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NP-SL is an Embodiment of Selflessness & Service to the Nation

By Amin Kef Sesay

One of the dominant companies that are making steady progress, growing by leaps and bounds within the business landscape of this country is indisputably the National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd). It is widely acknowledged that the company has dominated the petroleum trade in the country based on its proactive stance with regards the importation and marketing of high grade petroleum products including petrol, diesel, gas and lubricants of which one of the best is the widely used Castrol oil.

Being an indigenous company that cherish its numerous customers, NP-SL Ltd, over the years, has placed high premium on customer care, which it has effectively rolled out over the years to such an extent that it has earned the enviable reputation of 1st for Customer Care. It is within that realm that the initial shareholders of the company, thirty-five (35) of them, thought it entrepreneurially prudent to import and install modern calibrated machines at all its Filling Stations.

These are automated and high precision machines which have the capability of pumping the exact quantity of fuel that a particular buyer or customer requests for, displaying quantity (in litres) as well as the price(s). With these machines, contrary to what used to obtain in the past when less sophisticated pumping machines were used, customers have sincerely attested that they do derive utmost satisfaction whenever they do transactions expressing the belief that the process is really transparent.

Within that same domain of satisfying and providing care for its customers, the company made it a must that all its Filling Stations should have safety regulations. That is why it cautions its customers and others that they should not use naked flame, that mobile phones should be switched off, engines must also be switched off at Filling Stations when fuel is pumped among others.

In order to ensure that fuel is distributed timely to all its Filling Stations in the country, the company has maintained a fleet of tankers (vehicles that transport fuel) and they are regularly maintenance in order to ensure that they are roadworthy.

The company has also sustained an open door policy in the sense that it encourages customers to express their concerns as well as recommendations which the Management takes into consideration whenever major decisions are taken, geared towards the development of the company. It has been ascertained that whenever customers have the feeling that their inputs are well respected such does not only bring them closer but also gives them the satisfaction that they are indeed relevant and highly regarded. This is exactly what NP-SL Ltd does and that has been paying good dividends. As far as the Shareholders and Management are concerned their customers do matter.

With the avowed objective of making fuel transactions easier and very convenient for its esteemed and numerous customers, the company again introduced the brilliant idea of introducing the use of NP Smart Card. This is a cashless way of transacting business or in other words purchasing fuel without using physical cash. The holder of an NP Smart Card could present the card at any Filling Station, as long as it contains money, and request for the quantity of fuel he or she requires.

The card is then slotted into the pumping machine with the subsequent discharge of the amount of fuel into a car or jerry can. This method of conducting cashless transaction is very advantageous in the sense that a customer is saved the hassle of intermittently rushing to the bank to withdraw cash for the sole purpose of purchasing fuel. This is so because already his or her NP Smart Card is loaded with money for that purpose. Indeed, it also provides security as the card is securitized only having the particulars of the holder which cannot be used by another person.

Human beings cannot exist in the absence of food as it is a basic necessity of life. Food is prepared in various ways but one popular way of doing so is by cooking. In this part of the world, most households are dependent on largely using wood and charcoal for cooking purposes. However, the cutting down of trees to be used as wood and charcoal have been frowned upon by environmentalists on the grounds that such is contributing negatively  to the depletion of the environment and pose other adverse consequences on the ecosystem.

Against this backdrop, the Shareholders and Management of the company thought it fit that to assuage that they must introduce a safer way of cooking. It was out of this idea that the initiative of introducing an environmentally cooking device arose and NP Gas was borne. Manufactured in different cylinder sizes, NP Gas has a high precision performance and to refill it is simple as the gas could be accessed at all the company’s Filling Stations in the country. Many whom have tried them intimated this medium that it is worth having at home and one could never regret having it but would rather recommend it to others.

NP-SL Ltd has etched its name in the sands of time for embracing and effectively rolling out the country’s Local Content Policy. As one of its major priorities, the company has placed high premium on giving employment preference to Sierra Leoneans. It is only on rare circumstances that the company make use of expatriates and in most cases it is when local personnel cannot be sourced.

In a country where accessing a secured and suitable job is like finding a needle on the beach for a company like NP-SL Ltd to avail Sierra Leoneans the opportunity to access job is indeed commendable. This posture, on the part of the company, has given the beneficiaries the opportunity to live improved lifestyles and have a sense of believing that they are contributing to national development.

