As He Clocks Seven (7) Months… Prof. Baimba Showcases Critical Milestones at Njala University

March 9, 2022

Professor Andrew Baimba.jpg — Acting Vice Chancellor and Principal: Professor Andrew Baimba

By Ralph Sesay (PRO: Njala University)

Professor Andrew Augustine Baimba has on Friday 4th March 2022 showcased his major achievements at Njala University for the past seven (7) months in his capacity as Acting –Vice-Chancellor and Principal.

The accomplished Educationist and Administrator was addressing Senators of the University Senate, the highest academic organ of the University at the Secretariat, Njala Campus where he noted that he had successfully achieved the three key point objectives for which the Government had sent him to Njala and this according to him included working towards a smooth transition between him and his predecessor-Professor Mallam, Superintending over a functional and management review of the University and overseeing the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor and Principal.

He thanked the Deans of School and other academic staff for working towards producing results and reopening the University for the 2021/2022 Academic Year on record time.

Professor Baimba also highlighted efforts around trying to fix the water and electricity challenges and making students’ hostels conducive for living and used the opportunity to appeal to Government and private sector players to help his administration overcome the issues of sustainable energy across his campuses.

The Administration, according to him, spends a colossal two hundred million Leones a month to generate water and electricity across its campuses and he is deeply worried that his Administration has not been able to have a sustainable solution towards that end.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor also recounted efforts at changing the status of casual workers in the security sector, revamping the Public Relations Office which is producing a quarterly monthly Newsletter thereby creating visibility for University functions, formation of three Committees to resuscitate agricultural farming in the various sectors, and the beautification of the various campuses to name but a few. Considerable resources have already been provided to support the work of those committees.

He praised the collective efforts of all sundry towards the attainment of the aforementioned achievements and thanked the Government for giving the opportunity to serve and for the support over the last seven months. “I am always glad to serve Njala because it made me who I am today,’’ Professor Baimba expressed gratitude.

Professor Andrew Augustine Baimba was appointed Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Njala University on the 1st July 2021 replacing Sierra Leone’s Statistician-General, Professor Osman Sankoh Aka Mallam O. who served for fourteen months (April 2020-July 2021).

The Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal is a seasoned Administrator and Academician and has served the University as Senior Lecturer, Head of Physics Department, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Bo and Njala Campuses, Chairman Policy and Curriculum Review Committees of the University.

His successes at Njala University are largely due to his experiences and understanding of the institution and the huge respect he commands among a good number of members of staff most of whom now form the Senior Administrative and Academic cadres of the current administration.

Dr Muneer Jalloh.jpg — Dr Muneer Jalloh: University Registrar

As Hardship Deepens… Very Difficult Pre-election Year for President Bio

March 7, 2022

By Ranger

It can be recalled that President Bio in April 2018 came into power on the promise of rebuilding the Sierra Leone economy and making life better for the ordinary average citizen through good State administrative and financial management.

Well-intentioned as he was, global events far beyond his control have hampered drastically the quest of his promise to the nation by his New Direction Government.

Starting with falling exports and increased imports bills that forced his Government to take on additional borrowing, the Leone has depreciated considerably in its value against the pound, dollar and euro since 2018.

The continual increase in the international price of fuel on which the entire economy depends to run has also caused the Government and its people considerable financial strain in terms of its effect on food prices, transportation, rents and all other market prices which have gone up frighteningly very recently.

The World Bank which works closely with development partners to support Sierra Leone in fighting poverty, promoting economic development and improving living standards in a report published in October 2021 stated that Sierra Leone’s economy contracted by 2% as the COVID-19 pandemic led to slowdown in all sectors following global supply chain disruptions and lockdown measures.

GDP per capita fell by 4% in 2020, reversing some of the recent gains in poverty reduction. Real GDP is expected to rebound by 4.2% in 2021, reflecting the easing of COVID-related restrictions as well as the implementation of the Government’s fiscal response to the pandemic.

Headline inflation fell to 8.9% in March 2021, before rising sharply to 10.2% by end June, reflecting an increase in food and fuel prices. Food inflation reached 17.1% in June 2021, well above its pre-COVID-19 level of 9.9%.

The current account deficit was expected to improve by 1 percentage point to 16.4% of GDP in 2021, reflecting higher export receipts from the mining sector.

