Afrimoney Concludes Distribution of Le 400M to Fire Victims

April 14, 2021

By Amin Kef Sesay

On the 12^th April 2021 Afrimoney Sierra Leone in the presence of officials of the National Disaster Management Agency ( NDMA) and other stakeholders successfully ended the distributions of four hundred million Leones and one thousand five hundred and ninety-seven (1,597) mobile phones valued over eighty million Leones to all registered victims of the devastating fire accident at Susan’s Bay.

The distribution exercise started on Friday 9thApril 2021, at the Susan’s Bay Community and ended on Monday 12th April, 2021.

According to the Management of Afrimoney, the donation is part of Management’s contributions to help cushion the effects of the fire accident in the lives of victims.

Fatmata Conteh, a beneficiary whilst thanking the Management of Afrimoney said that the mobile phones and cash came at the time they needed it most. She went on to say that she lost all her belongings in the fire accident, adding that they have been fired-up by the Management of Afrimoney to start up their business. She disclosed that she has been finding it extremely difficult to cope with the prevailing circumstances left by the fire accident. She went on to say that some of them are the bread winners of their respective families and with the cash donated by the Management of Afrimoney, it will help them to start up their businesses.

“I will use my cash to start up my business and continue to provide food for my family,” said Fatmata Conteh, adding by assuring the Management of Afrimoney that the money will be used judiciously.

Also, 22 years old Mohamed Sankoh, a businessman described the donation as timely and thanked the Management of Afrimoney for supporting them. He added that the cash will help them greatly to return back to normal life. He went on to say that he is impressed with the donation, adding that the process is transparent. He assured that he will use the money to start up his business and continue to support his parents and siblings.

A pupil of the Ansarul Islamic Secondary School, Saidu Kargbo thanked the Management of Afrimoney for the kind support. He went on to say that he lost everything in the fire accident, adding that he will use the cash to buy some of his school items.

Other beneficiaries also thanked the Management of Afrimoney for supporting them with mobile phones and cash, which they described as a huge boost towards returning to normal life.

A total cash of four hundred million Leones and 1,597 mobile phones were handed over to 1597 households at Susan’s Bay and each household also received the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand Leones.

3 Years of President Bio… Accelerated Service Delivery Continues-Part I

April 14, 2021

By Mohamed Sheriff

The 2018 general elections were a critical process in the advancement of the country’s democracy, peace, and development. April 4th, 2018 when President Julius Maada Bio became the fountain of honour of the Republic of Sierra Leone, it was a defining moment in the history of the country’s political dispensation. Also, a moment to reflect on the specifics development outcomes citizens want political parties to address in the face of the dying economy and development challenges.

The campaign manifesto of the New Direction Sierra Leone people’s Party (SLPP) attracted many citizens on how they want to leapfrog development and other social amenities.

Three years on, President Julius Maada Bio is making remarkable strides to address the eleven years of the APC’s failed economy, youth unemployment, social injustice, inclusive governance, among others.

Firstly, President Bio launched the Medium-Term National Development Plan, through the Ministry of Planning and Economy Development (MoPED), to address the socio-economic and cultural problems of communities and citizen holistically across the country. Citizens, political parties, and development partners are expected to support the plan in making the areas of agriculture, foreign direct investment, fishery sector, energy, education, telecommunication, among other things, achievable.

Education: Gains have been made significantly, especially when naysayers were thinking the Free Quality Education Programme was impossible, given that it was the flagship program of the Government. The Free Quality Education scheme is recording huge achievement; according to reports, school completion rates for boys and girls are at an all-time high. In 2015, for example, 48. 7% of boys and 65.4% of girls completed basic school education.

According to the Ministry of Basic and Secondary School Education, the school completion rate in 2019 stood at 92% for boys and 90% for girls. In three years, the Government increased budgetary allocation towards education from 15% to 21%, constructed and furnished new classrooms; paid examination fees for all, recruited school inspectors, recruited over five thousand (5,000) new teachers, promoted over two thousand teachers (2,000), provided 30% salary increments to teachers, and expanded school feeding program in the rural areas, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Millions of pupils have returned to schools across the country.

