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NP-SL Hailed for Efficient Service Delivery

By Amin Kef Sesay

During a random countrywide survey recently conducted over a period of time targeting a large percentage of customers of the National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd), with the objective of sounding their views on the operations of the company in the country, the methodology utilized bordered on asking random questions in order to get their candid views.

When quizzed on how they view the way the company treats its numerous customers across the country, most of the respondents warmly reacted by stating that the Shareholders and Management of  the company are doing extremely well in the direction of effective service delivery and giving utmost satisfaction to customers.

The National Petroleum –Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) is also regarded as a well-positioned institution within the realm of being a very pro-active institution that is always poised to pragmatically put concrete arrangements in place to ensure that the populace in this country gain access to qualitative petroleum products ranging from petrol, diesel, gas to lubricants, including the ever highly demanded Castrol lubricant oil that has been rated to be very good for the efficient lubrication of various engines.

NP-SL is indeed poised to continue to avail its numerous customers with qualitative products that the company markets.

The company has in its employ, a workforce as well as distributors that market its various petroleum products. As far as it has been established, this laid down policy which the company is implementing to the letter, is complementing the efforts of the Government to deepen development.

Today, it is non-existent for individuals to complain that when they are in the process of procuring petroleum products, pump attendants cheat them in terms of not getting their money’s worth. The simple reason is because the Shareholders and Management of the company were business savvy to procure modern calibrated pumping machines which are installed at their various selling points and are very capable of churning out the exact quantity of what is demanded and the price to be paid. In this regard the company has bagged the covetous commendation of, “1st For Customer Care”.

As all of this is going on, a customer who has been with NP-SL for several years, Abdul Aziz Koroma, who is also a renowned Social Commentator, maintained that when it comes to customer care, NP-SL Ltd is second to none within the business landscape of this country.

“From what I so far learnt in order to conduct sales in a very transparent manner and to give customers their money’s worth, the Shareholders of the company decided to procure and install modern calibrated pumping machines at their various Filling Stations that are capable to pump the exact quantity of fuel, at the same time display the price and quantity,” he pointed out, adding that to even think that the pump attendants are cheating customers could only be a mere figment of one’s imagination, as anything like that is farfetched.

A Development Specialist of long standing intimated that for the country’s economy to grow sustainably it is but important to deepen local content further arguing that it is only when we make meaningful use of both our human and natural resources that development could transpire.

“Instead of depending on the importation of certain consumable items and foreign expatriates, it is but very significant and cost effective to make use of what we have at hand to produce goods and services,” Andrew Soluku, an Economist averred, also stating that for NP-SL Ltd to make it a laid down policy and put into practice to offer employment exclusively to Sierra Leoneans is indeed laudable and no mean feat.

He further underscored that by offering jobs to Sierra Leoneans is a way of empowering the citizenry to take care of daily responsibilities and live improved standards of living.

“I really doff my hat to the Shareholders of the company for actualizing such a high sense of patriotism,” he expressed admiration.

A vast majority of those interviewed revealed that they are using NP Gas for cooking purpose, maintaining that it is very efficient and environmentally friendly. The NP Gas that they referred to is a cooking device which is manufactured in different cylinder sizes and sold at affordable prices at the company’s Filling Stations. “I discovered that this device is very fast in terms of performance and is now going like hot cakes, as many are now going for it, especially when the gas that is used to refill it could be easily secured at various Filling Stations ,” Memunatu Forna, a business woman selling cooking utensils on Sani Abacha Street informed.

With regards the use of NP Smart Card, it is one that is now in vogue. Some personalities who are using it said they find it very useful and a convenient way of purchasing petroleum products. They added that they always ensure their NP Smart Cards are credited to be used to purchase fuel, be it petrol or diesel. “Sometimes I don’t have to go through the hassle of going to the Bank on a busy Friday afternoon to withdraw cash just for the purpose of purchasing fuel that will last throughout the weekend. I do procure petrol by using my Smart Card and it is working perfectly well,” Musa Kalokoh, an Engineer told one of our reporters.

