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ACC Indicts Ombudsman Legal Officer and Regional Manager

By Edward Vamboi

In a Press Release dated the 10th May, 2021,the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) stated that on the 6th May, 2021 it filed an indictment against Idrissa Alimamy Patience Kargbo, Legal Officer and Regional Manager of the Office of the Ombudsman, and of No. 23 Kambia Highway, Port Loko City, on Six (6) counts of corruption offences; Two (2) counts bordering on Soliciting an Advantage, Contrary to Section 28 (2)(a), and Four (4) counts of Accepting an Advantage, Contrary to Section 28 (2) (a), of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 12 of 2008 as amended by the Anti-Corruption Act No.9 of 2019.

It further stated that Idrissa Alimamy Patience Kargbo, on various dates between 1st April 2019 and 31st January 2020, in Port Loko City, in the North-West Region of Sierra Leone, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, solicited and accepted an Advantage in the total sum of Five Million, One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Leones (Le5, 150,000), from two complainants, ostensibly as payment for his upkeep and transportation in assisting them to recover their six months backlog salary.

According to the ACC, Idrissa Alimamy Patience Kargbo, is expected to make his first appearance in the High Court of Sierra Leone Holden at Makeni on 20th May, 2021.

Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Offers Training to Farmers

By Tamba Borbor

Welthungerhilfe (WHH), with support from Global Environment Facility (GEF), Manor River Union (MRU), National Protected Area Agency (NPPA), National Water Resources Management Agency (NWRMA) and IUCN on Wednesday 28th and 29th April 2021, during the implementation of the Mano River Union Ecosystem Conservation and International Water Resource Management Project, took over 20 Farmers from Pujehun District to Kailahun District, on  a farming exchange visit and training workshop to impart more skill on farmers on Cocoa, economic and fruit trees production.

George Muigai, Project Manager Welthungerhilfe, whilst giving an overview of the project, said that Welthungerhilfe is one of Germany’s biggest private organizations for development and humanitarian aid, with the vision of ensuring that people are free from hunger and poverty. He said the Ecosystem Conservation and Water Resource Management Project is funded by (GEF), through the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to the Government of Sierra Leone – the National Protected Area Agency (NPPA).

Georg Muigai said the project is being implemented in the four Mano River Union countries of Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Ivory Coast.  He furthered that Welthungerhilfe is in partnership with NPPA to implement the project in three Districts in Sierra Leone: Kenema, Pujehun and Kailahun Districts, which are mainly located along the Gola rainforest belt.

George Muigai further explained that the project has made significant impact reaching out to a total of 1500 farmers as direct project beneficiaries, with a gender participation of 304 (20%)Females and 1,196 (80%)Males. George Muigai said the project provided support to protect against threats posed by climate change, deforestation caused by logging, mining, charcoal burning, game hunting and wildfire and unsustainable agricultural system, practiced by the forest edge communities. The project hopes to reclaim the deforested land by encouraging farmers to involve in the establishment of diverse crop production, using the agro-forestry farming techniques in the production areas.

He ended by saying that Sierra Leone stands to benefit so much from this Forest Landscape Restoration and Ecosystem Conservation project, adding that communities will be informed on the importance of natural resources and regaining the original state of the destroyed forest in the Gola Landscape. He said, supporting the 1500 farmers on the establishment of agro-forestry plots will result in the restoration of 1,150 acres(460 Ha) of land, although more effort is needed for reclaiming the already deforested land.

Mustapha O Sheriff, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of WHH said they targeted Pujehun District farmers to help them to engage in Agro-forestry system, wherein they can have different crops in one garden and still have a very good production, based on proper management system, in order to prevent deforestation and improve the livelihood of the communities.  He stated that the Government of Sierra Leone has set out regulations limiting the activities of communities along the Gola rainforest belt. This, he said, will affect their livelihood, considering the fact that their main source of income comes from their forest activities.

He said the project implemented by WHH will support farmers to plant economic fruit trees and indigenous trees as a sustainable source of income generation, coupled with support in technical training of farmers in good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for sustainable Agricultural enhancement.

Sheriff stated that the Gola rainforest edge communities, especially Pujehun District, in the Makpele and Barri Chiefdoms, have mostly depended on forest products and oil palm farming, which has made little gains over the years, but the new farming from WHH will help them to invest in economic trees like cocoa and timber trees, which are in less practice in their region, even though these trees have proven to be a major economic source for Kailahun and Kenema Districts, with high yield in production rate, especially for cocoa, but Pujehun District was yet to practice climate sensitive agriculture, especially in the Gola forest region, which has been heavily deforested  by unproductive agricultural activities, Mustapha said.

