As part of giving support to the victims of Susan’s Bay Fire disaster, Nesto Global Ventures Ltd has on Saturday 27th March, 2021 donated food and non-food items worth millions of Leones to those affected. The donation took place at the Susan’s Bay community in Freetown.
Handing over the items, the Chief Executive Officer of Nesto Global Ventures Ltd, Ernest Bindi Jr Nesto, disclosed that theirs is a company that is into construction, transportation, clothing and general services.
He said Susan’s Bay is one of the poorest slum communities in the capital of Freetown and that it was overcome by a massive blaze of fire on Wednesday 24th March 2021 evening, destroying properties and leaving thousands of people deprived.
Ernest Bindi Jr maintained that as a responsible company they thought it fit to make the donation on behalf of the general membership and they are doing so with the strong belief that such could be helpful especially at this moment when the fire disaster has destroyed properties and left thousands of people destitute.
He disclosed that the donated items include bags of Rice, Sugar Onions, Soap, used clothing etc. furthering that as an organization they will continue to monitor the situation.
The CEO ended by calling on other organizations to follow their footprint as residents of Susan Bay are currently in dire need of food and non-food items considering the damages the fire disaster has caused to their lives.
Receiving the items on behalf of the community, Councilor for Ward 427, Constituency 124, Madiatu Kamara expressed gratitude to Nesto Global Ventures Ltd for the kind gesture which she described as not only important but very timely.
The Councilor said that at the moment that have recorded over 500 households with over 6,000 people.
She assured all that the donated items will be used for the intended purpose and called on the Government and other organizations to come to the aid of the victims as they are currently challenged.
General Secretary Orange Sierra Leone, Haffie Haffner
By Foday Moriba Conteh
On the 26th March 2021 the National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM) convened a Consumer Parliament, an event which brought together stakeholders in the Telecommunications Industry, Civil Society Organizations, the Media, Consumers and among others to deliberate on the theme, “Digital Penetration for Consumer Satisfaction in Telecommunications.” The programme was held at the Great Hall, Njala University, Bo Campus.
One of Sierra Leone’s leading telecommunications operators, Orange Sierra Leone, revealed that the company ,over the last 4 years, has played an integral role in the digital transformation of the country with an investment in excess of 1.4 trillion Leones .
That disclosure was made during a statement made by the General Secretary of the company, Haffie Haffner ,on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer.
Haffie Haffner congratulated NATCOM for the successful planning and execution of the Consumer Parliament saying it is long overdue.
“We welcome the process as same resonates with one of our most important values which is to listen & respond,” she stated.
She noted that they went with clean hands to all their esteemed customers for their assessment and evaluation of their service delivery to them, adding that they remain humble to acknowledge all their accolades as well as their criticisms in good faith and to respond to their needs for better customer experience.
Haffie Haffner revealed that Orange has been in Sierra Leone for almost 5 years as a reliable, capable and willing investor with a strong ambition to increase mobile penetration and the democratization of internet in the country and that this is because, Sierra Leone has one of the lowest mobile penetration (64%), internet penetration (18%) and smartphone penetration (30%) compared to other countries in the sub-region.
She pointed out that they strongly believe that digital inclusion is a major accelerator for inclusive growth, economic and societal development, as well as a success factor in achieving Sustainable Development Goals and that this is why digitalization has been a core pillar in Orange’s strategy and they have over the last 4 years played an integral role in the digital transformation of Sierra Leone with an Investment in excess of 1.4 trillion Leones, and they have been at the forefront of connecting the 7million plus people in Sierra Leone with 3G and 4G network services.
The General Secretary noted that at present Orange can boast of over 440 sites in the country and that 100% of their sites are at least 3G compatible meaning that they can access internet from every Orange site around the country furthering that they therefore have the widest network covering 74% of the population, meaning 4 out of every 5 Sierra Leonean is an Orange customer with access to voice and data services.
