Lawyer Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara Challenges State Counsel

January 24, 2020

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The lawyer representing former President Ernest Bai Koroma in the on-going Commission of Inquiry presided over by Justice Bankole Thompson, Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara has in his final submission said that the Commission was not instituted to fight corruption but to make former President Ernest Bai Koroma a destitute.

He argued that the objective of setting up the Commission is not to fight corruption but to make former President Ernest Bai Koroma a destitute.

“This cycle of political vengeance must stop in this country,” he affirmed.

JFK, as he is popularly known, stated that the purpose of the Commission is to ban his client from holding a public office, confiscate his property and make him destitute, which he considers as vengeance justice.

He said the prosecution has addressed the Commission on the absence of his client, noting that it was the constitutional right of his client to remain silent unless if the prosecution has a strong reason for him to say something to help the investigation.

The Defence Lawyer furthered that as a law abiding citizen, his client complied with the laws of the land by submitting his asset declaration form to the Commission.

He said his client was alleged to have owned half of the property in Freetown, including every powerful building, but that the prosecution did not lead any evidence to the Commission that warrant his client to answer to any of those allegations.

He submitted that the prosecution also took no time to investigate or inform the Commission and the public about the lawfully acquired wealth of his client, noting that his client had over three billion Leones shares at RITCORP Insurance Company and thousands of United States Dollars in other companies before he took office.

He submitted that the prosecution did not investigate what his client had before he took office, but aimed to make sure that his client is ban permanently from politics, noting that his client was financially solvent at the time he took office.

“My lord, my client is not a prolific traveller or a drunkard that spends money in night clubs, but he was a prudent businessman. Now this Commission is seeking to make him destitute,” he said.

He further that the prosecution has presented no document to the Commission to show that he owns any other property rather than those in his asset declaration form and submitted that the case against his client be dismissed.

JFK noted that both witnesses the prosecution presented to testify against his client including one investigator, Dauda Kai Kai and a property valuator named Olu Campbell are incompetent, noting that the property valuator has no academic qualification.

One Christopher Olu Campbell in 2019 testified at the Commission that properties of former President Ernest Bai Koroma worth sixteen million five hundred thirty four thousand and five hundred United States Dollars (USD$16, 534,500).

Pres. Bio Promises to Expunge Dual Citizenship Law

January 24, 2020

By Melvin Tejan Mansaray

It is an established fact the prior to the 2018 Presidential and Parliament elections, political aspirants who were known to hold dual citizenship were prevented to vie for various political positions to the annoyance of many.

Regarded as the two-sim (dual citizenship law) it is a socio-politically divisive issue among ordinary and diasporan Sierra Leoneans.

During a recent Town Hall meeting with the Sierra Leonean diaspora community in the UK, Pres. Bio reiterated his commitment to get this law reviewed assuring its tabling in the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone. The President, however, underscored the need for engagements including Parliament as was done with regards repealing of Part Five of the Criminal Libel Repeal.

When a random opinion sampling was conducted among Legislators in Parliament most of them unequivocally stated that, “we are not going to approve any such proposal from the President to review this law.”

They further added that “it is only MPs who are diasporians that will support the proposed review on the dual citizenship.”

It was noticed that not more than five MPs are in support of the review process of the law.

Those Legislators who are not dual citizens say it will be foolhardy for them to approve the law also maintaining that over ninety percent of MPs in the present Parliament are there because of the law adding that to remove it means opening the doors for their own removal for people who have the resources, expertise and lots of other advantages.

At the moment, Hon. Dr. Kandeh Yumkella Leader NGC party and former UN diplomat and Hon. Wuyatta Songa representing the governing SLPP party (whose CV almost speak British) are the proponents of the citizenship law review and their colleagues say they will not entertain any such proposal from them or even the President.

According to the Public Elections Act 2012, Section 16 paragraph (a); “No person shall be registered as a voter or, having been registered as such, shall be entitled to vote at a public election if the person is – (a) a non-citizen;”

In the Sierra Leone Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2006 (Being an Act to amend the Sierra Leone Citizenship Act, 1973 so as to grant the right of dual citizenship and citizenship by birth directly through the mother), Section (5), Section 10 of the principal Act is repealed and replaced by the following section:– 10. “A citizen of Sierra Leone may hold a citizenship of another country in addition to his citizenship of Sierra Leone.”