Tamba Gbondo, Kailahun District Coordinator (SLE 1087) for WHH, who served as the lead trainer, said he has organized a farm exchange visit for farmers from Pujehun district to Kailahun, through the support of GEF and NPAA, to make farmers knowledgeable in cocoa production and management in terms of reforestation and good agricultural practices.

This, he furthered, gives them the opportunity to visit well established cocoa production sites in Kailahun District, serving as essential good training and learning  practical experiences during the visit.  He stated that training workshop at the WHH office in Kenema was organized for the training of farmers, plus a participatory training approach with a question and answer session on key training topics from nursery establishment, management through planting and rehabilitation and quality processing, which eventually gives them the ability and confidence to pass on the knowledge to other farmers who do not have the opportunity.

l Barrie, Technical Adviser, Ecosystem Conservation project, GEF (the Ecosystem Conservation project), which is the Mano River Union Ecosystem conversation and International Water Resources Project, is being implemented among four countries: Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Ivory Coast and funded by GEF, with the aim of reversing or addressing the various manmade climate threats that contribute to the degradation of the forest, especially in the upper Guinea, with activities like unsustainable Agricultural farming methods, Farming, slash and burn, logging, mining, charcoal burning, over hunting and wild life trade.

Abdul Barrie stated that the project has two main components, one on sustainable forest Management, which is being implemented by WHH in the goal land space, which is the only bulk reserve left in the region, with a national park, but is also exposed to destruction, because lots of people are around and mainly depend there for their survival, so the project prevents the park and impacts the lives of those living around, and depend on it for survival,

He furthered that GEF is trying to restore the degraded forest, and this is the reason why they are working with partners like WHH, who are doing a fantastic job, and GOLA, with other consultants like Green lives, who are also implementing partners, targeting the forest, which is the first part of the component.

Barrie continued that all the four countries have agencies that are leading the fight, and in Sierra Leone, it is the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) and National Water Resource Management Agency (NWRMA), the two agencies work together based on the fact that the project in component is one on sustainable forest management and the other on management of international water, which is the main focus of the (NWRMA), with the aim of using the trans boundary water resource, and work with trans boundary neighbouring countries to collaboration in preventing conflicts around the use of water within the boundaries, so the project is aimed at working as local and international partners to manage the water resources, which will prevent conflict, help in managing trans boundary issues.

Barrie said WHH is mainly implementing the reforestation, which is landscape restoration (FLR) with the focus on restoring the landscape, which targets the communities, animals and forest, so the people will benefit from the landscape forest and see the need to preserve and stay away from the protected forest.

He said the project is a very forest friendly agriculture, which is Agro-forestry aimed at bringing back the forest and restoring wildlife.

He however commended WHH for providing the expertise and for working with women and the targeted groups in the implementation process.

One of the beneficiaries, Fatmata Koroma, said the training is a lifetime opportunity given to them by WHH through NPAA and GEF, and asked for more women to be considered in other projects.  “We felt lost, marginalized when the Government asked us to stay away from the forest, because we thought that is our only means of survival, but with this new skills and support given to us by WHH through NPAA and GEF on farming, we are now poised to live a better life than before.”

Alhaji Bockrie said he has been in cocoa production for a little over five years now, but have not been realizing much, because of missing steps from the nursing to the harvesting period. He, however, said that he has learnt so much from this important training organized by WHH through NPAA and GEF. He thanked WHH and requested for regular training.

SLAJ President Clears the Air on Bio’s Iftar Donation

President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasralla

By Amin Kef Sesay

The President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, in a reaction on the issue of accepting a donation  from President Julius Maada Bio on behalf of the Association started by thanking  all for their comments on this issue of a donation to SLAJ as posted by Chernor Bah.

He said taking away the insults and derogatory snipes their comments are all valid- FOR or AGAINST.

“I read anger, frustration, disappointment in the majority of the comments  and some of you have already passed judgment but as SLAJ President I take them all in good faith, and I am sure they emanated from the height of esteem you have held our Association,” he stated.

The SLAJ President maintained that he bears no ill will to any of you furthering that as a matter of fact, that is what they want and what they have been fighting for in the 50 years of existence as an Association: saying it is their RIGHT to have their say on national issues even if  leaders (and people like them in positions of trust) do not agree with them.

He said it is that right they fought hard to uphold and protect, and even seeking to expand, through the repeal of the Criminal and Seditious Libel Law and now with the Cybercrime Bill 2020.

