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CARL Presents Communiqué on Constitutional Review Process

By Foday Moriba Conteh

After a one day national conference that was convened with a view to deliberate on how to fast track he Constitutional Review Process in Sierra Leone which was held at the Sierra Light House, Aberdeen on Tuesday 26th January, 2021, the Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law (CARL) has on Thursday 28th January 2021 during a Press Conference held at its Office on Circular Road in Freetown presented a Communiqué of the deliberations.

Presenting the Communiqué, Project Coordinator of Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law (CARL), Abu Bakarr Kallay, stated that CARL with support from Action Aid Sierra Leone (AASL) convened the day’s Conference adding that it brought together over 80 participants drawn from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Political Parties, various youth groups, students, State actors, members of the diplomatic community, the media among others.

Bakarr furthered that the conference was part of CARL’s continued advocacy strategies on “A Call for a Speedy Constitutional Review Process” in Sierra Leone, pointing out that the conference was aimed at ensuring intensive advocacy primarily directed at the Government of Sierra Leone to resume the constitutional review process which he said is a follow-up of a project titled “Making it to the Finish line: Towards a Progressive Constitution for Sierra Leone”.

The Project Coordinator disclosed that the conference was chaired by Madam Valnora Edwin, a Good Governance practitioner and a Human Rights Activist.

He intimated that the Executive Director of the Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law (CARL), Ibrahim Tommy-Esq, in his welcome address urged the Government of Sierra Leone to expedite the constitutional review process .He added that the process needs to be as inclusive and transparent in manner.

He furthered that statements were made by the Executive Director of Action Aid Sierra Leone, Foday Bassie Swaray and the Ambassador of the European Delegation to Sierra Leone, Tom Vens and that there were also statements from representatives of  the All Peoples Congress party (APC), Coalition for Change (C4C), the National Grand Coalition (NGC), the Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice (ILRAJ) and the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA).

Bakarr also revealed that representing the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice was State Counsel, Soniade Barlatt- Esq who delivered the keynote address.

In her address, she reinforced the Government’s commitment on the constitutional review process. Presentations were made by other stakeholders, including Civil Society Organizations and the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone.

He also informed the media that there was an interactive discussion session where participants made important contributions, observations and calls.

Highlighting the observations, Abu Bakarr Kallay, said they observed that the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) has recommended in its report that it was “an appropriate time for Sierra Leone to formulate a new Constitution” and that the review process of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991 (Act No. 6 of 1991) by the Justice Cowan Constitutional Review Committees is still inconclusive.

He stated that Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the public have been ‘left in the dark’ about the current status of the constitutional review process etc.

Abu Bakarr Kallay revealed that to this end, participants at the National Constitutional Review Process conference asked/called for the following:

  • Call on the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) to expedite the Constitutional Review Process.
  • Call on the Government of Sierra Leone to issue a statement within one month, renewing its commitment to the Constitutional Review Process.
  • Call on the Government to provide detailed update on actions taken so far in respect of the review process including the task force that was set up; its composition, Terms of Reference (ToR), operational timeline and expected output.

Public Hearing on COVID-19 Audit by PAC Commences

By Amin Kef Sesay

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), chaired by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas has commenced public hearings on the COVID-19 Audit carried out by Audit Service Sierra Leone.

Whilst addressing auditees and invitees to its public hearings on the COVID-19 Audit, he commended the attendance of Auditor General and ACC Commissioner in person.

Referring to public bashings that Parliament is complacent in handling Reports from the Auditor General, Hon. Thomas said that Parliament could not prosecute; the very reason for creating the ACC, a specialized body to investigate and prosecute corrupt practices. Therefore, Parliament is working with the ACC to curb the malaise of corruption in Sierra Leone.

In similar vein, Parliament had established Audit Service Sierra Leone to look into the accounts of Sierra Leone to ensure probity during the course of expending public funds in light of adhering to laws guiding public financial management.

He also said that citizens have inalienable rights and that they are presumed innocent until proven otherwise. The reason why auditees have been summoned to provide explanations in the presence of the Auditor General and the ACC Commissioner before orders are issued by the PAC in respect of audit queries. He also warned against volunteerism.

He also said actions taken by ACC in respect of the audit would not preclude Parliament from recommending further sanctions like prosecution, dismissal or suspension without salaries.