In 2021, total public expenditure reached 12.3% of GDP while total revenue collection totaled 6.9% of GDP. The overall budget deficit is projected to decline to 3.8% of GDP in 2021. Public debt was estimated to decline to 72.9% of GDP in 2021, although the risk of external and overall debt distress was assessed as high in June 2021.

In this frame, Sierra Leone’s medium-term outlook is subject to downside risks. The main domestic macroeconomic risks are continued high public debt and domestic payment of arrears, slower than expected revenues, and rapid growth in monetary aggregates, including the associated inflationary risks and financial sector weaknesses.

This picture clearly shows that Sierra Leone still faces severely the development challenges of the last decade stemming largely from the Ebola pandemic in 2014 and 2015 which like COVID 19 threw overboard the then Government’s development plans and aspirations to lay the foundations for attaining middle-income status by 2035.

As it is, the country still carries its post-conflict attributes of high youth unemployment, corruption, and weak governance.

The country continues to face the daunting challenge of enhancing transparency in managing its natural resources and creating fiscal space for development. Problems of poor infrastructure and widespread rural and urban impoverishment persist despite remarkable strides and reforms.

The million dollar question on the lips of many Sierra Leoneans is, how would this gloomy economic atmosphere affect President Bio’s reelection bid in 2023 if not brought under control?

Tourism Minister & South African High Commissioner Discuss Possible Investment Opportunities

March 7, 2022

Grace Jeanet Mason, South African High Commissioner to Ghana and Sierra Leone, with her delegation on the 4^th March 2022 paid a courtesy visit on the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs to discuss possible investment opportunities in the tourism sector.

Welcoming the delegation to the Ministry, the Permanent Secretary, Andrew L. Sorie, thanked the High Commissioner for expressing interest in Sierra Leone and seeking investment opportunities in its tourism sector. He noted that Sierra Leone and South Africa have been there for each other before the apartheid and the war. He urged her to explore the beauty of Sierra Leone and assured her of its unwavering hospitality.

The General Manager, National Tourist Board, Fatmata Hamid Carew said they were delighted to have the envoy and her team to the sector, noting that the Ministry and the Board have conducted a study tour to South Africa to get first-hand insight and explore avenues to incorporate in Sierra Leone’s context.

In her statement, the South African High Commissioner to Ghana and Sierra Leone, Grace J. Mason, appreciated the Minister for making time for them amidst her busy schedule. She thanked President Bio for appointing women in leadership positions which she was very passionate about. She stated that the contribution of Sierra Leone to South African history can never be forgotten, noting that it was high time they leveraged the opportunities that exist between the two countries. She maintained that despite the difficulties experienced by the two nations, they would endeavor to continue to strengthen their bond. She committed herself to the development of Sierra Leone’s tourism saying that she would endeavor to bring the issues discussed for possible actions.

On her part, Minister Pratt expressed delight for the visit on the basis that South Africa was the first point of call for the transformation of tourism in Sierra Leone. She said the ambition of the High Commissioner was a perfect fit for what the Ministry is all about. She mentioned that their trip to South Africa in the height of COVID-19 signaled the commitments that exist between the two countries. She proposed an exploratory visit of tourism businesses in South Africa to see what exists in Sierra Leone and also help in the development of wildlife tourism.

A presentation on the investment opportunities in the tourism sector and presentation of gifts in the form of glass painting to the South African High Commissioner climaxed the engagement.

MBSSE & UNICEF Concludes Annual Review & Rolling Work Plan Engagement

March 7, 2022

During the Annual Review and rolling work plan development held by the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) on the 3^rd March 2022 at the Bintumani Hotel in Freetown in partnership with the United Nation Children Fund (UNICEF) a commitment was made to have more children improve meaningfully on learning outcomes.

The Chief Education Officer (CEO) at MBSSE, Yatta Kanu, while chairing the deliberation highlighted the three specific objectives of the sector review which she said is to review progress towards planned results in 2021, identify lessons learned, challenges, the way forward and review plans for the rolling work plan 2022-2023.

According to her, UNICEF always channels their development plans based on the priority area of a member State and for Sierra Leone, education is the top priority, noting that during the deliberation they were able to review the UNICEF funded projects in education over the past one year.

She said the different people working on those activities were present and they reported the state of their activities.

The UNICEF Chief of Education, Madam Celeste Staley, while giving the situation update stated that Integrated Early Childhood Development (IECD) Policy for children 0-8 years old as approved, National Radical Inclusion Policy 2021 adopted to ensure every child their right to education specifically for parent learners, students with special needs, students in marginalized areas, low income households and pregnant girls.

