Sierra Leone Takes Centre Stage at Mining Indaba

February 11, 2020

President Maada Bio, Julius Daniel Mattai, the Director General of the NMA and Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources Foday Rado Yokie

By Amin Kef Sesay

During the 2020 ‘Investing in Africa Mining Indaba’ hosted by South Africa the Sierra Leone delegation was very active to showcase the country’s mineral potentials to a global audience, and prove to mining industry leaders and investors that Sierra Leone is ready for business.

The event was the world’s largest mining investment conference, dedicated to the capitalisation and development of mining in Africa.

For the first time in the 25-year history of what is undoubtedly the most important gathering on mining in the world, Sierra Leone fully participated at all levels of the event, including setting up of a country-stand, a country case-study session, a networking cocktail, a ministerial panel discussion, and bilateral meetings on the side-lines.

The above was made possible by the dynamic and transformative leadership of Julius Daniel Mattai, the Director General of the NMA and his team. It was indeed a great opportunity to rebrand Sierra Leone, highlight the major investment opportunities in the country’s mining sector and inform a global audience that Sierra Leone is ready for business.

On the opening day of the event the President of Sierra Leone, his Excellency Julius Maada Bio delivered a keynote address, highlighting the country’s fiscal reforms, legal and regulatory issues, infrastructure and technology as well as the future mining labour force. He spoke of how Sierra Leone plans to strengthen public financial management systems and multilateral institutions to make the economy more resilient through diversification.

Stating that Sierra Leone is a free market, which values the private sector investment, the President shared his goal of reviewing and harmonising all laws and regulations relating to mining, with a view to removing regulatory duplications and inconsistencies by increasing transparency and predictability, which time and again have proven crucial to attracting investment into a nation. He ended his speech by promising “transparent administration of the sector – a consolidated and simplified minerals policy that eliminates clutter and inconsistencies”.

As well as laying out his vision for SL’s mining future, Pres Bio shared some of his thoughts on the future of the mining industry in general, commenting on the increased use of artificial intelligence and block- chain technologies such as the current use of blockchain by Tracer to track the entire diamond supply chain. The President’s statement was met with appreciation by the audience.

President Bio also held series of successful meetings with government representatives, mining industry leaders and investors on the side-lines of the Indaba. His discussion with Jeffrey Thamsanqa Radebe, a senior adviser to President Cyril Ramaphosa, concluded with plans for about 30 South African investors to visit Sierra Leone to explore investment opportunities in mining, energy and other sectors.

The Indaba also featured a country-case study on Sierra Leone, during which, the Director of Geological Survey at the NMA, Prince Cuffey, and a lead consultant from Reid Geophysics, Tim Archer, made a presentation that highlighted the geology and mineral potential of Sierra Leone. They assured the audience that data from the geophysical survey will soon be interpreted and made available to interested parties.

Speaking during a live interview on CNBC, the Director General of the NMA, Julius Mattai, informed the world that Sierra Leone has completed a countrywide airborne geophysical survey as the first step to providing high-quality geological data to investors, thereby reducing cost and time spent on exploration. He further stated that Sierra Leone is pursuing series of reforms to attract investment, while at the same time taking steps to ensure that Sierra Leoneans derive maximum benefits from our mineral wealth.

Media coverage of Sierra Leone’s participation at the Indaba was extensive, including live broadcast of some of the activities. As Amy Neville noted in the 4th February edition of the African Mining Indaba ‘Daily News’, “we were left with the distinct impression that the future looks bright for the economic growth and development of Sierra Leone.”

CNBC Chris Bishop & Director General of the NMA, Julius Mattai

Director General of the NMA, Julius Mattai

Orange SL Connects 1,170 New Localities in 2019

February 11, 2020

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Orange Sierra Leone is poised to give his numerous subscribers the best in terms of telecommunications as the company continues to grow from strength to strength. In 2019 Orange Sierra Leone made a lot of accomplishments and is now set to do more in this New Year.

Having connected 1,170 new localities in 2019 ,the well-established telecommunications company that has gained widespread recognition for effective service delivery, Orange Sierra Leone, is now very much positioned and poised to continue giving its numerous subscribers value for money and at the same time ready to welcome new ones into her bosom.

Acquiring Airtel’s national operations in July 2016, the company has invested a lot just in a bid to enhance its operations. Since 2016, the company’s focus has been to be in touch and to connect what is essential in people’s lives with an ambitious zest to deliver an unmatched customers’ experience.

In order to improve on its quality of service, Orange invested a total of One hundred and fourteen Million four hundred thousand Dollar($ 114.4) in excess to modernize their passive infrastructure by replacing 105 generators, 282 DC power systems, modernized its active RAN equipment, launched its world class data centre and changed their core equipment’s which include CS (MSC) core node which handles voice traffic and PS core nodes which handle data traffic to the internet.