Following the day’s deliberations, he said the Government has been making frantic efforts to fight corruption and that the Government has not been found wanting for corruption; save for individual conduct in respect of following procurement procedures and overpricing by vendors regarding the purchasing costs for vehicles and motorbikes.

On the issue of legality, the representative from the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice said she could not comment because she had no idea about the issues raised therein.

For the query relating to the absence of a Response Plan, NACOVERC responded that they had a National Preparedness Plan and that expenditures were approved by the Presidential Taskforce. It was finally settled that given the Le 3 Billion query on value for money, it took NACOVERC a long time to put a Response Plan together and it is now available to combat the impacts of COVID-19 in Sierra Leone.

Questioning the costs of 30 vehicles and 100 motorbikes, the Auditors observed that based on research, a vehicle could have been bought for a little over Le 300 million instead of over Le 400 million; and Le 12 million instead Le 21 million per motorbike, citing value for money.

Arguing that the vehicles were brand new based on receipt by NACOVERC from Ministry of Transport and Aviation, the Auditors insisted that two of the vehicles were old given 12,000 and 50,000 kilometers of usage.

Following the Auditors insistence that two of the vehicles were old, the PAC has ordered that the vehicles in question be brought to Parliament next Tuesday for an independent expert opinion to ascertain the fact of new or old before a decision is reached by the Committee for consideration in Plenary.

The Chief Executive of NPPA, Brima Swarray said on oath that the vehicles were purchased within the price norm.

Speaking on profiteering, the PAC observed that Sierra Leone is less litigious because people do not go to court for profiteering.

For the query relating to MOHS for unsubstantiated purchase of items including iPad, it was revealed that the transaction was authorized by the Permanent Secretary and that the sum total had been refunded due to directives by the ACC.

The ACC Commissioner intimated the Committee that investigation into the issue surrounding old or new vehicles is at an advanced stage; and he and his Team were commended by the PAC and that they are in vogue in the fight against corruption; save for making reference to the substance of Audit Reports.

Sierra Leone Progresses 2 Places Up Transparency International Ranking

By Foday Moriba Conteh

It was revealed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on the 28th January, 2021 that Sierra Leone has again progressed two (2) places upwards in Transparency International’s Global Corruption Ranking, moving from 119 in 2019 to 117 out of 180 countries surveyed in the 2020 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index (TI-CPI).

Also disclosed was that the country also maintains its score of thirty-three (33), which is above the Sub-Saharan average of 32, and the highest the country has ever recorded since the CPI rankings began.

It furthered that in two years, Sierra Leone has moved twelve (12) places upwards on the CPI, from 129 in 2018 to 117 in 2020 highlighting that  in 2017, Sierra Leone was ranked at 130.

The ACC stated that the 2020 CPI, released on Thursday, 28th January 2021, reveals that Sierra Leone continues to make remarkable progress in the World’s most respected corruption watchdog’s assessment and rankings and now leads sixty-three (63) countries in the global campaign against corruption, including 30 African countries, among which are; Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Malawi, Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Kenya and at par with Egypt.

“This year’s Report reveals that ‘nearly half of countries have been stagnant on the Index for almost a decade, indicating stalled Government efforts to tackle the root causes of corruption’ but Sierra Leone performed better than the Average Score in Sub-Saharan Africa,” the ACC maintained.

The CPI is an annual survey used by TI, the leading global civil society watchdog on the global fight against corruption, to assess comparative perceived levels of public sector corruption in countries across the World.

In three years,  Sierra Leone has consistently increased its score in the ‘Control of Corruption’ Indicator in the Millennium Challenge Corporation Scorecard, moving from Forty-Nine percent (49%) in 2017, to Eighty-One percent (81%) in 2020, making a Thirty-Two percentage (32%) upwards thereby, contributing to Sierra Leone’s eligibility to the Multi-Million Dollars MCC Compact Grant.

The ACC said similar exponential jumps have been recorded in other respected global corruption measurement institutions like Afrobarometer which confirmed that corruption prevalence has massively reduced from 70 in 2015 to a new low of 40% in 2020.

It ended by stating that in light of the aforementioned, the Commission wishes to reassure all Sierra Leoneans of its relentless determination to ensure the country continues to perform favourably in National, Sub-regional, Regional, and Global anti-corruption governance indices.

