Sierra Leone NP-SL Continues to Weather Storms Gallantly

July 28, 2019

Sierra Leone’s leading and longest serving oil marketing company, the National Petroleum (NP) SL Limited continues to weather the storm gallantly as it endeavours to give optimum satisfaction to millions of customers across the country.

Recent research done by various media houses indicates that based on viability and sustainability tests on oil marketing companies in Sierra Leone, it was found that the operations of the National Petroleum – Sierra Leone makes it the most viable and sustainable oil marketing company; apart from it being an internationally approved service deliverer.

It is on record that NP is a company worth its salt and the company has received many 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.

The research included tests on the standard and quality of the National Petroleum-SL products which customers say they have never had cause to grumble about.

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 organisations.

NP-SL is well anchored in neighbouring Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast and The Gambia where it operates as a truly multinational Sierra Leone company.

Since its establishment, NP has been meaningfully contributing to economic growth through payment of taxes and rolling out meaningful interventions in the discharge of Corporate Social Responsibility that are transforming lives and improving communities.

The company always ensured that petroleum products are always available, thereby preventing shortages 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.

It should also be mentioned that NP-SL is on record for being the only indigenous company which is paying very dividends to government thereby making the NP-SL one of the best privately-owned companies in Sierra Leone worth its salt.

Sierra Leone: Youth Minister Nabs FBC Robbers

July 26, 2019

Investigations have revealed that the Hon. Minister of Youth Affairs, Mohamed Orman Bangura and other stakeholders raided the FBC community after engaging the youths at the car wash who denied being part of an act of attacking female student (s) from the university after their examinations.

They promised the Minister that they will do everything possible to bring the culprits to book as they have been falsely accused.

On Wednesday 24^th July, 2019, immediately after work, the Minister mobilized his team, including a lecturer at the university Mr. Teddy Foday Musa to join hands with the youths of the car wash to raid the perpetrators of last week’s incident.

During the search, one of them was caught and has been taken to the FBC Police Post for further interrogation.

The Hon. Minister further addressed the community people to bring out those who did the act to the said students within the next few hours; otherwise, government will take action against them for illegally occupying the land of the university.

“The University is your landlord and you can’t hurt your landlord, so for all to be in peace in this community, bring out the culprits or else we will call the police to raid the entire community. Two hours later the ring leader known as Chucks was produced by the community people to the police.

It is clear that over the years, students at Fourah Bay College (FBC) have been plagued with unfortunate attacks from robbers within the mountain communities surrounding FBC.

The recent of these attacks on students happened a few days ago which led to the stabbing of a year 3 female student and all fingers are pointing at the youth at the Berry Street Car Wash Centre under construction by the Ministry of Youth Affairs. Owing to growing concerns and the quest to see that students at FBC live in an academic environment that is conducive, more so at a time that 2nd semester examinations are ongoing.

It can be recalled that as a result of the increase in unemployment on the part of the youth of Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Youth Affairs has taken steps to empower young people who are engaged in car washing as a means of making them self-reliant.

According to the Chairman of the Berry Street Car Wash Mr Savage, he said that: “the Youth Minister is one that is on record to be the only minister for years who has made more than 8 visits at our car wash within a year and has always told us to believe in his leadership and the government of President Bio. So for anyone to do an unfortunate incident and the whole world is accusing us even though we are innocent, we won’t sit and fold arms, but will join hands with the security forces to arrest and prosecute perpetrators”.

He further assured the Minister and the University of their full cooperation and promised to join the police to provide security in the college for the safety of the students.

Africa’s Foreign Exchange Crisis… Liberia & Sierra Leone Face Severe Dollar Shortage

July 25, 2019

Just like the Leone, Liberia’s currency continues to decline in value against the United States Dollar, despite efforts by the former and this government to stabilize them.

In Liberia, the International Monetary Fund says the depreciation is due to factors like excessive borrowing, the use of foreign currency to pay for imported goods and services, currency speculation, high interest rate and inflation.

The Liberia Central Bank reports that between 2016 and 2019, it has used US $600M to fight the decline of the Liberian currency exchange rate.

The payment is comprised of $381M from the 25% of remittances withheld, $105M from the sales of T-bonds and the $119M withdrawals from the “Specific Accumulated Rainy-Day Money”. Yet, the depreciation continues, and it is now L$201 to US $1, from L$62 to US $1 in 2006.

