YAEP unveils Biggest Cassava Farm in Koya Chiefdom

January 15, 2020

000 — Chief Executive Officer of Youth in Agriculture and Environmental Protection, Lamrana Alieu Jalloh at the Farm Land

By Foday Moriba Conteh

To support Government’s efforts to make Sierra Leone attain food sufficiency, Youth in Agriculture and Environmental Protection (YAEP) on Sunday 12 January, 2020 unveiled its biggest cassava farm in Koya Chiefdom, an event that took place during a working visit to the farm at Koya Chiefdom, North Western Province, Port Loko District.

Speaking to this medium, the Chief Executive Officer of Youth in Agriculture and Environmental Protection, Lamrana Alieu Jalloh, disclosed that the farm is predominantly a cassava farm located in the Koya Chiefdom, North Western Province, Port Loko District.

He said that if the country wants to achieve food sufficiency, the Government must put more priority on agriculture which he averred is very key, adding that agriculture could serve as the backbone of the nation’s development.

He called on Sierra Leoneans to engage in mechanized faming arguing that such will help in making Sierra Leone food sufficient and reduce unemployment further noting that all over the world where food sufficiency has been attained it is as a result of Government’s interventions, adding that if all the expenses in the production of agricultural food products are factored then the total costs will be very high and so in that regard he called on the Government to support the said project as he has been the major sponsor.

He applauded the various communities that have been helping him with manpower to make the said project a success.

Headman of Masibara Village in the Koya Chiefdom, Morlai Kamara, extended appreciation to the Chief Executive Officer Youth in Agriculture and Environmental Protection, Lamrana Alieu Jalloh, for the great initiative which he said has contributed to the development of not only the lives of the residents but Koya Chiefdom as a whole.

He said the project has improved the livelihoods of the people of Koya Chiefdom as through the project most residents are now able to put food on their tables, buy school materials for their children etc.

He called on other Sierra Leoneans to follow the footprints of Lamrana Alieu Jalloh in investing in agriculture which, he said, is pivotal in enhancing food sufficiency in the country.

One Mohamed Tarawallay, a youth of Koya Chiefdom also expressed appreciation to the Youth in Agriculture and Environmental Protection for bringing such a project to their chiefdom which, he said, has enabled them as youths to empower themselves by deriving wages paid by the organization.

He called on the Government of Sierra Leone to support such an initiative as that will enable young people to see agriculture as very important saying it will motivate them to invest in it and in return will help the country to achieve food sufficiency.

10 Limba Churches Receive 200 Bags of Rice from Mabohanday Organisation

January 15, 2020

By Esther Wright

In a humanitarian gesture, from the 22nd to 25th December 2019 the Mabohanday Organization, a non-profitable cultural entity formed in 1982 by a group of Sierra Leoneans belonging to the Limba tribe in Sierra Leone but currently residing in the USA donated 200 (two hundred) bags of rice to 10 (ten) Limba churches across the capital, Freetown.

The distribution in the 10 Limba Churches include 30 bags in First Street, 20 bags in Fourah Bay, 20 bags in Kissy, 20 bangs in Wellington, 20 bags in Congo Cross, 15 bags in Moeba, 20 bags in Lumley, 20 bags in Goderich, 15 bags in Nicole Terrace and 20 bags in Faith Assembly Bible Church.

Meanwhile, this humanitarian gesture resonates perfectly with Sierra Leone’s religious tolerance as the Organisation earlier in June 2019 donated 135 bags of rice to 6 Limba mosques across Freetown.

The mosques at the time included Majid Amin on Sanders Street, Masjid Salam at Brookfields, Masjid Baiti Nurr on Peacock Lane Fourah Bay Community, Limba Mosque on Taylor Street, Masjid Imadu Deen at Kuntorloh and Masjid Isha on Palmer Street in Wellington.

Meanwhile, though, Mabohanday is a Limba organization that helps everyone irrespective of tribe or religion. This is why Mabohanday has been helping Muslim and Christians in Sierra Leone with issues regarding scholarship to students and supporting the construction or renovation of mosques.

