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Tourism Minister & Team Hold Fruitful Discussions with Staff of National Tourist Board

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Dr. Memunatu Pratt,  Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs together with her Deputy, William I.K. Robinson, the Permanent Secretary, Andrew L. Sorie and the Director of Tourism, Mohamed Jalloh have held a meeting with the Senior/Middle management of the National Tourist Board (NTB) at their head office on Lumley Beach Road, in Freetown on the 6th August, 2021.

The Permanent Secretary, Andrew L. Sorie, in his opening remarks stated that the Minister considers the meeting a very important one as the Tourist Board is a critical part of the tourism sector.

He continued that the Minister requested to meet with the staff of Tourist Board with a view of inspiring and motivating them to play their part in improving the sector.

Fatmata Kroma, the General Manager of the National Tourist Board, in welcoming the Minister and team said they are honoured to hold the meeting maintaining how it is part of the Minister’s PTT to be having sector meetings with her agencies.

She further revealed that under the supervision of the Ministry they have been closely working in ensuring that Government’s programmes, agendas and strategic plans and policies are met.

The General Manager pointed out that the Board had been collaborating with the Directorate of Tourism and that of Culture at the Ministry in order to have synergy in their activities. She brought to the notice of the Minister that their staff strength is small and not commensurate to the work of the Board and pleaded with her to address their staff capacity in order to effectively and efficiently deliver on their mandate. She added that their contract members of staff are still not in the payroll which she said needs to be looked into.

She disclosed how she has a committed staff and a very supportive Deputy also mentioning their role in addressing the seaweed. Fatmata Kroma informed that they are implementing the UNDP and Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) programmes and will also be rolling their international programmes this year.

The Director of Tourism, Mohamed Jalloh in his statement said they are blessed with good leadership which he said is needed for any activity and project to succeed. He commended the Minister and her Deputy for the show of leadership in repositioning the sector. He mentioned that the advantage that used to be taken against the sector is no more as they are now making headway in terms of product development, adding that nine sites would be developed by the EIF and the World Bank.

Mohamed Jalloh stated that domestic tourism is now the order of the day and more establishments are coming up all because the sector is showing up and the leadership is forthright. He said had it not been for COVID-19, the sector would be far gone, noting that many tourism policies have been developed. He called on staff of the Board to support their leadership and work for the improvement of the industry.

The Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, William I.K. Robinson said he is confident that the sector is heading for the better maintaining how before now, the staff of the Tourist Board were disgruntled but with their zest to improving the sector, they have brought smiles on the faces of the staff, while calling on them to be steadfast in doing their work.

He said Sierra Leone is now ranked highly in the World Tourism market all because of the tremendous leadership, passion and dedication of the Minister.

In her address, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt said it is a pleasure for her to be at the Tourist Board as Tourism Minister in addressing the role of the National Tourist Board. She acknowledged the work done by her deputy with regards the proper functioning of the Board adding that they are moving in the right direction under the New Direction.

She said the NTB has been given the space both at local and international platforms to carry out their mandate that speaks to marketing Sierra Leone. The Minister intimated that the Tourist Board is an important institution in rebranding the country, for which she said Sierra Leoneans are more confident in the sector because they have re-written the narrative in a way that more jobs and opportunities are created.

Dr. Memunatu Pratt furthered that the interface between the Ministry and its agencies is top-notch and there are now a lot of arguments in favour of tourism that have never been advanced before. She also noted that they have done lot of contributions in getting the sector to where it is today, hence the need to defend the legacy.

The Minister commended the staff of the NTB for their role in reviving the sector and called on them to be diligent, work with integrity and keep the vision alive.

She also admonished that they should follow their leader, be respectful to one another and work with oneness, while acknowledging the professionalism, maturity and calmness brought in by the New Permanent Secretary, Andrew L. Sorie.

