Sierra Leone to Commemorate 2nd Africa Civil Registration and Vital Statistics Day

August 4, 2019

By Foday Moriba Conteh – 4^th August 2019

The Government of Sierra Leone through the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) in collaboration with its Development Partners is informing the general public that Sierra Leone will be joining other member states and African Governments to commemorate the Second Africa Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Day on 9^th August 2019 at the Miatta Conference Hall, Youyi Building, in Freetown.

The commemoration will be done concurrently with the official launch of the five -year CRVS and ID Management Strategic Plan (2019-2024) and the Comprehensive CRVS Country Assessment Report.

The theme for this year’s commemoration is: “Birth Certificates for all: Fundamental for Protecting Human Rights and Promoting Inclusion.”

CRVS Day is commemorated every year to increase public awareness on the importance of making everyone visible in Sierra Leone and the African continent at large through a well-functioning Integrated Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System covering the entire population and all vital events occurring in the country.

As a country, the National Civil Registration Authority is pleased to state that it has put in place appropriate national legal framework, ICT and Digital Identity Management infrastructure and innovative Business Process Improvement to make Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System responsive to international and local demands.

This is done through improving accessibility and quality of civil registration and other related services such as the development and continuous upgrade of a permanent and functional multipurpose civil register on the population of Sierra Leone for sustainable public administration and accountable service delivery.

There will be float parades from the East End of Freetown starting from Up-gun Roundabout and from the West End of Freetown, starting at the Lumley Roundabout. Both float parades will start at 6:30am and end at the Miata Conference Hall, Youyi Building, where the commemoration will take place.

Government of Sierra Leone Pays Salaries of Academic & Administrative Staffs in 6 Tertiary Institutions

August 4, 2019

jj-saffa — Minister of Finance, JJ Saffa

By Amin Kef Sesay – 4^th August 2019

The Ministry of Finance has confirmed that the Government of Sierra Leone has paid July salaries of Academic and Administrative Staff of Six (6) Tertiary Institutions, in line with the recent agreement to operationalise the integration of their salaries and core allowances into the centralised and computerised government payroll system.

The six beneficiary institutions include Milton Margai College of Education and Technology (MMCET), Freetown Teachers College (FTC), Eastern Polytechnic, Njala University, Bonthe Technical Institute and Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology (EBKUST).

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE) is working with the administration of the University of Sierra Leone (USL) and the Government Technical Institute (GTI) to verify their payroll data for onward integration into the government payroll system.

Hon. Robin Faley Feeds BECE Pupils in Kailahun & Port Loko, Sierra Leone

August 4, 2019

Basic Education Certificate Exams (BECE) pupils

By Melvin Tejan Mansaray – 4^th August 2019

In a bid to complement the free quality education initiative of the New Direction Government of President Julius Maada Bio, former Member of Parliament (2007/2012) representing Constituency 007 Segbwema and its environs in the Eastern Region of Sierra Leone, Kailahun District, Hon. Robin Faley has pioneered the feeding of close to two thousand Basic Education Certificate Exams (BECE) pupils in Port Loko and Eastern Kailahun districts.

The event on Thursday 1^st August 2019 targeted the major examination centers and featured one thousand pupils in Kailahun and five hundred in Port Loko plus teachers, parents and other beneficiaries from the Holy Ghost, Wesley, Ahmadiyya and Njaluahun Secondary Schools in Segbwema Kailahun District and the Schelenker Secondary School in Port Loko.

From his home in the Greenwich, London, United Kingdom, Hon. Faley explained in a telephone interview that the thrust of his intervention is borne out humanitarian and not political intention.

“The purpose of my gesture is to support the education of the poor and deprived Basic Education students regardless of their tribes, religion, political party affiliation or region,” Hon. Robin said, noting that, “I strongly believe that our young brothers and sisters require so much attention and assistance in their academic pursuit.”

Hon. Faley cited greed, poverty and politics of hate and revenge as being stumbling blocks that are greatly destroying the chances of young people.

He said: “ My vision is to support and assist in promoting the free quality education through school feeding programmes, provision of scholarships to students from poor backgrounds but with great academic potentials and to support science and technology by helping to establish science laboratories in selected secondary schools across Sierra Leone.”

Although he has been described as an astute former parliamentarian and well-liked politician, Hon. Faley said the feeding has nothing to do with political point scoring, emphasizing that “this venture is non-political and non-partisan.”

He explained that he chose Port Loko District, Northern Sierra Leone because the youth have always showed him love despite the tribe and region he hails from.

