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NCRA & CRVS Stakeholders Discuss Issues Relating to Registration of Stateless Persons & Migrants

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) on Wednesday 13th October, 2021 held a meeting with stakeholders involved in the management of Civil Registration and Vital Statistics in the country with the objective of discussing issues relating to Statelessness Persons and Migrants living in Sierra Leone at the Ministry of Internal Affairs Conference Hall on Gloucester Street in Freetown.

Addressing participants at the meeting, the Director-General of the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi,  who was  the Chairman of the meeting underscored the importance of meeting with stakeholders present to map out achievable ways of capturing migration and stateless residents in the country.
“Today, through this consultation we will be able to bring out or agree on issues in terms of categorizing those people with unknown origin and identify documentations that will be required to record them,” the DG said.

He added that it was also to engage government institutions,civil society Organizations and Development Partners to work out documented procedures and to look at the legal framework involved in recording and accounting for people who are stateless in Sierra Leone. He mentioned that it is one conscious effort government is making in ensuring that everyone residing in the country is identified and accounted for.

The DG announced that through the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the NCRA has had a competent and renowned consultant in the person of, Anette Banga Forsingdal, whose experience goes beyond handling stateless issues in Sierra Leone.

Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi thanked the IOM, UNICEF and UNDP for their commitment towards supporting the Government in implementing the United Nations Legal Identity Agenda (UN-LIA) in Sierra Leone.

“We have succeeded in conducting the Country Assessment on CRVS, our Strategic Plan (2019-2024) and I am sure we will all succeed in doing this,” the DG assured.

He assured the gathering that Government is committed in ensuring that its account for everyone in the country, citizens as well as foreign residents.

Dr. James Bagonza, Head of IOM in Sierra Leone, thanked participants present for attending such an important meeting that is of national importance.
“We are very keen and passionate when it comes to discussions bordering on people who are migrants and Stateless in this country. It is important that they are taken into account in terms of civil registration,” he said.

He noted that it is very much important on their part to have a frank discussion in identifying migrants and Stateless people and to know where they are and the obstacles they face in terms of acquiring legal documents.

The IOM Boss said that legal identity is very much important and hoped that people understand its importance saying it identifies an individual’s personal details and also allow access to social services.

“As a collective UN system, the legal identity Agenda is something we are looking towards improving in Sierra Leone,” Dr. Bangoza said.

He assured the DG, Government and the People of Sierra Leone of his Organization’s commitment in supporting civil registration in the country.

The Child Protection Specialist of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Stefano Schwarz, commended Government institutions for such an important move to engage in discussions that are germane geared towards identifying issues related to migrants and Stateless persons in the country.

He said it will be of importance to UNICEF if they understand from the stakeholders’ point of view the requirements of registering Stateless persons and what could also be the possible barriers and bottlenecks in accounting for them.

Stefano noted that UNICEF is not only looking at Stateless children but people who are also undocumented in the country.

The Programme Manager of the Relief and Resettlement Unit at the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), Farama J. Bangura highlighted that they have supported activities on Statelessness in collaboration with the NCRA, IOM and the Ministry of Internal Affairs notably the Immigration Department. He added that the mandate of NaCSA is to support humanitarian interventions, especially refugees in the country.

He emphasized the importance of the meeting by stating, “it is very good that we consult each other to see how best we can promote the need for persons of concern to be documented.”

He pronounced that starting from the 31st of October, 2021, NaCSA is going to close refugee support for the remaining refugee population in the country, with an estimated figure of 393. He noted that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Immigration Department to ensure that they provide residential permits to those persons of concern.
Farama Bangura informed participants that they had advocated for funds, through UNHCR, to enable them provide birth certificates to  persons of concern who are have locally integrated in the country.

 

He stated that at the same time, NACSA is also closely working to ensure that persons without documents residing together with refugees also benefit by providing them with legal documentations.

