NP-SL Unwavering Posture in Importing & Marketing Petroleum Products is Impressive

April 28, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

The National Petroleum –Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) continues to bag widespread commendations for its unwavering stance or posture to continue to import and market petroleum products even as the country is currently battling with COVID-19.

Indeed, such a stance on the part of the company is a clear manifestation that the Shareholders and Management of the company are doing all within their reach to avail Sierra Leoneans and other nationals these significant products which is making it possible for individuals to smoothly go about daily activities.

Indisputably, the importance of availability and affordability of petroleum products cannot be overemphasized when cognizance is taken of how they help in contributing to facilitate movement from one place to another, powering our generators, our cookers, lubricating our engines for effective and efficient functioning amidst others.

“At a crucial time like this when the economies of countries have been grounded as a result of the pandemic it is but commendable on the part of NP-SL to scale up its contacts and arrangements in order to ensure the timely availability and marketing of petrol, diesel, gas and lubricants including the most demanded Castrol oil,” Managing Director of Sea Coast Clearing and Forwarding Agency expressed gratitude.

Based on what this medium leant, when it went out to gauge the opinions of people relating to what they consider about the operations of NP-SL, many stated that the company is really doing exceptionally well in its activities, some praising the efficiency and dedication of its Management and Staff for their pro-activeness as well as meeting deadlines.

Indeed, it is an indisputable fact that NP-SL Ltd is a prime mover of the country’s economy. The company, has over the years, been paying huge taxes to Government as it is within the Large Tax Payers bracket of the National Revenue Authority (NRA). These taxes paid are reserved in the Consolidated Revenue Fund to be utilized by the Government to fund the implementation of various development programmes. As far as investigation mounted proved, there has not been a single complaint of the company reneging in honouring its tax obligation, which some say is highly commendable.

To also demonstrate that it is indeed a 100% indigenous company, that means well for the people of this country, besides maximizing profits from sales, the Shareholders and Management of the company made it a laid down policy to give consideration first to Sierra Leoneans instead of foreign expatriates when it comes to employment opportunities. This has made it possible for indigenes, with the requisite qualifications and skills to gain employment in the company which in turn is helping greatly in reducing poverty and to take care of basic responsibilities. From what was learnt NP-SL has indeed taken the lead in enhancing the country’s Local Content Policy which is in tandem with national growth.

This thriving business entity is better known for taking Customer Care to the highest pedestal in the country as it has been rolling out different strategies to give utmost satisfaction to its numerous customers right across the country. With installed modern calibrated pumping machines at the company’s Filling Stations, customers do get the exact quantity of petrol or diesel they purchase at Filling Stations which, according to some, is transparent and good in terms of fair transaction.

“I feel comfortable using NP Gas for cooking purpose as it is quite easy to handle and not harmful,” Hawanatu Yansaneh, a housewife told our reporter adding that it is easy to refill as the gas could be easily secured from the company’s Filling Stations. Her impression resonates with that of others that were interviewed with many recommending it as an efficient cooking gadget. NP Gas cookers are manufactured in different cylinder sizes and are very affordable.

NP Smart Card is the most convenient means or device of purchasing fuel at NP stations. This memory chip can be uploaded with money which in turn can be slotted in the calibrated machines and the required amount paid. It prevents individuals from moving around with large amount of money, especially on behalf of companies or corporate institutions just to purchase fuel. It can be used at any time of the day when the company is operating and has been rated as very accurate.

One of the yardsticks that could be used to measure the viability of any company is its growth rate. In this regard NP-SL stands tall as it has successfully opened branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. These NP branches are really doing well within the realm of importing and marketing petroleum products and contributing positively towards the development of those nations.

It can be said with all amount of certainty that NP-SL Ltd has an unwavering stance when it comes to making moves to import and market petroleum products and it is doing so diligently to the utmost satisfaction of many.