“There is increased poverty impacting in part due to COVID pandemic and increasing inflation on children’s access to and regularity in schools, COVID-19 continues to impact social services with a direct impact which slows progress on education for all,” she said.

She said in achieving their outcomes by 2023, four outputs will contribute immensely; the Government has improved evidence and strengthened capacity to ensure education policy planning, implementation and management, that Government authorities and communities are better able to improve the coverage and quality of early learning and development activities, the education system has strengthened capacity to improve the quality of basic education and adolescents (particularly girls) have improved access to opportunities to develop skills for learning and active citizenship.

Deputy Minister 1 of the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Madam Emily Kadiatu Gogra, stressed the importance of the gathering, noting that MBSSE has four priorities which are universal access, comprehensive safety, radical inclusion and quality teaching and learning with one goal which is improving learning outcomes for all students.

She commended UNICEF for helping MBSSE in achieving its priorities, noting that huge progress has been made in the recent past.

“There is a big lift considering the years that we were without curriculum and policy. A lot has been done also for teachers in the country. However, more needs to be done going forward. We need better partnership and coordination of activities. Premium needs to be paid on comprehensive safety and WASH. This is still a challenge in many of our schools in the country,” she said.

Motor Mechanic Jailed for 57 Years for Robbing an Octogenarian

March 7, 2022

Court of Appeal Judge, Honourable Justice Komba Kamanda has on the 3^rd March 2022 sentenced one 44-year-old Motor Mechanic, Mustapha Kabba, to 57 years’ imprisonment for Robbery with Aggravation committed against Octogenarian, Kitty Fadlu-Deen.

The sentence was slammed after an eleven-member jury unanimously returned a guilty verdict in respect of a four counts indictment including attempting to strangle and causing grievous bodily harm.

According to the particulars of Offence, the accused on the 1st September 2020, in the Western Area of Freetown being armed with a Black Powerline Semi-Automatic Gun robbed Mrs. Fadlu-Deen off one dark grey 2018 Toyota Rav-4 Jeep valued $24,500,000 equivalent to Le245, 000,000,000; one Samsung J-20 mobile phone valued $150 equivalent to Le1, 500,000, caused her grievous bodily harm and attempted to strangle her.

The convict denied the allegations upon his arraignment before the Court.

In his opening address to the jurors at the commencement of the trial, prosecuting Lawyer, Yada Williams, said that the accused was before the court on a four counts indictment which he must prove.

He said there was enough evidence to prove that on the 1st of September 2020 at about 8:15 am, the accused went to the premises of Mrs. Fadlu-Deen at Lumley and upon arrival at the house, encountered unarmed security guards but pretended as if he was on the phone with Mrs. Fadlu-Deen to trick the guards to have access to the premises.

“He went upstairs, tricked his way in and there started the agony, pain and sufferings of this over 80-year old woman. She was physically manhandled by the accused person and the evidence will reveal all of this. She was dragged into one of the toilets inside the house where she was girded with a lot of toiled tissues and towels stuffed into her mouth so that she could not raise an alarm for the guards outside or neighbors,’’ Lawyer Williams told the Court.

He continued that for the incident itself to have taken place in broad daylight showed the “effrontery and audacity” of the accused, adding that the accused tied up the old woman and demanded the keys to the vehicle with registration number AQG 834 and was directed to where the keys were kept out of fear.

He said that, “the accused person locked Mrs. Fadlu-Deen in the toilet, took her phone and disappeared with the vehicle which landed in Sierra Leone almost brand new, costing $24,500,000 and with the deception that he was in some kind of relationship with the woman. The guards opened the gates and the accused drove off.”

The old woman, he continued was later able to scream after struggling for a couple of minutes before the servants and neighbors came to her rescue.

The prosecuting lawyer said a report of the incident was made at the Lumley Police Station with Interpol alerted as well as security personnel at the Sierra Leone-Guinea border.

He added that later on the same day, the accused showed up at the Sierra Leone Guinea border with the vehicle with a diplomatic license plate recorded as 19 CD 12 and was intercepted by the Guinean authorities with the gun he had used to terrify the woman.

He stressed that the accused made a number of confessional statements to the police as well as admitted to have sold the woman’s phone which he stole on his way to Guinea.

