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Parliament Endorses NaCSA’s Commissioner and Deputy

By Foday Moriba Conteh

On the 2nd January 2021, the Parliament of Sierra Leone approved Dr. Sao-Kpato Hannah Isatta Max-Kyne and Jimmy Batilo Songa as Commissioner and Deputy for the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA).

This follows weeks after their appointment by the President of Sierra Leone; His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio to serve in these capacities respectively.

NaCSA was established in 1996 as a Government Ministry known as the Ministry of National Reconstruction, Resettlement and Rehabilitation with broad mandates to respond to the immediate humanitarian crisis that emanated from the civil war and to handle the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ex-combatants.

The Commission has over the years evolved in terms of mandate and nomenclature. In 2001, the Commission was restructured and renamed the National Commission for Social Action through an Act of Parliament with the mandate to provide and engage in social relief programmes, promote community-based demand and sustainable development activities leading to the alleviation of poverty, and also improve on the speed of quality and impact of development initiatives. In 2019, Parliament passed the new NaCSA Act 2019 into law which makes the Commission a permanent Government institution.

Speaking to nominees and Members of Parliament, the Chairman Parliamentary Oversight Committee on NaCSA and Non- Governmental Organizations (NGOs)- Hon. Roland F. Kargbo advised the Presidential nominees to accelerate performance and seek technical support from Parliament. “… we have agreed on the basis of the result presented to us by the Committee on Appointments and Public Service that the nominees are adequately and carefully qualify to perform effectively at their various positions. For efficiency and effectiveness, we all agreed to make NaCSA a permanent entity in governance and since then, we are so far impressed with their work,’’ he concluded.

In making his submission, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament – Hon. Solomon Sengepoh Thomas stated that the people of Sierra Leone are expecting the nominees (after approval) to discharge their duty professionally and effectively. ‘’… this House is represented in microcosm by the Committee on Appointment and Public Service and I believe that the Committee has done a good work, I therefore urge this House to approve the nominees’’ he reiterated.

With unanimity, Sierra Leone Parliament debated and approved the ten reports of the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service chaired by the leader of  Government’s Business; Hon. Sahr Mathew Nyuma.

NP-SL is Set to Bring You Castrol Oil Promo Soon

By Amin Kef – Ranger

The premier oil marketing company that has been rated high both internally and externally, the National Petroleum –Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd), is now all set to bring to all its esteemed customers the Castrol Engine Oil Promo which will commence on a date to be made known soonest.

For the information of all, this upcoming promo will be publicly launched at any time from now. It will interest many to know that this promotion will give the company’s customers the golden opportunity to bag attractive prizes.

At the commencement of the Castrol Engine Oil Promo every time any customer of NP-SL Ltd purchases a 5L Castrol GTX Engine Oil, he or she, will have the chance to dip and draw from a container filled with hidden prizes in the form of folded slips.

The customers will open the slips and reveal prizes or a ‘sorry buy more GTX’ on the slip.

The categories of the draw will be as such: GTX 25W50 = 1 dip & draw, GTX 20W50 = 2 dips & draw, GTX DIESEL = 2 dips & draw.

After revealing the prizes, the customers will leave their details and they shall be contacted by the Lubricants Sales Supervisor of NP-SL Ltd.

The Lubricants Sales Supervisor will in turn notify the winners and they will pick up their prizes at the office.

Customers who do not win prizes will be compensated with Castrol GTX bumper stickers or keyrings. This is to keep the customers loyal and identify themselves with the premium brand.

The compensation will be as follows: GTX 25W50 = 1 sticker, GTX 20W50 = 1 sticker & 1 keyring, GTX DIESEL = 2 stickers & 1 keyring.

The promotional items shall contain the following: Led Light, Normal cap, Funnels, Lip balm, Keyring, Sticker, Desk Clock, Flask, File and Mug.

The National Petroleum Limited, NP (SL-Ltd) deserves praise as a resilient business entity that had been rated as the country’s foremost importer and dealer of petroleum products, which includes petrol, diesel, gas as well as lubricants of various types and is always poised to give its ubiquitous and esteemed customers the best in terms of giving them value in return for money.

The company’s competent and result-oriented Managerial think tank, currently headed by its indefatigable Chief Executive Officer, Kobi Walker, in tandem with the Board of Directors, have always endeavoured to make NP-SL Ltd to be at the pinnacle of affairs within the petroleum landscape in this country, looking at best options, in order for effective service delivery to be executed timely, excellently, all geared towards enhancing good business relationships. If there is any outstanding feature for which the company is identified with then it is giving customers satisfaction to the fullest  which is why it has earned the enviable reputation of ‘1st for Customer Care’.