As Fight Against COVID-19 Intensifies… SL Brewery Donates Personal Protective Equipment to Medical & Dental Association

April 28, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

As part of their corporate social responsibility and to complement the efforts of the Government of Sierra Leone in curtailing the spread of the coronavirus in the country, Sierra Leone Brewery Limited, on Friday 24^th April, 2020 donated a consignment of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the tune of over 150 million Leones, including Sanitizers, Examination Gloves, Veronica Buckets, Soap, Cans of Maltina drinks etc. to the Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Association. The event took place at the Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Association office at New England Ville in Freetown.

Present at the ceremony were the President of the Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Association, Dr. Delwin M. Findlay, Corporate Affairs Manager Sierra Leone Brewery Limited, Albert Ojo Collier, Administrative Manager Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Association, Mrs. Olivette Johnson-Williams, Clinic Manager Sierra Leone Brewery Limited, Mrs. Kindness Emezue and staff of both institutions.

In his presentation, Corporate Affairs Manager Sierra Leone Brewery Limited, Albert Ojo Collier, disclosed that as a company they are very concerned with the outbreak of the coronavirus in the country and in that regard they have been very supportive towards the fight. He said that Brewery, on Good Friday, donated Personal Protective Equipment to the Honourable Members of Parliament of Constituencies 114 and 115, Councillors for Ward 404, 405 and 406 respectively, and that on the 17^th April, 2020, Brewery also impressively donated Personal Protective Equipment costing millions of Leones to the Government of Sierra Leone through the Covid-19 Response Team, which included 2,000 litres of alcohol sanitizers, 5 Milla Hand washing machines with accessories, 50 veronica buckets with accessories, 50 hand washing basins, 30 cartons of soap, 14 cartons of tissues and 12,000 cans of Maltina drinks.

He said that they are doing this donation to the Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Association as a way to support the Association in the Covid-19 fight, underscoring that they are frontline workers, further adding that with these protective equipment, it will help to prevent them from the deadly coronavirus.

He admonished them to make good use of the items in order to help curtail the spread of the coronavirus in the country.

President of the Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Association, Dr. Delwin M. Findlay, expressed appreciation to the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited for the kind gesture, describing such as a timely intervention.

He said that during the Ebola outbreak, they lost doctors who were actively engaged in the fight against the Ebola virus, adding that with such a gesture, they believe that no doctor will be lost to the Coronavirus outbreak.

He assured the Brewery that these items will be used for the right purpose and it will be given to the right beneficiaries, adding that the Association has over 100 nurses that are under quarantine and some of these items will be allocated to them.

The event was climaxed by the official handing over of the items by the Corporate Affairs Manager of the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited, Albert Ojo Collier, to the President of the Sierra Leone Medical and Dental Association, Dr. Delwin M. Findlay.

UNFPA Sierra Leone partners with Africell Sierra Leone on a Campaign to promote sexual and reproductive health information

April 26, 2020

For immediate release

UNFPA Sierra Leone partners with Africell Sierra Leone on a Campaign to promote sexual and reproductive health information

Freetown, Sierra Leone, 23 April 2020: The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Sierra Leone on Tuesday, 21 April 2020, entered into a partnership with Africell (SL) Limited, through a Memorandum of Understanding to support UNFPA’s efforts to achieve three transformative results; zero unmet need for family planning, zero maternal deaths, zero gender based violence (GBV) and all harmful practices.

The UNFPA – Africell partnership is a campaign focused primarily on reaching women and girls with information to increase the demand for GBV, sexual and reproductive health services. The campaign is initially targeting at least 600,000 subscribers in Freetown with voice calls and text messages on COVID-19, maternal health, family planning and gender-based violence at no cost to subscribers.

UNFPA worked with government and UN partners in Sierra Leone to develop the message contents; customized them into accessible local language; and recorded voice messages. UNFPA and Africell SL jointly developed a strategy to target literate subscribers with SMS messages, and low literacy subscribers with the voice messages. Thus ensuring everyone could understand the messages.

