The True Story of the Wellington-PMB Fire Disaster

November 8, 2021

By Amin Kef – Ranger

The entire nation is in mourning over the unfortunate fire accident that took place on Friday, November 5^th, 2021 around 8 pm to 9 pm at Old Wharf, PMB area in Wellington, East End of Freetown.

The incident which happened when a fuel tanker was hit by a tipper truck loaded with granite stone caused petrol to spill onto the ground and run into the gutter.

The fuel tank driver who knew the danger involved tried very hard to drive the crowd of fuel scoopers who were filling the petrol into containers and into the tanks of their motorcycles and taxis.

Eyewitnesses narrated that this went on for about thirty minutes when all of a sudden, a fire started some distance from the tanker.

With traffic-jammed, an explosion took place splattering the entire area with petrol. The store where the siphoned fuel was been stored caught fire and burned. Over 100 motorbikes and vehicles also burned. Over 100 bodies burnt beyond recognition were taken to the Connaught hospital mortuary.

A large number of victims of first, second, and third-degree burns were taken to various clinics and hospitals in Wellington, Calaba Town, the Rokupa Government hospital, Choithram hospital at Hill Station, 34 Military hospitals at Wilberforce, Emergency hospital at Goderich, and the Connaught hospital in Central Freetown.

Some vehicles, with passengers onboard, got trapped in the traffic. Only a few escaped reports state.

Meanwhile, as the nation mourns Friday’s fire victims, the Government of His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio has assured the victims of succor.

Stating that he was deeply disturbed and shocked by the tragic fires and the horrendous loss of lives around the Wellington PMB area, President Bio sent profound sympathies to the families who lost loved ones and those who have been maimed as a result. He assured the nation that his Government will do everything to manage this tragedy and prevent future occurrences.

Also, Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh who visited Connaught and 34 hospitals on Friday night together with officials of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) to sympathize with fire victims of the fuel tanker explosion at PMB Wellington registered the Government’s commitment to work tirelessly to ensure they mobilize emergency response in the wake of the unfortunate incident.

“We are all deeply saddened by the national tragedy and it is indeed a difficult time for our country,” VP Juldeh stated.

Speaking at the scene on Saturday morning, VP Jalloh informed the gathering crowd that 97 lost their lives whilst over 100 people were admitted in Connaught and 34 hospitals.

First Lady Fatima Bio too is in deep sympathy with the victims. She sent a message saying, “Allah have mercy on our people. Just learned of the unfortunate disaster back home… May the souls of the departed rest in peace…”

Former President Ernest Bai Koroma who is currently in Nairobi, Kenya reaching out to the victims said, “My heart goes out to the injured and the families of the unfortunate victims. I urge the Government to appeal to NGOs to quickly provide the relevant support to the victims while speedily investigating the explosion. May the souls of the departed ones rest in peace.”

The ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party extended its heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased.

It promised to work with the authorities irrespective of political configuration to ameliorate the trauma on our people and provide succor for them.

Mayor of the Freetown City Council, Madam Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr sent her sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims of the explosion.

NP-SL Ltd too empathized: The Board, Management, and Staff of NP Sierra Leone Limited expressed deep sadness over the incident.

They sent their heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones that perished in the inferno and those injured and prayed that the souls of the departed ones rest in peace.

To Administer Medication on Fire Victims… Board & Management of NP-SL Ltd Support Health Facilities with Medical Items

November 8, 2021

By Amin Kef -Ranger

The well-established petroleum marketing company in the country, the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited, (NP-SL Ltd) has on the 6^th November 2021 rendered humanitarian support to the surviving victims of the fire disaster that took place at PMB, Old Wharf, Wellington on the night of Friday, November 5^th, 2021.

The Board of Directors and Management on that very day visited and made donations to the Doctors in charge of the various medical facilities where those victims are currently undergoing treatment which include the Connaught Government Hospital, Rokupa Government Hospital, Emergency Hospital, 34 Military Hospital, and Choithram Hospital on behalf of the victims.

Present throughout the period of the donations, which started at the Connaught hospital, was the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, Madam Sally Khatumal, Chief Executive Officer of NP-SL Ltd, Ambassador Kobi Walker, Sales Manager of NP-SL Ltd, Vandi Bockarie and Finance and Account Manager, Saidu Mansaray.

At the Connaught Hospital where the presentation was made to the Management of the hospital, the Board Chairperson said they decided as a company, after the disaster on Friday night, to humanely donate certain medical items with the conviction that they will be of great assistance in trying to resuscitate and support those that survived and are admitted at the hospital.

Madam Khatumal referred to the accident as a very unfortunate and sad event. She prayed for the souls of those that have passed away to rest in peace and hoped and prayed that those that survived would get well soon.