Prioritizing customer care is considered very paramount out of the strong conviction that the company will be nowhere without its cherished customers.

It is along that line that the company has a customer care unit that primarily interface with members of the public. Concerns and recommendations channelled through it are raised in certain management meetings, discussed and the way forward mapped out.

Regarding their customers as priceless jewels, NP-SL Ltd always ensures that to give them optimal satisfaction, value must be derived from their monies spent. It was thinking along that line that prompted the shareholders of the company to replace their old fashioned pumping machines to calibrated pumping machines of high standard which transparently pump the requisite quantity of petrol or diesel demanded for. Confidence is now high among its customers that they are getting exactly what they are paying for.

Still within the domain of 1st for Customer Care, the company is always in position to enter into payment plans with its reliable and dependable customers including Ministries, Departments and Agencies for fuel and lubricants supplies as long as all the necessary modalities have been put in place. When cognizance is taken of the fact that some of these institutions receive intermittent budgetary allocations then such an arrangement is very significant. Its significance in real terms borders on functional continuity of those institutions as they will be assured of supplies of petroleum products in as much as they keep honouring their obligations.

In this country today, for one to see a successful business entity that is owned mainly by Sierra Leoneans and having a maximum number of indigenes as members of staff is like trying to find a lost needle on the beach, although there are some that could be identified.

For NP-SL Ltd this has been a big achievement as the company is strongly adhering to the country’s Local Content Policy. Making use of local brains has been identified as one of the conduits through which developing countries like Sierra Leone could attain economic empowerment. Correspondingly, if there is a continuation of the colonial mentality that it is only by importing foreign ideas and skills that we will get there then such could be a very sad mistake.

By providing job opportunities for hitherto jobless Sierra Leoneans, NP-SL Ltd continues to help in alleviating poverty by putting monies into pockets which could be utilized to take care of responsibilities.

For those who have not tried NP Gas for the first time it is now time to give it a try. Designed in sizable varying cylinders and sold at various NP Filling Stations, this cooking device has been rated as one of the best that is on offer for sale. NP Gas is safe, user friendly and portable. Trying it will spur you to recommend it to others.

NP Smart Card is now in vogue and is one of the latest technological devices used to purchase petroleum products. Using it has attendant advantages as evident in procuring fuel at any time of the day even during times when monies could not be accessed from banks. It is secured, easy to use and very quick. It is now trending.

To crystallize proposed projects into tangible realities on the ground, Government needs the requisite financial resources to effectively do so and one sure way is from the collection of taxes which is the mandate of the National Revenue Authority (NRA).  NP is indeed one of the big time tax payers in the country and it is very compliant in that direction.

From all indications, it is crystal clear that NP-SL Ltd is here to stay in order to give the best and contribute tremendously to the socio-economic development of the country. Indeed the company is passionate and committed towards attaining those objectives.

Chinese Embassy Co-Hosts Symposium on Bilateral Relationship

By Foday Moriba Conteh

On January 29, 2021, the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone co-hosted a symposium on China-Sierra Leone Friendship: Past, Present and Future with Sierra Leone-China Foundation through video link.

More than 100 participants, including H.E. Chinese Ambassador Hu Zhangliang, Hon. Minister of Labour and Social Security Alpha Timbo, H.E. Sierra Leonean Ambassador to China Ernest Mbaimba Ndomahina, DIG of Police Mrs Elizabeth Turay, dignitaries from various MDAs, representatives from civil society organizations, universities, youths, the fourth estate as well as the Chinese community in Sierra Leone attended the virtual event.

Ambassador Hu made a keynote speech reviewing the development courses of the Communist Party of China, China-Sierra Leone relationship and China-Africa cooperation.

The other speakers shared their views on China-Sierra Leone cooperation in the fields of political mutual trust, economic and trade, and fighting against COVID-19 together.

All the participants averred that China’s success was a blessing for the world, the Communist Party of China enjoys wide popularity in China and wholeheartedly support of the Chinese people because it is people-centered and serves the people wholeheartedly, China-Sierra Leone friendship is an invaluable asset of our two countries and should be further cherished and strengthened. The symposium envisaged that as the year 2021 marks the 50th Anniversary of establishing diplomatic ties between China and Sierra Leone, there would be more fruitful results of our bilateral cooperation.