“So it is well within your right to hold us to account, and I am humbly presenting my own side because I have the obligation to give an explanation for our action as an Executive to ACCEPT the donation from His Excellency our President Julius Maada Bio,” he intimated.

Ahmed Sahid Nasralla  explained that on Friday, 7th May, 2021, he got a call from the Press Secretary at State House informing him about a donation of food items he wanted to present to SLAJ the following day, on behalf of His Excellency, ‘for members of SLAJ who are observing the month of Ramadan’.

“I said OK, let me inform my Executive and revert. I did, and we agreed with the proposed date, time, and venue for the presentation- Saturday 8th May, 2021 at SLAJ Headquarters, 56 Campbell Street, Freetown. When I got back to the Press Secretary to confirm the donation, I insisted that we should invite the media to cover the presentation and he accepted,” he added.

The SLAJ President said during the presentation, as some may have read from the news story from State House (or the TV news) on the donation, the Press Secretary said he was presenting the food items on behalf of President Bio to SLAJ ‘for distribution to members who are fasting’.

He continued that accepting the gifts on behalf of SLAJ and the members concerned, he thanked the President for the gesture and made it clear to the Press Secretary and his team that their acceptance should not in any way indicate that they would stop holding the President and his Government to account.

“In our culture and tradition, we always find ourselves in situations that make it very difficult, if not impossible, to reject gifts/donations; and I personally don’t think it is a sign of respect to refuse a gift from our President. In fact, I considered it an honour for the thought alone, and the spirit of Ramadan encourages such kinds of exchanges as long as strings are not attached,” he furthered.

He said there are two things about gifts or donations given to organisations like SLAJ which is how they receive it and what they do with it after receiving it.

The SLAJ President went on to state that they are aware that accepting gifts goes a long way to undermine their principles of independence, credibility, and objectivity, and there is also the issue of conflict of interest.

He said all of that actually do need to happen, they only need to be perceived, and that is exactly what has happened in this particular instance.

He asked the question: “So how did we receive the donation?”

Ahmed Sahid Nasralla stated that the fact that they insisted on media coverage of the donation is a clear show of transparency and accountability to the public.

He said the next step was to account to their membership adding that they immediately put out a notice to the general membership that they have received so and so from so and so and it is for so and so underscoring how the donation was not done in secret.

He asked again: “What did we do with the donation after receiving it?”

The SALJ President revealed that it is the stage they are in now.

He said the donation was meant for their Muslim members who are fasting.

“On May 5th, as part of our activities marking World Press Freedom Day 2021, SLAJ supported the hosting of Iftar during which we provided food and drinks and Ramadan lectures to non-members of the Association. Individual members of SLAJ have also been giving donations here and there during this Ramadan. Therefore, accepting a donation of food items from the Presidency does not imply that we are starving or we are cheap,” he made it categorically clear.

He said as he writes this response, the SLAJ National Executive has reached a decision to hand over the foodstuffs to the Iftar Committee in SLAJ to distribute to their Muslim members because it is meant for them.

The SLAJ President stated that having said that let him also kindly make several things clear: He pointed out that SLAJ is an Association of professional journalists, not an Association of people who own media houses in the country.

He said SLAJ does not determine the editorial policies of the more than 200 registered media houses in the country.

“Whether the Association accepts gifts or not, there will always be media houses promoting the programs of the Government of the day and there will be others constantly opposing. The FACT is, like every other sector of society, the media is also sharply divided along political lines,” he elucidated

Ahmed Sahid Nasralla maintained that it is not the first time SLAJ has received gifts/donations from a sitting Government.

He said we can go back decades and decades to give instances.

The SLAJ President said and beyond Governments, SLAJ solicits support from time to time from MDAs, mobile phone companies, Banks, Mercury International, Embassies and High Commissions, CSOs, NGOs, even the Sierra Leone Police with those they constantly have clashes and many more to finance their programs and in many instances, the support is provided.

He said SLAJ do not sign any MOUs with organisations/institutions that say that in return for their support the Association should not hold them to account.

Nasralla said nevertheless, let him hasten to point that he is not making reference to activities of past administrations of SLAJ or the culture of soliciting support from those they should be holding to account to justify their current action saying that is just the REALITY on the ground.

He said granted it’s an ETHICAL DILEMMA that they have been grappling with stating that some of them with political lenses, including the members of the public, are not helping the situation.

Nasralla said since he was elected President of SLAJ, his vision has been HOW DO WE MAKE SLAJ SELF-RELIANT and hence INDEPENDENT?