Suffering from Fractured Ribs & Spinal Cord… 13 Year Old Boy in Need of Urgent Medical Treatment

13 year old boy, Alusine Koroma

By Editayo George Temple

A 13 year old boy, Alusine Koroma, who is residing at No.18 Canton Lane, Crojimmy off Savage Square in the East End of Freetown, is in need of urgent medical treatment as he continues to suffer from fractured ribs and spinal cord. The young boy was hit by a car along Fourah Bay Road in August of 2020 thereby incurring fractured ribs and a spinal cord. As far as his condition is concerned only specialized medical treatment will save his life.

This medium was intimated that Alusine is a form 2 pupil, attending the Ansarul Secondary School on Guard Street and has a burning passion to climb the educational ladder, but his current health condition seems to be an impediment to that dream.

It was also learnt that the driver and owner of the vehicle that was involved failed to live up to expectations resulting into Alusine’s low income earning family having to seek for help and aid from philanthropists and well-meaning individuals in society for proper medical attention.

To offer any form of assistance towards the wellbeing of the 13 year old Alusine Koroma, his mother Hawa Kamara and father Hassan Koroma individuals or organizations can call the following mobile numbers +23234778925 or +23230704773.

13 year old boy, Alusine Koroma

Female Groundnut Farmers Sets to Increase Sierra Leone’s GDP

By Anthony Vandy

It has been observed that groundnut production and marketing in Sierra Leone is increasingly taking root in the country.

Groundnut is one of the most important grain legumes in Sierra Leone. The area cultivated varies by the ability, financial strength and human labour capability of the farmer who are mostly women at smallholder level. A total estimated land space cultivated so far for groundnut farming as at 2020 farming year was 40,000 hectares; total production was 40,000 tons and the average yield was 1.0 ton per hectare.

Groundnuts is cultivated and consumed across all the districts in Sierra Leone but mainly grown in large scale in Bombali, Kambia, Moyamba and Tonkolili districts even in the grip of Ebola Virus Diseases epidemic in 2014/2015 and even now in COVID 19 pandemic.

Farmers in the above mentioned areas are smallholder farmers and members of the National Federation of Farmers of Sierra Leone (NaFFSL). Men as well as women, explore new and more sustainable forms of groundnut farming, focusing on sustainable commercial agriculture and value addition.

Groundnut food classification is part of our dietary requirements, though not on a daily basis for consumption.  Groundnut like cassava is diversely consumed: the fresh pods are boiled and the nuts are widely consumed while the dried nuts are roasted and eaten directly, made into groundnut cakes, or pounded into a paste which is used in preparing various types of soups. However, with the available arable land space coupled with technical and financial capacity, farmers who have the courage to farm can do well even in the face of COVID-19.

Madam Mariama Jusu, 56 years is a widow and former Primary school teacher with 6 children. In a relaxed mood with her daughter she has this to say about the impact of groundnut farming to the livelihood of her family: “I quit the teaching field for groundnut farming….”

“I have no regret for my decision to quit the classroom to dirty my hands with the soil and make appreciable income than dust my hands with chalk for merger sum. The profit realized from groundnut farming per year was more than my four years’ salary as a teacher. Groundnut has a huge profit margin than all the staple food in Sierra Leone,” Mariama Jusu explained the impact of groundnut farming on her family “I can boast of two university graduates, an Engineer and an Accountant. I have a dwelling house and two commercial motor bikes….. I can boast of these physical assets as a result of proceeds from the groundnut farming. Feeding, schooling and medication of my family are covered by the proceeds from the groundnut farm.”

She continued: “It was a hard decision but an interesting one.”

She revealed the secret that led her into groundnut farming: “I took into groundnut farming after planting a single seed of groundnut in my compound and I harvested 25 pods with a total of 50 groundnut seeds out of the one seed I planted.. That profit margin was the turning point from the field of a trained and qualified teacher to a groundnut farmer.”

She added that it is saddened that very little is done in Sierra Leone on adding value chain to most of Sierra Leone agricultural products especially those planted by small holder farmers.