Legal Link Issues Position Statement over Prolonged Detention of Kamarainba

By Amin Kef Sesay

Over the prolonged Court detention of Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray and his subsequent loss of leadership position in the Alliance Democratic Party (ADP), the Legal Link Organization has issued a Position Statement on the matter.

Legal Link states: “We strongly aver that the prolonged detention of Kamarainba by the court, over an alleged offence that is bailable and which has ultimately served as a precursor to his loss of political leadership in his Alliance Democratic Party, amounts to a clear violation of fair trial rights of an accused person guaranteed under Section 23 (4) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.”

It continued that if bail had been granted to him, it is certain that such outright stripping of his leadership title by the Political Parties Registration Commission may not have arisen in the first place adding that he would have had, at the very least, an opportunity to defend himself in person.

“We therefore call on the  learned Judge to do the needful if not for any other reason but to save the Judiciary from been misconstrued as  ‘complicit’ of a political system that is anathematic to democratic pluralism, multi- partyism and constructive criticisms within the state,” the Position Statement furthered.

Chinese Embassy Consent to Support Njala University with 250 Hectare of Community Farm 

H.E. Hu Zhangliang, the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone

By Ralph Simeon Sesay

Njala University will be the beneficiary of a 250 hectare of Community Farm said to be supported by the Chinese Embassy in Freetown and will be spread across five villages in the Kori Chiefdom, Moyamba District.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Njala University, Professor Osman Sankoh (Mallam O.) have always been keen on harnessing Chinese support to contribute to the transformation of Njala University.

A few months ago, Mallam O. was able to secure funding of two hundred million Leones from the Chinese Ambassador Hu Zhangliang towards the provision of desks and chairs for students and quite recently he was again able to convince Ambassador Hu to support the University establish a 250 hectares Community farm.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Njala Campus and Pro-Vice-Chancellor Njala University, Professor Koroma through the Community Relations Office have been able to effectively engage the communities leading to the securing of two hundred and fifty hectares (250) of arable and virgin land surrounded by the Taia River making it possible for an irrigation system.

On Saturday 30th January 2021 Ambassador Hu dispatched a delegation to Njala University headed by Mr.Bi Yang to assess the two hundred and fifty (250) hectare land with a view to kick-start the project.

The visiting delegation was received at Foya Village, Kori Chiefdom by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Njala Campus, Professor Mohamed Bashiru Koroma, Deans of the Schools of Technology and Agriculture and Food Sciences, Director Physical Plant Services, and other members of the Njala University Administration, senior stakeholders of the Kori-chiefdom and traditional authorities of the five villages that provided the land.

Professor Koroma introduced Mr.Bi and his team to the community stakeholders on behalf of the Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal and thanked them for paying an assessment visit to the land.

He disclosed to the community stakeholders that the project will enable the University to effectively meet its corporate social responsibility to the host communities and also create jobs and economic livelihoods for the youths within Kori chiefdom and beyond.

The visiting Chinese team later toured the length and breadth of the 250 hectares of land.

The head of the delegation Mr.Bi expressed his satisfaction over the suitability of the land for the project and reported that he will brief Ambassador Hu and advise him accordingly about the machinery and other requirements to kick-start the project.

The Chinese envoy further assured the Community stakeholders that the project will provide training for community and extension workers of the University and also provide hybrid seeds and tools for farmers.

Mr.Bi noted that they would preliminary start the project with the clearing of the land, the building of roads and drainages to allow machines to clear and till the land, and the building of an administrative area, warehouse, and other facilities.

The Section Chief of Kori-Chiefdom and the Town Chiefs of the five villages expressed their satisfaction about the project and were hopeful that this would create not only employment for their youths but also the necessary support to farmers.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor assured the Chinese team that his administration has already set-up a technical team comprising of the Dean of the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Professor Alieu Mohamed Bah as the expert for the identification of the right crops, and Dr.Ing, Paul Moiwo and Dr. Blango who will also provide expert advice on the engineering requirements of the project.

102 State Certified Midwives Graduate after Intensive Training

By Amin Kef Sesay

The National School of Midwifery on the 30 January 2021 held its   thirty-fourth graduation ceremony for 102 state certified midwives after t completion 18 months of intensive training in midwifery.