The organization, according to its vision statement was borne out of the desire to bring together people of Limba descent, to work for the development of the tribe in particular and Sierra Leone on a broader scope.

The organization’s main vision is to build a stronger Limba community within and outside Sierra Leone, with a mission to preserve, enhance and perpetuate the unique and distinctive cultural and traditional values of the tribe.

Consequently the organization scored accomplishments in the areas of providing medical gloves and other medical items to hospitals in Sierra Leone; provide scholarships, textbooks and other school items to schools and colleges in Sierra Leone. It also provided cash donation to support mudslide and flood victims in Sierra Leone and has been providing financial and humanitarian aid to mosques and churches in Sierra Leone.

The organization aims to continue supporting community development projects geared towards alleviation of poverty and human suffering in Sierra Leone.

Mabohanday currently has about 500 members in 8 states in the USA and also in U.K.

Dr. Peter Belmoh Samai Indicted by ACC for Corruption Related Offences

January 15, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

Dr. Peter Belmoh Samai, a Medical Doctor employed by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and attached to the Bo Government Hospital has on 13th January 2020 been indicted by the Anti-Corruption Commission on three (3) count charges of corruption offences – Misappropriation of Public Property contrary to Section 36(1); Unlawful Disposal of Public Property, contrary to Section 48(1)(b); and Abuse of Office, contrary to Section 42(1) of the Anti-Corruption Act No.12 of 2008 and as amended.

According to the particulars of offence, Dr. Samai, being a Medical Doctor at the Government Hospital, Bo, between the 23rd February 2017 and 31st August 2019 conferred an advantage on himself by the unlawful disposal of one 25ES 20 KVA generator from the Bo Government hospital for use in his private premises while the hospital continued to experience challenges with electricity supply.

Investigations so far conducted confirmed that as medical doctor, he instructed the removal and transfer of the generator from one of the Wards and the generator was never returned. The Commission later found a generator of the similar description in his home albeit newly sprayed from green to Yellow. He instructed one Muctaru Monrovia, an electrician at the said Hospital, to disconnect the aforementioned generator and remove it from the said premise. When search was carried out at the residence of Dr. Samai, two generators were found for which he failed to produce receipts. A prior search was conducted by the Sierra Leone Police based on intelligence given by a journalist, who found what is believed to be the aforesaid generator in the premises of Dr. Samai.

It has also been discovered that Dr. Samai, being a Public Officer, failed to declare his assets and liabilities for the period 2018 and 2019, as is provided for in Section 119 of the Anti-Corruption Act 2008.
Dr. Samai is expected to make his first appearance at the High Court of Sierra Leone Holden at Bo, on the 16th January 2020.

Meanwhile, the Commission wishes to further reassure the public of its national commitment to controlling corruption at all levels.

Kabala Gets New Rokel Commercial Bank

January 15, 2020

By Theresa Kef Sesay

Residents of Kabala in the Koinadugu District received their New Year’s gift from the Rokel Commercial Bank where a new branch of the bank was commissioned during an auspicious occasion. The opening of a new branch some say has brought relief to residents in that part of the country as that will greatly help them to conduct banking transactions.

The new branch, just few meters away from the town center will provide full banking services to residents and visitors and as the Managing Director, Dr Dayo Gilpin puts it, “We were here before as Barclays Bank from 1984 but the war stopped our operations….. We resumed with mobile banking and today we are here with a permanent outfit…..”

Dr Gilpin was optimistic that the Kabala new branch would significantly promote financial inclusion as products like the Rokel Simkorpor will not only take banking to the doorsteps of indigenes but will also enhance economic growth in the district.

It was clear the new Rokel Bank branch in Kabala enjoys the endorsement of the district’s stakeholders as according to the Chairman of the Koinadugu District Council, Alex Sorie Conteh, most Government employees in the district have their accounts with Rokel Bank thus the opening of the new branch was long overdue. “Agriculture is the mainstay of our district and we understand that Rokel Commercial Bank supports agriculture and this is a huge blessing to the people of Koinadugu” he said.

