SLRSA & Parliamentary Oversight Committee Strategize to Decongest Freetown

November 22, 2021

Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA).jpg

By Esther Wright

With a view to decongest the roads of Freetown, in order to enhance the free flow of traffic and promote road safety, the Agency charged with the responsibility of enhancing road safety in the country, the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA), in collaboration with the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Transport and the Sierra Leone Police, on the 16th November 2021 held a one-day stakeholders’ engagement at the Authority’s headquarters on Kissy Road in Freetown to map out an operational strategy.

Acting Executive Director of the SLRSA, James Baggie Bio, in explaining the purpose of the meeting, stated that sequel to the Wellington PMB fire disaster, the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on transport summoned the leadership of the SLRSA and other agencies to explain to the Committee some of the challenges facing the transport sector. He said during that engagement, the Committee emphasized on the need for the decongestion of Freetown by the removal of abandoned vehicles, street garages and the eradication of street trading.

He furthered that since the Authority has a tradition of working with stakeholders before commencing any operation, that was why the meeting was called so that stakeholders can as well inform their general membership.

He said a total of fifty-four streets have been identified within the city of Freetown for decongestion, disclosing how the Authority has enough capacity to undertake the exercise, He encouraged all stakeholders to support the operation in order to enhance the free flow of traffic and prevent road carnage.

Addressing the meeting, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Transport, Hon. Ambrose Maada Lebbie, pointed out that the Wellington PMB Fire disaster was an eye opener for all stakeholders in the transport sector to put hands on deck to improve safety of the roads. He assured that as an Oversight Committee on transport, they had instructed the SLRSA and the SLP to embark on the decongestion of roads in Freetown.

Hon. Lebbie also stated that Parliament is aware and deeply concerned with the influx of substandard spare parts in the country, noting that, substandard spare parts were also a major contributing factor to road crashes.

Honorable Lebbie called on the membership of the transport sector to collaborate with the decongestion exercise stating the SLP would be there to provide the necessary support to the SLRSA during the exercise.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Traffic and Road Safety, Kaprr S. Kamara, thanked the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Transport for supporting the initiative to decongest Freetown as the issue of street garages was a very serious challenge in Freetown. He assured that, the Sierra Leone Police would fully corporate for a successful exercise.

On behalf of the Motor Drivers Union, Alpha Amadu Bah, who is President of the Union assured of the cooperation of his membership.

Other stakeholders present were representatives of the Vehicle Maintenance Association, Kekeh Riders Union among others.

APC Highlights Decline in Democratic and Peace Gains Under President Bio

November 22, 2021

All People's Congress Party.jpg — Ambassador Dr. Alhaji Osman F. Yansaneh, APC National Secretary General

By Amin Kef Sesay

The main opposition All People’s Congress Party is concerned that following the 2018 General Elections which ushered in the SLPP Government of President Bio; the APC, our international partners and the public, have witnessed an unprecedented and systematic decline in the country’s democratic and peace building gains.

This, APC says, has happened owing to a completely disorderly transition and a deliberately skewed and emotional transition report which laid the basis for ethnic hegemony and a dangerous political purge of the public and civil service.

The fallout from that disorderly transition they say include improperly constituted Commissions of Inquiry (COIs) and an array of constitutional violations; state sanctioned electoral manipulations and violence, brazen miscarriage of justice related to Headquarters & Western Region political cases, and police/military brutality against unarmed and peaceful protesters and prisoners.

More than three years after the President Bio – led SLPP Government came to power; APC say they have repeatedly and loudly raised their concerns over and protested against the agonizing and dramatic decline in Sierra Leone’s democratic, peace and human rights credentials. Sadly, the President Bio – led SLPP Government has consistently treated and dismissed their legitimate concerns and protestations with reckless indifference.

APC are therefore very heartened that at this very crucial moment when Sierra Leone is gearing up for the next general elections; our position on the worrying state of affairs has been verified and validated by many of our civil society organizations and one of our international partners – the European Union (EU). APC thus maintain that the issues so aptly captured in the recent EU Elections Follow – Up Report are definitely not new nor is the President Bio – led Government’s reaction to these revealing facts.