A company that has vibrant branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia speaks volumes of a serious business entity that is determined to grow. In all those countries, the company employs indigenes and is paying taxes to the Governments which in turn are used to fund various development programmes.

From what have been said so far, NP-SL Ltd is a company that is making Sierra Leoneans proud and is an epitome of selflessness with a strong passion to further climb higher heights. Indeed, the company is truly a success story!

As it Goes Continental…   AYV Now on DSTV Africa Channel 399   

By Amin Kef Sesay

The King of the airwaves as well as the electronics media in the country, the Africa Young Voices (AYV) Media Empire has once more score another milestone within the broadcasting landscape of this country as AYV has gone an extra-mile of its visibility presence continentally  by now being on DSTV Channel 399 (DSTV Africa).

As a result of the materialization of this remarkable feat AYV is  live in thirty (30) countries across Africa for now and there are twenty four countries to be brought abroad. All the West African countries are now connected apart from Ghana and Nigeria of which plans are underway for them to come on later but it must be categorically stated that other African countries are now on.

This new development is indeed a big boost in the sense that it has now made it possible for the country to gain another presence within the international broadcasting landscape. Sierra Leoneans living abroad will be abreast of current events taking place in the country.

Besides, AYV presence on DSTV will serve as the gateway for the outside world to know the critical issues that emanate from the country. Such will somehow be an aid to international policy makers to discuss pertinent related issues in order to make informed decisions geared towards addressing certain concerns.

In as much as we have realized that tourism could be a vehicle for national development, marketing our touristic potentials is critical in order to lure foreigners to explore Sierra Leone. It is believed that through the presence of AYV on DSTV much will be done in the direction of positioning our country at the international arena in an attractive manner that will make many outsiders yearn to visit the country. There is no need to emphasize the importance of having a booming tourism industry as it is an open secret that it brings with it many job opportunities, boosts the hospitality sector and above all brings in foreign exchange.

The official launching of the partnership with DSTV will be done on the 17th September, 2021.

Brain behind this great leap in Sierra Leone’s broadcasting history is no least a person than the patriot, entrepreneur and a fanatic development striker in the person of Ambassador Anthony Navo Jrn who happens to be the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the African Young Voices Media Empire. Many have described him as the embodiment of inspiration.

His ambition to establish the AYV Media Empire started as a dream. He started with a newspaper and later used his private house as collateral to secure a loan of $1.2 million United States dollars from the Bank loan which provided the necessary funds for the purchasing of global standard equipment for setting up the television and radio stations and covering initial operations.

Over the years, Amb Navo Jr. invested single-handedly over $10 million United States dollars in AYV Media Empire with the recent construction of a multi -million dollar complex hosting the Housemates – Salone Season-2.

From a small project, which started with a newspaper and 19 staff, today AYV Media Empire is the largest private media investment in Sierra Leone comprising newspaper, printing press (machines), film production, television stations, radio station and employing over 700 Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad.

It is the only Sierra Leonean owned television station with a broadcasting house in London. On March 22nd 2019, the AYV Media Empire announced a new partnership with the World Service Programme of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), in London.

Empowering young people has always been the guiding motivation of Amb. Navo Jr. Over the years, he has worked with and supported many talented and celebrated Sierra Leonean artists during their early years of their music careers.

Ambassador Anthony Navo Jr., passionately believes that if other African nationals can invest and make a difference in their countries, Sierra Leoneans can and must also invest to empower young people, which will in turn create jobs and promote talents.

Police Declare Mariatu Conteh Wanted

Mariatu Conteh

By Edward Vamboi

It has been confirmed that the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Sierra Leone Police in Waterloo, in the Western Rural District of Sierra Leone have declared the Deputy District Chairlady of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party Mariatu Conteh of 55 Finely Street, New Town, Tombo and her husband Mohamed S. Conteh wanted for their alleged involvement in a protest that resulted to the death of two youths in Tombo.

Mariatu Conteh and her husband were accused of being among the ring leaders in the Tombo protest and riot over the stopping of fishermen from going into the sea to fish due to COVID.

This is one of the measures adopted by government to stop the chain of transmission, immediately after the three days lockdown.

The people were protesting over government decision not to allow more than twenty locally made boats to go to the deep sea to fish.

Head of the investigation, Inspector Alusine Mansaray told this medium that after the protest the government ordered the police to start a full scale investigation into the riot that resulted to the destruction of some properties and the death of two young people from gun shot.

