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RCB MD Underscores the Importance of Human Capital Development to Growth

Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin, Managing Director, Rokel Commercial Bank

By Amin Kef Sesay

Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin, Managing Director of the Rokel Commercial Bank  has spoken on the importance of human capital development to the growth and productivity of any organization, which he noted cannot be overemphasized.

He was speaking during an interview with the African Leadership Magazine. He added that, “The people that make an organization run are an asset to be invested in, as the productivity of an organization is almost directly linked to the level of human capital development. Additionally, it is sometimes much more cost-effective to develop the people already employed by the organization than it is to recruit and train new people.”

Responding to several questions, the Managing Director of Rokel Commercial Bank, Dr. Walton E. Gilpin, reiterated the importance of human capital development saying, “My background has been that of hard work characterized by the need to be innovative, cutting edge, dogmatic and determined.  It has been one which constitutes operating at very high levels in a professional arena characterized by experts from different nationalities and backgrounds.  Consequently, my ethos has been to make a perceptible positive difference in my area of expertise.  Additionally, I have worked in multi-cultural and diverse environments, thereby acquiring the virtues of diversity and diligence along the way.  This has helped to make me who I am today.”

He maintained that his multi-faceted background which comprises orientation in economics, finance, banking, leadership, information technology, development economics, and public policy management, adding that this combination of skills, coupled with a dogged determination to grow, enabled him to manifest significant skill in carrying out his duties.

“Over the years, my professional journey has given me rare opportunities to utilize my expertise across many assignments.  To this end, my continued quest for greater intellectual rigor and professional dispensation must have led to my being identified as a key economic leader by ALM,” he noted.

He informed his interviewer that one critical area of growth and development in any organization is human capital development, personal motivation, and recognition of hard work.

“Upon assumption of office in 2017, I put in measures to identify and train individuals within the organization to utilize their innate ability to help grow the institution.  This, together with strong managerial leadership, sound marketing, good corporate governance, strong industry posture, backed by the leverage of a solid customer base, acted as the required momentum to kick-start the turnaround process.

These, together with resilience and strong leadership by example contributed towards improving the bank.  We could also not forget the specific strategies we deployed to strengthen the IT solutions, improve the digital and online banking experience, upgrade customer service, and re-create a more conducive ambience within the bank which helped rebrand the bank. Together with pristine service delivery, this helped push the bank towards a positive growth and expansion trajectory,” he maintained.

 

ReNIP Pushes for Proportional Representation for 2023 Election

(Beresford Victor Williams changing the political narratives in the country)

By Esther Wright

Standard flag bearer for the Republic National Independent Party (ReNIP) continues with his soloist campaign and advocacy urging the Government and the various political actors to speedily activate the Proportional Representation system ahead of the 2023 elections.

According to Beresford Williams, proportional representation will greatly help the political divide in the country thereby creating the enabling and supporting environment for political parties to have direct contribution into the day to day running of the State.

“Proportional Representation is the only remedy for Sierra Leoneans,” he revealed, “It will ease the partisan and regional tension and violence in the country,” he revealed.

“It will also help us as a nation to reshape, restructure and rearrange the country for the betterment of generation yet unborn,” he underscored.

The 2018 Flagbearer, who pulled significant amount of votes in the multitier elections, has being reaching to colleague politicians to help propagate and educate their constituents on the significance of the PR system which he disclosed will help to transform and build the country’s democracy to higher heights.

“The dominance of the Sierra Leone People’s Party and the All People’s Congress party in the political landscape of Sierra Leone should be a thing of the past if the introduction of the PR is utilized during the 2023 elections,” he averred.

“We are calling and urging our political friends in the struggle to massively help in the educational process on the beauty of the PR system which is happily implemented in other African countries without any hindrances or political problems,” he maintained.

The Republic Independent Party, according to the Leader and Chairman,  will continue with its engagement with the various political stakeholders in the country to see reasons on how Sierra Leone will join other countries in the world for the PR system.

A political commentator who spoke to this medium applauded the creativities and initiatives by the Republic Independent Party for such a brilliant and clever on national issues which will change the political atmosphere in the country.

“Proportional Representation will be good for Sierra Leone,” he said, “It will help eschew the political divide and encourage minority groups to feel belonged to the daily participation in State matters,” he pointed out.

Sources close to the Bio administration reveal to this medium that Proportional Representation is one of the several reforms the Government is trying to implement ahead of the 2023 elections which will open the political space and participation for other political parties to partake in Parliamentary and Local Government elections.

