Caritas Freetown Supports Govt. with Beds and PPEs to fight COVID-19

May 4, 2020

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a bid to complement Government’s efforts in the fight against the coronavirus in the country, with support from Healey International Relief Foundation, Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, and LANYI Foundation, Caritas Freetown has on Friday 1st May, 2020 donated Hospital Beds and Personal Protective Equipment worth millions of Leones to the Government of Sierra Leone through the Covid-19 response team. The presentation took place at the Forecourt of the Emergency Operation Centre at Cockerill in Freetown and included donated items such as 15 Hospital Beds, 15 Mattress, 100,000 Face Masks, 20 Cartons of Hand Gloves, etc.

Present at the ceremony were the Chief of Staff of the COVID-19 Response Team, Solomon Caulker, Minister of Youth Affairs, Mohamed Orman Bangura, Executive Director Caritas Freetown, Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh, Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Mohamed Haji Kella, Programs Manager Healey International Relief Foundation & Tzu Chi Foundation, Ishmeal Alfred Charles, Head Coordinator Caritas Sierra Leone, Sister Josephine, Staff of Partnering to serve Humanity Consortium and the EOC.

Presenting the items on behalf of the consortium, Executive Director of Caritas Freetown, who also doubles as a Board member for the HealeyIRF, Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh expressed appreciation to the Covid-19 Team for their tireless efforts towards the fight against the coronavirus in the country, adding that the coronavirus pandemic is affecting everyone in the world and in that regard noted that it needs collective responsibility in order to combat the pandemic. He said that they have been involved in different pillars disclosing how they have renovated Connaught Hospital and supplied the hospital with support from Tzu Chi Foundation underscoring that no Government can adequately carry out the fight without the support of individuals and institutions etc.

He said they have been helping other Ministries and that recently the consortium donated 6000 bags (10 Kilograms) of rice to the Ministry of Basic and Secondary School Education (MBSSE) in order to support the Government National School Feeding program.

“We decided to donate these Hospital Beds and Personal Protective Equipment towards the fight as they are very key in curtailing the spread of the coronavirus in the country,” Rev. Fr. Peter Konteh stated.

He assured them of their continuous support towards the fight against the coronavirus in the country.

Receiving the items of behalf of the Covid-19 Response Team, Chief of Staff of the COVID-19 Response Team, Solomon Caulker, expressed appreciation to the Partnering to Serve Humanity Consortium for the donation which he described as not only important towards the fight but also very timely at a moment like this when the number of confirmed cases continue to increase in the country and have been struggling to track down primary and secondary contacts.

He said the items will help greatly towards curtailing the spread of the coronavirus in the country and assured them that the items will be used for the right purpose and the right beneficiaries will be targeted.

Caritas Programme Manager, Ishmeal Alfred Charles, noted that the donation is been done as their own little support to the fight against the Corona virus in Sierra Leone.

He said since the outbreak they have been supporting various groups including vulnerable groups, the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Ministry of Social Welfare, the District Health Management Teams among others and they deemed it fit to support the Government with the protective gears.

“We are happy to make this donation as we all fight to end this pandemic,” he noted.

In the wake of gutted facilities at Correctional Centre… VP Juldeh Jalloh Takes Stock

May 4, 2020

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In the morning hours of the 29 April 2020 there was pandemonium at the Sierra Leone Correctional Centre on Pademba Road in the West End of Freetown with some claiming that there has been a prison break. However, it clearly turned out to be that a fire incident inside the correctional centre has created the panic which inmates wanted to capitalize on to escape.

Such did not transpire as the Police and Military gallantly descended on the scene and tried to bring the situation under control but with some causalities including Prison Officer, being killed in the process. Some buildings within the Prison Yard such as the Reception, Stores, Hospital, the Vocational workshop were all burnt down. Several other infrastructure such as the Church and the Mosque were partially damaged.