To the commendation of the company, it expanded rural connectivity by building 45 new sites in 2017, 42 new sites in 2018 and committed itself to construct additional 55 new sites in 2019.

In order to achieve all these inevitably the company encountered several challanges such as site accessibility, heavy rains, core node migration impact on voice and data services, localized service availability during equipment replacement caused by shipment delays and grid availability.

However, amidst all of these challanges Orange SL pursued a strong industrial project in the country geared towards covering most of the country with telecoms services that will improve rural connectivity and also their quality of service.

Currently, the company is proud to have completed 55 sites committed in 2019 which means connecting more than 1,170 new localities, with thousands of Sierra Leoneans now accessing data, voice and financial services for the first time.

The company owns 391 sites across the country and can boast of the widest network coverage in Sierra Leone covering about 74% of the country’s population. Indeed, monumental strides were made through the inception of its Digital Revolution programme in February 2019 and the launch of its 4G service one month later.

Orange Sierra Leone Chief Executive Officer Aminata Kane Ndiaye has this to say: “We’re pursuing a strong industrial project in Sierra Leone that is geared towards covering most of the country with telecom services, services that will improve rural connectivity and also our quality of service.”

Meeting marked milestone after landmark progression, the company has already drastically transformed the national landscape and socioeconomic status quo and is poised to continue leading the change in enabling new-era connectivity.

“What we’re offering is truly high-speed broadband mobile internet – an unmatched, life-changing experience that puts digital communication completely within the control of the consumer, affecting and adding value to every facet of their lives,” Ndiaye added.

Research from GSMA has shown that mobiles aren’t just considered to be communication devices. They are equally the primary channel for many people in getting online and accessing vital tools such as digital education, digital healthcare and mobile banking.

Against such a backdrop, Orange SL is empowering digital transformation across a multitude of verticals to bring sustainable benefits to all Sierra Leoneans with the company’s core emphasis centred around connecting rural areas.

“Currently, approximately 50 percent of Sierra Leoneans do not use mobile phones, while the main countries of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) are close to 100 percent,” the CEO pointed out furthering, “We’re proud that our strategic drivers are changing this, already having connected to well over 900 new localities with thousands of Sierra Leoneans now able to access data, voice and financial services for the first time.”

The company’s influence goes far. Orange Money services, for example, have been a key driver of financial inclusion, providing people with the platform to access banking solutions, from money transfers and salary payments to bills and merchants’ payments.

“There was an enormous appetite for mobile money services. The ability to transfer funds, pay bills, save, borrow and so on has been inclusively transforming the lives of all individuals and businesses, be it women, farmers or those living in remote areas. Being the first to bring mobile money to Sierra Leone has given people the ability to access funds anywhere, anytime, saving time, improving security and providing a means for saving and managing money more effectively,” she explained.

In addition to Orange Sierra Leone strides to bolster socio-economic transformation rolling out its Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) have been very impressive.

The company is on record for being the only operator in Sierra Leone to contribute to the Government’s Free Quality Education Agenda and so far has supported the provision of hygiene packs for girls, established a Super Coder Academy, inter-secondary school competition, the open classroom and solar kits for school children.

In total, the aforementioned is set to cost of $1.5 million in total over a period of five years, with a further $12 million earmarked for bolstering high quality connectivity through the expansion of 3G and 4G capabilities across the country.

“We are committed to doing business in an ethical manner and contribute heavily to the development of our countries of presence,” Ndiaye intimated adding, “We have tried to understand the needs and values of Sierra Leoneans and how we can connect them with the Orange brand. Our aim is to give people what is really essential in their lives and relevant to their locality with international standards, providing them with an unmatched experience and the platform to grow.”

Orange SL in total spent some Le2 billion ($238,000) on CSR during 2017 and 2018. The Chief Executive Officer has expressed confidence that the progress they have made so far has laid the strong foundation for future expansion.

Whether it’s the education, energy or agricultural sectors, the CEO outlined the company’s goals of introducing and implementing new technologies for businesses of all kinds across Sierra Leone.

Ndiaye concludes by citing her optimism for the future: “We’ll be turning our attentions to investing $24 million this year in our network in support of the Government’s efforts to increase ICT, and provide leading 4G services.

“In turn, we’re hopeful that the Government will continue to help us. We are grateful for the recent review on mobile termination rates (MTR), resulting in the removal of the $0.02 tax on local interconnect call and the coming reduction of the MTR to $0.025.

