We Yone Child Foundation & SOL Foundation Launch Sport and Social Change Project

February 10, 2020

Handing over School items to the Beneficiaries

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In order to support less privileged children in Sierra Leone, We Yone Child Foundation, with support from SOL Foundation, has on Friday 8^th February, 2020 launched a two year Sport for Social Change Project for schools in Kroo Bay and George Brook communities. The event took place at the Kroo Bay Community Centre in Freetown.

During which school items and sport kits worth millions of Leones were donated to school-going pupils in six primary schools within Kroo Bay and George Brook communities.

Speaking to this medium in an interview, Founder/Executive Director, of We Yone Child Foundation, Santigie Bayo Dumbuya, expressed profound appreciation to SOL Foundation for supporting the project, adding that the Foundation is using the power of sport on their mission to provide sustainable education and care to underprivileged children in Kroo Bay and George Brook Communities in Sierra Leone. The project, he said, is a sport based programme using football, boxing or martial arts which in an upgraded version will benefit people in the communities.

He noted that this project is designed to benefit 1,900 direct beneficiaries, aged 8-18 years, 50% girls and 50% boys who are at risk of dropping out of school and prone to teenage pregnancy/rape within the two slum communities of Kroo Bay and George Brook. He added that as part of the project beneficiaries, 100 teenage girls will be trained in Boxing and Martial Art skills as a self-defense strategy against sexual abuses.

Giving a brief background about the Foundation, he said, We Yone Child Foundation was founded in 2009 and since then they have been impacting the lives of young people in Sierra Leone underscoring how they have welcomed new staff and volunteers, introduced new social development programs, trained teachers and other staff, created a plan to guide their projects and nourished long-lasting partnerships.

He stated that complementary to running their schools, WYCF has also successfully created community outreach projects such as Sport for Social Change, which uses football to spread key messages concerning sex education and child protection, and has featured 1,600+ pupils from 10 Primary Schools in central Freetown.

“We are so thankful to be working with loving and caring staff, volunteers and partners. Our great success is the communities’ success,” he maintained.

Teacher, Methodist City Mission Primary School, Nathaniel G Williams, expressed his deepest appreciation to the organization for launching the two year sport for social change project for schools in Kroo Bay and George Brook communities, adding that such a gesture is really helping them and their children.

He assured the organization of their commitment as a teacher to ensure that they monitor their children and promised that they will make good use of this available opportunity.

He called on other humanitarian organizations to support We Yone Foundation as many other children in slum communities are really challenged in terms of accessing school items, sport kits.

Mariama Koroma, a pupil of the We Yone Foundation primary school, who was also a beneficiary, applauded the Foundation for the donations, adding that such a gesture is really helping them as children.

She urged other beneficiaries to take their studies serious and make good use of the opportunity in order to enhance their development as children.

Cross section of Beneficiaries with their school items been donated to them

Competent Managerial Synergy Continues to take NP-SL to Higher Heights

February 10, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

It has come out very clearly that for any business venture to thrive there must be a convergence of good initiatives bordering on brain storming, strategizing and thorough implementation of sound policies which will finally culminate in tangible realities on the ground. In Sierra Leone, the National Petroleum Limited has cautiously tread along that pathway with its shareholders recruiting managers with the requisite qualifications devoid of favouritism and sentimentality who have been applying the right managerial skills and leadership that today have helped catapulted the company to one of the most dominant entities in the business landscape of the country.

The shareholders of the company has maintained that stance over the years and one thing they placed premium on is keeping the company as an indigenous business stressing that majority ,if not all , of its staff must be Sierra Leoneans. Ensuring that members of staff are highly motivated, the company is getting the best out of their performances with the cascading effect of excellent outputs.

Besides having employees that are highly motivated, the company also ensures that they benefit from different forms of training programs in order to improve on their competencies. When this is looked at within the context of human capital development then it is considered apt and in the best interest of the country’s development trajectory.

If today much emphasis is placed on human capital development, for NP-SL Ltd it has been part of the DNA of the company and from what this medium learnt, the company has produced seasoned individuals with requisite skills, some after leaving setting up successful business ventures or are now excelling in other institutions.

Having the right brains in the right offices has placed the company at a vantage position to always bargain with its business partners when negotiating petroleum deals. Undoubtedly, the company is the leading petroleum marketing company in the country with its branches located in various parts of the city and provinces. Because of effective service delivery and rated as 1^st For Customer Care, NP-SL Ltd has become very endearing to many in and out of the country. One important thing that the shareholders of the company have seriously guarded against is to avoid a situation where its customers and members of the public will express bitter dissatisfaction about the quality of the products it is marketing and the services it renders.