The Government, National Electoral Commission, Political Parties Registration Commission and the several election bodies in the country will set out the criteria as to the percentage (s) political parties will have before being qualified into the process.

Another beauty  about the PR system is that the National Electoral Commission will not be involved in organizing bye-elections which will greatly help the Government to save huge sums of money and that the Government will stop to appoint sitting Members of Parliament to cabinet positions or other political appointments.

“Once you relinquish your seats as Members of Parliament or Local Councils the person second to you in the election will automatically qualify to succeed you,” he said.

Another Test Case for Government… Gulf Water Company Accused of Violating its CSR

By Amin Kef Sesay

According to residents living around one of the leading water bottling companies in the country, Gulf Mineral Water and Beverage Company, situated at 5 Smart Farm, Off Wilkinson Road in Freetown, they are totally angry and disappointed over the way and manner the company is taking their Social Corporate Responsibility (CSR) as something for granted.

They added that it is no secret that the company is making millions of Leones in terms of profits and at the same time damaging one of the side roads linking their community to the major Wilkinson Road in Freetown.

As far as they are concerned, Gulf Mineral Water and Beverage Company needs to step up in terms of their operations to reach appreciable and acceptable standards that are beneficial to the community.

Information gathered from the residents indicates that the company is making huge profits from the sale of the products that it manufactures, which are sold mainly to hotels, supermarkets, entertainment complexes, among other many market outlets with a sizable quantity exported to neighboring countries, and yet it is openly and conspicuously apparent that it is not living up to expectation by giving back to society.

Lamentably, the company stands guilty of not effectively honoring its Corporate Social Responsibility within its area of operations.  As a matter of fact, it was the expectation of many residents living within the locality that the Gulf Water Management would, from time to time, facilitate the maintenance of the road that leads to where the company is located but that is far from taking place.

Indeed, the road is really in a deplorable state and is a complete eyesore. Management of the company has never expressed the willingness or interest to ensure that repairing of the bridge which their trucks damaged in addition to the rugged road takes place.

Worst is the fact that the company’s fleets of vehicles used to supply their products are parked haphazardly along the narrow road used by the residents thereby making it extremely difficult for residents owning vehicles to conveniently have places for safe parking.

To add insult to injury the water which is used in the production line is bought from the Guma Valley Water Company whose vehicles also contribute to worsening the condition of the road.

According to residents, what is an indisputable fact is that the road is, on a daily basis, damaged by Gulf Water Company’s vehicles and as best practice demands it must be the responsibility of the Management of this company to ensure that regular maintenance of the road is undertaken but regrettably this is not the situation and every day the problem keeps escalating to the discomfort and annoyance of residents.

What this medium also learnt is that Gulf Water Management of the company has made it a deliberate policy to employ casual workers, who are in the majority alongside permanent employees.  It was understood that the casual workers are paid below the minimum wage and not subjected to other employment benefits.

Many affected residents and the media believe that it is high time the Government prevails on Gulf Water Management to undertake proper maintenance of this road to bring it up to appreciable standard as soon as possible, otherwise the situation would continue to deteriorate.

It must be strongly stated that though it is the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) that is constitutionally charged with the mandate for the construction or rehabilitation (maintenance) of roads in different parts of the country, however, it is considered best practice, by many, for Management of the company to facilitate the process.

As a matter of fact the road is not a major one that requires too many resources, in terms of finance, machinery and manpower, to undertake its maintenance from time to time which understandably should not pose a major challenge for the company. At the end of the day the company too stands to benefit in terms of contributing to the good conditions of their very vehicles.

For now as the situation stands Gulf Mineral Water and Beverage Company is not operating according to how a good manufacturing  company of that nature should be doing and residents within the community are not in any way benefitting in any shape or form.

The timely intervention of the Government and other stakeholders is highly significant at this material time in order to prevent residents from continuing to suffer the inconveniences that the dilapidated road continues to pose.

Africell Unveils “Device Bundling” Partnership with Tecno

By Amin Kef Sesay

One of Sierra Leone’s biggest telecommunications providers, Africell, on Thursday 30th September, 2021 unveiled a partnership with major mobile phone manufacturer, Tecno.

The unveiling event took the form of a Press Conference held at the Africell-American Corner on Bathurst Street in Freetown.