The Manager of the Connaught Hospital, Dr Mustapha Kabba, after receiving the items, thanked the Board and Management of NP-SL Ltd for what he referred to as a very timely gesture maintaining that the items donated will be greatly useful in the administration of treatment to the patients. He continued that they will endeavor to the best of their abilities to continue to save lives.

On his part, the Director of the Connaught Mortuary, Dr. Mathew Vandy, stated that since when the incident occurred they have been overwhelmed with receiving corpses some who could be recognized and others beyond recognition. He said they decided to separate the patients based on the degree of burn that they sustained in order to determine the right treatments to administer and commended members of staff for their dedication and relentless efforts in taking care of the corpses.

After the Connaught Hospital, the Board and Management then proceeded to the 34 Military Hospital, Choithram Memorial Hospital, Rokupa Government Hospital and the Emergency Hospital, where some of the victims are admitted, and did similar donations.

Within all the places they visited they were warmly received by the Doctors in Charge of those facilities, who after receiving the donated items, warmly thanked the Board and Management of NP-SL Ltd.

On behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone, the Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Umaru Napoleon Koroma, thanked NP-SL Ltd for their humanitarian gesture.

He referred to the incident as a national disaster which he said was very serious. He prayed for the souls of the deceased and thanked the medical staff for the level of selflessness and dedication they have demonstrated so far.

During the donation of the items, the Board and Management of NP-SL Ltd were joined by the Executive Chairman of the Petroleum Regulatory Agency, Dr. Brima Baluwa Koroma.

The PRA Boss commended the Board and Management of NP-SL Ltd for their proactive move in timely responding to the incident.
Food and other relief items were also donated by the CEO of NP-SL Ltd, Amb. Kobi Walker.

Below is the list of essential drugs and medical supplies that were donated are: Intravenous fluids, Normal Saline, Dextrose Normal Saline, 5% Dextrose, Ringers Lactate, Intravenous Giving sets, Gauze, Cotton wool, Betadine solution, Gentian violet, Silver sulfadiazine cream, Cetrimide solution, Assorted syringes and needles, Nasogastric tube, Urinary catheter and urine bags, Petroleum Vaseline, K-Y jelly, Intravenous Antibiotics, I.V. Ceftriaxone 1g, I.V. Metronidazole 500mg, I.V. Penicillin, Inj. Gentamicin 80mg, I.V. Ampicloxacillin 500mg, Oral Medications, Caps. Ampicloxacillin 500mg Caps, Amoxicillin 500mg Tabs, Cefuroxim 500mg, Tabs. Metronidazole 400mgTabs, Paracetamol 500mg Tabs, Ibuprofen 400mg Tabs, Diclofenac 50mg, Antacid suspensions and Haematinics.

For Proper Treatment of Fire Victims… Africell Assists Health Facilities with Medical & Food Items

November 8, 2021

By Amin Kef-Ranger

One of the corporate entities that have so far responded to provide solace to the victims of the Wellington PMB fire disaster, is Africell-SL. Led by the company’s Media Manager, John Konte, a team of Africell members of staff, was at the Connaught Hospital to donate items to the victims of the unfortunate situation.

It was the second time the team visited the Connaught Hospital in just the same day, 6^th November 2021, the first to conduct an assessment of the quantum of assistance that the company should provide for the victims of the disaster who are currently admitted at the Connaught Hospital, 34 Military Hospital, Rokupa Government Hospital and Choithram Memorial Hospital.

The second visit was to donate medical items and put in place an arrangement for food to be prepared and served to both victims and nurses.

Before donating the items to the Management of the Connaught Hospital, the Media Manager, John Konteh, extended, on behalf of Africell-SL, his deepest condolence and sympathy to the victims, the bereaved families of those who lost their loved ones, and others who were affected by the inferno, which is said to have claimed over 97 lives.

He stated that indeed it was an unfortunate situation and a sad one for the country maintaining that as a company that does care for all they will do all their best to continue rendering possible assistance to the affected persons.

“Africell has a human face and when such things happen, the company is always at hand,” adding that it is as a result of that why they were at Connaught Hospital to assess the magnitude of their intervention

“Besides the medical items, we also thought it fit to supply food items to the canteen stating that at this critical moment some of the victims may not be able to eat as they used to do which is why we want them to be given nutritious food,” he intimated adding that the nurses will also be served food.

He said the company will replicate similar donations to other health facilities, among which we have the 34 Military Hospital, the Rokupa Government Hospital, Choithram Hospital, having some of the victims as patients.

John Konteh did a symbolic presentation of medical items to the Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr.Kenneh who received the items on behalf of the hospital. The items he donated were: Items donated were:100 SSD cream, 200 Ceftriaxone injection, 200 Metronidazole IV, 50X100 exam gloves, 400 paracetamol IV, 100 Omeprazole injection, 250 IV cannula, 200 Giving Set, 40×100 Syringe and needle, 25 cartons wool, 50 roll plaster, 150 urine bag, 300 N/S IL, 300 N/S 0.5l and 50 gauze – 100y.