Woman & Girls: The Government has made enormous efforts to promoting gender equality, equity, empowerment, and the protection of the rights of women and girls in Sierra Leone. Among the goodies include the First Lady’s successful ‘Hands off our Girls’ campaign; the Government’s reversal of the ban on pregnant girls from going to schools; the declaration of sexual violence as a national emergency; the establishment of a special court for rape victims, and the enactment of the Sexual Offenses (Amendment) Act, as recent developments in the promotion and protection of human rights, especially of women and girls, support to small business enterprises and loans to farmers.

Human Rights Accountability and Transparency: Recently, Sierra Leone submitted its national human rights progress report to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, making a significant milestone in respect of His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio’s commitment to Human Rights Accountability and Transparency.

The report underlines, particularly, the Government’s to the Independence of the Judiciary as envisioned under the 1991 constitution, the Government’s commitment to “fundamental human rights and freedoms of the individual,” noting that “all the core non-dirigible rights have been firmly safeguarded”, there are no political prisoners in Sierra Leone under President Bio’s led administration.

It is on record that President Bio fulfilled his manifesto commitment to abolish the Criminal Libel Laws by repealing part v of the Public Order Act of 1965. His government has taken to fight the Coronavirus pandemic and mitigate its impact. Those actions are rooted in the rule of law and are fully compliant with national law (Section 29 of the 1991 Constitution) and International human rights principles (Article 4 (1) of the International Convention on Civil and Political Rights). Government’s financial support packages to people and businesses to soften the harsh impacts of COVID-19.

The International community notes impressive records of actions and measures taken by President Bio to implement the 177 recommendations it had accepted from the UN during the last review of Sierra Leone’s human rights record. Through the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, the Government of Sierra Leone worked with Parliament to ratify in July 2019 a total of seven conventions from the International Labor Organization. With these conventions, Sierra Leone is now in a better position to protect victims of forced labour domestic and migrant works, as well as guarantee minimum standards in the provision of social security.

Corruption: President Julius Maada Bio has received accolades from the world and African leaders for his outstanding performance in governance, especially the war against corruption. Billions of Leones has been recovered by the ACC from past and current government officials, with Francis Ben Kaifala, the Anti-Corruption Commissioner, making frantic efforts in the fight against corruption.

1st Batch of Ebola Vaccines Received to Beef Up Prevention

April 14, 2021

By Edward Vamboi

On the 10the April 2021 the first batch of Ebola vaccines donated through the partnership between the World Health Organization (WHO) and the vaccine manufacturer Johnson & Johnson was received in the country.

A total of 30 000 regimen of the vaccines were approved for Sierra Leone to protect people at high risk of the disease. Each regimen consists of two doses and would be given to the beneficiaries approximately eight weeks apart. The first consignment consists of 640 doses. Another consignment of 3 840 arrived in Freetown on the 11th April. Subsequent consignments will be delivered during the period of the preventive vaccination.

The last Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone was in 2016. Since then, no positive case of the disease has been confirmed in the country.

With the current outbreak of Ebola in neighbouring Guinea declared on 14 February 2021, Sierra Leone was placed under a priority-one country for Ebola preparedness based on the imminent risk of potential cross border transmission.

Following the announcement of the outbreak and the imminent risk for Sierra Leone, the country activated its Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Systems to level 2 to enhance public health surveillance, active case finding and robust community engagement to prevent the spill over of the disease from the sister country, and ensure early case identification and effective response to manage any spill over and prevent spread into the community.

On the 7th April, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation launched a comprehensive six months Ebola Outbreak Preparedness and Contingency Plan to guide the country’s heightened preparedness activities. The vaccine delivery and the planned vaccination of selected target groups is one of the strategic priority interventions that are being undertaken in Sierra Leone to protect those at high risk of contracting the disease should there be a spill over into the country.

“Despite the threat of Ebola outbreak and the multiple public health emergencies we are currently dealing with, there is greater hope and confidence in the improved capacities that Sierra Leone has built over the years to prevent these outbreaks and to promptly bring cases under control if they ever occur,” said Dr Steven Velabo Shongwe, WHO Representative in Sierra Leone.

“Our hope is also based on the great scientific developments and progress made over the past five years for the prevention and management of Ebola cases in terms of advances in Ebola vaccines, and therapeutics to treat confirmed Ebola patients. WHO will continue to collaborate with partners to harness and to provide technical support to Sierra Leone to save lives and protect the population from unnecessary deaths and negative socio-economic impact as was the case during the 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak that paralysed the country”.