 

Mariama Jusu highlighted that providing support to small holder farmers will make a huge turn-around of able bodied men who have abandoned farming for commercial motorbike riding. This will trigger mad rush into farming and close the gap of in the unemployment rate.

She mentioned that irrespective of the high profit margin, there are common diseases that affect groundnut cultivation in Sierra Leone including and not limited to rosette disease, pests, insects, rodents and livestock.

Explaining the business between the farmers and other groundnut stakeholders, she revealed that after every harvest the farmers sell their surpluses to NGOs, seed dealers, merchant traders and other farmers. “Groundnut farming is associated with communal activity wherein farmers take turns in helping each other,” she added.

During the rains, most farmers prefer to sell the raw unshelled nuts because drying them is difficult and also this is the period termed as the hunger period. An Extension Worker and some farmers in Bo mentioned that groundnuts that are not sold are placed in sacks, these sacks are then smoked in special huts, the smoke and heat then preserves the groundnuts for about 3 months.

And during the dry season the groundnuts are dried on drying floors provided by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. It was further revealed that some farmers dry the nuts directly on the concrete floors, providing a perfect medium for debris and micro-organisms that limit the shell life and quality of the groundnuts. Also it was mentioned that after harvesting, value addition is minimal and most of the farmers prefer to sell the unshelled groundnuts at the farm as seeds to seed dealers and as grains to merchant traders because of the following factors; inaccessible roads to the farms and the farmers lack the funds to purchase groundnut shelling equipment from agro –dealers.

Sharing his knowledge from Farmer Field School trainings, Alieu Kamara an Extension worker of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry explained about the knowledge of veteran groundnut farmers. “Groundnut farmers in Sierra Leone are aware that the lower limit for germination of groundnuts is around 18°C. Temperatures between 20 – 30°C result in 95% germination. Optimum germination temperatures are thus between 20 – 30°C with a minimum of 18°C.” he further added.

“Temperature of the water absorbed by the seed is also critical as far as germination is concern. The water temperature is initially low and gradually increases. We also find reduced germination which we are currently experiencing because of the climate change”.

He further revealed that the period of July to the end of September has a long-term average of above 32 mm. At this time moisture in the soil is limited so in order to plant groundnuts in October, about 45 mm of additional water is required.

Explaining the challenges of  the weather he mentioned: “Due to the large variation in rainfall patterns from year to year there are some limitations and the probability of sufficient rainfall expected is scary by to the farmers. Therefore, these circumstances have effect on the production and yield”. He also added that sufficient moisture in the soil during the planting time is essential but again, too much rain at harvest, however, can reduce the quality of groundnuts if the crop is left to dry in the field.

Justifying business investment opportunities and to ameliorate several community challenges Alieu Kamara mentioned that supporting farmers with improved groundnut seeds, tools, and training on emerging farming techniques including improved environmental practices to ensure farmers are adequately capacitated in order to produce more than enough for continued cultivation, meet market demand and domestic consumption are all to be considered. This, according to him, will further increase the population of groundnut farmers, strengthen economic empowerment and mitigate unemployment and dependency of community members.

With respect to projective non-improved yield predictions, Alieu  Kamara revealed that 10 bushels of seed groundnut will yield an average of 110 bushels per at harvest time (August/September). Therefore if 20 groundnut farming families have planted 10 bushes each there will be a total combined yield of 2,200 bushels, which is equivalent to 110,000 kg of unshelled groundnut.

Therefore, based on the above estimation, each groundnut farmer will reserve enough seeds for the next planting season and will not have to worry about how and where to procure seeds. In addition, each farmer will have a balance of 100 bushels of shelled groundnuts to sell, eat and credit to potential groundnut farmers.

World Bank Projects Sierra Leone’s Economic Recovery from COVID-19 Contraction

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Sierra Leone’s economy is projected to recover from the COVID-19 contraction with real GDP expected to rebound by 3.0 percent in 2021, an upward revision of 0.8 percentage point relative to the 2020 forecast, according to the new World Bank Sierra Leone Economic Update launched on the 5th August, 2021 in Freetown. The growth rebound reflects the expected recovery of agriculture, mining and services following the easing of COVID-related restrictions and the Government’s Quick Action Economic Response Program (QAERP).