The decline is due to many factors, including, but not limited to excessive borrowing by Liberian administrations, the demand to use foreign currency to pay for imported goods and services, speculation, high interest rate, inflation, etc., according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). If Liberia produces rice, for example, merchants will use local currency to buy rice for sales, thereby, improving the value of the country’s exchange rate.

Exchange rate is the value of one currency when measured against the currency of a foreign country. Currency exchange rate usually moves up and down, and the frequency is not good for any government and/or for investors.

Financial experts recommend that a government should develop economic tools to increase/decrease the local currency or increase/decrease the foreign currency in order to balance the exchange rate.

If a government wants to increase the value of the local currency, it will reduce the local currency by using foreign currency to buy up the excess local currency. Alternatively, it can reduce the value of the local currency, by printing new banknotes, of course not to replace the old banknotes.

It is not difficult to print new banknotes and increase the local currency (which too can cause inflation – too much money chasing too few goods), but it is difficult to generate/raise foreign currency to buy up the excess local currency.

Liberia has generated cash from three sources: (1) withheld 25% of foreign remittance, (2) money withdrawn from the Net International Foreign Exchange Reserves, and (3) money received from the sales of T-Bonds.

But having on hand US $600M during the three years, why did the government fail to improve the value of the Liberian currency?

Additionally, if the government used the $600M to buy the excess Liberian banknotes, where are the old banknotes the government purchased?

Better yet, why did the government print new banknotes in 2016, 2017 and 2018, if the country had excess local currency, which was depreciating the country’s exchange rate?

Did the government use the US $600M to reduce the local currency since there is excess, which is depreciating the exchange rate?

The method the government used to improve the Liberian currency exchange rate indicates why Liberia has excess currency, which is depreciating its exchange rate. Sierra Leone can learn from this!

Sierra Leone: First Lady Returns with a Bang!

July 25, 2019

First Lady of Sierra Leone, Madam Fatima Maada Bio on a working vacation

President Julius Maada Bio and First Lady of Sierra Leone, Madam Fatima Maada Bio went on a working vacation with their family and they visited the UK, Kenya and the UAE.

This is the first official holiday the President and his family have taken since he assumed office last year.

The President in his usual work approach, used the opportunity to meet with President Kenyatta, to discuss how Sierra Leone can achieve the success Kenya has achieved in tourism in East Africa.

The Ministry of Tourism will be following up on this discussion, and making positive strides in learning how to adopt the winning strategy to Sierra Leone. The President and his family visited a few wide life reserves in Kenya.

In preparation of the EXPO 2020 Dubai, H. E. Fatima Maada Bio, went on a tour of the site, where she visited the Sierra Leone Pavilion. The EXPO will be the largest event to the held in the Arab world. Sierra Leone has the great opportunity of having its pavilion next to that of UAE.

The First Lady had earlier met with H.E. Reem Al Hashimy (Minister of State for Development Cooperation and Director General of EXPO 2020, to appreciate the great support they are giving to Sierra Leone, and on Sunday 21^st July, she met with her Deputy, where Her Excellency Fatima Bio signed the approval for the interior design of the amazing concept for the Sierra Leone pavilion.

First Lady Fatima Maada Bio, is the Commissioner General representing Sierra Leone. She says Sierra Leone must not only actively participate to showcase our rich vibrant culture, but have a set target of minimum investment that must be brought back to Sierra Leone.

This is because, ‘we are committed to development and previous EXPOs have not brought anything tangible for the country, but the EXPO 2020 will be a game changer for Sierra Leone,’ she said, adding that ‘this is because we have a stable and forward thinking government, and we are working with the various ministries and private business, to have one of the best representation of Sierra Leone in the history of EXPOs. Expo 2020 is Dubai’s long term investment in the future of the country will boost its economy by USD 33.4 billion. Sierra Leone is poised to also get in on the action.

Gambian Police Accused of Killing Sierra Leonean Businessman

July 25, 2019

A Sierra Leonean businessman, identified as Ousman Darboe has died in Serrekunda – The Gambia, after he was released on bail by The Gambian Police following his arrest and detention for suspected possession of stolen property.

According to The Gambian News Network – Kerr Fatou, dozens of young people gathered at the Serrekunda Police Station to protest against the death of Ousman Darboe, who they claimed was severely beaten by the police anti-crime unit.