Receiving the items, Dr. Kenneh extended thanks and appreciation on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation to the Management and Staff of Africell for what he described as their prompt response. He said one of the things that he is impressed about is the nationalism that Sierra Leoneans have demonstrated so far during and after the fire disaster.

The manager of the Connaught Hospital, Dr. Mustapha Kabba also thanked Africell for the support stating that in times like this we all need to pull our resources together to come to the rescue of those who are affected.

The Director of the Connaught Hospital, Dr. Mathew Vandy, stated that since when the incident occurred they have been receiving corpses some of who could be recognized and others beyond recognition. He said they decided to separate the patients based on the degree of burn that they sustained and commended members of staff for their dedication and relentless efforts in taking care of the corpses.

Expressing gratitude on behalf of the Government was the Deputy Minister of Justice, Napoleon Koroma, who said that the Government is really saddened by the unfortunate accident. He extended thanks and appreciation to Africell for the kind gesture shown to the victims.

Alhaji Kargbo Declared Wanted by Sierra Leone Police for Alleged Homosexual

November 8, 2021

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In present-day Sierra Leone, a disturbing trend of isolated physical attacks on individuals accused of being homosexuals is causing alarm, with reports suggesting that rights-based organizations are yet to take concrete actions to protect them from discriminatory practices, isolation, and even incidents of mob justice, sometimes resulting in fatalities.

The most recent case brought to light involves Alhaji Kargbo, a resident of Susu Town, Devil Hole, Western Rural District. Kargbo allegedly faced severe intimidation and harassment from both his family and the community after being accused of practicing homosexuality with his male partner.

The complexity of Kargbo’s case is rooted in a society that strongly disapproves of homosexuality, driven by strict fundamental religious beliefs opposing same-sex relationships. Coming from a devoted Muslim religious background, Kargbo’s actions were considered contrary to their customs and traditions, as both national and religious laws in the country strictly forbid such practices.

A resident of Susu Town revealed that Kargbo had been secretive about his sexual orientation since childhood, showing signs of attraction to both men and women. Despite being married to Mariatu Kamara with three children, Kargbo’s intimate connections with other men reportedly raised suspicions, leading to the discovery of his alleged relationship with a male partner.

In-depth investigations uncovered that Kargbo and his male partner had been friends since the age of 12, developing forbidden feelings for each other.

However, after giving birth to his last Son Alhaji Kargbo could no longer hinde the intimacy between him and his male partner which led to his wife becoming suspicious of him being a gay.

Unfortunately for him, on 2nd November 2021, Kargbo’s wife Mariatu Kamara caught them in a compromising situation, prompting a violent attack on Kargbo and his partner. The incident led to his escape on 3rd November 2021, but they became targets of a manhunt by angry family members and community youths, viewing Kargbo’s actions as shameful.

The situation escalated as irate community members closely monitored Kargbo’s residence, hoping for his return to deliver what they perceived as a fitting punishment for his perceived transgressions. The practice of same-sex relationships is deemed taboo and illegal in Sierra Leone, with both religious faiths and societal norms strongly opposing it.

Reports indicate that police officials attempted to apprehend Kargbo, but were unsuccessful, and his current whereabouts remain unknown. The Sierra Leone Police, alongside community irate youths, have declared him wanted.

As the situation unfolds, this medium will continue to monitor and provide updates on this complex issue involving LGBTQIA concerns, bisexuality, or homosexuality in Sierra Leone.

SEND-Sierra Leone Unveils The Bonthe Island Fish Trading (BIFT) Project

November 5, 2021

The Bonthe Island Fish Trading (BIFT) Project.jpg

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In a bid to improve business conditions for fishing and fish trading in Bonthe District, SEND Sierra Leone, with support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, on the 2^nd November, 2021 launched The Bonthe Island Fish Trading (BIFT) Project during a well-attended and auspicious event held at the Amiss Hall in Mattru Jong, Bonthe District, Southern Province of Sierra Leone.

Addressing the gathering, the Country Director of SEND Sierra Leone, Joseph Ayamga, disclosed that the entity or Non-Governmental Organization started its programme activities in Bonthe District in February 2019. He continued by intimating that their first ever intervention in the District was with the promotion of a Nutrition-Sensitive WASH Self-Supply Project in the Sherbro Island which was funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and Deutsche Welthungerhilfe.

He noted that SEND Sierra Leone is very happy to launch The Bonthe Island Fish Trading (BIFT) Project as part of their continued intervention in Bonthe District.