In order to commemorate Sierra Leone’s Independence Day, President Julius Maada Bio announced the release of 235 prisoners nationwide on 27 April, but as yet there is no confirmation that they have been released.

In the wake of the unfortunate incident, Deputy Director of Amnesty International, West and Central Africa, Marta Colomer said:

“The first case of COVID-19 was reported in Freetown’s central prison on 28 April, causing alarm among people detained therein who live in severely cramped conditions. There have been some restrictive measures imposed by the authorities, including the prohibition of visits by their relatives. The riot shows that prisoners are becoming increasingly desperate at the Government’s inaction to protect their right to health. There must be a prompt, thorough, impartial and effective investigation into the reasons that led to the riot and the heavy-handed response from prison guards who used live ammunition.”

“Prisoners are concerned about getting enough food after the prohibition on visits, as well as the spread of the virus and their ability to take preventive measures against COVID-19,” the Deputy Director added.

“We are calling on the Sierra Leone authorities to put their promises to release hundreds of detainees into action – unless overcrowding is eased and conditions of detention improved; there is a risk of further riots and infections. They should release all those held in pre-trial detention and consider the release of other prisoners at risk, such as older people and those with underlying medical conditions,” it was recommended

To assess the damage caused by the unknown fire disaster the Vice President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh conducted an inspection tour of the Sierra Leone Correctional Services facilities.

The Vice President, who is also Chairman of the Correctional Services Council, visited the facilities to get a first-hand impression of the damage.

The Vice President was accompanied by senior government officials, including but not limited to the Ministers of Information and Internal Affairs, the Deputy Minister of Information, the Head of the Strategic Communications Unit at State House and senior members of the security agencies.

Making a short statement after completing a conducted tour of the facilities in which he got a first-hand assessment of the destruction caused to the premises, Vice President Juldeh Jalloh noted with dismay that the altercation had caused extensive damage to crucial facilities like the administrative blocks, the workshops, some cells and other structures. He however stated that despite the wanton destruction done to the administrative building, records of prisoners and of the centre were intact as the authorities had long digitalized the record keeping system.

Vice President Juldeh Jalloh assured citizens that investigations into the issue had been launched and promised that it would be swift and that its outcome would be accordingly made public. He acknowledged the fatalities that emanated from the fracas and urged all to be calm and to go about their normal businesses. He said that Government has put together some progressive plans for the centre and that those plans would be rolled out in due course with a view to changing the face of the centre and to help transform inmates into productive citizens.

The visit of the Vice President illustrates how committed the New Direction Government is in treating every security issue with the utmost seriousness that it deserves. With President Bio nearing conclusion of his self-isolation, there is every reason for him not to be worried while at home for the simple reason that he has a go-getter of a Vice President.

Freetown’s prison was originally built for a capacity of less than 300 prisoners but today it has more than 1,000 inmates.

NASSIT Donates Le 1 B to Combat Spread of COVID-19

May 4, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

The National Coordinator of the Emergency Response Committee, Rtd Brigadier-General Hassan Kellie Conteh, on Thursday, 30th April, 2020,om behalf of Government received from the Director General of the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), Mohamed Fuaad Daboh ,the sum of One Billion Leones (Le1,000,000,000) as part of the institution’s continued support to the Government and People of Sierra Leone in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

The presentation ceremony took place at the Emergency Operation Centre at Cockerill in Freetown and was witnessed by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Management and Staff of NASSIT, members of the Emergency Response Committee and the Press.

Director General of NASSI, Mohamed Fuaad Daboh disclosed how NASSIT is a statutory public Trust with the responsibility to administer Sierra Leone’s National Pension Scheme. He said NASSIT is a mandatory contributory scheme that provides retirement, invalidity and survivors benefits to members when any of the contingencies of Old Age, Invalidity and Death occurs.

He further highlighted that NASSIT is very concerned over the intensity of the outbreak of the corona virus and its devastating effects on the lives of majority of Sierra Leoneans.