It must be noted that because Tombo is the stronghold of the APC party, the SLPP government decided to launch a full scale investigation into what happened during the protest that ended up being violent.

Inspector Mansaray said the government demanded a full scale investigation, adding that all those found culpable must be brought to book.

He pointed out that the orders from government prompted the police to start arresting people including women suspected to have played a pivotal role in that crisis.

Inspector Mansaray said they decided to issue an arrest warrant for Mariatu Conteh and her husband for their alleged role in that demonstration. He said the CID has included their names in the list of wanted persons since she refused to respond to the call of the police to make statement regarding that issue.

Meanwhile, family members in Tombo have expressed serious concern about Mariatu’s whereabout.

“I have not seen my daughter for the last few months since her name was mentioned by the police. The family is very much worried about her safety and wellbeing,” Mariatu’s mother Hawa Turay said in tears.

Mariatu Conteh
Mohamed S Conteh.

As Beneficiaries of the 2021 Chevening Scholarship… Four Sierra Leoneans Depart for UK to Pursue Further Studies

By Amin Kef Sesay

On the 20th August, 2021, the British High Commission hosted the 2021 Chevening Cohorts to congratulate and bid farewell to the four talented Sierra Leoneans that were awarded Scholarship places to study their post graduate degrees in the UK. This was made know through a Press Release issued by the High Commission.

Chevening is UK Government’s flagship scholarship programme, funded by FCDO and partner organisations. It was established in 1983 and supports about 1,300 scholars from 160 countries and territories each year. Chevening scholarship program now has over 50,000 alumni around the world.

Since the start of the Chevening Scholarship Program in 1983, there have been over 300 Chevening scholars from Sierra Leone. Chevening was one of the few scholarship programs in the world to grant young leaders opportunities to study in the UK. This year four Sierra Leoneans have been given the opportunity to study Masters in Mental Health, Data Science and Statistics, Engineering, and Tropical and Infectious Diseases at UK Universities.

The British High Commission stated that the Chevening Cohort reception is an opportunity to wish scholars well before they travel to the UK for their studies.

During this year’s event scholars spoke to previous Alumni about their experiences, and swapped stories and top tips for how to make the most of their time in the UK and for how when they return to effect change and support development in Sierra Leone.

The Designate British High Commissioner, Lisa Chesney, welcomed the cohort and previous alumni on her second week in Sierra Leone.

“I am delighted to meet with our talented new Chevening Scholars and wish them well for the next year ahead. I look forward to hearing about your adventures and successes and how you will use your studies to contribute to the development of Sierra Leone.”

Coordinator for Chevening Alumni Association in Sierra Leone, Momo Turay, acknowledged the contribution of the UK Government in Sierra Leone, saying “The UK through Chevening and nurturing the talent and education of Sierra Leone young people has significantly contributed to the development of Sierra Leone.”

He encouraged the scholars to work hard and come back to serve and be part of the country’s history. Former Chevening Alumni include doctors, lawyers, governance experts, environmental specialists, and law enforcement including the current Deputy Inspector General of Police Mrs. Elizabeth Turay.

The Chevening Application for 2022 is currently open and will close on the 6th November 2021. More details can be found on the Chevening Website and @UKinSierraLeone social media pages.

Management of SLBC Refutes Allegation of Uneven Access by APC Party Members

By Amin Kef Sesay

In a Press Release issued by the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) on the 19th August 2021 it was highlighted that Management of the institution is gravely concerned about unfounded claims that the national public broadcaster has denied access particularly to the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC).

SLBC Management underscored that while responding to questions on Radio Democracy 98.1 FM Gud Morning Sierra Leone programme broadcast on Monday 16 August 2021, Acting National Publicity Secretary, Sidi Yayah Tunis, alleged that for the past two years the SLBC has denied access to the APC to attend programmes hosted on SLBC, and that it has refused to cover events organized by the party.

According to the Press Release those claims, made by a very senior member of the APC, are widely unfounded, baseless, and are a calculated political ploy to undermine the restored image of the broadcaster.

It continued that those uncorroborated assertions were believed to have been made to hurt the growing credibility of the national broadcaster, insult its re-energized and dedicated audiences, and to create public disaffection for a medium that continues to provide unbroken live coverage of political and other national events, regardless of where they happen with limited and constrained resources.

Management, it was mentioned, is dismayed and frankly shocked at the inexcusable failure by Tunis to provide verifiable instances of the press conference or any events organized by the opposition APC that the SLBC has failed to cover.