Resident Minister North East, Abu Abu Koroma, whilst formally opening the new branch, underscored Government’s commitment to cushion the burden people face to carry out banking transactions in distant Makeni and encouraged all to bank with Rokel Commercial Bank for maximum satisfaction.

The event attracted several other dignitaries including Paramount Chiefs, senior military and police personnel.

NP-SL is a Propelling Force for National Developments

January 15, 2020

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

By Amin Kef Sesay

It is a well-established fact that the No 1 oil marketing company in the country, the National Petroleum Sierra Leone, is one of the propelling forces of various emerging socio-economic developments that have materialized in all the places it is operating in country as well as in countries within the West African sub-region where it has branches. The selfless commitment of the shareholders of the National Petroleum Sierra Leone (NP-SL) has been a major factor driving the success of the company resulting to it employing and empowering hundreds if not thousands of hitherto those yearning for employment..

Talking about effective implementation of Local Content Policy, NP-SL stands tall as it is truly the only 100% indigenous company that employs 100% Sierra Leoneans as workers. This is one of the factors which has made the company a success story..NP-SL, by giving preference to employing Sierra Leoneans, gives a clear indication that it adheres to the country’s Local Content Policy as utilizing local talents makes it possible for indigenes to acquire useful knowledge and skills through training courses that could be applicable in other places.Furthermore, it has been discovered that the synergy that runs through management, staff and board members of the National Petroleum Sierra Leone (NP-SL) company is the reason why the company is contributing greatly to improving the lives of its workers and their dependents and also contributing to the company’s growth and the socio-economic development of the country at large.

The National Petroleum- Sierra Leone (NP-SL) is on record for having a capable and competent managerial team of Sierra Leoneans at the helm of affairs, which from time to time comes up with good initiatives, always ensuring that those initiatives are effectively and efficiently implemented to create value for money.

It is also on record that the National Petroleum (NP) Sierra Leone Limited, apart from it being lauded for being one of Sierra Leone’s biggest tax payers, is also being lauded for its invaluable contributions towards building the country’s economy.

Apart from it having filling stations in various parts of the country, NP-SL also vibrantly functions in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia.This 100% indigenously-owned company has so far offered various jobs to residents in the afore-mentioned countries, thereby reducing poverty to a considerable level.

Since it was established by 35 Sierra Leoneans, who bought shares from the Government years back, the company has grown from leaps and bounds; weathering storms that would have run it down. But the resolve of its shareholders and Management to succeed has been the centre-piece that has propelled NP to a higher level, equal to none in the sub-region.

Asking those who really know NP, the feedback you get indicate that around its commitment to customer care, NP strongly believes that it must prioritize the offer of total satisfaction.NP has maintained a good business relationship with its numerous customers’ right across the sub-region where it exists and most consumers have confessed that they are realizing optimum satisfaction in dealing with NP.

The company deals with individuals and various sectors of society, always ensuring that its various petroleum products are available and are sold at affordable prices. This keen symbiotic relationship with its customers has been paying huge dividends, always resulting in a win-win situation, making NP very endearing to all and sundry.

The regulatory institution of the different petroleum companies in the country, the Petroleum Directorate, has also lauded NP in recent time for its efficient service delivery in its areas of operation.

The company is also known for offering Sierra Leoneans affordable NP Gas Cookers of various sizes, which are safe and very friendly to use. NP Gas cookers could be purchased at all their filling stations across the country and the very gas is also sold to replenish those that have been used.

Another most important feature of NP-SL is its smart cards which customers can use to make transactions very easily and conveniently. The company always ensures that petroleum products are always available, thereby preventing shortage that could create shocks in many quarters. The level of confidence which overseas business partners have reposed in the company has made it possible for it to enter into payment agreements thereby keeping the demand and supply chain open and running.

In addition, the company sells the best cooking gas that is available in hundreds of outlets across the country, thereby contributing to creating cleaner environments, thus aiding the work of EPA.