Against such a backdrop, the company has a customer care unit that primarily interface between the company and members of the public. Concerns and recommendations channelled through it are raised in certain management meetings, discussed and the way forward mapped out.

Regarding their customers as priceless jewels, NP-SL Ltd ensured that to give them optimal satisfaction value must be derived from their monies spent. It was thinking along that line which prompted the shareholders of the company to replace their old fashioned pumping machines to calibrated pumping machines of high standard which transparently pump the requisite quantity of petrol or diesel demanded for. Confidence is now high among its customers that they getting exactly what they are paying for.

Still within the ambit of optimising customer care, the company introduced both NP Gas and NP Smart Card. The former is a cooking gadget, which is now in vogue, going like hot cakes because it has been proven to be very effective in terms of performance, cost and non-hazardous to human health. The latter is a card that has a memory chip and could be credited with money. This NP Smart Card is used to purchase fuel without carrying physical cash and it is very advantageous for personal safety and accountability purpose because the balance remaining on it, after using it, will determine how much was used during a given transaction.

With regards rolling out its Corporate Social Responsibility, it has been doing so in ways that had been and are positively contributing to the socio-economic development of the nation. Though the shareholders and Management are not averse to making news about such gestures yet they are not too keen about bragging about them because, according to them, they are doing such for the sake of humanity.

With sound brains at the helm of affairs of the company, many are getting the best of petroleum products as well as services for which it has bagged so many accolades.

USAID and the United Bank for Africa Sign Memorandum of Understanding

February 7, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

In the bid to advance the two-way trade and investment goals to prosper Africa, U.S Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Prosper Africa initiative is partnering with the United Bank for Africa (UBA) to increase two-way trade and investment between the United States and the nations of Africa. This partnership ensures businesses are equipped with the technical and financial tools they need to enter into new trading and investment relationships in Africa and the United States.

USAID will provide technical assistance and advisory services to prospective businesses through its Trade and Investment Hubs, and will connect UBA with African Diaspora business groups working across the United States. The MOU enables UBA, the only sub-Saharan African bank licensed to operate in the United States, to expand access its reach and extend financing to American companies in the United States looking to do business with African nations.

Recognizing tremendous growth opportunities, USAID and UBA are collaborating to advance Prosper Africa’s goal of substantially increasing two-way trade between Africa and the United States. By working together, they will extend financing and technical assistance to businesses that willstrengthen the American economy, grow African economies, and create jobs on both sides of the Atlantic.

The two institutions entered into this agreement as part of the opening ceremony of the Tunisia Prosper Africa Conference, co-organized by the U.S. Embassy in Tunis and the American Chamber of Commerce of Tunisia. The event facilitated U.S. and African business-to-business connections and featured remarks by key representatives from the U.S. Government and the U.S. and African private sector.

South African Mines Experts, Legislators and Financiers Engaged by Pres. Bio

February 7, 2020

By Alim Jalloh

In Cape Town, South Africa on Wednesday 5 February 2020 His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio concluded another important meeting at the Africa Mining Indaba in Cape Town, officially initiating engagements with 10 highly technical experts, legislators and mines development financiers in South Africa.

In the company of Minister of Mines and Minerals Resources, Foday Rado Yokie and Director-General of National Minerals Agency, Julius Mattai, the President referenced the many mentions of technology in mining and disclosed that he had already set up a Directorate of Science Technology and Innovation in his office to support a research-based approach to governance.

“Now, all decisions we make as a government are informed by data and we are very deliberate. We are just nearly two years into office and we don’t want to start off on the wrong footing. First we need to know what we have, the business around it and before we sell,” he said, in reference to his plans to sustainably manage Sierra Leone’s minerals wealth to benefit its citizens and support the government’s free quality education initiative.

He told the meeting that the country, rich in minerals deposit, had just completed a nationwide airborne geophysical survey with very high-resolution datasets that would eventually inform government’s strategic plans for the mines and extractives industry.

“We want to have a sovereign wealth fund,” which is usually owned by the state to manage national savings for the purposes of investment, “to finance our long term flagship projects around human capital development,” he said. He also noted that he valued the conversation they had because it would help his government organise the mining sector.

Bridgette Motsepe Radebe, a South African businesswoman and Ambassador of Economic Development and Entrepreneurship, told President Bio that there was money to invest in Sierra Leone.

