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Managements of CRSG & Kingho Condemn Fight between two of their Personnel

By Amin Kef Sesay

In a China Railway Seventh Group (CRSG) Management Press Statement issued on the 9th June 2021 Management of the company decried a conflict that ensued between a Chinese CRSG staff and a Sierra Leonean Kingho staff at the company’s repair shop at Tonkolili mine site, as indicated in a video clip on social media, saying such was an unexpected and isolated case.

It continued how the Management of CRSG is of the view that the behaviour of the Chinese national concerned is unacceptable and wrong no matter what the cause was.

CRSG, it stated, wishes to apologize for the unfortunate incident and has decided to relieve the Chinese national of his duty immediately.

It ended by maintaining that the CRSG requires its entire staff to strictly abide by the laws and regulations of the country and sincerely wishes that similar events will no longer occur.

In another Press Statement released on the 9th June 2021 by the Management of Kingho Mining Company with a caption: “Re: Fighting Incident at Tonkolili Mine Site” it said the attention of the Management of Kingho Mining Company (KMC) has been drawn to a video making rounds on social media, showing a fight incident between a staff (a Sierra Leonean) of Kingho Mining Company and a staff (a Chinese National) of their sub-contractor– China Railway Seventh Group (CRSG).

It was further stated that Management’s attention has also been drawn to a Press Release titled: “A Preliminary Statement on June 8th 2021 Physical Conflict Incident between Chinese Personnel and Sierra Leonean Personnel at the CRSG Repair Workshop” said to have been released by the CRSG.

According to the Press Statement, Management wishes to inform the general public that: KMC condemns all acts of violence and/or physical assault on any personnel within their mine site maintaining that the unfortunate incident at the mine site contravened the Company’s policy, the Mines and Minerals Act of 2009 and other related laws of Sierra Leone.

Management of the company further pointed out that KMC, as a Chinese company, totally condemns the behavior of the CRSG employee as portrayed in the video.

It stated that as a result, the said employee of CRSG was immediately withdrawn from the mine site and the KMC employee was taken to the hospital for professional medical attention;

The Management of Kingho Mining Company said in collaboration with the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources and the National Minerals Agency and other relevant stakeholders, investigations are ongoing and appropriate actions will be taken immediately to avoid the reoccurrence of such unfortunate incident.

Management assured the general public of its strong commitment to continue operating in compliance with the laws of Sierra Leone.

China Practising Development Diplomacy In Salone Since The 1970s

H.E. Xi Jinping President of the People's Republic of China

By Amin Kef Sesay

Professor David Francis has told the nation that his Ministry will be shifting from Economic Diplomacy to Development Diplomacy, which he said, will look at the national interest as the key driver towards national development.

It may interest Sierra Leoneans to know that the People’s Republic of China since it established diplomatic relationship with us in 1971 has practised more of development diplomacy towards us than economic diplomacy.

For example, China since that time has, for free, trained thousands of Sierra Leoneans to man key medical, scientific, technical and managerial positions in the economy.

Chinese technologists have trained, for free, Sierra Leonean farmers on modern farming techniques; worked with our medical staffs across the country sharing knowledge and expertise.

Underscoring the fundamental principles of the shift from economic diplomacy to development diplomacy, Prof. Francis noted that they will look at trade and investment, in-country benefactions and value addition; pointing out that in order to achieve such we have to invest as a nation, as well as enhance bilateral and multilateral partnerships for development.

In this light, China has during the last ten years invested heavily in the country’s marine and mining sectors and has gradually become a major trading partner of Sierra Leone in buying our exports.

From participating in the First Ministerial Conference in 2000, to the attendance of H.E. President Julius Maada Bio of the FOCAC Beijing Summit in 2018, over the past two decades, China and Sierra Leone have maintained close exchanges and frequent high-level visits. Three Sierra Leonean Presidents visited China five times.

There have also been over 20 important exchange of visits by Presidents’ special envoys/special representatives, Vice Presidents, Speakers of Parliament and Foreign Ministers between the two sides.

A good number of Sierra Leonean Ministers were invited to visit China. These high-level visits not only set the direction for the development of China-Sierra Leone relations, but also laid the foundation for enhancing mutual political trust and promoting the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.

By implementing relevant FOCAC projects and initiatives, the two-way people-to-people exchanges have also been on rapid increase. Various seminars, training courses, think tank exchanges, cultural visits and other activities have been conducted, effectively consolidating public support for the friendly and mutual beneficial cooperation between China and Sierra Leone.

