CARE Sierra Leone & Gender Minister Hold Fruitful Discussions

March 9, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In commemorating International Women’s Day in the country which is observed annually on March 8, the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Manty Tarawalli, has on Monday 7^th March, 2022 held a fruitful discussion with CARE Sierra Leone on issues bordering around gender mainstreaming, women and girls empowerment etc. The event was held at CARE Sierra Leone’s Office on Tengbeh Town in Freetown.

In her welcome address, the Country Director for CARE Sierra Leone and Liberia, Yaikah Joof, disclosed that CARE is a major international humanitarian agency delivering emergency relief and long-term international development projects, adding that CARE clocks 60 years of existence in the country, furthering that initially CARE’s focus was on school food programs to improve children’s nutrition but said currently, CARE supports a youth-led network to end female genital mutilation, and is a partner with several organizations that combat gender-based violence.

She informed all that CARE uses different approaches to strengthen women empowerment programs at community levels and has placed gender equality, including women’s voice and leadership, at the centre of their Vision 2030 which according to her is in line with the global 2030 agenda for sustainable development, as well as global frameworks such as the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, through which the international community has committed to achieving gender equality, not only as a matter of human rights but as the foundation for a “peaceful, prosperous, and sustainable world.”

Yaikah Joof pointed out that CARE uses the Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) as a platform to educate and empower women in different life skills including catering, tailoring, businesses etc. stating that the platform is utilized for women to address issues affecting them and to sensitize their community on Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) issues while empowering them economically towards improving their financial literacy skills among others.

Commenting on the Gender Empowerment Bill, the Country Director revealed that the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Gender has introduced a bill in Parliament in October 2021 that would require 30% of electable and appointment positions to be occupied by women and that to contribute to this, CARE will collaborate with the Ministry of Gender and pre-identified national and international organizations to create enough awareness and support in the communities for the bill to pressurize their elected members of Parliament to pass the bill; and to ‘prepare women’ and create the ‘enabling environment’: build capacity of women over the next 18-24 months to ensure adequate number of women are well positioned to stand for elections during the next election phase.

She maintained that CARE has been working on Women in Enterprise (WiE) Project which is in its third phase covering the period April 1 2020 to March 31 2022 and funded by H&M Foundation, continuing that the goal of the project is that Women have their own means of generating an income as entrepreneurs and can influence decisions that affect their lives and enterprises, at household and community levels and that CARE is ensuring that 150 Women groups are connected to digital financial products through the establishment of MiKASH books.

The Country Director said that CARE Sierra Leone’s Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) women economic empowerment program is aimed to simultaneously increase women’s personal agency and ability to influence economic decision-making, expand and increase recognition for women’s productive roles within households and the wider society and enhance women’s access to and control over economic resources, opportunities and assets.

CARE focuses on four interrelated pathways to economic empowerment: financial inclusion, women and value chains, dignified work, and entrepreneurship.

In her response, the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Manty Tarawalli commended CARE Sierra Leone for complementing the efforts of the Government of Sierra Leone through their inventions as an organization.

She said that women empowerment is very critical towards the prosperity of the country, adding that the country cannot get to middle income status without enhancing the empowerment of women and girls in the country and that the issue about women empowerment is no longer an issue of fairness but of economic importance.

Manty Tarawalli revealed that women counts for about 52 percent of the country’s population and if these huge population is left behind there is no way Sierra Leone will develop of which she also commended CARE Sierra Leone for their programs that are geared towards educating and empowering women across the country.

The Minister pointed that last year she presented the Gender Empowerment Bill in Parliament and that the bill is geared towards the empowerment of women in the country, adding that for the bill to become law political parties must take steps to ensure their constituency nomination lists for Parliamentary elections to include a minimum of 30% female candidates per district and it will also push for 30% representation for women in all sectors.

She pointed out that they also included in the revision the creation of Gender Units in respective MDAs headed by a Director of Gender and the unit will ensure gender rights are mainstreamed across every sectorial legislation, plan or policy.

She noted that as a Ministry they are joining the world to commemorate the International Women’s Day which is observed annually on March 8 in order to call for actions to advance gender equality in the country.