Darboe, a shop owner at the Black Market was reportedly arrested by the police anti-crime unit about 13 days ago and released last Friday.

On Tuesday, he was reportedly called back to the anti-crime unit in Bijilo and while there, his friends received a call from him that he was not feeling well.

Darboe’s friend who identified himself as Muhammed, told Kerr Fatou News that Darboe is an asthma patient.

When Muhammed and his friends got to him, he was already suffering and they took him to Medicare Clinic in Brububi.

He passed away on Tuesday at 9: 30 according to Muhammed. His friends from the Black Market gathered at the police station near the Serrekunda market demanding justice for Darboe.

They claimed he was tortured and kept in police custody for 9 days without charge.

Muhammed told Kerr Fatou that the accusation against Ousman who owns a store at the Black Market was that he bought stolen goods from someone.

Ousman has been in the Gambia for 20 years, and now leaves behind two young children and his Gambian wife, said Muhammed.

His remains are currently at the Serrekunda Hospital mortuary.

Meanwhile, an angry mob has burnt down the compound of Gorgi Mboob – commander of the anti-crime unit, for the alleged role of his officers in the killing of Darboe.

Prior to the incident, the police had issued a press release “calling on the youth to observe calm and restraint”.

They claimed Darboe’s name “came up during investigations into a Breaking and Stealing incident that occurred at Kerr Serign on 14th July 2019”.

“Suspects in the said case confessed selling items stolen from the Kerr Serign incident to Ousman Darboe,” said the police.

“Investigators visited his shop at Serrekunda market where a Flat Screen television, part of the stolen items was recovered in his possession.”

According to the police, Darboe was arrested on 12th July and charged with receiving stolen properties contrary to the laws of the Gambia.

Then on Monday the 15th of July, he was granted bail but he kept on reporting on bail.

The police confirmed that Darboe during his detention was said to be an Asthma patient as shown by medical papers tendered by his family which prompted his bail.

“The Inspector General’s Office assures the public that it will continue a probe into the death of Ousman Darboe and the outcome will be duly communicated to ascertain the cause of death,” said a statement from the police.

This is the second incident of death allegedly caused by Gambian police in less than a month. About two months ago, a University student call Kebba Secka was allegedly stabbed to death by a police officer who is currently charged with murder.

In Sierra Leone there are calls for President Bio and his wife Fatima Bio who is also a Gambia national to press on the Gambian government to ascertain the cause of death of the Sierra Leonean national, so that justice can be expedited.

Sierra Leone: Revealed at COI: Govt. Owned Shares at SRL; Sold for Less than $13M

July 25, 2019

After suspending the Sierra Rutile Limited investigation for close to a month, the state restarted the probe at the Justice Biobele Georgewill Commission of Inquiry 64, with renewed vigour and documents were flowing all over the place.

What the state has been able to establish without any iota of doubt is that government of Sierra Leone indeed had shares at the SRL but were sold in 2013 for pittance.

Commission Witness Mr. Maurice Cole who is the Finance Manager at the Sierra Rutile Limited revealed with documents adduced at the Commission that at various times between 2007 and 2012.

Led in evidence by State Counsel Mr. Oladipo Robbin Mason, the Finance Manager produces shares certificates indicating government’s shares in SRL at different points.

In December 2007, government shares at SRL rose to as much as 2063 with each share costing about 10 US cents.

A correspondence between Sierra Rutile Limited and Standard Chartered Bank, London showed transfer of $12.2M to the Bank of Sierra Leone (as beneficiaries) of the sale of government of Sierra Leone shares of the SRL.

This instruction was given by the cousin of former President Ernest Bai Koroma Mr. John Bonoh Sisay as CEO of SRL. Another $727,364 was also later disbursed to the subsidiary company.

The Sierra Rutile Acquisition No.3 was a subsidiary company of Sierra Rutile Holdings Limited and are both registered in the British Virgin Islands – a tax haven.

What is gradually emerging is that the subsidiary company had John Bonoh Sisay (Ernest Koroma’s cousin) as one of majority shareholders in the company.

In actual fat, the $727,364 that was later paid, but was to the subsidiary company (Sierra Rutile Acquisition No3) as debt owed since 1992.