The theme for this year’s graduation ceremony was “Midwives with Women: Celebrate, Demonstrate, Mobilize and Unite – Our time is now!”

Keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony, Acting Minister of Health and Sanitation, Dr. Anthony Augustine Sandi, commended the midwives for their integral role in reducing maternal and newborn mortality in the country. He said, “Their work remains crucial in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.” He also conveyed the Government’s appreciation to development partners such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) for supporting the country’s midwifery sector.

Since 2010, UNFPA’s support to the National School of Midwifery in Freetown includes providing funds for uniforms and tuition fees among others, in its efforts to increase the number of competent midwives in the country to address the gap in the midwifery workforce.

Effective clinical teaching is vital to developing a competent nursing and midwifery workforce whose practice contributes to building a strong health service for optimal public protection.

In 2020, with funds from the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, through the Saving Lives in Sierra Leone Programme, UNFPA supported the Ministry of Health and Sanitation to develop the ‘Preceptorship Policy and Implementation Guidelines’.

Preceptorship is an approach and a concept that is globally accepted and commonly practiced to achieve clinical competency. Preceptorship bridges the gap between theory and practice for trainee nurses and midwives, and allows for organized professional interactions between the trainee and an experienced and qualified professional.

From 2013 to 2019, Sierra Leone has made major improvements on maternal health indicators, particularly in the reduction of maternal mortality by almost 40 percent. As highlighted in the 2013 Demographic and Health Survey, there were 1,165 deaths per 100,000 live births compared to 717 deaths per 100,000 live births in the 2019 Demographic and Health Survey.  The country has also witnessed a substantial increase in the percentage of skilled birth attendants from 60 percent in 2013 compared to 87 percent in 2019.

Delivering his remarks at the graduation ceremony, Dr. Stephen Mupeta, UNFPA’s Maternal Health Technical Specialist and Officer In-charge said, “Maternal mortality remains high in the country and we should not be complacent. We have a long way to go to reduce maternal mortality to less than 70 deaths per 100,000 live births as contained in the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.”

He said, ”I strongly believe that with the efforts and investments being made in the health sector by the Government and development partners, that the country will make significant progress on the health related Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.”

Dr. Mupeta added, “UNFPA’s commitment to supporting the midwifery programme in Sierra Leone over the last 10 years, in collaboration with other development partners, has led to the graduation of just over 1,000 additional midwives who have been deployed to various health facilities across the country.

With the current number of approximately 150 midwives graduating each year, Sierra Leone may not reach the required 3,000 plus midwives to meet the international standards for a midwifery workforce. We therefore call upon the Government of Sierra Leone to triple the production of midwives in the next few years.”

NP-SL to Commence Castrol Oil Promo Soon

By Amin Kef Sesay

The National Petroleum –Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) Castrol Engine Oil Promo will commence on a date to be announced in due course. As a matter of fact the promo will be publicly launched. This unprecedented promotion will definitely avail the company’s numerous and esteemed customers the chance to win attractive prizes.

When it starts every time a customer of NP-SL Ltd purchases a 5L Castrol GTX Engine Oil, he or she, will have the chance to dip and draw from a container filled with hidden prizes in the form of folded slips.

The customers will open the slips and reveal prizes or a ‘sorry buy more GTX’ on the slip.

The categories of the draw will be as such: GTX 25W50 = 1 dip & draw, GTX 20W50 = 2 dips & draw, GTX DIESEL = 2 dips & draw.

After revealing the prizes, the customers will leave their details and they shall be contacted by the Lubricants Sales Supervisor of NP-SL Ltd.

The Lubricants Sales Supervisor will in turn notify the winners and they will pick up their prizes at the office.

Customers who do not win prizes will be compensated with Castrol GTX bumper stickers or keyrings. This is to keep the customers loyal and identify themselves with the premium brand.

The compensation will be as follows: GTX 25W50 = 1 sticker, GTX 20W50 = 1 sticker & 1 keyring, GTX DIESEL = 2 stickers & 1 keyring.

The promotional items shall contain the following: Led Light, Normal cap, Funnels, Lip balm, Keyring, Sticker, Desk Clock, Flask, File and Mug.

It is an indisputable fact that the National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd), the country’s leading Petroleum Company has stamped its footprints in the annals of history as an institution to reckon with in the petroleum industry. As an indigenously owned company, it has demonstrated what a locally owned and well- managed company can do, as against others in the same sector. Its dominance in the petroleum landscape cannot be over-emphasized, as evidence of same can be seen everywhere in the country and in the sub-region.