Wearing of Face Masks Mandatory in Schools   -MBSSE & NaCOVERC

By Amin Kef Sesay

In a Joint Press Release dated 22 January, 2021 the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) in collaboration with the  National COVID-19 Emergency Response Center (NaCOVERC) signed by David W.S Banya, Senior Permanent Secretary, MBSSE and Solomon Jamiru, National COVID-19 Spokesman it was stated that in close alliance with the Education Sector stakeholders including the Teaching Service Commission (TSC), Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU), Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools (CPSS), National Council of Head Teachers (NaCoHT), National Union of Private Schools (NUPS), Association of Private Schools, and Nursery School Association they wish to inform the general public, particularly pupils, teachers, heads of schools, parents, guardians, food vendors in schools, and visitors to schools that it will strengthen the enforcement of the proper wearing of face Masks by Pupils/Students, Teachers, Head Teachers, Principals, visitors, food vendors, and all other individuals who interact with the schools.

They highlighted that before schools reopened on September 15th, 2020 for Pre-Primary Schools, and on October 5th, 2020 for Primary, JSS and SSS, the MBSSE and Education sector stakeholders issued School Reopening Guidelines that outlined three broad objectives, namely: Prevention of COVID-19 transmission in schools, response and mitigation of any onward transmission of COVID-19 in schools.

Communication with parents and communicate on the status of testing and infection rates in schools.

It was stated that the School Reopen Guidelines emphasized the wearing of face masks as a requirement for pupils and teachers in Pre-Primary, Primary and Secondary schools across the country.

They pointed out that such remains in line with COVID-19 prevention strategies by local and international health authorities maintaining that the proper wearing of face masks protects healthy persons or prevents onward transmission (WHO, 2020).

The Release stated that while all schools (private and public) nationwide have been supplied with COVID-19 prevention materials, including Veronica buckets, hand washing soap, alcohol-based hand sanitizers, infrared thermometers, and face masks; and while the Guidelines also emphasized social distancing and daily temperature checks of both pupils/students and teachers, the wearing of face masks, which protects everyone and limits the transmission of COVID-19 in schools, has not been enforced or adhered to as required.

In that regard, the MBSSE, education sector stakeholders, and NaCOVERC are therefore encouraging schools to adhere to the wearing of face masks.

They said schools will be rewarded for adhering to the wearing of face masks where all pupils/students, teachers, head teachers, visitors, food vendors and all other individuals who interact with the school properly wear them at all times while within the premises of the school.

It was disclosed that Joint-Monitoring of schools started on Monday, January 25th, 2021, and Monitors w include all mentioned Education Sector stakeholders and NaCOVERC.

According to them ,winners(s) will be announced every month and will receive special prizes for adhering to the wearing of Face Masks furthering that the prizes will be announced at a Joint-Press briefing by both MBSSE and NaCOVERC very soon.

APC May Not Conduct Party Conventions & Delegates Conference If…

By Amin Kef Sesay

From unfolding trends it has indeed dawned that the All People’s Congress (APC) Party’s stride to conduct party conventions that will finally culminate into holding its National Delegates Conference is currently hanging on a balance. This is simply because the Court Case between the National Reformation Movement (NRM) and the APC is still in progress and has not been withdrawn.

Meanwhile, in a Notice issued by the All People’s Congress (APC) Party dated 25th January 2021 and signed by its National Secretary General, Amb. Dr. Alhaji Osman Foday Yansaneh, it was  stated that pursuant to Article 6.10.11.1 of the 5th December 1995 APC Constitution, and pursuant to the Notice by the National Advisory Committee (NAC) dated 14th January 2021 in which Conventions and National Delegates Conference of the APC were rescheduled to hold within the next six months (180 days), the Party now announces dates for the adoption of the Party’s Draft Constitution and the indicative dates for the conduct of the Party Conventions and National Delegates Conference including the Election of the Party’s Presidential Candidate for 2023 as follows:-

  1. 24th – 25th February 2021: “Emergency Delegates Conference for the Adoption of the Draft Constitution. Copies of the draft constitution will be made available to leaders of all structures and organs of the party,
  2. 8th – 14th April 2021: Constituency Conventions;
  3. 19th – 23th April 2021: District Conventions,
  4. 28th – 30th April 2021: Regional Conventions excluding Diaspora
    Region;
  5. 7th – 9th May 2021: Diaspora Chapter Conventions:
  6. 11th – 12th May 2021: Diaspora Branch Conventions
  7. 15th May 2021: Diaspora Regional Convention;
  8. 16th May 2021: Women’s Congress Convention;
  9. 17th May 2021: National Youth League Convention;

10.18th May 2021: Veterans Convention;

  1. 28th – 29th May 2021: National Delegates Conference for the elections of National officers and Presidential Candidate 2023;

It concluded that by  this Notice, the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) has been  accordingly informed adding that the above  notice above is not reflective of what happened in Court.