“We are also hopeful that the removal of $0.01 tax on international outgoing calls and the removal of price cap on international voice and SMS tariffs will be given consideration. I’m optimistic that feedback from stakeholders in the telecoms industry will be given consideration during the final review of the draft National Communications Act due to be enacted in 2019.

“The aforementioned will be accompanied by our launch of new mobile financial services such as micro loans, efforts to become a digital transformation partner of choice, and continued CSR programmes – it’s undeniably exciting times for our company, this country and its people.”

“Improving security and providing a means for saving and managing money more effectively,” she explained.

Irish Experts Praise Credit Unions in Sierra Leone

February 10, 2020

Some members of the team & the Chairperson NACCUA

By Theresa Kef

A two weeks coaching program by four coaches from the Irish League of Credit Unions Foundation (ILCUF) ended on Friday 31^st January 2020 with training of 24 leaders and staff of Cooperative Credit Unions in Sierra Leone at the Young Men’s Christian Association Hall on Fort Street in Freetown at which ceremony they observed that members of Credit Unions in Sierra Leone are enthusiastic to learn and that after reviewing their work they ensure that their findings/recommendations are implemented although gradually.

“The Irish League of Credit Unions in Sierra Leone (ILCUs) is doing a great job, especially effective monitoring of the 28 Credit Unions in the country that are gradually improving. Credit Unions can make a very big difference in the lives of people. It is the poor man’s bank with reasonable interest. Traders are so happy that Credit Unions have helped them develop their businesses and get out of poverty. Some of them have built houses and educated their children through Credit Unions. People need access to credit,” the team observed.

Among others, the team examined the minutes of meetings of Credit Unions, their accounts and other records, talked to directors and staff before writing and presenting their report.

They pointed out that Moyamba District Teachers’ Credit Union is first in terms of finance and Tawopaneh top in terms of membership.

The team also visited the Bo District Teachers’ Credit Union, Pujehun District Teachers’ Credit Union, Luawa Credit Union in Kailahun, Nyandeyama Credit Union in Kenema, Moyamba District Teachers, UPS and Tawopaneh Credit Union in Freetown during which they reviewed their operations and risks to enhance professionalism, that they are growing strong financially with new policies as they observed that Credit Unions in Ireland, some of which are 50 years old, also made similar mistakes in their early stages.

The need to identify more awareness on risks, improve on their system of control, financial management, credit control, saving first, building relationships and the need for members to be creditworthy were some of the topics covered.

On behalf of the team, Timothy O’ Sullivan of the Center of Cooperative Studies, University College Cork, Coke, Ireland and Barry Treacy enlightened that they lectured credit control, collection of loans, that the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Cooperative Department in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, is reviewing the obsolete Cooperative Act and underscored that there are a lot of regulations governing Credit Unions in Ireland disclosing that due to harsh economic conditions in Ireland 50 years ago when banks were reluctant to give out loans, Credit Unions were formed to help the poor and encouraged Sierra Leoneans to learn to save and serve as volunteers in Credit Unions where they would learn opportunities for professional services.

The team also made presentations on governance, supervisory committee, accountability to members, management of finances, establishing the needs of members and are optimistic that one day Sierra Leone would export its knowledge on Credit Unions to other countries recalling that Ireland also learnt from coaches from Canada and the United States and that Credit Unions are one big family to help each other.

They continued that they also held discussions with officials of the Cooperative Department, highlighted the need for Sierra Leone to embark on aggressive marketing and sensitization on Credit Unions in the country as well as the need for trust that is key, showcase successful members of Credit Unions as Ambassadors and informed that their experiences in Sierra Leone are amazing and have enjoyed the process.

The team went on to state that they are here to also learn from Credit Unions in Sierra Leone, that there are a lot of similarities between Credit Unions in Sierra Leone and Ireland, that Credit Unions are the same the world over citing the share account and accounting principles but that unlike Sierra Leone that is still using manual methods, Credit Unions in Ireland are computerized, doing online banking, debit cards and offering full banking services to their members.

They said 75% of the population in Ireland is members of Credit Unions that are non-religious and political, that people have a lot of trust in them than even banks adding that if the operations of Credit Unions in Sierra Leone are computerized, people adequately sensitized about the advantages of Credit Unions and imbibe the savings culture, it would help to transform their lives.

Other members of the team were Mr. George Hamilton, Manager of Cootehill Credit Union and Ms Julie Monaghan, Risk and Compliance Officer of New Rose Credit Union.

According to ILCUF Ltd General Manager, Mr Mwongyere Solomon, coaching program started four years ago where leaders and staff of Credit Unions in Ireland travel to Sierra Leone for two weeks, they visit Credit Unions in the country, review their operations, governance, policies in place, financial management and procedures and share their experiences with Sierra Leoneans counterparts. They facilitate workshops to CU leaders and staff in Freetown. Our people have gained a lot from the program.

