Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu, the Hon. Speaker of Parliament, on the 23rd July 2021, ruled from his Chair following a unanimous vote or decision by Members of Parliament on the abolition and removal of the death penalty from the law books of Sierra Leone.
That decision marked the abolition of the death penalty meaning therefore that it has finally been removed from the law books of the country.
The Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, while trying to convince the House to see reason for the passage into law the abolition of the death penalty stated that Sierra Leone has joined 119 countries in the world that have abolished the death penalty, including 21 countries in Africa.
It could be recalled that in his election campaign, President Julius Maada Bio, made the removal or abolition of the death penalty a manifesto promise.
Anthony Y. Brewah, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, piloted the Bill.
The Bill entitled: “The Abolition of the Death Penalty Act, 2021” was approved by Parliament with a maximum penalty of not less than 30 years for a sentence of life imprisonment.
The Act seeks to abolish the death penalty in the case of persons convicted in Sierra Leone of murder under the Offences Against the Person Act, 1861, robbery with aggravation under the Larceny Act, 1916, mutiny under the Sierra Leone Military Forces Act, 1961, treason and related offences under the Treason and State Offences Act 1963, and to make alternative provision for the punishment of persons so convicted and to provide for other related matters.
After lengthy debates and careful considerations in light of international best practice, and judging from its sad history in the country, when people had been killed without evidence and fabricated lies over the years, the death penalty has been removed from the law books of Sierra Leone with a vote of unanimity.
Representatives from Civil Society and Human Rights Organizations who were in Parliament to witness the debate and vote on the abolition of the death penalty were recognized by the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu. Parliament also solicited inputs from them before the abolition of the death penalty from the law books of Sierra Leone.
The Dean of the Consular Corps, Dr. Adonis Abboud and the Honorary Consuls of South Africa and Romania on the 23rd July 2021 paid a farewell visit to Ambassador Tom Vens, whose tenure of service in Sierra Leone recently came to an end.
According to Dr. Adonis Abboud, who led the visiting team, as per tradition, they do offer departing envoys souvenirs furthering how this time around they decided to offer Ambassador Vens hand-made country clothes woven by Sierra Leonean women in the provinces.
Ambassador Vens, in his response, expressed profound delight and gratitude for the gesture and promised to continue his support for Sierra Leone even though he will be 4000 miles away in Brussels.
“Thank you very much Dean and colleagues for this very fine gesture which is a wonderful souvenir that will keep me warm,” the outgone Ambassador showed appreciation.
Earlier, on the 16th July 2021 at State House Ambassador Tom Vens called on President Dr Julius Maada Bio to bid farewell after the end of his tour of duty in the country.
He said he was gratified that the President could leave his busy schedule to meet with him, adding that after four years’ service in the country he was saddened to announce the end of his tour of duty in the country. He added that he was proud to serve Sierra Leone, citing some of the fond memories he would not easily forget.
“We have achieved many good things together. As I leave, I hope my successor will be given the same platform to perform his duty. Thank you very much, Your Excellency,” Ambassador Vens noted.
President Julius Maada Bio in his brief statement said: “Thank you very much Tom. I have enjoyed working with you and the European Union. Your passion to serve us went beyond your line of duty”.
He further stated that the cooperation between the EU and Sierra Leone is huge and that he is determined to strengthen and deepen it.
“On behalf of the Government, the people and my humble self, I want to extend our gratitude to you for the extra mile you went to serve our country. We hope to work in close collaboration with your successor to consolidate our shared values,” President Bio concluded.
In a bid to encourage students that have exhibited outstanding academic performance and positive attitudes toward promoting China – Sierra Leone Friendship in the country, the Chinese Embassy through the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, H.E Amb Hu Zhangliang under the 2021 Chinese Ambassador Scholarships and grants has on Thursday 22, July 2021, one week before the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Sierra Leone, awarded scholarships to 22 University Students to the value of Le 10,000,000 Million each and Grants to 125 Pupils in the tune of Le 2,000,000 Million all amounting to 147 deserving benefiting and 470 Million Leones expended.
The award ceremony took place at the Economic and Commercial Office of the Chinese Embassy at OAU Village on Hill Station in Freetown.