This feat was only achieved through its proactive stance with regards the importation and marketing of high grade petroleum products including petrol, diesel, gas and lubricants of which one of the best is the widely used Castrol oil.

NP-SL Ltd, over the years, has placed high premium on customer care, which it a pre-requisite for any progressive business, as the customer consideration comes first. This prudent administrative and economic acumen has earned the company top position in the minds of many Sierra Leoneans, who now prefer to patronize the company’s outlets across the country above those of other companies.

An integral part of the company winning national appreciation is the provision of qualitative and accurate measurements of its petroleum products to buyers, through the use of its modern pumping devices stationed in all its stations across the country. Attendance to customers at such stations by the company’s staff, also forms part of the reasons why they are held in high esteem. Well dressed, soft spoken and polite pump attendants, as well as those in their respective mini-marts have further enthused customers and heighten the appreciation for their services, thereby earning it the enviable reputation of 1st for Customer Care.

It is within that realm that the initial shareholders of the company, thirty-five (35) of them, thought it entrepreneurially prudent to import and install modern calibrated machines at all its Filling Stations.

These are automated and high precision machines which have the capacity of pumping the exact quantity of fuel that a particular buyer or customer requests for, displaying quantity (in litres) as well as the price(s). With these machines, contrary to what used to obtain in the past when less sophisticated pumping machines were used, customers have sincerely attested that they do derive utmost satisfaction whenever they do transactions expressing the belief that the process is really transparent.

Within that same domain of satisfying and providing care for its customers, the company made it a must that all its Filling Stations should have safety regulations. That is why it cautions its customers and others that they should not use naked flame, that mobile phones should be switched off, engines must also be switched off at Filling Stations when fuel is pumped among others.

In order to ensure that fuel is distributed timely to all its Filling Stations in the country, the company has maintained a fleet of tankers (vehicles that transport fuel) and they are regularly maintenance in order to ensure that they are roadworthy.

The company has also sustained an open door policy in the sense that it encourages customers to express their concerns as well as recommendations which the Management takes into consideration whenever major decisions are taken, geared towards the development of the company. It has been ascertained that whenever customers have the feeling that their inputs are well respected such does not only bring them closer but also gives them the satisfaction that they are indeed relevant and highly regarded. This is exactly what NP-SL Ltd does and that has been paying good dividends. As far as the Shareholders and Management are concerned their customers do matter.

With the avowed objective of making fuel transactions easier and very convenient for its esteemed and numerous customers, the company again introduced the brilliant idea of introducing the use of NP Smart Card. This is a cashless way of transacting business or in other words purchasing fuel without using physical cash. The holder of an NP Smart Card could present the card at any Filling Station, as long as it contains money, and request for the quantity of fuel he or she requires.

The card is then slotted into the pumping machine with the subsequent discharge of the amount of fuel into a car or jerry can. This method of conducting cashless transaction is very advantageous in the sense that a customer is saved the hassle of intermittently rushing to the bank to withdraw cash for the sole purpose of purchasing fuel. This is so because already his or her NP Smart Card is loaded with money for that purpose. Indeed, it also provides security as the card is securitized only having the particulars of the holder which cannot be used by another person.

Human beings cannot exist in the absence of food as it is a basic necessity of life. Food is prepared in various ways but one popular way of doing so is by cooking. In this part of the world, most households are dependent on largely using wood and charcoal for cooking purposes. However, the cutting down of trees to be used as wood and charcoal have been frowned upon by environmentalists on the grounds that such is contributing negatively  to the depletion of the environment and pose other adverse consequences on the ecosystem.

Against this backdrop, the Shareholders and Management of the company thought it fit that to assuage that they must introduce a safer way of cooking. It was out of this idea that the initiative of introducing an environmentally cooking device arose and NP Gas was borne. Manufactured in different cylinder sizes, NP Gas has a high precision performance and to refill it is simple as the gas could be accessed at all the company’s Filling Stations in the country. Many whom have tried them intimated this medium that it is worth having at home and one could never regret having it but would rather recommend it to others.

NP-SL Ltd has etched its name in the sands of time for embracing and effectively rolling out the country’s Local Content Policy. As one of its major priorities, the company has placed high premium on giving employment preference to Sierra Leoneans. It is only on rare circumstances that the company make use of expatriates and in most cases it is when local personnel cannot be sourced.