Credit Unions in Sierra Leone started in 2011; currently there are 28 credit unions in the country with 10,088 members who have Le 7,100,000,000 in shares and savings. Members have borrowed up to Le 6,200,000,000. Credit Unions are changing the lives of their members. The Irish League of Credit Union Foundation Ltd together with the National Cooperative Credit Union Association Sierra Leone (NACCUA) is promoting the credit union movement in Sierra Leone with support from Irish Aid and Credit Unions in Ireland.

Njala University Law Department receives 2,100 Donated Law Books

February 10, 2020

By Jonathan Hindolo Kurabu

A donation of a large consignment of law books was done by a UK- based company, Anglo American Company, De Beers and GemFair in partnership with the International Law Book Facility (ILBF), a UK-based charity with the mission to support the rule of law and access to justice through sharing of legal knowledge. The UK Sierra Leone Pro Bono Network was also part of the donation exercise.

A case for the donation of 213 cartoons of law books in order to boost and to harness the potentials of the Njala University Law Department was made by Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, one of Sierra Leone’s erudite legal practitioners and formerly served though transiently as the Chairman for the Sierra Leone Premier League Board.

Chief Executive Officer, ILBL, Katrina Crossley who was unavoidably absent yet represented by Raymond Alpha remarked thus ‘’the ILBF is delighted to donate books from the UK legal community to Njala University. We very much hope that this donation will support the lecturers, students, and practitioners in their important work…’’

Accordingly, a team of Anglo-American lawyers based in London namely Jonathan Hoch, Cecilia Ferreira and Andrew Donovan were successful in their pursuit to support the ILBF represented by their CEO Katrina Crossley to distribute legal textbooks to Sierra Leone under a project known as the Rule of Law Ambassadors with supports provided by Clifford Chance (an international law firm) and Nottingham University to make the delivery possible.

Country Director, for the UK Sierra Leone Pro Bono Network ,Momo Turay, one of the partners avowed on behalf of their organization that with interest and firm commitments on the part of Njala University, they shall together transform the Law Department of Njala University into a very attractive entity for the training of legal professionals in Sierra Leone. ‘’We have done so with the University of Makeni, the opportunity is for Njala University and the Law Department to make use of,’’ he opined.

The UK Sierra Leone Pro Bono Network (UKSLPBN) is an umbrella network for the UK legal professionals and organizations interested in providing Pro Bono (free) legal assistance to Sierra Leone. With an objective to act as a focus for demand for assistance in legal matters from both Government of Sierra Leone and legal professionals and bodies, the UKSLPBN is overseen by a steering group comprising prominent UK legal professional, solicitors, barristers, government, and private sector lawyers.

Acting Dean, School of Social Sciences, and Law, Dr. James Fomba Sandy, on behalf of the University Administration expressed gratitude to the donors and all role players for uplifting the academic profile and pedigree of the Njala University Law Department which was established three years ago.

With a current students’ enrolment of 130, the University he went on has been able to employ high profile Judges of the Superior Courts of Judicature and Lawyers 90% of them, he added are holders of Masters of Law (LLM)

With current staff strength of 14 hardworking and committed men and women who are presently lecturing various courses on the programme, and with an entry requirement detailing WASSCE Certificate and a First Degree from any recognized University and with course duration of three years, they have succeeded in admitting three batches. Plans he disclosed are underway to sail the first batch of students admitted ab initio to Final Year after meeting the required grade points for promotion.

Students of the Law Department present and the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Bo Campus Dr. Saidu Charley lauded the gesture and promised to use the shipment of books now shelved at the Law Department Library for its intended purposes.

South Korea to build Emergency Hospital in Taiama

February 10, 2020

By Jonathan Hindolo Kurabu, D Catalyst

Kathos Jibao Matai, Ambassador to South Korea, during a recent community engagement with tribal authorities in Kori Chiefdom, disclosed plans for the Construction of an Ultra-Modern Emergency Hospital in Taiama Village, Kori Chiefdom, Moyamba District.

As a result of the pioneering efforts of Professor Herbert Bob Kandeh, former Chairman, Moyamba District Council and now Pro-Chancellor for Njala University, according to Ambassador Matai, the selection of Taiama as the project site was appropriate based on its strategic location and especially so when most of the lethal road accidents take place along the Bo/ Freetown Highway.

Owing to Taiama being the cynosure of focus, the Emergency Hospital will after construction be of tremendous service for emergency cases in the South, East and North of the country he said.

