Legal Aid Board Frowns on Local Court Chairman for Soliciting Bribe

July 19, 2021

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Local Court Chairman of Local Court No. 1 in Lokomasama in the Port Loko District, Mr. Lamin was summoned by the Legal Aid Board Office in the district for allegedly demanding money from Yabom Posseh Sankoh who is the complainant in a matter in his court. The matter will be heard in the Port Loko Office on the 23rd July 2021.

The matter was initially referred to the Regional Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Office in Port Loko by the Legal Aid Board on the 8th June 2021. This follows a request for the intervention of the Board by Yabom Posseh of Mapitherr Village in the Lokomasama Chiefdom in the Port Loko District in a matter between her and a relative. Yabom Posseh alleged that the Court Chairman had solicited the sum of two million Leones (Le2, 000,000) to deliver judgement in her favour.

She added that the alleged soliciting took place in April 2021 in the presence of her family members – Sullay Kanu, Kewunie Kamara and Komrabai Kanu. This was after informing them that judgement will be delivered the following day.

The piece of land in dispute is situated in Mapitherr Village in the Lokomasama Chiefdom in the Port Loko District. Yabom claims that she inherited the land from her maternal uncle.

Yabom Posseh negotiated the said amount to one million Leones (Le 1,000,000) which she paid accordingly. She lost the case not withstanding paying the said amount. The Court Chairman then asked her to pay Le 500,000 to appeal the court decision.

The ACC Regional Office in Port Loko referred the matter to the Board after it was reviewed by the Commission’s Complaint Review Committee, which decided it is a matter for the Legal Aid Board. “The matter has been reviewed by the Commission’s Complaint Review Committee and believes it is a matter for your office to look into and address accordingly. It is therefore referred to you for necessary action,” the letter notes.

The Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles described the referral as a vote of confidence on the Board. She said the Board will treat the matter with utmost seriousness to send a loud and clear message to Administrators of Local and Informal Courts that the trading of justice for money will not be tolerated. “This is why I am assigning a senior staff, the Regional Programme Officer for the North, Mohamed Jalloh to lead the Legal Aid Board that will be hearing the matter,” she said.

Ms. Carlton-Hanciles said that the Board has received many complaints of administrators of Local and Traditional Courts demanding bribes from people, very poor people, using their courts on the pretext of delivering justice in their favour. “Some Local Court Chairman demand money far in excesses of fines prescribed in the Local Court Act 2011,” she said.

Four Diplomats Present Letters of Credence to President Julius Maada Bio

July 19, 2021

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Ambassador of Serbia to Nigeria accredited to Sierra Leone, Djura Likra, Ambassador of Indonesia to Senegal accredited to Sierra Leone, Dindin Wahyundin, High Commissioner of Zambia to Ghana accredited to Sierra Leone, Richard Mwanza and Ambassador of Jamaica to Nigeria accredited to Sierra Leone, Esmond St. C Reid have presented their letters of credence to His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio.

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 based on the principles and joint activity within the non-aligned movement. Both countries have continued to develop in all areas of common interests.

Diplomatic relations between Indonesia and Sierra Leone opened in November 1994 in areas of the economy, trade and culture. The Southeast Asian country has provided scholarships to many Sierra Leoneans in diverse fields of study.

The relationship between Sierra Leone and Jamaica can be traced as far back as during the slave trade with settlement in Freetown in 1792 for the resettlement of the African Americans who had arrived via Nova Scotia after they had been evacuated from the United States. Some of the Maroons eventually returned to Jamaica but most became part of the larger Sierra Leone Creole people and culture made up of freemen and liberated slaves.

Diplomatic relations between Sierra Leone and the Republic of Zambia can be traced to those years of independence in Africa. As part of the strong ties between both countries a contingent of 800 Zambian soldiers was part of the UN peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone in the 2000s.

For Supporting Female Genital Mutilation… Forum Against Harmful Practices Blasts MPs, Paramount Chiefs & Sowei Council Executive

July 19, 2021

By Amin Kef Sesay

In a Press Release issued by the Forum Against Harmful Practices (FAHP) on the 13th July, 2021 and signed by Rugiatu Neneh Koroma (Nee Turay), as Chairperson, it was stated that the attention of the Civil Society Organization has been drawn to an AYV News video making the rounds on social media, wherein, Members of Parliament, Paramount Chiefs and Sowei Council Executive Members appear to speak strongly in support of the continuation of the harmful traditional practice of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) of girls in the guise of supporting the Women Bondo Society.