“God knows we are trying, but help is needed,” he said frankly adding that if Mercury International and Africell decide to withdraw their support to the media in the form of advertising, more than half of the media houses will DIE saying one can imagine how many of their colleagues will be unemployed.

He said let him end by borrowing a quote from the statement of DAIRE COURTNEY, the Second Secretary of the Embassy of Ireland in Sierra Leone, delivered during their program marking this year’s World Press Freedom Day:

“It is significant that journalists in Sierra Leone have maintained the ability to hold those in power to account and also be able to speak to them as colleagues and to work with them to really make progress. I think that has been very significant. I see you even continue to do that now on other issues.”

He said that has exactly been their approach to make things happen for the media saying that is how they achieve the historic repeal of the law that once criminalized free speech.

“This is how we got the Government to be giving annual subvention to SLAJ, no matter how small. This is how we got the Government to make a commitment that SLAJ will have its own land and headquarters. This is how we got the Government to make a commitment to support community radio stations to ensure information filters down to our people in remote rural areas. This is how we are making progress with the cybercrime bill by accommodating most of our concerns in the area of protection of free speech, free media, and people’s privacy rights,” he disclosed.

He said to them the President is not an ENEMY, neither is the Government.

The SLAJ President maintained that they strongly believe that as the Fourth Estate, they are a key partner in development; and the Government of Sierra Leone has an obligation to support the media to be professional and independent to efficiently play its role in our democracy- providing accurate information to the public, exposing corruption, holding the Government, its agencies and public officials to account, and above all setting the agenda and providing the platform for healthy democratic discourse.

He said if people care for the media and respect the role they play in society  they should be genuine with their criticisms and help the media to grow while thanking  all once more for their contributions to the important conversation.

The SLAJ President said be rest assured that they have not in any way been compromised underscoring how they will never be compromised, and will continue to perform their selfless duties to the best of their abilities.

Import Duty & GST on Rice Removed by Government

Commissioner General of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), Dr. Samuel Jibao

By Amin Kef Sesay

Government has removed both import duty and Goods and Services Tax (GST) imported rice in a bid to ensure that the prices of both 50kg and 25kg bags of rice would go down.

Prior to 2021, business people, who were importing rice to Sierra Leone, used to pay 15% GST on all foreign currencies that were transferred out of Sierra Leone to their suppliers for the purchase of rice.

However, with the advent of the Finance Act of 2021, that 15% GST has been removed and that has subsequently led to a loss of thirty-three billion Leones (Le33bn) to Government on every transfer of foreign currencies.

Already, Government was losing over four hundred billion Leones (Le400bn) as import duty waiver on rice importation.

Commissioner General of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), Dr. Samuel Jibao, said the removal of both the import duty and GST on the importation of rice was a deliberate attempt by President Julius Maada Bio to reduce the prices of both 25kg and 50kg bags of rice for all Sierra Leoneans.

“We were already losing over 400 billion Leones as a result of duty waiver on the importation of rice. But the prices of both 25Kg and 50kg bags of rice continue to rise astronomically. We then called on the importers to ask them what could be the reasons for the skyrocketing price of a bag of rice. They claimed that the 15% GST on the transfer of foreign currencies to their suppliers for the purchase of rice was militating against them. As a listening Government, President Julius Maada Bio automatically removed that 15% GST,” he explained.

He maintained that the Government has played its own part but some dishonest business people continue to increase prices on both 25kg and 50kg bags of rice, which, he said, is very bad.

According to Dr. Jibao, President Bio’s administration inherited a GST of 20% on all goods and services from his predecessor but quickly reduced it to 15% so as to soften situation for business people and subsequently reduce prices of commodities for all Sierra Leoneans.

He noted that the 15% GST on the transfer of foreign currencies has also been removed but the business people are yet to do the needful with regards the reduction of prices for both a 25kg and 50kg bags of rice.

“We are now calling on business people to reflect these tax exemptions on the much-desired commodities-rice and flour,” he said.

Dr. Jibao disclosed that import duty on flour was 20% but President Bio’s administration reduced it to 10%, adding that effective January 2021, GST of 15% has been removed on flour, which is considered an essential commodity particularly for people in the urban areas.

He stated that there is a tax exemption on both imported and domestically produced wheat flour as enshrined in the 2021 Finance Act.

“This exemption is to ensure the availability of loaves of bread, which is part of a daily dietary of many people across Sierra Leone. There is also a tax exemption on bulk wheat (grain) used as raw material for the manufacturing of flour. This is to allow local manufacturers of flour to reduce their cost of production, making them competitive with imported flour as well as eventually making flour readily available in the market at all times,” he stated.