“I am a full-fledged member of their major male cultural and secret societies and the people have always embraced me as one of their brothers and sons,” the former lawmaker noted, stating that there should be no place for tribalism and regionalism in the national trajectory. “As I am doing the feeding in Bakeloko, Port Loko, I am equally doing same at my home town in Segbwema Kailahun District Eastern Sierra Leone; so down to tribalism, politics of hate and revenge, marginalization and let us all embrace love, equality, diversity, peace and development because out of many, we are all one country, one people under the rising sun,” Hon. Faley said.

Asked about the total budget involved and source of the money used to do the feeding programme, Hon. Faley said, “it cost approximately nine to ten million Leones of my personal money, although my elder sister Elizabeth Conteh nee Faley gave some amount but I don’t know if she will like it to be made public.”

In response, the BECE students said that the food could not have come on a better day like the day it was served which climaxed the end of the weeks of exams, expressing that some of them used to go to school on empty stomachs because their parents cannot afford food for them.

Musu Brima of Ahmadiyya Junior Secondary School said: “Although Hon. Robin Faley is not here but he has provided food that we appreciate so much. We appeal to him for books, pens and a syndicate. We pray that God grant him success in all that he does.”

Isata Johnny of Wesley Secondary School said: “We are all glad, teachers, examiners, pupils all of us ate more than enough. Hon. Faley is the only one that is doing such, he is a good man and we love him. May God continue to provide for him so that he can do more for us especially after the exams.”

A Parent, Jeneba Moseray thanked God for the life of Hon. Faley, adding, “we can’t pay him because things are so hard for us these days. I could not even afford lunch for my daughter. We want Hon. Faley to open extra classes to discourage the long distance travelling of our kids and facilitate their studies back home here.”

Saidu Sannoh a teacher at Wesley Secondary School said that they have been hearing about school feeding and the gesture which is not only for pupils but also teachers.

“We need more classrooms and hope that the government and well-meaning individuals like Hon. Faley will help us in this area,” Sannoh said, buttressed by teacher Musa Momoh who said since 2014, Hon. Faley has been providing food for the BECE pupils, noting that they received bags of rice, bundles of water, etc.

“I felt happy, because most of the kids are not coming from financially stable homes, even for us the staff, we were able to eat to satisfaction. We call on other people to emulate Hon. Robin Faley, who has been helping with the town field, etc, at this difficult time in the country,” teacher Momoh said.

Similar views were expressed by teachers, pupils, parents and residents of Port Loko who praised the consistency and unfettered commitment and support of Hon. Faley in many sectors over the years.

7 Died in Flash Flooding in Freetown, Sierra Leone

August 4, 2019

flash-flood-freetown-sierra-leone-august- — Flash-Flood-Freetown

By Amin Kef Sesay – 3^rd August 2019

At least seven people are dead after flash flooding hit Freetown on Friday 2^nd August, 2019 amid torrential rains, mortuary sources said.

More rain is expected as some residents fear possible mudslides like the ones that devastated parts of Freetown two years ago.

The Chief Coroner, Sinneh Kamara at the central mortuary at Freetown’s main Connaught Hospital told this press that they have in their custody a total of seven dead bodies at the Connaught Mortuary who died as a result of the heavy rains. He added that one was taken from Kroobay, two brought in from the Culvert area, three from Bathurst Village and the rest from other areas.

The three bodies from Bathurst died after a wall collapsed on their home killing all three of them as a result of the heavy downpour.
The Chief Coroner Sinneh Kamara added that they expect more bodies due to the widespread destruction caused by the rains.

Flooding and mudslides in Freetown in 2017 killed nearly 1000 people, with even more reported missing.

At the time, some critics accused the government of not learning from past disasters in a city where many poor areas are near sea level and lack good drainage.

Sierra Leone Tourism Ministry Sets Record Straight

August 4, 2019

Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu B. Pratt

By Amin Kef Sesay – 4^th August 2019
A press release issued by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and the National Tourism Board says its attention was drawn to a publication in a local claiming that the beach is now comparable to a common market.

The release states however that the Ministry wishes to inform the general public that the issues raised in the publication are baseless and untrue.

The release adds that the Ministry will like to use the opportunity to set the record straight, adding that the said article purported that the Lumley Beach Area has become “Congo Markit/Abacha Street”.