Welcoming journalists and other guests to the occasion was Nancy L. Joseph, Assistant Media Manager at Africell. She expounded on the fact that Africell is always full of surprises when it comes to satisfying their numerous customers. She went further to introduce Joseph Kapia who is the Head of Products and Services at Africell.

Kapia informed his audience that Africell has once again done what is considered impossible by other service providers. He added that the partnership between Africell and Tecno is totally in line with their company’s objective to make the lives of Sierra Leoneans better. He went further to state that Africell always lives up to the expectations of its customers. “Our penetration is best and so today, we partner with Tecno to make the lives of our customers better,” he noted.

Saidu Jagitay, Tecno Local Manager in Sierra Leone took his time to explain that the partnership is not only beneficial for the two companies but also for the people of Sierra Leone that are customers of Africell. He noted that once a person buys a brand new smart Tecno phone from any authorized dealer anywhere in the country, that person automatically benefits from free data bundles from Africell.

He maintained that he believes that it is very advantageous for persons to use Tecno smartphones because “with Africell which is the number one telecommunications company in Sierra Leone, the lives of Sierra Leoneans is bound to become better.”

Speaking to journalists at the event, the Africell Chief Corporate Officer, Joe Abass Bangura stated that they are excited to inform their customers that they are partnering with Tecno mobile phone manufacturer in order to make the lives of Sierra Leoneans better. He noted that the partnership with Tecno will enable anyone who buys a Tecno smartphone from an authorized dealer to automatically benefit from as low as three megabytes for three months to as high as three megabytes for six months apiece.

He added that with Tecno, customers as far as Kailahun and elsewhere in the country can be assured of getting free data which they can use to connect with others across the world.

Joe Abass Bangura maintained that Africell is moving forward as far as providing innovative telecommunication services is concerned and called on the general public to make good use of the service.

He further informed journalists that Tecno is a big player internationally when it comes to manufacturing of mobile phones and that the partnership with this company is nothing but good for Sierra Leoneans.

Enjoy free data from Africell for up to six months whenever you purchase a new Tecno smartphone from any official Tecno outlet nationwide.

A question and answer session climaxed the Press Conference.

For Promoting Quality Education etc…   GPE’s Executive Director Highly Extols President Bio in Washington 

By Theresa Kef Sesay

In the United States of America, to be precise Washington DC, President Bio and the Executive Director, Alice Albright and Senior leadership of the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) met where he was highly recognized for his global leadership in promoting quality education, human capital development and gender inclusion.

Madam Albright thanked the President for his speech at the United Nations General Assembly that extensively advocated for the rights of sexual violence survivors and formally disclosed Sierra Leone’s eligibility for the GPE System Transformation Grant.

Sierra Leone’s leadership in increasing domestic financing for education, using data and evidence for decision making with a gender-responsive planning and sector coordination were highlighted by the GPE Executive Director as some of the factors that made the country stand out among others.

“It is my pleasure to inform you, Mr. President, that Sierra Leone is now eligible for a $22.47 million System Transformation Grant, up to $15 million Multiplier Grant, and a $2.6 million System Capacity Grant,” she said.

In his brief remarks, President Bio thanked the GPE for an excellent partnership with Sierra Leone through the existing Education Sector Implementation Grant, the Education Sector Plan Development Grant and the COVID19 Emergency Response Grant.

Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Dr Moinina David Sengeh, who also serves as a member on the Board of #GPE, expressed the commitment of his Ministry to work in partnership with GPE to implement the projects and improve learning outcomes for children in Sierra Leone.

GPE is the largest global fund solely dedicated to transforming education in lower-income countries, and a unique, multi-stakeholder partnership that work to deliver quality education so that every girl and boy can have hope, opportunity and agency.

MEYA Mining Pays Over Le 1B as Surface Rents to Respective Stakeholders

By Amin Kef Sesay

The MEYA Mining Company, has in a Notification to informal stakeholders in Kono district,  stated that as at 29th September 2021, the company  effected Surface Rent payments for the period covering 15 August 2020 to 31st July 2021.

It furthered that a total payment of One Billion and Fifty Million Leones (Le 1,050.000.000), being the equivalent of One Hundred Thousand US Dollars ( US$ 100,000.000)   has been processed to the various bank accounts, using details provided by the respective stakeholders.

The distribution of the payments, it continued, was selected in accordance with Section 34A of the Mines and Minerals Act 2009 and Section 2 (a) of MEYA’s Surface Lease Agreement approved in June 2015.