Delivering his statement during the occasion, the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, H.E Amb Hu Zhangliang, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy, expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education for promoting the cooperation in education between the two countries. He also extended his heartfelt congratulations to all the students who benefited from the 2021 Chinese Ambassador Scholarship.
He said this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Sierra Leone diplomatic relations and that over the past 50 years the two countries have been proven by time and facts to be genuine friends and reliable partners, adding that their traditional friendship and friendly cooperation have been constantly strengthened and enriched with tangible results achieved in various fields, such as infrastructure building, agriculture, fishery, public health, education and human resource development.
He pointed that as early as 1973, China started dispatching medical and health experts to Sierra Leone and up to now, over 500 Chinese medical doctors and experts have been sent to work in Sierra Leone and treated over 800 thousand patients stating that in the late 1970s and 1980s, China helped Sierra Leone build land mark projects including the National Stadium, the Youyi Building, the RSLAF Headquarter Complex and the Mange Bridge etc and that the recent years have seen the bilateral cooperation further expanded and deepened under the framework of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), with fruitful outcomes such as the Office Building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital (Jui), National Fiber Backbone Network Project Phase 1 and 2, the two primary schools in Masingbi and Makeni communities, the Second Juba Bridge, the newly started Sierra Leone Foreign Service Academy, and the newly completed 3.2-kilometer Ring Road in Freetown etc.
“Over the years, China has been helping Sierra Leone in its educational development and human capacity building on a large scale. The Chinese Government has sponsored over 1000 Sierra Leonean students to study in China under its scholarship programs. Similarly, the Chinese Government has also invited more than 5,100 Sierra Leonean friends from all walks of life to China for short-term training courses or exchanges in the past 20 years,” he further disclosed.
He revealed that to support the local tertiary education in Sierra Leone, the Chinese Embassy set up the Chinese Ambassador Scholarship a few years ago maintaining that the scholarship is meant to incentivize outstanding academic performance and positive attitudes toward promoting China – Sierra Leone friendship, furthering that to date, a total of 115 students have benefited from this program, including the 22 students which were awarded the Scholarship on the 22nd July 2021 maintaining that these 22 students were recommended to the Embassy by the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education as well as various colleges and universities across this country.
He said in 2020 the Embassy awarded the Chinese Ambassador Grant to 90 needy students from various primary and secondary schools in Sierra Leone, and this year, the number of beneficiaries is 125 and that the recipients were recommended by the Fourah Bay College Junior Secondary School and various Sierra Leone – China friendship organizations.
Ambassador Hu encouraged recipients to continue working hard and wished them great achievements at school and in future career. He also reaffirmed China’s staunch support to the tertiary education and the Free Quality Education initiated by H.E. President Julius Maada Bio.
On his part, Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, said the relationship between Sierra Leone and China has long been established, adding how the friendship has proven great beyond expectations, noting that the relationship has expanded from medical, military, socio-economic and above all, education beyond borders.
He maintained that the awarding of the 22 university students from various tertiary institutions and the 125 needy pupils from different primary and secondary schools with the 2021 Chinese Ambassador Scholarship and Grant is a move in complementing Government’s free quality education initiative, adding that it is with great honour and pleasure to see dynamic young people achieve their learning aspirations, which is the Government’s priority and supported by the Chinese Government through their Embassy.
He encouraged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of this in order to achieve their desired goals and contribute immensely to the country, be innovative and be courageous stating that education is not an easy task therefore, and urged them to brace up to make the change that the country and the whole world require.
On behalf of the Government and the People of Sierra Leone, he expressed sincere thanks and gratitude to the Chinese Ambassador and the People of China for supporting the country’s human capital development.
Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Sarjoh Aziz Kamara, conveyed greetings from His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio to the President of the People’s Republic of China for the support of the Chinese Government to education in the country which he said has been long standing.
He noted that apparently there are 155 Sierra Leoneans students who have registered with the Sierra Leone Embassy in the People’s Republic of China pursuing different academic programs, adding that the Chinese Government has also awarded 48 Sierra Leoneans students who are currently in country and have not been able to travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic and so far the Government of Sierra Leone appreciate this support to education by the People’s Republic of China which complements President Maada Bio’s commitment to ensure qualitative education in the country as a key driver of sustainable development and achievement of human capital development in the country.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, Mohamed Mansaray, a Civil Engineering student at the Fourah Bay College expressed appreciation to the Chinese Embassy for awarding them these scholarships. He assured them that they will make judicious use of the opportunity in order to achieve their desired goals and contribute immensely to the country and help strengthen the friendship between the two countries.