To recall, APC say they specifically raised concern and protested against the Government Transition Team (GTT) Report, the way the COIs were constituted and harrowing spate of intimidation, unlawful arrests and detention of protesters and of stalwarts, members and supporters of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party.

APC highlighted that this painful and accelerated reversal was occasioned by the President Julius Maada Bio – led SLPP Government’s deliberate and systematic constriction of the democratic space through the unbridled overreach of the Executive.

Based on the above, the APC hereby categorically state that they have lost faith in the leadership of the Police, Judiciary and the National Elections Commission and that by their poor and politically compromised leadership, the heads of these critical national institutions do not have the credibility, integrity and independence to serve Sierra Leone. The current Minister in the Ministry of Development and Economic Planning who is in charge of Statistics Sierra Leone they say should be investigated for waste of the country’s meagre resources by going ahead with the unprecedented mid-term census.

APC also demanded that Statistics SL should stop all activities they are putting up for what they termed as a discredited mid-term census. They are pleading with the World Bank and UNFPA not to support a process that is at variance with the Laws of Sierra Leone. The contested and controversial Census Statutory Instrument they say has not been properly laid in Parliament. The Pilot Census, the party says, is also not legal; some Sierra Leoneans have strongly supported civil society organizations and political parties in opposition to the mid-term census.

APC say the people of Sierra Leone would like to ask the World Bank and other institutions to review their decision to fund the mid-term census. Continuing with mid-term census, the party continued, has the tendency to create instability in the country. The EU Report they say has highlighted and described the holding of such an exercise when elections are just around the corner as unnecessary.

Now therefore, while APC say they applaud the EU for their forthright Elections Follow–Up report and acknowledge the said report as a root and branch verified validation of their concerns over the existential threat to democratic good governance, peace and national cohesion.

Given the uncomfortable fact ,as the party claims, that the APC and the people of Sierra Leone have endured more than three agonizing years of the constitutional abuses and state sanctioned violence; and being cognizant of the fact that intransigence on the part of the President Bio – led SLPP Government, and the failure to, in good faith, accept legitimate criticism, underscores an unwillingness to make amends and do what is right and needed for free, fair, credible and peaceful elections; APC herein demands, in the wider interest of peace, stability and national cohesion, the immediate resignation of or removal from office the leadership of the Sierra Leone Police, the Judiciary and the National Electoral Commission.

Parliament Ratifies the 2022 Finance Act

November 22, 2021

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Honourable Members of Parliament, on the 17^th November 2021, debated and passed into law the Bill entitled: “The Finance Act, 2022” with some amendments.

The Bill was seeking to provide for the amendment of laws relating to the imposition and alteration of taxes, duties, rates, fees and other related financial matters incidental thereto.

Presenting the Bill, Minister of Finance, Dr. Dennis K. Vandy said among other things that the Bill would support sound and prudent fiscal management of the economy and it would also address tax exemption for electoral materials, arms and ammunition, presidential medals and health related equipment. He also said that the Bill would amend various Acts to enable Government to effectively manage the economy of the country.

Chairman of the Finance Committee in Parliament, Hon. Francis Amara Kaisamba said the primary objective of the Bill was to provide for the imposition and alteration of taxes in support of the Government’s fiscal policy for the year, 2022. He added that several Acts would be amended to address some of the economic issues in the country and to ensure sound and prudent management of the economy.

Hon. PC Kanagbaro Sanka III said he was satisfied when a pre-legislative hearing was done on the Bill, and suggested that funds for disaster management should be managed by the Office of the President instead of the National Disaster Management Agency.

Hon. Lahai Marah referred to the Bill as being hopeful in light of better management of the economy. Speaking on better management of the economy, he said high taxes on basic commodities would affect ordinary people in the country.

Hon. Joseph Williams-Lamin commended the Minister of Finance for putting the document together and supported the view of third-party collection of taxes in the country.

Hon. Abdul Kargbo said given the Bill before them, Parliament could play a role to cushion the effects of the current economic reality in the country by the reduction of taxes.

Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara feared that frequently amending laws could lead to making bad laws, adding the said Bill has taken some of the functions of the National Public Procurement Authority in the country.

Hon. Rev. Ishmail Sama Sandy spoke on the reduction of tax on the importation of flour from 10% to 5% and that of butter for the benefit of the ordinary people in the country.