The Forum Against Harmful Practices maintains that the support of what it described as the cruel and inhumane treatment of women and girls is being justified in the video clip on the grounds of “Bondo is our culture.”

“As a Coalition we want to draw the attention of the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) and its development partners that our campaign is not against the traditions and culture of the Bondo
Society but rather against FGM/C as a practice within the Bondo Society which is a violation of the human rights of women and girls,” the Forum Against Harmful Practices succinctly pointed out.

The organization continued that it is worth noting that the National Strategy for the Reduction of FGM/C calls for abolition of FGM/C, not the Bondo Society adding how the Government of Sierra Leone has committed to “uphold the noble values of the Institution of Bondo AND recognizes that the practice of FGM/C is a health burden and a violation of the human rights of children and women”.

“We in the Coalition maintain that FGM/C does not equate to Bondo and that Bondo is not all about FGM/C,” it was categorically stated with the members of the coalition saying they were shocked at the statements in the video clip made by a female Parliamentarian and Traditional Rulers about the importance of the Bondo without addressing the issue of FGM/C.

FAHP continued to state that it wants to remind duty-bearers of their broader mandate and higher responsibility to protect the rights of all their constituents and subjects to life, to good health and opportunity to better themselves.

“Our work over the years with communities including elected officials and traditional leaders has shown that it is possible to maintain the Bondo culture without FGM/C,” the organization argued.

It argues that the Bondo Society can still serve as a place where women come for training, empowerment, sisterhood, and entertainment without the excising of genitals.

“We suggest the only reason the Sowei Council has been imposed by non-members is to exploit and divide women,” it lamented saying FAHP understands that the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs & UNICEF Sierra Leone plan to revise the Child Rights Act 2007 to insert an ‘age of consent’ provision that would make it illegal to ‘initiate’ girls (i.e. aged 18 and under) into the Bondo Society.

The FAHP affirmed that the current law in force in Sierra Leone provides that where FGM/C is perpetrated on any person, without their expressed free and informed consent, it is a serious Crime under existing statute law making references to the Offences Against the Persons Act 1881 and the Common Law.

The Organization underscored that every and any act of FGM/C done WITHOUT expressed, free and informed consent is a crime stating how girls, being children below 18, CANNOT by law consent to any serious harm against themselves including FGM/C. FGM/C on an adult without her expressed, free and informed consent .

“So too is FGM/C on a child who CANNOT by law consent and does not, in fact, know or understand enough to consent to being hurt and harmed,” it added saying any act of FGM/C on a child in Sierra Leone today is already unlawful and a crime punishable by law, now and always.

The FAHP urges that any proposed revision of the current law should be to support and strengthen ENFORCEMENT of existing laws against FGM/C of girls.

Also stated is that the Government of Sierra Leone has ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and Maputo Protocol which recognise FGM/C as a harmful practice which is a human rights violation against girls and women.

Against such a backdrop, the organization said the duty to effectively address FGM/C as a harmful practice remains a core Government obligation and responsibility under those Conventions.

The Forum Against Harmful Practices ( FAHP) says it is reiterating its belief that Consent cannot be ‘free, full and informed with regards to a harmful practice’ and as such they continue to encourage the Ministry of Gender & Children’s Affairs to not only intensify the fight to change the social and cultural conventions that perpetuate FGM/C as a part of the Bondo Society, but also to spearhead development and implementation of a national program to eliminate the practice of FGM/C from all aspects of life of Sierra Leonean women & girls.

Chairperson- FAHP.

Copies of the Press Release were sent to the following:
The Minister for Gender and Children’s Affairs, the Clerk of the House of Parliament- Sierra Leone, the Parliamentary Anti FGM Committee, the Female Parliamentary Caucus, the Parliamentary Health Committee, the Parliamentary Gender Committee, the Minister of Information and Communications, the Minister of Health and Sanitation, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the Minister of Political and Public Affairs, the Inspector General- Sierra Leone Police, the Human Rights Commission, All Political Parties, Coalition of Political Parties, the President- Inter Religious Council, the Chairman- National Council of Paramount Chiefs ,Office of the First Lady, Irish Aid, UNICEF, UNFPA, UN Women,UN Resident Coordinator, US Embassy, EU, DFID, British High Commission, German Embassy, Amnesty International and Media Houses.