Fiscal deficit almost doubled in 2020 due to a combination of revenue shortfalls and spending increases to support the Government’s pandemic response. The deficit is expected to decline gradually to 2.4 percent of GDP by 2023 as COVID-19 related spending is reduced while revenue mobilization improves on the back of the expected economic recovery. To strengthen fiscal sustainability, the report recommends that the authorities should quickly draw up a roadmap for fiscal consolidation, anchored by robust revenue mobilization and expenditure rationalization reforms, to return to the pre-pandemic (2018/19) fiscal path.

The authors also highlight the need for Government to prioritize structural reforms for diversifying the economy, and these reforms should focus on creating an enabling environment for the private sector to support long-term economic growth and promote decent and quality jobs, which will in turn support determined domestic revenue mobilization.

“It is a welcoming development that Sierra Leone’s economy is slowly recovering from the devastating impact of the COVID-19 crisis, and we are encouraged by the government’s efforts to deal with the crisis and lessen its impact on people’s livelihoods,” said Abdu Muwonge, World Bank Country Manager for Sierra Leone. “However, improving and sustaining the country’s growth prospects will require further attention to policies that strengthen the quality of service delivery in the social sectors, and we remain committed, together with development partners to supporting efforts that aim at an effective turnaround of the economy.”

The 2021 Economic Update devoted a special section to examine the “Welfare and Poverty Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic” in Sierra Leone. The report found that restrictions put in place to contain the spread of the COVID-19, as well as the downturn in the global economy have led to a small increase in poverty, reversing the previous trend of poverty reduction. Urban areas, particularly the capital city, Freetown, have seen the largest increase in poverty.

During the height of the outbreak, the Government provided tax relief to businesses by suspending taxes on essential goods and services. The report recommends that policy priorities over the short to medium-term should focus on strengthening the response to the COVID-19 pandemic by rolling out a strong vaccination program and implementing broad-based macroeconomic reforms to support a quick economic recovery.

“To improve on the current economic outlook, it is important to focus on implementing a robust vaccination program that targets full vaccination of population ‘at risk’ as well as measures to protect people’s livelihoods in the immediate and medium term,” said Kemoh Mansaray, World Bank Senior Country Economist and a lead author of the report. “Sustaining the economic recovery will involve structural reforms to accelerate inclusive economic growth, as well as resuming fiscal consolidation through robust revenue reforms and expenditure rationalization and a prudent monetary policy to support the recovery and stabilize the exchange rate.”

VP Juldeh Jalloh Chairs Inter-Ministerial Committee Meeting on SLESHI

By Esther Wright

Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Vice President of Sierra Leone, on the 4th August, 2021 hosted and chaired the inter-ministerial committee meeting on Sierra Leone Social Health Insurance Scheme (SLESHI) to discuss progress in the operationalization of the scheme. In attendance were the Chief Minister and other Ministers.

In his opening statement he outlined the importance of SLESHI stating that it is the vision of President Julius Maada Bio  to provide affordable health care to Sierra Leoneans and the scheme is a huge step in that direction.

SLESHI is a social health insurance scheme for Sierra Leoneans that focuses on the reduction of “out of pocket” expenditure on medicals. It aims at improving access to quality medical services for all and to improve equity in medical services.

Dr. Austin Demby,  the Minister of Health and Sanitation revealed how the scheme revolves around how the Government can improve the health care system of the country and to develop a health insurance scheme that will enhance public access to quality health care service in order to reduce “out of pocket” healthcare expenditure for the people.

He furthered that the scheme will require members to pay minimal amounts as contributions that will enable Government provide quality medical services to members when they become ill without rendering them poor.

He said the Scheme is targeting the general populace in various categories including the formal and informal sectors as well as create a safety net for the most vulnerable group especially the aged.

He furthered that the scheme is an instrument used to gain universal access to quality health service for all.