“As soon as we have done exploration, identified where the ore body is, we start building the mines then we go to the banks. There is a lot of money that you can get from the banks as long as your ore body is good, the resource analysis is good and your financial models speak to what the funder wants to see.

“You are a very rich country. If you look at your minerals, based on the audit of the resources and reserves by your National Minerals Agency, reflecting your balance sheet, you already have a collateral,” she said adding that they were very experienced to create a committee of various skills to support the proper implementation of the country’s strategic minerals.

“Your ownership model must also be indigenised. We need to see how much stake you own as a country. I can’t come to a country with 10% ownership. Your people must own more. Also as chairperson of the South Africa-Russian business forum in BRICS, I will speak to my counterparts,” she stated.

The meeting was a result of President Bio’s keynote address at the world’s largest mining investment event taking place in South Africa, where he emphasised the need for trustworthy mining partners.

Gov’t Pays over US$255,201 Student Allowance

February 7, 2020

Ernest Mbaimba Ndomahina, Ambassador of the Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone, in Beijing, China

By Joseph S. Margai

Government of Sierra Leone, through the Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone in China, has paid a whopping sum of two hundred and fifty-five thousand, two hundred and one (US$255,201) United States Dollars as supplementary allowances to Sierra Leonean students, who are pursuing various academic courses in China and Pakistan.

This was disclosed exclusively by Ernest Mbaimba Ndomahina, Ambassador of the Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone, in Beijing, China, in an interview on Saturday, 1st February, 2020.

“The government of Sierra Leone has ordered the payment of supplementary allowances, amounting to US$255,201 to all beneficiaries of the Sierra Leone government scholarship residing in the People’s Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” Ambassador Ndomahina said.

He said beneficiary students should forward the details of their bank accounts to the Students’ Union Executive, for onward submission to Mrs. Josephine Isatu Bangura, who is the Students’ Secretary at the Embassy of the Republic of Sierra Leone in China.

He said due to the strict compliance with China’s counter epidemic measures, there was no banking operations in the country.

However, he noted that there would be an effective disbursement of these allowances to beneficiary students on Monday, 3rd February, 2020, when normal banking transactions were expected to resume.

“The Embassy, on behalf of the entire students’ body in China and Pakistan, wishes to express its sincere thanks and appreciation to President Julius Maada Bio and the ‘New Direction’ administration for the support to the human capital development and humanity,” he expressed his gratitude.

In recent weeks, the People’s Republic of China has been plagued by the Corona viral disease, thereby leading to global concern.

However, Ambassador Ndohamina firstly commended the government of the People’s Republic of China for its unprecedented and resilient measures in curbing the spread of the deadly virus.

“On behalf of President Julius Maada Bio and the people of Sierra Leone, the Embassy wishes to express its heartfelt condolences to all bereaved families of the outbreak. We express our unflinching support to President Xi Jinping and the people of China in the fight against this deadly virus,” he stated.

Ambassador Ndomahina called on all Sierra Leoneans residing in China to continuously follow the preventive and control measures of this deadly disease outlined by the Government of the People’s Republic of China.

“Moving Karene HQ town to Batkanu is for political gains…” – Citizens aver

February 7, 2020

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Tamba Lamina

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In an interview on Radio Democracy 98.1 Good Salone Program on Wednesday 5^th February 2020 the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Tamba Lamina, disclosed that the Ministry will be coming out with a white paper to be presented to the Cabinet on their findings for either the District Headquarter Town of Karene District should remain in Kamakwie or moved to Batkanu which many citizens consider as a move by the New Direction to score political gains and not in the interest of the people of this country.

During the interview the Minister said that stakeholders in Batkanu requested for him to visit them in order to listen to their submissions on the said issue, adding that some of the submissions put before him by stakeholders of Batkanu were that if the name Karene District is changed to another name they should not have asked for Batkanu to be the Headquarter Town but because when it remains Karene the Headquarter Town must be Batkanu because it has been so during the colonial era rather than Kamakwie.

Basically, many see their submission as baseless and have no concrete evidence for the District Head Quarter Town to be moved to Batkanu.

In a snap interview with residents of Karene District they disclosed that the action to move Karene District Headquarter to Batkanu is clear that the New Direction doesn’t want to practice decentralization or to develop that part of the country. They maintained that it was clearly manifested during the President’s Thank You Tour when he visited all district Headquarter Towns leaving Kamakwie as the Headquarter Town for Karene District as if it is not part of Sierra Leone. Residents further disclosed that the First Lady also launched the Hands Off our Girls Campaign in all the other districts also leaving Karene District out of her campaign.