The NaCSA personnel disclosed that through UNHCR, NaCSA have provided funds to adopt a National Action Plan on Statelessness persons disclosing that NCRA and IOM contributed greatly by providing  birth certificates to persons of concern after the adoption of the National Action Plan on Statelessness.

“By next week we are going to distribute those to targeted persons in the Western Area, Southern and Eastern Regions,” he disclosed.

He went further to assure the DG and all present that NaCSA is in readiness to ensure that any vulnerable identified migrant and refugee or any other person of concern is mainstreamed or included into their National Program of Activities.

The Programme Specialist-Governance of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Josephine Scott-Manga, said that her colleagues from the UN system stand ready to support the process to its conclusion.

She noted that UNDP will continue to support strengthening civil registration within Sierra Leone.

In her presentation, the consultant hired by IOM, Anette Bager Forsignal defined a Statelessness Person as someone who is not considered as a citizen by any State under the operation of the law.

She stated that her job is to come up with a Standard Operational Procedure (SOP) to guide the pathway of registering Stateless persons in Sierra Leone.

The consultant stated that they have been looking at new legislation to see how they can make it more explicit in ensuring that people who are at the risk of Statelessness or Stateless situation in Sierra Leone are documented and accounted for.

Contributions were made by various participants on how Stateless persons can be identified and documented in the country.

 

 

 

With Support from Africell… Leone Stars Engage the Press on Friendly Match Performances & Preparation

By Amin Kef-Ranger

It could be recalled that one of the things that were agreed upon during the official signing sponsorship agreement between Africell and the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), on the 1st October 2021, was that all matters bordering on briefing the media and the general public about any development related to the preparedness of the national team towards the forthcoming AFCON 2020  competition should be done via Africell.

It was against such a backdrop that on the 14th October 2021 Africell and SLFA engaged members of the Fourth Estate and by extension, the general public in order to brief them about Leone Stars’ performances in the friendly matches it recently played in Morocco.

Present were members of the staff of Africell, officials of SLFA, a galaxy of journalists from various media houses, and some members of the public.

The Head of Media of SLFA, Ibrahim Kamara, intimated that the country was properly represented during those friendly matches with the aim of building a formidable team that will vigorously compete and go through the 1st rounds, saying it is at that stage in the past that the team usually stuck.

He disclosed that the match between Leone Stars and Ethiopia ended 1-1 which he said was good maintaining that the team put on a very good performance. Ibrahim continued that with regards to the game that was played between Leone Stars and South Sudan it also ended in a 1-1 draw and with The Gambia it ended in the national team bagging 2 goals and The Gambia nil. With regards the game played with Morocco, it ended in Leones Stars losing to Morocco  2-1.

He furthered that the team is back in the country maintaining that for now the focus should be on what we learned during those friendly matches and to get a clear vision as to what to take note of.

On his part, Head Coach of Leone Stars, John Keister, disclosed that prior to departure for Morocco they invited foreign players stating that twenty-nine of them turned up but one did not show up but promised to join the team later. He said their aim is to bring onboard players that are better than those that the team previously had.

Keister said some of the players incurred injuries during those friendly matches but was full of praise for the team’s performances which, according to him, were very impressive.

“As we continue to prepare of AFCON 2020 to be played in Cameroon we intend putting together a national team that will be really competitive,” he expressed determination adding that as at now 30% has been gained in terms of participation with a remaining 70% to be achieved maintaining that preparation to be finally ready is in high gear stating that it is a process.

Head of Corporate Affairs of SLFA, Mohamed Benson Bawoh, in his statement stated that they are working on transitioning the team. He continued that the team had the opportunity of playing friendly matches in order to identify eligible players that will be chosen to play in the upcoming AFCON competition. He then gave a brief analysis of the games that were played between Leone Stars and Nigeria, Lesotho and others.

He said those matches have given the Head Coach an insight into better understanding that the country’s players can compete well.

“It is important to give the Head Coach all the necessary support so that we will bring laurels to the country,” he appealed adding that the team will be camped in November and in December there will be a final tournament camp but the venue has not yet been determined.

