dress for different situations, learn how to cook, how to play different games, how to settle misunderstandings among a host of other things that they will be taken through.

It is obvious that whilst in the House, these Housemates will imbibe certain attributes that will forever position them in life to positively impact others in society. The Show will be viewed live on broadcast TV, Radio, online streaming and AfriTV (IPTV) for twenty-four hours a day, 7 weeks. The entire show will run for eleven weeks.

The show is about entertainment, fun, competition, games and exposure.

One thing is sure like the Northern Star that Housemates Salone Season3 is going to be big and extremely funny!

At Connaught Teaching Hospital…   VP Juldeh Jalloh Unveils Newly Renovated Annexed Building

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By Esther Wright

With the outbreak of the coronavirus in Sierra Leone and the PMB Wellington fire disaster that consumed so many lives, it again dawned that efforts must be scaled up to beef up the health sector in the country after realizing that there were major gaps.

It was against this backdrop that the Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, on the 12th of  April 2022,   commissioned the newly renovated  Medicines Sans Frontier’s  (MSF) Intensive Care Units with a brand-new oxygen plant at the Connaught Hospital in Freetown.

According to the Vice President, the brand-new oxygen plant will address the numerous challenges and intensive care cases that are referred to the hospital.

He furthered that Connaught Hospital is now proud of having an ICU with the capacity to serve both the Connaught hospital and other facilities outside of the hospital.

The Vice President said a couple of months ago, he had an opportunity to visit the hospital and did a tour along with the Hospital Care Manager, Dr. Mustapha Kabba. During the course of the conducted tour at the hospital, he confessed that he saw the enthusiasm from the Connaught Hospital Management in transforming the hospital.

Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh assured citizens that the new Annexed Building adds to the quality health care including the new oxygen plant and the special ward. He therefore, thanked the Management of the hospital and development partners for their support

“The COVID-19 Pandemic really brought to light the importance of oxygen facilities. During COVID-19 people were even forced to go in search of oxygen but  today to have an oxygen plant that has the capacity to serve the ICU and also other facilities outside of Connaught, gives  no doubt about the good work of the Management of Connaught,” he stated.

Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Austin Demby congratulated Connaught Hospital for winning three critical awards on Saturday April 9th as the best referral Hospital in the country. He added that Connaught Hospital bagging such awards is a clear testament to the leadership and good work the hospital Management is doing to save lives. He recalled that months ago Connaught was described as a filthy place but with the leadership quality provided by Dr. Mustapha Kabba, the hospital is now meeting the demands of its people and everything about the hospital is basically on transformational drives.

Dr. Austin Demby reiterated that there are four major components that are going to transform hospitals including physical infrastructure. He also assured that Government will continue to give the right infrastructure and resources to all Government health facilities across the country. Dr. Demby also said equipment and supplies are one of their transformation approaches to address the challenges faced by hospitals management and also to complement the staff capacity. He reassured Government’s commitment in making sure that the hospitals have the right staff capacity that would address the patients’ ratios in the country.

The Connaught Hospital Care Manager Dr Mustapha Kabba disclosed that in line with their strategic plan, the hospital has been able to display major development strides in the last 10 months. He further revealed that six wards have been renovated including the newly commissioned Annexed Building. Dr Kabba added that a donated waste management truck was allocated to the hospital, incinerators have been built and refurbished, specialist outpatient department has been renovated, surgical instruments to treat complex fractures have been provided, and ophthalmology services have also been provided to the hospital.

Dr. Mustapha Kabba stated that as they rolled out phase 2 of their strategic plan, which basically entails specialist services, he assured the Vice President and Minister Demby that the newly renovated Annexed building coupled with ICU and oxygen plant, would now contribute tremendously in achieving the overhaul objective of the hospital. He concluded by intimating that the new renovated Annexed building is a 50 bed space facility designed to provide some privacy and extra comfort to the patients admitted.