He noted that despite the proactive measures instituted by the State to combat the outbreak, it is no secret that the pandemic poses serious threat to the scheme, stating that contribution income is expected to drop due to reduction in economic activity; Investment income will drop due to a downturn in the hospitality industry; the cancellation of conferences will affect income derived from the Freetown International Conference (FICC). Etc.

Mr. Daboh went on to say that Benefits expenditure will definitely increase as members will continue to retire with or without a pandemic. There is also a risk of potential increase in the survivors’ payroll, as was in the case of Ebola Epidemic; and that administration expense is expected to increase due to additional expenditure on the measures to tackle the pandemic. He therefore expressed the view that it is imperative that NASSIT partners with the Government to effectively fight the deadly global outbreak.

The Director General highlighted measures that have been undertaken by NASSIT not only to support Government in the fight against Covid-19 but also to adhere to instructions laid down by the State.

According to the DG, NASSIT established a special Covid 19 Committee to handle emergencies springing from the Corona pandemic devastating the world.

The Committee immediately sprang into action to ensure adherence to the Presidential declaration. Covid 19 messages were designed into jingles, flyers and kinetics that were broadcast on radio and television stations across the country and on all NASSIT Social Media platforms

The operations of NASSIT were reviewed in line with best practice on COVID-19, as advised by Government and the WHO such as alternative working days, social distancing, shortened work hours etc.

“Bed ridden pensioners are now paid once every 2 months in order to minimize contacts, particularly because these pensioners are aged and more at risk, according to the experts’ views. We have provided Personal Protective Equipment’s (PPEs) in our offices. These include; Veronica buckets, face masks, Temperature testing machines etc.

“Our pride as an institution is in our membership and that membership is mostly Sierra Leoneans. When the well-being of that membership is threatened, NASSIT is threatened. Like we supported the fight against the Ebola Epidemic some years ago, we believe, the fight against COVID-19 is a national fight, and we must be part of every national effort geared towards containing this deadly virus in order to save lives. It is with this motivation that NASSIT donates the sum of One Billion Leone (Le 1,000,000,000) and assorted food items from Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel and Golden Tulip Kimbima Hotel, two of our subsidiary companies in the fight to combat this menace from our people,” Mr. Daboh said.

He concluded on a note of appreciation to other partners who have contributed to the fight particularly, the frontline Health workers , who have laid their lives for the service of the country.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the Committee , the National Coordinator , Retired Brigadier Nelson Kelly Conteh expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Board, Management and staff of NASSIT for the support to the country in such trying times. He described the act as a clear demonstration of true love, care and patriotism.

The Coordinator opined that EOC enjoys strong leadership support and the political will in the fight but needs such contribution from partners and well-wishers to succeed in the fight. He called on other institutions and individuals to emulate the fine examples of NASSIT.

In concluding, the Coordinator used the opportunity to appreciate the contribution of the Press in the fight against the pandemic. He said as a committee they make decisions but rely on the media to disseminate those decisions to the public. He called on all Sierra Leoneans and the general public to adhere to regulations to save themselves and loved ones. He encouraged all to stay safe and stay home.

NP SL Still Remains the Committed No.1 Oil Marketing Entity

May 4, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

There is not a single iota of doubt that the National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) is a premier oil marketing company that has been doing extremely well in the areas of importing and marketing various petroleum products in the country, notably petrol, diesel, gas and lubricants of which the most outstanding is Castrol oil.

Without contesting the undiluted fact, this 100% indigenous company has left its footprint on the sands of time as it continues to bag wide commendations for its timeliness in always ensuring that qualitative petroleum products are imported into the country, distributed country wide to its sales points or Filling Stations across the country in order for its esteemed customers to easily gain access to them.

The company has never renege in doing so save only certain situations where, as a result of unforeseen contingencies, most often beyond its control, there has been some delay. However, in such circumstances measures are quickly rolled out to address them and restore normalcy in the supply chain.