Hon. Peter Yamba Koroma also spoke on reduction of taxes and that the Bill should have a human face, adding they should not only focus on increasing taxes, but they should also reduce taxes for the benefit of the ordinary people.

Hon. Festus Mohamed Lansana spoke on the essentials of amending existing laws for the purposes of improving the welfare of the people and to effectively manage the economy.

Leader of NGC, Hon. Dr. Kandeh Yumkella said there were many good ideas in the Bill, but feared several amendments of laws that were already passed by Parliament.

Rounding, Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Chernor Bah described the Bill as the most important document that was brought to Parliament for consideration. He said some aspects of the Bill have circumvented existing laws passed by Parliament. Speaking on funding and upholding existing laws, he said the Bill should concentrate more on revenue generation and called for reduction of taxes on certain commodities for the benefit of ordinary people in the country.

Concluding, Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Nyuma said that the Minister has power under the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone to control agencies under his watch and said that adequate consultation was done before the Bill was brought to Parliament for enactment into law. He also said that the Ministry of Finance was on track and that it was not in violation of laws that had been passed by Parliament. He said the Bill was to impose and alter taxes for the good of ordinary citizens when he was reacting to concerns raised by MPs during the course of the debate.

As it Launches ‘Na Wi De Play’… Orange SL Offers Over Le3 Billion in Prizes to be Won

November 22, 2021

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of the Company’s end of year promotion, where more than three billion Leones is always offered to Orange Money customers as prizes, Orange-SL has again launched its end of year promotion, ‘Na wi de play’, which now includes free air ticket to witness the Nations Cup football competition in Cameroon, where the country’s darling Leone Stars will participate.

On Wednesday 17th November 2021, Orange SL staff embarked on the ‘Na wi de play’ (end of year campaign) road show, which started at Jui roundabout and ended at Lumley beach. The end of year campaign is worth over three billion Leones, and a trip to Cameroon with all expenses, for the upcoming Nations Cup.

This is the biggest offer given by any other Telecommunication companies in Sierra Leone in any annual December promotion.

It is going to be a weekly draw from Monday to Friday on any of the favorite radio stations, from 5pm to 6pm, and on Saturday at SLBC and Star TV.

To stand a chance or qualify to win part of the 3 billion every week and a free trip to watch the Nations Cup in Cameroon with all other expenses paid, just cash, withdraw or send Orange Money every single day by dialing (#144#) or buy top up or data (*800#).

NP-SL Ltd’s Shrewd Managerial Initiatives Give to Many Utmost Satisfaction

November 22, 2021

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

By Amin Kef Sesay

The National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) is a thriving indigenous petroleum marketing company that has stood the test of time since it was established by thirty-five Sierra Leoneans years back.

Overcoming turbulent times through shrewd, incisive and fine managerial initiatives, the company has gained a strong foothold in various parts of the country and has a presence in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia.

The company has truly proven that it is committed to the attainment and fulfillment of its mission which borders around “maintaining its dominant leadership position in the local market and strive to operate at sub-regional level by assuring the supply of petroleum products in an environmentally friendly manner while offering superior value for their customers, employees and other stakeholders based on a proud corporate culture with emphasis on safety consciousness, profit optimization, corporate expansion thereby contributing to national development”.

To a large extent the company has, over the years, successfully rolled out what is encompassed in the aforementioned Mission Statement. Today, in Sierra Leone and within the West African sub-region, NP-SL Ltd stands tall, dominating the petroleum marketing landscape in terms of its timely importation of high grade petroleum products, its effective marketing strategies, the number of dealers it has attracted to open Filling Stations even in hard to reach areas as well as the impressive ways it is optimizing customer care, earning it the covetous respect as 1^st for Customer Care.

With regards to safety consciousness, the company always ensures that it provides tips at all its Filling Stations on how customers should conduct themselves when they are transacting businesses. Information such as “No Smoking”, “Avoid Naked Flame”, “Turn Off Engine While Fuel is Being Pumped”, “ Don’t Make-Up While Driving”, “Switch off Mobile Phones” are just some of the precautionary measures that are constantly made visible to all and sundry amidst the fact that fire extinguishers are always handy.