Sponsored by the Medical Peace Foundation in South Korea, the Second Emergency Hospital which is to be constructed will be named in the memory and honour of Madam Yoko, one of the distinguished female legends of old and accordingly will be called the MADAM YOKO MEMORIAL TRAUMA CENTRE & HAN MEDICAL CENTRE.

Ambassador Kathos Jibao Matai on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone showered profuse gratitude on the Government and citizens of South Korea for their financial support and disclosed that already the required amounts for the construction of the said emergency Hospital have been disbursed adding that with the availability of funds for the project, the whole exercise is expected to be completed In three months’ time from now.

Making a statement, Paramount Chief of Kori Chiefdom, PC Thomas Gbappy IV on behalf of the people of Kori Chiefdom expressed delight over the initiative adding that overtime, most emergency cases that require the urgent attention of doctors are rushed to Freetown some, he went on, normally die along the way. ‘’It is a respite for medical services in the provinces and I am happy that it will be built in my Chiefdom. In concert with landowning families, we have already given three acres of land in Mokaba Section, Miles off Taiama Junction,’’ he said.

Retired Specialist Registrar in Emergency Medicine from the University Hospital Lewisham in London, Dr. Mohamed Koker said in addition to medical supplies and medical personnel from South Korea, the hospital will serve as a training and research centre and it will also be used to promote emergency medical care in the provinces.

The MADAM YOKO MEMORIAL TRAUMA CENTRE & HAN MEDICAL CENTRE will be constructed by the Estate Department of Njala University.

Clearing of the project site and turning of the sod by Ambassador, Kathos Jibao Matai climaxed the ceremony.

Board Members of Guma Inspect Facilities & Proffer Recommendations

February 10, 2020

Guma Board of Directors Conclude Two-Day Site Visit .Board of Directors and a Cross –Section of Management staf fLeft to right; Hon. Mrs. Bintu Myers, Mr. Lyndon Baines-Johnson (Mayor’s Rep.), Mrs. Marian S. Nyuma Moijueh, Mr. Peter Amara, and Ing.

By Amin Kef Sesay

On the 15 and 17 December 2019, a high-level delegation headed by the Chairman Board of Directors of Guma Valley Water Company (GVWC) Honourable Mrs. Bintu Myers, and accompanied by colleagues of Board Directors namely (Ing. Mohamed B. Timbo, Mrs. Marian S. Nyuma Moijueh, Mr. Peter J. Amara, and Mr. Lyndon Baines-Johnson representing Her Worship the Mayor Yvonne Aki Sawyerr) supported by a cross section of Management of the GUMA Valley Water Company has completed a two day visit to GUMA facilities in both the Western Urban and Western Rural Districts of Freetown.

Honourable Mrs. Bintu Myers explained that the objective of the inspection tour was to acquaint the Board with the operations and challenges of the various facilities operated by the Company. The outcome of the inspection exercise would assist the Board in making informed decisions on the smooth running of the Company.

The intensive tour of the GUMA facilities and operation sites which covers the (Mile 13 Dam/Reservoir, Treatment Plant, Staff Quarters, Hydrant at Femi Turner, Hydrant at Brookfield’s, Spur Road Pumping Station, Babadori, Kongo Dam, Charlotte weir, Mongeba,Grafton Amputee Camp, Allentown and the Area Offices) etc .The Board engaged both Senior Management to junior level staff on duty with a view to fully understand the mode of operations and challenges faced by the employees. Some of the findings and the
recommendations proffered to Management included but not limited to these:

That the water level at the main Dam at Mile 13 was observed to be on the decrease,
Management and DFID through their ongoing Freetown Rehabilitation Project have made some progress in the rehabilitation of the Treatment Plant but Stages 2 and 3 of the filtration systems was noted to be malfunctioning. Also, the electro-mechanical equipment in the Plant requires maintenance, A good number of the staff quarters at Mile 13 are in a state of disrepair. A particular reference relating to the land encroachment and unauthorised occupancy of the Company’s property at Mile 13, Controls to ensure efficiency, transparency and accountability of bowser operations at the Femi Turner Road Hydrant seem as weak.

That the Hydrant at Brookfields Motor Road (By the Light) been dysfunctional and requires refurbishment.

A new pumping machine was installed (through the DFID funded Project) to replace the moribund machine at Spur Road Pumping Station.

The water level at Babadori (Regent) reservoir has decreased substantially.
Encroachment of the Company’s property at Babadori by neighbouring Communities due to incomplete fencing. The Angelique Project at Babadori was at a standstill.

Three stationary bowsers within the premises at Babadori. The water level at Kongo Dam has decreased considerably partly due to evaporation and leakages at the Dam.

