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To Effectively Deal with Thorny Issues… Hon. Chericoco Prevails on the ECOWAS Commission to be More Pragmatic

By Amin Kef Sesay

Honourable Chernor Ramadan Maju Bah (Chericoco), who was the Leader of Sierra Leone Delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, has called on the ECOWAS Commission to be more pragmatic in dealing with issues in the West African sub-region that have the tendency of threatening peace and security rather than strategizing on resolving disputes.

He made that statement while he was responding to a presentation made by the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, on the state of the ECOWAS community which was presented on the 2nd June 2021 at the ongoing 1st 2021 Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament.

The ECOWAS Commission President, during his presentation on the status of peace and democracy in the region, confirmed that the Commission has conducted an observation mission for Benin and Niger Presidential Elections, as well as Legislative Elections in Cape Verde.

He furthered that following the military takeover in the Republic of Mali, ECOWAS Council of Heads of State and Governments held an Extraordinary Summit to demand the immediate and unconditional release of all transition dignitaries, suspend Mali from ECOWAS institutions in line with ECOWAS provisions, call for a new civilian Prime Minister to be nominated immediately, reaffirmed the need to respect the 18 months transition until the 27th February 2022 Presidential election and reiterated that the Head of the Transition, the Vice-President, and the Prime Minister should not run for the Presidential election.

Against that backdrop, the Sierra Leonean Head of Delegation charged the ECOWAS Commission Chief for the regional body to be more proactive than being reactive in preventing the reoccurrence of the Malian situation. He cited that, “we have raised instances in Sierra Leone where the current Government has been taking actions that undermine the peace and democracy in the region. We saw the imposition of a Speaker of Parliament on the majority of MPs in Sierra Leone.

We saw the removal of ten (10) elected Members of Parliament. We saw the Government wanting a midterm census which has no legal basis in Sierra Leone. We also saw an opposition operative jailed for criticizing the current Government in Bo District. All of these, like in Mali are signs of undermining democracy but the Commission is doing nothing despite the numerous letters we have written and sent for your attention.”

Hon. Bah, therefore, suggested that the ECOWAS Commission must now rearrange itself to setup robust mechanisms to address cases that have the tendency to undermine peace and democracy in the region rather than waiting until there is a total breakdown like it happened in the Republic of Mali.

NRM States Its Position on Recent Court Orders & Writes PPRC

Leader National Reformation Movement (NRM), Mohamed Sheridan Kamara

By Amin Kef Sesay

In a Press Release issued by the National Reformation Movement (NRM) and signed by, Mohamed Sheridan Kamara, as its leader, it was categorically highlighted that at the very outset it is worth pointing out that they, as a Movement, entered into negotiations with the avowed aim of resolving issues amicably.

It continued that more than anything, it was the desire to resolve the impasse within the All People’s Congress (APC) Party and allow it to move past the protraction, that surrounds the adoption of a democratic Constitution that led them to the negotiating table.

The NRM stated that, however, the insistence of the leadership of the party to take them to a convention with their pre-selected, manufactured delegates was what led Alfred Peter Conteh, the NRM’s Deputy Leader, to institute an action against the party’s overstayed leadership in the High Court of Sierra Leone in Freetown.

“Alfred Conteh’s opposition is to prevent Ernest Bai Koroma and Osman Foday Yansaneh from proceeding to a convention with their manufactured delegates, who are clearly against the democratic ideals we seek,” the Release also pointed out adding that as they all have seen, although the party’s expired leadership, through their lawyers, approached the judge for a variation of the injunction to allow the party to adopt a new constitution, they suddenly appealed against that very variation their lawyers pleaded for and solicited from the court, just because the party’s Chairman and his handpicked delegates have been restrained from manipulating the process.

It was maintained in the Press Release that they, at the NRM, find it very disturbing that Ernest Bai Koroma (EBK) and his expired leadership appealed an order that merely restrains them from participating as delegates in the adoption of the constitution.

The NRA said they found  it very disappointing that Ernest Bai Koroma unconscionably appealed an order that commands the party to conduct elections for the delegates who are to adopt the constitution.