SLCS & International Youth Fellowship Launches Mind Education & Theology School for Inmates

March 9, 2022

Sierra Leone Correctional services (SLCS).png

By Millicent Senava Mannah

The Sierra Leone Correctional services (SLCS) in partnership with the International Youth Fellowship has launched a Mind Education and Theology School program for inmates in the Center, this is geared towards reforming the mindset of inmates for them to become productive citizens in the country after serving their jail sentences. The ceremony was held on the 7th March 2022, at the Special Court Compound at New England Ville in Freetown.

The Deputy Director General of the Sierra Leone Correctional Centre said the transformation from Prisons to a Correctional Centre by an Act of Parliament in 2014 was a great step that is benefitting the inmates.

He continued that with the transition they now use the triple R standard to help transform the lives of inmates stating that they are; Reformation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration.

The Deputy Director General furthered that the actions of the inmates are reflections of their minds hence if their minds are full of good intentions their actions will be better.

“It is now no secret that mind education and character development is very central to reforming inmates as they shape their ways of thinking,” he averred.

The DDG requested that the Mind Education and Theology School which is a one-year program be continued in the center as the program will help their inmates and the nation as a whole if it continues.

Dr. Kim Ki Sung, Chairperson at International Youth Fellowship said their organization specializes in character development and mind education that will present the proper mindset for personal development and a happy life.

He maintained that this will tap into their creative abilities to do things that are very productive to society rather than resorting to any activity that will bring them closer to conflict with the law.

“Continuing the reformation process is very paramount as such will has to deal with the minds of law offenders,” he appealed.

The Chairperson affirmed that after the end of the one year program, inmates will graduate and opportunities will be given to them according to their cooperation during the program and their comportment in the centre.

The representative of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Edward Sarkoh, a State Counsel, said a major cause of imprisonment is to rehabilitate inmates and this is why they have moved from a Prison status to a Correctional Centre in 2014.

He continued that the program will help inmates become better in society after their sentences.

The ceremony was climaxed with the cutting of the ribbon by the representatives of both institutions.

SEND-Sierra Leone Commissions Nyapui Radio Station in Kenema

March 9, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Being part of their ‘More Than A Woman’ (MTAW) Project which is geared towards strengthening and promoting women’s participation in politics, governance and decision-making in the country, SEND Sierra Leone in partnership with Irish Aid has on Wednesday 2^nd March 2022 commissioned The Nyapui Radio Station FM 106.1 in Kenema. The officially commissioning of the Nyapui Radio Station which was attended by dignitaries took place at the premises of the Radio Station on Reservation Road, Kenema City, the Eastern Region of Sierra Leone.

Giving a brief background of the radio at the launch, the Country Director of SEND Sierra Leone, Joseph Ayamga started by expressing his sincere gratitude to Irish Aid through the Embassy in Sierra Leone for taking the bold step to support the establishment of the Voice of Women Radio (Nyapui Radio) in Kenema which he described as a bold step in the right direction stating that because many multilateral institutions, donors, and NGOs shy away from similar initiatives to provide empowerment and employment creation for many people in Sierra Leone.

He pointed out that the Nyapui Radio Station which operates on FM 106.1 covering the Eastern Region and part of the Southern Region is legally registered with the Independent Media Commission, National Revenue Authority and other regulatory bodies in Sierra Leone.

“The vision of the radio is to stand for the truth, enhance transparency, accountability, voice, and commit to patriotic deeds that will contribute to improving good governance, strengthening democracy while extolling the good values of Sierra Leone. It must never be political and never shy away from holding authorities accountable for their actions that don’t exude national integrity and enhance the nation’s collective good,” he revealed.

The Country Director posited that radio should be an excellent example of how when women lead, there is responsible and responsive development in the country, and that it must never be a platform for the women to enrich themselves at the expense of promoting the values that add value to women’s lives, especially the farthest behind, to live resilient and thriving lives.

“To the women who lead the radio, your number one priority is not to confuse others. If you need to act, act without further hesitation or doubt. It will help if you stand for the truth because it will always survive with time,” he admonished.

Delivering her statement, the Irish Aid Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Claire Buckley, described the commissioning ceremony of the radio station as a very important day in the history of their partnership with SEND SL, adding that it is important because they are launching the first ever radio station dedicated to increasing the voices of women in the Eastern part of Sierra Leone

“Today, women in the Eastern Region, Bonthe and all over the country have the opportunity to own their narrative and change that situation. The NYAPUI RADIO provides the opportunity to increase your voices – make them louder and prouder than before. It also provides the space for women to educate their peers about their rights and responsibilities in politics and governance,” she disclosed.