It can be safely said that the petroleum giant is a real propelling force for development.

Audit Service Sierra Leone in the Spotlight

January 15, 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) draws its mandate from the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, the Audit Service Act of 2014 and the Public Financial Management Act of 2016 giving the Auditor-General the sole prerogative to audit all government institutions in which government has the majority interest, and submit a report to Parliament at the end of the audit exercise.

The audits are conducted in accordance with the International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions and aims to impact the lives of the citizens by adding value to the work of the audited institutions.

A successful audit exercise starts with adequate preparation by the auditors during an annual operational planning meeting, where the ASSL outlines institutions to be audited during the year in accordance with its strategic plan.
The ASSL selects public institutions for audit, using the Risk-Based Approach; taking into consideration certain factors such as level of budgetary allocations, expected level of service delivery to the citizenry, public interest sensitivity and government priorities amongst others.

Having selected the institutions through the Risk-Based Approach, the institution audit these institutions and present our report to Parliament in line with section 119, subsection 4 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, within 12 months of the ensuing year.
The institution is informing all interested parties that, as a result of challenges ranging from inadequate financial resources to insufficient manpower, the ASSL is unable to audit all institutions in a given year. In such situations, the audits of such entities are normally carried forward to subsequent audit years.

The most common reasons why audits may not be carried out in any given year include but not limited to:
• the client failing to submit their financial statements on the statutory deadline of 31st March or submitting late, in which case the audit is delayed and may be carried forward to subsequent audit years;
• the client being considered a low risk client and as such is only audited every two or three years cumulatively; and
• the high cost of carrying out the audit annually, as in the case of embassies, which results in audits being carried out every three years or more cumulatively.
It must be noted that there are some institutions which, though required by statutes to submit financial statements for audits, persistently fail to do so. These institutions have therefore not been audited. A list of these defaulting institutions is in the Auditor-General’s Annual Report.
The ASSL will continue to carry out its mandate of being the Guardian of Sierra Leone’s Economic Security.

FBC Students Express Dissatisfaction over Transportation Constraint

January 15, 2020

By Theresa Kef

The perennial problem of accessing commercial vehicles by students of Fourah Bay College, to and fro campus still persists. Fourah Bay College has over 9,000 enrolled students who are not residing on campus and almost half of this number attend classes every day. The day starts with long queues at Model Secondary School. Students stand in the sun for hours waiting for the buses, taxis or commercial motorcycles. The latter is often very expensive. For those who have early classes, the challenge is they are either late or absent. Some students who live far from campus have to wake up in the early hours devoid of all the security issues in the city just to make it for the 8 am class. Most lecturers do not allow latecomers.

The transportation problem is at its critical stage and there is an urgent need to alleviate or minimize this problem. According to the Minister of Transport, Mr. Eric Lebbie “there are only 2 buses out of the 3 that are plying the Mount Aureole route. ” He added that” the bus that was donated by NRA to the Student Union is currently in a bad shape and thus cannot be used to commute students “. This means a college of over 9,000 students who are not living in hostels at the moment only has 2 buses for transportation and there are limited taxis plying that route.

When some students at Model were interviewed one of them said, “We have been suffering for too long. That is why we voted for a student Union President whom we believe can come to our aid by exerting the necessary pressure on the Administration for them to see reasons why they should allay this problem. “Another student retorted, “We are sick and tired of this sickening problem. The Administration must know we are fed up with this age-old problem…”

Majority of students have been expressing their dissatisfactions that the transportation problem is having a toll on their academic work and many are beginning to muster the courage to openly express revulsion about it.

They are calling for affirmative to be instituted to solve this problem.

President Bio Graces Open Courtesies of Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

January 15, 2020

By Alim Jalloh

His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio on the 13 January 2020 attended the opening ceremony of the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, which brought the world’s sustainability community together and set the agenda for the discussions and debate for the week.

In his opening statement, His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, said that UAE would continue its vital role in uniting efforts to find solutions to the major challenges facing the world today, adding that it was time to chart a common path to building a promising and sustainable future for all.

“Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week reflects the UAE’s leading position as a strong supporter of global sustainability initiatives and has transformed into a global platform that catalyses sustainable strategies and real-world solutions to help drive human progress,” he said.

The theme for this year’s meeting is “Accelerating Sustainable Development” and the ceremony was attended by about 4,000 delegates, including world leaders, senior policy makers, business leaders, scientists to academics.

President Bio was in the midst of several world leaders including H.E Frank Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Fiji, H.E Danny Faure, President of the Seychelles, H.E Sheikh Hasina, Prime Minister of Bangladesh, H.E Armen Sarkissian, President of Armenia, H.E Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia, H.E Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda and H.E Ana Brnabic, Prime Minister of Serbia.

The day’s ceremony was also held alongside the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards event, where His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio was honoured to present one of the awards. The Zayed Sustainability Prize is a tribute to the legacy of the founding father of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, a pioneering champion of global sustainability and humanitarianism. The Prize recognises and rewards organisations and high schools that demonstrate impactful, innovative and inspiring sustainability solutions.

Six Correctional Centres Benefit from Psychosocial Counselling

January 15, 2020

Director General of the Sierra Leone C0rrectional Services - Mr. Joseph Lamboi

By Leslie Cole-Showers

Six Correctional Facilities outside Freetown (Western Area Urban) in the opening week of 2020 started benefitting from Psychosocial- Counselling, with funds provided by the United Nations Development Programme and the International Bureau of Narcotics and Law Enforcement.

The Centres to which the practice has been spilled include: Waterloo Pre- Trial Detention and Simulation Centre, Port Loko, Makeni, Bo, Kenema, and Kono. Twelve Psychosocial Counsellors were sent, two to each of the said Centres. The six Centres have been chosen because the Officers- in- Charge of them have been overseas to see how Psychosocial Counselling is practiced.

The practice, according to the Director General of the Sierra Leone C0rrectional Services – Mr. Joseph Lamboi, is one that focuses on redeeming inmates from their offending ways, with a view to tune their minds into acceptable societal bandwidth.

“Our transformation from Prisons to Corrections has been accompanied by numerous positive changes, and Psychosocial Counselling sits on top of all of the ingredients of Corrections. Most inmates come into our Centres bad, our aim is not to discharge them as worse, but better citizens.”

He said the Mandela Rules, which is otherwise referred to as the Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners makes it abundantly clear in No. 4 (1) that: The purposes of a sentence of imprisonment or similar measures deprivative of a person’s liberty are primarily to protect society against crime and to reduce recidivism. Those purposes can be achieved only if the period of imprisonment is used to ensure, so far as possible, the reintegration of such persons into society upon release so that they can lead a law-abiding and self-supporting life.

Mr. Lamboi said Psychosocial Counselling can also be referred to as Case Management, Probation, Para- Psychology, among others.

In 2018, he reprised, the SLCS selected thirty graduate officers from recognised Universities to be trained in the ways of Case Management, by a local entity (Life by Design), adding the training lasted for three months.

“Upon the completion of their training, they were sent to the Pademba Road Male Centre, Reintegration Centre, and Female Centre in Freetown to pilot what they had learnt. Since then, they have recorded some successes such as: re- uniting inmates with their family members who had abandoned them on account of the crime they committed; inmates without skills have been identified and sent into one of our rehabilitative programmes; those who lost hope and self- belief have regained them, and more importantly, Case Managers have been very useful in getting the spade work done in communities from which these offenders hail in order to ensure their re- integration is smooth.”

Mentioning why it took this long for the practice to be deployed up- country, the DG said they were waiting for additional funds from the UNDP & INL, because “the practice is financially demanding”.

Citizens from all Walks of Life Visit Parliament

January 15, 2020

By Brima Sannoh

The House of Representatives recently hosted a crop of new visitors. Sierra Leoneans from all walks of life including farmers, pupils, persons with disabilities, the aged, civil societies, and the media were given unhindered access to Parliament where they were recently able to observe and speak with Members of Parliament (MPs).