According to the release, the writer lacks understanding or the ability to appreciate the kind of development and type of concept of Tourism that is going on along the Lumley Beach. It added that it is one of the Tourism assets that have generated huge interest from the general public and that everyone wants to use the beach for various purposes and that over the years ‘we have witnessed this iconic and attractive beach area at the heart of the city, moving towards an entertainment zone for Sierra Leoneans and the expatriate community living in Sierra Leone.’

According to the release, most of the entertainment facilities are concentrated along the beach area. Hence, the Lumley Beach area is widely considered now as an entertainment hot spot, as such, the Ministry of Tourism and the National Tourist Board reviewed the entire Lumley and Beach Front Master Plan; permissions were granted to the private sector (mainly Sierra Leoneans) to develop beach bars and other recreational facilities.

Some of these facilities have been completed while construction of other facilities is ongoing, the release said.

It went on to state that these are facilities constructed with wooden fabric /materials unlike what was purported in the publication that ‘pan bodies’ or makeshift structures were constructed or being constructed.

The release added that the allegation that the National Tourist Board under the directive of the current Minister has been collecting Le300,000 from Coleman, vegetable stalls, and fishmongers is completely false.

First and foremost, these payments in question were instituted during the previous regime by the erstwhile General Manager of the National Tourist Board. Upon assumption of office in June 2018, as Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu B. Pratt, instructed the Head of the National Tourist Board, Madam Fatmata Abe-Osagie to discontinue such payments until the operations of these Coleman and vegetable sellers at the Lumley Beach is properly formalized, the release stated.

The Ministry and the National Tourist Board are working with the sitting MP and the Aberdeen community to regularize operations of these Coleman and vegetable sellers and payment of Le300, 000 (three hundred thousand) was cancelled with immediate effect in June, 2018 and till date not a single cent has been collected from these Coleman & vegetable sellers, the release maintained, adding that the fact can be verified at the National Tourist Board.

The same tabloid also alleged that monies were given to the Ministry for the installation of CCTV cameras. According to the release, at no time had funding been given to the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs nor the NTB for the installation of CCTV cameras along the Lumley Beach. This can be verified with the Ministry of Finance, the release added. It went on to state that however, the NTB does have CCTV cameras within its office premises since 2016 and are in working condition. Furthermore, the insinuations of divide between the Minister and her Deputy is also baseless and untrue, the release adds.

It further stated that the Deputy Minster William I. K. Robinson has always maintained that he has a healthy working relationship with his boss and that he is satisfied with the work schedule designated to him by the Minister which includes overseeing the Cultural Directorate, Monument and Relics Commission.

The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs registered its disappointment on how the lack of investigative journalism can take on a life of its own – and even gain traction as a widely accepted truth. That’s what is generally referred to as myth that gets in the way of progress, the press release added.

Such an unfounded and baseless article can deflect attention from real issues and get in the way of reality. Most importantly, wrong information goes against the gains the Ministry and its sub-vented agencies are making to revive and restore the tourism sector under the New Direction.

Though a daunting task, yet it is a challenge Minister Pratt has been doing acidulously, day and night to accomplish; hardly a week goes by that development in the sector doesn’t take place or something along these lines: Ensuring that the vision of her boss, HE President Julius Maada Bio is achieved for the tourism sector; is a commitment she is ready to fulfil with dignity and integrity for Mama Salone. A Minister that took on board the entertainers, performing arts, cultural heritage and the development and promotion of Tourism to make Sierra Leone an enviable destination, will not be distracted by haters, the release issued by the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs & the National Tourist Board concluded.

Synergy of NP-Sierra Leone Management & Staff Contributing to Economic Growth

August 4, 2019

By Amin Kef Sesay – 4th August 2019

It has been discovered that the synergy that runs through management, staff and board members of the National Petroleum Sierra Leone (NP-SL) company is the reason why the company is contributing greatly to improving the lives of its workers and their dependents and also contributing to the company’s growth and the socio-economic development of the country at large.

The National Petroleum- Sierra Leone (NP-SL) is on record for having a capable and competent managerial team at the helm of affairs, which from time to time comes up with good initiatives, always ensuring that those initiatives are effusively, effectively implemented to create value for money.

It is also on record that the National Petroleum (NP) Sierra Leone Limited apart from it being lauded for being one of Sierra Leone’s biggest tax payers is also being lauded for its invaluable contributions towards building the country’s economy.

As a petroleum business entity, NP is proud of having filling stations in various parts of the country and it is vibrantly functioning in Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia.

This 100% indigenously-owned company has so far offered various jobs to residents in the afore-mentioned countries, thereby reducing poverty to a considerable level.