The Country Director revealed that the Project is geared towards improving business conditions for Fishing and Fish Traders within Bonthe District, named The Bonthe Island Fish Trading (BIFT) Project which is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and implemented by SEND Sierra Leone in the Bonthe District, adding that the project has a budget of 729,690.21 Euros for its implementation from the 1st of September 2021 to the 30th of April 2024.

In his presentation, the Programme Officer for the BIFT Project, Mohamed Jalloh, stated how it is a three year project which is supported by BMZ through Terra Tech, adding that Send Sierra Leone will be implementing the Project alongside the Government of Sierra Leone.

Dilating on the problem analysis of the Project he said that like in many places in the country, the people of Bonthe Island are also affected by poverty which is reflected, among other things, in the food insecurity of the population.

He added that above all, there is lack of structures for sustainable fishing, the infrastructure of transport routes as well as suitable market access to sell fish profitably.

Mohamed Jalloh revealed that the Project will directly impact 17,367 people of Bonthe Sherbro Island in the Bonthe District which includes 8, 920 men, 7, 703 women and 744 people living with disabilities of which he maintained that approximately 1,096, 046 people will indirectly benefit from the intervention through radio discussions, awareness-raising and the micro-grants during the project implementation phase.

He maintained that the Project will contribute to the achievement of the objectives of the Sierra Leone Medium-term National Development Plan 2019-2023 in the Bonthe district, adding that the Project will also give access to mechanized fishing and processing equipment and to financial services underscoring how the management of fishing enterprises have been sustainably improved and transformed in the Bonthe District.

The Deputy Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Buakai Bindi Hindowa, on behalf of his Ministry used the opportunity to express appreciation to SEND Sierra Leone and their partners for the launch of the Project.

He said that during the presentation of the Programme Officer of the Project he revealed that the project measures and expected results will address the financial, social, economic and gender-specific challenges of men and women in the Bonthe Sherbro Island area as described in the situation analysis which he said will address the objectives of the Sierra Leone Government’s Development Plan 2019-2023.

The Deputy Minister assured SEND Sierra Leone of the Ministry’s contiunous support towards actualization of the Project adding that such will not only benefit men and women in the distrcit but also the children.

On his part, the Deputy Mayor of Bonthe Municipality Council, Mohamed Robinson, applauded SEND Sierra Leone for the launch of the Project which he said is important to them as a timely intervention towards the empowerment of residents of Bonthe District.

He disclosed that amidst the COVID-19 outbreak in the country SEND Sierra Leone wrote a project which was approved maintaining how the Project is geared towards improving sanitation in the district, furthering that it will support people in deprived communities within the Bonthe District.

The Deputy Mayor noted that he is with the strong conviction that the project which is geared towards the improving business conditions for fishing and fishing trading in the Bonthe District will create dividends, of which on behalf of the Bonthe Municipality Council, pledged his support towards the success of the Project.

In his keynote address, the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Jonathan Titus-Williams (Rev.Dr.) described the launch of the project as showcasing the commitment of their development partners and the confidence they have in the New Direction Government led by His Excellency the President Brigadier (retired) Dr Julius Maada Bio.

On behalf of the Government and People of Sierra Leone, he
applauded SEND Sierra Leone and those funding the Project.

The Deputy Minister encouraged the beneficiaries to take ownership of it maintaining that SEND Sierra Leone only won the bid to implement the project stressing that, however, it belongs to them and therefore they must own it, adding that Government at the local level ,including the line MDAs & Councils other development partners-NGOs, CSOs, CBOs and other Private sector-local businesses, contractors as well as companies must come on board furthering that SEND-Sierra Leone should ensure everybody is made to know who is doing what, where and at what time during the lifespan of the Project.

“Let me commend SEND Sierra Leone for enduring the rigors of conceiving the project idea and translating that into a bankable project that we all have gathered for and that when the whole world is enduring the economic constraints of COVID-19 and donors are holding back SEND Sierra Leone has succeeded to bring something for our vulnerable people,” he concluded.

Climaxing the event was the official launching of the Project by the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Jonathan Titus-Williams (Rev.Dr.) who doubled as the keynote speaker.

As he Honours Dr. James Sampha Koroma… Amb. Kobi Walker Opens JB Dauda Sport Bar

November 5, 2021

By Amin Kef Sesay

In a recent social development, the Chairman of the Hill Station Club, Ambassador Kobi Walker on Friday 29th October, 2021 officially opened the Hon. J. B. Dauda Sport Bar and handed over the Dr. James Sampha Koroma Theater of Excellence.

Speaking during the well attended social event, the recently conferred Goodwill Ambassador, Chairman Kobi Walker explained that his Executive and General Membership of the Hill Station Tennis Club, with sponsorship from the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited, decided to transform the snooker room of their club into a Sport Bar in honour of one of their dedicated members, Hon. Joseph Bandabla Dauda (Late) who passed away in June, 2017.