In Section 13 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone (Duties of the Citizen), paragraph (B) says ‘Every Citizen shall – “cultivate a sense of nationalism and patriotism so that loyalty to the State shall override sectional, ethnic tribal or other loyalties;”

Legal Aid Board Bags MOTT Foundation Support

January 24, 2020

By Foday Moriba Conteh

To create more impact through their activities, the Legal Aid Board has recruited and deployed thirteen Paralegals around the country geared towards increasing its presence in the remotest parts of the country. These are areas with limited access to the Criminal Justice System and therefore the most disadvantaged in access to justice. People in these areas have access to mostly the Local and Informal/Traditional Courts.

This has been made possible by a two-year grant from Charles Stewart MOTT Foundation, a gesture that is in line with ‘Improving access to justice for people in remote communities through the use of Local and Informal/Traditional Courts’.

Two Paralegals have been deployed in each of the two newly created districts of Karene and Fabala. The Paralegals were resident in the districts prior to their recruitment and moreover have been involved in civil society and human rights activists.

Prior to the deployments, Paralegals from the neighbouring districts of Bombali and Koinadugu had been covering the new districts. “This is a welcome relief to the Board because we have been constrained to provide the much needed primary legal aid services in these parts of the country which have access to mostly Informal/Traditional Courts,” the Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles said.

“Our Paralegals in the neighbouring districts of Bombali and Koinadugu have been struggling to cope with the demand for our services especially from traditional leaders and civil society activists who were constantly calling for our intervention in matters,” she continued.

The Board has also deployed two more Paralegals each for Sandor Chiefdom in Kono District, Lower Bambara Chiefdom in Kenema District, Lower Banta in Moyamba District and Bumpe-Gao Chiefdom in Bo District. This has increased the number of Paralegals in each of these districts to four. Moreover, one Paralegal has been deployed in the Lokomassama Chiefdom in Port Loko District in the North-West.

The Legal Aid Board had its first meeting with the Mott Foundation in Freetown in 2018 where the Program Officer: Civil Society in South Africa, Lorenzo Wakefield was briefed on the operations of the Board and the fact that the Board has established a niche internationally in the provision of primary justice services by its Paralegals. Lorenzo noted that Sierra Leone will be among four countries on the continent to benefit from the Foundation in the coming years. The others are: Malawi, Kenya and Rwanda.

MDAs & Development Partners Held Consultative Meeting with MOPED

January 24, 2020

By Edward Vamboi

In a bid to shove up overall national development, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) on Tuesday 21 January, 2020 held a consultative meeting with Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) and development partners to discuss the Zero Draft National Public Investment Policy (NPIMP) at the Ministry’s Conference room on Tower Hill in Freetown.

The engagement is geared towards reviewing the draft NPIMP including streamlining the roles and responsibilities of key public investment actors, define the public investment cycle and design appraisal tools to guide public investment decision making. The NPIMP, when developed is expected to be a guide that interfaces with other Government policies to ensure a robust and integrated system in the processing and delivering of public projects.

Welcoming the discussants, the Development Secretary, Peter Sam-Kpakra thanked everyone for their participation; noting that it demonstrates their commitment to ensuring Government addresses challenges that have over the years undermined efficiency in addressing the infrastructural challenges and gaps.

In his statement, the Director of Public Investment Management Department, MoPED, Alpha Bangura noted the importance of the engagement; stating that the preliminary consultative meeting will create the platform for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDA’s) to contribute in developing a National Public Investment Policy that will reflect a national perspective on public investments across all sectors.

Mr. Bangura said the process will further foster transparency and accountability of the process, ensuring ownership of the document when developed.

The Lead Consultant, Osman Kamara, who gave an overview of the zero draft presentation, noted that the process will be very participatory and will include valuable inputs and contributions from all relevant stakeholders.