SLRSA Launches New Securitized Biometric Drivers’ Licenses

July 19, 2021

By Theresa Kef Sesay

New Securitized Biometric Drivers’ Licenses were exhibited at the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority Headquarters on Kissy Road in Freetown on the 16th July 2021.

The Minister of Transport and Aviation, Kabineh Kallon ,in his keynote address commended the SLRSA Executive Director, Ibrahim Sannoh, for what he calls “Putting the President’s vision into Perspective”.

He admonished the Executive Director to do more and to continue flying the flag of Sierra Leone higher.

Dr. Adams B. Steven, speaking on behalf of the Board of Directors, said he is but happy to be a part of the history being made at the SLRSA stating that as a Board they are more than willing to work with the Management of the SLRSA.

Dr. Ambrose Sovula, the Inspector General of the Sierra Leone Police, said he is one of the happiest people on earth stating that having securitized Biometric Drivers’ Licenses will help ease the burden on the Police in relation to numerous cases of fake licenses.

He extolled the SLRSA Executive Director, Ibrahim Sannoh, and the institution’s MIS team for such a job well done. He, however, admonished the Management to appreciate the team that can serve as a motivation for more work to be done.

A representative from the Parliamentary Transport Committee, Honourable Ambrose Maada Lebbie said it is a big goal being scored by the SLRSA and he commended the Minister for providing the much needed oversight. “As a Parliament our doors are always open for help and advices,” he assured.

In his statement, the Executive Director of the SLRSA, Ibrahim Sannoh, said the ‘Era of Faking SLRSA Products are over’ maintaining that he is thankful to God for making the day a reality.

He extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Kabineh Kallon, for his continuous support to SLRSA and promised to do more and work within the Agenda of the President in the interest of the State and for the development of the country.

“SLRSA under my leadership has not only blocked leakages but we have worked so hard to ensure our products (Vehicle License Stickers, Drivers’ License and Vehicle License Plates) are ISO Certified. Our goal is in congruence with the central Government’s Revenue generation drive for socio-economic development of Sierra Leone,” Sannoh intimated.

The event was graced by key stakeholders including representatives from the security sector.

Launching of the new product was done by the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Kabineh Kallon and was climaxed by a PowerPoint presentation by the SLRSA Management Information System Analyst, Glen Cole, delving into the features of the New Securitized Biometric Drivers’ Licenses.

To Make Affordable Housing a Reality… Lands Minister Enjoins President of The Gambia to Influence Investor

July 19, 2021

By Amin Kef Sesay

Dr. Turad Senesie, Minister of Lands Housing and Country Planning on the 16th July, 2021 met with the President of The Gambia, His Excellency Adama Barrow at the country’s State Lodge.

The Lands Minister travelled to The Gambia on the invitation of Mustapha Njei, the Chief Executive Officer of TAF Global Africa ,the continent’s leading entrepreneur in Affordable Housing.

The TAF Global Africa CEO updated President Barrow on his recent visit to Sierra Leone on the invitation of President Bio.

“While in Sierra Leone, I met and had fruitful discussions with His Excellency the President and the Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning,” he disclosed adding that key among issues discussed was investment in affordable housing.

Dr. Senesie’s visit to The Gambia is to follow up, concretise and accelerate the journey of taking TAF Global Africa to invest in affordable housing in Sierra Leone.

In his address, Minister Turad Senesie emphasized that the time is now for Africa to identify and solve its challenges using the African knowledge and solutions.

“It’s high time we start recognising our African entrepreneurs who have made significant impacts and ready to contribute to the African renaissance,” he asserted.

Dr. Senesie told President Barrow that the Government of H.E. President Julius Maada Bio is prioritising Human Capital Development which includes the provision of affordable homes for its citizens.

He further disclosed that his Ministry is focusing on public-private partnerships for investment in affordable housing in Sierra Leone, adding that he is on a mission in The Gambia to set the stage for Mustapha Njai to invest in Housing in Sierra Leone.