Orange Foundation -Sierra Leone has on Friday 23rd July, 2021 donated a 500 KVA generator to Njala University during an auspicious event held at the Njala University Mokonde campus.
The gesture or offer was part of strides towards improving electricity supply and in fulfilment of the telecommunications company’s Corporate Social Responsibility in the country.
In his welcome address, Pro- VC & Deputy Vice Chancellor of Njala University, David Carew ,started by congratulating Orange Foundation-Sierra Leone for making such a timely donation to Njala University and stated that even though Njala University is deprived in terms of accessing basic amenities to promote teaching, research and extension compared to other Public Universities it is still a household name in the production of the requisite human resource in the Government’s Human Capital Agenda.
He appealed to the Chief Minister and other sector Ministries present to help the Administration create a conducive environment for students and members of staff of the University to enhance their potentials.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor expressed his dissatisfaction that students are spending their valuable time searching for the basic amenities rather than concentrating on their studies and that this trend should change with the requisite political will been shown by Government to invest in education and human capital development.
Speaking during the event, Acting Vice-Chancellor of Njala University Professor, Andrew Baimba, expressed appreciation to Orange Foundation -Sierra Leone for the laudable venture in supporting the University with the 500KVA Generator which he described as a move in the right direction towards addressing electricity issues within the campus.
He stated that Njala University was established in 1964 as the constituent unit of the University of Sierra Leone and later became a University in 2005 pursuant to the 2005 University’s Act, adding that the University has never benefitted from the national grid and this, according to him, has continued to cripple the finances of the University over the years as it spends quantum of monies to generate water and electricity across its campuses and lauded the Orange Foundation Sierra Leone and the Office of the Chief Minister for swiftly coming to the aid of Njala University on the beckon call to provide a 500 KVA generator to Njala Campus.
He further thanked Orange Sierra Leone, which, according to him, has been at the service of Njala University in the past years providing furniture for schools, ICT equipment for the Njala University hospital among others, and urged the representatives of Orange Sierra Leone present at the ceremony to convey the sincere gratitude of his Administration to the Chief Executive Officer, Orange Sierra Leone, Madam Aminata Kane Ndiaye.
Professor Baimba also impressed on the Chief Minister that they would not be comfortable as a University if the host communities of Mosongo and Mokonde are left out in terms of the provision of water and electricity and appealed that the communities should be able to feel the relevance of the University within their communities.
He appealed for an overhaul of the electricity distribution and supply infrastructure at the Njala campus and recounted that the provision of transformers and more generators would enhance the electricity capacity of the campus.
On her part, Director of Orange Foundation Sierra Leone, Ms. Jestina Betts, noted in her statement that Education in the 21st century has been characterized by the use of technology fully supported by electricity and that it is against such a backdrop that they had considered making a donation of 500KVA to Njala University.
She further disclosed that the donation by Orange Sierra Leone was adding to the tall list of donations already made by Orange Sierra Leone to Njala University since 2015.
Ms. Betts also disclosed that Orange Sierra Leone has an enviable track record in CSR and was the first company to donate the sum of 1.5 million dollars in material assistance to the Free Quality Education and as part of their Early Childhood Development Center School Project, which happens to fall under the Company’s Free Quality Education support to the Government’s Free Quality Education (FQE) Initiative they have constructed and commissioned state of art Pre-School Center at Pujehun, Kambia, Moyamba District respectively.
Dr. Eldred Taylor, Deputy Minister of Energy on behalf of Minister Kanja Sesay also applauded Orange Sierra Leone for the gesture which he described as a move in complementing Government’s efforts towards proving electricity supply to Njala University, adding that energy supply to Njala University are very close to the heart of His Excellency Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio.
He assured the University authorities that the Ministry had worked with private sector players in the past and the African Union and NEPAD to roll out a one-megawatt electricity power at Njala University providing 24/7 water and electricity to the Njala University Hospital.