Dr. Kim Eva Dickson, UNFPA Country Representative, said she was delighted that the partnership has come to fruition. “UNFPA embraces innovative approaches to ensure that communities are reached with much needed sexual and reproductive health information and services. We particularly welcome this public private partnership with Africell SL during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is extremely important that women and girls are encouraged to continue to access free family planning and maternal health services, and we make all efforts to prevent gender based violence, as this pandemic rages.”

Mr. Shadi Gerjawi, CEO of Africell (SL) Limited, in his comments said “Africell is pleased to partner with UNFPA to roll out this impressive initiative which is designed to reach young people and women in Sierra Leone with vital information.” Africell, he said, places premium on the importance of a healthy nation, “therefore we believe that if the right information is constantly emphasised and communicated, it creates a paradigm shift in perception and behaviour.”

About UNFPA

UNFPA is the United Nations sexual and reproductive health agency, working in more than 150 countries and territories that are home to the vast majority of the world’s people. Our mission is to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.

About Africell

Africell is an African mobile technology company. We provide fast, low-cost and reliable mobile network coverage and related value-added technology services to millions of individuals, communities and business in four vibrant African countries. Africell is the market leading operator in Sierra Leone and The Gambia and is a vibrant challenger in The Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Africell is a disruptor: keen to challenge inefficiencies, embrace fresh thinking and deliver innovative products and services which make a practical difference to people every day. Our corporate social responsibility and positive community impact, as well as our entrepreneurial spirit and transparent business activities, makes Africell the ideal mobile network provider for Africa’s future.

www.africell.com

______________________________________________________

For more information, please contact:

John Baimba Sesay

Web and Media Analyst

Email: jsesay@unfpa.org

Tel: +232-30-953-193

John Konteh

Media Relations Manager

Email: jkonteh@africell.sl

+232-77-928-401

Government Commends Orange-SL in COVID-19 Fight

April 24, 2020

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Orange Sierra Leone, the country’s leading telecommunication operator, has not ceased to amaze citizens with its activities, especially in times of crisis. This COVID-19 fight is a case in point. It has not only bagged commendation from members of the public, but most recently from the government. Its stance during this fight through the introduction of user friendly bundles and promotions has provided many Sierra Leoneans and other nationals residing in the country the opportunity to connect with their loved ones across the globe.

Recently, on 23^rd April 2020, Orange was commended by the Emergency Response Team at Cockrill, off Wilkinson Road, for providing them and health workers in the frontline with free ‘Wanpot Bundle’ offers, as a sign of its continued support to the government and people in the fight against the disease. “Let me, on behalf of the Government, Coordinator and colleagues at Covid-19 National Response Centre, express immense appreciation to the management and staff of Orange SL,” Solomon Jamiru Esq, Spokesperson for COVID-19 National Response Team stated.

Orange SL’s gift to each Healthcare worker at the 3 designated COVID-19 Treatment Centres of 34 hospital, Jui hospital and Lungi government hospital and EOC Team includes: Le150,000 per month for voice calls to all destinations, 5GB data and 600 sms on net. This gesture provides these workers the opportunity to pass on vital information to their colleagues, handle timely information from across the country and respond adequately and timely to any unfolding situation. It further links them with their partners across the world on any development in the fight against the disease and also enables staff to keep constantly with their families, providing assurance of their safety.

On the 20^th March 2020, the Management of the company announced additional measures to ensure that its network and services remain uninterrupted during the current coronavirus outbreak ravaging the world. This move on the part of Orange Sierra Leone comes amidst concerns that the new coronavirus (COVID-19) could affect telecommunications companies and disrupt mobile and internet services, resulting in commendation from the public for its worthwhile contributions to the fight against the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

It also comes in the wake of consensus from global experts that the viability and stability of telecommunications networks are essential in the on-going fight against the COVID-19.

Orange SL maintained that the rapid spread of the coronavirus prompted the company to put in place a multipronged approach that would enable the company to protect its staff and customers, support Government’s on-going efforts and at the same time continue to provide uninterrupted quality and affordable services to customers across the country.