Dislocated and deliberate puncturing of transmission pipes from the Charlotte to the Allen Town Reservoir by intruders and this situation is partly responsible for the low pressure of water to the Allen Town Reservoir. It was further noted that the weir usually dried up completely between March to April.

A good number of the pipes supplying water from the weir to the bowser collection point at Mongeba have been burned by rogues within the Community. It was further noted that the Project was at a standstill. Originally it was a Project intended to supply water from the weir to the collection point by gravity.

The facility which consists of 4 boreholes and an electro-mechanical unit at Grafton Amputee Camp was at a standstill partly due to the drying out of the boreholes. The facility appeared to have been abandoned. The facility was designed to complement the Charlotte weir particularly during the dries. High fuel consumption of the unit was also noted as a challenge.

The Allen Town Reservoir was empty due to non-flow of water from the Charlotte weir and the Grafton Amputee Camp.

Incomplete fencing of Area East Office and delays in the repairs of vehicles at the Garage Two unauthorised connections at the newly installed distribution main at Spur Road. Management was asked to investigate the matter.

Two culprits arrested and handed over to the Lumley Police Station for unauthorised tampering of distribution mains.

A septic tank construction closer to the transmission mains along the SLRA access road at Mile 13. In a bid in promoting effective service delivery to the people and complementing government’s effort, the Board came out with key recommendation for Management to develop a concept paper and related planned design construction to capture and retain the spillage from the Mile 13 Dam during the raining season.

Management to hold discussion with the DFID Contractor, BAM for the rehabilitation of the stages 2 and 3 filtration system at the Treatment Plant. Management to put modalities in place for the repairs and regular maintenance of Staff Quarters at Mile 13, and addressing the unauthorized occupancy of Guma’s properties and encroachment.

Management to take prompt action to rehabilitate the Brookfields Motor Road Hydrants and to institute strong internal controls geared towards ensuring efficiency, transparency and accountability of the Bowser operations.

Management to look at the possibility of constructing a new reservoir at Babadori with funding from the Aquatic Project. Management to take prompt action to complete the perimeter fencing at Babadori. Management to follow-up with the Ministry of Water Resources on the Angelique Project.

Management to execute essential repairs to the Kongo Dam and follow-up on the initiative /plan for a bigger reservoir downstream at the Kongo Dam.

Management to breakdown some of the boulders to create more access and build up the catchment at the Charlotte weir and also to replace the damaged pipes in the network. Management to engage the local community and address the problems affecting the sustainability of the supply at Mongeba.

Management to follow-up on the study to restore the Grafton Amputee Camp facility done by some consultants. Management to put in place modalities for the urgent fencing of Area East Office.

The Chairman of the Board, Hon. Mrs. Bintu Myers said the Board is striving to build a productive, effective and efficient GUMA in months and years to come, whilst in office under the New Direction Government.

The Board inspecting a newly laid sub mains at Spur Loop

“2100 Youths will Benefit from Car Wash Project…” -Youth Minister Affirms

February 10, 2020

Minister of Youth Affairs Mohamed Bangura

By Fatmata Jengbe

The Ministry of Youth Affairs claims it has created over 2000 jobs for youth in the car wash service with the Minister of Youth Affairs, Mohamed Orman Bangura saying a total of 2100 youths are set to benefit from the project.

The Minister further informed that 35 youths will be employed in each of the 60 centres across the country and described the project as a scheme that seeks to ensure that youths across the country are trained in entrepreneurial skills.

He added that they will also receive training on saving a percentage of their income so that their dependents will also benefit from the venture.The Minister disclosed that the project is funded by the Government of Sierra Leone, the Chinese Embassy and the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank.

On his part, the Deputy Youth Affairs Minister, Lusine Kallon, shed light on the facilities contained in the project. He stated that at every car wash center, a three-room self-contained structure will be erected to serve as office, store, and a waiting room for customers.

He furthered that two pits will be constructed at every center to enhance the proper washing of under carriers of vehicles and also an open canopy with corrugated roofing to ensure uninterrupted work during the rainy season. The centres will also be provided with electricity and one water well with hand pump.

In his remarks, the Project Manager, Victor L.K Muanah, maintained that the project is designed to be a revolving loan scheme, noting that the loan will ensure that youth groups pay back an agreed percentage of their earnings on a monthly basis at the Youth Ministry.

He continued that the project will also assign a cashier that will be responsible for the collection of daily earnings from the project. Mr. Muanah also said that youths in the project will be paid on a weekly or monthly basis as agreed upon.

He emphasized that the loan payment will enable the Ministry take the project to other parts of the country thereby expanding it to other vulnerable young people over a period of time.

Ten car wash structures have already been built in the Western Area. 31 more will be constructed across the country in the not too distant future. This is expected to create more jobs for young people across the country.