On his part, the President Sierra Leone Association of Journalists Ahmed Sahid Nasralla said he is delighted to be part of history making in the development of women especially within the media landscape.

He said that there are only two stations in the country that are dedicated to women’s broadcast and empowerment; one is in Mattru in the Southern region, and now Nyapui Radio Kenema in the Eastern Region the second radio station dedicated to amplify the voices of women in the country which he described as a move in the right direction towards the development of women.

He added that the Station Manager of Nyapui Radio is a woman and that’s what makes it significant as the media in Sierra Leone is male-dominated and one would find few women in leadership positions in the industry maintaining that he is of the strong conviction that more women will emerge.

In his keynote address, on behalf of the Minister of Information and Communication, Honourable Mohamed Rahman Swarray, while doing the officially commissioning of the radio station, the Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Solomon Jamiru said the media plays a very important role in promoting good governance and consolidating peace and security, underscoring that using it as a platform to promote issues affecting women and their empowerment in the country is a laudable venture.

He stated that this new development in the country will add value to the development of women and girls, noting that 51% of the country’s populations are women of which he used the opportunity to encourage women to take advantage of the percentage they own.

The Minister noted that Nyapui Radio is important towards educating women about their rights and responsibilities and it will digitalize into tangible result towards the empowerment of women, furthering that one of the clusters in the Mid-Term National Development Plan is geared towards the empowerment of women which he said the Government will continue to support in that drive.

Other dignitaries present, including the Board Chairperson of SEND-SL, Madam Lucy Gondor, the Executive Secretary Commissioner Khalil Kallon made salient contributions.

The Executive Secretary of the Independent Media Commission (IMC), Khalil Kallon presented the License of Nyapui Radio to the Board Chairperson of SEND-SL, Madam Lucy Gondor, of which he used the opportunity to admonish them to operate according to the dictates of the principles of the Independent Media Commission (IMC) in order to avoid penalties.

OFP & Partners Unveil Research Findings on ‘Breaking Down Barriers 2021’

March 9, 2022

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a bid to validate and share the findings of a research conducted in 2021 by talented Sierra Leonean students in the country, the One Family People (OFP) in collaboration with the Institute of Gender Research and Documentation (INGRADOC), Fourah Bay College, and with support from the Liliane Fonds has on Wednesday 2^nd March 2022 held its first ‘Breaking Down Barriers’ learning event to unveil the findings on Breaking Down Barriers 2021. The event took place at the Peace Museum Hall of the former Special Court for Sierra Leone at New England Ville in Freetown.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Executive Director of One Family People, Edward Emanuel, disclosed that ‘Breaking Down Barriers’ was initiated by the Liliane Foundation and the African Studies Centre (Leiden University) to identify the success factors of advocacy for children with disabilities. Together with One Family People in Sierra Leone, the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services and Cheshire Home Society of Zambia, an academic research was conducted with a view that the findings will serve as inputs to build a strong capacity for effective disability advocacy.

He said that while engaging stakeholders on their first learning event of ‘Breaking Down Barriers’ findings, a research is being conducted by a wonderful student on the Radical Inclusive Education Policy and the social safety net implemented by NaCSA.

According to him the One Family People in Sierra Leone, the Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services and Cheshire Homes Society of Zambia are offering field supervision in order to ensure that the research is context-sensitive and meets quality and ethical standards.

He revealed how the project is aimed at generating robust evidence on the success factors of advocacy for children living with disabilities.

Edward Emanuel further highlighted that ‘Breaking Down Barriers’ Phase One wrapped up since 2020, during a final conference which brought together a good number of stakeholders from the academia.

Giving an overview of ‘Breaking Down Barriers 2, the Program Manager of One Family People, Samuel P.O.V Macaulay, mentioned that the research will mark the second phase of the project underscoring how they are in Breaking Down Barriers Phase 2 (BDB 2) after completion of BDB 1 which ended in 2020.

He stated that One Family People collaborated with the Institute of Gender Research and Documentation (INGRADOC) Fourah Bay College to validate and share the findings of the research conducted in 2021 by talented Sierra Leonean students on the following topics: “The Role of Successful School Leaders in the Implementation of Inclusive Education in Primary Schools”, “Examine the Inclusiveness of the Social Safety Net Program and focusing on PWDs”.

He went on to maintain that they decided to embark on the research because they want to act on key issues that are affecting persons with disabilities, get the facts right and then put them together.