According to Orange officials, “We are a socially and ethically responsible company. It is our duty to do whatever we can to ensure the continuation of telecommunications services, while also taking measures to protect our staff and customers who need service.” It was also stated that the measures would ensure the continuation of all of Orange Sierra Leone’s products and services availability including voice, SMS, data communications, SIM cards, scratch cards and Orange Money services.

The company deployed handwashing stations and digital temperature readers at all its major selling points and ensures surfaces are being frequently sanitized and that ‘social distancing’ protocols are also being implemented, both at selling points and offices: “We are drastically reducing the number of people who can enter a service delivery point at any one time and customers can queue in good conditions, with chairs and shade, with the necessary distance,” Officials say. Members of the public are encouraged to call 117 if they experience fever, tiredness and cough.

Government has now made it mandatory for everyone to wear a cloth face mask in public spaces. Enforcement mechanisms are in place, so everyone is advised to secure a cloth face mask.

The Public is further encouraged to continue frequent washing of hands with soap or use hand sanitizer; avoid touching one’s eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands; cough or sneeze into their upper arm or sleeve; and avoid close contact (arms stretched length) from others, especially in crowded areas.

COVID-19 Update

April 24, 2020

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Sierra Leone has recorded eighteen (18) new active cases of COVID-19. The current total of cumulative positive confirmed cases of COVID-19 is 82.

There is three (3) death reported of a 76, 69 and a 37 year old man who was admitted at the Connaught hospital and Choithram Memorial Hospital respectively.

The first case died before he was proved positive of COVID-19 at the Connaught hospital and NOT at the 34 Military Hospital Treatment Centre, the second person to die of Covid19 was a patient at the Choitram Hospital who’d gone there for some other health reason and a 37-year-old man has died of #Covid19 bringing to three those claimed by the disease. All of them in the last three days.

He’s the youngest to die of the disease in the country. According to the EOC, he had gone to the main referral hospital, Connaught, where he met the case definition for coronavirus. He died before his specimen could be collected for testing. Dead swab samples however tested positive for #Covid19.

According to the Covid19 spokesman, Solomon Jamiru, the second case of a 69-year-old man showed signs of coronavirus and later tested positive for it and he passed away as he was being transferred to the 34 military hospital for isolation and treatment,

The 70 COVID-19 active cases currently under observation are being managed in isolation centers. All are in stable condition.

The total number of persons currently in quarantine is 891. The total number of persons that have been discharged from quarantine is 1,259.

Members of the public are encouraged to call 117 if they experience fever, tiredness and cough.

Government has now made it mandatory for everyone to wear a cloth face mask in public spaces. Enforcement mechanisms are in place, so everyone is advised to secure a cloth face mask.

The Government of Sierra Leone has decided to provide frontline healthcare workers with required incentives for the treatment and medical care of persons with COVID-19 thus:

a. Cash risk allowance in lieu of their PAYE (Pay As You Earn) tax deductions for a period of three months commencing lst April, 2020, subject to review.

b. A life insurance policy encompassing payment to the next-of-kin of any frontline healthcare worker that loses his/her life in providing treatment to persons infected with COVID-19.

c. Free tuition and other forms of educational support for a maximum of three (3) children up to 1st degree level, for any healthcare worker who loses his/her life in the discharge of their duties.

d. A COVID-19 weekly allowance, including compensation for daily food, board and lodging, to frontline healthcare workers in treatment centres (Acute), Isolation centres (Mild), Laboratory and quarantine centres/homes.

The public is encouraged to take good care of their health to help protect against COVID-19. Take children for marklate and go to the hospital for Antenatal Care (ANC), safe delivery, malaria testing and treatment, and other regular care. Hospitals remain the safest places to go for health checks, treatment and care.