The ML 2/2019 Mine Concession with Chiefdom Boundaries reflects the percentage for Nimikoro, Tankoro, Genie and Kamara Chiefdoms and a detailed breakdown of the payment distribution.

Management stated that it would like to take the opportunity to thank especially, the host chiefdoms and their respective communities, four primary host communities, District Authorities, the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources, the National Minerals Agency (NMA), the Environment Protection Agency (EPA, all other relevant MDAs, Civil Society, members of the Fourth Estate and their employees for their continued support.

It furthered how it is assuring all stakeholders of their enduring commitment to the development of a world-class commercial mine, even as they look forward to contributing to the development of Kono District in particular and Sierra Leone’s mineral wealth as a whole.

Management ended by stating that beneficiaries are advised to contact a representative of MEYA’s Finance Department, Abu Nallah via email at anallah@meyamining.com or telephone 232 76617838 +232 30 222004, no earlier than 1st October 2021, in case of any payment related queries.

Indian High Commission &  ITEC Alumni Celebrate ITEC Day

By Amin Kef Sesay

The High Commission of India in Sierra Leone and ITEC alumni in Sierra Leone on the 29th September 2021 celebrated the Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation/ITEC Day in Freetown.

From what this medium learnt, India offers 60 slots every year to Sierra Leoneans for short, medium and long-term capacity building programmes. It must be noted that hundreds of Government officials as well as private sector employees have visited India for enhancing their skills through programmes offered under the ITEC Programme.

A number of participants, while sharing their experiences, elaborated on how the ITEC Programme has changed their careers, perceptions and lives.

The participants were taken on a short trip to India through a documentary, “A Day in the Life of India” which made them emotional about their own journeys to and stay in India.

Speaking on the occasion, High Commissioner, Rakesh Arora, said that under the ITEC Programme, India provides more than 12,000 scholarships for over 300 short, medium and long-term capacity building courses to nationals from more than 150 countries.

He added that since 1964 the ITEC Programme has aimed at sharing India’s own development experiences with fellow developing countries on the basis of partnership and cooperation. ITEC offers country-specific and institution-specific courses which are demand-driven.

The High Commissioner also informed the audience that the Government of India took two new initiatives in 2019. The first one was the launch of eITEC, which is live online training; and the second is the ITEC-on-site, which involves ITEC resource persons visiting the partner country to deliver tailor-made courses.

In the recent past, the High Commission has coordinated training programmes for officials of the National Electoral Commission, Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In addition, India also provides 15 full scholarships to Sierra Leone for under-graduate and post-graduate courses in India. This year, 16 young Sierra Leoneans have been selected and will be leaving soon to study in various universities in India, the High Commissioner added.

Sierra Leone is also one of the beneficiaries of scholarships under India’s e-VidyaBharati or tele-education programme for online UG and PG courses from Universities in India. In the last three sessions, more than 200 students from Sierra Leone have enrolled and are pursuing various online courses. For them, a Learning Centre at Fourah Bay College, consisting of a Computer Lab & Multi-media Room has been established by the Government of India.

Commemorating Safe Abortion Day… PARHA Calls for Immediate Action to Decriminalize Abortion

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of their continuous efforts in agitating  for making Safe Abortion a choice and promoting sexual reproduction in the country, the People’s Alliance for Reproductive Health Advocacy (PARHA) has called for immediate action to be taken geared towards decriminalizing abortion and make accessible, comprehensive safe abortion care in the country. That disclosure was made during a well-attended press conference held on Tuesday 28th September, 2021 at CARL-SL Office on Circular Road in Freetown.

Speaking during the ceremony, the Vice Chairperson for the People’s Alliance for Reproductive Health Advocacy (PARHA) Coalition, Madam Theresa Ojong, noted that the coalition joined the World Health Organization (WHO) and other partners worldwide to commemorate the International Safe Abortion Day.

She noted that this day was first celebrated as a day of action for decriminalization of abortion in Latin America and the Caribbean in 1990 by the Campaña 28 September. In 2011, she added that the Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights (WGNRR) declared 28 September as an International Day.

The PARHA Chairperson stated how Sierra Leone records a very high maternal mortality rate in West Africa maintaining that, unsafe abortion resulting in complications, is one of the key drivers and that high maternal mortality is a key barrier to development as increased mortality affects the education of surviving children, leads to financial instability of households as well as the increased mortality of children.

She revealed that currently, Sierra Leone has one of the highest reported maternal mortality ratio in the world with 717 mothers dying for every 100,000 live births (SLDHS, 2018).