It must be noted that for any petroleum marketing company to maintain such a solid and unshakable posture could only be attributed to prudent business management initiatives. Indeed, it could be said with all amount of certainty that the selflessness and dogged determination on the part of the 35 Sierra Leoneans who established the company have greatly influenced most of the policies that were adopted, effectively implemented which saw the transformation of a small business enterprise to a towering entity.

One of those laid down policies is that which places premium on enhancing or maximizing customer care to create a situation where its customers are always made to feel good and satisfied. The company’s Shareholders and Management are also conscious of the fact that by taking customer care to a higher pedestal such could serve as a leeway to attract other individuals to come on board its customer platform.

Indeed, it is in that light that a conscious move was made to make the company’s Filling Stations very attractive and welcoming. Built in state of the art fashion, painted with yellow and green paints, these sales points are very spacious to accommodate fleet of vehicles, are very eye catchy and in some of them there are shopping marts where customers could purchase basic items and even relax to socialize. As of now social gathering in those marts has been put on hold as social distancing has been recommended as one of the preventive measures put in place to avoid the spread of the deadly virus.

To promote transparency and win the trust of its numerous customers as well as match up with international standards, it was decided on the part of the company to invest so much in procuring and installing calibrated pumping machines. These have the capacity to pump the exact quantity of fuel in vehicles and containers to the utmost satisfaction of buyers. “I always feel gratified whenever I do purchase petrol at NP Filling Station because I am always satisfied that I am getting my money’s worth,” a banker divulged to this medium adding that the Managers of the company are doing a fantastic job ,referencing the orderliness of how business transactions are taking place.

One very striking feature which NP-SL has so far exhibited, to the admiration of many, is its strict adherence to the country’s Local Content Policy. Development Economists have recommended that one viable route to be used to boost a country’s economy is to make effective use of indigenous resources, both material and human, as long as they are available. Enhancing local content has its attendant merits one of which is creating employment opportunities and ensuring that monies paid workers are not remitted overseas.

The National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited is one of the few companies in this country that has successfully implemented its internal policy of giving employment preference to Sierra Leoneans. This is indeed very impressive and is helping in major ways to reduce poverty.

If today NP Gas is going at the pace of the Concord, in terms of sales, then this is simply because it has been discovered that it is very fast, efficient and environmental friendly for cooking purposes. Besides, it can be refilled without going through the hassle of having to find gas elsewhere as the company markets gas alongside petrol, diesel and other lubricants. They are manufactured in different cylinder sizes and are easily accessible.

“NP Gas is my kitchen partner and I am finding it very cooperative. It is easy to handle and for me it poses no danger. I am therefore recommending it and for anyone to secure it there will be no regrets,” Mariatu Sesay a resident, living in Makeni recommended.

What is much talked about today, well not in social circles as social distancing is now the norm, is NP Smart Card. As the name suggests the card is so smart to such an extent that as long as it is loaded with money it can be slotted in the calibrated pumping machine and after demanding the amount of petrol or diesel requested for, it churns out the exact amount plus displaying the price. It is trending, secured and convenient to use.

“NP Smart Card works well and since I have been using it I always procure fuel for my car and generator in record time. Using it, there are many benefits one can derive,” a Civil Servant, Mohamed Jusu, underscored.

The company does not joke with rolling out its Corporate Social Responsibility fully aware that it is incumbent on it as a business entity to give back to society. This is all the more reason why it has been complementing the Government’s development interventions. The Shareholders and Management have always stood by the side of Sierra Leoneans in thick and thin always endeavouring to give succour and deepen development. The good things it had done are so many to catalogue and time plus space could not permit one to narrate all of them. However, the recent one should not go unnoticed and it has to do with availing the Government one Billion Leones to help scale up the fight against the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

“This shows that the company is a responsible business entity,” an official of the Petroleum Regulatory Agency commended.