As a company, she said, they believe that if they are to increase access to data and usage, then the following must be considered:
On Infrastructure they recommended that mobile networks should continue the conversion of 2G Technology to 3G & 4G to further increase the coverage especially in rural communities and that the Government must ensure that there regulations to support the strategy in order to improve connectivity.
On Affordability it was recommended that there must be a Zoodlab to reduce cost for capacity and grant more access to fiber, and that Government should review the policy of taxes (Customs & GST) on devices.
Participants also recommended investments with development partners like the EU, the World Bank, IMF etc., in donating smartphones to rural communities and empowering women to be digitally inclusive.
“We remain committed to increased digital penetration in Sierra Leone and we will not relent until we attain an enviable data penetration rate like other countries in the sub region. We once again wish to acknowledge all our valued partners and stakeholders for your support.” Haffie Haffner concluded.
Giving an overview of event, the Chairman of NATCOM, Joe Blell underlined the significance of the Consumer Parliament stating how it guarantees the satisfaction of consumers in telecommunications industry and that consumers’ satisfaction and quality services will be the focus of the Consumer Parliament.
He disclosed that the Consumer Parliament is a platform that brings regulators, policymakers, service providers and consumers face to face for frank exchanges on critical issues in the sector furthering that being the regulator for consumer protection and consumer education, quality of service, cyber-crime and cyber security, consumer complaints redress challenges, etc are some of the issues they must focus on which will enhance the development of the sector.
The Director General of NATCOM, Daniel Kaitibi, extended appreciation to all for making the event as success, adding that the Consumer Parliament will address some of the challenges faced within the telecommunications industry.
He maintained that during the deliberations consumers will have the opportunity to outline their challenges to the mobile operators assuring that those issues will be addressed.
In his keynote address, the Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, applauded NATCOM for convening the Consumer Parliament, adding that such an engagement is very key because it gives the consumers the opportunity to outline their concerns to the service providers which will then give these service providers the chance to address those concerns going forward in order to enhance consumer satisfaction
He said NATCOM has enacted a regulation that has to do with Sim registration but unfortunately, many people still carry Sim Cards across the country that are not registered. In that regard, he instructed all mobile operators to consider registering all Sim Cards within the next 90 days.
The Minister also maintained that because the world is moving to a digital stage there is the need for a Cybercrime bill adding that when President Julius Maada Bio took over as President in 2018 the country had like 6% of its population on social media platforms but that in recent times this number has changed to around 9% and most that fall within that bracket are inherently youthful and so we must expect an exponential growth of digital participation in coming days and weeks, and so they have to prepare for the citizenry.
He assured that the Bill has safeguards to ensure the respect for the rule of law and respect for fundamental human rights and that the Cybercrime Bill 2021 has enormous respect for fundamental human rights and the rule of law.
On the 26 March 2021, President Julius Maada Bio installed four Paramount Chiefs in the Karene District and unveiled a brand-new Toyota Land Cruiser for the supervision of the Free Quality Education in the district.
The new chiefdom authorities were PC Kandeh Kargbo Kafoir III of Mafoda Makerembay Chiefdom in the Karene District, PC Kandeh Momoh Samba Sulaiman Dephoreh II of Bramaia Chiefdom of Kambia District and PC Sheku Sieh Mansaray II of Tamiso Chiefdom in the Koinadugu District.
Welcoming the Government delegation on behalf of the Paramount Chief of Sella Limba Chiefdom in the Karene District, Chiefdom Speaker, Alimamy Balaba Bangura, described the visit of President Bio as historic saying he is the only sitting President to have visited and slept in Kamakwie Town for the past 15 years.
“Your Excellency Sir, the people of Kamakwie and Karene District, in particular, appreciate your Government for the moves they continue to take to develop Sierra Leone. We thank you for the Free Quality Education and the healthcare service to women and girls in Karene and other parts of the country. The people of Sella Limba will like to see you here, regularly, and to see you bring more development projects for them,” he noted.