He explained that there are some benchmarks which our foreign players must fulfill before they are released by the clubs they are playing for but maintained that things are going according to plan.

Head of Events and Sponsorship of Africell, Abdul Aziz Kamara, congratulated Leone Stars for the performances the team has displayed so far. He said the telecommunications company is committed to continue rendering its support to enhancing sports within the country.

“We must all rally behind the national team because what we have not achieved in 25 years is what we have now gained and so we need to make good use of this opportunity to put Sierra Leone in the limelight,” he enjoined and made a passionate appeal for individuals and other institutions to render whatever support they deem necessary to see the team emerge victorious in the AFCON competition.

He pointed out that Africell is in the position to sponsor Leone Stars simply because subscribers are patronizing the company and therefore he extended thanks to all their numerous but esteemed customers or subscribers for making such become a reality.

Responding to a question relating to a letter said to have been written by Babadi Kamara, Head of SLFA Media, stated that the letter was addressed to the SLFA President but unfortunately leaked. He revealed how the content of the letter has been discussed by the Executive Committee and probably feedback will soon be out.

Also responding to why certain members of the Sports Writers Association of Sierra Leone (SWASAL) were not included in the delegation, he said he was the very one who came up with the idea of including representatives of the organization. “Unfortunately, it was late after all necessary arrangements have been made,” he said adding that an arrangement has been concluded for a SWASAL representative to report the female football match to be played in Liberia under the AFCON Female Competition.

The Head Coach is trying to make a clarification said with regards the foreign-based players as long as the due process has been followed and FIFA is fully informed then everything falls in place.

A question and answer session marked the climax of the press engagement.

 

Wife of Inspector General of Police Commissions Hand Pump Water Wells

By Marilyn King

Hawa Angela Jabba Sovula, wife of the Inspector General of Police has with support from the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Fatima Jabbie Bio as well as the Sierra Leone Police Wives Association, on the 8th and 9th October 2021 commissioned hand pump water wells in Lunsar Police Barracks Division (Marampa Chiefdom), Kabala Police Barracks, and Buedu Road Police Barracks, Kailahun District.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Local Police Partnership Board Lunsar Division, Mohamed S. Kamara said they are very excited for the water wells and that they will join hands with the Police Wives in Lunsar to see that the water wells are clean and tidy.

He furthered that they will use them in a good way and thanked the President of the Sierra Leone Police Wives for her kind gesture to their Barracks.

The Support Officer for Lunsar Division, Superintendent Solomon S. Conteh expressed thanks and appreciation on behalf of his division to Madam Hawa Sovula for her kind gesture.

He furthered that they will do their level best to make sure that officers maintain decency in the barracks.

He continued that over the years, they were faced with the challenge of fetching water in the barracks and the entire area, but that with the intervention of Madam Sovula, it has become a thing of the past.

He appealed for toilet facilities in the barracks so that there will be enough and decent toilets for officers residing at the barracks.

The Station Manager of SALWCO in Kailahun District, Brima Allieu maintained that they will make sure that they supply the barracks in Kailahun District with pure water and also take good care of the water wells by ensuring maintenance.

He noted that not only the police wives and the police living in the barracks will benefit from it but also the entire neighborhood in Buedu Road, Kailahun District.

The Mamie Queen of the Sierra Leone Police Wives Association, Kailahun District, Hannah Small Jusu said that they have suffered for 17 years in Kailahun District in order to access clean drinking water.

She continued that they appreciate the President of Sierra Leone Police Wives Association for her good job in Kailahun District.

She thanked the LUC and the SALWACO head in the district for their leadership role in making the facilities a success.

She concluded that they will always keep the barracks and the water well clean and tidy.

In her keynote address the President of Sierra Leone Police Wives Association, Hawa Jabba Angela Sovula disclosed that she got the support from the First Lady, Her Excellency Fatima Jabbie Bio who assisted her to have the water wells constructed at the various barracks.

