Chief Minister Extols SLPP Govt. for Outstanding Achievements

January 22, 2020

By Alim Jalloh

In a kind of assessment, Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, Professor David Francis has unequivocally stated that the Government of President Bio firmly remains on track in the delivery of the manifesto commitment. He noted that though there are challenges, yet much progress has been made in laying the foundations for a prosperous Sierra Leone. He reiterated President Bio’s stance that 2020 is a year to consolidate on the achievements and successes of the New Direction Government.

In highlighting key achievements of the New Direction Government he stated that after 12 years of trial, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a United States Foreign Aid agency in 2019 positively assessed Sierra Leone under the leadership of President Bio in the control of corruption, ruling justly and investing in people with pass marks in guaranteeing democratic rights, civil liberties, the rule of law, health and primary education expenditures.

He furthered that the MCC also gave a pass mark to the Government of President Bio in the area of economic freedom, trade policy, gender in the economy and business start-up.

Prof David Francis said the Anti-Corruption Act was reviewed to make it more robust in the fight against corruption adding how the Government of President Bio paid $1.2 billion domestic debt left by ex-President Koroma of the APC.

“In 2019, President Bio launched Africa’s first blockchain and decentralized digital platform under the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) in Sierra Leone,” he outlined maintaining that the Government established and operationalized the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) under the Office of the President.

Other achievements he made mention of were: Translating commitment into action for the construction of the Lungi/Freetown Bridge. Arrangements for the construction of the bridge are far ahead; contributing to human capital development through Free Quality Education for Primary and Secondary education to over two million children in Sierra Leone,

He said they committed 21% of the country’s GDP to the FQE; the first Government in West Africa to provide free quality education across primary and secondary schools; spent 30 billion in the supplying of 26 million text books and other school materials;

“We provided school buses exclusively for school going children, increased salaries of teacher by 30% , controlled Government deficit/borrowing; created a Ministry of Environment in response to the global environmental challenges,” he mentioned.

The Chief Minister stated that they provided sustainable electricity supply to Sierra Leoneans especially in the Western Area, recruited 300 female in the army, first ever in the history of Sierra Leone, commissioned 48 hospitals across the country, approved 106 schools across the country.

He said they supplied 506 ambulances across the country to respond to emergency health issues, commissioned the construction of two universities: one in Bonthe and the other in Kono District; increased salaries of Government workers by 15%; appropriate Le18.3 billion to Freetown City Council to transform Freetown.

“We renovated the Sierra Leone Parliament to a modern level, paid for application forms for students who enrolled into universities; paid school subsidies for all pupils across the country,” he continued.

He said they offered scholarship to university students offering Mathematics, Geography, Agriculture, Biology and Engineering to students across the country, introduced and sustained national cleaning days on the first Saturday of every month, set up Commission of Inquiry to investigate the stewardship of past government officials, approved solar lights to be install at Moyamba District; commissioned the Lumley market and Juba to Atlantic bridge; commissioned the Bo Mattru-Jong Road, the Kenema/Tongo-Fields/Koidu Road , the construction of 68 streets in Kenema, the construction of the Kenema mini stadium, the completion of the Tokeh Peninsula Road.

The Chief Minister also stated how they supported the rehabilitation of the Bo stadium, the rehabilitation of Magburaka Boys School & commissioned the road and clock tower.

Professor Francis said they commissioned the construction of the Magbereh bridge Makeni high way that they are the First government to rule for 9 months without international budgetary support; to raise Le 8.7billion from corrupt politician in six months, commissioned the Milton Margai College Library and Science Laboratory and a drone corridor in Njala, the first in the West African Sub-region

Two Sierra Leonean Students Bag Serbia Scholarships to Study at Belgrade University

January 22, 2020

Dr. Adonis Aboud , the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Serbia & the awardees

By Amin Kef Sesay

Two successful Sierra Leonean students were on 13 January 2020 awarded scholarships by the Serbian Government to study at the Belgrade University. The deserving recipients of the scholarships were Sia Senorita Quee and Iyesata Jalloh and the two will be studying at the University for a year.