In a country where accessing a secured and suitable job is like finding a needle on the beach for a company like NP-SL Ltd to avail Sierra Leoneans the opportunity to access job is indeed commendable. This posture, on the part of the company, has given the beneficiaries the opportunity to live improved lifestyles and have a sense of believing that they are contributing to national development.

A company that has vibrant branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia speaks volumes of a serious company that is determined to grow. In all those countries, the company employs indigenes and is paying taxes to the Governments which in turn are used to fund various development programmes.

From what have been said so far, NP-SL Ltd is a company that is making Sierra Leoneans proud and is an epitome of selflessness with a strong passion to further climb higher heights. Indeed, the company is truly a success story!

As President Bio Intervenes…   Lecturers Agree to Call Off Strike Action

By Amin Kef Sesay

On the 2nd February 2021 the Academic Staff Associations of Universities and Polytechnics in Sierra Leone promised to call off their industrial actions and resume classes on 3rd February 2021 after accepting on Tuesday commitments made by His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio on behalf of Government.

According to the agreement between the Government and University of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology, Njala University, Milton Margai College of Education and Technology and Freetown Teachers’ College, strategic discussions would continue on governance and quality assurance in the higher educational institutions.

Government met almost all of the demands, key among which was to review the proposed 50% salary adjustment, by providing another 25% salary increase for all tertiary institutions effective 1 April 2021 in addition to the 25% already made in the 2021 budget, thereby meeting the proposed demand.

On the issue of waiving tax on leave allowances, the Government, represented by the Ministries of Finance and Technical and Higher Education, observed that that would go against Section (1)(s) of the Income Tax Act 2000 as amended, which states that: “Any leave allowance in excess of the gross monthly salary shall be subject to income tax at the existing highest marginal tax rate for individual income tax”.

“Given the legal implications highlighted above, Government cannot, therefore, waive income tax on leave allowances given its adverse impact on overall revenue generation of Government and the bad precedent that will be created for the wider public service,” the document reads.

Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Professor Alpha Tejan Wurie, as chair of the meeting, described it as a special event and an opportunity for the representatives of the Academic Staff Associations to meet the President in his capacity as Chancellor of public universities of Sierra Leone.

He noted that the lecturers were not hungry for money but they actually wanted to live a better life.

Vice-Chancellor of EBK University and team lead for the negotiation committee, Professor Edwin Momoh, thanked President Bio for being patient with them and described the meeting as a turnaround for their institutions because of a listening President who attended to their concerns.

“We are pleased to meet the President and to better articulate our challenges, especially our conditions of service. We are very hopeful, as the first meeting with Vice President, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, was also a productive one. We have no doubt about President Bio’s commitment to education as the engine for human development,” he said.

Dr Williette James, who is President of the Academic Staff Association of USL also thanked the President for intervening through the Vice President, adding that they had decided to embark on the strike actions because their plea for a better condition of service had not been looked into since 2019.

“We are now happy that the talk and do Government has listened to our plea. We are smiling, even though all we had asked for was not featured. We believe that at this stage of the negotiation we must reconsider our actions, the students and go back to the classrooms,” she noted.

In his remarks, President Bio thanked the lecturers for choosing such a noble profession, even though they had had challenges, adding that his decision to engage them was the best way to go to encourage them to put politics aside and think about the bigger picture of development.

He also emphasised that his Government had prioritised human capital development, the reason why Government and ASA should think of making the universities an enviable place of work that would attract many bright minds from other countries around the world.

New Lands Minister & 4 Others Approved by Parliament

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Tuesday 2nd February 2021 approved with unanimity the Ninth Report of its Committee on Appointments and Public Service, chaired by the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma.

The following presidential nominees were approved by Parliament:

  1. Dr. Turad Senesie, Minister, Ministry of Lands and Country Planning
  2. Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus Williams-Deputy Minister, Ministry of Planning and Economic Development
  3. Dr. Sao-Kpato Hannah Isata Max-Kyne – Commissioner, National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA)
  4. Jimmy Batilo Songa- Deputy Commissioner, National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) and
  5. Pa. Komrabai Maylie Kamara-Member Board of Directors, Sierra Leone Airport Authority (SLAA)

Seconding the motion, the Opposition Whip, Hon. Hassan Sesay said the approval of presidential nominees is a national duty and spoke well of a lady in respect of gender balance. The Opposition Whip said he had no doubt in the competence of the NaCSA Commissioner. “Let us always give women the support they require”, and went on to remind her of serving the nation sincerely by doing the needful relating to market projects. He also advised the Deputy NaCSA Commissioner to give unreserved support to the female Commissioner for the national good.