Further mentioned was that at no time has the SLBC Management, the Independent Media Commission or the Ministry of Information and Communications received a complaint from the leadership of the APC or any of its officials regarding those unsubstantiated claims.

Stated was that in fact, a mini documentary portraying dynamics of the APC internal politics, which features the party’s Secretary-General, Amb. Alhaji Foday Yansaneh and other senior party officials, has been produced by and broadcast on the SLBC.

“The SLBC remains a public forum. By its nomenclature and mode of operations the broadcaster provides discursive platforms that build a sense of national identity, generate national appeal and taste, strengthen our evolving democratic political system, and while at the same time protect minority interest. Our role as a national broadcaster is to enrich our democracy, and we believe to have delivered on this mandate especially in the last three years in a manner appreciated by vast majority of our audience,” said Director-General of the SLBC, Joseph E. Kapuwa Esq.

It was further mentioned that the SLBC wishes it to be known that it has verifiable and incontrovertible data indicating access to the Corporation by members of the APC, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and women’s groups, including persons from all backgrounds stating that a brief list of some of the station’s activities and guests of its various programmes is annexed to the Release.

The Corporation, it was added, also wishes to point out the important distinction that its coverage of activities of the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) should not be viewed with political lenses as it considers the GoSL (Parliament and the Judiciary inclusive) as the legitimate representative of the people of Sierra Leone and not as a political party.

The Press Release ended by SLBC assuring the general public of fair access to its professional, balanced, and accurate broadcasting of events across Sierra Leone regardless of where they happen, when they happen, who is affected or in whose interest.

50 FCC METPOL Recruits to Undergo Eight Weeks Intensive Training

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Freetown City Council’s Metropolitan Police (METPOL), on the 23rd August 2021,   took another significant stride in its restructuring as 50 new recruits started their basic Police training.

Deputy Inspector General of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), Elizabeth Turay opened the training exercise which was held at the Sierra Leone Peacekeeping and Law Enforcement Academy at Hastings.

The training of the FCC METPOL recruits will be a demanding 8-week program led by the SLP, which will lay the foundations for the recruits’ future careers.

FCC’s Chief Administrator, Festus Kallay, the Chair of the FCC Security Committee, the Head of the Human Resource Department, the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police, and a number of Ward Councillors joined Deputy Mayor Osman T Koroma, to urge the recruits to train hard and to thank the SLP for their excellent support.

As the first cohort of METPOL recruit to be trained since 2010, this METPOL course is a landmark event for FCC as it will significantly improve FCC’s capacity to protect life and property, and enforce sanitation Freetown’s bylaws.

The aforementioned functions are central to Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr’s drive to keep Freetown clean, reduce the risks of disaster and improve quality of life for all Freetonians.  This increase in METPOL’s strength is the first step in an ongoing reform that aims to enhance the force’s capacity as a credible, professional force that serves the City with distinction.

Ministry of Trade Seen as a Weak Link in Bio’s Administration

Dr Edward Hinga Sandy, Minister of Trade and Industry

By Amin Kef Sesay

Sierra Leoneans generally are disappointed, appalled and frustrated that President Bio’s New Direction Government, through the Ministry of Trade and Industry seems to has no effective structure and mechanisms countrywide for monitoring and controlling the prices of basic essential commodities that the majority living on less than $2 a day (the World Bank’s minimum poverty earning rate) depend on to maintain a decent standard of living.

The Ministry has the sole mandate of developing policies and programs to stimulate local and export trade as well as to enhance private sector investment, industrial and economic growth.

The Ministry importantly must have a vision of a strong private sector-led economy, which will ensure that the socio-economic needs of the citizens are met through private sector development, job and wealth creation.

When trade is conducted within a well regulated environment that prevents monopoly control and price fixing, it contributes to eradicating extreme hunger and poverty by reducing the proportion of people suffering from hunger and those living on less than one dollar a day.

In which light, too much trade liberalization poses a threat to a developing economy like ours because importers are left free to dictate prices, invariably unreasonably to the great disadvantage of the consumers who have no power to fight back.

Poverty is the most crucial plague of our times. It is commonly agreed that in order to reduce the proportion of people living on less than $1 a day, developing countries need to substantially accelerate their economic growth by carefully opening their markets.

The standard rationale is that trade liberalization improves efficiency in the allocation of scarce resources, enhances economic welfare and contributes to long-term economic growth. For example, only few big traders import basic essential commodities into the country. It is very easy for them to corner the market creating artificial scarcity and forcing price to go up as one importer of cement has succeeded in doing with the Ministry of Trade seemingly powerless to intervene.