Macaulay added that the research was not focused on identifying faults alone, but rather to know what were going on in disability circles in order to act on them to optimize provisions for disable persons across the country.

He said the undertaken BDB research focused on the social safety net programme which is implemented by NaCSA as well as the Radical Inclusion process geared towards enhanced inclusion of disabled persons within the educational system of the country.

The Programme Manager concluded by stating that the research findings will enable the Liliane Foundation to develop an evidence-based Theory of Change for disability advocacy and that it will also affect decision making processes on issues relating to persons living with disabilities in the country.

The ceremony was concluded by a presentation of the preliminary findings (cross country research), by Edson Kamara and the presentation of the preliminary findings of the national research by Kristabel Kallon.

Management & Staff of GTBank Undertake Cleaning of Lumley/Aberdeen Beach

March 9, 2022

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) now Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, (GTCO) in partnership with ‘Let’s Do It Sierra Leone’ over the weekend conducted a massive cleaning exercise along the Lumley and Aberdeen beach.

Management and staff of the Bank and Let’s Do It Sierra Leone team undertook the exercise.

GTBank Corporate Affairs Officer, Victoria Wright, described the exercise as part of their 20^th anniversary celebration disclosing how they have lined up activities.

Mrs. Wright pointed out that their mission is to make financial services cheaper, easily accessible and more rewarding for every person and business in Africa.

She also added that there is the need for a conducive environment because they are particular about such which is why they decided to partner with ‘Let’s Do It Sierra Leone’

The GTBank Corporate Affairs Officer went on to say that plastic waste is a huge issue and they will continue to raise awareness not only in the beach but other areas as well.
“We want to communicate to the people of Sierra Leone that we care of the environment in which we are operating.”

She encouraged other corporate institutions to join the campaign as that will make the environment friendlier.

Members of Staff as well as Management were so pleased to participate in the cleaning exercise.

Guaranty Trust Holding Company PLC also known as GTCO PLC is a multinational financial services group that offers retail and investment banking, pension management, asset management and payments services.

Access Bank: A Leading Financial Institution Delivering Sustainable Economic Growth

March 9, 2022

Access Bank Sierra Leone.jpg — Ganiyu Sanni :Access Bank SL MD

By Mohamed Lamrana Jalloh

There are various commercial banks operating in the country and among them is the Access Bank Sierra Leone which is considered as one of the leading financial institutions in terms of delivering sustainable economic growth that is profitable, environmentally responsible and socially relevant.

Having its head office in Nigeria with branches in some countries it was learnt by this medium that Access Bank Sierra Leone is said to be driven by strong core values that enable the Bank to always deliver strong and sustainable performance. One of its core aims The bank is to assist its customers build a sustainable future by offering ‘bespoke products and solutions’ using highly skilled workforce across Sub-Saharan Africa, United Kingdom, and Asia.

The Bank is licensed to provide international banking services and is renowned for its comprehensive range of financial product offerings. Key business segments of the Bank are: Corporate and Investment Banking, Commercial Banking, Business Banking and Personal Banking products and services. Access Bank has also created a niche for itself as it adheres to responsible business practices and readily commits resources to social investments in fulfillment of its corporate social responsibility objectives.

The bank sees corporate governance as a foundation for the bank’s sustainable growth, and its Board and Management are making relentless efforts to improve on its corporate governance structure. Over the years, the bank has continued to optimize its governance mechanism to ensure methodical decision-making, effective supervision and sturdy operation. The Bank’s governance model is founded on key pillars of diversity, accountability, responsibility, transparency, independence, fairness, and discipline. The Board of Directors is critical to creating boundaries and setting the tone for Management. Accordingly, the bank have always aspired to have a Board that knows its subject matter, understands its governance responsibilities and adds value to the Management team.

Over the years, Access Bank Sierra Leone have made several investments to strengthen relationships with its customers by redefining their approach to customer service through streamlining their internal processes, and digitizing about 30% of customer journeys, the bank was able to improve on its customer experience.

On Human Capital Development, Access Bank understands that people are the driving force behind the Bank’s many successes and that being a great place to work is a driver for responsible growth. Therefore, the bank continues to work diligently to create a workplace where its employees can flourish. The bank’s obligation to its people includes their ongoing commitment to developing and managing talent, employee engagement, and core values anchored on diversity and inclusion.