She maintained that she has 33 barracks within her control and that they are in full support of her as their leader since she took over power last year.

She furthered that she regularly visits the 33 barracks to make sure that she checks upon the Police Wives and ensure that they live peacefully with their husbands.

She noted that they are not receiving any pay from Government but that their support comes from their husbands.

Disclosing that she believes in helping in her own little way to ensure development, she called on the police to take very good care of the water wells and keep them tidy.

The unveiling of the water wells climaxed the occasion.

ACC Hands over 2020 Annual Report to President Bio

By Amin Kef Sesay

In a Press Release issued by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), on 11th October, 2021,it was stated that, in compliance with Section 19(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 as amended in 2019, the Commission presented its 2020 Annual Report to the President, Brigadier (Rtd.) Dr. Julius Maada Wonnie Bio at State House.

Francis Ben Kaifala Esq, the ACC Commissioner, presenting the report thanked the President for his unwavering support to the Commission.

“Your Excellency, even with COVID-19, we continue to do our work for the people of Sierra Leone. We thank you for your support and we are appreciative of it,” the Commissioner said. He also stated that the work of the Commission shows remarkable progress at all levels of the campaign against corruption.

Responding, the President thanked the ACC Commissioner and his team for the great work and success in the fight against corruption, which he said was being acknowledged around the world. He said his Government would continue to give the fight against corruption the seriousness and attention that it deserves, noting “…we must punish the corrupt and it is a fight we must fight, and it is a fight we must win, if we are to develop our country.”

President Bio, therefore, encouraged the ACC to work even harder and continue the good work in a bid to defeat the scourge of corruption in Sierra Leone.

The 2020 Annual Report covers the work and activities of the Commission in 2020, especially in the areas of; public education, prevention, assets declaration, national strategy implementation, intelligence, investigation and prosecution.

In 2020, the ACC recovered Eight Billion Leones from corrupt persons and secured over 90% conviction rate from cases investigated and charged to court. The Commission also conducted massive systems and processes reviews of public offices as well as public education and outreach activities across the country.

It was a year the country scored 81% in the indicator on ‘Control of Corruption’ in the Millennium Challenge Corporation scorecard and ranked 117 out of 180 countries in the Transparency International Corruption Perception Index. Afro Barometer also recorded a drop in corruption prevalence from 70% to 40%; all of which are new high standards for the country.

Chinese Embassy Boosts NDMA with Office Equipment & Rain Gears

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As a way of rendering support, the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone on the 12th October 2021 donated office equipment and rain-gears worth Millions of Leones to the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) at its embassy in Freetown.

It could be recalled that on the 1st of September 2021, the Management of NDMA paid a courtesy call on the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Hu Zhangliang, and presented a compelling case of support, effective collaboration and partnership in helping NDMA delivers on its core mandate.

Ambassador Zhangliang pledged his country’s support and promised strong collaboration and partnership in supporting the NDMA succeed in terms of managing disaster-related incidents and reduce the vulnerabilities of prone communities and increase their resilience in responding to natural hazards.

On the 12th October 2021, the Chinese Embassy responded to NDMA’s call by donating twenty (20) office chairs, fifty (50) towel blankets, eighty (80) raincoats, fifty (50) pairs of rain shoes, and four (4) Huawei mobile phones.

Presenting the items, the Senior Protocol Officer attached to the Chinese Embassy, Mr Jing said China and Sierra Leone have a sustained relation, spanning fifty (50) years. He also expressed his satisfaction at the numerous interventions by NDMA in responding to fire, windstorm and other forms of disaster incidents which have impacted the lives of over 12,000 people across the country.

Mr Jing also assured of his Embassy’s continued support to the National Disaster Management Agency, citing that adequate preparedness measures are essential because disaster risk can never be completely eliminated.

“Preparedness through early warning systems save lives and protect livelihoods and is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce the impact of disasters and that’s exactly what prompted their response,” he added.