It continued that those recent actions, instigated by EBK, have demonstrated that the pleas made in court by the party’s lawyers that the party has found itself falling behind in the race to keep pace with the national electoral calendar mean nothing when weighed against EBK’s presence as a self-imposed delegate in the process of adopting a new constitution.

The Release continued that now that it is no longer in dispute that EBK and his illegal executive are only interested in going to a convention with their handpicked opponents of democracy to adopt another autocratic and totalitarian constitution, they want the public to know that the NRM has joined forces with Alfred Conteh’s lawsuit to ensure that the matter is concluded in court.

The NRM said it is particularly pleased with those two orders handed down by Justice Fisher:  restraining the national officers of the party and their handpicked opponents of democracy, who masquerade as delegates, from sowing further confusion and instructing that elections are conducted for the delegates who are to adopt the constitution.

The NRM stated that conclusively, they are calling for the formation of an interim body to conduct elections for delegates and organize a convention, where a new constitution will be adopted within forty-five days.

It assured that it remains committed to the struggle to democratize the internal politics of the APC.

In another development, the same leader of the National Reformation Movement (NRM), Mohamed Sheridan Kamara, in a letter written to the Chairman of the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) ,dated the 2nd June 2021, on the topic:  Request for a Meeting with PPRC, stated that  pursuant to a High Court Ruling in the matter between Alfred Peter Conteh and Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma and others, the Honourable, Justice A. Fisher J., ordered the 3rd Defendant, which is the APC Party, to conduct elections of delegates and organize a convention for the adoption of the draft APC constitution and to deal with any outstanding membership issues in the party.

Mohamed Sheridan Kamara continued that in line with the same ruling, the PPRC, being the 4th Defendant in the instant case the court ordered him as PPRC Chairman, to supervise the conduct of such a convention.

He added that it is to his knowledge and belief that the 1st and 2nd Defendants lost their appeals for a stay of execution and leave to appeal to the Appeals Court.

According to him, he considers their enthusiasm for appeals as a calculated attempt to batter the opportunity for the adoption of a democratic constitution for the party.

“In the circumstances, therefore, taking into consideration the fact that time is of the essence, and being a 3rd Defendant in the aforesaid matter, that is desirous of ensuring a democratic constitution adopted for the party, I write to seek your directives on the implementation of the orders of the judge and to have a meeting with your Commission to discuss other related issues,” the NRM leader appealed.

Indian High Commissioner & Tourism Minister Hold Talks to Enhance the Tourism Sector

By Amin Kef Sesay

On the 1st June, 2021, Rakesh K. Arora , the first Indian High Commissioner designated to the Republic of Sierra Leone, paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu Pratt at the Ministry’s Head Office in Freetown. The rationale behind the visit was to discuss issues related to the development of the tourism sector in Sierra Leone.

Rakesh K. Arora expressed profound delight to meet with the Tourism Minister as she has great ideas in improving the tourism and hospitality sectors in Sierra Leone. He assured that travel between India and Sierra Leone will now be easier because their Mission is finally here and the setting up of the Sierra Leonean Mission in Delhi is also on the cards.

He informed how the Indian Government is supporting Sierra Leone in building it educational infrastructure evident in the granting of a loan for setting up the University in Kono. He stated that they are doing training programmes, giving out scholarships and arranging special programmes to build the capacity of Sierra Leoneans. The High Commissioner pointed out that there are a lot of potential in Sierra Leone’s tourism and that both countries will work closely in harnessing those potentials.

Welcoming the High Commissioner, Minister Pratt said Sierra Leone has been crying for the Indian Embassy for many years as there was great distress in traveling to India, but for the establishment of a full blown Embassy in Sierra Leone, traveling to India will now be easier, thus strengthening the bi-lateral relationship between the two countries.

She explained that Sierra Leone’s tourism has not been given the much needed attention over the years, but with President Bio, he made tourism a priority and one of the growth sectors for employment and tourism is now in Cluster 2 of the Medium Term Development Plan and also a major player in rebranding Sierra Leone.

She said before the outbreak of COVID-19 they managed to attend 12 international trade fairs around the world all geared towards repositioning Sierra Leone’s image internationally.