They claimed that besides the marginalization and discrimination now they want to move Karene District Headquarter from Kamakwie to Batkanu which in return has the tendency to create division within the District.

They believe that the choice of Kamakwie over Batkanu might have been politically motivated and that Batkanu deserves the status of a headquarter town more than Kamakwie given the fact that Batkanu had once been the headquarter town of the Karene District of colonial times. They say they have colonial relics in Batkanu to substantiate their claim.

In could be recalled that throughout history capitals of the world have changed depending on their relevance during the relevant period under review. It was all Rome in the first century but it shifted to Constantinople (now Istanbul) in the fifth century as the population of that city reached a million people.

Baghdad grabbed that position in the tenth century. At the end of the fifteenth century Aztec’s Tenochtitlan ruled and of course London was thriving as the world’s most important city in the nineteenth century as it was the first city to reach five million people.

In Ancient Egypt where historical relics of relevance (not tombstones of rogue colonial administrators) are not in short supply, cities have been moved, the historical relics notwithstanding. The first capital of Ancient Egypt was Thinis. Some of the later capitals include Memphis, Thebes, Avaris, Akhetaken, Tanis, Sais and Alexandria.

A renounced historian told this medium that for the sake of argument the British administered the Protectorate in order to put into perspective the claim that Batkanu was the headquarter town of the then Karene District. In 1900, he said the Protectorate was divided into districts: Bandajuma District with Bandajuma Town as it’s headquarter town, Karene District with Karene Town (not Batkanu) as its headquarter town, Koinadugu District with Falaba Town as its headquarter town, and Panguma District with Panguma Town as its headquarter town. In 1901, the headquarter town of Karene District was moved from Karene Town to Batkanu because it was realized that Batkanu had become economically viable and more centrally located, adding that the boundaries of the Karene District of colonial times are never the same as the boundaries of the new Karene District and that the new Karene District is made up of parts of Port Loko and Bombali Districts.

He said on the map the new Karene District is 9.070855- 12.847177 making it one of the longest districts in the country. Because of the difference in boundaries, Batkanu is no longer the central location of the new Karene District as the new district stretches onto the Guinean border in the north.

“To say that the choice of Kamakwie by the past Government might have been politically motivated is a demonstration of narrow- mindedness. It is this kind of argument that Socrates, in his wisdom, had in contemplation when he said, “When the debate is lost, slander becomes the tool of the loser.” Kamakwie is geopolitically, strategically placed and its central location in the new district gives it an edge over any other town. Its multi-ethnic character is an ace. The town is well positioned as it stands astride the trade routes between Kambia, Falaba, Koinadugu, Bombali and Port Loko Districts,” he enlightened.

Many believe that Kamakwie offers better educational and healthcare facilities with five secondary schools (two senior and three junior) and a vocational institute. The town have one of the best hospitals in the country, the Kamakwie Wesleyan Hospital founded in 1959 by Wesleyan missionaries and this hospital has not supported the people of Karene District only but the entire country compared to Batkanu that doesn’t have all these facilities to become the Headquarter town for Karene District and that Kamakwie has been completely transformed by rapid changing economic and social developments as a result of its proximity to Guinea

“There cannot be a greater mischief to the country and its people than propagating wrong notions concerning the country’s colonial past. Many reject with all their might the bold attempt to mislead the country and take the greatest exception to any calculated attempt by a selected few who think they can overtly exploit political affiliations to rewrite the history of the country in order to give life to their unpatriotic whims and aspirations,” residents lamented.

CGG urges Government to Address Spate of Violence

February 7, 2020

Executive Director Campaign for Good Governance (CGG)

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) on the 5^th February 2020 released a statement in which it maintained that Authorities in Sierra Leone must take urgent, lawful and thorough steps to curb the rising level of violence in the country.

It continues by stating how recent spates of violence in Freetown and in Bonthe have sent shock reminders of how lawlessness can lead to a breakdown of law and order.

“We have monitored and documented with dismay, the several reported incidences of violence across the country, but we are concerned that just in January 2020 to date four critical incidents of violence have been recorded,” it continued outlining how on Saturday 11th January, 2020 at Motuo village Kpanda –Kemo Chiefdom Bonthe District, a female Paramount Chief’s residence was attacked by a large crowd of men who were members of the Poro Society, they reigned insults and threatening remarks against her. The door and windows of the Chief’s house were damaged as a result of the incident.