Over the past two decades, China-Sierra Leone economic and trade cooperation has made great progress. The bilateral trade increased from over US$8.6 million in 2000 to US$510 million in 2019. China has been Sierra Leone’s largest trading partner for more than ten years in a row.

China’s high-quality and cost-competitive products have enriched Sierra Leone’s market, saved Sierra Leonean people’s expenses, and helped improving production conditions and economic efficiency for Sierra Leone.

At the same time, dozens of Chinese companies have come to invest in Sierra Leone, creating about 4500 direct jobs and injecting vitality into the development of infrastructure, transportation, telecommunications, tourism, manufacture, fishery, and mining etc.

Projects under the Chinese Government assistance include the Office Building of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bo Stadium, hydro-power stations, hospitals, schools, roads, bridges, vehicles, rice aid, medical and health assistance, agricultural technical cooperation etc.

More than 500 Sierra Leonean students were awarded Chinese Government Scholarships to study in China, and over 5100 personnel from all walks of life in Sierra Leone have been invited to China to attend various short-term training courses. Such practical cooperation has given a strong boost to Sierra Leone’s economic and social development, contributing to the enhancement of  the welfare of the Sierra Leonean people.

When FOCAC was just founded, China worked with the international community to help end the civil war in Sierra Leone, support the post-war reconstruction, and assist the consolidation of peace and stability. When Ebola epidemic broke out in 2014, China rushed to the rescue immediately by sending more than 300 Chinese doctors and nurses to Sierra Leone and supplying planeloads of medical equipment, which contributed immensely to the final victory over the epidemic. In 2017, when the tragic mudslide hit Freetown, the Chinese provided urgent humanitarian assistance and took an active part in the relief work.

During COVID-19, the Chinese have provided several rounds of urgent donation of most needed medical supplies to help Sierra Leone enhance her prevention and control capacity. The three Chinese medical experts teams sent to Sierra Leone under the Chinese Government aid program have been working day and night with their local counterparts in virus detection, patient treatment and technical training.

As Musa Bendugu Declared Paramount Chief Elect… Kulio Jalloh Family of Sambaia Bendugu Calls on President Bio for Justice to Prevail

By Amin Kef Sesay

According to majority of residents hailing from Sambaia Bendugu Chiefdom in the Tonkolili District, Northern Sierra Leone, the 3rd June 2021 Paramount Chieftaincy election in that part of the country ,which saw the election of Hon. Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Jalloh, commonly known as Musa Bendugu, was in its entirety marred with so many irregularities and interference by certain Government officials to such an extent that they are left with no option but to challenge the outcome. They said they are calling for President Bio’s intervention in order to ensure  that justice prevails adding that it is their strong conviction that power belongs to the people.

In a Press Release dated 8th June 2021, having the name of Joseph Foday Sankoh as contact person, with the following Email Address: chiefdomsambaia@gmail.com it was stated that all the children and grandchildren, including the residents of Sambaia Chiefdom, both at home and abroad, are deeply saddened and surprised by the fraudulent election that the SLPP Government conducted in Sambaia Bendugu on the 3rd June, 2021.

The Release continued by stating that the SLPP party has stripped the ancestral rights from the children and grandchildren of late P.C Alimamy Kulio Jalloh II maintaining how the late man was the one who constructed the SLPP party in Sambaia Chiefdom.

“He was also an Honourable Member of the Parliament in Tonkolili District during our battle for independence,” it was disclosed the author (s) going further to disclose how he served and built the party with his colleagues, Sir Milton Margai and Albert Margai, and faithfully continued to serve his party until his death on the 17th October, 2017 adding how he encountered so many opportunities and temptations to switch parties, but refused saying he was a man of principle.

“Therefore, we humbly ask all SLPP party members to put themselves in our family’s position,” it stated referring to the Kulio Jalloh family.

Also contained in the Release is a question asked: “How would your family endure if the party that they worked and served all of their lives for, betrayed and stripped their children and grandchildren’s ancestral right to become Paramount Chief in their own chiefdom?”

It added that instead, they imposed a man that has no right to become a chief in Sambaia chiefdom further lamenting that the SLPP has decided to play politics stating a warning to  keep in mind that “as a man sows so shall he reap”.

The Release ended by stating that all cannot live on this earth forever and asked a question: what will our legacy be when we are gone?

Speaking during a Press Conference, one of those who declared his intention to aspire but who was disqualified, Col. Sheku Jalloh, expressed disappointment at the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development for , what he termed as the poor and unconstitutional conduct of both the declaration and the entire electioneering process in Sambaia chiefdom.