The company stands tall for having vibrant branches operating in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia where they are operating efficiently, offering jobs and paying taxes to Governments. NP-SL is indeed a force to reckon with and is poised to further make its presence felt and expand its operations.

Why The Prison Riot Took Place…

May 4, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

According to Marta Colomer, Amnesty International West and Central Africa Deputy Director, “The first case of COVID-19 was reported in Freetown’s central prison on 28 April, causing alarm among people detained therein who live in severely cramped conditions. There have been some restrictive measures imposed by the authorities, including the prohibition of visits by their relatives.

“Prisoners are concerned about getting enough food after the prohibition on visits, as well as the spread of the virus and their ability to take preventive measures against COVID-19.

“Yesterday’s riot shows that prisoners are becoming increasingly desperate at the Government’s inaction to protect their right to health.

There must be a prompt, thorough, impartial and effective investigation into the reasons that led to the riot and the heavy-handed response from prison guards who used live ammunition… “We are calling on the Sierra Leone authorities to put their promises to release hundreds of detainees into action – unless overcrowding is eased and conditions of detention improved; there is a risk of further riots and infections. They should release all those held in pre-trial detention and consider the release of other prisoners at risk, such as older people and those with underlying medical conditions.”

Pademba Road prison was originally built for a capacity of less than 300 prisoners but today it has more than 1,000 inmates.

Beside overcrowding, insanitary living conditions and poor diet, one of the principal reasons for prison instability is definitely staff shortages. Younger, inexperienced officers are less able to manage difficult and sometimes dangerous situations that can be encountered almost every day in jails.

The impact of staff shortages can affect every aspect of prison life. In the worst case scenarios, if there are too few officers to open cell doors to allow prisoners out to go to work, education, exercise or association, then inmates are likely to be confined to their cells for most of the day.

Been locked up for 24 hours means no opportunities to take showers, phone family or have any exercise. In such conditions, prisons can quickly become pressure-cooker environments, seething with frustration and resentment.

For the majority of prisoners, riots tend to be dreaded as they know there could be weeks or even months of disruption of their daily lives and even collective punishment involving those inmates who didn’t get involved in any trouble.

For those reasons, ringleaders of major riots are rarely regarded as ‘heroes’ by their fellow prisoners, but dangerous rebels who just bring trouble on everyone else.

AWOL Donates Le 150 Million Towards Covid-19 Fight

May 4, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

To assist the Government in its strides to scale up the fight against the spread of the coronavirus in the country, the All Works of Life (AWOL) on Saturday 2^nd May, 2020 donated the sum of one hundred and fifty million Leones (Le 150,000,000) to the Government of Sierra Leone through the Covid-19 Response Team. The 100 Million Leones (Le 100,000,000) was an intangible kind donation in terms of Food Items and Face masks and the 50 Million Leones (Le50,000,000) was donated in cash. The presentation took place at the Forecourt of the Emergency Operation Centre at Cockerill in Freetown.

Present at the ceremony were the Chairman of All Works of Life, Anthony Navo Jr, Public Relations Officer, National Covid-19 Response Team, Solomon Jamiru Esq, Executive Secretary of All Works of Life, Sho Cole, Public Relations Officer of the All Works of Life, Ezekiel Duramani Lakkoh, Secretary General of All Works of Life, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, Senior Adviser of the Covid-19 Response Team, Fredrica Kella, Western Area District Coordinator Covid-19 Response Team, Miatta French etc.

In his address, Chairman of All Works of Life (AWOL), Anthony Navo Jr, disclosed that AWOL has been working assiduously to support the Government and the people of Sierra Leone through diverse programs and initiatives, adding that AWOL is a group of young Sierra Leoneans who came together to serve as an auxiliary in order to reach out to communities.