The statement pointed out that according to Human Rights Commission for Sierra Leone findings, she spent 7 hours under siege. In the same incident, an elderly woman was gang raped by fifteen unidentified members allegedly of the Poro Society during their initiation ceremony.

It again revealed that on Tuesday 14th January, 2020 during a funeral procession of a former Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) member, violence erupted along Hannah Benka-Coker Street and Syke Street by the All People’s Congress (APC) party office which resulted to pelting of stones and unrest of citizens along this area. Disturbing image of a man stabbed several times on the head went viral.

The CGG pointed out that on Sunday 26th January, 2020 there was also a public disorder incident along Wallace Johnson and ECOWAS Streets in Freetown. The incident resulted in several injuries and malicious damage to vehicles and buildings causing public unrest in the vicinities.

It stated that on Saturday 1st February, 2020 there was a confrontation at the residence of the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs which led to the shooting of a young man by one of the State Security Officers attached to the Deputy Minister. Footage of this young man on the ground in front of the Deputy Minister’s gate, stained with blood and crying for help went viral.

“In light of these incidents and other previous occurrences, we therefore urge the Government to examine the root causes of this latest rise in public disorder and violence, with a view to instituting sustainable measures that will prevent recurrence,” the statement reads.
CGG says they are particularly disturbed by the often high-handed and unprofessional conduct by some personnel of the Sierra Leone Police and they are calling on the authorities to ensure that the principles of fair policing, Rule of Law and proportionality are adhered to under all circumstances. CGG is therefore calling on the Sierra Leone Police to step up on its constitutional mandate to protect lives and properties of everyone within the country.

“The number of wounded people, the frequency of and regularity in which lethal and non-lethal weapons have been used by some police officers seem to indicate that the use of force has sometimes been excessive and violated the requirements of necessity and proportionality,” the organization stated.

It continued by saying while they condemn in the strongest possible terms, violence perpetrated by groups and individuals, they firmly believe that the Government of Sierra Leone has an obligation not only to respect Human Rights but to protect people against violent acts committed by private individuals.

It says they are encouraging the authorities to therefore isolate those who resort to violence, while guaranteeing that everyone in the country can enjoy their rights to live in peace, safety and security. Accountability on this issue is of essence and they are therefore calling for speedy investigation and prosecution of those found wanton so as to guarantee justice for all victims.

Finally, CGG notes with concern that the repeated acts of violence and vandalism has left Sierra Leoneans in and out of the country in fear and with a mentality of emergency to address the issue. The Government needs to therefore address certain long-standing grievances and other socio-economic concerns of the populace to ensure confidence of stability and social cohesion.

Government Repositions its Trade for the AfCFTA

February 7, 2020

Dr Edward Hinga Sandy, Minister of Trade and Industry

By Foday Moriba Conteh

On the 4 February 2020 the Government of Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) are holding a validation workshop on Sierra Leone’s National Trade Strategy: Repositioning Trade for the African Continental Free Trade Area. Experts from the public and private sector, representing Government, civil society, young people, women and academia will meet on 4 February 2020 in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

The National Trade Strategy of Sierra Leone is anchored around implementing the AfCFTA as a means for repositioning Sierra Leone’s trade away from an overdependence on iron and other mining products, towards more diversified goods and services. The strategy has four components: 1) AfCFTA, 2) Trade support, 3) Industry development, and 4) Institutional capacity building.

H.E Dr Edward Hinga Sandy, Minister of Trade and Industry, said in his opening speech: “The government of Sierra Leone attaches extreme importance to trade and recognises that a strong private sector, industrialisation, and an enabling environment is critical.”

Mr. David Luke, Coordinator of the African Trade Policy Centre of ECA, on his part said: “The entire economy of Sierra Leone amounts to $3.7 billion. And yet, as part of ECOWAS, Sierra Leone is on the doorstep of more than a $700 billion economy with 350 million people. And within Africa, it has access to an economy of 1.3 billion people worth $2.5 trillion in GDP.” Mr. Luke further stated that for Sierra Leone to take advantage of these markets, among many others, the regulatory framework needs greater predictability, better mechanisms for dialogue with the private sector should be in place and trade-related infrastructure needs to be improved.

Mr. Luke concluded by saying: “With the launch of trading under the AfCFTA set to commence in July 2020, we have at hand a tremendous opportunity to reposition Sierra Leone’s trade for a new era in African trade integration.”