Contingent to whether the aforementioned will come to pass or achieved as outlined or scheduled, a Legal Representative of the party, Wara Serry Kamal, made a clarification of what really transpired in Court in the case between the NRM and APC.

Wara Serry Kamal said as a Lawyer of defendants (Ernest Bai Koroma, Foday Yansaneh, and the APC party ) she pleaded with the Judge  to adjourn the matter for another month to give them the opportunity to complete the out of court settlement.

She indicated to the Court that the parties in fact had signed an MOU (2 of the Plaintiffs) and had even taken a further step to sign a Consent Agreement but for one hold out, who refused, the 3rd Plaintiff.

The Lawyer also  indicated that they had all met (including Counsels) and that 2 of the 3 plaintiffs were not averse to the month long adjournment to enable the parties to further discuss and hopefully sign whatever agreements they can come to and further pleaded with the court to allow them to complete that process.

According to her, Lawyer Gevoa, representing the NRM, indicated that he had not received any clear instructions from his clients (the 3 plaintiffs) to adjourn but only the 1st plaintiff, Minkailu Koroma, who had sent him a text  to adjourn and not proceed but the others had not indicated he should adjourn.

She continued that Gevoa indicated to the Court that he was ready to proceed with the substantive application at that point in time.

Lawyer Wara said Gevoa asked the Court, since the two were in Court, to speak to them directly to confirm but the court refused and instead asked the 2 present plaintiff (Abdul Karim Kafoi and Bumneh Sulaymani Kamara) if Gevoa still represents them, and they answered yes.

She said the Court raised concerns saying it had given the parties a longish adjournment to make headway but given the late notice which Lawyer Serry Kamal and Gevoa confirmed was only sent later, he would grant a final adjournment on February 22nd, 2021 at which time the parties will move their respective applications and the court will rule.

According to her the Judge warned that at the next sitting the Plaintiffs will move the Originating Motion against the Defendants and the Defendants will be required to respond and move their response to the court who will then adjourn the matter for a ruling on the merits. Based on her clarification she said the Judge continued that there is a lot of public outcry on the issue. The case was adjourned to the 22nd February, 2021.

DHL Express: A 2021 Humane & Global Top Employer

By Abibatu Kamara

DHL Express, the world’s leading international express services provider, has again been recognized as one of the best employers worldwide. This year, the company was certified by the Top Employers Institute in 48 countries and on each continent of the globe, except Antarctica. The Institute particularly recognized DHL’s strong performance in the areas of Values, Business Strategy and Ethics and Integrity.

“We are delighted to be certified in so many countries all over the globe”, says John Pearson, CEO DHL Express. “Thanks to our passionate and powerful people we are ensuring that global trade continues and that our customers remain in business while so many areas of life have come to standstill. Our people are at the heart of our company and their safety has always been a top priority to us. Receiving this award is a great recognition of efforts in creating great conditions for our teams to develop and thrive within the world’s most international company.”

DHL Express annually invests a double digit million Euro amount in its employees around the world. The company runs various HR initiatives to continuously improve the working conditions of its teams and equip its international workforce with the knowledge that they need to be motivated to deliver the best quality service for customers each day. Due to the remarkable efforts of the DHL staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company paid each employee around the world a one-off bonus of 300 EUR.

“We take great pride in being truly committed to putting our people first and for that reason being recognized as a Global Top Employer for the seventh year in a row is an award we hold in great esteem” says Regine Buettner, Executive Vice President HR Global at DHL Express. “The last 12 months have been testing for everyone, including our employees – the majority of whom have been frontline workers during the pandemic. During times like these it is more important than ever to stay committed to upholding only the highest workplace standards and we’re pleased to be recognised for that with this award”.

The Top Employers Institute program certifies organizations based on the participation and results of their HR Best Practices Survey. This survey covers 6 HR domains consisting of 20 topics such as People Strategy, Work Environment, Talent Acquisition, Learning, Well-being and Diversity & Inclusion and more.