Dr. Adonis Aboud , the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Serbia in a statement during the short but auspicious award ceremony, enjoined the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity and concentrate on their studies in order to emerge successful at the end of their courses. “You will be ambassadors of this country out there and therefore should do your utmost best to excel in your studies,” he motivated them.

He further disclosed that both students would be pursuing Masters Degrees. “Sia and Iyesata are the 27^th and 28^th Sierra Leoneans to receive scholarships from Yugoslav Republic since the 80’s,” he added furthering that Sia will be specializing in Public Health and Iyesata in Accounting..

Sia explained that the process of winning or bagging the scholarship was highly competitive saying she is very excited for being considered . “In Sierra Leone it is expensive to read for a Master’s Degree in the medical field…it costs up to 30 million Leones alone for the tuition fee and so I am grateful for the award,” she said disclosing how she will be specializing in epidemiology saying because Sierra Leone once had an outbreak she would love to give back to her country.

Iysata, on the other hand, explained that doing a first degree in Sierra Leone was quite challenging especially with regards having the right materials and learning environment.

“However, we are planning to go and leave a mark that would continue to foster the relationship between Sierra Leone and Serbia and also seek knowledge that would help to contribute to the development of the country,” she expressed optimism..

The Deputy Secretary to the Minister of Higher Technical Education, Idrissa Sannoh explained that the scholarships were advertised also pointing out that because of the age limitation criterion which required applicants to be below 23 years of age only 60 applicants were received also stating that Sia and Iysata were the lucky ones among the lot.

Idris Elba Poised to Re-brand Sierra Leone & Boost Tourism

January 22, 2020

Idris Elba

By Amin Kef Sesay

Popular world class celebrity, Idris Elba, is now a new Brand Ambassador of Sierra Leone. He is all set and poised to rebrand the country’s image and boost tourism. Just as the West African country was getting back on its feet after more than a decade of civil war, the virus struck, killing thousands over a period of two years.

Guided by Kai Saquee, an actor and winner of Sierra Leone’s Big Brother, Idris recently paid a nine-day visit to Sierra Leone, as UK tour-operators start showing interest again in its silky beaches, primate-rich rainforest and Krio (creole) culture. Revitalising the tourism sector is a key element of the nation’s development plan.

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The objective is to upgrade historic and cultural sites over the next three years and promote eco- and adventure tourism. A key part of that promotion will be played by Idris Elba. The actor and musician – whose father was born in Sierra Leone – was granted citizenship when he visited his father’s homeland in December 2019.

During the visit, he announced his intention to invest in the country’s developing tourist economy and on Christmas Eve, President Julius Maada Bio made Elba a Brand Ambassador for the nation, entrusting him to tell “the world a new narrative about a Sierra Leone that is ready to grow and a nation that is … looking forward.”

Spreading the wealth of diamond mining

“I have a taste of what’s in store when I visit Kono in Eastern District, the country’s diamond mining centre where in 1972 the 969-carat Star of Sierra Leone was found, the fourth-largest diamond ever. During wartime Kono was devastated as opposing factions sought the power that diamonds could buy,” Kai disclosed furthering that today, such dreams of wealth prevail at Bandefaye village community mine, where he says the diamonds are now a force for good.

The open-cast mine is half the size of a football pitch. Stepped terraces in the clay are being hand-dug by shovels and picks. The idea of a community mine, says its financial overseer, El-Hadj Marar, is the villagers’ share in any good fortune. He financially supports the workers until they make a find then pays them depending on the carats unearthed, taking a 25 per cent cut.

“We dig with prayers,” says Mohammed, shin-deep in water. “Finding a five-carat diamond could change my family’s fortune.”

The negative association with wartime “blood diamonds” has prompted Sierra Leone’s tourist board to plan to adopt a new emblem of a chimpanzee to replace its diamond logo. Near Kono, chimpanzees inhabit the Tiwai Island Wildlife Sanctuary situated on a river within the Upper Guinea forest ecosystem.

Tiwai is home to a stellar cast of primates, 11 species on one tiny island. The rainforest crackles with the whoops and howls of sooty mangabey and red colobus, although we don’t see chimpanzees.