Receiving the donated items, the Deputy Director-General of NDMA, John Vandi Rogers, demonstrated his Agency’s profound gratitude to the Chinese Embassy for the support. He said it is a manifestation of China’s long-standing commitment to helping the Government and people of Sierra Leone in diverse areas.

The DDG assured Mr. Jing that the donated items will be properly managed, pointing out that the donation was timely and will help to better position NDMA to effectively respond to disaster incidences.  Rogers furthered that the raincoats, phones and rain shoes will make it easier for NDMA’s staff and community volunteers access hard to reach areas, especially during the rains.

The DDG concluded by assuring the Chinese Embassy of NDMA’s unwavering dedication to addressing disaster-related hazards.

UNSRSG Held Talks with Ex-President Koroma to Get His Perspective on Critical Issues

United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General (UNSRSG) for West Africa and the Sahel, Ambassador Mahamet Saleh Annadif & Former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, on the 11th October, 2021 received in audience the United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary General (UNSRSG) for West Africa and the Sahel, Ambassador Mahamet Saleh Annadif who was accompanied by the UN Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, Dr. Babatunde A. Ahonsi.

It could be recalled that during President Koroma’s tenure, Sierra Leone was widely acclaimed as a bastion of peace building and peace consolidation, an achievement which the UN was very central to.

Before their closed door meeting, Ambassador Annadif said it was important to meet with former leaders not only to get their perspectives on critical issues, but also to show their example to the youth that there is life after the Presidency.

Responding, former President Koroma recalled that during his tenure, his Government worked very hard, particularly with the UN, to deepen democracy, peace and national cohesion.

“This is why I remain committed to the issues of peace, good governance and national cohesion because I believe that without peace development will be difficult,” said the former President.

As he put it, peace, democracy and good governance form part of the legacy he is determined to protect which, he said,  is why they have been the hallmarks of his engagements with ECOWAS and AU since he left office.

President Koroma assured Ambassador Annadif that he stands ready to support efforts geared towards strengthening these values.

 

Seawright Mining Company Boosts Gorama Mende Chiefdom with Le11B Ultra-Modern Polytechnic

By Esther Wright

One of the most effective mining companies operating within the country, Seawright Mining Company (SMC), during an impressive event graced by people from all walks of life, handed over the first ultra-modern Senior Secondary School, which has been transformed to a polytechnic, to the people of Kenema, Gorama Mende Chiefdom with the objective of supporting the Government’s Free Quality Education (FQE) drive.

Many have described the mining company’s gesture as a move geared towards easing the challenge to access education in the community.

The multi-purpose ultra-modern polytechnic, which is estimated at the tune of Le11 billion, was handed over by the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Seawright, Jabulani Mkoko to the Chief of Gorama Mende Chiefdom, Haja Maraima Gasama through the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Musa Timothy Kabba on Saturday 9th October 2021 at Tungie.

The ultra-modern polytechnic consists of an administrative block, equipped library, 9 class rooms in three blocks, canteen, a hall, 2 equipped science labs, 1 equipped computer lab, a staff quarter with 6 rooms and two pallor each in 2 blocks, solar panels of 50KVA, 55 desks and chairs, long plastic table, school brass band, 4 freezers with 2 small size, PA system and projector among others.

Explaining the purpose of the meeting, Hon. Hafij Maada Kanja of Constituency 18 explained how his constituency was having 10 exploration companies but later saw 2 of them, noting that out of the 2 companies, Vimetco also left and Seawright Mining remained.

He explained further that the construction of school came about when a request was made by two school pupils during the handing over of an ultra-modern cold room for which Dr.Seawright made the proclamation of meeting that need.

He said the purpose of the meeting is for Seawright Mining to handover the facility to the community through the Ministry of Mines, which will in turn hand it over to the Government to be utilized as a polytechnic.

Mkoko maintained that as a company, they took into account the human capital development vision of President Julius Maada Bio, and the concerns that some of the higher institutions of learning in Sierra Leone don’t have all the facilities for conducive learning environment.