The prosecution led in evidence a number of witnesses in support of his case.

At the close of the prosecution’s case, the accused claimed that he was being tortured at the Criminal Investigation Department which compelled him to make a confessional statement.

After his claim of torture in the hands of the police, Justice Kamanda conducted a voir dire (trial within trial) to ascertain whether his claims were true but they turned out to be false.

In his allocutus, the convict said he had nothing to say.

In his plea in mitigation, defence lawyer Harold Momoh implored the judge to temper justice with mercy.

Delivering his judgment, Hon. Justice Kamanda said his judgment was informed by the entirety of the evidence, the audacity with which the convict committed the offence, describing it as “violent and diplomatic.”

He added that the way in which the convict did the act showed that he is a “professional criminal.”

“The purpose of law enforcers is to ensure that people live and enjoy their property in peace and safety,” he stated.

Justice Kamanda sentenced the convict to 25 years for count 1, 20 years for count 2, 10 years for count 3 and 2 years for count 4.

Gender Ministry Outlines Plans for Celebrating International Women’s Day

March 7, 2022

Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs

International Women’s Day will be celebrated on the 8^th March 2022 with the theme: “Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow” within the context of breaking the biases in Sierra Leone today by enacting the Gender Bill 2022 which it is believed will create an equitable and cohesive tomorrow.

According to the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs every district will mark the day in their own locality further disclosing that the Ministry’s District Offices are collaborating with partners to conduct their own activities in their own districts around the theme.

The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs will also host a National televised Panel Discussion with guests including Parliamentarians to discuss the progress of the Gender Bill.

In addition a National Women’s Entrepreneurship Fund will be launched by the Ministry as depicted in the Medium Term National Development Plan 2019-2023.

Moreover, the Ministry and its partners will also engage the media through the development and airing of jingles, radio and television discussions, social media platforms and other communications.

As We Approach International Women’s Day … Amazonian Initiative Movement Calls for banning & Criminalizing FGM

March 7, 2022

By Amin Kef-Ranger

As we fast approach International Women’s Day, which is March 8, efforts are been made to make the abolition of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) feature prominently in observance of the Day. The Amazonian Initiative Movement headed by its Founder and Lead Campaigner, Rugiatu Neneh Turay, is poised to take the campaign to another level through accelerated sensitization and awareness raising on the evils of FGM, especially its negative effects on the victims.

It could be recalled that over the years the campaign to end FGM has been raised at national and international levels. Treaties and conventions have been signed by countries where FGM is practiced including Sierra Leone.

FGM/C poses serious physical and mental health risks for women and young girls. According to a 2006 WHO study, FGM/C can be linked to increased complications in childbirth and even maternal deaths. Other side effects include severe pain, hemorrhage, tetanus, infection, infertility, cysts and abscesses, urinary incontinence, and psychological and sexual problems. Since the early 1990s, FGM/C has gained recognition as a health and human rights issue.

According to the Head of the Amazonian Initiative Movement, on February 6, 2003, the First Lady of Nigeria, Mrs. Stella Obasanjo, made the official declaration on “Zero Tolerance to FGM” in Africa during a conference organized by the Inter-African Committee (IAC) on Traditional Practices Affecting the Health of Women and Children attended by First Ladies and other stakeholders in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Henceforth, the 6th of February has been recognized worldwide as the “Zero Tolerance Day on FGM.”

She furthered how these First Ladies believed that culture and traditions change over time in the interest of the women and girls they represent. They made a stand to educate the high number of ignorant women in Africa.

“The campaign has gained momentum in the whole World of which Sierra Leone is no exception,” she underscored adding how the African Union of which Sierra Leone is a member developed the “Maputo Protocol,” an African document, and made it clear for all member States to end the practice of FGM amongst women and girls.

In Sierra Leone, based on what Rugiatu Neneh Turay stated, FGM is practiced within the Bondo culture, a female secret society that was meant to train young women transiting into womanhood, a cultural “Rite of Passage” for marriage purposes.

She continued that, however, over the years, the once-revered Bondo culture has changed from the training of young women in a Rite of Passage by a select few highly experienced women to prevalence in the practice which just focuses on the cutting of the genitalia of women, girls, and little children as young as five years.