A first in history, the three-days Parliament ‘Open Day’ held on the 9th –11th December 2019 was like none that had given citizen access to the Sierra Leone House of Parliament. Citizens were exempted from the usual protocols experienced when visiting Parliament.

Widely, an all-embracing interaction between the citizenry and Members of Parliament followed speeches delivered during the first day and there was excitement as citizens shook hands and interacted with their leaders, the MPs, and all staff of Parliament. Citizens however showed more interest in asking questions about MPs duties in light of strengthening democracy in Sierra Leone.

The theme for this maiden Open Day of the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone: ‘’Making Parliament of Sierra Leone Visible and Engaging with the Public.’’ was timely to accentuate the country’s democratic gains and has helped to demystify perceptions and bringing Parliament even closer to the people of Sierra Leone considering the critical role of Parliament in democratic and sustainable good governance.

Consistent with Goal 4 of the Strategic Plan of the Sierra Leone Parliament; making Parliament open, accessible, representative, inclusive, transparent and accountable to the citizens of Sierra Leone, the Open Day aimed to increase public awareness and understanding of its work; to enhance citizens understanding of the constitutional role of the MPs; to heighten public trust and confidence in Parliament; and to make Parliament accessible, participatory and above all responsive to the interests of the citizenry.

‘Mock Parliament, how laws are made’

One the second day of the Parliament Open Day, the Sierra Leone Parliament was summoned by key stakeholders to serve as the legislative branch of Government where the voices and interests of citizens were expressed and addressed through debate on public policy matter. This session focused on emerging issues from voices of the most affected by government policies and law- making process.

As the event unfolded, another strategic session was held in the well of parliament. Citizens were given the opportunity to act as MPs after they had been enlightened on law making processes and the parliamentary standing orders. A bill was read by the clerk of parliament for a debate. A nine-year old girl was one of the simulated MPs who acted as an opposition member in the well.

Also, a partnership engagement framework session between Parliament of Sierra Leone through the Parliamentary Research Unit and research institutions, Think-Tanks, Civil Society Organizations and Development Partners was held to establish a collaborative relationship that utilizes various platforms through which MPs will be supported with relevant research information that will inform their legislative and general decision making procedures in the House of Parliament.

The affirmations prescribed in the constitution of Sierra Leone, the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic poised to maintain three key constitutional responsibilities which are Representation, Law Making and Oversight.

In discharging its representation function, Parliament has represented Sierra Leone remarkably well in national and international levels. For instance, the Parliament of Sierra Leone has a solid representation to the Pan-African Parliament, ACP-EU Parliament, ECOWAS Parliament, as well as to the statutory meetings of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, Inter- Parliamentary Union and other International Parliamentary Organizations.

The Constitution of Sierra Leone (Act No. 6 of 1991) vests supreme legislative power in the Parliament; it has the supremacy over the enactment of laws; it is empowered to amend existing laws, ratify conventions, agreements and protocol; promote public accountability and transparency and monitors post-legislative implementation of laws. In this respect, the Fifth Parliament has recently amended the Sexual Offences Act of 2012 and the Finance Act of 2020. Whilst in its oversight responsibilities over the executive branch, parliament has performed remarkably in its Seven Standing Committees listed in Section 93 of the constitution.

The UNDP and other Development Partners have vowed to continually give their support to the Sierra Leone Parliament to honour all democratic forces for the maintenance of inclusive and good democratic governance. Parliament should devoid of any political machinated effort and work towards strengthening our democracy. The citizenry expects a parliament that is virtually representative and inclusive.
The Open Day was supported by UNDP and UN family, European Union, DFID, WFP, Ministry of Tourism, Africell and Orange mobile companies

The three-day event was climaxed with an award ceremony where the work of UNDP, development partners, key sponsors and various departments was recognized. The Speaker and MPs toured exhibition stands of various departments and development partners. Cultural dance groups were all present and exhibited the rhythm of Sierra Leonean culture.

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