District Council Chairman, John Dito Kamara, thanked the President for accepting Karene as a stand-alone district, which he said had 13 chiefdoms. He added that with support from the central Government all sectors are in full gear in the new district.
“Your Excellency, it was only during your presidency that Mayors and Chairpersons of the various Councils started receiving monthly salaries. For your move towards education and other development in the country, the various Councils will forever be grateful,” he assured.
In his statement in Krio, President Bio said that he was happy to be with the people of Karene District and congratulated the new chiefs on their election by the people to lead them at local levels, saying that his Government would work towards dignifying and protecting traditional leaders. He noted that was why he said plans to provide new vehicles for all Paramount Chiefs across the country are near completion.
He told residents of Kamakwie that his visit to the district was primarily to congratulate them for being part of the governance system and to see things first hand. He thanked Karene District, particularly Kamakwie for being the most progressive in the north in terms of education, saying that education is the tool that could break barriers and foster development.
“Government grants full tuition waivers for all 70,964 pupils at the Basic and Senior Secondary education level for all approved schools in Karene that benefit from GOSL financial support. Tuition fees for First and Second terms are fully paid. Since I came to power, my Government has approved 364 schools in Karene with financial assistance. School feeding is ongoing in all 8 Chiefdoms.
“I made a campaign promise that I will establish and fully equip at least 1 library in every District. I am pleased to announce that we are not only establishing one, but we will ensure that it is fully equipped with ICT facilities, computers and books,” he said.
He emphasised that the construction of a District Library in Kamakwie is a testament to his continued support to the education sector and pleaded with parents to monitor school-going pupils so that they could get education, grow up and look after their parents at old age.
“The Deputy Director of Education had indicated that he was struggling to travel in the district to supervise education. I am pleased to announce that I am providing him with a brand new vehicle to ensure that Karene continues to perform excellently.
“Class 6 pupils preparing to take the NPSE struggle to study at night especially those from poor homes. I am going to provide every Class 6 pupil with a durable solar light they can use for studying. 6,000 will be distributed just in Karene alone,” he said.
Rokel Commercial Bank has become the first corporate institution to give succour to the victims of the Susan’s Bay fire disaster with a hefty donation of assorted food items and clothing worth millions of Leones.
The raging inferno, which broke out on Wednesday 24th March, consumed more than half of the slum (about the size of 10 football fields) that holds an estimated 1,000 inhabitants on the coastline of the Central Business District of Freetown.
RC Bank’s Public Relations Officer, Rev Spilsbury Williams, in a sombre tone, said the bank, as an indigenous entity, felt compelled to stand by the people in time of distress and emphasized the bank’s commitment towards its corporate social responsibility at all times. “Charity begins at home and Rokel Commercial Bank is your own bank…the bank of the people. We will always stand by you through thick and thin,” he said.
Section Chief for Susan’s Bay, Pa Alimamy Kamara who received the donated items on behalf of the fire victims recounted the suffering his people have gone through since the disaster and commended Rokel Commercial Bank for being the first institution to respond to their plight. The Chief however appealed for temporal shelter to house the victims – most of whom have been sleeping rough in public spaces around the slum area.
Councilor for the area, Madinatu Kamara also appealed for more assistance by calling on other institutions to emulate the Rokel Commercial Bank.
“This bank has really demonstrated that it cares for the people and we shall ever remain grateful for this timely and wonderful gesture. Some of our people have gone for three days without eating a decent meal but these food items will be distributed in a judicious manner so that the real victims benefit,” she said.
In a conversation with this medium, the Managing Director of Rokel Commercial Bank, Dr. Walton Ekundayo Gilpin said the bank remains committed to one of its core principles of being the people’s bank and that adherence to its corporate social responsibility is non-negotiable.
“At times like these, we need to give back to the people and this is also about complementing the efforts of Government which from every indication is working tirelessly round the clock on disaster mitigation,” he said.
The sense of desperation and anguish was palpable as poor inhabitants managed to scoop out whatever little that was left of their gutted homes.