He noted that on the 5th May, 2021 a timetable was released by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development for the conduct of a declaration and an electioneering process for few selected individuals for Chiefdoms in the country including Sambaia Chiefdom.  Sheku Jalloh furthered that according to the said timetable the 17th May 2021 was set aside for a declaration and the 3rd June 2021 for the conduct of the election respectively for Sambaia Chiefdom.

Sheku Jalloh added that on the 17th May, 2021 the Provincial Secretary-North, who was at the same time the Returning Officer led a team to conduct the election stating how the process was not done in line with existing laws.

He further disclosed that it was against such a backdrop that they wish to tender a complaint for appropriate action to be instituted in order to right the wrong.

Sheku Jalloh said the LUC and other armed Police personnel failed to provide the requisite community policing as the Court Barray was not well fortified and that tribal authorities were not allowed entrance as well as legitimate players were also denied entrance, adding that the entire exercise was stage managed and violent as a result of the influx of strange youths who were allowed to gain entrance into the Court Barray.

Mohamed Jalloh, who was also another aspirant, said he noted that when the 17th May 2021 was selected for the declaration of aspirants they were very happy but said they were also disappointed due to the way the declaration was conducted as the tribal authorities as well as some of the legitimate aspirants were not allowed access to the Court Barray, adding that the entire process was flawed.

He said that during the declaration, Hon. Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Jalloh, commonly known as Musa Bendugu, was declared eligible on May 17, in Bendugu town, the chiefdom’s headquarter town, and  joined nine others.

“Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Jalloh, a sitting MP representing SLPP – the ruling party – in Constituency 056, was controversially declared qualified, after a tense declaration of rights ceremony,” he continued to inform adding that he was the only MP from the ruling party in the entire Tonkolili district.

According to him, initially, Jalloh and 14 others vied for the Paramount Chieftaincy but only ten were declared eligible by the Northern Region Provincial Secretary, Simeon Fatoma.

It was further understood that the five disqualified aspirants by tribal authorities couldn’t be linked to any of the chiefdom’s ruling houses but Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Jalloh, after several arguments, and 9 others were declared eligible candidates.

This medium also understood that he was declared eligible to contest for the Chieftaincy under the Baimba Yiria ruling house one of two ruling houses known to have existed in the chiefdom before 1961.

The other house is Yabiya ruling house.

Musa Bendugu claimed his late father, Bamba Foray Jalloh, was the son of the late PC Alimamy Kulio I.

During the declaration, in the presence of hundreds of tribal authorities, the MP claimed he was the brother of the late PC Alimamy Kulio 2, a claim that was dismissed by another aspirant from the same ruling house. However, he was controversially declared qualified to contest under that ruling house.

One Sama Kulio Jalloh, who claims to be a member of the house the Musa Bendugu is claiming to be from, said the MP is not qualified to contest under their ruling house.

According to him Bendugu is not a great grandson of late PC Alimamy Kulio 1 as he claimed to be, further revealing that  he was not even from the Kuranko tribe – but from the Kono tribe, who came to Sambaia Bendugu chiefdom.

The MP’s father, Sama Kulio Jalloh continued, can only claim his lineage in the chiefdom maternally.

The Jalloh clan, from the Kuranko ethnic group, are known and believed to be the rightful owners of the Sambaia Bendugu chiefdom chieftaincy, according to chiefdom elders.

In spite of all the controversies surrounding the Paramount Chieftaincy election, however, Musa Bendugu finally emerged as the winner. For now a cross section of residents of the chiefdom are expressing their disappointment over the conduct and the outcome of the process.

Some of them claimed that most of the people in the courthouse were not tribal authorities thus, were not in a position to determine who was qualified or not.

They intimated how tribal authorities are mandated to vet any aspirant’s claims of a ruling house – before being declared eligible to contest.

It was also disclosed that he was the only participating candidate on the ballot box at election time because all of the other nine candidates boycotted the elections – asking their supporters to do same.

The crux of the matter is that ten candidates, on May 17, were declared eligible to contest the Chiefdom’s Paramount Chieftaincy, regardless, none but one showed up at the voting center in Bendugu town to cast votes.

Key stakeholders from the Chiefdom, who willingly talked to this medium, said they have already sought for redress in the court by petitioning the outcome of the election.

Efforts made to contact Alhaji Musa Bamba Foray Jalloh in order to get his own side proved futile.