In all the countries within the West African sub-region where the company opted to establish, it was more particularly concerned of building a well-run dominant petroleum company in Liberia that is poised to compete in the West African sub-region. To a large extent, that Vision has been achieved as NP-SL Ltd is a vibrant functioning entity that is assuaging the petroleum needs of people in that part of the world and doing so commendably well.

When the company was set up, the owners thought of having a Culture bordering around “developing a disciplined family with an institutional culture working towards building a great company”.

It is against such a backdrop that the company made it a policy that in terms of employment, indigenes should be given priority as opposed to expatriates or foreigners. The culture is in sync with promoting the Local Content Policy and has contributed to the improvement of the lives of many locals. Employees of the company are well disciplined, are motivated and courteous in the way and manner in which they treat customers from diverse backgrounds and walks of life.

Known for effective service delivery, the company has calibrated pumping machines that gives the exact amount of fuel requested for.

Also, it introduced what is now known as NP Smart Card which is a memory chip that could be credited from time to time by the holder in order to buy fuel. It is a cashless way of conducting business and many have attested that it is very convenient.

There is also NP-Gas which is a cooking devise that could be refilled with gas. Manufactured in different cylinder sizes it is said to be very efficient and they are sold at the company’s Filling Stations or authorized dealers at affordable prices.

With the core values of NP-SL Ltd anchored on: Safe Working Environment, Good Customer Service, High quality products, environmental sustainability and building positive teams, NP-SL Ltd has come a long way in executing its roadmap to become a viable business entity.

DOFA Entreats Commercial Drivers to Treat the Aged with Respect

November 22, 2021

Dorwontony Organization for the Aged (DOFA).jpg

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Established as an organization that is committed to serve as the Voice for the Aged with the key mandate to enhance the enjoyment of their fundamental inalienable human rights, the Dorwontony Organization for the Aged (DOFA), on Wednesday 17^th November 2021 engaged the Sierra Leone Driver’s Union on how to respectfully treat elderly people onboard commercial vehicles within the country. The meeting was held at the Drivers’ Union Headquarters at Texaco in Kissy, Freetown.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Dorwontony Organization for the Aged (DOFA), Doreen Barrie, intimated that in April 2021, her organization received several complaints from elderly persons about the ill-treatment they receive from apprentices and drivers whilst on-board public transports stating that it is in that regard they decided to engage the Sierra Leone Driver’s Union with the primary objective of addressing those issues suffered by the Aged using public transportation.

She divulged that she is of the firm conviction that the engagement with drivers will help change the narrative of how apprentices and drivers treat the aged.

The CEO informed the drivers that most elderly persons are very slow in busy traffic and went on to encourage drivers to exercise patience and treat the aged respectfully. She also pleaded with drivers present to help disseminate the message to other colleagues so that the message will reach every driver in the country.

On his part, the President of the National Drivers Union, Alpha Amadu, commended the Dorwontony Organization for the Aged (DOFA) for their tireless support towards caring for the Aged in the country, adding that the meeting was very much important and timely because it had a representation of drivers from the different districts of Sierra Leone further assuring that the message from DOFA will reach each and every driver in the country.

The President pleaded with his colleagues to accept the message of DOFA in good faith and help not only the aged but also persons with physical disabilities that onboard public transports.

He promised to work in collaboration with DOFA to help treat the aged respectfully.

West African Youth Network Launches “Education Magazine”

November 22, 2021

By Foday Moriba Conteh

November 17 year is celebrated as International Student’s Day dedicated towards raising awareness on issues affecting students globally and find possible ways to eradicate them.

As part of their efforts in commemorating this year’s International Student’s Day in the country, the West African Youth Network in partnership with the Fourah Bay College Student’s Union Government and the Patriotic Advocacy Network on Wednesday 17^th November, 2021 joined other countries to commemorate this year’s International Student’s Day on the theme: “Combating Corruption, Marginalization and Injustice in the Education System” by the official launching of its Education Magazine during an auspicious event held at the FBC Multipurpose Hall in Freetown.

Giving a brief background of the organization, the Administrative Secretary of the West African Youth Network, Ansu Koroma, stated that the organization is a youth led organization that was established in March 2001 as a direct response to the rise in violence, conflicts, continuous marginalization and exploitation of young people within the West Africa sub-region.