A Couple of Positives from the Ravages of Covid-19

April 24, 2020

By Alfie Barrie (Television Anchor and Columnist)

It is important to note that this piece is not in any way aimed at stoking a sense of complacency in the general populace. Rather, this piece aims at complementing Government’s effort in blunting the chain of transmission. The media is currently galore with mostly apocalyptic narrations of this Covid19 virus which fills people’s head with a lot of negativity which psychologists have agreed will lead to depression and other related mental illnesses.

I admonish all after taking a cursory look at this piece to Google “The law of attraction in relation to quantum physics”. The crux of that theoretical underpinning posits the concept of always harnessing the mind towards positivity. One needs to fantasize great things in the mind and before you know it will translate into reality. Nearly 50% of the world’s population are currently locked up in their homes and many Governments, even those with liberal democracies, are resulting to restrictive measures to curb the spread of this respiratory virus.

It is important that people do not panic! This is not the first time the world has been plagued by pernicious pandemics. In fact we’ve had several of them such as the Plague of Athens 430 B.C, the Antonine Plague AD 165-180, the Cocolitzli Epidemic and of course the great Spanish Flu of 1918-1920 which infected 500 million people and one-fifth of those infected died with some indigenous communities pushed to the brink of extinction (Otis Historical Archives, National Museum of Health and Medicine).

Humanity was battered, shaken but survived. Covid19 is much more contagious but not as fatal as Ebola. According to the WHO, out of every hundred infections only two or three will eventually succumb to the virus and mostly the aged with underlying health condition are likely to die from the virus.

If you are young, agile and without any underlying health condition and you don’t consume excessive alcohol and other illegal substances and you maintain a healthy diet even when you are infected there is greater chance that you will pull through.

Also, the advent of this pandemic has issued a rallying cry for world leaders to invest in our public health systems. As of now, there are over a dozen vaccine researches currently ongoing and most of them seem to be showing positive signs. It is expected that there will be a vaccine for Covid-19 in the next sixteen months. So cheer up!

Again the outbreak of the Covid-19 has quashed the normally over blown superiority contest that the West normally projects over Africans. Now we are all into this together.

In fact Africa seem to be less scared by this scourge therefore Africans are much more resilient that you think so after this, the South- West disparity will dissipate and we will all work as equal partners. Again, the Covid-19 has rendered the anachronistic class system redundant. Now haves and the have nots are sailing in the same boat and in fact the privileged seem to be the worst hit.

Opposition MPs Snub Prince Harding

April 24, 2020

By Melvin Tejan Mansaray

On Wednesday 22nd April, 2020 at Committee Room No. 1 Parliament Building, all opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) that are members of the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service failed to attend the public hearing of Dr. Alex Prince Harding.

Prior to that, the Office of the Clerk of Parliament issued a public notice informing MPs and members of the public about the parliamentary vetting of nine presidential nominees.

The vetting marked the fourteenth sitting of the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service which was supposed to have interviewed and scrutinise the appointment of Dr. Alex Prince Harding as proposed Chairman National Commission for Privatization among nine other nominees but unfortunately when Dr. Alex Harding was called upon as the first interviewee, no member of the APC, C4C, NGC, Independent and even Paramount Chief MPs was present except the SLPP MPs.

Dr. Alex Prince Harding who is the current Leader and Chairman of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) has been described in certain circles as a controversial politician.
Just recently Dr. Harding was the mastermind behind ousting of Hon. Sidi M. Tunis as Leader of Government Business after allegedly handpicking Hon. Mathew Nyuma to replace Tunis and Hon. Bashiru Silikie.

It however turned out that Hon. Tunis final presided as Chairman of the Appointments Committee and there was less probing (no question asked, no answers proffered) for the appointee in question.

According to Peter J. Kulangbanda, Director of Committees, the sitting had five members at the time of Dr. Harding’s interview which was enough for a quorum.

Human Rights Commission Pays Visit to Palo Conteh & Two Others

April 24, 2020

By Foday Moriba Conteh

On the 20^th April 2020 a team from the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, led by the Chairperson Patricia Narsu Ndanema, conducted a specific monitoring visit to the Correctional Service at Pademba Road, Freetown. Other members of the team included Simitie Lavaly, Over Sight Commissioner for Complaints, Investigations and Legal Services and Mr. Emmanuel Thomas-Senior Human Rights Officer.