The Deputy Energy Minister also assured the University that they are working on a hybrid energy power solution and that the AU/NEPAD phase two projects are all sustainable efforts the Ministry is working on to bring sustainable electricity to Njala University.
Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education commended Orange Foundation Sierra Leone for coming to the aid of Njala University and expressed the commitment of his Minister and President Bio to promote higher Education and disclosed that the passing of the Universities Bill of 2021 which had created two other Technical Universities in the Western Area and the Eastern Province is a clear manifestation of Government’s commitment to promote Human Capital Development.
In his keynote address, the Chief Minister, Jacob Jus Saffa thanked Orange Sierra Leone and gave a background to the donation of the generator to Njala University.
He showcased the developmental efforts of the Government of President Bio in addressing the issues around staff salary, backlogs and increments and also the huge expenditures towards the Free Quality Education flagship project.
Jacob Jusu Saffa told the gathering that the Government of President has taken over the ambitious Human Capital Development to address the issues of underlining poverty which according to him has a direct correlation with illiteracy.
The Chief Minister also hinted that Government would soon require public institutions to commit monies raised into the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and that time after time Government would have the opportunity to examine cash flows and outflows within public Universities.
He encouraged Njala University to not only expand and produce experts in the Agricultural value chain but also make way for agriculture graduates to be self-reliant through projects.
The climax of the ceremony was the official commissioning of the 500KVA Generator by the Chief Minister and Orange Foundation Sierra Leone followed by a tour of the Njala Campus.
Gento Group of Companies continues to bag widespread commendations from many quarters in the country for being one of the most effective indigenous road construction companies that has exemplarily impressed so many Sierra Leoneans, in and out of the country, for what many have described as the company’s successful undertaking and execution of state of the art road construction and reconstruction works including the 34 Military Hospital Roads.
On a daily basis, people from different walks of life, including military officers and their relatives, seek medical treatment for various debilitating health conditions at the 34 Military Hospital but until the commencement of reconstruction work the road network leading to the facility had been in a deplorable state.
The road network was in such a bad state that military officers were inevitably forced to drive vehicles on dusty roads with so many pot holes that shorten the lifespan of the affected vehicles.
Ambulances and patients found it extremely difficult and strenuous to access the facility due to the deplorable roads leading to it.
Such was the unfortunate plight encountered by those trying to access the health facility until Gento Group of Companies came on-board in order to rescue the ugly situation.
Speaking to this medium, Commanding Officer of the Joint Military Unit of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (JMU-RSLAF), Col. Dr. Stephen Sevalie, expressed gratitude to Gento Group of Companies for its timely response to their call in terms of undertaking the commencement of the reconstruction of the roads leading to the 34 Military Hospital.
He described the hospital as a public facility that is providing medical services to Sierra Leoneans and other nationals from different stations in life across the country and not just limited to military personnel.
Col. Dr. Stephen Sevalie further revealed that in October of 2018 there was a terrible road accident on Spur Loop that left those affected in critical and emergency cases furthering that in the process of taking the victims to the facility, because of the bad conditions of the roads, it turned out to be very challenging maintaining that as a result of most of the victims did not survive.
The Commanding Officer also intimated that when he assumed command of the JMU-RSLAF they started a self-help project which took the form of breaking stones to first fill in the pot holes around the hospital area, as a quick fix, before approaching several State and private entities, particularly road construction companies, including Gento Group of Companies, with the later responding promptly to their call.
He said before Gento Group of Companies commenced the reconstruction of the deplorable roads, SALCOST offered them 32 drums of bitumen in addition to the stones they had already acquired and they then presented their case to the Gento Group of Companies in order to support them with equipment to start the reconstruction of the roads adding that they also secured 2000 liters of fuel to run the equipment disclosing how the funds they were able to generate amounted to the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Million Leones ( Le. 150, 000,000) which he said they presented to Gento Group of Companies for the commencement of the reconstruction process.
Col. Dr. Stephen Sevalie also used the opportunity to commend Gento Group of Companies for being proactive and committed since the start of the reconstruction work stating that the company also contributed its resources.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Gento Group of Companies, Mohamed Gento Kamara, stated that the entity is an indigenous road Construction Company that has been rendering both material and financial support to the country as part of fulfilling its Corporate Social Responsibility.