The Tourism Minister called for more discussions with the High Commissioner with regards enhancing capacity in terms of training Sierra Leoneans in the tourism sector and also enhancing the creative and performing art skills of Sierra Leoneans, collaborating with Indians in producing films to market Sierra Leone and also looking forward to investment in the Tourism Travel Industry.

NP-SL Ltd: Optimizing Customer Care & Maximizing Profits Are Key to its Operations

By Amin Kef Sesay

 In no way can it be disputed that the National Petroleum- Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) is 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 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!

Rokel Bank Hits 83BN Profit Amidst Massive Financial Stability

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Bank of Sierra Leone has released the 2020 audited financial statements of the Rokel Commercial Bank and the report shows that the bank has hit another significant milestone in its transformational trajectory.

The bank has recorded a profit (before tax) of 83, 566, 323 Billion Leones, (Eighty Three Billion, Five Hundred and Sixty Six Million, Three Hundred and twenty three thousand Leones). This represents a 5% increase from its 79, 439,041 Billion Leones profit in 2019.

These enviable profit margins have been made possible in the midst of a COVID-19 ridden economy. Thanks to an efficient and effective management system put in place by the Government of Sierra Leone. With very impressive prudential statistics in the last three years, the bank is now rated among the fastest growing banks in Sierra Leone and the West African sub-region

The bank’s retained earnings increased from Le966M in 2019 to Le 44Billion in 2020.  This in effect means the bank is now extremely financially stable and has significantly cleared off its retained loses.

Mariama Florence Kamara Escapes Female Genital Mutilation by Stroke of Luck  

Mariama Florence Kamara Escapes Female Genital Mutilation
Mariama Florence Kamara: The Girl who was rescued from FGM

By Mary Kabay

It appears that even in this 21st century when certain rights activists in this country are vigorously campaigning against the elimination of the practice of female genital mutilation (FGM), there are certain groups of people, who are becoming more emboldened to continue practicing it, despite all the negative impacts associated with the practice on our unsuspecting young girls.

This medium’s attention was drawn to a missing young girl by the name of Mariama Florence Kamara. Relatives and friends of this young girl became so worried after looking for her for days but to no avail leaving all of them confused and in a crying mode.

Trying to actually know what really transpired this medium, therefore, decided to launch a full-blown operation or investigation into the issue more especially driven by empathy for the family members and friends.

Besides, this medium became more interested to know whether the girl was still alive, amidst fears or rumors that she might have been killed for the purpose of ritual murder, a supposition that became stronger especially as Presidential and Parliamentary elections are not too far away to be held in the country. This is the period when it is heard that certain individuals who want to vie for political positions resort to ritual murder.

During the course of our investigation, this medium came to learn that when Mariama’s mother, Zainab Mohamed Sesay, was about to travel out of the country she left the young girl, Mariama Florence Kamara with her best or bosom friend by the name of Isatu Samura to take care of the young girl until such a time when they will reunite.

Zainab, it was said, left specific instructions with her friend, Isatu, that in no circumstance whatsoever should any of her relatives request for the young girl to be initiated into the Bondo secret society for girls. Young girls, as per tradition among certain Sierra Leoneans, when they have attained the age of puberty must be initiated into the society as a rite of passage into womanhood. It is during the time spent in initiation that the clitoris of those undergoing initiation is cut.

The girl’s mother was keen on leaving the instruction because it was learned, the girl’s mother, Zainab, lost eight members of her age group when sometime in the past they were initiated. She was lucky to have survived, the main reason why she could not condone Mariama being initiated.

However, unfortunately, on a particular day, some of the girl’s relatives stealthily snatched Mariama and fled with her to Mambolo on the pretext of initiating her into the Bondo Society. By a stroke of luck, the information reached the girl’s mother, who immediately contacted Isatu as the guardian to know what is going on.

Isatu responded that she was not aware of what has transpired thinking that the girl must have gone to attend extra lessons as she usually does. Isatu therefore immediately traveled to Mambolo.

Arriving in Ma Sampa Village on the 28th May 2021, in Mambolo Chiefdom, she met relatives in preparation for the initiation ceremony and saw Mariama, traditionally adorned amongst the other girls to be initiated. They were to be taken to the Bondo Bush for initiation on the 30th of May 2021. As fate will have it, it was on that very day that Isatu, it was further understood, fulfilled her plan when she stealthily took Mariama and immediately fled with her.