“The Bondo society, like other male secret societies such as Poro, which work very closely were secret societies meant to train women and men for the same purposes,” she explained saying, however, the Poro society remains to be one of the most respected male societies even with a lot of changes seen outside. Men no longer take years or months in the Poro bush to become members yet it still has a sense of belonging. All male secret societies have rules, regulations, and discipline that their members are obliged to abide by. Their signs and languages are only understood by members. When members of the same society meet whether it is Ojeh, Gbamgbani, Poro, or Wonde, they have signs that they can easily communicate without non-members knowing. They are not easily identified in public gatherings, unlike the powers that are easily identified by their red and white head ties on their heads wherever they are invited.

She informed that in a bid to maintain the outdated practice, the leaders of FGM practitioners, the Soweis, have resorted to extraordinary methods to maintain their legitimacy which includes allowing non-members to be part of a process to elect a leader and forming a “Sowei Council” to influence or gain access to politics.

Rugiatu claimed that none of those are practiced by their male counterparts adding how the leadership hierarchy of any secret society should only be known by its members in their secret bush pointing out that for the Soweis, one can identify their leaders at any time.

She argued that Bondo is not FGM maintaining how in all the male secret societies in Sierra Leone, no society has taken harvesting of the male parts as part of the society.

“Had this been part of the process where men would have lost their manhood, action would have been taken a long time ago,” she firmly asserted stating that men know how important their genital is to them so no secret society will take them away.

She bemoaned that for women, the clitoris, labia minora, and Majora are taken away revealing situations where women and girls have died and still dying in the name of culture.

According to her such should stop and Action should be taken.

“ If we continue to practice FGM in the Bondo society, then anti-FGM campaigners will continue to speak about it,” she expressed determination.

Rugiatu said FGM is not only done by Soweis but the action is also done by unscrupulous medical personnel who flout all scientific adverse health effects for financial gains maintaining that where ever FGM is performed for nonmedical reasons that action is wrong and must stop.

She lamented that women have lost respect because their focus is no longer on respect for the initial rationale of their culture which is the “Rite of Passage” but rather love of money.

“Every Sowei wants a Bondo hut not bush anywhere to perform the cutting for a mere week often inflicting pain and exacting a culture of silence even when death occurs as in the case of several others including Maseray Sei who died as a result of excessive bleeding after being cut within twenty-four hours after entering the Bondo house,” she explained with suppressed anger.

She stated that Culture and Tradition are subject to change.

“We must work to change our women’s secret society for the better. Make it safe with regulations and rules to instill discipline. Let us as women learn from the male secret societies. They will inform you that somebody died but we have never seen that. Those are part of their strategies to make their society very fearful and respectful. Soweis should dismantle the Sowers Council because no other secret society has allowed themselves to be used and misused as the Soweis. This is demeaning and disrespectful. There is nothing secret about an openly flouting electable council that projects to represent a secret society whose practices of FGM have been condemned in advanced countries on scientifically proven evidence,” she called for change.

She concluded by stating that as we are about to commemorate yet another International Women’s Day they are calling on all stakeholders to work assiduously to enact laws to ban and criminalize FGM.

Rugiatu also called on all to join the Fight to Stop FGM in order to protect women and the Girl Child

Legal Link Ends One Day Training for 150 Pastors, 40 Students & 2 Bishops

March 7, 2022

By Amin Kef- Ranger

In fulfillment of its education mandate, Legal Link offered an opportunity to about 150 pastors, 40 Muslim and Christian law students and 2 Bishops who were trained on legal compliance issues in Freetown.

The Legal and Compliance Course took place at the Winners Chapel Teens Hall on Tuesday 1st March 2022 at 10 am.

From what this medium learnt, the legal compliance training was organized against the backdrop of the plethora of court cases currently handled by Legal Link regarding religious institutions in Freetown. These cases bothered on non-registration of religious institutions, illegal acquisition of land, properties and real estates as well as the non – payment of salaries, NASSIT contributions and end of service benefits to employees.

It was further understood that the rationale for the training was to help reduce the number of cases in court against religious leaders and their institutions and to further broaden their knowledge and horizon on certain legal matters ranging from the setting up of a church and its legal registration process, church acquisition of land, estate and properties, preparation of leases and tenancy agreements, marriage and divorce issues, the handling of labour and staff matters, understanding NASSIT, Minimum wage and income tax laws and their legal consequences, church ethics, church versus local Government and church versus court proceedings.