He said Sierra Leone is a great nation and as young as he is he has the privilege to own a road construction company that undertakes the construction of roads with well-equipped machineries in order to give back to society with or without the nation’s call for help as he wants to be there to provide his expertise towards the development of the nation.
Mohamed Gento Kamara further disclosed that he is expecting a payment of about 2.3 Billion Leones and the 34 Military Hospital will provide 300 Million Leones stating that the reconstruction work covers a total of 1.3 Kilometer road project that should cost Thirteen Billion Leones, stating that the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Finance, has accepted to pay 2.3 Billion Leones for which he said he is grateful furthering that the road work is part of their Corporate Social Responsibility with a discount of over One Million United State Dollars.
The Director General of the Local Content Agency, Fodeba Daboh, said such a move by the Gento Group of Companies should spur other companies especially those owned by Sierra Leoneans to do likewise in supporting Government’s development strides.
He said they have been consistently creating the space in order for local content to speak to patriotism and nationalism, pointing out that the Gento Group of Companies out of their wisdom thought it fit that Sierra Leone is the only country they have, stating that supporting State institutions such as the 34 Military Hospital is worthy of commendation.
Fodeba Daboh called on other Sierra Leoneans to emulate the kind gesture of Gento Group of Companies in supporting Government’s development drive.
It must be noted that the Gento Group of Companies has now taken the lead as the most incisive indigenous road construction company that is complementing the Government’s strides in achieving the construction of well-constructed roads in the country as well as reconstructing those that are in bad conditions.
Sierra Leoneans have heaped praises on the company for the qualitative works done so far on the 34 Military Hospital, Jomo Kenyatta Road, King Harman Road and Hill Cut Road respectively.
From a random interview conducted by this medium, most whom were contacted spoke in glowing terms of the highly qualitative works that have been done so far by the Gento Group of Companies on the roads leading to the 34 Military Hospital expressing the view that many are now heaving sighs of relief to easily access the facility.
Saving our forests from the chainsaw and axe of encroaching humanity is essential to the health and productivity of much of the country’s largely rural based economy, experts point out. They cite the forests’ roles as watersheds, defenses against soil erosion and regulators of local weather conditions thus the need for a stand-alone Ministry of Forestry as there is much to be done.
Changing the way the Government and people living in the forested areas of the country value forests, is critical to the survival of those forests which by regulating temperatures and trapping and releasing moisture during the hot dry season, create the climate conditions needed for rain to fall.
For example, deforestation around the Bumbuna dam which provides Makeni and Freetown with electricity has caused the dam’s water level not to reach its normal level. This definitely will affect the supply of electricity to the city as soon as the dry season starts.
The scale of the problem, the corruption and contempt for law that accompany it – the World Bank notes, “Undermine any nation’s attempt to achieve sustainable economic growth, social balance and environmental protection.”
The fate of the forests spells the difference between success and failure in the race against global warming. Trees, the dominant inhabitants of the diverse and complex ecological systems called forests, are among the world’s largest and most efficient living storehouses of carbon monoxide, the “greenhouse gas” most responsible for the earth’s temperature rise and changes in the planet’s climate.
Preserving our surviving tropical forests and planting new trees to replace those lost to deforestation could help reduce the severity of climate change by absorbing more carbon from the air, and ease the local impact of climate change by regulating local weather conditions.
Poor forest management policies — including unrestricted logging, mining, shifting cultivation farming, and excessive harvesting of firewood contribute to the problem. The collection of wood for heating and cooking and for making charcoal is a particular problem, since wood supplies about 70 per cent of domestic energy needs.
The conversion of forest land to agriculture, both subsistence and commercial, is by far the most common and most destructive cause of deforestation. As demand for farmland grows in response to population pressures, thousands of hectares of tropical forests are being put to the torch annually.
The FAO noted in a 2000 report on sustainable forestry in Africa, “that the key to arresting deforestation and to implementing sustainable forest development lies in improved technologies for food production.”
Everyone in the forest conservation and perseveration business has agreed that preserving our remaining tropical forests and planting new trees to replace those lost to deforestation could help reduce the severity of climate change by absorbing more carbon from the air and trapping more precipitation in the clouds.