WAMA DG Says Economic Activities in ECOWAS Member States Improved in 2019

February 10, 2020

End of Year Statutory Meetings of WAMA, WAMI, WAIFEM February 6th-14th 2020

By Esther Wright

Mr. Momodou Bamba Saho, Director General of the West African Monetary Agency (WAMA) has stated that the economic activities in ECOWAS Member States generally improved in 2019, in spite of the global economic slowdown.

He made that statement on 6 February 2020 at the Freetown International Conference Centre during the opening session of the 36th ordinary meeting of the Joint Technical Committee of the West African Monetary Agency (WAMA).

He furthered by disclosing how they are holding these meetings against the backdrop of continued economic recovery in the region.

“The region is home to some of the fastest growing economies in the world. Three Member States, Benin (7.6%), Cote d’lvoire (7.5%) and Ghana (7.1%) grew by over 7.0 percent in 2019. Twelve Member States are expected to grow by 5.0 percent or more in 2019,” he intimated.

According to him, in the area of compliance with the macroeconomic convergence criteria, Member States made some progress in the first half of 2019 as six (06) met all the four primary criteria compared to five (05) in the first half of 2018, adding that performance is expected to improve in the second half of the year as eight (08) Member States projected meet all the primary criteria at end-2019 compared to only two (02) at end-2018.

He however, stated that all the four primary convergence criteria on a sustained basis has remained a difficult task as Member States find it challenging to consistently meet all four criteria over a period of several years.

“Although compliance with the convergence criteria has improved, Member States need to continue to strengthen policy implementation in order to comply with the convergence criteria and lay a strong basis for the establishment of monetary union,” he said. In this regard, the Director General urged Member States to strengthen their resolve to maintain macroeconomic stability and put emphasis on economic diversification as well as structural reforms aimed at fostering private sector growth in order to realize the tremendous potentials of the region and achieve the objective of the monetary corporation program.

The Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone Prof. Keifala Kallon said during the meetings, stocks will be taken of the status of implementation of the revised Roadmap activities, having in mind the commitments expressed by the Authority to establish a monetary union in 2020, noting that the decision regarding the selection of countries that would qualify for accession to the monetary union would be undertaken after an evaluation of the state of readiness of Member States.

“As we get closer to the decision points, I concede that this meeting is taking place at a period characterized by socio-political and economic developments and uncertainties in both global and domestic arena. The Director General of WAMA indicated that the global economy lost momentum in 2019, with output expanded by 2.9 percent, further down from the 3.6 percent growth recorded in 2018 and 3.8 percent in 2017,” he said.

He however stated that despite the continued slowdown in the global economy, economic activity in the Community continues to strengthen, noting that in effect, composite growth of the economies in the Community was estimated at 3.3 percent in 2019, up from the 3.0 percent expansion recorded in 2018 and 2.3 percent in 2017.

According to the Bank Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone, at the recent statutory meeting held in August 2019 in Conakry, he recounted the challenges Sierra Leone was grappling with, related especially to the subdued real sector activities, price instability, excesses in fiscal policy and external sector constraints.

Prior to the reviewing of Member States, the Bank Governor said that the macroeconomic fundamentals of Sierra Leone has improved modestly, since then, as a result of implementation of prudent policy measures that focused on promoting all-inclusive growth, restoring macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability through structural reforms, fiscal consolidation and a viable external sector.

“Consequently, real GDP growth accelerated to 5.1 percent in 2019, from 3.5 percent in 2018. Inflationary pressures also continued to trend downwards in the right direction to 13.9 percent at December 2019, after having peaked at 16.6 percent in April 2019,” he said.

During the end of year statutory meetings, several institutions within West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) are expected to have technical meetings followed by The 40th Meeting of the Committee of Central Bank Governors of the WAMZ, climax with the 43rd Meeting of the Convergence Council of Ministers and Governors which will be opened by the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio.

Minister of Planning Meets with ONS UK Team

February 10, 2020

By James Samba

The Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Francis Kai-Kai on Thursday February 6th 2020 held talks with a high powered delegation from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) UK at his Tower Hill Office in Freetown. This engagement brought an end to the delegation’s four day working visit to Sierra Leone.

In introducing the ONS team, Prof Osman Sankoh (Mallam 0), Statistician General and CEO of Stats SL said that the team had come as a result of his unfettered engagement with the UK National Statistics Office on the need for collaboration. He disclosed that discussions had been on for over a year to pull off and establish this partnership and that he is pleased that the team finally was able to come to Sierra Leone to do an assessment of Sierra Leone’s National Statistics Office which is Stats SL. He furthered that the relationship around the visit has been an affable one and that Stats SL hopes to benefit a lot from this visit especially in terms of the required technical expertise needed to do its work.