Momodu Fofana stated that the company is really growing by leaps and bounds. “For NP-SL Ltd to successfully establish branches in neighbouring Guinea, Liberia, Ivory Coast and The Gambia is indeed no mean feat, especially when cognizance is taken of the fact that these branches are operating vibrantly,” he pointed out.

From what was so far gathered throughout the conducted random survey, it can be safely concluded that NP-SL Ltd is indeed a living testimony of a successful and thriving business entity that is contributing significantly to the socio-economic development of the nation and worthy of emulation.

AYV, Africell & Tourism Ministry to Host Miss Europe 2020

By Amin Kef Sesay

Lara Jalloh, Miss Europe 2020, will be visiting Sierra Leone this January where her father hailed from, to connect with her people, meet with family, and help to promote Sierra Leone’s tourism potentials globally.

As part of our continued efforts to promote Sierra Leone to the world through entertainment, AYV and Africell- with support from the Ministry of Tourism- have invited Lara Jalloh to Freetown where she will engage in some projects and work with Sierra Leoneans in the pageantry industry on possible collaboration and promotion.

Lara, who spent her childhood life in both Freetown and Conakry, Guinea, before relocating to France, says she is excited to visit the small West African country, the land of her father on her week-long tour.

Lara became the first African to wear the 350 thousand Euros worth crown after she was announced winner of the 63rd Edition of the Miss Europe pageant and the fifth under the Miss Europe Organization.

At the event that was held at the Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris in Paris, France, on December 22, 2020, Lara showcased her West African beauty, coupled with her eloquence and brilliance, to the astonishment of the Judges.

Deputy Information Minister Receives 2019 Annual Report from NATCOM

By Foday Moriba Conteh

On Monday 11th January 2021, the country’s regulator of the telecommunications sector in Sierra Leone, the National Telecommunication Commission (NATCOM) has presented its 2019 Annual Report to the Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Madam Mamadi Gobeh Kamara.

Presentation of the Annual Report  took place at the conference room of the Ministry of Information and Communications, 8th Floor, Youyi Building in Freetown.

Chairman of NATCOM, Ambassador Joe Blell, while doing the presentation said  their major responsibility is to regulate telecommunications sector and provide licenses for telecommunications operators and service providers, protect consumers’ interest and ensure fair competition among service providers.

He furthered that what they are doing is in line with the Commission’s mandate which clearly states in Section 9 (1) of the Telecommunications Act 2006 (as amended), that the Commission shall present an Annual Report to the Minister of Information and Communications for onward submission to Parliament.

Amb. Blell noted that the 2019 Annual Report highlight key corporate activities of the Commission particularly the telecommunications ecosystem and the public sector in an accountable and transparent manner.

He commended the Minister and his Deputy for their support over the years and assured them of continued cordial relationship.

The Director General of the National Telecommunications Commission, Daniel Kaitibi, revealed that the last time NATCOM presented an annual report to the Ministry was in 2012 which is about 7 or more years ago.

He maintained that what they are doing is in line with the Telecommunications Act of 2006 (as amended) and that they will continue to work in line with the Act to the letter.

“This is a new NATCOM with renewed zeal and determination to work for the people of Sierra Leone and to ensure that MNOs work within the ambit of the law and  are properly regulated,” he said, adding that he appreciate the support from the Minister of Information and his Deputy and assure them of their continued collaboration.

Receiving the report, the Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Madam Mamadi Gobeh Kamara, commended the leadership of NATCOM for their relentless efforts in putting such a document together.

He disclosed that the last time the Ministry received an Annual Report from NATCOM was in 2012. She described the direction taken by NATCOM as the right direction under the new direction leadership of President Julius Maada Bio.

“I know a lot have happened in the telecommunications sector in terms of changing the narrative; I urge you to continue in that direction and assure you of the Ministry’s continued support”, she said.

Madam Gobeh Kamara assured the leadership of NATCOM that the Ministry will ensure that the NATCOM 2019 Annual Report is presented to Parliament as provided for in the Telecommunications Act of 2006 (as amended).