He emphasized that in order for the facility to give out the desired impact, they brought advanced equipment for it to match international standards.

He pointed out that human capital development is not a one-man business but one that needs lot of hands to make it work, noting that Government has the requisite skills to run such a facility.

The SMC COO ended by thanking the community for allowing them to do business in the chiefdom and the country as a whole.

The Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Musa Timothy Kabba said every member of the society is responding to the call of President Julius Maada Bio’s human capital development vision.

He disclosed that over 20% of the country’s money has been invested by the President on education, adding that the capacity was not there for the people to develop themselves but that through President Bio’s vision, they are bringing it.

Mines Minister encouraged the audience not to take education lightly as the President is not taking it lightly.

He thanked Seawright Mining Company for such a facility and President Bio for his educational vision.

The Minister emphasized that when the mind is educated and developed one will not have any problem to develop the country.

“I am proud to have Seawright Mining Company and Dr.Seawright as a partner. This is a small company with an exploration licence that has done tremendous things in the country. If we place a ballot box today, Seawright mining will win,” the Minister stated.

He described Tungie as a place that has been lightened up as such a structure has made it strategic and that it will be one of the most profitable communities in the country.

Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Sarjoh Aziz Kamara commended the Paramount Chief and Dr.Seawright for such a facility, pointing out that such a move resonates with the dream of President Julius Maada Bio which is human capital development.

The Deputy Minister said that Government has been deliberate with the move to ensure human capital development.

He urged the community to take very good care of the facility as Government is playing its part and depend on community as their partner to play their own part.

Beside the ultra-modern polytechnic in Tungie, SMC blueprint are visible in communities beyond their operational areas as the company has undertaken school projects, donated teaching and learning materials, road/bridge constructions, water wells construction, donated billions of Leones to help fight COVID-19, construction of modern cold rooms, empowering teachers and providing the first aquaculture system for Njala University among others.

The signed certificate and keys to the facility was presented to the Chief of Gorama Mende Chiefdom, Haja Maraima Gasama by SMC COO.

As Salone Outlaws Death Penalty… What Are The Pros And Cons?

By Amin Kef Sesay

Both religious and secular debates continue about whether it is moral for humans to kill one another, even in the name of justice, and whether executing people makes for a moral and just Government.

One of the main justifications for maintaining a death penalty is that the punishment may prevent people from committing crimes so as to not risk being sentenced to death.

Proponents of the death penalty say it is an important tool for preserving law and order, deters crime, and costs less than life imprisonment.

They argue that retribution or “an eye for an eye” honors the victim, helps console grieving families, and ensures that the perpetrators of heinous crimes never have an opportunity to cause future tragedy.

One of the main justifications for maintaining a death penalty is that the punishment may prevent people from committing crimes so as to not risk being sentenced to death.

Proponents who argue that the death penalty is a deterrent to capital crimes state that such a harsh penalty is needed to discourage people from murder and terrorism.

Opponents of capital punishment say it has no deterrent effect on crime, wrongly gives Governments the power to take human life and perpetuates social injustices by disproportionately targeting people who cannot afford good Attorneys or Lawyers. They say lifetime jail sentences are a more severe and less expensive punishment than death.

Opponents of the death penalty argue that the punishment is cruel and unusual, and, thus, unconstitutional, that innocent people are put to death for crimes they did not commit.

Life without Parole is suggested by some as an alternative punishment for the death penalty. Proponents of replacing the death penalty with life without parole argue that imprisoning someone for the duration of their life is more humane than the death penalty, that LWOP is a more fitting penalty that allows the criminal to think about what they’ve done, and that LWOP reduces the chances of executing an innocent person.

Opponents who argue that the death penalty is not needed as retribution argue that reformative justice is more productive, that innocent people    are often killed in the search for retribution, and that “an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.”

Whether the death penalty can bring about some sort of closure or solace to the victims’ families after a horrible, life-changing experience has long been debated and used by both proponents and opponents of the death penalty.