This visit falls in line with Section 9 (1) of the HRCSL Act No. 9 of 2004 which gives the Commission access ‘to all government offices, facilities and places of detention, including prisons, police cells, remand homes and probation facilities, in order to investigate a human rights matter initiated by the Commission or brought to the attention of the Commission’.

The specific visit was intended to assess the human rights issues surrounding Retired Major Alfred Palo Conteh, George Hughes- Commissioner of Oaths & Justice of the Peace and Retired Colonel Saa Anthony Sinah – Small Arms and Light Weapons Commission detained on allegations of treason and perjury.

The visit commenced with an engagement with the above mentioned persons in the presence of four Correctional Service personnel.

Opportunity was given to the above mentioned persons to have private engagements with the team, if so desired. Thereafter, an inspection of the cells occupied by the said persons was conducted by the team.

The HRCSL focused on monitoring the following rights:

Right to legal representation , Respect for non-derogable rights i.e. freedom from torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, Right to visitors/communications, Right to health ,Right to food/water ,Access to other basic essentials such as Clothing ,Text books and other reading materials

In the Commission’s findings and observations in terms of Right to legal representation all three persons interviewed have legal representations of their own choice and had been able to communicate with their lawyers.

With respect to freedom from torture, inhuman & degrading treatment the team did not observe any form of physical torture on the bodies of all three of them i.e. scars, swelling or lash marks etc. All persons informed the HRCSL that since their arrival at the Correctional Centre on diverse dates commencing on 20th March 2020, they have not suffered any form of torture or been maltreated by the Centre staff. Rtd. Major Paolo Conteh in his own words informed the team by stating thus: ‘Since I arrived at this Correctional Center, no one has laid a single finger on me’.

When it comes to Access to Visitors/Communication the Commission noted that that aspect of rights has been difficult for all three of them and other inmates. With the COVID-19 outbreak, all non-official visits to the Correctional Service Centers have been banned nationwide. Due to the unavailability of Centre phones, they cannot communicate with family members via phone calls.

With Right to Health two of the said persons raised health concerns, which they have been suffering from before entering the Correctional Centre. The team took up their concerns with the appropriate Correctional Centre authority. The said persons further informed the team that they have not been denied access to their medications. All medication provided by their relatives are inspected by the Correctional Centre Staff in their presence before being handed over to them.

Regarding Right to Food/water the said persons informed the team that they are served their two daily rations; the same for other inmates in the centre. One of them, who is diabetic, has also been able to meet his dietary requirement through the Correctional Service Management. Although they have access to bathing and drinking water, they however prefer buying drinking water and other food items from the Tuck Shop located in the center. None of them have been prevented from doing so.

Inspecting the cells, the Team was taken on a conducted tour of the cells in the apartment in which they had lived since their arrival. These cells were separated from the rest of the inmates in the same apartment. It was observed that they were put in individual cells that are of the same sizes as other cells occupied by two inmates in the same apartment. Very large upper windows were observed in the cells visited. Two of the three cells have toilet facilities, whilst the other one has a makeshift toilet. The team observed a common gathering place within their section and found the above mentioned persons spending time with each other. Rule 44 of the Mandela Rules 2015 defines solitary confinement as ‘the confinement of prisoners for 22 hours or more a day without meaningful human contact”. The team as at the time of visit to the cells did not observe any form of solitary confinement as so defined.

The team was informed that initially, they had only 1 hour a day out of their cells for the first 72 hours at the centre, but now they are locked and unlocked for the same hours as other inmates in the centre in general.

In terms of accessing other basic essentials such as clothing and books/other reading materials the team saw some clothing in all cells inspected. Initially, they were unable to have timely access to personal clothing and other essential items during their early detention week, but this has now been resolved.