Speaking at the occasion, the Executive Director of Legal Link, Rashid Dumbuya Esq, said that the legal compliance training has helped greatly in imparting knowledge to religious leaders in the country thus improving the administrative skills of those leaders within their respective religious institutions. Such state of affairs has led to a significant reduction of court cases against religious institutions in Freetown since last year. He therefore urged religious leaders to take advantage of these legal trainings as they are being conducted every year.

Since 2019, Lawyer Dumbuya revealed that over 2000 religious leaders have benefited from the legal and compliance training in Freetown.

He disclosed that five important modules were taught during the training with the first on understanding church registration process and the legal issues involved; the second was on church acquisition of properties – the place of conveyance, lease agreements, tenancy agreements, deed of gifts, Wills and Letters of Administration.

According to him, the third module was about understanding the legal issues surrounding Marriage and Divorce; the fourth was about Church handling of labor and staff employment matters- understanding the Minimum wage law, NASSIT Act and the Income tax Act while the fifth module was about Church versus court proceedings.

The Executive Director of Legal Link, Rashid Dumbuya Esq who also doubles as a lecturer in the Faculty of Law, University of Sierra Leone, Fourah Bay College, delivered all the modules with the help of Barrister Michael Dumbuya, a legal volunteer at LEGAL LINK.

Muslim and Christian law students, it was disclosed, for the first time also participated in the training. The aim was to equip those law students with knowledge so that they can be legal advocates in their churches and mosques, helping out with legal research, advisory opinions and legal compliance issues within their respective religious institutions.

The training was done through power point presentations and participants took notes on the various topics that were being discussed by Rashid Dumbuya Esq and Michael Dumbuya Esq.

Testimonies from religious leaders about the legal challenges being encountered in court by various religious institutions regarding land acquisition, non-registration and wrong handling of employment matters captivated the audience and made the training of immense significance.

Several participants that took part in the programme commended Legal Link for coming up with such a timely training for religious leaders in Freetown where land conflicts have become a great challenge for religious institutions. They encouraged and called on the organization to roll out similar trainings in the provinces so that pastors and imams living in the provinces can benefit also from this all important training.

The training ended at 5pm with prayers for members of Legal Link and all attendees by the National Pastor of Winners Chapel, Pastor David Kareem.

Bishop Konoyima, on behalf of Christian Lawyers Centre distributed the certificates to all participants of the programme.

The vote of thanks was given by Mr Wilson, one of the participants of the training.

The Executive Director of Legal Link ended the program by thanking the senior pastor and members of the Winners Chapel church for hosting the programme and also the organizing committee of Legal Link for their sacrifice in putting modalities in place for a successful outcome of the conference.

Rashid also thanked BBN, Pastor Mambu and Bishop Abu Koroma for allowing their med ia stations to be used to advertise the program and further emphasized that such trainings will be replicated to other regions in Sierra Leone this year.

NP-SL Ltd Knows No Boundary When it Comes to Customer Care

March 7, 2022

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

By Amin Kef-Ranger

In privileged conversations with Pump Attendants at various NP Filling or Gas Stations in different parts of the country what came out glaringly was that they have been groomed to always respond to genuine concerns of customers. They informed this medium that during certain instances they could address some of those concerns but if not then they must refer such to their senior colleagues or the Station Managers. They were unanimous in recognizing that the customer is presumably always right except otherwise when foul play is suspected. They all, also maintained that customer satisfaction must be guaranteed at all times because it is the customers that add value to their businesses.

The National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL-Ltd) is a petroleum importing and exporting company that has dominated the petroleum business landscape of this country for quite a long period of time now and it is still positioned to be at the forefront as far as marketing petroleum products is concerned.

When assessing privately owned business entities in this country, attributes such as efficiency and effectiveness in timely service delivery must come out vividly to facilitate successful business transactions.

With regards NP-SL Ltd, the company is renowned for its pro-active stance in always trying to optimize customer care, which the Shareholders, Board and Management hold in high esteem with the view that in the absence of its numerous customers then the company’s existence could become irrelevant.

As for the Shareholders and Management of the company, achieving customer satisfaction is very key which is why it does everything within its reach to give customers high grade petroleum products. Through its pro-activeness and the ultimate need to succeed, latest innovative and technological pumping machines were installed at various Filling Stations, one of which are calibrated pumping machines that pump the appropriate quantity of petroleum products paid for. As they are very transparent, these calibrated pumping machines continue to instil confidence in customers that they are dealing with a very transparent company as well as feeling that they are getting their money’s worth.