Different kinds of forests provide different kinds of services, and that finding the right match is a vital part of sustainable forestry. Indigenous forests store more carbon, regulate weather conditions better and contain more and more varied biodiversity than tree plantations and reforested areas.
The political dimension is very important in forest protection and perseveration. Preserving and expanding our forests will require a mix of sound forestry practices and greater appreciation of the real financial value of forest eco-systems.
Reforestation and commercial forestry are important for creating a renewable source of wood products and a buffer between humanity and the ancient trees.
Establishing agro-forestry practices on land outside of forests and improving the soil quality and other services the land can provide can be economically done by communities by using trees to prevent wind and water erosion of topsoil, trap and recycle plant nutrients and provide a renewable source of energy, wood products, animal fodder and other valuable materials to farmers.
It is a fact that NP-SL Ltd continues to optimize Customer Care on a high pedestal in everywhere the company has a presence. In no way can it be disputed that the National Petroleum- Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) continues to be the leading petroleum marketing entity in the country. One thing which is outstanding about NP-SL Ltd is the fact that it does not take customer care for granted but rather does everything within its ambit to optimise it just in a bid to enhance maximum satisfaction and at the same time be maximizing profits.
Being an indigenous company that cherish its numerous customers, NP-SL Ltd, over the years, has placed high premium on customer care, which as a business entity it is effectively rolling out to such an extent that it has earned the company 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 pumping machines in 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 part of their continuous support to vulnerable people, especially people living with disabilities in the country, Realsalonean Children’s Foundation on Monday 19th July 2021, donated assorted food items worth millions of Leones to over 200 disables at Cotton Tree and Kissy Road in Freetown respectively. The donated items included rice, onions, and spices (Maggi) etc.
In his statement, Founder of Realsalonean Children’s Foundation, Fredrick Tarawallie, noted that people with disabilities are very important people in society and should be given the love and care they deserve.
He said that as an organization, they will work in partnership with other organizations, children, and communities to create meaningful changes by supporting community development and promoting children’s health, education, human rights, and their overall wellbeing, adding that their vision is to build a global community with compassion, love, and eliminating poverty where children and humans, including people living with disabilities will have the opportunity to reach their full potential with basic human necessities.
He maintained that the Realsalonean Children’s Foundation thought it fit to make the aforementioned donation, stating how they did so out of the strong conviction that such could be helpful, especially at this decisive moment, adding that they are glad to give them this support, especially at a difficult period like this, when the Covid-19 pandemic is affecting the world.
The Founder noted that they are very committed to seeing that they render support to them in order to include them in their digital inclusion, furthering that although they have disabilities, they should not be discriminated against, but rather, should be considered as very important children in society, and that as an organization they want to be touching their lives and ensure they continue to support them during difficult periods.
Ibrahim Turay, one of the beneficiaries, expressed his appreciation to the Realsalonean Children’s Foundation for the kind gesture, which he described as not only important, but a very timely intervention.
He assured them that the donated assorted food items will be used for its intended purpose, which he said will surely help them and their families at this critical moment in the country’s history.
Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia accredited to Sierra Leone, Djura Likra
By Foday Moriba Conteh
The Ambassador of the Republic of Serbia to Nigeria, accredited to Sierra Leone, Djura Likra, has expressed his commitment to work with the Government of Sierra Leone in strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries. He made this disclosure during an exclusive interview at Wilkinson Road in Freetown.
The Ambassador of Serbia to Nigeria accredited to Sierra Leone, Djura Likra said that on Friday 16th July, 2021 with three other diplomats he presented his Letters of Credence to President Julius Maada Bio, as the first Serbian Ambassador to Sierra Leone.
He disclosed that during his visit to the country, he met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Minister of Education and the Deputy Speaker of Parliament in relation to the friendship between the two countries.
Djura Likra maintained that the diplomatic relations between the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Sierra Leone were established in 1961, immediately after gaining independence. The sincere friendship that ties the two States was forged precisely 60 years ago, and is based on the principles and joint activity within the non-aligned movement. Both countries have continued to develop in all areas of common interests.
He pointed out that there are possibilities of corporations in the area of Education, Agriculture and parliamentary, adding that during his meeting with the Deputy Speaker of Parliament of Sierra Leone, he inform him that the Parliament of Serbia established a group of friendship with Sierra Leone and that he is hopeful that the parliament of Sierra Leone will consider and establish similar parliamentary group of friendship and strengthen the parliamentary friendship between the two countries.