Between 10 and 11 April 2021, a total of 4480 doses of the vaccines may have been delivered to health authorities in Sierra Leone. By the end of August 2021, a total of 30 000 regimen (60 000 doses) would have been delivered in Sierra Leone to vaccinate those at highest risk of contracting Ebola disease in the event of a spill over from the current outbreak in Guinea, thanks to the partnership between WHO, Johnson and Johnson and the Government of Sierra Leone.

The Ebola vaccine was mobilized by WHO from its headquarters in Geneva in partnership with the producer Johnson & Johnson.

Sierra Leone is working closely with neighbouring countries and regional and international organizations to strengthen collaboration in the fight against the disease. In March, the Ministers of Health from the neighbouring countries agreed on a common approach to improve coordination and cross-border collaboration to stamp out the outbreak in Guinea and prevent cross-border transmission.

The country’s effort to scale up its national emergency readiness capabilities is strongly supported by WHO, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, alongside other partners to build the required capacities for prevention and response, while continuing to monitor the situation in Guinea.

“Even if you don’t remember me, those 2.5 million children will remember me…” -President Bio

April 14, 2021

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio

By James Samba- Technical Assistant to the Minister of Planning and Economic Development

Despite decades of reforms in education especially school improvement initiatives, large numbers of pupils were still underachieving, failing or being pushed out of school. Clearly, a distinctly new approach was needed, the time for a serious Government and policymakers to take a bold and comprehensive approach to education in Sierra Leone. There is no question that education is a powerful driver of change, transformation and prosperity.

As the 2018 elections drew closer, the conversation about how to change the direction of the country gained even more prominence— focus on education and many other critical issues Sierra Leoneans were facing. During the campaigns, the New Direction Manifesto stood out, representing ideas for how to increase access to childhood education and how to make higher education more accessible and affordable, ensuring that every child in Sierra Leone has an excellent education. What an ambitious plan!!!

It was on this manifesto that a man of dignity and valor arose to become the 3rd democratically elected President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, His Excellency the President Brigadier (retired) Julius Maada Bio, who postulated equity, accessibility, relevance, system-strengthening and integrity as the core of his Free Quality Education.

In September 2018, the President defied his skeptics to officially launch the New Direction Government’s flagship program—the Free Quality Education (FQE), paving the way for easy access to education for over 2 million children in the country.

“When I promised free and quality education my opponents said it was a political gimmick. But today, I have proven them wrong. In less than six months, we have shown that free education is POSSIBLE. I have always prioritized education as a means for development”, said President Bio.

A President, who means well for his country would invest in education in order to reinforce a society’s wealth and growth, where individuals can easily improve their own personal efficacy, productivity and outcomes. According to International Human Rights Law: “primary education shall be compulsory and free of charge whilst secondary and higher education shall be made progressively free of charge”, this is fundamental in guaranteeing everyone has access to education.

The cornerstone of President Bio’s Free Quality Education is to increase nationwide access to quality pre-primary, primary and secondary schooling, as well as school level technical and vocational education and training. The goal is that ALL children will be able to successfully complete basic education and be prepared to move on to pursue higher education or training as appropriate for the workforce needed for national development.

In 2020, the Government allocated Le1.4 trillion to the education sector representing 22% of the country’s annual budget. The FQE package includes: payment of tuition fees from primary to senior secondary school, provision of core text books, furniture and other learning materials including the payment of fees for all public examinations.

Because we have a President, who understands that in many developing countries, families often cannot afford to send their children to school that was why he separated the education sector, where we now have the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education (MBSSE) and the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) and appointing a young, energetic, and dynamic Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education in the person of Dr. David Moinina Sengeh.

This Minister, together with his team has been working very hard to provide sufficient supply of learning and teaching materials, providing a conducive environment for learning by constructing spacious classrooms, providing adequate text books, furniture, WASH facilities, trained and qualified teachers, increasing teacher’s salary by 30% and the recruitment of 5000 teachers ensuring that even the ‘hard-to reach-areas’ are not left behind. What an audacious step taken by a young man all in the spirit of a New Direction Government.