To Market Sierra Leone’s Touristic Potentials…  Tourism Ministry, NTB Engage 3 Consultants from South Africa

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Three consultants from Journey and ACORN Consultancy firms based in South Africa were on the 8th June 2021 engaged by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs in collaboration with the National Tourist Board (NTB). The purpose of the engagement, which was held at the Ministry’s Conference Room, was geared towards developing the national tourism marketing strategy of Sierra Leone.

This medium was made to understand that the World Bank Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project (SLEDP) identified product development, marketing and promotion as one of the components which will take an integrated destination approach to improve the performance of Sierra Leone’s Tourism sector and also seek to develop a national tourism marketing strategy that will be feasible to implement and resonates with tourism stakeholders and target markets as well as embraces the importance of sustainability.

It is against such a backdrop that Journey and ACORN Consultants were recruited by the Project Fiduciary Management Unit (PFMU) to conduct series of consultative meetings with key stakeholders in the public and private sector, engage in site visitations and also organise workshops.

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry, Andrew Sorie welcomed the consultants to Sierra Leone stating how the Ministry and the Board are excited to host them in order to help get Sierra Leone where it needs to be. He recognised that Sierra Leone has one of the best cultural artefacts, tourism destinations but only need the international flair to add to what the country has , hence the engagement to let the world know about what Sierra Leone has.

Explaining the purpose of the engagement, the Deputy General Manager of NTB, Jeffery Moijueh expressed delight about the engagement, noting that the consultants are here to hold consultations about the tourism sector to meet international standards.

Presenting the background of the Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project (SLEDP), the Project Coordinator of SLEDP, Mary Jalloh said the marketing strategy worth the support that was requested by the Ministry and NTB, noting that she is excited that they were able to contract Journey and ACORN consultants with their wealth of experience in developing a marketing strategy for other destinations.

The Director of Tourism at the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Mohamed Jalloh said they are very pleased to receive the consultants, noting that Sierra Leone has tremendous tourism assets which he said have not been given the publicity it deserves. He presented a brief overview of what the Ministry has been doing for the consultants to have a proper understanding of the activities of the Ministry.

The Lead Consultant of Journey Consultancy Firm, Mike Fabricio said they are excited to be in Sierra Leone. He commended the Minister for her passion for tourism saying that they are here to listen and look to what Sierra Leone has in terms of tourism. He appreciated the citizen’s hospitality and also congratulated the Minister for implementing the visa on arrival move which he said made it easier for them to get to Sierra Leone. He presented an overview of the Journey Consultancy Firm saying that they have done more than 140 marketing projects in 55 countries mainly in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and many other places in the world.

In her address, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr Memunatu Pratt said she is extremely excited that this is happening and applauded the consultants for coming to Sierra Leone as it will be a catalyst for all that the Ministry and NTB have been doing. She thanked the outgoing World Bank Country Manager, Gayle Martin for making this a reality.

She pointed out that tourism is not having the much needed attention before now, but that has changed because tourism is now well-positioned politically, socially and nationally to thrive. She stated that this marketing project is coming at a time when they would have a national strategy that can speak not only to international domestic tourism but speak to domestic tourism as well.

She maintained that in developing the marketing strategy, they want to see value for money when the strategy is been implemented. She maintained that although digital marketing has been challenging lot has been done in promoting Sierra Leone’s tourism.

NEC Presents Annual Report & Strategic Plan for 2020–2024 to President Bio

By Esther Wright

Mohamed Konneh, the Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) on the 8th June 2021 presented the institution’s annual report for 2020 and strategic plan for 2020–2024 to President Dr. Julius Maada Bio. The event took place at State House.

The Commissioner said he was delighted to present NEC’s annual report and strategic plan as required by law further stating that the 2020 report reflected a significant milestone in the evolution of NEC because it provided not only an outlook of the year under review but also created a bridge between the 2015-2019 and the 2020–2024 electoral cycle.

“In 2020, NEC conducted 11 elections in a violence-free environment across the country, including parliamentary, local councils, village heads and paramount chieftaincy elections,” he noted.

He further stated that the many reforms that recently took place at NEC were generally aimed at transforming the institution by creating opportunities for personnel professional growth on a valid career path and efficient delivery of electoral management services to the highest order of diligence. He added that since 2018 NEC had continued to receive support from international partners and the Government of Sierra Leone to undertake key activities.

Earlier, the Chief Minister Jacob Jusu Saffa recalled that the purpose of every electoral cycle was to provide plans and strategies that would guide the entire electoral processes in the country, saying that the strategic plan would provide the right atmosphere for the conduct of free, fair and credible elections.