He said business people, who are importing and selling commodities such as bags of rice and flour, must now reduce their prices.

Tamba Kholie Sentenced To Death By Hanging

High Court Resident Judge in Kailahun District, Hon. Justice Francis Banks-Kamara

By Theresa Kef Sesay

High Court Resident Judge in Kailahun District, Hon. Justice Francis Banks-Kamara on the 7th May 2021 sentenced an accused person, Kholie Tamba, to death by hanging.

The accused first appeared before Hon. Justice Banks-Kamara for the offence of murder on the 8th February 2021 and in just about three months of trial, judgment was delivered with the jury unanimously returning a ‘guilty verdict’ for the one count indictment.

According to the particulars of offence, the accused Tamba Kholie, on a date unknown in September 2018 in Nyadehum Mabarbu in Luawa Chiefdom, Kailahun District, murdered one Amara Koroma.

The case was prosecuted by State Counsel Daniel Mansaray while Patrick Kamara Esq from Legal Aid Board defended the accused.

Addressing the jurors, Justice Banks-Kamara said they should be able to understand the elements constituting murder. He described the act of the accused as “barbaric and does not resonate with 21st century civilized reasoning.”

According to him, the act of the accused contravenes a cardinal Provision in the Sierra Leone Constitution, Chapter 3 of Act No. 6 of 1991. He went on to say that the act of murder is unforgivable, adding that the judgment will serve as a deterrent to others who are hell-bent on derailing the peace in society.

Basing his judgement on the ‘guilty verdict’ returned by the jurors, Justice Francis Banks-Kamara sentenced Tamba Kholie to death by hanging.

While thanking members of the jury for sacrificing their precious time, the Hon. Judge assured that the cliché of ‘Justice Delayed is Justice Denied’ has no place in Kailahun. He said the vision of the Hon. Chief Justice, His Lordship Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards, is to provide expeditious trials and to take justice closer to the people which he is committed to achieving.

Government Entreats Police on Accelerating Service Delivery

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Executive Management Board (EMB) of the Sierra Leone Police Force held a one day seminar at the Conference Room of the Police Headquarters on George Street in Freetown, on Performance Monitoring and Management Processes with the theme: “Accelerating Service Delivery; Implementing the Medium-Term National Development Plan”.

The Seminar was organized by the Directorate of Service Delivery and Performance Management in the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development in collaboration with the Office of the Chief Minister on Wednesday 5th May 2021 organized

It was held at the request of the Inspector General of Police, Dr. Ambrose Sovula, in response to Government support to MDAs to accelerate service delivery.

In his introduction, the Director of Service Delivery and Performance Management in the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and in the Office of the Chief Minister, Dr. Robert Tamba Moikowa emphasized the importance of policing services maintaining that the Sierra Leone Police is a key player in service delivery.

With reference to the call of H.E. the President, Dr Julius Maada Bio, to accelerate service delivery within Government institutions, he said the engagement was part of the Government’s support to strengthen  institutions and that the engagement will be continuous with a focus on the Benefits of Performance Management across Government institutions; Target Setting ; Alignment of Deliverables and Annual Work Plan (AWP) with the Medium-Term National Development Plan; Results-Based Management; Indicators for Monitoring Performance Outcomes and Reporting, with reference to the Performance Tracking Table.

The participants, members of the EMB, comprising Directors of the various departments in the Sierra Leone Police highlighted their key deliverables for 2021, including the acquisition and overhauling of the Sierra Leone Police Communication Network Nationwide, construction of new Police Stations nationwide, acquisition of 35 Land Cruisers and 20 personnel carrier trucks to enhance operations, strengthening internal security by providing basic logistics to personnel and installation of Close Circuit Television (CCTV) project in strategic locations in Freetown.

Also invited to the seminar were members of the Independent Police Complaints Board. This is an independent civilian oversight mechanism with a unique mandate within the security sector to receive and investigate complaints from the public. It also advises the leadership of the Sierra Leone Police.

To enrich the engagement, the Chairperson of the National Monitoring and Evaluation Directorate (NaMED), Dr. James Edwin, underscored the importance of monitoring and evaluation in service delivery and lamented that, in the past, huge sums of money went down the drain that has left the country underdeveloped and the people poor due primarily to lack of monitoring and evaluation asserting that the situation is more deplorable in inaccessible and remote parts of the country.

