One of Sierra Leone’s important projects in the country, Bumbuna II hydropower has taken another dimension as Electrification Financing Initiative, ElectricFi, commits US$3.5 million of development capital to finance 50% of the external development expenses needed to reach financial close of the 143MW project.

Joule Africa, the project sponsor, signed a 25-year PPA with the Government of Sierra Leone in August 2017 and selected a preferred EPC contractor to construct the project in. Mandated Lead Arrangers for the debt finance will be selected by Joule Africa shortly and construction is scheduled to begin by the end of 2019.

“We are delighted to have secured the support of ElectriFI at this critical stage of development as we ramp up to finalise the financing and start construction. Our team is now focused on completing the remaining activities so that the construction of this important project can begin,” said Andrew Cavaghan, Founder and Executive Chairman of Joule Africa Limited. “When complete, Bumbuna II will provide much-needed, affordable, reliable and clean power for the masses where access to electricity is currently under 20%.”

“Bumbuna II is crucial for the Government of Sierra Leone to stimulate its energy sector and support its economic growth strategy,” added Dominiek Deconinck, ElectriFI Fund Manager. “Bumbuna II will double the national generation capacity; indirectly encourage investments in transmission and distribution network; and allow the Government to show it is capable of managing large international infrastructure investments such as this.

“Joule Africa has demonstrated its capabilities as a professional, dedicated project developer, taking its role seriously, in particular by urging the adequacy of capacity in the Government and by pursuing net gains for the communities and the environment affected by the Project.”

Ombudsman, Leon Jenkins-Johnson, on Tuesday 15th January 2019, released statistics for the year 2018 at their office on Howe Street in Freetown. Doing so he revealed the theme for the statistics which is, “Improving the Delivery of Service, to Enhance Administrative Justice and Safeguard Human Rights.”
It was reported that the Office of the Ombudsman received 519 complaints from across the country furthering how the Freetown office received 264 complaints of which 143 were mediated, investigated and resolved. Fifty complaints were transferred to the appropriate institution, and 71 cases are still under investigation. In Kenema, there were 47 complaints and nine of those complaints were mediated, investigated and resolved.
19 complaints were transferred to the appropriate institution and 19 complaints are still under investigation. In Bo, there were 111 complaints of which 53 were mediated, investigated and resolved. 37 complaints were referred to the appropriate institution and 21 complaints were still being investigated.
In Makeni-Northern Region, there were 52 complaints of which 23 were mediated, investigated and resolved, and 20 complaints were referred to the appropriate institution. In Port Loko, North West Region, a total of 45 complaints were received with 25 mediated, investigated and resolved. 20 of those complaints are still under investigation.
The complaints ranged from non-payment of salaries or benefits, late payment of gratuities and pensions from NASSIT, wrongful dismissal, bias and unfair treatment, harassment, and other issues relating to “maladministration.” The Ombudsman said for 2019 he plans effective prison and correctional center monitoring. The Ombudsman said prisoners across the country are being mistreated. Unlawful arrest and detention of persons across the country, he said, has become the norm. He said the Police have to realize that Section 23(1) of the 1991 Constitution is very clear on the freedom of citizens that should be guaranteed. He also mentioned the poor attitude by MDAs in not responding to letters written on behalf of complainants. He also said he wants to monitor “some of the ugly things that are happening at the higher institutions of learning”.

The National Assets and Government Property Commission was at State House the 16 January 2019 to present its Status Report for 2018 to His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio in accordance with Section 6 of the Commission’s Act of 1990.

Chairman of the Commission, Abu Hindolo Moseray, said the 2018 report covered major activities the Commission had undertaken since his appointment six months ago. He said the Commission had tried to improve on the corporate image of the Commission through public sensitisation and collaboration with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAS).

He said the first phase of the report would provide an overview of the existing situation of the management of assets by MDAs for the period under review, with the implementation of a proposed project. He added that they had been working with MDAs to develop a National Assets Policy and compile a comprehensive National Assets Register with an integrated software.

“The Commission is collaborating with line Ministries to develop a national data-base of Government Vehicles and Real Estate. This is to establish mechanisms for the responsible use of government vehicles and transparent leasing of state lands, allocation and acquisition of real estate. The report also details the prospects and challenges facing the need to collaborate with these MDAs.