Other representatives in attendance included the IMF, ADB, Office of Presidential Infrastructure Initiative, SLRA, Ministry of Works and Ministry of Finance among many others.

The Public Investment Management Department in partnership with the consultant will conduct nationwide consultations with key stakeholders on the zero draft policy to solicit their views on Public Investment processes. The consultations will be held in all four (4) regions of the country.

NP-SL: Taking the Lead in the Petroleum Business

January 24, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

Without mincing the truth, nobody can contest the indisputable fact that the National Petroleum (NP) Sierra Leone Limited is a success story being a formidable business entity that is greatly contributing to overall national development. It is one of the buoyant business entities that are completely owned by Sierra Leoneans having no foreigner or politician as shareholder which makes it purely an indigenous company.

From its humble beginning in this country, NP can now boast of having branches in Liberia, Ivory and other parts in the West African sub-region. The company has demonstrated to the world that indeed Sierra Leoneans can be efficient entrepreneurs as well as sending the message that this country is a safe haven for investment.

The number of jobs and taxes that NP has offered and is also paying has helped and still continues to help to make development interventions more possible, When we talk of poverty reduction and improving standards of living then the company has been helping directly and indirectly in those directions,

There is no doubt that human existence could not really be comfortable in the absence of petroleum products.

We need fuel to run our vehicles, our generators, there is need for gas to be utilized for cooking purposes, kerosene is used for different purposes, NP SL Ltd is a leading entity that makes easy accessibility to these various petroleum products possible, Management of the company always ensures that these products are readily available in order to prevent occurrence of shortage.

The company really deserves a pat on the back when cognizance is taken of the fact that it is customer friendly as it forms a cardinal part of their mantra in optimizing customer satisfaction,

Talking with a University of Sierra Leone Economics Lecturer , he noted that because of the selflessness and commitment of those who opted to buy the company when the Government decided to sell it 23 years ago, NP has been able to empower more than 350,000 Sierra Leoneans, build 38 stations countrywide as part of the many accomplishments it has registered.

One unique thing about the company is that it is very innovative and matching with latest technology and devices .This characteristic is very evident in NP evident in making use of latest transparent pumping machines, smart cards to purchase fuel, making it convenient for consumers as well as having sound tankers that transport fuel to different parts of the country.

”I am very proud of the National Petroleum Company because it is offering a lot in terms of development, making this country very much attractive,” a Development Consultant remarked adding that other entities should borrow a leaf from the entity,

Certain customers interviewed at a particular Filling station intimated that availing customers the opportunity to purchase basic items in their mini marts is making life comfortable as it minimizes hassling to do so in trying to access shops especially when cognizance is taken of the fact that most times there is overcrowding in towns and parking spaces are limited.

Starting as a small entity and through effective management the National Petroleum Company is growing by leaps and bounds with presence in other parts of West Africa making Sierra Leone standing tall, This a clear testimony of dogged commitment and steadfastness showing that success can be achieved through selflessness.

Rokel Bank Motivates Young People

January 24, 2020

Amin Kef Sesay

The Rokel Commercial Bank has kicked off with its motivational talks series to youths and young adults in Freetown at the Bim D Bam Hall on Wellington Street in Freetown.

The Motivational Talks Series expected to be replicated in the regions of Sierra Leone are ancillary to the Financial Inclusion and Financial Literacy drive the bank has undertaken in the last two years, targeting mainly the business community and young people.

The Speakers of the maiden session were the Commissioner of the National Youth Commission, Ngolo Kata and Managing Director of Rokel Bank, Dr Dayo Gilpin. According to the Youth Commissioner, “being a young person goes beyond age but what you can do to harness the opportunities around you.” He therefore encouraged young people to see change as an opportunity to take risks and not a threat.

The RCBank Managing Director who took the youths through a power point presentation on the theme; “Your Attitude Will Determine Your Altitude” underscored the need to adopt positive attitudes towards things that matter in life and encourage young people to be focused in their education as a sure way of making it in life.

“When people see us in air conditioned vehicles today, they never knew what we went through to get where we are today. To all my young people, I want you all to know that when you persevere, the sky is your limit…,” he said.