In his remarks, President Julius Maada Bio said he wanted to particularly focus on the Strategic Pillar 8 of NEC, which deals with inclusion, participation, and equity, adding that his Government had approached that pillar from a rights perspective.

“…that every citizen has an equal and inalienable right to fully participate in political life, to fully participate in political debate, to be consulted, to vote, and to be voted for. Gender, sexuality, disability, age, youth, levels of literacy must not be hindrances. They must be fully accounted for in inclusive democratic elections at all levels. The views and voices of every citizen must matter on how to move this nation forward. My Government will therefore work with all stakeholders and development partners in ensuring that the future of elections in Sierra Leone is fully inclusive,” he assured.

He recalled that two weeks ago, Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, who is also the UN Focal Point for Electoral Assistance Matters, informed his Government of their readiness to provide technical assistance to NEC for the upcoming local, parliamentary, and presidential elections.

While particularly thanking the European Union for their support and acknowledging the work of the Elections Conflict Prevention and Mediation Group, President Bio also noted the remarkable progress the Commission had made in reviewing the 2015-2019 strategic plan, reflecting on the implementation of that plan, and proposing effective measures to address gaps and other perceived areas of improvement.

Adverse Market Forces May Negatively Impinge Pump Price of Petroleum Products

By Amin Kef Sesay

It is an incontrovertible fact that petroleum products are key to human existence which is why their availability on the market and affordability in accessing them are very significant for the socio-economic well-being of any nation. Some have even postulated that accessibility and affordability of petroleum products have the tendency to seat or unseat any political administration depending on which trajectory it affects standards of living. Whenever prices shoot up the citizenry blames the Government, thereby making it unpopular. On the inverse, when the prices remain stable or fall down, the citizens praise the Government and make it popular.

Sierra Leone continues to use a pre-defined petroleum price structure in a single pricing window using the principle of full-pass-through.

It is important to note   the incontestable fact that the pump price of petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, kerosene etc in the country, is efficiently determined by a +/-5% trigger mechanism of the landed cost, that is the cost of landing the shipped petroleum products in the country and that  is mostly driven by the combined effect of the International Oil Reference Price (Platts) and available as well as accessible Foreign Exchange.

It must be underscored at this juncture that due to the COVID-19 pandemic that negatively impinged and even continue to impinge on international trade there were abnormal situations when Sierra Leone recorded a shock in the trigger mechanism warranting a hike in the pump prices.

However, in order to prevent additional hardship on the populace which an increase in the pump price may have caused, the SLPP led Government headed by President Julius Maada Bio applied an intervention approach to cushion that negative effect on the general public, an intervention which amounted to significant fiscal impact between the months of May-Dec 2020 and Jan-May 2021. The Government provided 66 billion Leones as subsidy for May-December, 2020 and 21 billion Leones for the month of January 2021.

Again it is worthy of consideration, according to an investigation conducted by this medium, that even though the pump price for the month of this June 2021 should have been Le9,500 the key players within the petroleum sector in the country collaborated and agreed to keep the price at Le8,500 until the subsequent or next monthly review.

Our investigation further revealed that though the current pump price remains one of the lowest within the West African Sub-Region there is the likelihood or tendency that there will be a significant change in the market forces which will definitely affect the  price in the not too distant future.

Research has also revealed that Goldman Sachs, a reputable international business entity, forecast Oil Price increase in 2021.Without any iota of doubt the increase will pose serious implications to West African countries, Sierra Leone not being an exception.

Computed pump prices in the sub-region indicate an increase in the price for all petroleum products largely impacted by the sustained volatility in the petroleum reference prices in the Global Markets.

A run-down of the prices of petroleum products on a comparative basis of former regional fuel price converted in Le/Litre-as 31st May, 2021 taking into consideration Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast, Ghana and The Gambia are as follows: Petrol– Sierra Leone Le 8,500.00, Guinea: Le 9,450.00, Liberia: Le 7,879.33, Ivory Coast: Le 11,728.05, Ghana: Le 11,240.11, The Gambia Le 11,453.17.

For Diesel the comparison are as follows: Sierra Leone: Le 8,500.00, Guinea: Le 9,450.00, Liberia: Le 9, 192.49, Ivory Coast Le 11, 728.05, Ghana: Le 11, 172.45, The Gambia: Le10,904.09.

In terms of Kerosene the comparison is as such: Sierra Leone :Le 8, 500.00, Guinea -, Liberia: Le13, 279.25, Ivory Coast Le10, 583.85, Ghana: Le9, 076.84, The Gambia: Le 8,573.04.

The Exchange Rate source is the Bank of Sierra Leone as at June, 3rd 2021.