Since it was established by 35 Sierra Leoneans, who bought shares from the Government years back, the company has grown from leaps and bounds; weathering storms that would have run it down. But the resolve of its shareholders and Management to succeed has been the center-piece that has propelled NP to a higher level, equal to none in the sub-region.

Asking those who really know NP, the feedback you get indicate that around its commitment to customer care, NP strongly believes that it must be prioritized to give total satisfaction.

The selfless 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.

NP has maintained a good business relationship with its numerous customers’ right across the sub-region where it exists and most consumers have confessed that they are realizing optimum satisfaction in dealing with NP.

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, the Petroleum Directorate, has also lauded NP in recent time for its efficient service delivery wherever it is operating.

The company is also known for offering Sierra Leoneans affordable NP Gas Cookers of various sizes, which are safe and very friendly to use. NP Gas cookers could be purchased at all their filling stations across the country and the very gas is also sold to replenish those that have been used.

When we talk of the steady and effective implementation of the Local Content Policy, NP stands out tall as it is truly has 100% indigenes, particularly in Sierra Leone, as workers. This is one of the factors that have made the company to be a success story.

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.

NP has received numerous awards; the latest being: “Best Company of the Year” that was received on 6^th July 2019 during the National Business Award 2018/2019 held at the prestigious Bintumani Hotel.

Various tests to determine quality and standard indicate that consumers of National Petroleum-SL products say they have never had cause to grumble about the products.

It should be noted that customer care is one key element to the success of the National Petroleum Sierra Leone (NP-SL).

Another most important feature of NP-SL is its smart cards which customers can use to make transactions very easily and conveniently.

The public’s recognition of the invaluable contributions of NP both to its numerous customers across the country and to national development has seen it bag meritorious awards from different national and international organizations.

The company always ensures that petroleum products are always available, thereby preventing shortage that could create shocks in many quarters. The level of confidence which overseas business partners have reposed in the company has made it possible for it to enter into payment agreements thereby keeping the demand and supply chain open and running.

NP-SL by giving preference to employing Sierra Leoneans is a clear indication that it adheres to the country’s Local Content Policy. Utilizing local talents make it possible for indigenes to acquire useful knowledge and skills through training courses that could be applicable in other places.

In addition, the company sells the best cooking gas that is available in hundreds of outlets across the country, thereby contributing to creating cleaner environments, thus aiding the work of EPA.

In this digital age, moving away from the traditional way of transacting business has now become the norm.

President Bio Bids Farewell to Hajj Pilgrims in Sierra Leone

August 4, 2019

By Alim Jalloh – 3^rd August 2019

President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has bid farewell to about 900 Sierra Leoneans who will be observing this year’s pilgrimage in the Holy City Mecca, Saudi Arabia on Saturday 3rd August 2019 in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

Addressing pilgrims at the Siaka Stevens Stadium, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio congratulated the pilgrims in advance on this year’s pilgrimage and stated that he was delighted to bid them farewell on behalf of the government and people of Sierra Leone.

He encouraged them to be good ambassadors of Sierra Leone in the Holy City of Mecca and be prepared for the challenges ahead of them. He also admonished them to follow the instructions of the authorities accompanying them so they can perform their pilgrimage successfully. His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio reminded the pilgrims that before now, there was always chaos and scandal in the preparation for the Islamic pilgrimage but since taking over last year sanity has returned to the organisation of the pilgrimage.

His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio requested the pilgrims to pray for the country and for them to pray with him at State House on their return from pilgrimage so they can share the blessings of the pilgrimage with him.

900 Sierra Leoneans who will be observing this year’s pilgrimage in the Holy City Mecca

President Dr. Julius Maada Bio concluded his farewell message by thanking the Hon. Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh for his leadership on the hajj preparation, the Hon Minister and Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs and members of the Hajj Committee for a successful preparation of this year’s Hajj.

The first batch of the pilgrims will depart Lungi International Airport on Sunday 4th August and the second batch of the pilgrims will depart on Monday 5th August. The pilgrims will be expected to arrive at the Jeddah International Airport from where they will be transported to the Holy City of Mecca. The pilgrims will be expected to return to Sierra Leone first week September after performing the pilgrimage.

2018 MISS HERITAGE TO REPRESENT SIERRA LEONE IN GHANA

August 1, 2019

By Foday Moriba Conteh – August 1st 2019

Sierra Leone’s Miss Heritage for 2018 Fanta Kuyateh is poised to fly the country’s flag at the World Heritage Beauty Pageant slated for 11 to 20 August, 2019 in Accra, Ghana.