Today the ECOWAS Parliament will commence its First Extraordinary Session in Freetown which will continue up to the 2nd April 2021 at the Bintumani Conference Center.
It must be recalled that following the conclusive outcome of a three-day seminar organized by ECOWAS Parliament in Freetown, from the 23rd to 25th March 2021, Members of ECOWAS Parliament have voted and adopted several recommendations aimed at improving and collecting arrears of contributions by Member States regarding the Community Levy.
The Report of the seminar on the involvement of ECOWAS Members of Parliament in monitoring the implementation of the Protocol on the Community Levy has been unanimously adopted in Freetown on Thursday 25th March 2021, with some amendments by Members of the ECOWAS Parliament.
The aforesaid levy is intended to generate much needed revenue in order to enable ECOWAS to sufficiently finance its institutions and projects targeted at fostering the integration process by improving the socio-economic livelihoods of the people in the sub-region.
In his concluding remarks, prior to the closure of the first parliamentary seminar in 2021, Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis thanked the Speaker of Sierra Leone Parliament, Ministers of Government, Members of Sierra Leone and ECOWAS Parliaments, Commissioner of Finance, ECOWAS Commission, the Press, ECOWAS Secretariat and other support staff for gracing the occasion to its logical conclusion.
He also said that in light of hours of deliberations led by seasoned facilitators, “the benefits derived are enormous and that the seminar has achieved its objectives”, aimed at improving and collecting arrears of contributions from Member States regarding the Community Levy.
Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis said the seminar was intended to give Members of ECOWAS Parliament a clear role relating to the monitoring and implementation of the dictates of the Protocol relevant to the Community Levy regarding the collection of 0.5 percent of import duty from third countries outside the sub-region.
He said, the ECOWAS Parliament, following the status of the implementation of the Community Levy by Member States would do follow-up to countries in arrears of contributions and encourage others to improve on collection and remittance to the ECOWAS Commission so as to enable ECOWAS to effectively and efficiently finance its institutions and projects within the sub-region.
The conclusion and recommendations adopted include how the challenges arising from COVID-19 have impacted mobilization rate negatively to about 30 percent over the past two years; the collection of revenue from the Community Levy and cognizant of the need to mobilize resources required to finance the Community Budget, Members of Parliament recognized the urgent need for each national delegation to be involved in the effective implementation relating to the Protocol; Members of ECOWAS Parliament who are nationals of Member States must capitalize on the provision of the rules of procedure at the national level to engage the Ministries in charge of Community Levy in order to discuss not only recoveries, but also effective implementation of the said protocol; raising awareness and advocacy should be undertaken by Members of ECOWAS Parliament in their respective States; and national delegations should monitor the recovery of the products and actual disbursement of the amounts recovered in their countries and report to Parliament when country reports are presented at the next Session of ECOWAS Parliament.
However, issues around sanctions for non-compliance are left to be determined by the Authority of Heads of State and Government.
H.E. Ambassador Hu Zhangliang, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone, on the 25th March 2021 donated a batch of medical supplies including PPEs, surgical masks, medical gloves and goggles etc. to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation to support the latter’s work on COVID-19 control and prevention as well as the prevention of Ebola.
Dr. Austin Demby, Minister of Health and Sanitation, received the donated items and thanked the Chinese Government for all the support given, including the recently donated COVID-19 vaccine. He said that the items will further beef up Sierra Leone’s capability in its fight against the pandemic.
The event was held at the residence of the Chinese Ambassador, 29 Spur Loop Wilberforce on Freetown.
Considering the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ebola epidemic the Chinese Government has been on the fore front.
Ambassador Hu Zhangliang said the Chinese Government is always there to support Africans as they recommend their experts to join Sierra Leoneans and fight the corona virus just as they did during the Ebola outbreak.
Dr. Austin Hinga Demby expressed gratitude to the Ambassador and to the Chinese Government for their continual support to Sierra Leone in good and bad times.