Within the same ambit of bringing technology closer to its customers for enhanced transactions, the idea of availing its customers the use of NP Smart Card was borne. Today we hear of “fuel on your smart card” which figuratively could be interpreted within the context of using a financially loaded NP Smart Card to purchase the right number of petroleum products one intends to utilize without any physical monetary transactions. Using NP Smart Card guarantees safety, saves time and gives air of importance to the holders, some considering them as the crème-de la crème of society, when in actual fact anyone can make use of it. It creates a situation where a customer will intermittently know the balance of finance on his card and use such information to make informed decisions as to further top up or utilize, for example, the quantity of fuel that the balance amount could procure.

With a view to make people gain easy access to a device that could be suitable for various cooking purposes, NP Gas was introduced and since gas is one of the petroleum products that is up for sale then it just falls in place that it will be prudent to make it convenient for people to access them at their filling stations and from authorized dealers, going at affordable prices. It had been undoubtedly proven that they are environmentally friendly and safe to use as well as refill.

When job opportunities are created from time to time, the negative impacts of poverty subside with a corresponding upsurge in peace and tranquillity. Instead of tempers rising, daggers drawn out there will be joy and harmonious co-existence. Through its expansionist drive and to match up with modern trends, NP-SL has been providing various jobs for many who were hitherto at the lower ends of society. Family lives have been transformed for the better and there is room for future positive outcomes.

As a matter of fact, NP-SL-Ltd has been recognized for being a company that has doggedly insisted on maintaining its indigenous posture. Its shareholders are all Sierra Leoneans and they put premium on maintaining an indigenous stance with majority of its staff being indigenes. The company is very mindful that with the implementation of the Local Content Policy it is positively contributing to the socio-economic development of the country. NP is committed to serve the people of this country.

Having branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia shows that indeed NP-SL Ltd is striving to become a multinational company. This is a big achievement which must be widely celebrated by many as it depicts seriousness and progress.

Nutribom Oats Flavour Contains Important Vitamins Good for Babies Aged 6 Months +

March 7, 2022

Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy, Minister of Trade and Industry has opened an e-zone electronics first-class showroom at 8 Regent Road, Hill Station by Hill Cut Junction.

The e-zone electronics first-class showroom is the latest and first of its kind in Freetown that deals with SHARP, ROCH, LG, SONY, and TIGER products, trusted Japanese brands.

The Trade and Industry Minister after cutting the tap did a conducted tour of the showroom and described it as a first-class with a couple of very big brands such as SHARP, ROCH brands that are doing well in electrical and electronic across the world.

“Having SHARP, ROCH brands in Freetown is an indication that the doing business is getting better.”

He said years back unless people travelled oversee to get such brands but e-zone has made it easier for such products to be sold in the country.

He described the prices as affordable and said it is also an opportunity for consumers and other business people to make use of the opportunity to buy it next door.

“We want to use this opportunity as a Government to welcome the Proprietor for thinking of doing this in Freetown and we hope from time to time they will extend it to other parts of the country such as Bo, Kenema and Makeni.”

Dr. Sandy went on to say it is a clear indication that their ways of living are changing and it also an indication that standard of living is also improving for their people because for one to open a showroom like that they must have done a market survey to look at the demand for commodities like that, once that is done they are assured that there is a demand.

“I think it is a clear indication that we are progressing. The prices are good and it is a big opportunity for us because it has cut down the trouble of going abroad to get them”.

E-zone Country Manager, Bhavesh Rathod described the grand opening of e-zone showroom as an indication of bringing quality and affordable brands to customers at their door step.

He called for more support from customers as the showroom is one of their first steps to create more businesses across the country which he said will eventually create more jobs for Sierra Leoneans.

E-zone General Overseer, Hitesh Matta said they have all sorts of electronic materials and appliances with one year warranty for all products.

“We have good technicians and parts are available at e-zone electronics.”

He disclosed that they have another showroom at Siaka Steven Street which has been in existence for over 7 years.

Deputy General Overseer, Jaikisnan Soni said e-zone electronics is the safest place to get all one’s home appliances with confidence.

Abubakrr Archi-Fofanah one of e-zone electronics partners said e-zone products are the best in town and are all over the country.

He expressed determination to take over the Sierra Leonean market as all their customers’ feedback is positive.

He encouraged all to get e-zone electronics products because they have all what it take to make their home safe with quality electrical and electronics items.

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