Recently, in Pujehun District the Ministry commissioned 18 new and refurbished schools in hard to reach places across the riverine areas. This also includes providing training and stipends for the volunteer teachers in those parts that have been neglected for decades. Mohamed Kallon, a resident in Bormu, YKK Chiefdom, Pujehun District, said “At first, when I heard the President was going to pay school fees for every child, I didn’t believe until the day I went to pay my son’s fees, and was told that it was free—I felt so relieved”.

“Every time I wake up, in the morning I always get excited because I now know there will be hot lunch waiting for me at the school,” said Jusu Kallon, a class six (6) pupil at the SLC Primary School in Bormu, YKK Chiefdom, Pujehun District.

In his citizen’s engagement on FM 98.1 ‘Gud Morning Salone Breakfast Program’ on Thursday 8th April, 2021, speaking on his Government’s administration after 3 years, President Julius Maada Bio noted that in order to have a happy nation, the people should be happy. He said that was why he took the burden of paying school fees for about 2.5 million school children in the country. President Bio said the parents of those children, who now put those school fees into other use, are quite happy because his Government has taken away that burden from them.

“No nation can ever develop without education. The future of this nation is our children. So, we have to invest hugely in educating the children and to have a happy and progressive nation in the future,” he stated.

After his 10 or more years of effective leadership of this great country, H.E President Julius Maada Bio would be widely considered as one of the greatest Sierra Leonean President’s for his courage and leadership in making education Free for ALL.

So, even if you don’t remember him, Jusu Kallon together with those 2.5 million children would remember him…

They would remember him for the 103 billion Leones subsidy paid for school fees…

They would remember him for the 69 billion Leones paid for school feeding…

They would remember him for the 3 billion Leones paid for furniture and other school materials.

They would remember him for the 5,000 teachers recruited…

They would remember him for 4,334 teaching and learning materials procured…

They would remember him for the 3,044 schools approved…

YES! THE KIDS OF THIS GENERTION WOULD SURELY REMEMBER HIM…

Anti-Corruption Commission To Investigate Audit Queries

April 14, 2021

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), on the 12^th April 2021, after its public hearings, in the Hall of Makeni City Council, chaired by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, decided to refer two audit queries relating to the Auditor General’s Report of 2019 to the Anti-Corruption Commission for further investigation.

The issues so referred to relate to the Falaba District Council in respect of revenues not brought to account for 27 receipt books totalling Le 142, 400,000 and irregularities with the monthly general cleaning incentive, the sum of Le 388, 800,000 with support documents revealing several discrepancies.

Chairman of PAC spoke on the audit process on the annual accounts of Sierra Leone, the production and tabling of its Report to Parliament through the Public Accounts Committee in order to investigate, ascertain their correctness or otherwise and recommend to Parliament regarding issues raised in the Auditor General’s Report of 2019.

Speaking on the role of the ACC and the Police during the investigative process by the PAC, he warned against volunteerism, lying under oath and presentation of forged documents highlighting that such would amount to Contempt of Parliament and perjury punishable for seven years.

Also speaking on human rights, he advised officials in Councils not to do business with service providers whose documents have expired.

Recognizing the efforts of staff supporting the PAC and thanking officials from the ACC and the Police in attendance, he observed “the country has been going in circles and there is the need for us to come together and do something different to change the narratives of the country positively”.

Before releasing officials from Kambia District to attend to an audit by the European Union, the Deputy Speaker duly noted that “parliamentary summons take precedent over any other matter, except with its own consent”.

In light of a parliamentary summons for the past CA of Karene District Council with a medical certificate and other officials of the said Council in Freetown on 28/04/2021, the PAC also directed summoning Ministry of Finance to provide an explanation for direct payment of sitting fees and allowances into the accounts of absentee councillors without guidelines.

Speaking on retrieving of property arrears to the tune of over Le 1 Billion and the Valuator who died with the password to access the needed data in Tonkolili District Council, improvement of drinking water, the Public Accounts Committee has ordered the said Council to close all its dormant accounts and bring to speed all NASSIT payments for staff in that Council.