Noting that in a bid to mitigate some of the aforementioned challenging issues, there was a need to effectively mobilize the mass participation of young people to work constructively against the backdrop of building a culture of peace, enhancing human rights, governance and transparency in Africa.

“While serving as a primary catalyst for enhancing youth participation in all youth related issues, the institution has also been working effectively to promote the visibility of young people in Governance and policy formation processes and to support the empowerment and capacity building of these young people to be a meaningful citizens in our society,” Ansu Koroma disclosed.

The Administrative Secretary pointed out that since the establishment of the organization, they have continued to initiate and implement a number of projects in line with its mandate amidst all the challenges that were faced, but said however, despite all those challenges the organization has grown over the years and has captivated the attention of Government, regional organizations, Civil Society groups, the media and the donor community.

“Some of the major donor support that the institution has received so far are from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) and now the Civil Peace Service (CPS) Network, which is a German based organization working tirelessly to ensure that there is sustainable peace in the continent of Africa and the World at large.

In addition, he continued, the organization has strategic partnership with like-minded institutions and youth organizations including the Patriotic Advocacy Network (PAN-SL), the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), and Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth Affairs, National Youth Commission and a host of others.

Ansu Koroma stated that with such an amazing commitment over the years, he will like to use the opportunity, on behalf of the West Africa Youth Network to commend each and every young person including their direct partner, the Patriotic Advocacy Network (PAN-SL), who in diverse way has contributed greatly towards the accomplishment of the aims and objectives of their organization.

Giving an overview of the education project, the Deputy Executive Assistant of the West African Youth Network, Edwin Nyamoh, revealed how in 2018 the organization launched the Education Project, noting that prior to the launch of the project they conducted a research in order to unearth the reasons responsible for the decline in the educational system in the country.

Edwin Nyamoh maintained that during their findings one of the most prevalent issue that was re-echoed relating to the decline in the educational system was Corruption saying out of that they then decided to undertake an Education Project under the theme of: “Combating Corruption, Marginalization and Injustice in the Education System”.

He further disclosed that during the implementation of the project they used the opportunity to raise awareness on eradiating corruption within the educational system as such has affected the development of the country, adding that they are very proud to officially launch the :Education Magazine”.

Launching the Education Magazine, Head of the Anti-Corruption Commission Public Education and External Outreach Department, Patrick Sandi, commended the West African Youth Network for the launch of the Magazine expressing delight over the establishment of a working relationship between the organization and the ACC especially the Public Education and Eternal Outreach Department, adding that the launch has added another value to the work of the ACC in enhancing public education in schools.

On behalf of the commission he reaffirmed the Commission’s continuous support to the West Africa Youth Network.

Patrick Sandi used the opportunity to admonish young people present that the Commission is fully aware of the challenges faced by pupils in exposing teachers and Heads of Schools who are involved in corrupt educational activities, especially with a view to protect them, assuring pupils that the Commission will enhance their protection as pupils.

To Popularize the Gender Empowerment Bill… Pixaweb Technologies Certifies 80 Young People on Coding & Animation

November 22, 2021

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of their efforts towards contributing to the popularization of the Gender Empowerment Bill 2021 as well as women’s participation and leadership in governance and politics in the country, Pixaweb Technologies Ltd with supports from UN-Women Sierra Leone on Friday 19^th November, 2021 certified 80 young people, out of which 55 were female and 25 male, on coding and animation primarily for the purpose of popularizing the Gender Empowerment Bill.

The certification ceremony was held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Freetown in the wake of the 80 aforementioned young people who completed 2 weeks of physical training and 2 weeks of a virtual mentorship programme on coding and animation.

Representative from UN-Women Sierra Leone, Ms. Setcheme Mongbo, stated that the intensive training has empowered these 80 youths to acquire requisite skills in digital coding and animation, stating that besides the dissemination of theories on innovation, the youths were also guided to test their new innovative skills by developing advocacy tools and messages towards the popularization of the Gender Empowerment Bill, 2021 as well as to promote positive gender norms towards women’s political participation and leadership.

She described the training as an investment which will contribute directly towards increasing the responsibilities of the youth, their ability to make responsible decisions, making them politically viable and economically productive.