“As we join the global community in commemorating this day, PARHA urges the Government of Sierra Leone to scale up efforts to eliminate preventable maternal mortality and morbidity, ensure quality sexual and reproductive health services, including access to abortion and contraceptive services, address violence against women and girls, and sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescents,” she urged.

Madam Theresa Ojong pointed out that at the moment Sierra Leone is plagued with a number of barriers to a woman’s choice in respect of safe abortion, including the restrictive legal environment in respect of abortion which she said  is criminalized under the 1861 Offences against the Person Act and the Pharmacy and Drugs Act 2001, stating that the laws restrict access to safe services, increase stigma and criminalize women and providers and that unsafe abortion takes a considerable toll on women, families, communities and the larger health system in Sierra Leone.

She also revealed that religious opposition, moral, social, traditional & cultural barriers (the myths and misconceptions around abortion, Family Planning and contraception) leads people to do abortion clandestinely making unsafe abortions very common furthering that healthcare personnel spend more time to treat a case of unsafe abortion complication than to provide a safe abortion care service, adding that post-abortion care treatments cost more than a direct safe abortion care.

The PARHA Chairperson maintained that in the Medium-Term National Development Plan, the Sierra Leone Government commits itself to leveraging opportunities to endorse the supremacy of human rights protection, particularly women’s and girls’ rights through, launching a national programme for sexual and reproductive health for adolescents to reduce teenage pregnancy and the alarming maternal mortality, and increasing opportunities for pregnant girls and teenage mothers to have access to education through appropriate means.

However, she said that as a coalition they are calling for immediate action to decriminalize abortion, and make accessible comprehensive safe abortion care, stating that individuals who can become pregnant and who seek medical abortion care – women and adolescent girls – should be provided with the necessary information to make an informed decision about their reproductive health, rights, bodies and futures.

Madam Theresa Ojong concluded by calling on everyone to join the coalition to advocate for women and girls’ access to comprehensive abortion care in order to avoid an increase in unsafe abortions.

Statistics-SL Commences 13 Days Pilot Census Training Workshop for Field Officers

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The institution that is charged with the responsibility of compiling statistical data in the country, Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats-SL), has on Monday 27th September, 2021 commenced 13 days 2021 Mid Term Population and Housing Census Pilot Training workshop for Census Field Officers at Hotel 5/10 in the East End of Freetown.

In her address, the Monitoring & Evaluation Manager at Starts-SL, Yeabu Tholley, said that the Pilot Census is a dress rehearsal for the main census and all systems and processes that will be used in the main census will be tested maintaining how that will assist Statistics Sierra Leone to allocate the required resources and refine methodologies to ensure that the 2021 Mid-Term Population and Housing Census is delivered efficiently and effectively.

She added that the trainees are from the country’s 16 districts including the Western Urban and Rural of which he stated that over the next thirteen days, the Field Officers will be trained comprehensively on all aspects of the Census furthering that primarily, the training will include the concepts and definitions of the Census as well as how to carry out the fieldwork adding how it would also cover the duties of the field officers before, during and after enumeration.

Yeabu Tholley pointed out that the training would adopt a participant-centered approach which involves lectures, face-to-face interactions, mock interviews, assessments, field practice, small group discussions (using English and local languages) to ensure that concepts, definitions and procedures for collecting data are well understood.

The M&E Manager revealed that at the end of the training, it is expected that each participant would be able to interpret and use an Enumerator Area Map, carry out listing of structures and complete a listing form, know how to enumerate a household population, institutional population and floating population using the CAPI system, continuing that Field Officers would be selected for fieldwork based on the following criteria: Performance in assessment, Contribution made during training sessions, Performance during field practice, Fluency in one or more local language(s) spoken in the district, General appearance, attitude,
and behavior and Punctuality and attendance.

“The Census is a priority development activity and therefore requires the needed support of all and sundry. The quality of the data you (Field Officers) will collect after the training will help to inform decisions that will affect hundreds of thousands of Sierra Leoneans for years to come,” she stated.

Updating the gathering on the census, the National Census Coordinator, Abdulai Brima, said that they have already concluded the geographic mapping and how to go about the census disclosing how it is now digital driven and no longer a paper work.

He further informed the gathering that they have been planning the census long ago in order to ensure that they are able to reach every household across the country. He assured all that the census is going to be credible during which every individual will be counted.