NP-SL Ltd Remains a Source of Pride for its Meteoric Rise & Sterling Performances

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

By Amin Kef Sesay

The National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited, NP (SL-Ltd) is tirelessly working round the clock, engaging oil producing companies in business discussions, to always ensure that supply is continually flowing in. This pro-activeness, on the part of the company, has made it quite possible for stocks to last over periods of time in order to avert the occurrence of shortages.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Still within the purview of 1st for Customer Care, the company is always in position to enter into payment plans with its reliable and dependable customers including Ministries, Departments and Agencies for supplied fuel and lubricants as long as all the necessary modalities have been put in place.

When cognizance is taken of the fact that some of these institutions receive intermittent budgetary allocations then such an arrangement is very significant. Its significance in real terms borders on functional continuity of those institutions as they will be assured of supplies of petroleum products in as much as they keep honoring their obligations.

For those who have not tried NP Gas for the first time it is now time to give it a try. Designed in sizable varying cylinders and sold at various NP Filling Stations, this cooking device has been rated as one of the best that is on offer for sale. NP Gas is safe, user friendly and portable. Trying it and such 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 a secured, easy to use and very quick. It is now trending.

To crystallize proposed projects into tangible realities on the ground, Government needs the required financial resources to effectively do so and one sure way is from collection of taxes which is the mandate of the National Revenue Authority (NRA).  NP is one biggest tax payers to Government and it has been honouring its obligation timely.

The company stands exceptional in terms of having branches within the West African sub-region in countries such as Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. In all those countries, the company is operating in the same as it is doing in the parent country, Sierra Leone. It is upholding the Local Content Policy in those countries, considering nationals first in terms of employment as a means of giving empowerment in various forms.

NP-SL Ltd is indeed a source of pride to many Sierra Leoneans for operating branches in the aforementioned countries, an accomplished feat which can only be made by serious minded people who are focused on enhancing development in various ways. Sierra Leoneans always feel proud in those countries to see such an investment.

Equally too, the company has really made meaningful headway in expanding its operations in areas or communities within the country considered to be hard to reach areas. In partnership with entrepreneurs, more Filling Stations have been opened in those places and such has contributed in reducing energy poverty. Besides, such has reduced the constraints commercial motor drivers, bike and Kekeh riders were facing to access petroleum products. Also the opening of those new Filling Stations has contributed greatly in providing employment for residents in those places who were hitherto finding it difficult to make ends meet. With decent jobs their lives and those of family members have been greatly improved.

NP-SL remains undaunted, unperturbed amidst certain unfounded criticisms it had faced and still faces, from time to time but conscientiously  but the company is steadily contributing to the socio-economic development of the country as well as  positively changing communities and lives.

At Queen Elizabeth Quay… Nectar Sierra Leone Bulk Terminal Embarks on Construction of 3rd Berth  

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By Amin Kef Sesay

One of the key players operating at the Queen Elizabeth Quay in Sierra Leone is the Nectar Sierra Leone Bulk Terminal (NSBT) commonly known as Nectar. The entity is a Joint Venture Company that won a tender issued by the Government of Sierra Leone way back in 2014 to run the bulk terminal at the Port of the Quay.

Since it started operations, the company has been functioning in ways that are geared towards meeting international best practices and high standards in all aspects of its operations and has invested hugely in equipment and infrastructure in order to provide the necessary services needed for all areas of port operations.

Nectar could now boast of having in its possession new handling equipment, improved warehouses, an effective security apparatus, powerful security lights all in place to offer a better user experience.

It was in 2015 that Nectar took over the Bulk Terminal, employing 80% of Sierra Leoneans. In its operations the company is committed to provide a safe and clean environment.

In 2017, the company acquired over 5.4 acre piece of land within the Port on lease which was developed for agricultural imports and exports.

With regards its activities, Nectar is responsible for all the activities at the Port from the unloading of vessels to storing of cargo in the Port warehouses including maintenance of all terminal equipment.

The company introduced new methods of handling cargo and invested in new equipment and infrastructure at the Port. With the improvements ushered in by the company since 2015, such resulted into ships discharging more efficiently and faster. It also successfully beefed up security at the Port to such an extent that thieving has been drastically minimized.