The Minister of Labor and Social Security Osman Alpha Timbo Esq. said the health insurance scheme is part of Social Protection adding that, the minimum standards for social security is contained in the Social Security Minimum Standards Convention 102 which gives provision for nine contingencies in social security.

He noted that Government had covered part of the nine contingencies which are old age, invalidity and death and survivor’s benefit under NASSIT, and that going forward, Government is looking into health insurance.

He continued that the scheme will entail the employee and employer’s contributions and a well defined benefit to be covered by the scheme which will be guided by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation.

As CEO Bill Winters tries to De-link from Sierra Leone Franchise…   Standard Chartered Bank PLC is Align to Standard Chartered Bank-SL   -Plaintiffs’ Lawyer Argues Vehemently

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Lawyer for the Complainant or Plaintiff in the ongoing court matter between the Standard Chartered Bank Sierra Leone Limited and two aggrieved former staff alleged to have been wrongfully dismissed, had on the 4th August 2021 put forward reasons as to why Standard Chartered Bank PLC, of which Bill Winters is the Chief Executive Officer, should be made a party to the matter.

Lawyer Osman Jalloh representing the plaintiffs had filed a notice of motion in the High Court against Standard Chartered Bank Sierra Leone Limited and by extension Standard Chartered Bank PLC as the parent body, for the alleged wrongful dismissal of his clients.

Earlier, Lawyer R. Johnson representing Standard Chartered Bank in the matter had filed an affidavit in opposition for the court to strike out Standard Chartered Bank plc in the concurrent notice of motion filed by the plaintiffs’ lawyer, on the grounds that the aggrieved complainants were employed by the first defendant (Standard Chartered Bank Sierra Leone Limited) and not by the 2nd defendant (Standard Chartered Bank plc), hence the latter should not be made a party to the matter.

In his submission, Lawyer Osman stated that they were opposed to the application filed by the defendant applicant and that they relie on the entirety of their affidavit.

He noted that counsel on the other side had argued that the 2nd defendant does not have an employment contract nexus with the plaintiff, thus it was unnecessary for it to be made a party to the matter.

The Lawyer argued that what has happened in so far with the description of the 2nd defendant was of no issue or question of identify, rather it was a mere misnomer, which does not invite the court to uphold the defence’s position that does not constitute a  strong basis for the action to be dismissed against the 2nd defendant.

He noted that they have sufficiently provided before the court, materials to inform that the person intended to be sued as 2nd defendant is Standard Chartered Bank PLC, which is the ultimate parent company of the first defendant, Standard Chartered Bank Sierra Leone Limited.

He referred the court to exhibit B of the concurrent notice of motion, particularly paragraph four of the motion.

Lawyer Osman furthered that with the information on paragraph four of the concurrent notice of motion, they have no doubt of who they intended to sue.

He noted that the said paragraph sufficiently described who the 2nd defendant is, hence invited the court to overrule the grounds of objection submitted by the counsel on the other side.

To further support his argument, he referred the court to paragraph 22 and 23 of the affidavit in opposition sworn to by the respondent in the matter, stating that the court will note from those paragraphs that, in clear terms, the plaintiff had gone not just to inform the court who they intended to sue, but had further explained that in respect to the word ‘group,’ coupled with the address of the 2nd defendant on the face of the Writ of summon.

He referred the court to exhibit-E attached to the affidavit of the other side in opposition to the motion, stating that in paragraph 17 under the rubric of confidentiality, the court will note that when the other side was describing the 2nd defendant they described it as Standard Chartered Bank PLC.

He also referred the court to exhibit-S attached to the affidavit in opposition, stating that exhibit-S was the annual report of the 1st defendant (Standard Chartered Bank Sierra Leone Limited), regarding the financial year 2019, and in page 80 of the said report, when they were describing their shareholding structure; they quoted Standard Chartered Bank PLC.

He said the above informed that even the other side was not sure of how to call themselves or their parent body, noting that when the court looks at the entirety of the matter, it was clear that they intended to sue the grand parent of the 1st defendant.