Trade openness has to come with comprehensive reforms in line with the degree of development. Minimum wage is Le600, 000. A full bag of rice has gone up beyond Le250, 000.

Trade is not a “sector” – it covers a wide range of activities and encompasses not just goods, but also services.

Thus, we expect a sensitive, proactive pro-poor friendly Ministry of Trade and Industry to set objectives and produce results, e.g. building trade capacity, enhancing growth prospects and reducing poverty.

At the same time, clear trading benchmarks are necessary for reliable monitoring and expansion of the ‘sector’. For example, the Ministry should offer:

  • Technical trade-related assistance: for example, helping businesses that import and export to develop trade strategies, negotiate trade agreements, and implement their outcomes;
  • Productive capacity building (including trade development): for example, providing support to allow industries and sectors to build on their comparative advantages and diversify their exports;
  • Trade-related adjustment assistance: helping businesses with the costs associated with trade liberalization such as tariff reductions, preference erosion, or declining terms of trade;

There is a large body of evidence that there are positive links between openness to trade and economic performance, which – depending on the pace and pattern of growth – is important for achieving sustained poverty reduction.

This is seen in developing countries that have succeeded in benefitting from the expansion of global markets.  Steady reduction in trade barriers – particularly in manufactured goods – has enabled these countries to rapidly integrate into world markets through an export-led industrialization process, and thereby share in the prosperity generated by globalization.

In such, there has to be a sound macroeconomic framework, promotion of a business-friendly environment, developing human resources, and ensuring that the most vulnerable are protected.

Signing Book of Condolences…   Glowing Tributes Paid to the Late Managing Director of SLCB

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Sierra Leone Commercial Bank Limited opened a book of condolence for the late Managing Director, Abdulai Fidelis Turay on the 23rd August at its Headquarters in Freetown.

Distinguished national personalities from all walks of life, including the Chief Minister, Secretaries to the President and the Vice President, the Minister of Finance, the Central Bank Governor and his Deputy, senior ministers, MDs of all the commercial banks, and top business magnates in the country signed the book of condolence.

It was a very moving moment. His eldest daughter half way through her tribute broke down in tears as she recalled the wonderful, one in a million dad they had. Her mother described her late husband as a very simple man with a very large heart who gave generously to others in need.

The Central Bank Governor in his tribute noted that it was Fidelis Turay’s exemplary leadership and performance at SLCB that made the IMF abandoned their idea of selling the two state owned commercial banks – Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB) and Rokel Commercial Bank (SL) Limited (RCB).

The Finance Minister who said he studied Economics together with the late Fidelis at FBC remarked on his integrity as both a human being and a professional banker.

SLCB Board Chairman puts Fidelis’s achievement in the three years that he headed SLCB in graphic terms when he reported that on ten major commercial banking performance indicators, SLCB tops all of them including largest customer base and largest revenue.

Every speaker including the Presidents of the Junior and Senior Staff Associations described Fidelis as a family man who loved his family endlessly. His love was extended to his SLCB family, 90 percent of whom he rewarded with promotions and external training.

Another remarkable human quality Fidelis had that was highlighted was his down to earth nature – he had an easy rapport with every level of the Bank’s staff, such that the JSA President noted that over fourteen years with the Bank, he was taken aback when he saw Fidelis rubbing skin with them at a Bank celebration.

In a nutshell, everyone agreed that the late Abdulai Fidelis Turay was not only a consummate highly professional banker with an impeccable distinction for honesty and integrity but was above all that kind and considerate of others.

To Decide fate of 10 & 9 Years Pupils Tried for Sexual Penetration… Resident High Court Judge Reserves Judgment in Mattru Jong

By Elkass Sannoh

Hon. Justice Abubakarr Sannoh, the Resident High Court Judge of Moyamba District who is currently presiding over cases at the August High Court Criminal Session in Mattru Jong Town, has on the 23rd August, 2021 reserved the case for judgment for two accused persons, 10-year-old Foday Kamara and 9-year-old Mohamed Kamara (not their real names), pupils of the DEC primary school in Karti Village standing trial for Sexual Penetration.

The two accused pupils were brought before the Court on two counts indictment of Sexual Penetration Contrary to Section 19 of the Sexual Offences Act No. 12 of 2012 as repealed and replaced by Section 4 (a) (II) of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act No. 8 of 2019 and Conspiracy to Commit an offence of Sexual Penetration contrary to section 19 of the Sexual Offences Act.