According to certain sources they were last seen in Guinea.

One of our reporters, who from the inception has been following this story closely, said he has heard on different occasions, members of the female secret society vowing vigorously that they will leave no stone unturned to ensure that Mariama Florence Kamara is, in one way or the other, initiated into the Bondo Society, as it is an integral part of their culture which must be respected.

As of now, it is a wait-and-see situation. However, what remains factual is that the campaigners against FGM in this country still have much to be achieved in trying to eliminate the practice as some are still tenaciously clinging to it despite all the odds posed to our young girls and women.

A very unfortunate incident of forceful initiation nearly took place in a village called Ma Sampa within Mambolo Chiefdom in the Kambia District, Northern Sierra Leone earlier this year, 2021.

 

‘More than 400 former Liberian refugees remain without legal status in Sierra Leone’- Delegation tells ECOWAS Parliament

Hon. Shiaka Musa Sama presenting the report on behalf of the Sierra Leone delegation to ECOWAS Parliament

By Abdul Malik Bangura- ECOWAS Parliament Press Corp

Monday 31st May 2021//Abuja, Nigeria: Republic of Sierra Leone delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament has in its country report to the regional parliament said more than (four hundred) 400 former Liberian refugees remain without legal status in the country.

The country which delegation comprises of five (5) members who are:Hon. Chernor R. M. Bah (Leader),  Hon. Dr Sidie M. Tunis (Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament), Hon. Ajibola Manley-Spain, Hon. Veronica K.  Sesay and Hon. Shiaka Musa Sama was represented in the delivery of its country report by Hon. Shiaka Musa Sama.

The report presented to the ECOWAS Parliament captured several thematic areas of the country including the Political; Security; Human Rights; Economic and Social situations as well as Environment and Climate Change; Status of Ratification and Implementation of the Community Texts and Protocols; Status of Implementation of Community Programs and Projects; and the Performance on the Macroeconomic Convergence Criteria.

During the presentation of the report particularly on the Human Rights situation in Sierra Leone, Hon Sama said more than 400 former Liberian refugees remain without legal status in the country. “Their refugee status expired in 2017 when they became “residual caseloads” under UNHCR protection. They refused repatriation and integration and demanded resettlement in a third country. UNHCR denied their resettlement citing the former refugees’ contradictory statements. The group applied for local national identification documents but authorities are yet to act on the applications.”

Furthering on the Human Rights situation in Sierra Leone, the report captured that in March 2020, President Bio declared a 12-month State of Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “Parliament approved the measure which granted the President broad powers to maintain peace and order including mandatory restrictions on movements. The State of Emergency declaration included restrictions on assembly as it banned meetings of more than 100 persons. In few cases, police used excessive force when dealing with demonstrators and used public order laws to deny requests for protests and demonstrations,” Hon Sama read verbatim from the Report.

To guarantee press freedom, the report also captured that the Government of Sierra Leone“worked with Parliament and other stakeholders to repeal the 55-year old seditious libel section of the Public Order Act, 1965 that criminalized free speech. This demonstrated the willingness of Government to promote the freedom of press in the country.”

The Human Right portion of the report also stressed on the moves made so far by government to curtail issues of rape and the addressing challenges of allowing pregnant girls attending school.

On the status of implementation of community texts, Hon Sama said Sierra Leone has ratified 42 ECOWAS protocols and conventions. To meet her obligations under the Community Levy Protocol, Sierra Leone, he said “has paid the sum of Le 14,903,320,000 for the year 2020 equivalent to US$ 1,500,000 and has arrears totaling Le 46,509,446,719.87.”

Chief Justice Eulogizes the Late Hon. Justice Dr. Rosolu Bankole John Thompson

Elkass Sannoh

His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards, the Honourable Chief Justice, has on the 26th May 2021 referred to the death of the late Hon. Justice Dr. Rosolu Bankole John Thompson as an irreparable loss of one of the finest legal minds in society.