Primate suspects

Yet poachers’ gunfire within the reserve reminds how bushmeat remains on the menu throughout Sierra Leone even despite an established link between eating primates and Ebola. This issue is highlighted outside the capital, Freetown, at Tacugama, a rescue reserve for 100 orphaned chimpanzees. “For every baby chimp taken for the pet trade or bushmeat, 10 others will be killed collaterally,” says Manager Aram Kazandjian.

His refuge gives chimps a second-chance in semi-wild conditions; they will never be released because the hand-reared youngsters lack survival skills “ I fawn over the cuteness of cuddly seven-month-old Caesar, an orphaned baby chimp restored to health by a surrogate human mum,” he continued..

Close by, on Tokeh Beach, Kai said he spent a night at Sierra Leone’s only five-star resort, The Place, where the talc-fine sand arcs around a bay sheltering brightly painted fishing pirogues.

“The slavers traded men with African chiefs for guns and tobacco. Life wasn’t worth much,” says the island’s caretaker, Mohammed Sandey.

“They threw the dead slaves into the ocean,” Mohammed sighs.

Back in Freetown a gold-painted statue is dedicated to African American Thomas Peters near the Big Market where tourists can buy souvenirs. Peters not only escaped slavery and fought against his former “masters” but also persuaded the British to fund the return of 15 ships of ex-slaves from Nova Scotia to West Africa.

In 1792 Freetown was born when, led by Peters, they stepped ashore. It was a turning point for Sierra Leone. Hopefully, with civil war and Ebola now consigned to history, the nation has a bright future again.

Sierra Leone to Host Her Royal Highness The Countess of Wessex

January 22, 2020

By Francess Wright

It has been made public that the Her Royal Highness, the Countess of Wessex will visit Sierra Leone from Wednesday 22nd to Thursday 23rd January 2020. During her visit the Countess is expected to undertake a programme of engagements in Freetown, focusing on addressing sexual and gender based violence, supporting survivors, and championing women’s role in peacebuilding.

Almost 20 years after the end of the civil war, Her Royal Highness will hear how Sierra Leone has successfully transitioned to a sustained peace following the conflict. This will include learning about the role of the Special Court and Truth and Reconciliation Commission in bringing justice to survivors of the conflict, including survivors of sexual violence.

During the visit, The Countess will join roundtable discussions with civil society members on current societal issues and the continued violence faced by women and girls in Sierra Leone.

Her Royal Highness will hear how efforts are being made to tackle these issues – particularly reducing stigma – which is helping more women to report incidents of rape.

The Countess will visit a health centre to see how UK aid investments in family planning are helping to empower girls and women to have greater choice and control over their bodies and lives, and to achieve their aspirations.

Her Royal Highness will also visit a secondary school to see first-hand how support from the UK government is helping to keep girls safe and in education.

She will also meet with women from across government, the armed forces, civil society and communities to celebrate the role they are playing at home and abroad in advocating for peace in other regions.

The Countess will hear how the UK has helped Sierra Leone to increase the part that women play in promoting peace and security.

As PRO Rubbishes Baseless Castigation… G-Shankerdas & Sons Gives Deceased Worker Befitting Burial

January 22, 2020

By Edward Vamboi

In response to a wild but unanimous claim from certain quarters that the Management of G Shankerdas & Sons, a long-time producer of beverage products, water tanks and other products neglected one of its workers, Patrick Sam, who was involved in an accident while on duty resulting to his ultimate death on 3 January, 2020 at the Connaught Hospital, the Public Relations Officer of the company ,Reverend Sawyer has strongly pointed out that such is not true concluding that it is not only baseless but totally unfounded .

The said baseless claim alleged that the death of the late worker was caused as a result of negligence on the part of the company which they say failed to take full responsibility after the accident had occurred. It was further alleged that the company only gave one million Leones to the late man for his hospital bills after the accident.

According to Reverend Sawyer, indeed the late man was an employee of the company who was repairing a faulty tank at the residence of one of their customers when the tank exploded.

He said that the explosion left the late man with severe injuries that later resulted to his death at the Connaught hospital.