In support of his submission, he referred the court to Order 18, Rule 6(2), Paragraph B, Sub-Paragraph two of the High Court Rules.

He submitted that having regards to exhibit-B in support of the motion and Order 28 Rule 6(2), Paragraph B, sub paragraph two, there were issues, questions, reliefs, and remedies sought by the plaintiffs, which did not just relate to the first defendant, but should be determined between the 1st and 2nd Defendants and the plaintiff.

He said the way and manner the 2nd defendant is organised is so vertical that any line of separate cooperate personality becomes redundant.

Lawyer Jalloh referred the court specifically to paragraph 16 of the affidavit in opposition and submitted that the organisational structure and alignment of the 2nd defendant is such that decisions are taken from a top bottom basis, to the effect that the ultimate parent designs, implements, controls and supervises the operations of the entire Standard Chartered Bank Group.

He said Standard Chartered Bank Sierra Leone Limited is just one small shop of the group.

He submitted that to determine matters of such nature could effectively not just be against the subsidiary, but also against the parent of the subsidiary.

Lawyer Jalloh argued that the parent exercises supervisory powers, controls and manages the subsidiary and that such control, supervision or management take a form of the parent issuing guidelines and standards to be applied by the subsidiary.

He submitted that the parent participates in the implementation of the guidelines and standards issued to the subsidiary by effecting trainings or monitoring the implementation, adding that by the parent participating in the enforcement makes it a party to the matter.

He said Standard Chartered Bank PLC participates in the management and operations of the first defendant, Standard Chartered Bank Sierra Leone Limited.

The Plaintiffs’ Lawyer referred the court to other exhibits issued by Standard Chartered Bank PLC, through its vertical organisation in regards the entire institution, stating among the standards, exhibit-F, E and G are the basis of the dismissal of the plaintiffs.

Lawyer Osman Jalloh recalled that the other side had contended more particularly in their affidavit in reply that those standards are localised by the 1st defendant in the matter.

He noted that the incontrovertible evidence before the court informs that those are not localised documents, but in terms of geographical consideration, have global application.

To further show the court that the 2nd defendant is necessary and proper to be before the court, he refereed the court to exhibit-B attached to the affidavit in opposition, stating that exhibit-B is a letter dated 23rd November, 2020, addressed to the plaintiffs and the subject reference was ‘notification of disciplinary meeting.’

He noted that page 3 of the said letter was signed by one Edward Ensah, Head of Employee Relations for West Africa, for and on behalf of Standard Chartered Bank Sierra Leone Limited.

He said Edward Ensah works in Ghana but signed for Standard Chartered Bank Sierra Leone Limited, to tell someone who works for Standard Chartered Bank Sierra Leone Limited that, they were inviting him to a disciplinary meeting.

He stated that, attached to the affidavit in opposition was the job description of the plaintiffs which was titled ‘Global job description template of Standard Chartered Bank,’ adding that it was stated in page 1 that the plaintiff should report directly to Cluster Chief Operating Office, West Africa.

He also referred the court to exhibit-L in the affidavit in opposition, which was an email correspondent dated 21st of March, 2021, from one Mirna Al Najai, Head of Employee Relations, Africa and Middle East, Standard Chartered Bank.

He said the said email was concerning an appeal the complainant sought regarding the decision of the bank.

He said the mail manifested that Sierra Leone is a small shop of Standard Chartered Bank and that decisions taken go through the structure,  noting that in the circumstances the right and most proper party to be before the court is the ultimate parent.

He said the complaints were not dismissed by the 1st defendant who only served as a channel to communicate to the complainants about their dismissal by the ultimate parent.

He referred the court to exhibit-M attached to the affidavit in opposition, stating that exhibit-M is a letter dated 11th March, 2021, from the 1st defendant to the plaintiff informing him about the outcome of his appeal and dismissal.