“The engagement of young people through training and inter-generational exchanges are crucial for the advancement of Gender Equality Agenda, revitalizing the commitments made in the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in 1995, localizing CEDAW and the Protocol of Maputo,” she maintained.

Ms. Setcheme Mongbo used the opportunity to congratulate the beneficiaries on their achievements and urged them to go out to be successful digital entrepreneurs and strong advocates of inclusion.

“My gratitude also goes to our partner Pixaweb and their trainers for delivering this digital expertise to the youths within the time frame. My profound gratitude goes to H.E. President Dr. Julius Maada Bio for his visionary leadership, for championing the Gender Bill and all other initiatives in support of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. As we watch these knowledge and skills, let’s all think about how best we can even more reduce unemployment among young people and help them actualize their dreams and aspirations as they are our present and our future,” she underscored.

Ms. Setcheme Mongbo ended by stating that the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women), remains committed to working with the Government machinery, CSOs, the diplomatic community, the media and the private sector to ensure that the youths will increasingly be gender equality drivers while achieving noble aspirations.

On her part, the CEO of Pixaweb Technologies (SL), Ltd Priscilla Okechukwu said that Pixaweb Technologies (SL), with support from UN-WOMEN Sierra Leone, organized a Four (4) weeks training on Coding and Animation geared towards developing and empowering youths, within the age brackets of 13 to 35, through intensive digital skills training so that they can showcase their creativities and innovations in line with creating a positive awareness and to promote women’s participation and leadership in governance and politics in Sierra Leone.

She maintained that the training has equipped the participants with Digital skills, Animation and Coding knowledge that will help them use technology to develop campaign videos, information dissemination, gain visibility on social media, proffer solutions to problems in their communities, have the right exposure to life and politics, strengthen their ability to lead and to voice out their opinions, influence the effectiveness of public governance, and to support older women’s participation in governance and that the men amongst them will use the Coding Knowledge to advocate for equality between men and women and to contribute to women’s political participation and leadership.

She concluded by commending the UN Women team for their support in making the training programme come to fruition and turned out to be successful.

In his keynote address, the Commissioner of the National Youth Commission (NAYCOM), Ngolo Thomas Katta, commended UN Women Sierra Leone and Pixaweb Technologies Ltd for empowering young people with knowledge on coding and animation.

He described the training as a milestone in the process of empowering young people in the country stating how he is of the strong conviction that these young people will use the Digital skills, Animation and Coding knowledge they have acquired towards the Popularization of the Gender Empowerment Bill.

Ngolo Thomas Katta noted that the gender empowerment bill is a progressive bill that should be passed into law as it gives the opportunity for the larger chunk of the country’s population (women) to rise up to occasions towards making Sierra Leone a better place.

Giving her testimony, one of the beneficiaries, Mary Kabay expressed appreciation to UN Women Sierra Leone and Pixaweb Technologies Ltd for empowering them with knowledge on coding and animation of which she assured all that they will put the acquired knowledge into practice and good use.

She added that they will use the animation and coding knowledge to develop campaign videos, for information dissemination, gain visibility on social media, for the Popularization of the Gender Empowerment Bill 2021 and above all proffer solutions to problems in their communities.

As President Bio Fulfils Manifesto Promise… Hadissa (SL) Limited Highly Commended for Constructing State of the Art Solar Boreholes

November 22, 2021

By Amin Kef Sesay

President Julius Maada Bio on the 18^th November 2021 commissioned the final sets of Solar Powered Boreholes, constructed by an indigenous company, Hadissa (SL) Limited, in Mamankie Village within the Bombali District, Northern Sierra Leone during a well attended programme.

He commended the Minister of Water Resources, Ing. Phillip Karimu Lansana and SALWACO for what he termed as an excellent work at the same time enjoining other indigenous entities to follow in the footsteps of the company.

In attendance were local authorities, Government Ministers, representatives of NGOs, Civil Society Organizations and people from different walks of life.

The commissioning of the solar boreholes in that part of the country by President Bio could be considered as the fulfillment of a manifesto promise to the people of this country, especially residents living in different parts in the provinces, where access to pure drinking water supply has eluded them for quite a considerable period of time now.