They also observed the presence of text books and other reading materials in all cells. The team was informed that the issue of reading materials is now a thing of the past, as they now have reading materials of their choice with them.

In light of the above observations/findings, the HRCSL recommended that the health concerns raised by two of persons be addressed by the Correctional Service authorities pursuant to Rule 24(1) of the Mandela Rules.

District Medical Stores Information Officer Falls in ACC Net

April 24, 2020

By Fatmata Jengbe

In a recent development the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has made public that the High Court of Sierra Leone, Holden in Makeni, presided over by the Hon. Justice Unisa Kamara has on 22nd April, 2020, convicted Mustapha Kamara, a former Information Officer of the District Medical Stores, in Makeni, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, on Two (2) Counts of corruption offences.

The Hon. Justice Unisa Kamara convicted Mustapha Kamara, on all two (2) counts and ruled that he pays a fine of Thirty Million Leones (Le: 30,000,000) on each count or serve three years jail term, to run concurrently. The Judge further ordered that the fines be paid in two instalments, with the 31st May 2020, as the deadline.

Mustapha Kamara, a former Information Officer at the District Medical Store and Idrissa Turay, former District Medical Store Keeper, were standing trial on two (2) counts of Misappropriation of Donor Property contrary to Section 37(1) and Conspiracy to Commit a Corruption Offence, contrary to Section 128(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act, No.12 of 2008.

Idrissa Turay, the co-accused passed away during the course of the trial.

The ACC is reassuring the general public of its resolve to fight corruption at all levels and pursue justice at all times without fear or favour.

The State was represented by Timothy P.M Sowa Esq., whilst the convict was represented by Ibrahim Samba Esq.

Rokel Commercial Bank Takes Banking Nationwide

April 24, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

Rokel Commercial Bank has taken a leap forward in the banking industry with a highly motivated staff and an innovative Managing Director, Dr. Gilpin, thereby improving on its customer service on a regular basis.

Rokel Commercial Bank is no doubt the Bank of Choice that enhances customer satisfaction, brand visibility, corporate social responsibility and other patriotic moves.

After the war, the Bank was struggling to get its bearing and had some challenges along the way until some two years ago when a former employee of the bank in the person of Dr. Ekundayo Walton Gilpin was appointed as the Managing Director of the Bank. Owing to his enormous experience in managing banking institutions, Dr. Gilpin, put modalities in place to restructure the bank.

From that time and henceforth, RCB has introduced new innovative products to suit the needs of its esteemed customer and at the same time opened new branches in the country to hitherto unknown areas.

Since its inception, the Bank has not renege in rolling out its Corporate Social Responsibility as it continues to provide assistance to communities and the country at large.

In a bid to empower the informal sector, the Bank has introduced a ‘Keke’ Account to encourage large number of commercial tricycle riders, bike riders and other local business people to invest in profitable businesses that will improve their lives and create jobs for many.

In continuation of their strides to empower the informal sector, the Bank introduced the ‘OSUSU’ account to encourage Petty Traders to start the culture of saving with the bank. Another innovative service introduced by the Bank is the ‘Swag Account’ for students to do savings for their educational purpose.

RCB also introduced a laudable ‘Sim Korpor’ which gives an array of after sales service to customers. This service has provided customers with the opportunity to access their accounts through their mobile phones. This is a unique banking service as it has greatly help to improve the rate of transactions, one RCB Customers maintained.

The service enables customers to collect money from any of the Bank’s outlets, even after the Bank has been closed. Many Sierra Leoneans and business people have come to bank with Rokel Commercial Bank, because of its reliability and it is here to stay.

In a bid to reach to the doorstep of its customers, the Bank has opened various outlets in the country including Bonthe, FBC, Wilberforce Barracks and many other places. It is crystal clear that people prefer to do business with RCB because of its reliability and sustainability.

Under the resourceful Managing Director, Dr. Ekundayo Gilpin, he has catapulted the institution from a liability to a profit-making one.

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