He said they thought it fit as an organization for all their branches all over the world to come together and raise the sum of one Hundred and Fifty Million Leones in order to join the fight against the coronavirus in the country, noting that the one Hundred and Fifty Million Leones was apportioned into three categories as such: 50 Million Leones Cash to be donated to the Emergency Operation Centre, 50 million Leones worth of food items to be presented to their partner, United Sierra Leone, in order to work with the EOC to distribute the donated food items to the needy during the three days lockdown with the aim of targeting 500 beneficiaries further mentioning how the 50 Million Leones worth of face masks, which is about 10,000 face masks, to be donated to the EOC in order to curtail the spread of Covid-19 in the country.

On behalf of the National Covid-19 Response Team, the Public Relations of the National Covid-19 Response Team, Solomon Jamiru Esq expressed appreciation to AWOL for the kind gesture, adding that they are not surprised to receive such gesture from AWOL because their good work in society are evidences maintaining how the organization had been creating a lot of positive impact across the country.

He said that at a time like this when the EOC need such gestures, they as members of AWOL have demonstrated what he described as a timely intervention. He assured them that the donations will be used for the intended purposes and will reach the right beneficiaries.

UN Resident Coordinator Condemns Violent Incidents at Correctional Centre

May 4, 2020

By United Nations Sierra Leone

On May 1^st, 2020 the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Sierra Leone expressed serious concern over the violent incidents which occurred on the 29th April 2020 in the Central Correctional Facility on Pademba Road in Freetown. The UN Resident Coordinator says as an institution they regret the resultant loss of life, injury and damage to property and further condemn all forms of violence. In that regard, it stated that the institution is extending its sincere condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured speedy recovery.

According to the UN Resident Coordinator, the United Nations in Sierra Leone recalls the commitment made by the Government of Sierra Leone, under international conventions and treaties, including the Nelson Mandela Rules to protect and respect the human rights of all persons deprived of their liberty.

The UN calls for prompt and full investigations into the incidents so that the perpetrators of the violence may be brought to justice.

He averred that more than ever, preventing the spread of COVID-19 should be the overarching priority for institutions and individuals alike, which demands consensus and unity of purpose among all sections of Sierra Leonean society.

To that end, the United Nations in Sierra Leone calls on all the political parties, their followers, security agencies and the population at large to promote respect for human rights while eschewing acts of incitement and other actions liable to lead to violence and distract from the all-important fight against COVID-19.

He ended up by stating that the United Nations in Sierra Leone will continue to urge political parties and other stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue and will continue to stand ready to facilitate such a dialogue.

Commemorating May Day 2020… Kobi Walker Instils Hope On Workers

May 1, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay (Ranger)

Chairman of the Sierra Leone Employers Federation, Kobi Walker, on Friday, 1^st May 2020, during the commemoration of the International Labour Day, otherwise known as May Day encouraged fellow workers to take heart as some of their colleagues around the world have succumbed to the deadly virus that has claimed over 200, 000 lives.

“We are indeed very grateful for being alive to see this day as, quite unfortunately, some of our colleagues are amongst the over 200,000 citizens worldwide who have died as a result of the coVID-19. Others are either quarantined or in specially designated COVID-19 hospitals or treatment centres,” he said.

He recalled the effect of the disease on business and the working population around the world. Workers, he furthered, have suffered job losses and huge income losses, and extended grief for the loss of one of their prominent official, Mr Jennings Anthony Brian Wright, President of the Sierra Leone Labour Congress and General Secretary of the Hotel, Food Drinks Tobacco Entertainment and Tourism Workers Union last Thursday. He described him a Man that has contributed hugely to the development of that sector and whose advices have resulted in settling impasse between employers and employees.

Elaborating on the impact of COVID-19 on workers in Sierra Leone and globally, Kobi Walker said that a press release issued by the Director General of International Labour Organisation (ILO), Mr. Guy Ryder on 29^th April 2020, aptly described the situation as “no income means no food, no security and no future”.

The release noted the need for the protection of the vulnerable workers, stressing that “millions of businesses around the world are barely breathing with unemployment levels reaching an all-time high”.