He called on the President of The Gambia to support the partnership dream between the Gambian investor and the people of Sierra Leone.

President Barrow expressed elation over the presentation of Dr. Senesie which focused on the ideology of African solution to African problems.

President Barrow described President Bio as his brother, while assuring the Minister and his delegation of his support towards anything that will contribute to the development of Sierra Leone.

He unequivocally endorsed the venture and encouraged the CEO Mustapha Njai to extend his investment to Sierra Leone without delay.

A joint press conference by the two Ministers of Lands (Sierra Leone and The Gambia) and the CEO TAF was held immediately after the courtesy call on President Barrow.

Minister Turad Senesie was accompanied by the Ministry’s Directors of Housing, Surveys and Lands, Policy and Planning, GIS and Country Planning.

For Providing the Regulator Three Land Cruisers… NMA Director General Acclaims Seawright Mining Company

July 19, 2021

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Director General of the National Minerals Agency (NMA) , Julius Mattai, has on the 15^th July 2021 expressed appreciation to the Seawright Mining Company for handing over three Toyota Land Cruisers describing it as a kind gesture further expressing the hope that other mining companies will follow its footstep, but was quick to point out that the donation forms part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility adding how they will ensure that the company continues to adhere to the regulations of NMA.

The Deputy Director of Mines, Alusine Timbo, in welcoming guests to the ceremony stated that the event came about as a result of requests made to various mining companies for help in the provision of vehicles and not particularly to Seawright Mining Company.

He intimated that the Seawright Mining Company was the first to respond to their request adding that hopefully other mining companies will follow suit.

The Deputy Director General recognized the role that the company had rendered in its respective areas of operations and urged them to continue to do more.

Julius Mattai, Director General of NMA, upon receiving the keys to the three vehicles registered his unflinching appreciation to the Seawright Mining Company for promptly fulfilling their request.

He stated that as an Agency charged with the responsibility to monitor the operations of all mining companies in the country, they are supposed to be routinely visiting and inspecting mining sites.

The Director General highlighted that with most of the mining companies located in hard to reach areas there is the need to have vehicles to transport the over 270 monitors they have around the country stating that such had been their greatest concern and challenge.

Julius Mattai again re-echoed that the request was not only directed to the Seawright Mining Company but to other companies also adding that Seawright was the first to have responded in such a manner.

He reiterated that during one of their Board meetings it was resolved that the assistance of any company could be welcomed as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility emphasizing that no company should construe it as an inducement.

Julius Mattai furthered that the donation will indeed facilitate the mobility of their staff to the many hard to reach areas to conduct their assigned activities.

He also admonished the Seawright representatives that the donation should not be misconstrued, affirming that they will be properly monitored like other mining companies and should work in accordance with the rules and regulations guiding the mining sector.

He made mention of the humane gestures that the company had rendered to residents in their respective areas of operations, and their contributions to the fight against COVID-19, underscoring that such gestures are laudable.

Mattai recalled that after the establishment of the Agency, the UN gave them three vehicles and they were able to add some to the number, but stated that with the wear and tear of such vehicles, there is the need for more vehicles to facilitate their work.

He gave assurance to the Seawright Mining Company that the vehicles will be used for their intended purposes.

Handing over the keys to the NMA Director General, the Assistant Chief Operations Officer of Seawright Company, Sydney Tabahla, said that upon receiving the request from NMA, they contacted their CEO, who readily agreed and even gave the specification and number of vehicles to be procured for the NMA.

He stated that in the request letter of the NMA there was no specification or number of vehicles but that all those was done by their CEO.

Sydney Tabahla furthered that the NMA has been very instrumental in the furtherance of their work saying they are aware that the Agency needs them to fulfil their mandate which encompasses the inspection and monitoring of mining activities across the country maintaining that such could only be done with the appropriate vehicle specification saying the Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles they are donating are designed to traverse rough terrains. He thanked the NMA and all present for gracing the occasion.

Inspection of the three vehicles parked within the NMA compound climaxed the ceremony.

Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai’s Book Will be Out in October

July 19, 2021

By Amin Kef Sesay

One of Sierra Leone’s finest Lawyers, who is also a very vibrant Civil Society Activist as well as the brain behind the Society for Democratic Initiatives, Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, has recently extended thanks to those who have been enquiring how to buy the book he has written further stating that the book is upcoming and will be out in October, 2021.

He said information could be secured from Amazon via: https://www.amazon.com/MOXIC-Abstract-Rectangular-Children-Anti-Slip/dp/3030836576

According to him, the book argues that Sierra Leone’s ten-year civil conflict demonstrates the criticality of freedom of information (FOI) as a facet of good governance where corruption thrives, spanning both public and private sectors, if Sierra Leone’s continued security and stability are to be ensured.

He maintained that it was the absence of an anti-corruption tool like FOI and its attendants: transparency and accountability in governance generally and in the area of the extractive industry in particular that led to other social phenomena which directly sparked the war.

The book, he highlighted, proffers that for the continued consolidation of peace, security, stability and development in Sierra Leone, transparency and accountability must be ensured by protecting and implementing the demand driven anti-graft FOI.

Straddling the disciplines of law, political science, public policy, and history, the book’s major premise is that it was the absence of FOI in the area of governance and the extractive industry, which enabled politicians, civil servants and the politically connected to ransom and exploit Sierra Leone’s mineral resources for their own profit with impunity, a state of affairs which led to underdevelopment, State collapse and an embittered civil populace especially the youth.

The book, he disclosed, postulates that as such any attempt to ensure long-term peace in Sierra Leone should seek to avoid replicating the conditions that gave rise to that gruesome conflict- elites expropriation of national resources through endemic graft. The book proposes the comprehensive and effective implementation of the Right to Information Act 2013.

About the Author

Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai is a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Courts of Sierra Leone, and Lecturer in the Department of Law, Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Sierra Leone. Over the last two decades, Abdulai has been a leading campaigner for the passing and implementation of freedom of information law in Sierra Leone and Africa as a civil society practitioner working for the Society for Democratic Initiatives, Sierra Leone.

Abdulai chairs the Governing Council of the African Freedom of Information Council, and is also Chairperson of the Political Affairs Cluster of the African Union’s Economic Social and Cultural Council. He is a member of the Steering Committee of the EITI Multi-Stakeholders Working Group of Sierra Leone. He holds a Masters Degree in Anti-Corruption Studies from International Anti-Corruption Academy. He also has the following other qualifications: BA, LLB (FBC-SL), LLM (CEU) and a PhD Candidate (University of London).

Solomon Jamiru Describes UK’s Placing Sierra Leone on its Red List as Arbitrary

July 19, 2021

By Amin Kef Sesay

On the 19^th July 20211, Sierra Leone will be on the UK travel red list at precisely 4:00PM. However, the Spokesman of NaCOVERC, Solomon Jamiru, has described the aforementioned decision by the UK Government as “arbitrary”.

According to him Sierra Leone has had 6,122 cases and 113 deaths as at 15 July 2021.

He intimated that the week before President Bio’s latest speech to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, Sierra Leone recorded 523 cases and after the President’s speech the country recorded 292, showing an effectiveness of the President’s COVID-19 regulations.

The NaCOVERC Spokesman said bed occupancy has also dropped by 37% as treatment centers have 400 available beds adding that the African continent is yet to surpass 1.5% vaccination rate of its population.

“In Sierra Leone, as of 15 July 2021, 134,000 doses of vaccines had been administered with 32,184 double jabs,” he informed stating how the AstraZeneca vaccine has depleted and Government is working with partners to replenish it saying it is expected that in August this year, with the support of World Bank, more vaccines will be available in the country.

Also stated was that the Sinopham vaccine, which is certified by WHO is available, safe and efficient maintaining how NaCOVERC is urging citizens to take the vaccine and avoid misinformation.

“Hand washing, proper face mask wearing and social distancing remain vital preventive mechanisms in the fight against COVID-19,” he affirmed.

Prof. Wurie Updates Journalists on University Act 2021

July 19, 2021

By Edward Vamboi

The Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Professor Alpha Tejan Wurie, has updated the media on the importance and relevance of the University Act 2021 to the country’s educational system.

Speaking during the weekly Government Press Briefing at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Information and Communications on the 15th July 2021, Professor Alpha Tejan Wurie dilated on the Act stressing that it expands the space for higher education in Sierra Leone.