Children Vulnerability, a Cause for a Surge in Rape Cases….

By Thomas Kabay

Reports from a survey conducted in nine communities within Goderich, Western Rural District, have revealed children vulnerability as the leading cause of sexual penetration and rape in that part of the city.

A Community Based Organization, “Change My Story” analysis of a Community Needs Assessment revealed that communities in Goderich are having inadequate social and basic necessities.

The Community Assessment Survey which explored family constraints aimed at providing data that could be used to make available certain social amenities, building an educated citizenry and promoting social and community developments in Sierra Leone.

The Survey highlighted constraints faced by families in bringing up their children in those communities.

Children who move out in search of or to fetch water for domestic use always become prey to paedophiles.

The abuse of women and girls, the survey revealed, may also be related to alcohol and drug misuse which are triggers of perpetrating domestic abuse, Sexual and Gender Based Violence.

Excessive alcohol consumption and substance misuse have been identified as leading causes of family problems, financial hardship, health issues and undermine good parental values. Bad hygiene plaguing the communities make the situation worse.

The survey also captured depression as a concern among residents who indicated that mental health issues are prevalent within communities at Goderich.

The communities where the survey was done include Levuma, Million Margai, Marjay town, Funkia, Sugar Land, Oku town wharf, Boama, Metchem, Gbendembu and Bango farm among others.

Basita Michael Calls for Speedy Review of the 1991 Constitution

Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice, Lawyer Basita Michael

By Amin Kef Sesay

On the 26th January 2021, the Centre for Accountability and the Rule of Law (CARL) convened a conference which was funded by Action-Aid Sierra Leone at the Sierra Light House bringing stakeholders from different walks of life to deliberate on the Constitutional Review process in Sierra Leone. The main theme of the conference was geared towards the need for speeding up the Constitutional Review process.

Most of the speakers during the deliberation, including Lawyer Basita Michael, made salient contributions as to how and why it is necessary to push the review process forward.

Representing her organization, the Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice, Lawyer Basita Michael in her statement began by stating that diamonds are forever, but constitutions are not.

She succinctly furthered that no Constitution is meant to last in perpetuity adding that such is probably why Thomas Jefferson wrote to James Madison in 1789 and said, “…it may be proved that no society can make a perpetual constitution or even a perpetual law. The earth belongs to the living generation and not to the dead – every constitution then and every law naturally expires at the end of 19 years.”

The learned lawyer, Basita Michael, maintained that if Jefferson’s thinking is correct, then the 1991 constitution expired more than a decade ago.

“At Lomé in 1999, the Government committed to review the constitution and in 2002 the Truth and Reconciliation Commission called for a review of the 1991 constitution,” she highlighted stating that we are way behind schedule.

She added that it is not to say that successive Governments have not expressed their commitments to call for the review of the 1991 constitution underscoring how almost every political party has pledged in their manifesto to review the constitution.

Basita Michael said millions of Leones and resources have been spent to produce two Constitutional Review Reports – Dr. Peter Tucker’s in 2008 and Justice Edmond Cowan’s in 2016.

“Despite these promises and reviews, successive Governments have failed to deliver a revised constitution,” she lamented saying sadly, many Sierra Leoneans who dedicated their precious time to the review processes have passed away without seeing their recommendations come to fruition, naming Dr. Peter Tucker, Justice Edmond Cowan, Justice Tolla Thompson, N.D. Tejan-Cole and James Blyden Jenkins-Johnson among others.

She said if we are to honour their memories, we must at the very least ensure that we deliver a new constitution that meets the aspirations of the people.

“Furthermore, going by the strategic objectives and key policy actions mentioned in the Middle Term National Development Plan 2019-2023, there cannot be a better time to accelerate the review process and finalize it,” she highlighted.

According to her, the progressive and ambitious policies of the Government uniquely afford the opportunity and valid grounds to urgently reform the constitution.

She also stated how there is a need for us to align strides made as a nation and our progressive policies with our constitution.

“We cannot afford to have a constitution that is at odds with the new values, needs and aspirations of the people of Sierra Leone,” she pointed out adding that the constant call and longing for good governance, lasting peace, national cohesion and better standard of living for all are far too advanced for the 1991 constitution.

“It’s difficult to imagine the kind of amendments that would effectively fix all of the flaws and loopholes of the 1991 constitution, but we can easily revise the 1991 constitution to give it a humane face,” she averred suggesting one that believes in the dignity of humans and mirrors the needs of the nation that has grown not only in population but also in both its international and domestic responsibilities.