The PRO categorically pointed out that the company did not only take full responsibility of the late man’s hospital bills at the Connaught Hospital but also was in constant touch with his family throughout the period he was hospitalized.

“Members of staff paid him regular visits at the Connaught hospital throughout the period he was admitted,” Reverend Sawyer disclosed adding that the company did all what it could to save Patrick Sam’s life but God took him away.

He went on to register that even the burial ceremony of the late man was fully taken care of by the company.

Engaging family members of the late Patrick Sam they also refuted the false claim saying that they wholeheartedly appreciate the efforts made by the company before and after the death of their son.

‘‘G Shankerdas did all it could to save our son’s life but God took him away which is no fault of the company because God gives and takes away,’’ the family members maintained adding that it is totally for anyone to accuse the company of negligence.

Chelsea’s Antonio Rüdiger Boosts Free Quality Education with Le 1 Billion (USD 101,000)

January 22, 2020

By Alim Jalloh

In London where His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio is currently attending a conference he met with Antonio Rüdiger on the margins of the UK-Africa Investment Summit in London and the outcome of that meeting yielded Le 1 Billion (USD 101,000) for Sierra Leone’s Free Quality Education initiative.

The German professional footballer, who plays as a centre back for Premier League club Chelsea donated the money as his modest contribution to the President’s flagship project, which aims to support over two million children in primary and secondary schools in the West African nation. He commended President Bio for his commitment to human capital development, adding that it is the bedrock for every national development.

Born to Sierra Leonean parents in Germany, Antonio’s parents fled Sierra Leone during the war and resettled in Germany. Rüdiger assured the President that he is committed to supporting his Government’s effort at rebranding the natural resource-rich country with huge potentials for investments.

“Sierra Leone is my home. I’m not the talking type of a person, I am about action. You can count on us and do not hesitate. We are here to support your vision and agenda, especially on education. I am ready to take on my responsibility to change the narrative and image of Sierra Leone,” he said.

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Education, Dr Moinina David Sengeh thanked Rüdiger and his team for the confidence they had reposed in the Government and the support to the free quality education. He explained that every fund is directed to meet strategic plans of the Ministry, adding that every decision made for the allocation of funds was also informed by data to enhance delivery and achieve results.

First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio, projecting the Office of The First Lady, Republic Of Sierra Leone, explained the need for every girl to be educated in Sierra Leone, citing major strides that the Government is making to increase school enrolment and retention for girls. The ‘Hands Of Our Girls’ campaign, she said, was designed to provide support and protect the girl child to stay in school. She expressed her gratitude, on behalf of girls in Sierra Leone, for Rüdiger’s support to the Free Quality Education. She also asked him to not only be a brand ambassador for Sierra Leone, but to also lend a voice to the campaign.

On his part, President Bio said: “The narrative about Sierra Leone must change and it is the duty of every Sierra Leonean out in the diaspora to come on board the rebranding process”. He also expressed appreciation for the donation to support free quality education. While assuring Rüdiger that the funds would be transparently utilised for the intended purpose, he also welcomed him and his team to audit the proper use of the funds at any time.

President Bio honoured Rüdiger as one of Sierra Leone’s brand ambassadors, reiterating the fact that Sierra Leoneans around the world were coming back home, keen on being part of the rebranding process. He assured the benefactors that their support would further strengthen the achievement of a developed human capital of Sierra Leoneans and capacitate them for the fourth industrial revolution.

Electronic Expenditure Management System to Replace PETS

January 22, 2020

By Foday Moriba Conteh

As part of catching up with latest technology and as a way of cutting down on waste of public funds a new Electronic Expenditure Management System will come into operation putting an end to the heavily paper-based public financial management system.

The technology, which was developed by Directorate of Science and Technology (DSTI), will also put to an end recurrent loss of public funds.

According to official sources, the Ministry of Finance, in a memo sent to all government institutions on 6 January, said the Public Expense Tracking Survey (PETS) and the Payment Voucher and Commitment Control Forms would be replaced with the new Electronic Expenditure Management System (EEMS).

“PETS were initially put in place to improve accountability and service delivery; however, the previous paper-based system was inefficient,” the DSTI said in a statement on Monday announcing the development.