“The Commission believes that with this proposed project and the strengthened collaboration with MDAs, transparency and accountability in the handling of government’s assets and properties will considerably improve in the years ahead. The misuse, abuse and the seeming impunity with which government’s properties and assets are being abused will be a thing of the past,” he assured.

In his brief response, President Bio thanked the leadership of the Commission for their hard work and for putting the report together, saying that there had been challenges in accounting for what belonged to the State. He stated that with the confidence reposed in him, the leadership of the Commission was expected to provide a comprehensive national asset register so that government could properly account for state properties.

“I want to encourage you together with all the other MDAs to cooperate so that we can have the National Assets Register as soon as possible. As a Government that is particularly interested in probity, accountability and transparency, we want to be able, at the end of the day, to account for what belongs to the State, manage and account for everything that belongs to the state,” he said.

What the All Political Parties Association has observed about the nation’s politics is the hard fact – nothing but the whole truth – Salone is not peaceful; Salone is not united; Salone is at war with itself politically.
We agree with President Bio that we have a collective responsibility to maintain the peace and stability of our great nation.
However, we do not believe that setting up a Peace and Reconciliation Commission is the answer to the problem. Did former President Koroma not set up an Attitudinal and Behaviorial Change Commission to actualize his vision of a cultured, progressive Salone? What did it achieve?
What is known is that everything starts in the mind. Any move towards bringing peace and unity into the nation has to start with the mind. Totangi’s Commission was set up to be the harbinger of a new thinking Salone. He is yet to get his head around the problem and devise an active well-articulated approach to the problem of getting Sierra Leoneans across the board beyond tribe, region and traditional prejudices about each other talking sincerely and openly about their defects as a nation and how they can go about building a more constructively engaged nation of people that truly believe that they are, indeed, ONE COUNTRY, ONE PEOPLE.
Agreed, that as President Bio said in his New Year’s Day message to the Nation: “The aim is to promote cross-community and cross-regional unity, and consensus building for sustainable peace and development.”
Let us be honest: how can we achieve that when both APC and SLPP continue to hold doggedly to their traditional belief that North/West and South/East should never sit at the same table to dine and wine without trading evil looks, “mammy cuss” and blows?
The traditional and religious leaders and the institutions of enculturation, that is the schools, colleges and universities stand to play a vital transformational role in creating a new Sierra Leonean mentality and mindset that will bring us closer together in understanding and sympathy if they too had not become part of the problem by identifying themselves as either pro-APC or pro-SLPP.
Call a spade a spade: there is no true national dialogue going on in this country. We all continue to occupy different sides of the stadium looking menacingly at each other through tribal, regional and political binoculars with no fair independent minded referee watching keenly for fouls and other violations of the rules of the game and willing to punish players accordingly for flagrant violations.
Look for example at what happened in Parliament during the debate for setting up the COIs which one side hypocritically says it supports but fought tooth and nail to prevent it from becoming a reality. How then, for example, can we say that as a nation we are united in the fight against corruption and bad governance when some wholeheartedly believe in its opposite – and at that, a significant proportion of the population as witnessed to be the representation of APC in Parliament.
As such, the first step towards creating the atmosphere for genuine national peace is constructive political engagements among and between all the country’s political Parties with a view to truly identifying what our core values as a nation are.
We do agree that in this quest for true national peace that is the precondition to enhancing national development that benefits every citizen, we must dig deep into our cultural past to discover what our true human and social values are and beyond that communicate it to each and every Sierra Leonean as the Chinese did in the process of discovering themselves and coming together for attaining of the common good of freeing themselves from poverty, illiteracy, etc.
In which light, the search for national peace is not so much about preventing violence; it is most importantly about stopping us seeing ourselves suspiciously and prejudicially. It is about identifying what strong bonds we can share as human beings beyond tribe, race, region and politics – these are the things that make for peace and nationhood. That is what Botswana identified long ago, and what Rwanda identified after the genocide and incorporated into their DNAs and social makeup that make them stand out now today to the rest of the world as beacons of patriotism and progress.