Residents of Mamankie Village were exuberantly jubilating and commending the Government for giving them what they considered as a precious resource or jewel, which is water.

Even the Paramount Chief of Bombali Shebora, P.C. Bai Sheborah Kassangha II, stated how it was a historic moment for the people of Mamankie Village because His Excellency Brig. Rtd. Dr Julius Maada Bio would go down in history as the only sitting President of Sierra Leone to visit their village and provide basic amenities for the residents in order to make life for them better.

It could be recalled that the Government of Sierra Leone headed by President Julius Maada Bio, immediately it took control over State Governance, through the Ministry of Water Resources and in line with the country’s Local Content Policy awarded a contract to Hadissa (SL) Limited, one of the companies that emerged successful during the bidding process for the implementation of the project, to construct one hundred (100) solar powered boreholes in thirteen districts in the country.

The indigenous company wasted no time and went straight to commence what it is highly renowned for, far and wide, the construction of state of the art boreholes that do stand the test of time.

On the 17^th August 2019, the Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh commissioned solar boreholes and civil works, as part of the 100, at Gbenseh market in Koidu City within the Kono district, constructed by Hadissa (SL) Limited.

The Vice President said the commissioning is just to register Government’s commitment to the Kono people and the nation on how serious and committed the New Direction is to foster development in the nation. The Vice President further underscored that during one of his visits, the Gbenseh market women asked the Government to provide clean pipe borne water supply stating that indeed the Government is fulfilling their request.

Madam Fatima Bio, the First Lady also commissioned another solar borehole at the Ansarul Islamic Primary School in Kono. During the programme, it was stated that the First Lady had inter alia made a promise to provide a borehole for the school. According to her such will make it easier for pupils to access clean and pure drinking water whilst in school.

Various commissioning of other completed boreholes were done in other districts ultimately culminating in the handing over of solar boreholes in Mamankie Village by President Julius Maada Bio on the 18^th November 2021.

It must be underscored that the boreholes constructed by Hadissa (SL) Limited Company are solar submersible pumping into a 20,000 litre storage tank with 15 stand posts supplying up to one mile radius with pure drinkable water.

The company that is doing this wonderful job, Hadissa (SL) Limited Company, based in Sierra Leone is highly specialized in borehole drilling and civil works with a skilled workforce and modern equipment. The company does all types of drilling and construction works when contracted to do so.

According to the company’s Communications Officer their prices are affordable. He furthered that the cardinal objective which the company is always targeting is to ensure that their customers derive utmost satisfaction for what they demanded and paid for.

From an assessment undertaken by this medium, the company has, in the past, successfully completed the construction of solar boreholes and civil works for the Government, Non-Governmental Organizations and private individuals.

The supervisory institution, the Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) has commended the company for doing a good job maintaining that indeed the boreholes are of high standards.

Also, in all the districts where the solar boreholes have been commissioned residents praised the company for giving them what they have been struggling to access over the years.

Hadissa (SL) Limited is one company that has proven beyond all reasonable doubts that if Government seriously enhances the Local Content Policy such will enormously empower Sierra Leoneans and deepen overall national development. It will avail opportunities for skilful and innovative individuals to translate their ideas into tangibles or services that could immensely be beneficial to many. Other advantages are numerous ranging from job creation, retaining revenue in country and the cascading tricking effects on other business entities that the company does business with.

Hadissa (SL) Limited offers various drilling techniques for exploration work including: OTH Drilling, MUD Drilling, Reserve Circulation, Diamond Drilling, Multiple purpose Drilling, Geophysics Investigation, Hand Pumps Installation, Submersible pumps and Booster pumps installation as well as Irrigation system design installation.

The company’s head office is situated on 15 Bathurst Street Freetown with Branch Office at Hamilton Junction, Goderich. It could also be reached via Contact Numbers: +232 77585069, +232 79907203, +232 75588419 and +232 76721552.

A Call for International Standards in… Equality Now Launches Report on Online Sexual Exploitation & Abuse of Women/Girls

November 19, 2021

By Amin Kef – Ranger

One of the most vociferous rights-based organizations in East Africa, to be precise Kenya, Equality Now, which had been closely collaborating with the Amazonian Initiative Movement, founded by Rugiatu Neneh Turay in Sierra Leone, in championing the campaign against Female Genital Mutilation(FGM), has released a new report – Stopping Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse of Women and Girls: A Call for International Standards on the 15th November 2021.