Pacifying colleague workers across the country, Kobi Walker said that they are exploring all avenues of relief that are most effective in preserving employer-employee relationships and securing the foundations for a robust recovery once the disease is conquered.

“To this effect, The Sierra Leone Employers’ Federation and the Sierra Leone Labour Congress issued a Joint Statement and Press Release on the 6h of April 2020 on the Covid-19 Crisis in Sierra Leone and how as a nation we can collectively respond. In the Statement we recommended to the Government, measures to support workers, enterprises, hard hit sectors, supply chain and also measures to support the recovery of the economy” he disclosed.

Chairman Walker went on further to say that though evidence paints a dire picture of the impact of COVID-19 on workers, yet with concerted efforts, they will get past this crisis and hit the road to recovery in the not-too-distant future.

On behalf of the Federation, he expressed thanks and appreciation to the government for the measures put in place to combat the COVID -19, adding that the measures had contributed greatly to the reduction in the number of infected cases and deaths, when compared to other countries in the sub-region and the world. He admonished workers to strictly observe the medical and hygiene protocols and other directives of the government, expressing hope that the disease would have disappeared against next year’s celebration.

2020 May Day Statement by The Chairman of The Sierra Leone Employers’ Federation

Fellow workers, I bring you fraternal greetings from the Sierra Leone Employers Federation.

The world is enduring a staggering downturn amidst the spread of COVID-19. There is no gainsaying the fact that these negative consequences are particularly harsh for workers most of whom have suffered tremendous losses in terms of income and employment.

But as the Good Books say, we should thank God for everything.

We are indeed very grateful for being alive to see this day as, quite unfortunately, some of our colleagues are amongst the over 200,000 citizens worldwide who have died as a result of the coVID-19. Others are either quarantined or in specially designated COVID-19 hospitals or treatment centres.

Here in Sierra Leone we are still mourning the sudden passing away of Mr Jennings Anthony Brian Wright, President of the Sierra Leone Labour Congress and General Secretary of the Hotel, Food Drinks Tobacco Entertainment and Tourism Workers Union last Thursday.

We will all miss his wise counsel and his commitment to dialogue as a means of setting industrial issues. Indeed he was instrumental in concluding the Side Agreement of the Hotel and Tourist Trade Group which set out a range of options available to employers as they address the issue of workers resulting from the harsh and ravaging impact of the COVID-19 on enterprises worldwide and in Sierra Leone in particular.

May his kind and gentle soul rest in eternal peace.

For this year’s theme, I wll hover around the impact of the COVID-19 on workers and enterprises worldwide.

This has been eloquently captured in the Press Release issued by the International Organization (ILO) on the 29th of April 2020 by the Director General of ILO Mr Guy Ryder who among other things, noted the need to protect the most vulnerable because for millions of workers, no income means no food, no security and no future.

Millions of businesses around the world are barely breathing with unemployment levels reaching an all-time high.

As a Federation, we continue to explore all avenues of relief that are most effective in preserving employer-employee relationships and securing the foundations for a robust recovery once we put this pandemic behind us.

To this effect, The Sierra Leone Employers’ Federation and the Sierra Leone Labour Congress issued a Joint Statement and Press Release on the 6h of April 2020 on the Covid-19 Crisis in Sierra Leone and how as a nation we can collectively respond. These were carried on the electronic print and social media. In the Statement we recommended to the Government measures to support workers, enterprises hard hit
sectors, supply chain and also measures to support the recovery of the economy.

Evidence points a dire picture of the impact of COVID-19 on workers, but we stand secure in the belief that with our concerted efforts, we will get past this crisis and hit the road to recovery in the not-too-distant future.

The Federation would want to take this opportunity to thank the Government of Sierra Leone for the measures put in place to combat the COVID -19 which has limited the number of infections and deaths in Sierra Leone.

We continue to admonish all workers to strictly observe the medical and hygiene protocols and other directives of Government.