The Head of NaMED also revealed that the development budget for the Police Force was Le.7 billion in 2020 and Le5 billion this year, that there are 229 projects in this year’s budget funded by Government and donors that will be monitored and evaluated to reduce the non-implementation of projects that causes huge loss to the country, especially in remote parts of the country revealing that the system would be digitalized with the use of the Global Information System.

According to Dr. James Edwin, the process would take Sierra Leone to another level and revealed plans by the World Bank to train staff of Local Councils with a $3.5 million project for which he encouraged the EMB of the Police to explore other sources of funding.

Other topical issues discussed were that the Police have 20 uncompleted projects in the Western Area, not accessing its Development Budget, rankings that were reduced from 19-9, external factors affecting its work, lack of security and insurance for personnel, personnel welfare and capacity-building at strategic level, regular retreats/workshops/seminars, intelligence and operations among others.

In his PowerPoint presentation, Dr. Robert Moikowa underscored that the deliverables of the Police Force must be aligned with Government’s Mid-Term National Development Plan and its indicators, dilated on the Police Force managing public perception, earning public confidence, riots, corruption, professionalism, leadership, performance of the Police Force from the lens of the public, Government and the International Community and entreated the EMB of the Police Force to do self-evaluation in order to see if it is on track.

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police, who chaired the event, Mrs. Elizabeth Turay underscored that the EMB is delighted with the initiative that would help them improve and make amends reiterating that for Government to succeed the Police Force must be on top of the situation.

In conclusion, the Directorate of Service Delivery and Performance Management was requested to decentralize the training to the regions and other senior managers. It was agreed that this will start with strengthening the capacity of the Corporate Affairs Department, to be followed by a two-day workshop for senior officials and partners including the Independent Police Complaints Board and a workshop. It is hoped that this support of Government will positively impact the Police force in the face of its current challenges.

NP-SL Ltd Epitomizes Sterling Business Initiatives

By Amin Kef Sesay

It has been established that the National Petroleum (NP) Sierra Leone Limited sheds a ray of hope for Sierra Leonean businesses. It epitomizes what any determined group of Sierra Leoneans can make meaningful achievements when they come together and invest solidly. Today the company is the leading  of petroleum marketing company in the sub-region, only because some 35 nationals were shrewd enough to plough their end of service benefits into the formation of the company. This example, if emulated by forward looking and ambitious individuals that make meaningful investments internally, will change the development trajectory of this country.

Though NP-SL Ltd is an indigenously owned company, however its shareholders and Management are not afraid to take risk into venturing into various parts of the country. NP-SL Ltd believes in breaking new grounds and this has been the driving force behind its expansionist drive beyond Freetown far and near.

Its services are not only limited in the capital city but are replicated nationwide. Everywhere they operate, they offer the same services, effectively providing the qualitative services to its esteemed customers.

To make the make the purchase of fuel very simple NP-SL Ltd introduced the NP Smart Card, which enables organisations and individuals to purchase fuel at ease without using physical cash. By introducing this latest technology, it avails its customers the convenience in conducting transactions at Filling Stations as long there is credit in the NP Smart Cards.

Established by some 35 Sierra Leoneans years back, NP-SL Ltd has grown to become one of the most successful indigenously owned companies in this country. Because of its strength through effective management, the company is vibrantly operating in Guinea, Ivory Coast, Liberia, and The Gambia.
Customer Care is always taken paramount as Management ensures that customer satisfaction is prioritized. The company truly deserves commendation in that direction.
With well-motivated members of staff, who know how to efficiently treat customers, NP-SL Ltd has become very endearing to many.
In all the five countries where it is operating, the company always ensures that petroleum products in terms of fuel and other lubricants are available in order to avoid scarcity.

It has been established that using charcoal and wood for cooking purposes poses health hazards and depletion of our forests. Against such a backdrop many have commended the company for making it possible to get access to NP gas cookers, which are indeed safe and friendly for domestic use. Gas is as well available at the company’s filling stations which individuals can purchase at affordable prices.

The company is one of the few business entities in this country that strictly adheres to the country’s Local Content Policy by strictly offering jobs to Sierra Leoneans except in situations when expert knowledge and skills are outsourced. This has helped in providing jobs and reducing poverty.

NP-SL Ltd is a major tax payer to the National Revenue Authority and is contributing to Government’s revenue which is used for the implementation of various development programmes.

The company has truly made Sierra Leone proud as it continues to fly the Green, White and Blue high in West Africa with the story of how serious minded and ambitious individuals can become successful business entrepreneurs.