Competent Managerial Prowess Keeps NP-SL Ltd Buoyant

April 14, 2021

By Amin Kef Sesay

The National Petroleum- Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) is on record for having a capable and competent managerial team at the helm of affairs, which from time to time comes up with good initiatives, always ensuring that those initiatives are effusively, effectively implemented to create value for money.

It is also on record that the National Petroleum -Sierra Leone Limited apart from it being lauded as one of Sierra Leone’s biggest tax payers it is also commended for its invaluable contributions towards building the country’s economy in diverse ways.

As a petroleum business entity, NP-SL Ltd is proud of supporting Filling Stations in various parts of the country and the company is vibrantly functioning in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia where it is transacting business in petroleum products.

This 100% indigenously-owned company has so far offered various jobs to residents in the afore-mentioned countries, thereby reducing poverty to a considerable level.

Since it was established by 35 Sierra Leoneans, who bought shares from the Government years back, the company has grown from leaps and bounds; weathering storms that would have run it down. But the resolve of its shareholders and Management to succeed has been the center-piece that has propelled NP-SL Ltd to a higher level, equal to none in the sub-region. The synergy that runs through its members of staff has also contributed to the company’s growth.

The selflessness and commitment of the shareholders have made it possible for the company to empower many Sierra Leoneans, who are partners and at the same time put it at a vantage position to continue to open more Filling Stations across the country.

NP-SL Ltd has maintained a good business relationship with its numerous customers right across the sub-region where it exists and most have confessed that they are realizing optimum satisfaction in dealing with NP. The company deals with individuals and various sectors of society, always ensuring that its various petroleum products are available and are sold at affordable prices. This keen symbiotic relationship with its customers has been paying huge dividends, always resulting in a win-win situation, making NP-SL Ltd very endearing to all and sundry.

The regulatory institution of the different petroleum companies in the country, the Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA), has lauded NP-SL Ltd for its efficient service delivery everywhere it is operating.

The company is also known for offering Sierra Leoneans affordable NP Gas Cookers of various sizes, which are safe and very friendly to use. NP Gas cookers could be purchased at all their filling stations across the country and the very gas is also sold to replenish those that have been used.

When we talk of the steady and effective implementation of the Local Content Policy, NP-SL Ltd stands out tall as it is truly has 100% indigenes, particularly in Sierra Leone, as workers. This is one of the factors that have made the company to be a success story.

The company’s result-oriented managerial team will definitely and sustainably continue to put NP-SL Ltd at the top.

NP-SL Ltd. is doing exceptionally well in all the countries it is functioning and indeed there are prospects for further expansion.

It can therefore be justifiably asserted that the National Petroleum Limited is the country’s reliable fuel provider as it always ensures that its stockpile is always at an appreciable level.

Various tests to determine quality and standard indicate that customers of National Petroleum-SL products say they have never had cause to grumble about the products.

It should be noted that customer care is one key element to the success of the National Petroleum Sierra Leone (NP-SL).

Another most important feature of NP-SL is its smart cards which customers can use to make transactions very easily and conveniently. A customer only needs to credit the NP Smart Card and he or she can then use it to purchase fuel without using physical cash. It is safe and convenient according to what was understood.

The public’s recognition of the invaluable contributions of the company both to its numerous customers across the country and to national development has seen it bag meritorious awards from different national and international organizations.

The company always ensured that petroleum products are always available, thereby preventing shortages that could create shocks in many quarters. The level of confidence which overseas business partners have reposed in the company has made it possible for it to enter into payment agreements thereby keeping the demand and supply chain open and running.

Indeed, it goes without saying that competent managerial prowess has indeed keep NP-SL Ltd buoyant and endearing.

For choosing Islamic Religion over Primitive Secret Societies, Alusine Ibrahim Jah escaped death

April 12, 2021

By Karifa Thoronka

Report reaching Calabash newspaper says that Alusine Ibrahim Jah who is the favorite son of late Pa Ibrahim Jah the Kassilolo of the poro society in Bathbana Village, Yonie Chiefdom in the Northern part of Sierra Leone has escaped for refusing to be initiated into the poro society. According to the traditional and cultural laws of Sierra Leone, Alusine Ibrahim Jah being the favorite son of his late Father Pa Ibrahim Jah is destined to succeed the position of his father as the Kassilolo in the Poro society to continue the linage.