It must be noted that there are now two berths at the Quay and extensive warehouse facilities with the Queen Elizabeth 11 Port now providing bulk and break bulk discharge, weighbridge services, quayside bagging facilities, an integrated digital Terminal Management System and a consolidated cargo management.

Broadly speaking, NSTB provides the following services: Bagging operations, Bulk discharge, Logistics and Warehousing as well as Consultancy.

Historically, NSTB involvement in the country dated back to the late 1980s. During those periods the company pioneered bulk and bagging operations in Freetown under the USAID Title11 programme. It also pioneered logistical savings of importers of rice and other basic commodities.

However, since 2015 the company’s investment focused around the Freetown Port which serves as the major logistics hub for the country’s imports and exports. This was more so because the country has one of the world’s deepest natural harbours, which is located almost equidistance between Brazil and major northern European Ports with many significant commercial advantages with potentials yet to be fully realized.

To date, NSTB has committed US$30 Million to a new investment. The company has embarked on a project geared towards designing and constructing a new deep-water jetty with a new berth also refurbishing the existing berth to enable a larger class of vessel( up to Panamax size).

The company has key client factories situated at either side of the terminal and they comprise both Leocem and the Dangote group.

In terms of growth objectives, the company is keen on increasing the ease of shipment, competitiveness, viability and profitability of the port facilities and to attract greater international traffic. It is serious in providing modern facilities, expand the existing berths and quayside space, increase import capacities and enable shipments by having deeper draft, more efficient unloading systems as well as a reduction in operational costs for importers and ship owners alike, double tonnage handled in 9 years from 400,000mts in 2016 to 800,000mts at the Quay. The company also handles clinker, cement, rice, palm oil, fertilizers, wheat and has further developed the handling of bauxite and iron ore.

The company has so far invested US $ 5 Million in equipment and refurbishment. NSBT, this medium was informed, will continue to provide services including unloading of vessels to storing of cargo in the Port warehouses as well as maintenance of all equipment.

In terms of advantage, the new berth, which is currently under construction, will provide additional capacity to handle more volumes as the trade grows. Also, the backfill area will provide additional cargo handling and storage area. It will provide 190m berthing space (Max LOA for vessel 225m) and 13m draft.

The company still continues to provide the following services: bulk and break bulk discharge and loading, weighbridge services, long and short term storage facilities, integrated digital Terminal Management System and consolidated cargo management.

In terms of the design of the 3rd Berth NSB is constructing a new berth, 190 meters in length,13 meters draft, 1.2 hectares (2.96 acres) of new reclaimed land for shore side storage and new warehousing, to handle a maximum vessel size LOA 225m and provide additional capacity to handle more volumes as the trade grows.

The extension of the berth will add capacity to berth additional vessels of up to 225m LOA and with a draft of 13 meters

This medium was intimated that the expected environmental improvements that will follow the expansion of the berth include: a 16,000mt vessel of bulk clinker / gypsum taking on average 400 truck movements during the discharge. Currently these trucks have to travel 1.5km round trip from the factory to the berth to load and return.

The new berth will reduce that distance to 300m – thus reducing the overall distance travelled for the trucks by 80%.

It also means that discharge speeds will be increased and the environmental impact of engines running / trucks moving through the terminal will be reduced by the same amount.

The expansion will also allow NSBT to segregate the terminal so that when handling foodstuffs like Rice / Grain on Berth 1 and 2, the more industrial type of cargoes can be kept at a distance and thus eradicate any risk of cross contamination.

Furthermore, the new berth will provide 225 m berthing space and 13 m draft allowing for larger vessels and economies of scale thus reducing the carbon footprint on a per shipment basis.

The new berth will allow NSBT to target a reduction in traffic (truck movements and number of trucks needed / noise and congestion for one of its major clients. Just in distance alone, it will produce a saving of 6,000kms of truck movements per annum for just 1 client in terms of distance travelled during the unloading.

With regards rolling out its Corporate Social Responsibility, NSTB considers social impact as important as having an economic impact.