The entire scheme is now beginning to unfold and Ernest Bai Koroma and his cousin ran the scam to fleece the country of the benefits of its natural resources.

Justice Biobele Georgewill has given 10 days to the counsels for the persons of interest to hand in their final written submissions, and another 10 days for the state counsels to do same.

Sierra Leone: IMC to Suspend Newspapers & Radio Station

July 25, 2019

IMC Chairman, George Khoryama has said that, the Commission will be suspending 12 newspapers for refusing to pay two million Leones fine for writing offensive and libellous reports. He added: “We were investigating 19 newspapers and out of these 19, we found 15 wanting for breaching the IMC rules and after imposing fines; only 3 complied by paying two million Leones each while the others are refusing.’’

He added that the IMC fined the above media houses for writing offensive and libellous reports about different people, adding that they will also be suspending some newspapers and radio stations for failing to renew their license for more than two years.

The Independent Media Commission (IMC) aside from controlling radio frequencies and its operators, since its establishment also has the mandate to monitor program content to guarantee the freedom of communication and respect for expression and opinion.

According to Mr. Khoryama, the commission fined the newspapers 2-3 months ago for breaching the rules and regulations of the Independent Media Commission and an Act of Parliament 2000.

The Commission according to Mr. Khoryama has written to these defaulters to remind them that they are obligated to the commission and have to pay the fines, citing that they investigated them after complaints were made against them.

Mr. Khoryama added that, the commission over the years has been training journalists on how they should report and to be disciplined on financial reports, stating that, the IMC’s responsibility is also to protect journalists against any undue judgment.

He further said journalists should tell the public that their profession is not for sale and that they should behave professionally and responsibly.

Sierra Leone: Airport Authority Launches Public Health Emergency Plan

July 25, 2019

Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, and Ministry of Health and Sanitation on Wednesday 24th July, 2019, launched the Airport Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan.

The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority in collaboration with the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, and Ministry of Health and Sanitation on Wednesday 24th July, 2019, launched the Airport Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan.

The plan is aimed at preparing and maintaining the capacity to respond to public health events by preventing the introduction, transmission or spread of communicable diseases at the Freetown International Airport.

Representing the SLCAA, the Deputy Director-General (Technical) Mrs. Fatu Maria Conteh observed that the SLCAA was not only concerned about the safety and security of the traveling public, but was willing to comply fully with all other connections and treaties that support civil aviation growth.

“We were taken by surprise when Ebola struck in 2014, and we are aware of its devastating effect on our country especially the travelling public. Therefore, we cannot allow it to happen again; hence, the SLCAA has provided the requisite support for all stakeholders involved in the development of this plan,” she said.

Launching the plan, the Minister of Transport and Aviation Hon. Kabineh Kallon recalled that the Government of Sierra Leone in collaboration with the World Health Organization issued a global alert for the occurrence of Ebola in May 2014, and that the collaborative effort of the SLCAA, Ministry of Transport and Aviation, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and some international partners like WHO, IOM, CDC-USA and other local NGOs, implemented series of measures to contain the spread of the virus and with those measures no case of Ebola was exported overseas through the country’s air border.

“As WHO declared Sierra Leone Ebola free, there was the urgent need to develop and maintain an Airport Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan that is generic and compliant with International Health Regulation (2005) and the ICAO Annex 9 requirements. Today, I can proudly say as a State we have one,” he said.

The Country Representative of International Organization for Migration, Alhaji Sanusi Savage said IOM in support with SLCAA and other organizations implemented entry and exit health screening measures at the FNA which lower risk for the international spread of Ebola by identifying travellers who might be infected and prohibiting their further travel.

Representing the Ministry of Health, Rev. Canon Dr. Thomas Samba noted the call to have an airport health response plan was deliberate to remind actors that public health threats were part of their lives, adding further that the plan was a clarion call for multi-sector approach to health service delivery.

In another development, the SLCAA and the Airport Council International (ACI) have commenced the Airport Excellence (APEX) in safety programme for the review of the Freetown International Airport.

The Airport Excellence in Safety programme is a five day event carried out by the ACI to respond to aviation safety worldwide. The programme is designed to assist airports of all sizes with a goal to improve their level of safety and compliance with ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs).