Access Bank is committed to creating an enabling environment for high performance as well as fostering an inclusive and flexible workplace which supports work-life balance. Accordingly, the bank however, remain steadfast in its commitment to attract and retain exceptional talents which will enable them continuously provide the best service to their customers.

Amidst unprecedented global outbreak of pandemic, past year was filled with significant challenges, but the bank emerged a better and stronger business. Access Bank continue to focus on supporting host countries while pursuing sustainable growth, exploring new opportunities, driving innovation, and striving to become a world-class and modern financial enterprise.

Gov’t Well on Course to Regulate the Fishing Industry

March 9, 2022

Hon. Emma Kowa Jalloh, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources

By Amin Kef Sesay

With the contribution of fisheries to the country’s national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) put at around 10 %, undoubtedly, good governance of fisheries in Sierra Leone can contribute significantly towards the Sustainable Development Goals of reducing extreme poverty and ensuring environmental sustainability.

Under the dynamic leadership of the country’s Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Emma Kowa-Jalloh, robust measures are being taken by this Government to ensure regulations are put in place that bring more benefits from the sea to the country and its people.

Sierra Leone is a party to a number of important international fisheries management agreements and the current implementation of fisheries laws and policy is promising, but presents a number of challenges.

Under this and the previous Government, it is good that fisheries management and conservation has embraced an Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries (EAF) including establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the enforcement of regulations.

However, the by-catch regulation and fish trade regulation for catch origin have faced stiff resistance from fishing companies.

One key improvement is that Sierra Leone has moved to stop the operation of Flag of Convenience (FOC) for fishing vessels because most of these vessels have been involved in IUU fishing.

Additionally, territorial use rights in fisheries (TURFs), the access to EU markets, fisheries partnership agreements (FPA) and the setting up of a fisheries authority are major objectives for the future.

Progressive reforms to better manage the sector continue. Towards this, the Minister quite recently placed before Parliament two regulatory measures for ratification.

These two measures would guarantee a fair ride for fish caught in Sierra Leone into the EU market, which because of its better regulations would benefit the country financially.

During the course of the industrial-fishing-free month last year, Parliament ratified two UN agreements which seek to increase fish exports to the EU market, which is better regulated, and to prevent IUU fishing in Sierra Leone waters.

The first is an agreement to promote compliance with UN international conservation and management measures.

It will ensure that fishing vessels flying Sierra Leone’s flag on the high seas face sanctions if they break the law.

It will also see Sierra Leone exchange information with the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, including vessel type, name, registration number, port of registry and owner name and address.

The second relates to the conservation and management of the highly migratory fish populations Sierra Leone shares with neighboring countries.

Several other measures will improve receipts from what is a lucrative source of revenue for the country and its people.

Government could endorse 2017 recommendations to nationalize the ownership of fishing vessels and require all catches to be landed on home shores.

They could also consider implementing World Bank recommendations to limit fishing to within replacement levels, and to issue and publish fishing licenses each year to increase transparency.

Government can also control the number and size of the vessels they license and impose a no-go area offshore where fish can breed.

Government more importantly should work towards curbing the activities of corrupt officials in the Ministry that are undermining the effective implementation of control measures.

China Donates Four Mobile Clinics to Sierra Leone

March 9, 2022

By Amin Kef Sesay

Health-On-Wheels Initiative, a novelty geared towards actualizing universal health coverage commitment in the country with support from the Government of the People’s Republic of China was launched on the 7th March 2022 by President Julius Maada Bio.

According to the President, Sierra Leone’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage has been evident in the country’s international commitments, its partnerships with various nations and multilateral institutions, and efforts to restructure the national health sector.

“We are one of few countries in West Africa to invest over 12% of our budget into health care. My Government has allocated over 75 billion Leones to refurbishing, improving, or rebuilding healthcare infrastructure right across the country,” the President informed the audience adding how for the first time in fifteen years his Government has undertaken to rehabilitate Makeni Government Hospital, Magburaka Government Hospital, Port Loko Government Hospital, Kabala Government Hospital and other regional hospitals.

President Bio noted that the impacts of those investments were significant by any measure and were above politics, adding that since 2018 maternal mortality had been reduced from 1,165 to 720 per 100,000 people with far fewer mothers now dying in childbirth.