Professor Wurie explained that the Parliament of Sierra Leone has enacted the University Bill of 2021 into law, being an Act to repeal and replace the University of Sierra Leone Act 2005 (Act No.1 of 2005).

He maintained that the new Act provides for the continuation of the University of Sierra Leone, Njala University and the Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology and the establishment of the Milton Margai Technical University, the Eastern Technical University of Sierra Leone and the Kono University of Science and Technology.

As enshrined in the SLPP New Direction Manifesto, Prof. Wurie revealed, the new Act provides for the appointment of Chancellors of the Universities by the President, in effect stripping President Bio of his position as Chancellor in the Universities.

Prof. Wurie stated that before the Bill was taken to Parliament his Ministry and other stakeholders held a retreat and consultations were done with administrations, staff and students of public universities and polytechnics in order to explain to them the rationale behind the introduction of the New Universities Act of 2021 and also the benefit of the Act to their various institutions.

He disclosed that the Education Support Project worth $68million is funded by BADEA, OFID, SFD and GoSL and that $32million of the said amount will be allocated for the construction of the Kono University of Science and Technology. Signing of contracts with consultants and handing over of site to them were done in May and June respectively and the construction of Kono University will start in the first quarter of 2022.

The Minister noted that the University Act 2021provides for increased women participation in all statutory bodies of the universities and also caters for student representation at the Universities Courts.

“Short courses in Competency Based Education and Training (CBET) will be offered at Milton Margai Technical University with NCTVA certification,” he concluded.

Tourism Ministry & Tourist Board Hold Fruitful Dialogue with FCC

July 19, 2021

By Foday Moriba Conteh

At the Tourism Ministry Conference Hall on Kingharman Road in Freetown, the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and National Tourist Board held a successful dialogue with the Mayor of Freetown City Council (FCC), Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr and representative of the Hospitality and Tourism Association on cushioning the burden on hotels in the midst of COVID-19.

It is worthy of note that the hotel and tourism sector in Sierra Leone have been hit hard by COVID-19. Most businesses operating in that sector have been stalled and some are on the verge of collapse if urgent Government intervention is not taken. It is against that backdrop that the Ministry initiated a dialogue with the FCC to see how they can collaborate to reduce the burden on the hospitality industry.

Dr. Memunatu Pratt, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs welcomed the Mayor to the Ministry saying that she is part of the sector. She said the purpose of the meeting is to dialogue with FCC pertaining to what is happening to the hospitality sector and finding ways to lessen the burden on them. She pointed out that COVID-19 has changed the trajectory of the sector in a way that things are not the way they used to be.

The Minister stated that the Ministry has to support the work of the FCC in having a clean city but noted that things have become very difficult for hotels to even meet their yearly demands as a result of the pandemic. She acknowledged that even though domestic tourism is rising, they are having distress calls from the hotels on increase in property rates, hence she thought it fit of having a conversation with FCC because they host a large number of hotels in the country.

Representing the hotels, the President of the Hospitality and Tourism Association, John Shallop said they have been receiving threats from FCC representatives to close down their hotels if they do not subscribe to the new rates, an allegation that the Mayor said she is not aware of.

He said that they are looking for solutions because they have been devastated by the impact of the pandemic noting that the 30% discount given by the FCC is still very high while calling on the FCC to be very considerate in making increments because as it is they cannot cover their own cost, pay taxes and even their staff. He pleaded with them to understand their constraints and protect the industry from crashing.

The General Manager of the National Tourist Board, Fatmata Kroma said tourism has not kicked off the way it should and hotels have not been occupied, hence the need to maintain the hotels because a country cannot be without hotels.

In her statements, the Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr said they were concerned about this and that they will reflect on all that have been said. She added that within Transform Freetown, tourism falls under one of the sectors for job creation and they are align with the Ministry from the perspective that tourism is the best bet in providing jobs, hence the more reason they do not want to tip the sector over the line now that it is in danger.

She furthered that they need to help protect the sector as they have been doing for other sectors and that they will look at the plight of the sector with the understanding that it is a sector that matters to them and has the propensity to create more jobs, although the global pandemic has put it in a bad state.