She said mindful of this, the Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice (ILRAJ) is adding its voice to the voices of well-meaning Sierra Leoneans to call on the Government to expedite the review process, which is long overdue.

“In the name of progress, we trust that the Government will take this call in good faith and meet it with the same bravery it demonstrated in abolishing the criminal libel provisions in the Public Order Act,” she expressed optimism.

She said it is reported that the Government has already appointed a task force to look into the review process which she considers as commendable indeed, but said much is not known about the task force and its exact purpose.

“Is it to review the recommendations of the Justice Cowan led CRC and choose from it what is practicable for amendments? Is it to review the white paper dated 10th November 2017 issued by the former Government on the Justice Cowan Report? Is it to look into the possibility to accept the more than 100 recommendations rejected by the former regime out of the 134 recommendations?” were questions she raised.

According to Basita there are lots of questions that need answers.

She said they are looking forward to the Taskforce informing the nation about its composition, mandate, mission, and the work it has done so far maintaining that there is the need for the process to be open, transparent and participatory.

The eloquent lawyer said on their part, they are willing to work with the Taskforce on such an important national issue that is so close to their hearts and the hearts of many Sierra Leoneans.

She said mindful of the above and the seriousness of the review process, ILRAJ aims to mobilize and rally for a national effort to speed up the review process.

“To this end, ILRAJ will embark on series of activities,” she said adding that the main activity is to organize several discussions on some thematic areas in the 1991 constitution that are ripe for amendment and reform.

The charismatic and rights based Lawyer said such will be done through its TV program, “Law Review”, which will take place every fortnight at 8-9 pm on Thursday, aired live on AYV, and broadcast on popular radios in the Western area and the provinces.

Basita Michael said Nicky Spencer Coker will host “Law Review”, saying their first program is on the 4th of February.

According to her, through the program “Law Review”, ILRAJ aims to engage key stakeholders and experts to discuss ten themes recommended for review and amendment by the Justice Cowan Report.

She said to avoid getting lost in the details of the particular amendments she will give a rundown on the said themes: 

Abolition of the Death Penalty

Address decentralization issues and the division of responsibilities between Local Government and Central Government by adding a new chapter in the revised constitution.

Remove the discriminatory provisions against women in Section 27 4 (d) and (e) of the 1991 Constitution

Provide greater Clarity on Citizenship laws to ensure that it is not discriminatory, i.e., based on race or gender.

Enshrine a right to a healthy and clean environment that will be protected for the benefit of a future generation and to introducing a new chapter on land natural resources and the environment.

Separate the Office of the Attorney-General from that of the Ministry of Justice and make both appointments subject to the approval of Parliament.

Maintain and strengthen judicial independence by reforming the composition and mandate of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission

Make the appointment of Judges more independent, transparent, and merit-based.

Make provisions for a fixed date for elections and a smooth and clearer transition.

Abolish Supreme Executive authority.

She said based on the outcome of the above prior discussions, ILRAJ aims to hold a conference in October to mark the 30th anniversary of the 1991 constitution and further discuss the above themes in the hope that they will come up with what they may call the People’s Constitution.

Basita Michael disclosed that to further mark the 30th anniversary of the 1991 Constitution and the 60th independence anniversary of Sierra Leone, at the conference in October, the Institute for Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice (ILRAJ) will compile a journal on the Constitution of Sierra Leone.

According to her ILRAJ has already made a call for high-quality articles from authors from a multidisciplinary background of law, political science and other social sciences.

She said the articles in the journal will look at the extent to which the 1991 Constitution has served in responding to the political, social, economic and cultural issues that face Sierra Leone.

According to her they trust that if, as a nation, we come together and redouble our efforts, our hopes and dreams of a revised constitution will soon be turned into reality stating in Krio: “Lɛ wi kam togɛda fɔ mek wi kɔnstityushɔn wok bɛtɛ.”

NP-SL Castrol Oil Promo Commences on Monday

By Amin Kef Sesay

It is very much important to note that the longevity of motor engines hinges on how they are properly handled. Owners of vehicles must be very mindful of the types of fuel and lubricants that they do procure. Without any iota of doubt there are, somehow, cheaper “doctored fuel and lubricants” sold on the black market, when used could seriously damage engines may be beyond repairs.