Hon. J.B Dauda, Uncle J.B or Jam Body for Development as he was commonly called was Sierra Leone former Member of Parliament, Minister of State, Minister of Finance, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, to name but a few.

“Personally, my motivation to do the J.B Dauda Sport Bar manifested because I believed that I am one of the mentees who benefited immensely from his counseling and wisdom. Being at the club was like a Mentorship Session wherein Uncle J.B Dauda will talk about politics, business, trends and life. He was always available to provide his support and assistance,” he stated.

On the Official Handing Over of the Dr. James Sampha Koroma Theater of Excellence, the Chairman of the Hill Station Club who doubles as the iconic CEO of NP SL Limited disclosed that it is time for Sierra Leoneans to start honouring people whilst they are still alive.

“My next purpose is to move and create a new space and narrative where I will deliberately urge members of the Hill Station Club and Sierra Leoneans in general to move from the ‘Pulling Down Syndrome to that of the Pulling Up Syndrome’ where we must not only respect, emulate, aspire, motivate and get inspiration from great people, but we must also honor them whilst they are still alive,” explained Kobi Walker.

Dr. James Sampha Koroma who is a senior member of the Hill Station Club has served in various capacities, ranging from the first Secretary-General of African descendant during a white dominated regime to the position of the Club’s Chairman at some point.

Professionally, Dr. Koroma is the Founder of the only indigenous bank in Sierra Leone (Union Trust Bank) and a Chancellor of one of Sierra Leone most prestigious Universities.

Addressing the gathering, Dr. James Sampha Koroma gave a historical synopsis of the Hill Station Club and called on members of the public to join.

“The Hill Station Club was established for people of class and status such as Public and Civil servants. Lately, we have accepted people of substance from all walks of life in order to promote and maintain social diversity. The opportunity to join us is available. Nowadays, there are not many clubs where you can find decent people to hobnob with in Sierra Leone,” Dr. Koroma disclosed.

He added that the Hill Station Club has dignitaries like those at the top echelons of various MDAs and private institutions in the county and called on members of the public to visit the club at anytime to interact and to obtain their membership in order to enjoy the benefits of mature social interactions.

Other speakers include Kofi Adai, Ambassador Joe B. Stevens, Ambassador Andrew Bangalie, Madam Josephine Dauda, etc…

Signing MoU with Security Sector Institutions… SLAJ President Says Attacks on Journalists Undermine Democracy & the Rule of Law

November 5, 2021

By Amin Kef Sesay

During a Roundtable Dialogue on the 2^nd November 2021 with the Security Sector, marking the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, which took place at the ONS Conference Room on OAU Drive, Tower Hill in Freetown, President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) , Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, stated that the Association is joining the world to observe the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists.

He intimated that according to the UN Cultural Agency, UNESCO, which works to protect media workers, in 2020 alone, 62 journalists were killed just for doing their jobs adding how between 2006 and 2020, over 1,200 professionals lost their lives the same way maintaining that in nine out of ten cases, UNESCO says, the killers go unpunished.

President of SLAJ continued that because of the grim statistics this year’s International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists is highlighting the important role of prosecutorial services, the Police, and the courts, not only in bringing perpetrators to justice but also in prosecuting threats of violence against journalists.

Ahmed Sahid Nasralla revealed that in Sierra Leone, according to a 2020 study by the Media Reform Coordinating Group (MRCG) and the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) on the Safety of Journalists in the country, the most common threats against journalists are Intimidation, Harassment, Humiliation, Arrest, Detention, and Physical Attack, and the most common perpetrators are the Sierra Leone Police, Military personnel, Politicians, Chiefs/Community, stakeholders/people, Civil servants, and some Members of the public.

He informed that the latest MRCG report on ‘Press Freedom in Sierra Leone’ produced in May 2021 with support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), gives a figure of 35 such cases being monitored by the MRCG and SLAJ; 26 of which had been concluded, settled, resolved, dropped or abandoned because of lack of progress; three were in court; and six under police investigation/inconclusive/stalled, according to the report.

He said SLAJ, the MRCG, and the MFWA have been working with the Ministry of Information and Communications to address the inconclusive cases; and in the particular case of Fayia Amara Fayia, he disclosed how they have written a petition to the Minister for his intervention to end the prosecution against the journalist.

“Nevertheless, this year we are observing this day on the backdrop of the historic repeal of the Criminal and Seditious Libel Law, which had been a source of justification of various attacks on journalists and media workers in the country,” he told the audience stating how we have begin to see a decline in cases of arrest and detention of journalists on the orders of politicians or influential people, although there is growing concern regarding attacks on journalists in the digital space, including harassment, intimidation, and insult of mostly female journalists.