ACC Engages Stakeholders in the East

By Theresa Kef Sesay

The Deputy Commissioner and Operations Coordinator of the Anti-Corruption Commission, respectively, on the 9th January 2021 updated section of members of the Media, Civil Society and Religious Leaders at the ACC Kenema Regional Office on the gains of the ACC, challenges, key activities in 2020 and plans for 2021.

The move was made in line with the ACC’s quest to keep Sierra Leoneans up to speed with its activities and in tandem with Section 5 Subsection 2 of the Anti-Corruption Act 2008, as amended in 2019 which stipulates that the Commissioner shall account to the people of Sierra Leone for the conduct of the national campaign against corruption,

Welcoming participants to the meeting, ACC’s Regional Manager East, Keifala Koi, said, partnership and teamwork are very fundamental to the fight as their proactive nature enables them to access crucial corruption related information and intelligence.

In his detailed but comprehensive presentation, Augustine Foday Ngobie, Deputy Commissioner ACC informed participants of the monumental and breath-taking gains the ACC recorded in the fight against corruption in 2020.

On the specific achievements, Mr. Ngobie catalogued the recovery of Billions of Leones and Assets, the consistent and progressive strides in the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC’s) control of corruption indicator, the high rate of convictions, and the proactive and precision manner it is addressing issues in the Audit Reports, effective implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS), 2019-2023, and the pleasant and favorable rankings in international and local Perception Surveys to name but a few.

Concerns of the recent Audit Report on NaCOVERC operations were quickly addressed by the Deputy Commissioner who assured all that the two Reports were been carefully dissected and  all those found wanting will be dealt with decisively without fear or favor.

He furthered that the ACC has already recovered over Le 220 Million Leones from persons who flouted procurement regulations in the purchase of 47 Laptops and personal high-end gadgets, representing in full the price variation of the items.

Sierra Leoneans should be proud of the positive results the Commission is recording and we promise not to disappoint the nation he stressed.

Speaking at the engagement, ACC’s Coordinator of Operations, Emmanuel Koivaya Amara Esq., stated that the Commission do not only has the mandate to fight corruption but is also accountable to the people of Sierra Leone.

He stated that the Ben Keifala administration has withdrawn from the textbook approach of fighting corruption and is now employing the Non Conviction Based Asset Recovery as a new strategic approach that has led to a massive recovery of stolen money and other physical assets from corrupt Sierra Leoneans, adding that the recovered monies will be utilized for the entire citizenry.

With the mantra “Bring back the People’s Money”, Mr. Amara reassured the audience of the Commission’s use of the Sierra Leone’s method of fighting corruption which further mandates the Commission to run after the looters with aggression and professionalism.

The people of Sierra Leone are in dire need of money and the Commission will go after those who loot from the people, he emphasized.

Referring to corruption as the biggest human rights issue, the Coordinator of Operations appealed to participants to be vigilant and always report corruption to the Commission for the fight to be won.

Comments, suggestions and questions formed the high point of the interaction.

Orange Money Shoki Love Gives Out Le97m to 10 Subscribers

By Edward Vamboi

One of the appendages of the foremost telecommunications service providers in the country, Orange Money Sierra Leone, has continued to change the lives of its numerous and esteemed subscribers with its Shoki Money Love Promotion weekly draw.

As of Saturday 9th, January 2021, it dished out a total of  97million of Leones to 10 lucky winners right across the country during its fifth edition draw which was aired live on SLBC TV in Freetown and was hosted by Martha of Orange SL and Saio, the Comedian.

The Orange Money Shoki Love promotion was part of the company’s end of year promotions that is offering 3 billion Leones and 5 brand new cars to their lucky customers.

Saturday 9th lucky winners came from different parts of the country and were as follows:  Ebby from Kissy Road who won 12 million Leones, Mohamed from Sarola(Kissy) winning 8 million Leones, Ummu from Fergusson Street who won 5 million Leones, Abdul from Kailahun who won 10 million Leones ,Aminata from Kabala town winning 5 million Leones, Abubakarr from Moyamba who won 4 million Leones, Yeano from Kenema  who won 4 million Leones, Bakaar from Bo winning 18 million Leones ,Fulla from Kono who won 3 million Leones, Zainabu from Kabala won 18 million Leones.