So far, NSBT has donated fire engines to the Sierra Leone Ports Authority in 2017 along with uniforms and ancillary fire-fighting kit.

It is a partner with “Street Child Sierra Leone” to sponsor 25 homeless children in the Cline Town area of the city in order to get them off the streets and into long-term education.

The company built 6 classrooms, the Headmaster’s office and Staff Room at the Muslim Brotherhood Primary School (Cline Town) in 2017.

In 2018, NSBT refurbished classrooms at the Bishop Crowther Primary School and refurbished Freetown Cheshire Home (Cline Town).

In 2019/2020, the company supported the Freetown Cheshire Home (Cline Town), the Sierra Leone Ports Authority Football Club and donation towards the construction of a Vocational Centre along with local COVID- 19 initiatives.

In 2021, NSBT funded the construction of the new Kanikay Police Station in Cline Town.

Since 2017, NSBT has committed funds in excess of US$155,000 on local community projects within its area of operations.

Indeed, NSBT is one among the companies considered to be very progressive and greatly contributing to overall national development.

Erstwhile President Koroma Declines Calls for a Come Back to Active Politics -Special Assistant

Ernest Bai Koroma.jpg

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a Press Release issued on the 13th April, 2022 by, Sheriff Mahmud Ismail, the Special Assistant to former President Ernest Bai Koroma and the outgoing Chairman and Leader of the All People’s Congress (APC), Ernest Bai Koroma, it was underscored that various occasions clearly stated that the former President would not be contesting for any position in the APC.

He continued that despite that and although the 1991 Constitution is very clear on the presidential term limit, there seems to have been some anxiety about a political comeback, which is being fuelled by continued calls by several groups for his active involvement in party and national politics.

The Release revealed that in the first week of January 2022, the attention of the Office of the Former President was drawn to a social media campaign with samples of T-shirts and baseball caps calling on the statesman to re-engage in national politics.

It added that his office then released a press statement, dated 6th January 2022, distancing him from such calls and restated his decision that he was preparing and looking forward to relinquish his current position at the party’s upcoming National Delegates’ Conference (NDC).

Also mentioned  is that the general public may recall that a few days ago a group of APC supporters resuscitated the campaign for the outgoing Chairman and Leader to seek reelection in the upcoming NDC.

The Special Assistant stated that in response to that, the former President Ernest Bai Koroma wishes to reiterate that he has no interest whatsoever in party or national office.

It was highlighted that the former President strongly believes that he has been privileged by God and his people, to serve as President of Sierra Leone for two terms; and as the Leader and Chairman of the APC for even a much longer period.

“He says it is now time for him to leave the political stage and continue serving Sierra Leone as a statesman,”  Sheriff Mahmud Ismail pointed out adding how erstwhile President Koroma has noted that he is looking forward to his continued contribution to the promotion of democracy, peace, security and stability in Africa and other parts of the world.

“The former President and outgoing Chairman and Leader of the APC, therefore, thanks the APC and the people of Sierra Leone profoundly for the privilege accorded him to serve them and for the enduring confidence in him to continue to do so,” the Special Assistant reechoed stating that the former President wishes to reassert that it is time for other great Comrades to take the great APC forward.

It was stated that the outgoing Chairman and Leader further notes that the APC, being the great institution it is, is capable of a smooth and successful transition which they have clearly demonstrated over the last four difficult years maintaining that he has therefore appealed to the APC party membership to move on in unity with the great task ahead.

“While the Party is concluding its constitutional reforms, the litigations and preparing for its convention, I urge the general membership to embrace the prospects of a new leadership including the chairmanship of the party, and to work together for victory in June 2023”.

According to Sheriff Mahmud Ismail the former President also reassured that the APC will continue to work with all stakeholders including the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC), the Judiciary, and other actors to ensure that the transition process is smooth and that a new Executive is ushered in as soon as possible.

He concluded by stating that in this faithful period of Ramadan and Lent, the Former President and outgoing Chairman and Leader sends his best wishes to all Sierra Leoneans and his prayers for a cohesive, peaceful, democratic, and prosperous country.

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