He made mention of the contributions by Chinese Government to Sierra Leone in various sectors furthering how they are always grateful to them for such generous acts.
The medical items include: thirteen thousand five hundred surgical masks, one thousand three hundred and five PPEs, eight thousand seven hundred and fifty pairs of medical gloves, one thousand new medical shoe covers and nine hundred and ninety-five medical goggles.
The Minister concluded by saying his Ministry agrees to undertake relevant technical, administrative and legal responsibility with regards the acceptance and use of the donation.
In upholding the people’s right to freedom of speech, and the right to hold those in authority accountable, in Sierra Leone for a long time journalists have been a threatened species. Even the recent elimination of libel law from the law books does not offer journalists protection from the whims and caprices of powerful interests in the society – hence the need to stick together and to back each other at all times.
With journalists open to censure and punishment by the IMC and the litigation in the courts of law, it is only proper that journalists instead of being at each other’s throat should be each other’s keepers.
When journalists are divided, it makes it very easy for those that have vested interests to divide and rule us to succeed.
We smile and laugh to each other, but deep down, among the journalistic family runs bad blood. Some journalists for one reason or the other feel no warmth for each other.
There seems to be two rival journalist unions, each affiliated with a different political party; one fighting for the truth, the other bent on using the profession to enrich themselves.
Journalists should be united as one to fight back against threats and repression and the powerful forces of society that would want to use them to further their selfish ambitions at the detriment of the society.
What we journalists should always keep at the front of our minds is that we are all in this together. If we don’t support each other, if we don’t defend each other against attacks, we make all journalists more vulnerable to the politicians who would silence dissent and shut down investigative reporting.
Solidarity, however, does not mean we cannot hold differing opinions or deferring editorial points of view on national issues; as long as they are genuinely held and shared without malice or intent to set one segment of society against the other set the society ablaze.
The Pan-African Patriots Assembly, a newly registered non-political movement in Sierra Leone and it non- governmental humanitarian subsidiary, Black Purse Philanthropy organization, have on the 26th March 2021 held a candle light procession as well as offering prayers in honour of the late John Pombe Magufuli , the deceased President of Tanzania and other heroes.
The procession took place on the 26th March 2021, lasting from 9pm to10pm, an event which started at the Cotton Tree in Central Freetown and ended up on Wallace Johnson Street, Freetown.
Trixx Mitch Med Hazzeezz, who is the founder and President of the Pan African Patriots Assembly and Co-founder of the Black Purse Philanthropy, disclosed to journalists that the Assembly is geared towards showcasing the true meaning of Pan Africanism, a movement committed to reunite the children of Africa and the people of Africa.
He told journalists that the reason of organizing the candle light procession is to reminiscence on the impact the late John Pombe Magufuli, who was a true Pan Africanist, a man who was ready and determined to bring Africa together and ensure that Africans have a levelled space or playground for their success and well-being.
Trixx Mitch said Magufuli was a man that strongly believes in socialism, a man that had the philosophy that if his people achieve he has also achieved adding how they want to bring it to the knowledge of each and every African leader out there, the leadership style of John Pombe Magufuli is the type of leadership they need in Africa.
He added that Magufuli was the only African Leader who had the courage to deduct his own salary from 15 Thousand Dollars to 4 Thousand Dollars maintaining that most African leaders increase their salaries for their own selfish interests.
According to him, the late President also cut down the country’s delegation to the United Nations from 50 individuals to just four (4) people in order to maintain the stability of his country’s economy.
He said they as young Pan Africanist are expecting African leaders to emulate the late man and other Pan Africanist Heroes.
Trixx Mitch pointed out that based on his experience of politics in the country past leaders succumbed to the implementation of the Structural Adjustment Program, which is dictated by the IMF and other colonial international monetary organizations underscoring that the funds they provide to developing countries are not charity.
He argued that the implementation of SAP had adverse effects on Sierra Leone’s economy as the Government was being remote controlled by this new colonial system leading to massive unemployment and created other dislocations.