Finally it is my fervent prayer and firm belief that with the collective efforts of all Sierra Leoneans we will defeat the COVID-19 so that by the time we celebrate May Day next year, COVID-19 will be behind us and the economy will be on the path to recovery.

I thank you and May God/Allah bless you, your families and loved ones and of course the country we love so well… Our Mama Sierra Leone.

KOBI WALKER
CHAIRMAN

Former Caretaker Principal Indicted by ACC

April 29, 2020

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Alhaji Mohamed Foday Kamara, Supervisor of Schools and former Caretaker Principal of Schlenker Secondary School, Port Loko, and of 16 Lungi Road, Port Loko has been indicted by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), on 24th April, 2020, on four (4) count charges of corruption offences bordering on Misappropriation of Public Funds and Property, contrary to Section 36 (1) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 12 of 2008.

The ACC confirmed that between January 2018 and July 2019, Alhaji Mohamed Foday Kamara, in his capacity as Supervisor of Schools and Caretaker Principal of Schlenker Secondary School, Port Loko, misappropriated public property to wit: Thirty-Three (33) bundles of Corrugated Zinc Materials valued in the sum of Fourteen Million, Eight Hundred and Ninety Thousand Leones (Le 14, 890,000.00); Five Hundred and Thirty-Six (536) pieces of boards, valued in the sum of Eighteen Million, Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand Leones (Le 18,750,000.00); and Fifty benches and chairs valued in the sum of Eight Hundred and Sixteen Thousand, Seven Hundred Leones (Le 816,700.00); all being property of the School.

Similarly, between 1st June and 30th June, 2019, Alhaji Mohamed Foday Kamara, in his capacity as Supervisor of Schools and Caretaker Principal of Schlenker Secondary School, Port Loko District, misappropriated the sum of Six Million Leones (Le 6,000,000.00), being funds intended for the payment of Departmental Support to Heads of Departments of the School.

Meanwhile, the indictee is expected to appear in the High Court Holden at Makeni on a date that will be determined by the Master and Registrar when court session resumes.

The Commission stated that it is reassuring the general public of its continued resolve to curbing corruption at all levels in Sierra Leone.

Angels to Angels Joins the Fight against the Covid-19

April 29, 2020

IMG-20200428-WA1497 — Cross section of Angels to Angels Mentors on mask production

By Foday Moriba Conteh

One of Sierra Leone’s leading Girl child-based organizations, Angels 2 Angels, a non-governmental organization that caters for less privileged children in the country has embarked on a Coronavirus sensitization and production of face masks to be freely distributed to residents in different slum communities within the Freetown Municipality as their support towards curtailing the spread of the virus in the country.

According to the National Coordinator of Angels to Angels- Sierra Leone, Saidu Sankoh, as an organization they have been very committed to empower and support less privileged children in Sierra Leone, adding that since the outbreak of the Covid-19 in the country they have been curious as well as concerned about the wellbeing of children in the country.

He disclosed that they have been embarking on sensitization drives bordering on the causes and prevention of the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) as a way to help raise the awareness on this deadly virus that has put the entire world on a stand still.

He stated that currently the organization’s mentors have embarked on Local face mask production which will be distributed targeting slum communities.

He expressed appreciation to the Founder of Angels to Angels, Fatu Quinie Sesay and the Board Members who have been supporting them all these years.

Saidu Sankoh further pleaded to them for additional support at a crucial moment like this when the country is faced with the pandemic.

He also called on institutions and individuals to support the organization in order for them to continue to empower and improve more lives as they are currently financially challenged.

He encouraged all to observe the necessary personal hygiene messages that have been outlined and to adhere to the directives of the Government.

Sankoh also admonished Sierra Leoneans to strictly adhere to the advice of hand washing which he said will help to keep them alive and protect them from contracting the coronavirus.

Cross section of the face mask be produced my Angels to Angels Mentors

Cross Section of Angels to Angels Mentors

1...794795796...1,051 Page 795 of 1,051