Whiles narrating the story of Alusine Ibrahim Jah one of the close family member Pa Abu Bakarr says that Alusine Ibrahim Jah’s father had earlier informed him together with some elderly members of the secret society that Alusine will succeed him as the Kassilolo of the poro society before he died. Pa Abu furthered noted that the thirty-nine years old Alusine has been a strong opposition of the society as he is a fervent Muslim with a strong faith in Allah.

He further revealed that the head of the Poro Secret Society gave a statement of threats to kill Alusine Ibrahim Jah for abandoning the tradition for Muslim Religion after knowing all the secrets in the shrine whiles trying to initiate him before he disappeared on the 2nd April 2021.

While explaining to the press one of the society member, who refused to mention his name, noted that Alusine might have traversed through dangerous terrain to escape the Secret Society initiation.

Nevertheless, secret societies with political interest have cropped up periodically in Sierra Leone that politicians see it as a no go area whenever intimidation and harassments reports given by someone especially in the northern part of the Country concerning the secret societies.

Till press time, the location of Alusine Ibrahim Jah is yet to be confirm by his family, whiles the society members are still searching for him.

Two Sierra Leoneans Become UBA Board of Directors

April 12, 2021

By Amin Kef Sesay

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Sierra Leone as part of the process of strengthening its position as Africa’s Global Bank with high local content has appointed two (2) more Sierra Leonean as members of its Board of Directors, in the persons of Dr. Claudius Bart-Williams as Independent Non-Executive Director and Mohamed Alhajie Samoura as Executive Director, Business Development.

Dr. Claudius Bart-Williams is a Financial Economist, Corporate Finance, Strategy, and Project Management Professional with over thirty (30) years of experience in education, consulting, corporate advisory, and finance. He is currently the Group Chief Executive of Pennarth Greene, a London and Africa-based licensed advisory and corporate finance firm, linking capital and opportunities in Europe and in emerging markets, especially in Africa. He has advised entities across West Africa and the United Kingdom and is a member of several boards including Royal Insurance Gambia Limited, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC).

On the other hand, Mohamed Samoura is a consummate banker with close to two decades of working experience in Sierra Leone banking industry. Until his appointment as Executive Director, he was the Head of Corporate Banking at Ecobank Sierra Leone where he started as Credit Administration Officer in 2007 and soon grew to be a banking executive.

With a passion in banking and drive to create impact in the business and financial arena, he has several accolades and was able to transform a loss making branch to a profit making branch during his tenure as Branch Manager. Mr. Samoura will be bringing on board his wealth of experience and understanding of the corporate and institutional banking landscape in the country to further strengthen UBA’s position in this market segment and its overall industry leadership aspirations.

Orange SL Launches 1st Inter Secondary School Brass Band Competition

April 12, 2021

By Edward Vamboi

One of the telecommunications companies operating in Sierra Leone, Orange SL, has on the 10th April 2021 launched the first ever inter secondary school brass competition was he. The launch took place at the National Stadium main bowl.

According to the Head of Marketing at Orange Sierra Leone, Martha Sumaila, Orange SL is launching the first ever inter Secondary School Brass Band Competition, which she said is going to be a battle among various Secondary Schools to ultimately get the winners.

“We want to make our customers feel at ease while watching the competitors,” she disclosed adding that before the launch they started with a float parade along some of the streets of Freetown taking off at Victoria Park and ended up at the National Stadium where the launching took place.

Martha said they discovered that music is at the heart of their customers which is why Orange SL decided to organize the competition.
On her part, Annie Wonie Katta, Head of Media at Orange SL, said it is all not just about a competition but rather avail the competitors the opportunity to show case the talents of the competitors and make their schools proud.

She disclosed that the ultimate rewards that the winners will receive are going to be as such: one hundred million Leones for the male winner and one hundred million Leones for the female pupil who will emerge as the winner in that category.
She disclosed that Orange SL is there to make their customers feel relaxed through entertainment adding that it is going to be a free and fair battle.

Dr. Crispin George of C and K Consultancy intimated that they are partnering with Orange SL to ensure that brass bands are improved within the entertainment industry, promote youth development via supporting the brass bands of schools.

He told the competitors that it is not going to be a do or die affair but to compete healthily adding that forty (40) schools will be competing for two hundred million Leones, One hundred million Leones for the male category and one hundred million Leones for the female category.