It has been well confirmed by the Sierra Leone diplomatic mission in Nairobi, which also serves as permanent representative to the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) has that its staff and all Sierra Leoneans based in the Kenyan capital are safe and sound.
This confirmation was made by His Excellency Peter Joseph Francis- Sierra Leone High Commissioner to Kenya and Permanent Representative to the UNON, UNEP and UN-Habitat, during an exclusive phone call interview in the evening hours of Tuesday 15th January 2019.
The confirmation of the HE Peter Joseph Francis of the safety of Sierra Leonean diplomats and Sierra Leonean citizens in Nairobi comes as Kenyan authorities mounted massive security in its capital- Nairobi after suspected al-Shabab militants attack at Dusit D2 Hotel, 14 Riverside Drive, Westlands, Nairobi, killing five (5) people and three (3) causalities currently admitted at the Age Kahn Hospital in Nairobi.
Meanwhile, according to a Kenyan Nation Police Service release dated Tuesday 15th January 2019, and signed by the Inspector General, Joseph Boinnet, at about 3pm EAT (12pm GMT) “a group of armed assailants attacked the Dusit complex in a suspected terror attack.”
On his efforts thus far in checking on and ensuring the safety of Sierra Leoneans in Nairobi, HE Peter Joseph Francis said sooner he got the information of the attack; he got the entire staff of Sierra Leonean High Commission in Nairobi in a single building that is electronically protected.
HE Peter Joseph Francis further confirmed that the Deputy Sierra Leone Special Representative to the United Nation (UN) in New York, Madam Victoria Sulaiman who was attending the UN meeting on the Environment, was in his residence at 158 Mimosa Drive off Mimosa Road, Runda, Nairobi, doing fine.
HE Peter Joseph Francis said, however, he was worried about the welfare of a single Sierra Leonean whose office is said to be in the same building that was attacked. Upon reaching the family of the man, HE Peter Joseph Francis said the family assured him that the Sierra Leonean is currently out of Nairobi and is currently in Uganda on another assignment.
Thus he said, so far every Sierra Leonean in Nairobi is safe and sound and that the Sierra Leone High Commission, situated at 57 Gigiri Court off UN Crescent, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya, has already resumed operation.
So far, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta during a statement relating to the attack on the morning hours of Wednesday 17th January 2019 from Nairobi said 14 people were killed and about 75 others rescued from the hotel. He said, the operation is over and that the militants have been neutralized.
President Uhuru Kenyatta during his televised broadcast thanked all Kenyans and international community for the robust and prompt action and the solidarity they show in combating the attack. He assured of safety for all.

The Sierra Leone Muslim Congress and the Forum of Islamic Organisation for Peaceful Coexistence have commended His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio, on his pledge to fight corruption.

Secretary-General of the Congress, Professor Babatunde Karim, said they were pleased with the initial steps to move the country forward by the New Direction government. He pointed out that the free quality education initiative was a testament to the Government’s commitment to improving the lives of every Sierra Leone child.

He commended the President for his steps in unifying the country as well as his determination to ending corruption in the country, adding that they were fully in support of the Commission of Inquiry. He noted that the Commission was actually meant to recover stolen government monies and assets and encouraged the Government to remain focus and avoid being distracted by sycophants.

“We are particularly delighted for all the strides you have made in this short time in office. We are happy with the management of the 2018 Holy Pilgrimage, which is the best we have seen so far and we hope that the years to come will be better. We are also grateful for your prompt actions taken on Muslim holidays.

“We are again excited about the ban on parading of masquerades not only on Muslim holidays but also on all Holy days. There is also an urgent need for more cemeteries within Freetown so it will be good to engage the Ministry of Lands to provide land to reduce the pressure on the already saturated burial sites within Freetown.”

Chairman of the Forum of Islamic Organisation for Peaceful Coexistence, Justice Abubakarr King, said the forum was ready to supplement the efforts of the Government to positively transform the country. He said, as Muslims, they were pleased with the level of tolerance between the two main religions in the country.
He also lauded the President’s readiness to fight corruption and expressed their excitement for the ban on all non-Islamic activities on the streets of Freetown, especially stopping masquerades on Muslim holidays. He said he was particularly happy with Government’s uncompromising position against rape and violence against women.