The ONS UK team comprising Dr Craig McLaren, Emily Poskett and Mike Prestwood, informed the Minister of how insightful and informative their visit has been. They stressed that the purpose of their visit was to get first-hand knowledge on Stats SL priorities, challenges and future plans for the coming years and identify how the UK Office of National Statistics’ collaboration can fit in .The delegation revealed that the four day visit has indeed helped them understand the difficulties faced in generating official and credible statistics by the State’s official statistics body, which they say was quite enlightening and that the visit has made them understand most of the challenges faced by Stats SL .They lauded the leadership and staff of Stats SL that they interacted with as being top notch, experienced and very qualified to do the job.

In response, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr Francis Kai-Kai expressed satisfaction at the assessment visit by the UK Office of National Statistics which he says is a demonstration of the UK Government’s commitment to strengthening institutions in Sierra Leone. He continued that this couldn’t have come at a better time and thanked the office for thinking about Stats SL as an institution worth supporting.

He assured them of his Government’s reliance and dependability on official statistics which he says was even the guiding principle in the Mid Term National Development Plan which was developed by his Ministry on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone. He said that there is no way the Government of Sierra Leone can function without data which he says is the only tool that guides Government policies and programmes that it implements. In conclusion, he thanked the team and said he looks forward to the establishment of an ever growing bond between the two National Statistics Offices.

During their four day visit in Sierra Leone, the ONS team from UK held talks with the Management of Stats SL to understand the work of the institution and possibly identify means of collaboration and also visited the southern regional city of Bo, where they held a stakeholder engagement meeting with Stats SL regional staff, partners and other MDAs.

De Gron Dry, No Doubt… Bio’s Biggest Challenge Is The Cost Of Living

February 10, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

NRA denies that it is not their tax regimes that have caused the dramatic increases in the prices of basic essential commodities such as fuel, rice, cement, and all imported goods but other economic factors, mainly having to do with the fall in the value of the Leone against the Dollar, Pound and Euro since this Government came to power in early 2018.

Fact of the matter is that whatever impressive development gains this Government makes, if it cannot deal effectively and quickly with the issue of the rising cost of bread and butter items, the majority of the people, just as in the case of what happened to Ex-President Koroma and the APC Government after the Ebola disaster would not count those development gains as anything.

Put in very simple language, hunger does not befriend poor people to their leaders and their Governments. There is an old Nigerian proverb that says “fine words do not produce food”. So I will keep my words as simple and clear as possible.

As such, if we are talking about reducing poverty, the first point of call is dealing effectively with rising food prices. It is vital that healthy ecosystems underpin human health, wellbeing, livelihoods, jobs and sustainable growth.

Along that line, if this Government wants to achieve food security, they must ensure that we look after the vital ecosystems that allow us to produce our own food and abundantly to make it cheap.

Sadly, though unspoken, the majority of poor Sierra Leoneans in both urban and rural settings go to bed hungry every night while malnutrition continues to children who die before they reach the age of five.

These stark statistics are hard to grapple with. Imagine for a moment the pain of a mother who cannot feed her newborn daughter with the proper food she needs to live beyond the age of five. Imagine the mother who toils all day in the field but still goes to bed with a stomach aching from hunger because she cannot afford enough food to feed her family.

There is another West African proverb: ”It is a fool whose tomatoes are sold to him.” We cannot afford to continue making other countries farmers rich whilst ours remain poor and we the people hungry.

The Agriculture Minister before this one said we use over USD300 million annually importing foods that can be easily grown here in the process creating hundreds of thousands of jobs at all district levels. Only agriculture can drive the economic transformation that the country so badly needs.

The resources saved could be used to empower more women, end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, combat climate change, create jobs and promote sustainable agriculture, leading to the attainment of the global goals, 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Simply raising crop yields by 10 percent would greatly reduce rural hunger and poverty. We have the knowledge to do it.

The benefits of an ecosystem-based approach to agriculture are clear in terms of its linkages to sustainable commercial value chains that will definitely boost farmers’ incomes and create up to 1 million jobs while catalysing an agricultural sector that could easily generate USD1 billion and more annually.

It means looking after our soils and our water sources. And it means sharing the knowledge and the technology that allows us to do all of these things. If we can do this – if we can optimize food production by embracing an ecosystem-based adaptation approach to agriculture – we can boost yields in the space of five years by over 300 percent.

What is exciting about the prospects in agriculture for the country is that it does not require enormous resources. We must also focus our efforts on improving every part of the food chain. We will have to improve our transport links and storage facilities so that we don’t waste so much food after it is harvested.

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