Speaking to this medium, Mrs. Kuyateh explained that her determination is not only to emerge victorious in the competition but see the flag of Sierra Leone fly high.

The 2018 Miss Sierra Leone Heritage is appealing for support from Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad to see her emerge winner of the pageant.

In her contribution, one of Miss Kuyateh’s manager Sarah V. Koroma disclosed that 50 countries including Sierra Leone will be locking horns for the prestigious award of the 2019 World Heritage Pageant for which she expressed optimism that her contender would emerge victorious and also urged Sierra Leoneans to support their own morally and financially.

As $100 Hits Le1 Million Mark… Citizens Call for Resignation of Bank Governor & Finance Minister in Sierra Leone

August 1, 2019

By Alim Jalloh – August 1^st 2019

As Sierra Leoneans continue to suffer the hike of essential commodities due to the depreciation of the Leone against the US Dollar, which is causing more hardship and suffering for the people of this country; many citizens have raised serious concerns calling on President Bio to sack the Minister of Finance Jacob Jusu Saffa and Kelfala Kallon the Bank Governor for the poor performance in handling the economy of Sierra Leone.

JJ Saffa as one of the mouthpieces of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) in opposition then was known for his advocacy on ‘bread and butter issues which is of utmost priority of the layman. He used to lambast the past regime for the simple fact that they cannot control the inflation rate and promise the people of this country that when the SLPP took over governance they will stabilize the US Dollar to Le300, 000 or at least Le400,000 per $100 as against the Le700,000 during the former regime.

But it one year six months since President Bio took power, the man who used to talk about bread and butter issues for the people of this country is now taking his lunch at the Crown Bakery and other top restaurants around town forgetting all what they had promised the people of this country.

He now enjoys flying all over the world and lives in luxury with taxpayers’ money and has no time to respond to interviews as to what is happening with the economy.

Some government contractors accuse him of taking bribes before authorizing payment.

Most of his promises have now put the president under serious pressure because the public is expecting much from the New Direction.

Kelfala Kallon – an Economics professor formerly living in the US has been appointed Central Bank Governor and he has clearly stated that the cause of the depreciation of the local currency, is a result of fiscal indiscipline and corruption by the former regime.

He made lots of promises that he will use his expertise and knowledge to turn things around. And now that the US Dollar is slowly hitting the one million Leones mark, he and the Finance Minister are refusing to speak on the issue.

For this reason Sierra Leoneans are now calling on President Bio to sack these two individuals as they are not competent to handle such important portfolios within the New Direction Government.

The Role of Student Unions/Bodies in Sierra Leone

August 1, 2019

By Mohamed Fadlu Bah – August 1st 2019

All over the world the purpose of student union is to represent the student body of a particular university and make their voices heard within and outside the university.

The union addresses wide range of issues that benefit students, and because of that most governments and university authorities in Africa tend to either ban the student union body or not allow their elections to take place.

In the case of Fourah Bay College for over decades elections have been cancelled because students stone each other during campaigns. The violence is most times caused by the camp that senses the defeat of their candidate.

It is important to note that the usual thing is that just throwing stones makes for the elections to be cancelled, and because of that, students take the opportunity to throw stones when there is a campaign so the elections could be cancelled

It is not worth for the ministry to ban the elections of students just because few students who do not want the elections to hold. They are expected to beef up security so as to help the elections to hold.

For most people the issue is that they have witnessed in this country much political violence by stoning, stabbing, killings, burning of vehicles and houses etc. during and after the national elections and even at bye-elections but there has never been a cancellation of those violent elections

Is it that students bodies of Fourah Bay College are no more formidable to peacefully tell the authorities concerned that it is their right to be governed by a student body that will work towards their concerns, or is it that the student has compromise their right because of their political affiliation or there political attachments has washed away their true spirit of selflessness

At this juncture it is important to note that the violence perpetrated at national politics by far outweighs that of student politics in every form.

How can the central government not able to give security to six or twelve thousand students in an election but can do so when it comes to national politics that involves the entire countries population.

Is it that both past and present government and university administrations have special interest as not to allow these elections to take place, as asserted by some students to this medium?

Foday Kamara a student of the political science department of Fourah Bay College said to what they have observed both government and the university do not want these elections to take place because they don’t want a formidable student union body which will hold them accountable on many issues ranging from tuition fees, accommodation, welfare and many other things that are not accounted for.

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