He said attacks on journalists undermine democracy, the rule of law, and the fight against corruption.

“Journalists must have a safe space to operate despite the dangers that come with the terrain,” he adjudicated maintaining that SLAJ will continue to appeal to the Government and its agencies to empower journalists by giving them a safe and secure atmosphere to do their job without any hindrance or interference.

The SLAJ President added that the security sector must guarantee safety and ensure the protection of journalists during and after presidential, political, and other events, and especially during national elections.

He argued that it is why today the Association is holding the roundtable dialogue with the security sector to start working together to address those challenges.

“Engagements like this are essential for the responsible maintenance of law and order on the one hand, and for ensuring the safety and security of journalists and media workers at all times on the other,” he stated.

He went on to say that without law and order, society will be chaotic and the work and life of journalists will be seriously threatened maintaining that the dialogue will give them an opportunity to understand, respect, and support each other’s role in the functioning of the country’s democracy.

According to him it also gives them an opportunity to peer review their work with a view to making participants better security and media professionals.

He said, furthermore, the partnership will enable journalists to be proactive in addressing potential clashes between security personnel and journalists, as it gives this forum the opportunity for quarterly meetings to look at emerging issues and challenges and try to resolve them.

The SLAJ President said but this partnership should not be only about attacks on journalists continuing that media practitioners are looking to work with the Police and the Military to develop training for journalists covering conflicts.

Nasralla said journalists do not want the Police or the Military to teach them how to firearms or dismantle bombs but want them to teach them how to dodge the bullets in hostile situations.

“How do we avoid being shot in the back, when we try to get that perfect photograph during a protest, or political rally that has gone ugly?” he asked stating how we need to learn how we can protect ourselves in situations of civil conflict/unrest, how we can learn basic survival skills.

He said all of these will help improve the atmosphere within which journalists work and make life easy for even the security forces during such volatile situations.

The SLAJ President expressed thanks to the Security Sector, especially the Office of National Security (ONS) for facilitating the dialogue, for accepting to sit with journalists around the table to talk frankly about the issues, and to forge a partnership and cooperation in the interest of the work that both do, in the interest of their personnel, and in the interest of the common good.

He also thanked the Association’s friends at Bournemouth University for helping them put the draft MoU together.

The SLAJ President said the signing of an MoU as the climax of the roundtable dialogue will cement the partnership with commitments by both parties to adhere to rules and regulations governing their institutions at all times.

He said, meanwhile, SLAJ is also concerned that there are still complaints against journalists at the IMC for unethical journalism practices. According to him, the Association notes the improvements in contents of media houses but called on the few defaulting ones to continue to improve on their performance.

“While we seek opportunities for continuous professional training, we continue to appeal to our colleagues to maintain the highest standards of professional and ethical practice,” he appealed further urging journalists to cross-check and double check and even triple-check depending on the criticality of a story.

He also urged media houses to adopt safety and security policies for their workers, and train journalists on the coverage of sensitive stories and national and international crises.

“We call for the Security sector to be trained in International Law governing the protection and safety of journalists,” he recommended, adding that they are also calling on the courts to defend the rights of journalists to practice safely.

“We appeal to the Private sector, the Government, and media houses to set up a fund to help journalists who are victims,” he also suggested adding that with the roundtable dialogue and the signing of an MoU by both parties, it is believed that a new page of mutual respect, support, and cooperation in the relationship between journalists and the security sector.

On behalf of the security sector, the Acting National Security Coordinator of ONS, Abdulai Caulker, pledged the sector’s unflinching commitment to the professional execution of its duties. He assured journalists of the sector’s protection as well as the willingness to share information as long as such divulgence will not compromise the security of the State.

His assurance was reiterated by the leaderships of the respective security sector institutions, including the IGP, CDS, CFO, DG-SLCS, and DG-CISU, who further assured the gathering that the outcome of the deliberations will be cascaded to other security sector personnel across Sierra Leone.

The engagement was climaxed by the signing of an MOU which central theme is “Setting Forth the Understanding and Commitment of the Parties relating to Safety and Security of Journalists and the Maintenance of Law and Order in Sierra Leone”.

Mr. Umaru Fofanah (former President of SLAJ) did the recitations of the MOU.

NP-SL’s Immense Contributions to the Functioning of the State is Unquantifiable

November 5, 2021

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

By Amin Kef Sesay

The National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd), it has been confirmed, is a successful enterprise that is hugely contributing to the socio-economic development of this nation.

This assertion could be justified when cognizance is taken of the company’s serious deepening of the country’s Local Content Policy as vividly evident in giving exceptional preference to employing indigenes contrary to bringing in foreign expatriates to execute certain tasks. This laid down policy that is strictly implemented has created room for the employment of Sierra Leoneans who have the requisite qualifications and skills giving them the opportunity to take care of personal responsibilities.