According to Mannah Doninic Kamara Jr, a member of the Pan African Patriot Assembly, disclosed that some people criticized John Pombe Magufuli as an undemocratic man maintaining that those who were criticizing don’t know the actual definition of democracy informing that the actual definition of democracy is the will of the people.
“The love of Magufuli for the people of Tanzania was for them to become successful, for them to live a very good life,” he stated adding that Magufuli was that man who stood in that part, saying Westerners, who think they can enslave Africans indirectly within this 24th century are the critics, they are using people who are suffering from mental slavery to criticize that great man.
Mannah Doninic Kamara Jr, said they are very excited to be commemorate such an event to honour the past heroes of Africa pinpointing how they will continue celebrate such an event to remember the impact the heroes have created in Africa and to also convince Sierra Leonean leaders to follow suit.
It has emerged that among petroleum dealers in Sierra Leone, only the National Petroleum Company is being highly commended and respected for its reliability in terms of prompt service delivery.
It is indeed a remarkable feat that NP continues to maintain in order to ensure that there is sufficient high grade petrol, diesel, kerosene and other petroleum products available in the country to avoid shortage.
It is a fact that the National Petroleum (NP) Sierra Leone Limited is held in very high esteem for its progressive and steady provision of petroleum products to its numerous consumers across the country and even in the sub-region.
Indeed, this contention has been proven perfectly correct by this medium after conducting a thorough survey gauging the views of Sierra Leoneans from different walks of life. What came out clearly throughout the period of the survey was that NP is rated as one of the most successful 100% owned indigenous company that has stood the test of time.
“It is of course rare for one to see in this country a purely and result-oriented indigenously-owned company like NP with all its members of staff being Sierra Leoneans which is truly a testimony of commitment and resilience,” posited a seasoned economist who further said that ‘when we talk of optimizing the Local Content Policy, which is a sine qua non to overall national development, then the company should be given a pat on the back.
The selflessness and commitment of the shareholders have made it possible for the company to empower many Sierra Leoneans and at the same time put it at a vantage position to continue to open more filling stations across the country.
The company deals with individuals and various sectors of society, always ensuring that its various petroleum products are available and are sold at affordable prices. This keen symbiotic relationship with its customers has been paying huge dividends, always resulting in a win-win situation, making NP very endearing to all and sundry.
The regulatory institution of the different petroleum companies in the country, Petroleum Directorate, has lauded NP for its efficient service delivery wherever it is operating.
It is a fact that fuel is regarded as a political commodity and based on its availability and non-availability it has the potential of making a government popular or unpopular.
For too long this country has been contending with unemployment; one of the issues which the government should be addressing by creating avenues for young people to be gainfully employed. However, it is not only the prerogative of government to do this as the private sector too could play a vital role in that direction.
NP – Sierra Leone, operating in different parts of the country, has been very instrumental in availing Sierra Leoneans with jobs in various categories and from what was gathered, conditions of service are very satisfactory. Justifiably one can state that NP-SL has been greatly contributing to poverty reduction, putting food on tables which beneficiaries hitherto found tough to achieve.
NP-SL is not only thinking within the confines of maximizing profit but also is also thinking out of the box when performing its demand and supply chain, taking into consideration the harmful health consequences to humans and depletion of the environment by using coal and wood for cooking purposes. This is why NP Sierra Leone thought it fit to provide Sierra Leoneans with a safer and cleaner means of cooking devoid of inhaling carbon-dioxide which is the NP Gas Cooker. These are affordable and readily available in all NP outlets and from their agents.
To keep abreast with latest technological trends the company has availed its customers the opportunity to use Smart Cards for purchasing purpose meaning that buyers could top-up their cards to the tune of any amount which they can use intermittently to procure petroleum products. This has made it convenient for easy transactions to transpire and many are comfortable with that.