Speaking at the Judiciary’s official opening Book of Condolence and Solemn Tribute Session in honour of the Late Justice Dr. Thompson, the Hon. Chief stated that following the track life of event of Dr. Thompson, he is convinced that the deceased lived a selfless and dedicated life to humanity.

He said, “you have played your part in this world’s stage and like a walking shadow that frets and struts and is heard no more you are no more. You have fought a good fight, finished the course and kept the faith, henceforth there is laid up for you a crown of righteousness.”

He added that such a selfless and remarkable character distinguished the late man as a true embodiment of the finest human and legal virtues.

To the family of the deceased and wife Mrs. Dr. Adiatu Thompson, the Hon. Chief Justice expressed on behalf of the Bench and his personal self his deepest sympathy and prayed that God comforts them.

In his declaration of purpose, Hon Justice Reginald Fyn JA, stated that the Bench, SLBA, Law Office and the Judiciary have lost a “Giant Cotton Tree.” According to him, tradition demands they should gather to honour and celebrate the good work of the late Justice.

In his tribute, President of the Residual Special Court of Sierra Leone, Justice Jon Kamanda, said the late Justice Dr. Thompson left behind indelible footprints that show young Lawyers the way to flourish in the legal field.

He described him as stunt man of no mean repute who demonstrated patriotism, excellence, humility and efficiently served his country and humanity.

Speaking on behalf of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, Lawyer Francis Gabbidon disclosed that the late Justice Dr. Thompson contributed greatly to the jurisprudence and justice of the country with several books, articles and chapters written to his credit.

The ceremony was climaxed by the signing of the Book of Condolence in honour of the late Justice Dr. Thompson. Among the sympathizers were the Secretary to President, Dr. Julius Sandi; SLBA President-Madam Michaella Swallow; Deputy Minister of Justice; Solicitor General-Mohamed Lamin Tarawally among a host of others.

As Africanist Press Claims Misappropriation of  $3M… Public Officials in ACC Net Over Non-Rehabilitation of Chancery Building in New York

By Amin Kef Sesay

Recently, Social Media has been awash with the circulation of an article published by the Africanist Press in which it was categorically stated that after two years of the release or the disbursement of $3 Million by the Government of Sierra Leone, with specific reference to the Julius Maada Bio’s led Government, money meant for the renovation and refurbishment of the Chancery Building of the Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone to the United Nations in New York nothing substantial has not been done in terms of advancing the work. The authors of the Africanist Press are insinuating or alleging that the said $3Million could have been siphoned through corrupt means by certain public officials as well as some diplomatic members of staff.

The Africanist Press furthered that the Clerk of the United States Southern District Court of New York, Ruby J. Krajick has on the 27th May, 2021 confirmed serving of the notice of motion against the Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone to the United Nations in New York to Sierra Leone’s Foreign Minister, Davis Francis.

They continued that the Sierra Leone Government has 60 days to file a response to the notice of motion, failing which a judgement in default will be entered against its Sierra Leone Mission in New York.

On its part the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in a Press Release dated 27th May, 2021 stated that its attention  has been drawn to media reports relating to the on-going renovation and refurbishment of the Chancery Building of the Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone to the United Nations in New York.

According to the Ministry, those reports are substantially incorrect and misleading and therefore would like to make certain clarifications.
It states the building in question, otherwise known as the Chancery Building, is a townhouse sharing party walls with adjacent buildings.
Furthermore, that over the past decade it had been left to significantly deteriorate to a point of not being habitable and the Mission was forced to evacuate to another building.

The Ministry made it categorically clear that a plan to completely reconstruct the entire building befitting a Permanent Mission in New York was initiated in December 2016.
It continued that the reconstruction effort, however, stalled in September 2017 due in large part to the unavailability of funds.

The Ministry further pointed out that when the New Direction Government of His Excellency President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, assumed office in 2018, the reconstruction effort was revived with the release of funds.

It says the plan was to complete and handover for the use of the Sierra Leone Mission in New York within a short period underscoring how the structural integrity of the building when completed will create additional office space for future growth befitting a Chancery Building in New York.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry said, however, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the hostile posture of the adjacent neighbours, mindful of the imposing facelift of an adjoining structure, slowed the pace of the project.