Proponents who argue that the death penalty is needed to bring about closure and solace to victims’ families argue that the finality of the death penalty is needed for families to move on and not live in fear of the criminal getting out of prison.

Chief Justice Assures of the Death Penalty Being Laid to Rest

By Elkass Sannoh

The Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards, on the 8th October,2021 assured  President  Bio that the Judiciary under his watch will fully apply the Abolition of Death Penalty Act of 2021.

“We in the Judiciary note the change and are ready to apply the new law, the Abolition of the Death Penalty Act, 2021 without let or hindrance where applicable,” Hon. Justice Edwards assured.

According to him, the day marked an important date in the annals of the country’s history in that Sierra Leone will be joining over 144 countries that have abolished the Law and Practice of Death Penalty.

He said the death penalty found its way into Sierra Leone Laws courtesy of certain statutes viz Murder under the Offences Against The Person Act 1861, Robbery with Aggravation under Section 23 of the Larceny Act, 1916, Mutiny under the Sierra Leone Military Forces Act, 1961 and the Law of Treason under the Treason and State Offences Act, 1963.

The Chief Justice said the death penalty was the way of life to addressing crimes like treason, murder and robbery.

He said, “excuse me if it seems I am talking a lot about the Death Penalty – I am paying tribute to the Death Penalty for after today, it would be laid to rest and would be heard of no more.”

He highlighted that countries such as Greece, UK and Italy have all abandoned the Death Penalty and in fact all European countries have abolished the Death Penalty except for Belarus and Russia for which there has been a moratorium since 1996. He asked what is the effect of the abolition of the Death Penalty?

Answering he ,“it means Judges would no longer be required to pronounce that gruesome sentence by first undressing with the removing of their wigs in place of a sinister black draper or cloth as head-covering.”

On his part before the symbolic signing, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio said, “When I first proposed abolishing the death penalty in all totality for all capital crimes, there was widespread skepticism, cynicism, and outright hostility. Some cautioned that it was unwise to let go of the ultimate cudgel that had kept political opponents in line. Others wondered whether that was really what I wanted to do. Those who did not wish to be seen as hard dissenters made counter proposals that we could keep the death penalty for some crimes.”

He recalled that his position has always been a ‘hard and firm No’ to the death penalty in all its forms and for all crimes.

He went on to note that the State has absolutely no obligation to undertake judicial killings of its own citizens in order to instill law and order or for political gain. “The all-too-familiar phrase of hanging persons by the neck until they die or tying persons at a stake and gunning them down is cruel, inhumane, and degrading,” he said.

He told members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps that Sierra Leone is a civilized nation that will never again execute any persons in this sovereign republic.

As President, he reiterated, “I have made a solemn commitment to good governance, justice, and to upholding, promoting, and protecting the lives and rights of every citizen. Our governance and justice sector reforms have opened up more democratic spaces, unfettered free speech, and expanded access to justice for hitherto unserved and under-served populations.”

“We will no longer execute fellow citizens for political retribution, for deterrence of crimes, or for crimes,” President Bio said, adding that, “he state must now set the example by demonstrating that it places the highest value on all human life. The abolition of the death penalty will mark an important and symbolic departure from the past to the future.”

The Deputy Minister of Justice, Umaru Napoleon Koroma Esq. said some twenty-five years ago as a pupil of the Albert Academy, he participated in a debate in favour of the abolition of the Death Penalty. At Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone, he joined the Amnesty International to canvass for the abolition of the Death Penalty but it never happened.

He said, “Twenty-five years ago down the line God sent us an individual with a mission to fulfill dreams. Few months ago, he fulfilled the over forty years dream of those who were fighting for the seditious libel law to be expunged from our law books. Today again, he is here to fulfill the dream of us who have been fighting for the abolition of Death Penalty.”

The Abolition and Death Penalty Act was later signed into law by His Excellency President Bio.

NP-SL: An Exemplary Business Entity that Deepens the Local Content Policy

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.

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