The work in Sierra Leone on implementing the AfCFTA is part of a comprehensive project aimed at deepening Africa’s trade integration through effective implementation of the AfCFTA. Financially supported by the European Union, ECA has been working with its partners including the African Union Commission (AUC), International Trade Centre (ITC), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and a selection of independent trade experts to ensure effective AfCFTA implementation strategies.

Environment Minister says Deforestation is a threat to water supply

February 7, 2020

By Edward Vamboi

Professor Foday Moriba Jaward, Minister of Environment has held discussions with key heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) at his Old Railway Line Office in Freetown last week, to address long standing challenges facing water catchment areas in the country, particularly in the Western Area which has a population of about 2 million people.

Largescale cutting down of trees, construction of buildings and other environmentally unsustainable practices, in and around the capital city’s water catchment area – according to experts, accounts for some of the main reasons why Freetown is plagued with water shortages – particularly during the dry season, heads of MDAs were told.

The discussions were held at the request of Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, with the aim of heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies working together to formulate a plan of action to protect water catchment areas in the country that are under threat.

Addressing heads of MDAs, Minister Jaward spoke of the need to work together to save the people of Sierra Leone from further environmental disasters, adding that deforestation, encroachment on wetlands, climate change and other factors are posing significant threats to the protection of water catchment areas, thereby causing serious water shortages in the country.

He further stated that it is as a result of the forgoing reasons that the Government has given a directive for the setting up of an inter-ministerial team to come up with a well-defined sustainable strategy that would help to ameliorate the suffering caused by water shortages.

In response to this emergency, three sub-committees have been set up and assigned with tasks. Sub-committee 1 will identify water catchment areas within the Western Area for policing, while sub-committees 2 and 3 will conduct community engagement and public relations respectively.

All committees have carried out preliminary tasks and have reported back to the general committee on their findings. The report of sub-committee 1 in particular presented a grim picture of the level of encroachment and deforestation that has taken place over the years. It found that human activity is a key factor causing environmental degradation in and around water catchment areas.

Sub-committees 2 and 3 have also begun the process of community mobilization, sensitization and awareness raising – particularly in communities that are within the water catchment areas.

The committee’s report is being prepared and would subsequently be presented to the Vice President, detailing a number of recommendations as to the necessary measures that are to be taken.

The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Water Resources, the Deputy Minister of Environment, the Managing Director of Guma Valley Water Company, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, the Director of Environmental Protection Agency.

But notable by his absence was the Minister of Lands – Dennis Sandy, whose ministerial brief under the previous APC government and the current government is to oversee building construction activities in the country, especially in protected State lands.

Critics say that Minister Sandy must be held accountable for the massive deforestation that has and continues to take place in Freetown under his watch, during the past ten years.

Socfin Oil Mill Expansion is A Sustainable Economic Venture -Manager says

February 7, 2020

By Esther Wright

Mr Akwasi Adu Boahem is the soft spoken but credible Manager of the hitherto twenty seven million US Dollar thirty tons per hour factory currently being expanded into sixty tons per hour Oil Mill with estimated two dozen million dollars expansion facilities.
Speaking in a nation-wide television broadcast at the Kotumahun location outside Sahn Township, Mr Akwasi Adu Boahem referred to the project as economically viable, environmental friendly in line with RSPO international standard, adding that upon completion the Mill will be the largest in Africa.

Responding to questions, Mr Akwasi Adu Boahem says that the mill alone will provide job opportunities for 340 personnel, both trained and untrained instead of 170 workers now employed by the facility.
On the issue regarding quality, the Manager explained that the Mill will produce quality Palm oil with unlimited and adequate supply of improved edible products which will increase the production capacity double fold with higher economic value, providing the capability to transportation industry and that three major contractors, two local and another from Malaysia are currently at the site while a total of one thousand casual Labourers are now been deployed.

Speaking further the Manager recalled that the expansion activities which started two years ago will hopefully end some times in September this year.
Socfin, he went on, does not only promise but delivers on its assurances and then encouraged all to continue to trust the operations of Socfin as a viable investor.
Earlier in his statement to the workers the kingpin Shareholder cum Board member Mr Gerben Haringsma says Socfin will start making profit for an all-out win-win situation come next year noting that much can be obtained in the months leading to the year in question.

As usual the General Manager Mr Philip Tonks reassures all of Socfin’s ever impressive CSR.
Similarly local authorities including Hon PCBVS Kebbie and Chiefdom Speaker SR Moiguah have since encouraged land owning families that Socfin is here to stay and will continue to live up to its goals as vividly demonstrated, noting that, one can do nothing with nothing but one can do plenty with little and that a journey with a thousand miles starts with the very first step

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