The Ministry continued that work was set to recommence when neighbours adjacent to the building initiated legal proceedings against the Sierra Leone Mission in New York on allegations of encroachment, fire safety concerns and interference with their venting system by the Contractor.

Those allegations, according to the Press Release, will be addressed by the contractor and his sub-contractor, as they carry full responsibility for any problem emanating from their work.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry stated how it is worthy to note that the construction work is fully covered by the construction insurance obtained by the contractor and sub-contractor and the Mission and by extension the Government of Sierra Leone are indemnified in that regard.
It continued that the construction project has a safety engineer who inspects the project at every stage to ensure that all safety requirements are strictly adhered to saying in addition, the New York Department of Building monitors every stage of the construction with a view to ensuring all materials used, as well as installations done, meet the required standards.
The Release stated how the Sierra Leone Mission in New York attempted to intervene and open up channels of communication for dialogue with the neighbours, but the neighbours proved to be non- cooperative.
That the Mission further requested the State Department to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the allegations made by the neighbours but that also failed due to the hostility of the neighbours.

It concluded by stating that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation will continue to work with the Mission in New York to ensure that the contractor and his sub-contractor resolve the legal issue and to also comply with all required regulations and laws of the host Government of the United States and the State of New York.

In a related development, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has also said that its attention had been drawn to allegations of grand corruption with regard the renovation and/or re-construction of the Sierra Leone Chancery Building in Manhattan, New York City, United States of America involving over Four Million United States Dollars (USD $4,000,000.00) transferred for that purpose since 2011 to 2019.

The Commission stated that it wishes it to be known that it had commenced forensic and comprehensive investigations into the allegations and that the Head of Chancery and other persons of interest to the management of the finances of the Chancery have been recalled to post, to assist with the speedy investigation and conclusion of the investigations.

The ACC continued that statements are being taken from them and have been kept in custody since the 28th May, 2021.

“We have also recovered documents and records relevant to the investigation and they are being analysed by our forensic analysts,” the ACC concluded assuring the Public will be promptly informed of progress made with the investigations.

Africell Sierra Leone Gives Support to Macauley Street Govt. Hospital

By Amin Kef-Ranger

Africell Sierra Leone has on Friday 28th May, 2021 made a donation to the Macauley Street Government Hospital of items which include a 10,000 liter Milla Tank, 40 Afri-phones, and assorted food Items. The event took place at the premises of the Hospital which is situated on Macauley Street in Freetown.

The event started with a tour of the Macauley Street Government Hospital led by the Matron of the hospital who took the Human Resource Manager of Africell Sierra Leone, Patricia Jangah, and other members of staff of Africell.

Speaking during the event, the Human Resource Manager of Africell Sierra Leone, Patricia Jangah, expressed appreciation to the Doctors and Nurses of the Macauley Street Government Hospital for their passion towards their job describing them as heroes and heroines.

She stated that as a telecommunications company they do care about all especially their esteemed customers adding that the visit is part of the company’s strides towards giving back to society saying it forms part of their Corporate Social Responsibility.

She added that on behalf of the Africell Sierra Leone she is pleased to hand over the following items which include  a 10,000 liter Milla Tank, 40 Afri-phones, and food items as support to the hospital, furthering that it will not be a one stop affair as they will continue to support the facility.

She revealed that during the conducted tour of the facility she noticed a lot of challenges plaguing the facility and promised to communicate them with the Management of the company.

Receiving the items, the Medical Officer at the Macauley Street Government Hospital, Dr. Adrian Hanciles, expressed appreciation to Africell for the donated items which he said will definitely boost the hospital.

He said that over the years water has been a big challenge to the hospital of which he said he is with the strong conviction that the Milla Tank will support the facility in terms of making water available.

Matron at the Macauley Street Government Hospital, Isatu Kamara also showered praises on Africell Sierra Leone for the gesture which she described as not only important but very timely.

She appealed to Africell for partnership with the hospital in order to make the hospital better.

She revealed that the facility has a lot of challenges ranging from unavailability of a Standby Generator, Blood Bank etc. of which she said they will be happy if Africell will come to their aid in order to help upgrade the facility to a more appreciable standard.

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