The ultimate winner who bagged the fourth brand new car was one Ishmael, a student from Njala University, Bo Campus

Orange SL is one of the reliable telecommunication companies in the country that cares for its subscribers and is very determined to change the lives of its customers in order to vail them improved standards of living.

It is against such a backdrop that the company decided to launch the promotion with the strong conviction that it will be helpful during this difficult COVID-19 period in the country.

Therefore subscribers are encouraged to grab the opportunity in order to do transactions using Orange Money which will qualify them to win the Le 3 Billion worth of prizes on a weekly basis including 5 cars to be won as a grand prize at the end of the promotion.

For subscribers to qualify for the draw in order to win these attractive prizes from the weekly draw, they must be registered with Orange Money and also do transactions using Orange Money by sending money, cashing in, paying for EDSA or DSTV, buy airtime or data bundles from 15th October to January 2020 which will put them at the advantageous position to get chances to win those attractive prizes.

Njala University Bags Le 2.2Bn Windfall to Improve Quality Training Programs

By Ralph Sesay (PRO Njala University)

The Acting Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Njala University, Professor Osman Sankoh (Mallam O.) has on Thursday 7th January 2021 signed a grant of two billion, two hundred million Leones from the World Bank/Sierra Leone Government Skills Development Fund Project.

Just after the signing ceremony, Mallam O.  applauded Professor Richards Wadsworth, Research and Development Director, Njala University, the team at the School of Natural Resources Management for moving swiftly to design achievable project objectives that met the demands of the World Bank.

He recounted that the acquisition of the Skills Development Grant will better position Njala University to address the livelihood and agricultural challenges of the host communities and beyond in Mushroom production.

The Skills Development Fund is a credit from the World Bank aimed at increasing access to a demand-led skills development system in Sierra Leone.

The Grant will support Njala University and several training institutions to improve the relevance and quality of their training programs by introducing short term Diploma Courses for out of School drop-outs and unemployed youths with greater emphasis on girls and PWD’s.

Project-Lead and Head of Horticulture Department, School of Natural Resources, Dr. Peter Dennis Musa disclosed that the Grant will support a Project Titled ‘’Empowerment of Youths and other Vulnerable Populations with Skills in Mushroom Cultivation’’

“The cultivation of Mushrooms in Sierra Leone is challenged by the availability of viable spores which are considered as the planting materials for the cultivation of mushrooms. This project is expected to provide laboratory facilities that will facilitate the easy production of spores that can help the cultivation of mushroom in Sierra Leone,’’ Dr. Musa pointed out.

He went further to note that his Department, as part of the project deliverables, will host a four-month Diploma program in spores production; inoculation techniques of compost and other substrate materials and cultivation and processing techniques of Mushroom.

The Grant will also support Njala University with the requisite infrastructure to promote teaching, learning, and research by providing laboratory facilities, greenhouse, equipment and also support the training of staff and technicians in the Department of Horticulture. This will provide opportunities to train staff working in NGOs that are engaged in vegetable production.

Lands Ministry Clears the Air Over Land Fracas

By Amin Kef Sesay

In its 11th January 2021 Press Release captioned, “Unauthorised and Illegal Construction on a State Land along the Hill Side Bye Pass Road Going Towards the Kissy Road Cemetery” and signed by Israel B.K Jigba- Permanent Secretary, Tamba Dauda- Acting Director of Surveys and Lands, Augustine Kai Banya- Director of Housing and Country Planning, the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning revealed how it was notified about an illegal construction along the Hill Side Bye Pass Road on Wednesday 30th December 2020.

It furthered that the Ministry informed the relevant authorities, including the Police, for a stop work of any construction activity on the land.

“The Minister, Dr. Denis Sandy and some technical staff of the Ministry then made a follow up visit to the site on Friday 31st December, 2020 where the Minister in particular was assaulted and water splashed on him by persons placed on the land by the occupant,” the Release continued adding that the Minister requested that the relevant documents be produced for verification by the Ministry.

The Lands Ministry pointed out that those documents till date are yet to be submitted to the Ministry.