“Far fewer infants and children under five are dying. There has been a 100% increase in the number of people living with HIV receiving lifesaving treatment from just over 23,000 in 2017 to over 46,000. Malaria-related deaths have also been reduced by 47% – far fewer people are dying of malaria. Add these to our much-lauded fight against successive waves of COVID-19 and you will see that, in just 4 years, we have made great progress as a nation,” he concluded.

Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr Austin Demby, who doubled as chairman of the occasion, said the launch of the health initiative was a laudable venture that is geared toward bringing health care services to people in remote areas and poor communities. He added that it would also embrace and advance the quality of human capital development of the country.

He informed that the Government of Sierra Leone, through the dynamic leadership of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, will continue to strengthen the health care system of the country.

Dr Austin Demby disclosed that more hospitals will be built and more refurbished throughout the country adding that it will be done to give access to health care services to all citizens, regardless of where you they reside.

Country Director of Health Development Partners, Isaac Ahemesah, congratulated the Ministry of Health and Sanitation on what he called a great initiative on health-on-wheels that was aimed at bringing health services to the doorsteps of people as fast as possible. He added that the occasion also marked a significant milestone in their collective drive toward achieving universal health coverage in Sierra Leone.

“The Health Development Partners recognize the efforts that the Government and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation are making to establish the Sierra Leone Health Insurance Scheme, which when fully implemented will reduce financial barriers and enhance access to health service in the country,” he noted.

Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Hu Zhangliang said he was honoured to be invited to make statement at the occasion and congratulated the Government for their notable achievement in social and economic development, particularly in the health sector. He admitted that facing severe challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic and complicated international and regional situations was tough but assured of the support of his country to Sierra Leone.

“China and Sierra Leone are reliable friends over the past 50 years since our two countries established diplomatic ties on the basis of a win-win result. China will continue to support Sierra Leone in its development trajectory. I sincerely wish the mobile health project will be a success,” he concluded.

NP-SL Ltd Continues Optimization of Customer Care to the Highest Degree

March 9, 2022

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

By Amin Kef Sesay

There is no doubt that the National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited is highly known for taking customer care to the highest pedestal in the country. Indeed such is indisputable when cognizance is taken of how Management is very keen in optimizing customer satisfaction in its service delivery on different fronts.

Members of staff of the company are very mindful of the fact that it is the customer that comes first and therefore needs the utmost attention always ensuring that transactions are conducted under a congenial atmosphere that result into a win-win situation. For this brilliant and managerial initiative the company has been making positive headways positioning to stand tall among other business entities in this part of the world.

With a capable and result-oriented ‘Team NP’, working collaboratively and assiduously, where even the cleaner is regarded as highly relevant there is bound to be positive outcomes and the company has mastered this by ensuring that synergy is enhanced.
One admirable quality that NP-SL Ltd possesses is working tirelessly and effectively using its contacts with oil producing countries in order to ensure that there is timely purchase and delivery of petroleum products to avoid shortages.

It goes without saying that fuel, for example, could be a political commodity in the sense that fluctuation in its price would make a Government likeable or unpopular. When the price goes up then people blame the Government for that but if it goes down it is kudos for the political administration.

Its timely importation of petroleum products has earned NP high commendations from various quarters simply because it helps to cushion unrest and other forms of disadvantageous effects one of which is increase in transport fares, increase in the prices of certain commodities. The pro-activeness of the company invariably has a direct impact on poverty reduction in variable ways.

Some who may not be aware of the fact that NP-SL Ltd is wholly owned by Sierra Leoneans vis-à-vis the visibility of the company and how it is remarkably striving could find it hard to believe that it a truly indigenous company.

However, that remains the plain truth when it is learnt that it was Sierra Leonean 35 workers formerly working for British Petroleum (BP) who pulled together their end of service benefits to purchase shares which were used to establish NP, which today is a success story of an indigenous company, having branches in various parts of the country and in other four West African countries namely Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. The company’s operations right across the spectrum is contributing towards revenue generation and job creation for many.

With gas as one its marketable products it was thought wise to be producing gas cookers, popularly known as NP Gas, which could be access at their different filling stations. According to investigation conducted NP Gas is cooking-friendly, safe and long lasting. It is going at an affordable price and many are going for it.

When reference is made to Local Content then NP-SL Ltd stands tall within that realm as nearly all its members of staff are Sierra Leoneans thereby making use of local talents everywhere they are operating. The Local Content Policy is indeed an engine of growth and NP is making full use of it.
Without any iota of doubt NP-SL Ltd is growing taller and taller as time goes by.