The National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) is indeed a credible petroleum company that imports and markets highly qualitative fuel and lubricants. These include diesel, petrol, gas and the most talked about Castrol GTX among other petroleum products.

Castrol GTX is particularly a well-known lubricant in Sierra Leone amongst motorists and commercial users. It has been attested that it is a well-recognized product amongst consumers since the Castrol brand is about passion, excitement and performance.

As a matter of fact, this motor engine oil is very effective in clearing particles that, from time to time, settle in the engines of vehicles, motor bikes, Kekehs which have the propensity of clogging those engines and leading to break downs.

Castrol GTX prevents such from occurring with the resultant effect of good functioning of motor engines.

The National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited is the only company that has the exclusive right to market this motor engine oil and it has been doing so for quite a considerable period of time now.

As a company that has a broad customer base and at the same time attracting new customers, the Management of the company deemed it fit to avail its numerous and esteemed customers the opportunity to combine business with excitement in February this year.

It is against such a backdrop that the NP-SL Management decided that starting from the 1st of February, the company will activate a loyalty promotion as one of its yearly activities by offering its esteemed cherished customers the chance to win different attractive prizes.

As far as the Management of NP-SL Ltd is concerned, brand awareness and product visibility are key drivers in any marketing institution and therefore as part of its 2020 marketing activity plan, activation of those drivers is paramount.

Again, it is in that regard that high street stores and NP forecourts will be sale points to create brand awareness and visibility.

From the starting of the  month of February, every time a customer buys a 5L Castrol GTX, he or she, will have a chance to dip and draw from a container filled with hidden prizes in the form of a folded slips.

Indeed, it must be reiterated that each time customers buy 5L Castrol engine oil they will dip their hands in a container and then draw 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 are as follows: 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 is as follows: GTX 25W50 = 1 sticker, GTX 20W50 = 1 sticker & 1 keyring, GTX DIESEL = 2 stickers & 1 keyring.

It must be known that the promotion and offers will run for a three-week period in this year, 2021.

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

It is well known that the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited, (NP-SL-Ltd) is relentless in enhancing  its strides  to always ensure that its imported petroleum products are available on the market and are easily accessible to its numerous and esteemed customers. Management of the company has made it a matter of must for these products to be present in all the nook and cranny of the country.

NP-SL Limited, as a private entity, is purely an indigenous company that has mastered the art of importing and marketing petroleum products which include fuel as well as certified lubricants, one of which is the widely used Castrol oil.

Amidst various challenges that have been encountered since the company was established, it has, however,  successfully weathered those storms that could have dwarfed it or exposed it to extinction, save only the therapeutic intermittent Managerial injections that keep it upright and on the right course.

Demonstrating its true Sierra Leonean identity the company has maintained a policy of strictly adhering to the Local Content Policy ensuring that it has a maximum of indigenous staff in its employ. What this actually mean is empowering our brothers and sisters to be gainfully employed thereby reducing poverty.

As a matter of fact some members of staff continue to benefit from various trainings that have afforded them the conduit to imbibe useful skills to efficiently carry out certain assigned tasks. If we are counting the number of companies that have upheld the Local Content Policy, without any iota of doubt, NP-SL occupies the topmost position.

This intrinsic nationalistic posture of the company runs through and it is a sine qua non for overall national development. If such a compliance rate should have been followed by other local companies, willingly, without any pressure from the relevant authorities then indisputably this country should have been miles away in its development trajectory.

1st for Customer Care was earned by the company because it has been widely acclaimed by many for solidly executing such.

In its drive to optimize customer satisfaction the company went the extra mile to install calibrated pumping machines which are not only modern but trustworthy, as opposed to old pumping machines which certain unscrupulous individuals used to manipulate in order to cheat unsuspecting customers.

This is helping to repose confidence in customers that they are dealing with a very transparent entity. The friendliness of their pump attendants is very impressive and they are always there to timely respond to various concerns.

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 required financial resources to effectively do so and one sure way is from collection of taxes which is the mandate of the National Revenue Authority (NRA).  NP is one big tax payer to Government and it has been doing so timely.

NP-SL remains undaunted, unperturbed amidst all the challenges it is going through and conscientiously it is steadily contributing to the socio-economic development of the country as well as  positively changing communities and lives.

Don’t forget to stop by, purchase a Castrol GTX and stand to win attractive prizes.

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