The motivational talk session attracted pupils from secondary schools and youth groups in the Western Area.

NASSIT Director General On A Working Visit To SSHFC In The Gambia

January 22, 2020

By Theresa Kef

Two high profiled officials of the National Social Security and Insurance Trust- NASSIT, Mohamed Fuaad Daboh and the Chairman Board of Trustees, Prof. Lawrence Kamara are currently on a two-day working visit to the Social Security and Housing Finance Corporation -SSHFC in the Gambia to observe progress made by SSHFC in their investment portfolio particularly in the Housing sector and to strengthen bilateral relationship between NASSIT and SSHFC.

In a high powered meeting with the Management of SSHFC, the Managing Director, Mamadu Njiang enumerated the strides made by his organization in the last 38 years to provide effective social protection and housing services for the people of the Gambia.

Addressing the NASSIT team, Mamadu Njiang stated that SSHFC in addition to its core business of administering Social security for the people of the Gambia, the Corporation has a mandate to provide Housing financial service.

According to the Managing Director, the Housing finance is a means through which the Corporation services plots of land with or without small construction loans for the low and middle income Gambians and provide suitable number of completed houses for those in the middle class.

He informed the team that the Corporation is involved in various housing projects such as Brusubi, Bakoteh and Kanifing layouts in which employees are given 75% mortgages and pay off the balance on the property over 15 years.

“The development and administration of housing projects is either carried out independently by the Corporation in partnership with other agencies, ‘ Mr. Njiang concluded.

In his response, the Director General of NASSIT, Mohamed Fuaad Daboh lauded the strides made by SSHFC particularly in the housing sector. He said the Gambian model could be best not only for Sierra Leone but the entire sub- region. He enumerated the successes his administration has scored in a little over one year in office to put NASSIT on the right path.

He called on all Social security institutions in the sub region to collaborate, coordinate and be willing to share ideas for the good of the continent.

On his part, the Chairman Board of Trustees of NASSIT, Prof. Lawrence Kamara, acknowledged that the visit was very fruitful and will help validate the strides they have made back. He said this has shown that NASSIT is in the right trajectory.

Meetings were also held with the Operations and Benefit Divisions of SSHFC to enable the team to assess their processes in comparison with those of NASSIT with a view to implementing best practice back home.

The team also visited some of the investment sites to give opportunity to the visitors to see first-hand the strides made by SSHFC.

This visit is not only good for the Director General and Board Chairman, but will also give the Director General idea on Sub- regional schemes and Corporations in readiness for his new appointment as Vice Chairman for the Technical Commission for the Investment of Social Security Funds.

Chief Minister Extols SLPP Govt. for Outstanding Achievements

January 22, 2020

By Alim Jalloh

In a kind of assessment, Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, Professor David Francis has unequivocally stated that the Government of President Bio firmly remains on track in the delivery of the manifesto commitment. He noted that though there are challenges, yet much progress has been made in laying the foundations for a prosperous Sierra Leone. He reiterated President Bio’s stance that 2020 is a year to consolidate on the achievements and successes of the New Direction Government.

In highlighting key achievements of the New Direction Government he stated that after 12 years of trial, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a United States Foreign Aid agency in 2019 positively assessed Sierra Leone under the leadership of President Bio in the control of corruption, ruling justly and investing in people with pass marks in guaranteeing democratic rights, civil liberties, the rule of law, health and primary education expenditures.

He furthered that the MCC also gave a pass mark to the Government of President Bio in the area of economic freedom, trade policy, gender in the economy and business start-up.

Prof David Francis said the Anti-Corruption Act was reviewed to make it more robust in the fight against corruption adding how the Government of President Bio paid $1.2 billion domestic debt left by ex-President Koroma of the APC.

“In 2019, President Bio launched Africa’s first blockchain and decentralized digital platform under the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) in Sierra Leone,” he outlined maintaining that the Government established and operationalized the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) under the Office of the President.