This admirable quality that NP-SL Ltd has been exhibiting throughout the years by the proper implementation of the country’s Local Content Policy is geared towards giving preferential treatment to indigenes or making use of local ingredients, in the form of human and material resources, instead of depending on those that are acquired through importation.

The company has deepened the laid down policy of giving preferential employment consideration to indigenes instead of relying on expatriates. As long as Sierra Leoneans have the requisite qualifications and skills they are first considered for various vacant positions in the company. The greatest advantage is that the policy has made it possible for indigenes to be gainfully employed and live improved standards of living.

“I cannot find words to express how delighted I am as I can proudly say that NP-SL has changed my life completely since the company employed me,” one of the workers at NP Cotton Tree joyfully intimated The Calabash when this medium went out on a fact finding mission.

“As far as I have assessed in this country it is only NP-SL Ltd that has such a pragmatic policy of maintaining a policy that gives job preferential treatments to Sierra Leoneans and I have great respect for the indigenous company,” Raymond Cole, a Social Commentator eulogized.

With the introduction of NP Smart Card, which has gone viral, the Card can be credited with money and the amount of money utilized to buy fuel is debited after every transaction. With the use of NP Smart Card, customers are saved the hassle of having to always move with physical cash in their possession in order to purchase fuel and indeed there are times when one may not have time to rush to the bank to make withdrawals. Customers, who are holders and users of NP Smart Card, are at the vantage position to properly budget, through the amount that is contained in the card to buy fuel, during a considerable period of time, say a week or a month. Indeed, NP Smart Card has become trending.

In order to ensure that their customers derive value for money, it was thought prudent on the part of Shareholders and Management to make use of state of the art and highly modernized calibrated pumping machines which were installed at the company’s different Filling Stations capable of pumping the exact quantity of fuel, be it petrol or diesel, that a particular customer requested for.

This fine move by the company has helped instilled confidence among customers that they are really dealing with a very transparent business entity and getting what they are paying for. This singular business strategy has got many glued to a petroleum company that is considered to be marketing the best of petroleum products which include petrol, diesel, gas and high grade lubricants, one of which is the most sought out Castrol oil, said to be very good for the proper functioning of engines.

The company also markets NP Gas which is a cooking device that is manufactured in different cylinder sizes and sold at the company’s Filling Stations across the country. It can be easily refilled with gas, is said to be non-hazardous to the health of individuals and easy to operate. Its performance has been rated high and many are indeed going for it.

One yardstick that could be used to assess the potency and vibrancy of a company is how well it is entrenched or established. With regards NP-SL Ltd, one can actually see that the company, over the years, has grown by leaps and bounds as seen in its opening of branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. All these NP branches, within the sub-region, are functioning very efficiently and contributing immensely towards the socio-economic development of those host countries. Through their operations, the company is paying taxes to the various Governments and indirectly boosting the revenue bases of those countries to roll out different development programs.

From all that have been said so far, it could be argued with all amount of certainty that NP-SL Ltd is indeed a highly successful and very competitive petroleum company that continues to stand tall within the business landscape of this country. And from the look of things it is poised to reach higher heights.

Treating Patients with Passion & Professionalism… Choithram Memorial Hospital Stands Tall among Health Facilities in the Country

November 5, 2021

Choithram Memorial Hospital.jpg — Choithram Memorial Hospital

By Amin Kef Sesay

Good and well functioning health facilities in this country are very few and even those that are readily accessible are privately managed, thereby posing serious challenges for the vast majority of members of the public to get proper medical treatments for various ailments. Factors that could be responsible for the poor performance of public health facilities vary from outright corruption to lack of effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.

One of the private health facilities in this country which has stood the test of time and has been doing extremely well in the area of administering good treatments to numerous patients from different walks of life over the years is undoubtedly the Choithram Memorial Hospital.

Established decades back by an influential Indian merchant by the name of Pa Choithram, as a way of giving back to society, to provide qualitative medical treatments at affordable costs, the health facility is not only serving as an epitome of the good bi-lateral relationship between Sierra Leone and India but a place where medical cure to various ailments could be found.

Situated on Hill Station, Choithram Memorial Hospital, is considered by many as an ideal health facility which could not be merely dismissed as window dressing but simply because of the level of professionalism that is displayed by its medical practitioners in the discharge of their duties and the dignified way in which patients are attended to.

One of the things that are impressive about the hospital is the way and manner how the Doctors, nurses, cleaners, security personnel, administrative staff and other care givers are seen busy on 24 hours basis just in a bid to attend to the concerns of the patients.