In the area of education the Ambassador said the Government of the Republic of Serbia has been awarding scholarships to students of Sierra Leone to study in different universities in the Republic of Serbia at the expense of the Government, which includes accommodations, fees etc. stating that after their completion, they will return to Sierra Leone and contribute towards the development of the country.
Djura Likra maintained that he will work with relevant stakeholders in deepening and strengthening the economic corporation between the two countries, which he said in the future, will contribute towards the development of the two countries.
He revealed that one of the ways to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the countries is going into an agreement of corporation in different areas, with draft agreement delivered to relevant authorities of Sierra Leone for consideration, while they wait for a reply from the relevant authorities.
Staff of the Sierra Leone State Lottery (SLSL), on Monday 19th July, 2021, staged a peaceful protest at the SLSL office, Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown, describing the contractor; Accord Logistics as “unfit for Lottery business.”
SLSL is now housing the Bet Salone betting company that has taken over operations. The peaceful sit down protest was held with placards demanding for the intervention of President Julius Maada Bio over the failure of the contractor, Accord Logistics, to honour its obligation according to the terms of the agreement signed with the Sierra Leone State Lottery.
Speaking to this medium in an exclusive interview, President of the Sierra Leone State Lottery Staff Association, Florence Kamara, expressed her dissatisfaction over the Sierra Leone State Lottery company going into an agreement with Accord Logistics (contractor), a partnership agreement that was signed without the involvement of the Management and the Board, adding that prior to the signing of the agreement, the terms of the said agreement were not made known to the staff of the company.
She added that when the contractor commenced operations, it refused to take up the liabilities of the company and as a result, failed to honour its obligation to the staff and that it failed to pay the workers the salaries they were being paid by the company, allowances and other remunerations were abandoned and the conditions of service was drastically interfered with, against the stipulations of the Labour laws of the country.
She furthered that after several attempts to get the contractor to honour its obligations to the staff, they had no alternative, but to stage a peaceful sit down protest with placards demanding for the intervention of President Julius Maada Bio, as Father of the Nation and Fountain of Justice, to settle the impasse.
She disclosed that the Managing Director of Sierra Leone State Lottery and the National Commission for Privatization (NCP) betrayed the staff by signing an agreement without the involvement of the Management and the Board, and they believe that the contractor ‘Accord Logistics’ is “totally unfit for lottery business.”
Responding to the allegation, the Director of Bet Salone, Nicholas Nicol, disclosed that there was a tender for the privatization of State Lottery, which Accord Logistics, owned by a Lebanese national, Johnny Kusha, won.
He said that for the past couple of months, Bet Salone has been paying the salaries of the aggrieved workers who are also demanding for leave allowance, lunch and retirement benefits.
Director Nicolas Nicol indicated that they are prepared to address the concerns of the State Lottery workers in good time and in good faith, with a view to avoiding distress for customers and interruption of their work flow.
On his part, Managing Director of Sierra Leone State Lottery, Jerry E. Gengo, told this medium that the contract signed with Accord Logistics is authentic, as they went through all the right procedures.
On payment of salaries, allowances and other remunerations, he disclosed that the company has paid all salaries of staff, adding that in the area of allowances and other remunerations, they have submitted a priority list, which they will go through to ensure that the ones that are very prompt will be paid.
He said that they have been working with these staff for decades, adding that they are very important and will continue to work with them and will try to look at their concerns.
Chief Executive Officer of Accord Logistics, Johnny Kusha, denied the allegations made by the staff that as a contractor they are unfit for the lottery business, adding that as a contractor, when they took over, they renovated the building with modern facilities, which he said is a clear manifestation that they are fit for the lottery business.
He maintained that during the negotiations of the said agreement, the issues of allowances and other remunerations were not presented to them by the management of the Sierra Leone State Lottery, adding that the company only presented to them the payroll and the liabilities; that is part of the end of service of the staff.
He furthered that the issues of allowances and other remunerations were never mentioned by the management of Sierra Leone State Lottery during the negotiation process and before the signing of the agreement.
This medium will continue to monitor the progress of this matter and update the public accordingly.