“We are happy for the Commission of Inquiry and believe that there is no element of a witch-hunt in it. We are fully behind it and our entire membership will support the process until the end. We commend you for the free quality education which is an initiative no one has thought of. Before now, quality education was for the rich. Under your leadership, it is now affordable,” he said.

In his response, President Bio said it was great meeting with members of the Muslim community. He said Muslims were in the greater majority in the country and that it was needful to provide them with the conducive environment to carry out their practice freely. He added that he was able to organise a successful Pilgrimage because of the credible people who were assigned to lead the process.

“We have to celebrate our religious tolerance because it contributes to the peace and security of the world. We need to live in peace and the Government will support your organisation to promote peaceful coexistence. We have to work with other religions for the peace of our nation. We should discourage any group of individuals that will want to bring chaos in our religions,” he said.

On the Commission of Inquiry, the President added that: “Before now, we had been rated as one of the most corrupt nations in the world. Now, that is beginning to change. The Commission of Inquiry is a way of cleaning our image and it will serve as a deterrent to even some of us in government now. So, we want the support of all because we cannot do it alone,” he urged.

When President Koroma launched his ‘Agenda for Prosperity’, to ensure its successful implementation, he signed performance contracts with his Ministers, telling them and heads of public agencies at a presidential retreat that delivery of this new agenda must not fail.
“The targets we set in the Agenda for Prosperity will be directly aligned to the Performance Contracts that I will sign with Ministers. My election as President was an act of performance contract signing with my employers – the people of this great nation. I must fulfil the objectives of my employment,” President Koroma affirmed.
In 2007 when he was first elected to office, President Koroma promised the people of Sierra Leone that his period in office will be marked by a new style of governance.
He said, “the key values and principles that will drive this Government and party are: transparency, openness, probity and accountability”.
To ensure that the management of all organs of state and public institutions are consistent with these values, the President said he will not only sign performance contracts with all Ministers, heads of departments and agencies, but most importantly – will publish an annual performance report.
The people of Sierra Leone are yet to see those annual performance reports – telling the people of Sierra Leone how well his Ministers are doing.
In order to achieve this, President Koroma pinned his hopes on his ministers and heads of departments to help translate his new Agenda for Prosperity into reality.
Many believe that had the President published the 2010 report on Ministers’ performance, he would have gone down in the history of Sierra Leone as the first leader to deliver what he promised.
They say that by entrusting the process in the hands of a selected few civil servants, without a broad-based national consultation – was a big mistake, and fell far short of development policy formulation best practice.
Speaking to Ministers and the Agenda for Prosperity Think-Tank at the retreat, President Koroma said:
“Many of you here present will recall that on assumption of office in 2007, I invited Ministers, Deputy Ministers, Heads of Government Agencies and other stakeholders to a retreat at Bumbuna where I outlined my priorities for my first term in office. Following the Bumbuna Retreat, we firmed up the aspirations of our people into the Agenda for Change.”
But President Koroma failed to mention that he and his APC party did not formulate that Agenda for Change.
The Agenda for Change was hurriedly put together by Tony Blair’s advisers, after Koroma had won the 2007 elections, using the country’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper 1 document; hence Ministers were unable to take ownership and deliver such an ambitious development program.
At his second inauguration in 2013, President Koroma said: “Drawing from the aspirations made known during the conference and determined to continue the transformation unleashed by the Agenda for Change, my Party and I, campaigned on the platform of ensuring greater transformation; we vowed to do more when re-elected; and we committed ourselves to implementing an Agenda for Prosperity.”
“With this retreat, we are continuing the process of firming up the promises we made during the elections; we are moving forward with the aspirations for the nation to become a middle income country; we are using the Agenda for Prosperity as the first five year road map towards achieving this goal.”
President Koroma told his Ministers; “If we are to become a middle-income country by 2035, we have to address the challenges. We must do more to bring down the poverty levels, reduce unemployment amongst youths and continue with the transformation in the health sector to further reduce infant mortality rates.”
“This time around, we want to ensure that the revenues from natural resources are properly managed and are utilised for the benefit of present and future generations. To that end, we will be establishing a Transformation Development Fund from the proceeds of our natural resources,” he went on.
Reminding Ministers of the important role they will play in achieving his Agenda for Prosperity, President Koroma said:
“It is important to note that we must all put greater emphasis on committed and regular collaboration and coordination among all Ministries, Departments and Agencies.”