It added: “The EEMS will improve the Ministry of Finance’s drive to strengthen and improve Public Financial Management (PFM).” The development is part of a larger scheme by the DSTI to develop Sierra Leone’s first national financial data architecture with embedded automated financial tools. The goal, officials say, is to consolidate all government spending into one seamless, transparent digital system.

DSTI is working with the Ministry of Finance to roll out the EEMS to all departments and agencies by 1st April 2020, the statement said.

It is also seen as a remedy to recurrent financial mismanagement highlighted by the annual Auditor General’s report. The whole process involved the training of all ICT and finance personnel from across all of MDAs on the use of the EEMS tool, as well as budget officers, senior budget officers and budget directors.

Trainings were also conducted for Permanent Secretaries, and Ministers and their Deputies. “The system allows for tracking, which is the one major constraint public servants at MDAs face when making budget requests,” Bineta Diop, Business Analyst at DSTI Sierra Leone, said.

”The EEMS that we have developed in partnership with the Ministry of Finance tracks where the PETS forms are at every stage of the approval process. We will know when a budget request has been reviewed and where the form is at any given time in the approval system,” she added.

An official of the Ministry of Finance said with the new system, there would be no more lost PETS. “In the past, MDAs have made PETS requests that disappeared. This means that critical project funds could not be allocated in time,” noted Anthony Maada Sallieu of the Budget Bureau in the Ministry of Finance.

UN Hails Sierra Leone’s NCRA

January 22, 2020

By Fatmata Jengbe

The United Nations Legal Identity Agenda (UN-LIA) on Friday 17 January 2020 commended the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) for making “tremendous progress” in the establishment of an integrated Civil Registration, Vital Statistics (CRVS) and Identity Management System.

During a Stakeholder Consultative meeting at the Ministry of Finance Conference Room on the UN-LIA, Violet Kinuthia, a UN-LIA specialist described Sierra Leone’s CRVS System as “exceptional” like in few other African countries. “It has a system integrating Civil Registration, Vital Statistics and ID management which is clearly in line with the UN-LIA’s and UN Statistics Division Standards and other international best practices,” she said in her presentation.

A UN Statistician, Mrs. Fatoumata Sissoko said the digitalization and automation of the CRVS and ID Management System is ongoing with a lot of support from Development Partners (EU). She observed that the Mass Registration is ongoing though “overdue” to establish population register. `Death registration is still “significantly low” especially events occurring at home,’ she added.

The UN Officials recommended to Sierra Leone that there is need to prioritize complete automation of the CR business processes to enable production of a real-time population register, issuance of the National Identification Number (NIN) and production of regular vital statistics.

They said marriages, divorces, adoptions and nullities should be brought under the NCRA so that the CR System can account for family formation and family trees.

Fatoumata Sissoko said UNECA Board will prepare a report with recommendations on Sierra Leone’s position and readiness for implementation of UN-LIA and will identify the first 2-4 countries for immediate implementation of the UN-LIA.

Reacting to the assessment and recommendations of the UN officials, NCRA Director General, Mohamed M. Massaquoi said they will use the findings and recommendations to further advance and strengthen the system in ensuring they meet the desired purpose in line with the international best practice.

Native Consortium Condemns Marginal Increase in Transport Fare

January 22, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

In the wake of a slight increase in the pump price of fuel the Native Consortium and Research Centre (NCRC) states that it has noted the proportionate increment in the pump price of fuel from Le 8,500 to Le 9,000 per litre. According to them based on calculation, the slight increase is proportionate stating how the hike did not go according to how some of the players within the cartel were pushing for it to hike to Le 10,000 or Le 12,000 per litre.

The organization ,however, expressed a little disappointment over the marginal increment in the transport fare (pole to pole) for instance Le 1,500 to Le 1,600 in the town service and provincial distances.

It furthered that Sierra Leoneans are no longer used to coins in Freetown and they suspect that the unavailability of coins in the Central Bank will create a huge embarrassment between Passengers and Drivers.