When we talk of an indigenous company that has put smiles on the faces of Sierra Leoneans and is making the people of this country very proud, the National Petroleum Company stands taller than the rest! For a company to move beyond the shores of this country and establish branches in Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast and The Gambia which are vibrantly operating is no mean feat. Indeed, NP has added another feather to its cap and is being copiously praised for such an accomplishment.
The company’s result-oriented managerial team will definitely and sustainably continue to put NP at the top.
NP-SL Ltd is doing exceptionally well in all the countries it is functioning and indeed there are prospects for further expansion.
It can therefore be justifiably asserted that the National Petroleum Limited is the country’s reliable fuel provider as it always ensures that its stockpile is always at an appreciable level.
It against this background is the reason why NP is believed to be one of the strongest backbones of Sierra Leone’s economy.
For any Government to match up with what is encapsulated in its manifesto in the direction of deepening national development through funding various projects then it must have sources of generating domestic revenue. NP is one conduit through which government past and present had and is deriving revenue as it falls within the category of being one of the largest taxpayers to the National Revenue Authority.
It goes without saying that the National Petroleum Limited-Sierra Leone continues to give confidence to its numerous customers and it is doing so excellently.
With the main objective of complementing Government’s efforts in the fight against corruption and raising awareness on ethics and compliance in the private sector, one of Sierra Leone’s leading GSM mobile operators, Orange Sierra Leone, has on Wednesday 24th March 2021 held its Ethics and Compliance awareness raising for its partners at their headquarters on Hill Station in Freetown.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of Orange SL, the General Secretary of Orange SL, Haffie Haffner, informed that the Ethics and Compliance training is geared towards educating partners about the company’s compliance program.
She said that the fight against corruption has been intensified all over the world and the private sector has not been left out on the fight, adding that the training will mitigate the associated risks, build a consistent and structured communication on Ethics and Compliance with their partners.
Haffie Haffner, added that as part of the celebration they will also raise consciousness on the related matter of fraud awareness, adding that with regards corruption they have a role to play in order to create a climate in which any act of fraud will meet zero tolerance stating that any instance of fraud will be identified and reported.
She said that as part of their message to show zero tolerance to fraud, with everyone being a partner, they would believe that- when you see something, you say something maintaining that it is against such a backdrop they are pushing to make sure that they focus on their processes, as fraud is perpetrated where there are no processes or weak processes.
The General Secretary of Orange SL stated that businesses all over the world continue to encounter numerous ethics and compliance challenges and are exposed to several risks, adding that there has been an increased pressure on businesses to strengthen their legal and compliance framework in line with international standards to fight corruption.
Underscoring their strengthen on ethics and compliance, she disclosed that Orange as a group has set up a code of ethics and anti-corruption policy adding that Orange is committed to conduct its activities in accordance with set principles and ethical behavior to fight corruption.
She added that Orange-SL therefore is prepared to comply with all national, European and International legal and regulatory provisions applicable to businesses related to the fight against corruption, notably amongst others, the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the UK Bribery Act, the French “Sapin 11” law.
She emphasized their commitment to the fight against corruption, influencing peddling and to lead a working environment with Zero Tolerance to corruption at all levels.
In his presentation, Head of Compliance at Orange SL, Gerald Cole, disclosed that the Ethics and Compliance Day is a key event for Orange in its work as a responsible operator, adding that the company is underlining its commitment to create the digital world of the future by building the trust of its stakeholders.
Underscoring the objectives of the ethics and compliance training he said it is to raise awareness among all Orange partners regarding ethics and compliance in order to prevent corruption within the company, to highlight the corruption risks associated with the performance of partner services to the company, and to make known the penalties for non-compliance to their internal policies and external laws.
Highlighting the role of the partners in the fight against corruption he revealed that partners should support Orange in the enforcement of the G&E policy and to report incidents of non-compliance by their employees that they may be aware of.
He disclosed that there is also a whistle blowing mechanism in effect set aside as a tool set to report incidents of corruption.