The Chairman of the Sierra Leone Premier League Board, Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai Esq has unequivocally intimated fans that he is determined and poised to revitalize and reawake the country’s national league kick starts commencing 27th January after some 4 year lull. This disclosure was made by no person less than the Chairman of the Sierra Leone Premier League Board, the erudite Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai Esq. In an exclusive interview with this medium it was made known that Government has provided 2 billion Leones to revitalize the Premier league and clubs are reforming by registering as companies all having variable bank accounts with the effective executive.
Though the ban on the participation of Sierra Leone in any international competition is still in force, the Chairman believes that this is the time to tap the resources and talents of its youths playing in the various football clubs. The Chairman maintained that in a bid to create jobs for the youths, especially those involve in football and other aspiring young talents, they have engaged the various teams and have arrived at a decision that the players should be held on contract basis like their counterparts in the other countries including those seen in the international clubs. Modalities were worked out for each player to be paid on a monthly basis. This, he said, will help to motivate the players to give their best.
Speaking to the Board Member and Communications Director of the Sierra Leone Premier League, Alhaji Komba, he reiterated the stance of Chairman Saffa Abdulai that the players need to be cared for. He also disclosed that since the ban is still in force effectively preventing Sierra Leone from taking part in any international competition, it is the view of the Board that this league, which is scheduled to kick start on the 27th of January, will present the much needed opportunity to assess the players and get a very good squad for any football engagement after the ban is lifted. It will further create jobs for them as they will be paid on a monthly basis. Saffa Abdulai earlier maintained that the Board has been engaged in the reformation of football in the country and during this process they were able to impress on the clubs that each player should be on contract as it will motivate them and will provide a source of income for them unlike the had-hock situation that existed before. In this regard the seed money provided for the clubs can be used as a start to pay the players. Players will now be properly cared for by their respective clubs.
Alhaji Komba further disclosed that this is a reawakening of football in the country. Following the dismal performances of the national team in the international scene before the ban, many citizens have been calling on the Association to go back to the drawing board and restructure the football in the country. This, he stressed, the Board through its Chairman, has been able to do. It was also disclosed that certain football promoters are willing to spot out talents which could be improved for international signings. The Premier League, he maintained, will follow the calendar of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) which ends in June/July.
Enthused by this revelation, football loving Sierra Leoneans say that this is a welcome development and lauded the Chairman for taking the initiative to ensure that the players benefit from their associations with any club. This, they maintained, will be create the requisite atmosphere for football to thrive in the country, as seen in international clubs across the world. They praised Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai for bringing back the premier League and creating the opportunity for youths to grow. They expressed hope for the development of a better football family in the country devoid of all sentiments but that of the progress of the game in the country and the ability of the national team to win International laurels.

In countrywide interviews conducted by this writer alongside other news medium in order to gauge the views of the vast majority of Sierra Leoneans relating to what they think about the relevance of the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) vis-à-vis overall national development, what came out clearly were positive commendations for the result-oriented business entity.

Most proudly and enthusiastically expressed the view that without any iota of doubt that SLBL had and will still continue to meaningfully contribute to national growth and better still putting monies in the pockets of many, virtually improving standards of living.

SLBL is the country’s leading brewer of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages such as Guinness, Star Beer, Salone Beer, Mutzig, Maltina etc which are cherished by many from different walks of life. The company has been in operations from a very long period of time and over the years contributed greatly to the nation’s economy.

“There is no iota of doubt that the company is rated as one of the best and manufactures high qualitative drinks which many will agree are the favorites of Sierra Leoneans and foreigners,” Sam Pratt opined during a frank discussion in a popular entertainment spot where this medium caught up with him adding that the variety of drinks are most times sold at bottom rock prices.