The report gives a global overview of laws surrounding Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (OSEA) at the international and regional level, and scrutinizes national laws in Kenya, alongside Nigeria, India, the USA, England, and Wales. It identifies gaps in laws and protections and provides recommendations for the international community, governments, and digital service providers and platforms.

Equality Now focused on using the law to protect and promote the rights of women and girls, and areas examined in their report include online grooming; live-streaming of sexual abuse; Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM); online sexual coercion and extortion; online sex-trafficking; and image-based sexual abuse.

The organization stated that Online Sexual Exploitation and Abuse OSEA is growing at an alarming rate globally, fuelled in part by the COVID-19 pandemic which has pushed many more people online, including both children and perpetrators.

It continued that the true scale of the problem is unknown because so many cases go unreported due to victim-blaming, fear of retribution by perpetrators, or concerns that authorities will not take reports seriously maintaining that such lack of reporting contributes to a vicious cycle of abuse.

According to the Report, Online sexual exploitation and abuse are growing at an alarming pace globally. Women and girls are particularly vulnerable as offenders take advantage of the sex, gender, and structural discrimination inherent in patriarchal societies.

It continued that international and national laws have not kept pace with changing technology, and that needs to change.

Online sexual exploitation and abuse (OSEA) includes online grooming, live-streaming of sexual abuse, child sexual abuse material (CSAM), online sexual coercion and extortion, online sex trafficking, and image-based sexual abuse.

Predators are increasingly using social media and online gaming platforms to target potential victims because these platforms offer anonymity and operate under very limited regulation. Consequently, OSEA is growing and the full breadth of the problem is largely unknown because of the large number of unreported cases.

This report, which utilizes a survivor-centric approach to illustrate the impact of OSEA and highlights the challenges faced in keeping people safe in a rapidly changing digital landscape, examines the law surrounding OSEA at the international and regional level, with a focus on Europe.

The organization also examined the laws surrounding OSEA at the national level, focusing on five countries, namely Kenya, India, Nigeria, the United Kingdom (England and Wales), and the United States. The report explored the balance between digital privacy, freedom of expression, and protection, and online safety, and discusses the challenges posed by the multi-jurisdictional nature of online sexual harms and regulating service providers and platforms.

“We’ve been let down by the justice system and it’s left us feeling quite helpless and hopeless that there’s been no prosecution. Nothing has been done to stop that from happening to someone else. That this crime is so difficult to prosecute is really frustrating and angers me. People can get away with it far too easily and perpetrators are well aware nothing is going to happen to them,” a hapless victim lamented, the Report indicated.

Equality Now’s an analysis of laws and policies related to OSEA, alongside in-depth discussions with survivors, activists, and lawyers actively engaging with survivors of OSEA, found that international and national laws have not kept pace with changing technology, and there is no single internationally binding instrument that specifically defines and addresses OSEA.

The report also uncovered a lack of consistent legislation and internationally-adopted laws pertaining to OSEA that makes obtaining legal recourse extremely challenging. There is an inherent tension between digital rights and freedoms and the right to protection and safety against OSEA, and regulations on digital service providers and platforms are inconsistent and often do not do enough to protect users against OSEA.

Equality Now is calling for comprehensive action from the international community, Governments, and digital service providers to holistically address OSEA.

Specifically, the international community should: Develop and adopt binding international standards, review and update international and regional laws and instruments to ensure they are aligned to the reality of the digital age, conduct up-to-date research and analysis on OSEA.

They called on Governments to Review and update legislation and policies to fully protect vulnerable people from OSEA, strengthen national capacity to address OSEA, collaborate with other key stakeholders including civil society organizations and digital service providers.

On the part of Digital service providers, the organization recommended that they should: apply a human rights approach in policies and practices to protect users from harm, collaborate with other key stakeholders, including law enforcement agencies, Civil Society Organizations, and Governments.

The Report was produced with legal research assistance from TrustLaw, Thomson Reuters Foundation’s global pro-bono service, and is being released jointly with TRF.