It is obvious that the price increase in the global market will inevitably lead to multiplier increase in the prices of consumer products and services as it had been established.

Customers Express Profound Satisfaction Over Sound Service Delivery by NP-SL Ltd

By Amin Kef Sesay

The National Petroleum –Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) has been regarded as a well-positioned institution within the realm of being a very pro-active institution that is always poised to pragmatically put concrete arrangements in place to ensure that the populace in this country gain access to qualitative petroleum products ranging from petrol, diesel, gas to lubricants, including the ever highly demanded Castrol lubricant oil that has been rated to be a very good for the efficient  lubrication of various engines.

NP-SL is indeed poised to continue to avail its numerous customers with qualitative products that the company markets.

The company has in its employ, a workforce as well as distributors that market its various petroleum products. As far as it has been established, this laid down policy which the company is implementing to the letter, is complementing the efforts of the Government to deepen development.

Today, it is now non-existent for individuals to complain that when they are in the process of procuring petroleum products, pump attendants cheat them in terms of not getting their money’s worth. The simple reason is because the Shareholders and Management of the company were indeed very business savvy to procure modern calibrated pumping machines which were installed at their various selling points and are very capable of churning out the exact quantity of what is demanded and the price to be paid. In this regard the company has bagged the covetous commendation of, “1st For Customer Care”.

During a random countrywide survey conducted over a period of time targeting a large percentage of customers of the National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd), with the avowed objective of sounding their views on the operations of the company in the country, the methodology utilized bordered on asking random questions in order to get their candid views.

When quizzed on how they view the way the company treats its numerous customers across the country, most of the respondents warmly reacted by stating that the Shareholders and Management of  the company are doing extremely well in the direction of effective service delivery and giving utmost satisfaction to customers.

Abdul Aziz Koroma, a renowned Social Commentator, maintained that when it comes to customer care, NP-SL Ltd is second to none within the business landscape of this country.

“From what I so far learnt in order to conduct sales in a very transparent manner and to give customers their money’s worth, the Shareholders of the company decided to procure and install modern calibrated pumping machines at their various Filling Stations that are capable to pump the exact quantity of fuel, at the same time display the price and quantity,” he pointed out, adding that to even think that the pump attendants are cheating customers could only be a mere figment of one’s imagination, as anything like that is farfetched.

A Development Specialist of long standing intimated that for the country’s economy to grow sustainably it is but important to deepen local content further arguing that it is only when we make meaningful use of both our human and natural resources that development could transpire.

“Instead of depending on the importation of certain consumable items and foreign expatriates, it is but very significant and cost effective to make use of what we have at hand to produce goods and services,” Andrew Soluku, an Economist averred, also stating that for NP-SL Ltd to make it a laid down policy and put into practice to offer employment exclusively to Sierra Leoneans is indeed laudable and no mean feat.

He further underscored that by offering jobs to Sierra Leoneans is a way of empowering the citizenry to take care of daily responsibilities and live improved standards of living.

“I really doff my hat to the Shareholders of the company for actualizing such a high sense of patriotism,” he expressed admiration.

A vast majority of those interviewed revealed that they are using NP Gas for cooking purpose, maintaining that it is very efficient and environmentally friendly. The NP Gas that they referred to is a cooking device which is manufactured in different cylinder sizes and sold at affordable prices at the company’s Filling Stations. “I discovered that this device is very fast in terms of performance and is now going like hot cakes, as many are now going for it, especially when the gas that is used to refill it could be easily secured at various Filling Stations ,” Memunatu Forna, a business woman selling cooking utensils on Sani Abacha Street informed.

With regards the use of NP Smart Card, it is one that is now in vogue. Some personalities who are using it said they find it very useful and a convenient way of purchasing petroleum products. They added that they always ensure their NP Smart Cards are credited to be used to purchase fuel, be it petrol or diesel. “Sometimes I don’t have to go through the hassle of going to the Bank on a busy Friday afternoon to withdraw cash just for the purpose of purchasing fuel that will last throughout the weekend. I do procure petrol by using my Smart Card and it is working perfectly well,” Musa Kalokoh, an Engineer told one of our reporters.

Momodu Fofana stated that the company is really growing by leaps and bounds. “For NP-SL Ltd to successfully establish branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia is indeed no mean feat, especially when cognizance is taken of the fact that these branches are operating vibrantly,” he pointed out.

From what was so far gathered throughout the conducted random survey, it can be safely concluded that NP-SL Ltd is indeed a living testimony of a successful and thriving business entity that is contributing significantly to the socio-economic development of the nation and worthy of emulation.