In a business related discussion with distributors, who are wholesalers, the majority contacted confidently intimated that doing business with SLBL is very reliable, profitable furthering how they have provided auxiliary job opportunities for some young people within their respective localities. “I have been doing business with SLBL for over ten years and thank to the Almighty my life has been changed in the positive direction,” Brian, an established dealer informed furthering that nothing will stop him from doing business with the company.

SLBL is highly appreciated for offering employment to many youths especially those residing within the Wellington Industrial area where the company is located thereby fulfilling one of its vital Corporate Social Responsibility. Besides, the company has been widely acclaimed for facilitating various development projects and promotions that continue to considerably improve the standards of living of Sierra Leoneans.

In terms of the payment of taxes the company has been very compliant in a timely manner and such huge taxes is availing Government the necessary resources to undertake national projects in different parts of the country.

Some bar owners showered praises on SLBL for beautifying their bars through availing them appropriate furniture creating an atmosphere for customers to comfortably relax and enjoy themselves especially during the evening hours and in weekend out at beaches. “I want to doff my hat to SLBL for rolling out such an initiative which has really ease the burden on us to purchase relaxation chairs as well as tables where our esteemed customers put their drinks,” Santigie Koroma, a well-known bar owner in Waterloo expressed gratitude.

“One cannot deny the indisputable fact that SLBL is one company that has demonstrated the tendency as an entity that is here to stay for real,” Memunatu Koroma argued during a privileged conversation at a popular joint where people usually hang out in the evening hours. She went on to substantiate her stance by underscoring that SLBL recently imported modern machineries that they are currently using in its production chain and making it possible to increase productivity.

If for one thing, SLBL stands tall in empowering sorghum farmers who could be found in various parts of the provinces. Sorghum is a produce that the company is using as one of its raw materials to manufacture certain beverages. It is grown locally. “By encouraging the expansion of planting sorghum SLBL is really adhering to the country’s local content policy thereby financially empowering our local farmers,” one of the farmers asserted.

Conclusively it could be logically deduced by all estimation the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited is making major and meaningful inputs to the country’s economy and by extension it has become a major pillar to overall national development.

One thing that is indisputable is that Africell, the country’s leading telecommunications company deserve the accolade as the country’s leading telecommunications company that has been rendering dependable and reliable services to its numerous subscribers. In a world that seeks to make the globe smaller through communication, Africell continues to create closeness.

Africell has always been more than just a company. It is a family that stands through thick and thin.

In a retrospective perspective when the Ebola epidemic struck, Africell was at the forefront to render material and financial spport to cushion the negative effects that ensued which went a long way not only to combat the plight but brought relief to those who were especially directly affected.

That was a clear pointer to the fact that the company is dedicated to its mantra of: ‘Africell #WiDaeYaForYou’.

Going further, when the mudslide catastrophe occurred, another major national disaster, Africell was once again at the fore front providing humanitarian support to those that were badly affected. They grieved, mourned and healed together.

Africell has been hailed by many Sierra Leoneans for dishing out meaningful promotions that has improved standards of living evident in the latest one in which 30 Kekehs were won.

It is common knowledge that one of the popular and widely listened radio stations is Air Radio which has been widely acclaimed for churning out impressive programmes that are informative , educating and entertaining.
“Let me help you. Africell is also supporting other radio stations by giving them free fuel and calls,” Joseph disclosed adding that such is helping various local stations to effectively function.
The initiative of introducing a health insurance scheme in which for just Le50, 000 a subscriber is liable to free treatment worth up to the tune of one thousand United States Dollars is really a novelty and Africell is one institution that has ventured into that. “Such an initiative is laudable and it will enhance accessibility as well as affordability to individuals who cannot pay exorbitant medical bills,” a Social Commentator highlighted.
When it comes to internet connectivity Africell is leading in that direction with the introduction its 4G LTE which is faster and very reliable. “We can now browse conveniently at low costs,” a popular blogger noted.
It was reliably revealed that the customer base of the company stands in the range of four million subscribers which is a clear indication that Africell is patronised by many across the country.
Africell has been supporting various activities within the country ranging from sponsoring sporting activities, enhancing education, beautifying different parts of the city and certain institutions. “This shows how the company is complementing the Government to implement national programmes,” a long time subscriber of the company stated.
From all what had been learnt it can be seen that Africell is the leading telecommunications company in the country.