Dr. Ekundayo Gilpin Bags Another International Recognition

Managing Director of the Rokel Commercial Bank, Dr. Ekundayo Walton Gilpin

By Amin Kef Sesay

Ekundayo Walton Gilpin is indisputably a name that rings a bell in the corporate world more especially within the banking sector in Sierra Leone. Through sheer hardwork and the burning passion to serve humanity and contribute to nation building he has etched his name in the sands of time as a true patriot and an experienced Chief Executive Officer.

Just recently, to be specific, on Independence Day, 27th April 2021, when he was bestowed the country’s most prestigious award, ‘Commander of the Order of the Rokel’ (COR), the Managing Director of the Rokel Commercial Bank, Dr. Ekundayo Walton Gilpin, has again been recognised by the International Professional Managers Association in the UK as a member. On 7th May 2021, the international association issued a certificate to the MD and gave him the right to use the letters FPMA and be described as a certified International Professional Manager.

Dr. Gilpin is regarded as a seasoned and internationally recognized financial expert with over 30 years of experience managing complex policies and processes in banking and banking-related institutions in Africa, Europe, South Pacific, Caribbean, and USA.

Previously, he was an economist at the Bank of Sierra Leone, then an advisor to the Commonwealth Secretariat in the United Kingdom; where he served as an international civil servant, managing significant financial initiatives that formed the basis of effective and sustainable reform strategies in more than 38 countries.

In this capacity, he also helped strengthen the technical and management capacity of financial and banking sector professionals by emphasizing approaches and skillsets that bode well for institutional transformation and enduring change.

His goal-oriented philosophy has been a hallmark of his career and this has benefitted Sierra Leone in diverse ways in finance and banking, education, humanitarian work, religion and public sector support.

He has provided technical input into complex interactions with national and international players, such as the Bank of Sierra Leone, Ministry of Finance, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Crown Agents, but to name a few.  He has been instrumental in financial research analysis having worked in Research and International Financial Departments of reputable institutions. His capacity building skills were significantly useful in designing and implementing training modules in financial analysis for public sector officials in Government and private sector.

It could be recalled that this seasoned financial guru and result-oriented Managing Director has, since taking office as MD of the Rokel Commercial Bank, never ceased to bag awards and recognitions for both the bank and himself. His exemplary service and determination to forge a never to be forgotten and viable financial entity in the country, has contributed to the changing of the narrative of that institution.

Gilpin’s desire to ensure that his institution excel, had prompted him to embark on large scale reform in the bank, leading to a complete overhaul of the institution. This action has seen marked improvement in the fortunes of the bank, with result of unprecedented profit and the catapulting of the institution to position of excellence among its rivals.

The bank has been able to expand to hitherto unserved areas like Bonthe and Kailahun, thereby enhancing financial inclusion of citizens in the financial sector. RCB, under his watch has ensured that the less privileged are catered for, with the introduction of banking services to the Kekeh and Okada riders, inclusion of school kids and market women, as well as the recent incorporation of the digital revolution into its development trajectory.

Customers are now able to access their accounts with their mobile phones and do all sorts of transactions.

Whilst progress is being made on this front, Gilpin believes that Sierra Leone should not be left out in this revolution and that it should fully embrace a cashless society, where business could be transacted without physical use of cash, but rather with the use of one’s phone in the comfort of one’s living room or office.

His dream for financial inclusion resonates very well with President Bio’s vision of not being left out of the fourth revolution, the digital revolution. After various observations by both national and international players, Dr. Gilpin has become the recipient of laudable awards and recognitions both at home and abroad, as well as the uplifting of the profile of the bank.

He has made Sierra Leone proud and the name of the once defunct banking institution is now flying both nationally and internationally.

Kobi Walker Chairs International Professional Managers Association Awards Ceremony

By Amin Kef Sesay

The International Professional Managers Association (IPMA) has awarded outstanding Sierra Leoneans Honorary Fellowship Awards for their exemplary performance and at the same time admitted into the Institute for Productivity and Public Management (IPPUM). This event took place on the 7th May 2021 at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

Those awarded include the Auditor General, Lara Taylor-Pearce, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Honorable Solomon Sengepoh Thomas, Secretary to the President, Dr. Julius Fofanah Sandi, the Director-General of the Human Resource Office (HRMO), Ansu Tucker, the Director Public Sector Reform Unit, Georgiana Kamara, the Managing Director of Rokel Commercial Bank Ekundayo Gilpin and  Justice Bintu Alhadi.

Two young Sierra Leoneans, Odelia George and Janet Jajua, were certified for their exceptional performances in public examinations were also certified.