The Opposition Whip asked the Lands Minister to stand up and assured him of their support in respect of attaining a positive agenda.

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas alluded to the good work of the Committee on Appointments; adding that all the nominees are laced with outstanding performances. The Deputy Speaker also used the occasion to recommend two nominees because of good performance. However, he expressed disappointment over the country’s lagging behind in lieu of decades of appointments without realizing the desirable outcomes. “I know Dr. Turad Senesie as a perfectionist”. “I am pretty sure that he will heal the wounds of that Ministry”. He went on to speak on dubious activities relative to land grabbing in the country.

Rev. Dr. Titus Williams, he said had a wealth of experience in planning and stated that he had no doubt in him. “The two people are the best for the positions,” he vehemently concluded.

The Committee Chairman for NaCSA, Hon. Dr. Roland Kargbo commended President Bio for appointing the nominees. However, he decried the outputs of some previous nominees in respect of deliverables. He also urged the nominees to change the drive in light of better performance. Hon. Dr. Kargbo highlighted the development projects of NaCSA in light of monitoring. He was pleased with the appointment of NaCSA’s new Commissioners and Minister of Lands.

Hon. P.C. Bai Kurr Kanagbaro Sanka III, representing Tonkolili District buttressed the position of the Deputy Speaker regarding dubious attitude by the citizenry relating to land. “I am appealing to the nominees to think Sierra Leone,” adding that every compatriot has right to designated offices and urged them to work in their best interest.

The PC passionately appealed to the Minister of Lands to put stringent measures in place to curb rampant wildfire in the country.

He also commended the Minister of Lands for his good attributes and competence. He advised the Minister to work with Parliament in order to succeed. He also heaped praises on the Deputy Commissioner of NaCSA and admonished all the nominees to respect MPs in the course of executing their duties.

Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Chernor R. M. Bah said the nominees have good CVs but they would not rely on that; adding that performance in new offices matters. He also admonished the nominees to serve best in the national interest.

“All of them are competent on papers”.

The Opposition Leader asked colleague MPs to support and protect the Minister of Lands to deliver on his new appointment.

Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma thanked all MPs for their brilliant contributions in light of team work. He re-echoed the incompetence demonstrated by some previous nominees; thus affected the progress of the country.

The Leader of Government Business also commended the new NaCSA Commissioner for astute leadership in national service; and advised her to put the records straight with regards policy and transformational team work. He asked the Deputy Commissioner of NaCSA to work collaboratively with the Commissioner.

For the Ministry of Lands, he alluded to the positive response by way of lecture they had from the new Minister during the course of his interview. He called on MPs to embark on effective and efficient oversight in that regard. He stressed on performance by the nominees in light of the New Direction’s Manifesto or stand to be fired by President Bio if they fail to deliver on their appointments.

The Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu extended congratulatory messages to the nominees and advised them to work in accordance with the confidence reposed on them by the President and the Parliament of Sierra Leone.

Public Officers Reminded to Make Declaration When Leaving Office

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has stated that it is reminding Public Officers, especially those who have left office either by way of resignation, end of contract, dismissal, retirement or otherwise, that they are to submit to the Commission an Exit Declaration Form as provided in Section 119(3) of the Anti-Corruption Act (No. 12) of 2008 (as Amended by Act No. 9 of 2019), which states; “In the case of every person who ceases to be a public officer, not later than three months from the date on which he ceases to be a public officer, except where extended by the Commissioner in writing, he shall file in respect of his assets, income and liabilities covering the period from the date of his last declaration to the date on which he is required by this sub-section to furnish a declaration”.

The Commission says in that regard it is requesting all public officers who have left  public office in the recent past and who fall within the stipulated category to submit their Exit Declaration Forms to the Commission, failing which, they shall be prosecuted pursuant to Section 122(a) of the Anti-Corruption Act (No. 12) of 2008 (as amended in 2019).

It continues that it is also encouraging new employees and appointees to public offices to fill and submit their Asset Declaration Forms to the Commission’s sub-office at Lotto Building, Tower Hill, Freetown and its Regional offices in Bo, Kenema, Makeni, Kono and Port Loko and also online at www.anticorruption.gov.sl.