Nigeria:  Authorities should stop clamping down on digital rights

ARTICLE 19 is concerned by the decision of the Nigerian authorities to indefinitely suspend the social networking service, Twitter, in the country after the company deleted two threatening posts by President Buhari. This arbitrary decision constitutes a serious violation of Nigerian rights to freedom of expression and access to information. The authorities must immediately reconsider this decision and comply with international standards.

Alfred Bulakali, Deputy Regional Director of ARTICLE 19 West Africa raised his concerns in these following words:

“The Nigerian government decision to suspend Twitter in the country is appalling and unjustified. This decision constitutes a violation of fundamental rights of freedom of expression and access to information, guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution and several African and international standards… Such measure impact and violate other rights including economic rights of millions of twitter users in the country. Nigerian authorities should reverse this decision and comply with international standards.”

On Wednesday 2 June, the social media Twitter had removed two tweets from the twitter page of Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari, in which he was threatening the Biafran independence movement evoking the 1967-1970 conflict that claimed one million lives. Two days later, On Friday 4, the Nigerian government, through a statement by the Minister of information and culture suspended Twitter in the country and called on the National Broadcasting Commission to initiate the process of licensing all social media and video streaming (commonly referred to as Over-The-Top, or OTT) operations in the country. Twitter’s ban was followed by a directive from the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami to the Director of Public Prosecution of the Federation (DPPF) to prosecution those still using Twitter after the indefinite ban.

The prohibition was enforced on Saturday with millions of users denied access to the service. But many Nigerians are trying to get away from the ban by using virtual private networks (VPNs). On June 6, NBC directed all broadcasting stations (radio and TV) to suspend the patronage of twitter immediately.

ARTICLE 19 condemns this arbitrary decision as a violation of the right to freedom of expression and access to information recognised by the 1999 constitution of Nigeria. The  Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa 2019 in its 37 principle clearly stipulates that : “States shall facilitate the rights to freedom of expression and access to information online and the means necessary to exercise these rights.

Provide Licensing to OTT and social media should comply with international standards. The UN and ACHPR Special Rapporteurs on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information as well the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Organization of American States (OAS) and media representatives in a joint statement provides that measures such as imposing registration and other requirements on service providers are not legitimate, unless such measures conform to the three-part test including that they are provided for by law, pursue a legitimate aim and are necessary in a democratic society.”

Twitter allows citizens and all actors to have access to instantaneous information and to exercise their right to participate actively in public affairs and share their views on how the country is governed.  As of now, the measures announced by the government seem to be more of a retaliation than a response to a public interest imperative and do not meet the test of proportionality required by freedom of expression standards.

ARTICLE 19 calls on the Nigerian authorities to rethink this suspension and stop threatening Nigerian citizens who keep using Twitter. ARTICLE 19 also warns against any attempt to impose licenses to Over the Top (OTT) and social media to undermine fundamental freedoms and remind the authorities of the necessity to explain the need for that regulation. The authorities must ensure that any such restrictions on freedom of expression are proportional and necessary in a democratic society.

Alfred Nkuru Bulakali, Deputy Regional Director, ARTICLE 19 Senegal/West Africa senegal@article19.org  Or Eliane NYOBE, Senior Program Assistant, ARTICLE 19 Senegal/West Africa: eliane@article19.org  Tel: +221 77 553 13 87 or +221 33 869 03 22

CRSG Preliminary Statement on Physical Conflict Incident Between Chinese Personnel and Sierra Leonean

A Preliminary Statement on the June 8, 2021 Physical Conflict Incident Between Chinese Personnel and Sierra Leonean Personnel at the CRSG Repair Shop

In the morning of June 8, the Sierra Leonean Mining Association (SLMA)’s liaison personnel and a safety officer employed by Kingho visited the China Railway Seventh Group (SL) C0., Ltd (CRSG) repair shop to conduct training for workers. The SLMA did not inform the project management of CRSG before conducting the training. After the SLMA liaison personnel and the safety officer entered the repair shop directly, they verbally communicated with the CRSG safety officer that they wanted to conduct safety training for the repair shop workers. And the CRSG safety officer agreed that a short safety introduction could be conducted without interrupting the work arrangements of the day. However, from 7:40am until 8:05am, there was no sign of the training being completed.