According to the particulars of offence, accused pupils on the 20th June 2020 in Kartie village, Gbap Nongoba Bullom Chiefdom in Bonthe District conspired together to commit a felony, to wit sexual penetration, by together grabbing and undressing a child, to wit eight years old with intent to sexually penetrate her.

In her testimony, the victim Agnes Cole (not real name) said she knows the accused persons residing in the same village.

“I am eight years and I am staying with my mother, Iye Kanneh,” the victim said, adding that, “I was on my way to see Baindu when they forcefully grabbed and undressed me. The first accused used his fingers to penetrate me into my vagina and the second accused used his penis to sexually virginate me.”

She told the Court that she felt acute pain and later noticed blood oozing from her.

The matter was reported to the Family Support Unit.

The medical report revealed that the hymen was totally ruptured with multiple bruises on her labia majora and labia minora. The medical certificate affirmed that there was evidence of sexual penetration of a child.

The two accused pupils pleaded not guilty. The accused are being represented by the Legal Aid Board Lawyers Mohamed Korie and Jack John Harris. State Counsel, Tejan Conteh is prosecuting the matter.

Ministry of Lands Signs MOU with TAF Africa Global

By Foday Moriba Conteh

In the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning’s efforts towards fulfilling President Bio’s vision to provide affordable housing units and develop micro cities across the country, it has on Tuesday 24th August, 2021 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TAF Africa Global an event that took place at the Ministry’s Conference Hall, Youyi Building on Brookfields in Freetown.

In his statement, the Chief Executive Officer of TAF Africa Global, Mustapha Njie, conveyed gratitude to the Government of Sierra Leone for signing the said partnership with his firm, TAF Africa Global, adding that in the past, investors were seen to be of  different colors and race and that with his recent achievement and development over the years in real estate development there has been questions coming from the public about who are his partners because many are of the conviction that he must have a western partnership which he said is not the case.

He said that his company had earlier registered with eight African countries and Sierra Leone has now become the ninth country that they have signed partnership with. He disclosed that TAF Africa Global will embark on delivering one million (1,000,000) affordable homes over the next twenty years furthering that the launch of his initiative about two years ago was geared towards achieving the one million affordable homes stating how they deemed it fit to bring in partners by forming partnership with multilateral institutions to be able to deliver on their target.

Mustapha Njie informed the gathering that in 2020 they signed an MoU with Shelter Afrique ,which is a Pan-Africa finance institution, that exclusively supports development of affordable housing and real estate sector development in Africa and that they have also signed partnership with other institutions, continuing that they also intend to partner with other institutions.

Commenting on his presence in Sierra Leone, the CEO maintained that about two years ago when President Julius Maada Bio went to The Gambia he saw his works and he became interested in them of which the President invited him to Sierra Leone but couldn’t make it then, adding that about a month ago the High Commissioner of Sierra Leone to The Gambia, Lulu Sheriff (Mrs.), wrote a letter to him inviting him to Sierra Leone.

He said that the Minister of Lands, Turad Senesie, visited TAF Africa Global investment sites in The Gambia during which time he manifested Government’s commitment towards wooing them to invest in affordable houses for the benefit of Sierra Leonean citizens.

On his part, the Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr. Turad Senesie, on behalf the Government of Sierra Leone expressed appreciation to TAF Africa Global for believing in his vision.

He said that when he took over the Ministry there were a lot of challenges but said he was very determined to overcome them and bring in positive reforms that will benefit the entire country.

Dr. Turad Senesie stated that in his maiden address to staff of the Ministry he revealed that one of his priorities will be to move the agenda of President Julius Maada Bio in terms of country planning and housing of which he maintained that in fulfilling that commitment TAF Africa Global has signed an MoU with the Ministry in solving the problem of housing in the country.

He pointed out that his intention is to develop sustainable and affordable housing units in well planned communities, with a special focus to transform slum communities and dumpsites into high peak planned settlements.

The Minister added that as a Ministry they are looking for serious investors that can change the development landscape, stating that TAF Africa Global will not only provide jobs but will also support other Government activities in the future. He assured of Government’s support to TAF Africa Global.

Climaxing the event was the official signing of the Memorandum of Understanding by the Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Dr. Turad Senesie and the Chief Executive Officer of TAF Africa Global, Mustapha Njie.

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