Among the schools that will be competing are: Bo School, C.K.C, Government Model Secondary School, P.O.W, F.S.S.G, Annie Walsh, MGHS and a host of others.

NP-SL Commissions New Filling Station at Hamilton

April 12, 2021

By Amin Kef Sesay

As part of their objective to make their products and services accessible to all across the country, the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited has on Saturday 10^th April, 2021 commissioned a newly constructed Filling Station at Hamilton Junction along the Peninsular Road in Western Rural District.

This new Filling Station named as Divine Petroleum Limited is situated at Echo Centre, Hamilton Junction on the Peninsular Road.

In his statement, the Managing Director of the Divine Petroleum Limited, Prophet David Sannoh, expressed sincere appreciation to the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited for partnering with him and also for their support in ensuring that the establishment of the Filling Station becomes a success story adding that the commissioning is a fulfillment of his dream, which is to give back to society.

He added that he has gone through a lot of challenges ranging from securing the land to the construction of the Filling Station but said he is very grateful that they are finally commissioning it.

Prophet David Sannoh also extended gratitude to the community stakeholders for the support they gave him since the start of the project and to its completion stating that he is gratified that they stood by him through those trying times.

The Managing Director revealed that the Filling Station has already created job opportunities resonating with his dream to empower other people, noting that the facility will also address some of the challenges people face to secure fuel in that part of the country. He furthered that there had been constraints in securing fuel especially within the peninsular as there are only few Filling Stations within that axis and with the commissioning of this Filling Station those challenges will be reduced.

Prophet David Sannoh said that the construction of the Station in Hamilton is a huge development he has brought to the community also assuring all that such a development will not be the last as he intends to bring more development to the Hamilton community and beyond. In that regard he called on residents to take ownership of the Filling Station.

In his statement, the Sales Manager of NP-SL Ltd, Vandi Bockarie, expressed appreciation to David Sannoh for believing in NP-SL Ltd, adding that as a company they will ensure that they remain firm in optimizing customer care of which he assured him of the company’s continuous support.

He said it is very clear that NP-SL has stood tall over the years and the company will continue to grow to a higher peak, revealing that currently NP-SL Ltd is not only operating in Sierra Leone but also operates in neighbouring Guinea and Liberia.

Outlining the importance of the Filling Station to the community and the country as a whole ,the Sales Manager of NP-SL Ltd underscored that for every single liter of fuel sold there is a reduction of tax that will go to the Government in order to undertake developmental initiatives for the betterment of the nation.

He said the commissioning of the new Filling Station at Hamilton is a clear manifestation that NP-SL is committed to empowering Sierra Leoneans in every part of the country and that with the facility in the community it will address the issues relating to accessing fuel within the Hamilton Community and its environs.

Vandi Bockarie revealed that NP-SL Ltd, as a company, has the expertise, quality products, proper infrastructure and a safety environment and that is why the most successful people in the petroleum industry are those who are doing business with NP-SL. He then used the opportunity to encourage those doing business with the company to continue in that drive, adding that NP-SL Ltd remains firm in optimizing customer care.

On his part, Head of Compliance & Standards at the Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA), Jayah K. Muana, disclosed that their mandate at PRA is to regulate the petroleum industry in the country and also make petroleum products available to end users across the country.

He commended NP-SL Ltd for their expansionist drive they have been doing over the years in order to ensure that they complement the efforts of PRA in making their products and services accessible to all across the country.

Jayah K. Muana said the new Filling Station will not only make fuel available for them at all times but will also provide jobs for some residents as well of which he called on residents to take ownership of it.

Chairman of Echo Center within the Hamilton Community, Umaru S. Turay, expressed appreciation to Prophet David Sannoh and NP-SL for the commissioning of the Filling Station in their community.

On behalf the Hamilton Community he assured both NP-SL and Prophet David Sannoh that they are ready to take ownership of the Filling Station which, he said, he believes has given their community a new facelift.

The event was climaxed by the dedication and commissioning of the Filling Station which was done by Apostle Elect, Amos L. Lelleh, followed by the cutting of the tape by the Sales Manager of NP-SL Ltd, Vandi Bockarie.

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