He submitted exhibit-M and invited the court to know that when Mirna Al Najai was being described by Mariama Kamara, the Head of the Human Resource of the first defendant, she was not saying their head or employee relations, hence when they wanted to sue any Standard Chartered Bank subsidiary, they go for the ultimate parent.

He also referred the court to exhibit-K 1 to 46, email correspondences regarding transactions that coordinated the dismissal of the plaintiff and proceedings before the court.

Ex-President Koroma Heads AU Observation Mission to Zambia

By Foday Moriba Conteh

His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, it was understood, on the 6th August 2021, extended an invitation to former President Ernest Bai Koroma to lead the African Union Elections Observation Mission (AUEOM), to the Republic of Zambia’s August 12th Presidential elections.

“Given your vast experience in and your commitment to the promotion of democracy, peace and stability on the continent, I would like to invite you to lead the AEUOM to the Republic of Zambia,” AU chairperson, Mousa Faki, said in the letter sent to the Sierra Leonean statesman.

President Ernest Bai Koroma, who is widely regarded as an icon of peace and democracy in Africa, will be engaging a broad spectrum of stakeholders in Zambia’s political and electioneering processes. This would enable him and his team of AU experts to have a better understanding and appreciation of the process.

“I am firmly committed to supporting the AU in its pursuit of the ideals of sustainable peace, democracy and stability in Africa. I believe that deepening democracy through credible and inclusive electoral processes is essential for the continent’s economic progress,” said President Koroma.

President Ernest Bai Koroma departed Freetown on the 6th August, 2021, and will return on the 19th August, 2021.

Operating in Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast & The Gambia… NP-SL Ltd Has A Strong Foothold in the West African Sub-Region  

By Amin Kef Sesay

The leading indigenous oriented petroleum marketing company in the country , the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) has a presence in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia where it is marketing qualitative petroleum products and at the same time offering other services to its numerous and esteemed customers.

Being a dependable business entity that has over the years demonstrated shrewdness and efficiency in the importation and marketing of various petroleum products among which we have diesel, petrol, gas, lubricants like Castrol Oil as well as other products, NP-SL Ltd has become a household name in those countries and many have reposed confidence in it for its timely service delivery and orderliness.

It is against such a backdrop that, on a frequent basis, certain savvy business individuals do not hesitate to partner or collaborate with NP-SL Ltd to open up Filling Stations in different parts in those countries. Such collaborations are bordered on mutual trust and the objective of not only maximizing profits but to meaningfully contribute to the development of those countries.

When cognisance is taken of the fact that the opening of new Filling Stations provides employment opportunities for the jobless then one comes to the realization that NP-SL Ltd is indeed making a meaningful contribution in the reduction of unemployment.

Looking at it from the perspective that youth unemployment is a real social malaise that most times leads to high crime rates then the fantastic moves made by the company in the area of creating job opportunities are indeed worthy to be celebrated. To take it a little bit further, creating job opportunities is another way of reducing poverty in the country.

One way in which the Governments of the aforementioned countries derive revenue is through internal mobilization of funds and one channel is via the imposition of various forms of tax. Business entities are bound by law to pay taxes. Filling Stations fall within that bracket and by extension they are large tax payers. Those taxes paid are in return utilized by Governments in the listed countries to provide basic amenities for the populace and fund other development projects.

NP-SL Ltd has etched its name in the sands of time as a company which does not compromise customer care and it is in that regard, long time ago, the company bagged the prestigious accolade of being 1st for Customer Care.

Management of the company is of the firm conviction that giving utmost satisfaction to its numerous customers right across the country is very imperative. The company has in all its Filling Stations calibrated pumping machines which pump the exact amount of fuel requested for and display the price at the same time.

It is on record that the company markets cookers which are known as NP Gas, manufactured in different cylinder sizes. They are environmentally friendly, easy to refill with gas that can be secured at the company’s Filling Stations where NP Gas could also be accessed.