With highly competent and professional medical practitioners, patients are treated with compassion and with all the due care that they deserve. Given rapt medical attention, patients are left with a psychological boost that indeed they are cared for and the nexus between the two has proven to add to the antidotes against certain ailments.

Just like any standard hospital, Choithram Memorial Hospital has the latest and sophisticated medical equipment which are very vital to use in the administration of sound treatments to patients. It is well known that in the absence of good medical equipment sometimes health practitioners do make assumptions which could be correct or erroneous. However, at Choithram that is not the situation as premium is placed on diagnosis, x-ray results and other tests to determine the right types of treatments to administer.

The welfare of patients is of primary importance to the Management of the hospital which is why it is a laid down policy that particular food stuffs are served based on the type of ailment that the patients are suffering from and they are served four times a day.

Prior to the corona virus outbreak the hospital used to offer members of the public free screening during periods referred to as camping and at certain times various teams of German doctors and other medical practitioners will be administering treatments, free of charge. This opportunity availed many the opportunity to gain access to qualitative medical attention. It has helped to demystify the notion the Choithram Memorial Hospital is just for the noveaux rich as the less privileged are considered as well. To say the hospital is for the rich is simply because of the state of the country’s economy rendering many incapable to pay for good treatment. But it must be noted that good things do go with prices and it is okay to derive value for money.

It is only hoped that in the post-corona era this treatment by German doctors will resume.

Patients’ details are well documented and are treated with utmost confidentiality. Security measures are quite in place with rigid implementation of visiting hours.

The hospital has high quality drugs that it administers to patients on a daily basis and they have been proven to be very efficacious in treatments.

Indeed, it has been acknowledged that Choithram Memorial Hospital is among the decent and best medical facilities in the country.

WHO Grants India’s Covaxin jab Emergency Approval

November 5, 2021

India-made Covaxin vaccine.png — Covaxin, developed and made in India, becomes the eighth Covid-19 vaccine approved by WHO Sajjad HUSSAIN AFP/File

By Amin Kef Sesay

The World Health Organization on Wednesday issued an emergency use listing for the India-made Covaxin vaccine, in a move expected to increase Covid-19 jabs available in poor countries.

The vaccine, made by India’s Bharat Biotech and with a 78-percent efficacy rate after two doses over a month “is extremely suitable for low- and middle-income countries due to easy storage requirements,” the UN body said.

Covaxin is the first vaccine completely developed and manufactured in India to receive WHO approval.

Unlike mRNA vaccines by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna that have emerged as leading jabs against Covid-19, Covaxin uses the more traditional “inactivated” technology that has been used for decades in vaccines against diseases like polio, seasonal influenza and rabies.

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The technology uses a dead version of a germ that causes a disease to boost the immune response.

One of the main advantages of such vaccines is that they are more easily stored that mRNA jabs, which need to be kept at sub-zero temperatures. This makes them easier to distribute, especially in poor countries that may lack the needed facilities.

Covaxin can be stored between 2-8 degrees Celsius (36-46 degrees Fahrenheit), according to the company website.

India welcomed the move, with Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar tweeting that it “facilitates travel for many Indian citizens and contributes to vaccine equity.”

Group of eight

Covaxin becomes the eighth vaccine against Covid-19 on the WHO’s list, including others from Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Sinopharm and Sinovac.

WHO emergency approval, which includes an assessment of clinical trial data, can speed up international recognition of vaccines.

It also allows their use by fellow UN agencies and the global Covax initiative, set up to immunize people in the world’s least-well-off countries.

India has administered 121.2 million shots of Covaxin, around 11 percent of the total.

The vaccine, developed by Indian drug maker Bharat Biotech together with the Indian Council of Medical Research, was given “emergency approval” in India earlier this year without completion of phase 3 human trials.

Despite criticism from doctors and health workers over the lack of data, the company and India’s drug regulator insisted it was safe for use.

The firm says it has completed phase 3 trials but has yet to publish the results. In July, releasing “pre-print data,” the company claimed that an overall efficacy of 77.8 percent against symptomatic Covid-19 patients had been found.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received the vaccine in March this year as India started rolling out its mammoth vaccination programme, which has now seen more than a billion shots given.

The delay in WHO approval has been a cause of worry for many Indians, in particular students, who have had problems returning to their universities abroad.

As of now, around a dozen countries recognise the two-dose vaccine, including Greece, Iran, Mexico, Nepal, Zimbabwe and as of this week, Australia.

India has also exported Covaxin to a number of countries including Iran, Myanmar and Zimbabwe.

Brazil suspended a deal to import 20 million doses of Covaxin from India after corruption allegations.

Owned by husband and wife, Krishan and Suchitra Ella, Bharat Biotech set up in 1996 and has delivered over three billion vaccines for several diseases including Zika and Hepatitis-B.