Other achievements he made mention of were: Translating commitment into action for the construction of the Lungi/Freetown Bridge. Arrangements for the construction of the bridge are far ahead; contributing to human capital development through Free Quality Education for Primary and Secondary education to over two million children in Sierra Leone,

He said they committed 21% of the country’s GDP to the FQE; the first Government in West Africa to provide free quality education across primary and secondary schools; spent 30 billion in the supplying of 26 million text books and other school materials;

“We provided school buses exclusively for school going children, increased salaries of teacher by 30% , controlled Government deficit/borrowing; created a Ministry of Environment in response to the global environmental challenges,” he mentioned.

The Chief Minister stated that they provided sustainable electricity supply to Sierra Leoneans especially in the Western Area, recruited 300 female in the army, first ever in the history of Sierra Leone, commissioned 48 hospitals across the country, approved 106 schools across the country.

He said they supplied 506 ambulances across the country to respond to emergency health issues, commissioned the construction of two universities: one in Bonthe and the other in Kono District; increased salaries of Government workers by 15%; appropriate Le18.3 billion to Freetown City Council to transform Freetown.

“We renovated the Sierra Leone Parliament to a modern level, paid for application forms for students who enrolled into universities; paid school subsidies for all pupils across the country,” he continued.

He said they offered scholarship to university students offering Mathematics, Geography, Agriculture, Biology and Engineering to students across the country, introduced and sustained national cleaning days on the first Saturday of every month, set up Commission of Inquiry to investigate the stewardship of past government officials, approved solar lights to be install at Moyamba District; commissioned the Lumley market and Juba to Atlantic bridge; commissioned the Bo Mattru-Jong Road, the Kenema/Tongo-Fields/Koidu Road , the construction of 68 streets in Kenema, the construction of the Kenema mini stadium, the completion of the Tokeh Peninsula Road.

The Chief Minister also stated how they supported the rehabilitation of the Bo stadium, the rehabilitation of Magburaka Boys School & commissioned the road and clock tower.

Professor Francis said they commissioned the construction of the Magbereh bridge Makeni high way that they are the First government to rule for 9 months without international budgetary support; to raise Le 8.7billion from corrupt politician in six months, commissioned the Milton Margai College Library and Science Laboratory and a drone corridor in Njala, the first in the West African Sub-region

Two Sierra Leonean Students Bag Serbia Scholarships to Study at Belgrade University

January 22, 2020

Dr. Adonis Aboud , the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Serbia & the awardees

By Amin Kef Sesay

Two successful Sierra Leonean students were on 13 January 2020 awarded scholarships by the Serbian Government to study at the Belgrade University. The deserving recipients of the scholarships were Sia Senorita Quee and Iyesata Jalloh and the two will be studying at the University for a year.

Dr. Adonis Aboud , the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Serbia in a statement during the short but auspicious award ceremony, enjoined the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity and concentrate on their studies in order to emerge successful at the end of their courses. “You will be ambassadors of this country out there and therefore should do your utmost best to excel in your studies,” he motivated them.

He further disclosed that both students would be pursuing Masters Degrees. “Sia and Iyesata are the 27^th and 28^th Sierra Leoneans to receive scholarships from Yugoslav Republic since the 80’s,” he added furthering that Sia will be specializing in Public Health and Iyesata in Accounting..

Sia explained that the process of winning or bagging the scholarship was highly competitive saying she is very excited for being considered . “In Sierra Leone it is expensive to read for a Master’s Degree in the medical field…it costs up to 30 million Leones alone for the tuition fee and so I am grateful for the award,” she said disclosing how she will be specializing in epidemiology saying because Sierra Leone once had an outbreak she would love to give back to her country.

Iysata, on the other hand, explained that doing a first degree in Sierra Leone was quite challenging especially with regards having the right materials and learning environment.

“However, we are planning to go and leave a mark that would continue to foster the relationship between Sierra Leone and Serbia and also seek knowledge that would help to contribute to the development of the country,” she expressed optimism..

The Deputy Secretary to the Minister of Higher Technical Education, Idrissa Sannoh explained that the scholarships were advertised also pointing out that because of the age limitation criterion which required applicants to be below 23 years of age only 60 applicants were received also stating that Sia and Iysata were the lucky ones among the lot.