To simplify transactions, the company introduced the NP Smart Card which could be used to purchase fuel without using physical cash. As long as the NP Smart Card has credit in it such could be used to buy fuel at certain Filling Stations. It is a quick, safe and a secured way of conducting transactions which many have lauded the company for.

NP-SL Ltd is one company that long ago made it a laid down policy of predominantly employing indigenes everywhere it is operating. This policy is in sync with deepening the Local Content Policy which the company continues to uphold.

It can be safely anchored that indeed NP-SL Ltd is contributing greatly to the socio-economic developments of Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia. In all those countries the company is doing extremely well.

As it’s Set To Bring More Goodies…   SIERRAMIN Bauxite Mining Company signs $430M Deal With Devon Impex Limited  

Umar Bah: CEO of Sierramin Bauxite (SL) Ltd

By Amin Kef Sesay

One of the mining companies that is registered and certified with the requisite mining institutions in the country, Sierramin Bauxite Mining Company, commenced operations in 2014, as a wholly Sierra Leone-based entity with a key purpose to develop the Bauxite deposits at Port Loko, in Northern Sierra Leone.

Although the company commenced exploration operations in 2014, however, it was briefly interrupted by the outbreak of Ebola in 2014/15.  The company resumed operations with the signing of the Mining Lease Agreement and the Government Agreement in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

Sierramin Bauxite (SL) Ltd is currently operating in two chiefdoms in Port Loko District namely Maforki and Marampa.

Following the signing of the Mining Lease Agreement and the Government Agreement, the company went into active mobilization of equipment and personnel and was on the verge of starting the export of Bauxite when the global COVID-19 pandemic struck in late 2019.

In the circumstances of the global economic downturn, occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic; Sierramin Bauxite Mining Company faced challenges in meeting the operational roll-out timelines and targets it had set itself.

With the support of the Government, the company responded to the circumstances with a re-think of strategy.

What for now is certain is that the Company has re-positioned itself to be the most significant new entrant into the mining landscape in Sierra Leone.

As the result of a re-think of strategy this year, the company successfully negotiated and closed an investment deal with the China/Canada-based Devon Impex Limited worth $430 Million towards accelerated and larger development of the Port Loko deposits.

Under this deal, $80 Million is allocated to the Bauxite mining and $350 Million in building an Alumina Plant at Port Loko District. These two deals, as the Chief Executive Officer of Sierramin Bauxite Company puts it: “are part of plans to make the company sustainable and to transform to one of the leading employers in the mining sector”.

On the occasion of the signing of the deal between Sierramin Bauxite (SL) Ltd. and Devon Impex Limited this year, Umar Bah, the Chief Executive Officer of Sierramin Bauxite Company said the mega-deal is going to enable the company to expand the Port Loko Bauxite mine project and to promote and set an example for value-addition in the mining sector for the first time in the country’s history with the construction of an Alumina Plant.

The company is poised to be the leader in promoting Bauxite Mining that will benefit the country at its greatest.

It must be noted that Sierramin Bauxite (SL) Ltd is the only large-scale mining company that has a Sierra Leonean national in the person of Umar Bah, as Chief Executive Officer in 2021.

In his leadership as CEO, Bah expanded and re-capitalized the deal within just five months. Before becoming the Chief Executive Officer, Bah’s leadership and guidance as Country Director led the company to secure its mining lease agreement in 2016.

It is worth pointing out that amid the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that is seriously affecting the mining industry, Sierramin maintained steady pre-production activities. Sierramin Bauxite (SL) Ltd currently employs over 500 employees, and its employees’ condition of service ranked among the best in the mining industry.

Following the signing of the mega-deal with Devon Impex Limited, the mobilization of additional equipment, personnel, and other resources has continued.  At the end of 2021, hundreds of Sierra Leoneans will gain employment as the company continues its mobilization of equipment to Freetown in the coming months. In simple terms, the coming to the Bauxite Mining stage by Sierramin Bauxite (SL) Ltd, Sierra Leone’s Bauxite mining is retaking its place on the world stage and bringing more investors’ interest to Sierra Leone’s Mines.

 

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