It also informed that the Deputy Minister, Mr. Rex Bonapha, visited the site on Monday 4th January, 2021 and was also attacked by youth in possession of stones, sticks, knives, machetes, etc, in full support of the Police and Military personnel illegally deployed on the land.

It said the situation was fuelled by Councilor Abu and other opposition stakeholders who wanted to mislead the public about the situation.
The Ministry said it wants to inform the general public that the deployment of those security personnel on the said land was not to its knowledge because their deployment on this State land did not come from the Ministry.

“It then took the necessary action to have the military men illegally deployed on the land arrested and handed over to RSLAF personnel for further action,” the Release pointed out.

The Lands Ministry concluded that the Police too have been withdrawn from the scene with firm instructions from the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Lahai Lawrence Leema) adding how the Ministry has instructed for all construction activities on the land to cease with immediate effect until the land documents are produced to the Ministry for verification.

NP-SL Occupies a Special Place in the Minds of its Numerous Customers

By Amin Kef Sesay

One of the dominant companies that have been making steady progress, growing by leaps and bounds within the business landscape of this country is indisputably the National Petroleum-Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd). It is widely acknowledged that the company has dominated the petroleum trade in the country based on 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.

Being an indigenous company that cherish its numerous customers, NP-SL Ltd, over the years, has placed high premium on customer care, which it has effectively rolled out over the years to such an extent that it has earned 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 capability 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 business entity 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!

NCRA to Commence Issuance of Identity Cards Very Soon

By Amin Kef Sesay

The hue and cry by majority of Sierra Leoneans that became so loud recently and was amplified by this medium over the delay in the   issuance of National Identity Cards for citizens and non-citizens resident in Sierra Leone by the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) has finally been laid to rest as the institution has ultimately stated its position on the issue. The position stated by the institution is indeed a clear indication that the NCRA had not and is still not resting on its oars but rather assiduously working towards the fulfilment of its mandate.

In an interview that was granted by the Director General of NCRA, Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi, he sincerely intimated that the institution was on the verge of convening a Press Conference to intimate the general public about how far the institution has gone in rolling out plans or strides that will lead to the issuance of ID Cards, but coincidently it happened that unfortunately there were certain social media publications that created the impression that the institution is not equal to the task.

The NCRA Director General furthered that the procurement process and other critical preparations leading to the production of a Multi-purpose National Identity Card as well as ECOWAS Compliant Identity Cards have commenced and are in line with the Public Procurement Regulations including International best practices.

“Currently, adverts are out using International Competitive Bidding method requesting Firms with competence in the production and management of securitized Identity Cards both physical and digital for consideration,” he revealed adding how the NCRA has at its request received professional guidance from ECOWAS, the UN and the EU Identity Management Expert on the design and specification of standard Identification Cards consistent with international standards.

The Director General, who has a wealth of experience in data collection and its related disciplines, explained that as a temporary measure, the NCRA issues Certificate of Registration and Citizenship to citizens and other residents at no cost to allow them to transact their normal businesses without hindrance.

“This is a way to assuage any challenge residents may face in transacting business for lack of Identity Cards,” he underscored.

He continued by stating that the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Finance, is committed to providing support for the decentralized Production and Issuance of Multi-purpose National ID Cards for citizens and non-citizens as well as ECOWAS compliant ID Cards that will be issued on demand to the travelling population.

The highly busy NCRA Boss, who is said to be a workaholic and result-oriented personality by his peers, said he and by extension the NCRA is encouraging members of the public to continue to exercise patience as Identity Cards are “security documents” that if not managed well, can expose a nation and its people to security threats associated with and constitutes human trafficking, money laundering, terrorism, fraud, identity manipulation among others.

He assured that the NCRA is committed to providing Civil Registration and Identity services that befits the people of Sierra Leone as mandated by the NCR Act of 2016 and conforms with international standards.

Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi noted that they are encouraging citizens and other residents to make themselves visible for Government to account for them (their existence and permanent legal exit – death) through the registration of their vital events that includes Births, Deaths, Marriages, Divorces, Adoptions and Nullities.