Kobi Walker, the Chief Executive Officer of the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited, who Chaired the event stated that : “As President of the Employers Federation we recently launched a productivity portal whereby we are going to work with our social partner, the Sierra Leone Labour Congress, and the Ministry of Labour to inculcate a paradigm shift in the mindsets of not only employers but employees as well.”

The erudite CEO maintained that, “COVID-19 has open new windows whereby we can increase productivity.”

He furthered that: “Before, we never knew that we can virtualize and get productive results, before we never knew how effective automation can be; before we never knew we can work from home effectively and productively.”

Koi Walker quoted Paul Kruman by stating: “Productivity is not everything. In the long run, it is going to be almost everything. So we must appreciate productivity. When people are productive it is always nice to be closer to them, it might rub off you as well,” he said.

He continued by stating that productivity is the measure of the efficiency of people, firms, Government and economies adding how it is the use of resources to produce goods and services to maximize benefit during a given period.

Kobi Walker pointed, “What Sierra Leone is going through shows that the country is yearning for productivity, is pushing for productivity.”

He said the flagship program of the present Government is human capital development underscoring that as a country we are aware that once human capital is developed then it is possible to increase productivity.

The Chairman of the event said productivity can foster and drive so many things emphasizing how matters because higher production will lead to higher economic growth, higher wages and salaries.

He stated how higher productivity would lead to much profit and growth not only for the enterprise but as well as for the country as a whole.

Kobi Walker argued that once we all begin to appreciate the concept of higher productivity then we can take this country to another pedestal.

International Consultant to the Government of Sierra Leone, George Smith-Graham, explained that the International Institute in Productivity and Public Management was set up to promote productivity in Africa. “We research and translate discoveries into practical procedures, to enhance productivity and efficiency in public management,” he informed.

He continued y stating, “while the private sector might have certain inherent procedures that marked its growth, we believe that promoting productivity and achievement in the public sector can have a positive spill-over effect on other sectors and ultimately drive private sector growth.”

Smith-Graham explained that restoration of productivity in the public sector informs policymakers on the need to develop actionable plans that have a direct bearing on the private sector, and for that reason the vision of the institute of IPMA is to be the global leader in productivity measurement, driving high productivity and transforming organizations.

“We therefore train and develop resource personnel for both public and private organizations to keep nations at the forefront of the productivity agenda in Africa. In the light of that organizations and individuals do come to us to get transformed and that is our tag line.”

Smith-Graham further explained that a very major pay policy was implemented in Ghana. “The Government of Ghana spent almost 7O% of its total revenue in paying public sector workers and then the pressure started mounting because the nexus between monies spent and productivity could not be established,” he intimated.

“They were paying them but their salaries were not linked to productivity and the country started demanding a linkage to productivity,” he disclosed.

Smith-Graham said, “it is important to link the public sector salaries to productivity. As we speak currently, the Government of Sierra Leone is in the process of introducing the Wages and Compensation Commission. Implementing a new public sector wages and compensation policy, I am convinced that the same situation will arise here.

He said already it is know that the Government is spending so much of its tax revenue on public sector compensation and so it is important to go ahead, conduct research and help the country.

He explained that to enhance productivity there is need for meaningful input  to be made as such input would be transformed to an output and that output would be transformed into an outcome and that is the impact that output would have on the general business.

Smith-Graham said the new public management system are deliberate policies and actions meant to significantly change the public sector in terms of its structures, process, behaviors and mindsets with the ultimate aim of improving capacity for efficient and effective public sector management, and for that reason they decided to team up with a very reputable international organizations.

The International Professional Managers Association in the UK avails practicing managers the opportunity to participate and improve managerial performances and effectiveness within various business enterprises.

Its primary objective is to improve skills concerning effective management through examinations and qualifying licensing schemes and to create awareness, understanding of new technologies and new techniques of management so that qualified managers would have the necessary skills to enable them to have satisfying and rewarding careers in Management.

He said the awardees have joined the global strategic network of Certified International Professional Managers.

Smith-Graham revealed that they are going to hold their first international seminar here in Sierra Leone on the topic of moving Sierra Leone forward stating how it is their aim that the Government would come up with strategies that would move Sierra Leone’s economy.

Justice Bintu Alhadi, who was the keynote speaker said there are values that we need to support, stand for as well as to build the country’s human resource base. “Professionalism is easy to say but it is hard to draw the cart.

“I realize that what the organization is about to do is something that would add value to our country. Our managers need to increase their productivity. Sierra Leone has got to a stage that requires professional Managers.”

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