Moreover, the NCRC noted that there is no pricing schedule for sea transport and boats and other short distances eg from Bo to Kenema, from Yargoi Jetty to Bonthe , from Kissy Ferry terminal to Lungi, Kabala/Kono to Makeni, and they presume prices by Keke Riders and Motor Bike (Okada Riders) remains the same. This has the tendency for Drivers/Boat Owners, Keke, Okada Riders to exploit passengers, according to the organisation.

They stated that inasmuch as this new price schedule will restore sanity in the transport fare and deter hoarding, they are of the firm conviction that the Transport Ministry would have used much more tactful bargaining chip like strong commitment to put an end to the Police harassment on drivers, taking bribes according to drivers that they engaged.

Members of the organization are reminding the Government that their primary advocacy focus is not the fuel product but the pass through effect it has on transport fare and the corresponding effect it has on rise in price of basic commodities that affects the common man.

It continued that in twenty (20) months there has been 4 major changes in price simply because the Trade Ministry and the Petroleum Regulatory Unit (PRA) have failed to think out of the box but rather use cosmetic solutions, which will not deter the calculated ploy by the Oil marketers to take the nation hostage with a continuous cocktail of artificial scarcity scheme. It iterates foreseeing more scarcity if the Government fails to act.

The organization urged all their focal persons in Bo, Makeni , Freetown and Kenema to tentatively discontinue their planned protest nationwide.

Having said that, NCRC says it is registering their dissatisfaction over the position taken by the Motor Drivers Union on the increment of fares for commuters traversing the provinces. It states that immediately after the announcement of pump prices of fuel they engaged the leadership of Motor Drivers Union and they were assured that transport fares will remain as they were. “To our dismay, this was not done and their stance during the negotiations and the issuance of the new price list left them a little disappointed,” they underscored.

However, they maintain their courage of conviction in their prescriptions to avoid untold hardship on the people which are as follows:

Liberalize the Oil sector by creating an additional 200,000 metric tons of centralise storage.
Bring back the Oil Refinery through Public Private Partnership (PPP).

Reactivate the Strategic stock which serve as a buffer in case of scarcity of fuel, but we call for an investigation of the mysterious disappearance of our strategic stock.

The PRA through the Ministry of Trade should own Platt of both refinery products and freight cost.
We should take economic diversification as a silver bullet and remove the high taxes on petroleum product and we ultimately unbundle the moribund pricing formula.
The Drivers union should control their Drivers from exploiting passengers with halfway route. The Anti-Corruption needs to come down heavily on the Police for harassing drivers for bribing them.

They concluded by stating how they would not end the release without thanking the SLBC (Morning Coffee Team), AYV Media empire, Star TV and Radio, Culture Radio, SKYY radio, FTN and Radio, Radio outlets in Makeni, Concord Times Newspaper and a host of other media networks who helped in amplifying their position.

Vice President Highlights Comparative Merits of Bio-Gas Waste Transformer Plant

January 22, 2020

Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, paid a surprise visit to inspect a newly installed bio-gas electricity plant at the Well Woman Clinic in Aberdeen

By Edward Vamboi

In a very pro-active move recently, the Vice President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, paid a surprise visit to inspect a newly installed bio-gas electricity plant at the Well Woman Clinic in Aberdeen. This plant, which is using waste to generate electricity, will supply 4 kilowatts of gas electricity and 6 kilowatts of thermal to the clinic.

Being a premier cutting edge technology in the country, the generating plant transforms waste into electricity. The installed facility is a test run and the providers, the MASADA WASTE TRANSFORMER are looking forward to expanding this facility in the country on a public private partnership model.

The project manager Ms Aminata Dumbuya intimated the VP that the plant is capable of producing more kilowatts power depending on the size and availability of waste.

The VP expressed satisfaction with the installation highlighting the comparative advantages of such a facility given its flexible and adaptable model that suits communities and certain social infrastructure in the country.

VP Juldeh Jalloh was accompanied by the MP of the Aberdeen Constituency, Hon. Mohamed Sheriff Rahman-Coker, Councillor Ahmed Karim Bangura and a host of major stakeholders in the community.

newly installed bio-gas electricity plant

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