During this time, a large amount of equipment in the mining area was waiting to be refueled and repaired, and the day’s work had not yet begun. In order not to affect the production too much, CRSG staff first tried to communicate with the liaison personnel of the SLMA, indicating that it was getting late and they needed to start work. And when they didn’t get any reply, they showed the time to the safety officer and tried to express that the work-time was tight and they wanted to finish the safety introduction as soon as possible. Due to language barrier, during the argument, the safety officer first hit the CRSG Chinese employee in the mouth (not shown in the video). The Chinese employee was irritated after being hit and used his hand to knock over the safety officer’s folder, which led to the physical altercation shown in the video.

After the CRSG Chinese employee showed signs of being stopped by the local employee, the safety officer still ran to kick the CRSG Chinese employee, who was almost 60 years old. The safety officer picked up a rock and tried to use it to hit again, but drop it after the rest of the CRSG Chinese employees arrived (not shown in the video). After the confrontation, this safety officer tried to drive away from the site, but the front gate was closed and he was unable to do so until CRSG project manager and Kingho manager arrived at the scene of the incident.

CRSG expresses its regret for the occurrence of this incident. Under the current friendly environment between China and Sierra Leone, such incidents should always be avoided. CRSG has been in Sierra Leone for many years, and has undertaken a large number of high quality engineering projects in Sierra Leone such as the LUN-POTO LOKO road and the JUBA Bridge. CRSG’s outstanding performance in helping fight the Ebola (2014), assisting in the landslide incident (2017) and emergency repair process of Savage Bridge (2020) demonstrate that it is a company which shoulders responsibilities and enjoys recognition by the Sierra Leonean government and people.

Over the years, it has maintained the scale of more than 1,000 local employees per year, providing a large number of employment opportunities for the people of Sierra Leone.

The conflict between a Chinese staff and local staff in the repair shop was an unexpected and isolated case which did not represent the behavior or attitude of the management of CRSG and Kingho. After the incident, the person in charge of CRSG has taken necessary measures against the Chinese employee involved by criticizing his inappropriate behavior and has educated and required all the Chinese employees to abide by the laws and regulations of the country so that similar conflicts will no longer occur.

CRSG has noticed that there are video clips currently circulating on the social media. CRSG will make a formal statement on the matter through the local online media and TV stations tomorrow.

CRSG (SL) Management

US Ambassador Calls for Protection of the Country’s Oceans & Marine Ecosystems

By Amin Kef Sesay

In a video celebrating June 8 as World Ocean Day, the United States Ambassador David Reimer urged the protection of Sierra Leone’s marine natural resources.  The Ambassador toured ecologically sensitive coastal areas around the Banana Islands with local environmental advocate, Joseph Rahall, Director of Green Scenery.

“A healthy, productive and resilient ocean which provides sustainable marine resources is important for economic growth and prosperity, food security, health and well-being,” Ambassador Reimer stated in the video, released by the U.S. Embassy.

“The United States works with partners around the globe to protect the ocean and combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. These incredibly rich marine ecosystems must be preserved not only to protect today’s lives and livelihoods, but for future generations of Sierra Leoneans.”

The coastal marine ecosystems provide numerous benefits to Sierra Leone. The nation’s waters are home to large fishing grounds for shrimp, tuna, snapper, mackerel, lobster, and crab. Numerous Sierra Leoneans rely on these fish stocks for their livelihoods, and to feed their families. Fish supplies nearly 80% of the animal protein in the diets of Sierra Leoneans, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization.

“In the case of illegal fishing, trawlers will come very close, inside the EEZ Zone, the prohibited zone, and they can fish – especially where countries do not have the capacity to monitor like ours,” noted Rahall.  “And these trawlers will come very close and enter and compete with artisanal fishermen…. Often, because the catches are taken by the trawlers very close, the fishermen have to risk again their own lives to go further into the sea to make a living.”

The natural beauty of Sierra Leone’s beaches, and the diverse wildlife observed in coastal environments, are also critical to the developing tourism industry.  The estuaries and mangroves are home to unique birds and aquatic mammals including the endangered African manatee.  Coral reefs provide habitat for a diversity of wildlife popular with divers.  Several species of whales pass through Sierra Leone’s waters during their annual migration.  These natural treasures have potential to attract millions of dollars of tourism to the country.

“The U.S. Embassy in Freetown provides essential training to Maritime Wing personnel as they protect Sierra Leone’s oceans and territorial fishing grounds,” noted Ambassador Reimer.  “Through USAID, we have supported climate adaptation and mangrove restoration in coastal communities.  We are proud to stand with Sierra Leone to preserve these critical natural resources.”

The World Ocean Day video may be viewed on the U.S. Embassy’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sierraleone.usembassy/.

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