In his presentation, the Director General of Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Moses Tiffa Baio recalled his maiden meeting with the ACI team in Abuja June this year where he informed ACI about the state commitment in enhancing its safety ratings to match up with the Abuja Safety Targets of which airport certification is a key criterion.

“During our discussion, I reiterated the need for an Apex Review which would serve as part of preparatory stage of the certification project for Freetown International Airport. This has been one of the key policy priority programmes of HE President Julius Maada Bio to transform the aviation industry and enhance aviation safety of Sierra Leone,” he said.

The Director of Strategy and Business Development ACI, Romesh Bhoyroo said that meeting government officials was a proving sign of the state’s commitment to the process; adding they were here to assess the airport and present an honest report on their findings.

“The review will look at 3 broad areas: identifying the problem (s), looking at the FNA certification process and looking at the Safety Management System. After the APEX Review, the state should be able to have a clearly defined roadmap to solve the posing issues. The ACI will also assist the state with the Africa Airports Development Programme which will provide Sierra Leone with experts and training programmes with no cost attached,” he maintained.

The General Manager Sierra Leone Airport Authority, Ebenezer Macauley welcomed the team and pledged his full commitment to the process; believing the review was the first step towards achieving the certification of the Freetown International Airport.

After the review process, the Freetown International Airport would have enhanced its level of safety through knowledge of regulatory standards, best operational practices and training needs/options; provided thorough understanding of its own safety performance, identified areas for improved efficiency and better use of resources, allowed access to a pool of expertise, facilitated the mitigation of any safety gaps as required by its specific operating environment, initiated a cycle of continuous improvement.

Sierra Leonean Dies after Attack by Colleagues in Malyasia

July 25, 2019

A man from Sierra Leone died after being attacked by five men in front of a budget hotel in Bandar Puteri, Puchong, Malyasia.

The 31-year-old man was with a friend when he was punched and kicked by five of his countrymen at about 1am on Wednesday (July 24).

Serdang OCPD Asst. Comm Ismadi Borhan said the victim was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

“We believe the five men assaulted the victim after they traded insults with one another.

“The post-mortem of the victim will determine the cause of death,” he said, adding that the assailants were unarmed.

He added that the police were able to track down and arrest one of the suspects two hours after the incident.

“The suspect has been remanded until next Tuesday (July 30). We are still tracking down the remaining culprits,” he said.

Sierra Leone: New Beddings for Correctional Centre Inmates

July 25, 2019

Supplies including foam mattresses, pillows, and blankets, among others have been received by the Sierra Leone Correctional Centre for onward distribution to Correctional Centres across the country on Monday, 8th July, 2019.

This was revealed to this press by the Deputy Director General of the Sierra Leone Correctional Service, Dennis Harman.

He said: “The supplies include foam mattresses, pillows, and blankets, among others. We have currently embarked on the distribution of these beddings to the various correctional centres in the Western Area Urban and those in the provinces.”

He said the supply of beddings is done once a year but most times, it is done at the beginning of the rainy season.

“During the rainy season, the atmosphere would become very cold and to keep the inmates warm, we would change their beddings during this period. So, the supply of beddings at this time of the year is always timely,” he added.

He disclosed that a new correctional centre, which is under construction at Waterloo, is expected to be completed by the first week of August, 2019, adding that the new centre would host 120 male and 10 female inmates, thereby helping to decongest the Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road in Freetown. We have currently embarked on the distribution of these beddings to the various correctional centres in the Western Area Urban and those in the provinces,” he said.

He further disclosed that a new correctional centre, which is under construction at Waterloo, is expected to be completed by the first week of August, 2019, adding that the new centre would host 120 male and 10 female inmates, thereby helping to decongest the Male Correctional Centre on Pademba Road in Freetown.

Dennis Harman, was speaking exclusively on Tuesday, 23^rd July, 2019, and made the above disclosure in his office at the SLCS headquarters in New England Ville, Freetown.

In an effort to enhance food security and support the government in providing food for the inmates, the SLCS has prioritised the cultivation of crops in the provincial areas.

According to SLCS’ Deputy Director General, they are currently embarking on inland valley swamps (IVS) farming in Kabala, Mafanta, etc., and 60 hectares land have been cultivated with sorghum, corn, cassava, rice, etc., in Mafanta.

He said construction exercise of child friendly centres for children of female inmates is at a completion stage in Freetown and Kenema.