In his statement, one of the census consultants, Adebayo Olatobosun who happens to be the Cartographic Consultant, noted that Sierra Leone is making history among African countries in conducting a digital census of which he expressed gratitude to be part of a history making event.

He further assured all of providing credible data that will inform decision making that will affect hundreds of thousands of Sierra Leoneans as the enumerators will be using tablets to undertake the census.

Adebayo Olatobosun ended by encouraging field officers to take the training very serious saying it will help them to do their work effectively.

Climaxing the event was the official opening of the 2021 Mid Term Population and Housing Census Pilot Training workshop for Census Field Officers by the Chairman Board of Directors of Statistics Sierra Leone, Moses Williams who also used the opportunity to encourage participants to treat the training very seriously as it is for the benefit of the country.

Country Manager of Bollore Recognized as Tribal Authority of Menthaba Village

Newly crowned Pa Kapr Komrabai Kawaleh
By Foday Moriba Conteh
The first even White Man to visit Menthaba Village in the Sanda Tendaren Chiefdom, for development purposes Fabjanko Kokan, the Country Manager of Bollore Transport and Logistics, was on the 24th September 2021 officially accorded the title of Pa Kapr Komrabai Kawaleh (meaning Ambassador of Light), during an event which  was characterized by a massive celebration.
That title was bestowed on him by Ceremonial Chiefs. He received recognition for the Sanda Tendaren Chiefdom and beyond.
There was great jubilation in the Village as traditional authorities; women and other young people came out with drums, singing and dancing in honor of their new hero.
He was highly acclaimed by traditional authorities for his contribution to their village, especially the construction of a school named Bollore Primary School.
Captain Kokan who joined the celebration thanked the Local Authorities and community people for the heroic welcome. He revealed that Bollore was founded in 1965 and that its founders lay premium on development. “I love working and following people. I work with different classes of people irrespective of their tribes, religion, or political affiliation,” he said and added that he does not judge people but he rather accepts what they are and that he judges people on what they do.
“If you want to change the world you have to surrender to good people, give them trust and responsibilities,” Kokan said and added that “we can change the world if we work together. One finger cannot pick up a stone.”
Captain Fabjanko Kokan said he’s proud of his team’s contribution to the project also disclosing that the said construction of the school is a result of good people like Stanley Bangura that are doing a great job for the children of Menthaba and surrounding villages.
The company also donated school bags with learning materials and ten bags of rice to the community.
Captain Kokan noted that the donation is to build great hope for the children and their community. He thanked Stanley Bangura Junior, the initial donors, and his team for the great work and called on other individuals and institutions to provide similar supports. Kokan praised Bangura for taking him to Karene District to support children’s development.
The School’s Acting Head Teacher, Bashir Musa Kabia admonished parents to send their children to school and monitor their school work.
The newly crowned local authority assured that his team is committed to taking the lead in providing humanitarian donations to people.
Giving an overview of the project, Stanley Bangura Junior thanked the company for its timely intervention to support some major parts to complete the school project.
He said the village, which was founded 187 years ago can only boast of a school that serves the surrounding villages. He pointed out that children now have access to education at their doorsteps and that it saves them the time and energy used to travel some 7 to 8 miles walk to acquire education.
The long-distance to access a school, he said, had caused an increase in the illiteracy rate over the years. “I am happy to have Bollore coming in to support the project at a very crucial time,” he said and added that the school is a felt need for seven other neighboring communities.
A total of 512 pupils registered for this academic year but the school only accepted 196 due to limited space. “Over 300 children want to access education but due to the long-distance and limited school accommodation they cannot access education,” Bangura said and furthered that he has so far volunteered to pay the five teachers currently working in the school until they are been approved by the Government.
The Regent Chief of Sanda Tendaren Chiefdom, Pa Alhaji Bundu re-echoed the call for a parent to take advantage of the opportunity accorded them by sending their children to school.
Several donations and pledges were made to the school, such as the Regent Chief who donated Le250, 000 for the purchase of school uniforms for some of the pupils that are yet to have theirs.
A representative of the District Education Directorate committed his institution’s support to get the school approved. He donated assorted textbooks to ease school learning.
The Paramount Chieftaincy aspirants in the upcoming Chiefdom election, Sheik Abdul Rahman Tejan Bangura, Sallieu Munu, and Sheriff Abass Sesay pledged their commitment to upgrade and maintain the school if elected. Sheik Bangura donated school materials to the pupils and pledged to build three more classrooms, whilst Sheriff Abass Sesay pledged his contribution to the teachers’ salaries.

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