He reiterated that overhauling a system that was nearly dysfunctional cannot be done overnight especially with regards putting all the necessary infrastructure and gadgets together relating to the issuance of ID Cards underscoring that what they are working towards achieving is the production of a comprehensive ID Card that will capture an individual’s Bio Data contrary to the ordinary ID Card that was formerly produced.

“It is complex process than what used to obtain which is why it is important for citizens and non-citizens to understand that the NCRA is meticulously doing its job so that at the end of the day we will all have ID Cards that will stand the test of time and used to serve multi-purposes,” he maintained adding that their doors are always open to the public for enquiries or clarifications.

He argued that there is no way one can rule out the negative impact COVID-19 is having on their work as some of the stakeholders they are closely collaborating with are nationals of countries that the pandemic has seriously affected. “Even some of the infrastructure that are key to our work must be imported but with the prevalence of COVID-19 things have slowed down,” he pointed out stating that he is not making an excuse but laying the fact bare.

He once more called on members of the public to continue to exercise patience assuring that very soon everything will be in place.

In another engagement on Radio Democracy 98.1, the NCRA Director General, Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi, informed Sierra Leoneans that if all goes well the institution will start to issue Identity Cards by June this year.

The mandate of NCRA, according to the 2016 Act, is to register all citizens and non-citizens resident in Sierra Leone. In addition, NCRA is to register all vital events (including Births, Deaths, Marriages, Adoptions, Nullities and Separations) on a Continuous, Permanent, Compulsory and Universal basis at the chiefdom and ward levels across the country.

As stipulated in the Act, the use of the data is to generate a National Identification Number (NIN) for every citizen and non-citizen resident in Sierra Leone and to issue the National Identity Card.

Govt. Can’t Reduce Poverty Without Prioritizing Rural Agriculture

By Amin Kef Sesay

The long-term reduction of hunger and poverty remains one of the great challenges for the International development community and Governments of poor developing countries like Sierra Leone whose food import bill relative to its revenue remains too high year after year.

This must be seen in the light that poverty is predominately rural and that majority of the poor people live in rural areas and are dependent on food production through farming or livestock keeping for most of their livelihood.

Given Agriculture’s central role in the economy, can agriculture play a major role in poverty alleviation? How can the Government’s role in poverty reduction be enhanced?

What could be done to boost agricultural production, economic growth and the incomes of the rural poor to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals especially that of cutting poverty in half?

World market prices for major food commodities such as grains, vegetable oils and dairy products are at an historic high, more than 60% above the levels two years ago.

One cannot ignore the dramatic impact these rising trends in food prices has on the poorest of the poor. Under these circumstances, it is increasingly asked what role agriculture plays in alleviating poverty.

As such, The Calabash took time off at the end of 2020 to take a refreshing trip to the provinces and to see with fresh eyes what the people’s greatest development need is. What was clearly seen was that the majority of rural people remain poor and can barely afford one square meal a day. The Calabash did not need any specialist knowledge to discern that poverty and hunger in the rural areas are closely related with lack of employment opportunities and low agricultural due to lack of capital resources including skills.

In the area of development economics, the view that a productive agriculture is critical for employment creation and poverty reduction remains valid. The recent food price spike has brought a realization that more needs to be done to strengthen agriculture.

With world food prices high, and the trade and policy environment much more favorable to agriculture, the argument for Government and the private sector to commit more resources to agriculture becomes very compelling if poverty reduction is to be actualized.

The literature on poverty reduction continues to confirm the continuing importance of agricultural development for poverty reduction. Here are five take-away.

Growth in agriculture is more effective at reducing poverty than an equivalent amount of growth generated in other sectors.

The effects on poverty reduction of agriculture are largest for the poorest in society; as over 70 percent of rural dwellers are peasant low earning farmers. Trade and transport services which are related to agriculture have poverty to growth elasticities closer to those of agriculture, and those for manufacturing, especially agro-processing, can at times even exceed them.

Contrarily, the poverty-reducing effects of mining, finance, and business and Government services are much more limited. Productivity growth in trade and transport services can have both direct linkages to the poor, but also indirect ones.

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