Housemates Salone Season 3 Applications Closes Tomorrow

March 9, 2022

For Applicants Encountering Difficulty… AYV & Africell-SL Providing Guidance to Complete Application Process — For Applicants Encountering Difficulty…AYV & Africell-SL Providing Guidance to Complete Application Process

By Amin Kef Sesay

Tomorrow will be the deadline for all interested persons who wish to take part in the upcoming Housemates Salone Season 3 to submit their applications as it will mark the deadline that was set by the organizers. This means that there is still little time left for applications to be received and such gives those who are now only knowing about the competition or who have been procrastinating to seize the opportunity to apply.

Any individual of Sierra Leonean origin that is 21years old and above and was not selected to participate in any other Reality TV Show in Sierra Leone is eligible to apply. If an individual previously applied for a Reality TV Show but was not selected to participate he or she can apply for Housemates Salone Season 3.

Application forms are available online on AYV and Africell platforms. The application form costs Le200, 000 and is payable ONLY via Afrimoney. To apply, please click the following links: https://www.africell.sl/housemates/

www.ayvnews.com

Please note that before you go online to apply make sure you have Le 204,000 Leones on your Afrimoney phone and then go on to complete the form online using the phone number that has the Le 204,000 as your contact number and automatically Afrimoney will take Le 200,000 as form cost and then you submit successfully.

The detailed application form is to properly evaluate an interested person’s qualifications as a suitable candidate for Housemates Salone.

An applicant must make sure to answer all questions correctly and honestly in the form otherwise he or she will automatically be disqualified from the selection process if any of the answers turns out to be untruthful or if requested information is withheld.

However, AYV and Africell have made it in such a way that if an individual is struggling to complete his or her application, he or she can visit any of the following locations in Freetown for help: AYV Media Empire on 3 Wesley Street Off Pademba Road, Africell Office at Odion on Siaka Stevens Street or Africell Office at Wilberforce Village.

After the closing date what comes up next is audition and it will run from the 11th to 14th March 2022. Note that diaspora applicants will be sent a zoom link for their virtual audition upon successful completion of their application.

The Reality TV Show will be broadcast live on AYV TV, DStv Channel 399 and other social media platforms.

Proudly brought to members of the public by AYV Media Empire and Africell-SL Housemates Salone Season 3 and according to the organizers the Reality TV Show is set to give thrilling episodes which many will attest are truly entertaining and educative.

The Show is slated in such a way that those who will enter the House as Housemates will compete for the staggering winning prize of Two Hundred and Fifty Million Leones (Le 250M) plus undertaking a full round trip to Dubai. Definitely, there is going to be just one winner that will emerge at the end of the competition.

What really determines the stay and survival of the Housemates in the House is the number of votes each Housemate bags from the viewing public. It is these votes that are translated into percentages and falling below the threshold will lead to being asked out of the House. However, when this time reaches the link and the method of voting will be communicated how the process should go on via Africell.

After the audition and the Housemates are selected to enter the House and the Show commences if some of the Housemates appear sexy by the kind of clothes or 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 expected to intermittently use strong language and act humorously.

The underlying rationale for the organizers to package this entertainment show goes beyond providing mere entertainment to that of Youth Empowerment. With young Housemates, from different backgrounds put together under one roof for a certain period of time, they will be taken through certain mental and physical exercises that will impact their personalities and it is certain that after the competition they will never be the same again.

They stand to benefit from being guided to be motivational speakers, to think critically as well as rationally, how to healthily interact, how to solve problems, to set goals, to cook, how to eat and dress for different occasions, to sing, dance, control emotions and stress. They will have the opportunity to learn from what visiting guests from certain corporate institutions will teach them, learn how to play games and a host of other things that are aligned to coping mechanisms as well as development of strong characters.

Another good thing about the show is that it will put all the Housemates in the spotlight as the Reality TV Show will be viewed by many in and out of the country. People will come to know them, the talents that they possess and what they are capable of doing. The show could be a window of opportunity for the Housemates as some people out there could be interested in tapping the talents that they have seen displayed which could end up in changing their fortunes for life. Indeed something has to start somewhere.

As the expectations are running high, the organizers are methodologically and meticulously putting finishing touches to once again avail viewers a lively, tantalizing and thought-provoking Reality TV Show.