Idris Elba Poised to Re-brand Sierra Leone & Boost Tourism

January 22, 2020

Idris Elba

By Amin Kef Sesay

Popular world class celebrity, Idris Elba, is now a new Brand Ambassador of Sierra Leone. He is all set and poised to rebrand the country’s image and boost tourism. Just as the West African country was getting back on its feet after more than a decade of civil war, the virus struck, killing thousands over a period of two years.

Guided by Kai Saquee, an actor and winner of Sierra Leone’s Big Brother, Idris recently paid a nine-day visit to Sierra Leone, as UK tour-operators start showing interest again in its silky beaches, primate-rich rainforest and Krio (creole) culture. Revitalising the tourism sector is a key element of the nation’s development plan.

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The objective is to upgrade historic and cultural sites over the next three years and promote eco- and adventure tourism. A key part of that promotion will be played by Idris Elba. The actor and musician – whose father was born in Sierra Leone – was granted citizenship when he visited his father’s homeland in December 2019.

During the visit, he announced his intention to invest in the country’s developing tourist economy and on Christmas Eve, President Julius Maada Bio made Elba a Brand Ambassador for the nation, entrusting him to tell “the world a new narrative about a Sierra Leone that is ready to grow and a nation that is … looking forward.”

Spreading the wealth of diamond mining

“I have a taste of what’s in store when I visit Kono in Eastern District, the country’s diamond mining centre where in 1972 the 969-carat Star of Sierra Leone was found, the fourth-largest diamond ever. During wartime Kono was devastated as opposing factions sought the power that diamonds could buy,” Kai disclosed furthering that today, such dreams of wealth prevail at Bandefaye village community mine, where he says the diamonds are now a force for good.

The open-cast mine is half the size of a football pitch. Stepped terraces in the clay are being hand-dug by shovels and picks. The idea of a community mine, says its financial overseer, El-Hadj Marar, is the villagers’ share in any good fortune. He financially supports the workers until they make a find then pays them depending on the carats unearthed, taking a 25 per cent cut.

“We dig with prayers,” says Mohammed, shin-deep in water. “Finding a five-carat diamond could change my family’s fortune.”

The negative association with wartime “blood diamonds” has prompted Sierra Leone’s tourist board to plan to adopt a new emblem of a chimpanzee to replace its diamond logo. Near Kono, chimpanzees inhabit the Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary situated on a river within the Upper Guinea forest ecosystem.

Tiwai is home to a stellar cast of primates, 11 species on one tiny island. The rainforest crackles with the whoops and howls of sooty mangabey and red colobus, although we don’t see chimpanzees.

Primate suspects

Yet poachers’ gunfire within the reserve reminds how bushmeat remains on the menu throughout Sierra Leone even despite an established link between eating primates and Ebola. This issue is highlighted outside the capital, Freetown, at Tacugama, a rescue reserve for 100 orphaned chimpanzees. “For every baby chimp taken for the pet trade or bushmeat, 10 others will be killed collaterally,” says Manager Aram Kazandjian.

His refuge gives chimps a second-chance in semi-wild conditions; they will never be released because the hand-reared youngsters lack survival skills “ I fawn over the cuteness of cuddly seven-month-old Caesar, an orphaned baby chimp restored to health by a surrogate human mum,” he continued..

Close by, on Tokeh Beach, Kai said he spent a night at Sierra Leone’s only five-star resort, The Place, where the talc-fine sand arcs around a bay sheltering brightly painted fishing pirogues.

“The slavers traded men with African chiefs for guns and tobacco. Life wasn’t worth much,” says the island’s caretaker, Mohammed Sandey.

“They threw the dead slaves into the ocean,” Mohammed sighs.

Back in Freetown a gold-painted statue is dedicated to African American Thomas Peters near the Big Market where tourists can buy souvenirs. Peters not only escaped slavery and fought against his former “masters” but also persuaded the British to fund the return of 15 ships of ex-slaves from Nova Scotia to West Africa.

In 1792 Freetown was born when, led by Peters, they stepped ashore. It was a turning point for Sierra Leone. Hopefully, with civil war and Ebola now consigned to history, the nation has a bright future again.

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