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NP-SL Highly Believes in Availing Optimal Satisfaction

By Amin Kef Sesay

Steadfastness in optimal service delivery has made the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL-Ltd) one of the most outstanding and vibrant companies that is steadily operating, in thick and thin, in this country. Such largely emanates from the dogged determination on the part of 35 former employees of the then British Petroleum company, which decided to fold up its operations and sold shares, which these workers bought out of their end of service benefits and used as seed capital to commence the running of the now renowned NP-SL –Ltd.

Setting up the company was just one accomplished feat, but taking it from that level to where it is today, speaks volumes of the selflessness on the part of the shareholders, who were all Sierra Leoneans, to see their ‘baby’ grow and succeed up to an appreciable stage that they were yearning for. It is this selflessness on the part of the shareholders which eclipsed personal aggrandizement, misappropriation of funds and insincerity to such an extent that the resultant effect culminated into an overall success story.

At this material point in time the company has bagged a whole lot of recognition for its outstanding performances in the line of marketing qualitative petroleum products. It stands to be contested that NP-SL Ltd is the number one oil marketing company in this country, which is equal to none, as it continues to break new frontiers in its expansionist drive.

When the name NP is called, what immediately comes to mind is First for Customer Care and this is not a mere masquerading in borrowed robes, but rather a true accomplishment of what the company fervently believes in and is striving towards actualizing. To the shareholders and Management of the company, providing utmost satisfaction in its service delivery to its esteemed as well as numerous customers is just as important as importing petroleum products into the country. Keen consideration is given to marketing high grade products that customers utilize for the effective performances of vehicles and other gadgets.

Besides, the company ensured that its pumping machines used in Filling Stations are modern and standardized in order to give customers their monies’ worth. These machines are very transparent, as it displays the number of litre pumped and the corresponding prices. Besides, customers concerns and suggestions are taken into consideration when policies are mapped out and Management decisions are arrived at, which makes it possible for various shades of opinions and inputs to be factored into how the company tailors its operations.

With the avowed aim of making their customers feel at home, NP-SL-Ltd has made the procurement of petroleum products very simple by introducing the use of NP Smart Card. NP Smart Card has unique embedded security features which cannot be easily faked by unscrupulous persons and the Card could be topped up to contain a considerable amount of money which a particular customer could use for purchasing purposes, with amounts deducted depending on the quantum of the products so far demanded. Indeed, it is a latest technological device and is becoming very trending.

For effective cooking purposes the company also has on offer for sale NP Gas, a device found in different cylinder shapes, that could be accessed at all the company’s Filling Stations as well as authorized dealers at affordable prices. Environmentally and medically certified as user friendly, NP Gas is presently going like hot cakes and there are energized workers in all the stations that readily offer tips or guidance as to how to optimally make use of this wonderful gadget. As a matter of fact a particular user can easily gain access to gas for refilling purpose.

A marked feature of the company has to do with its one hundred percent ‘Sierra Leoneanship’, having shareholders, Management and general staff who are all indigenes. Such a premium placed on making use of local talents and raw materials are parts of the core bedrock of the much talked about Local Content Policy.

Employing knowledgeable Sierra Leoneans to execute certain tasks has been a cardinal principle that has permeated the company’s existence throughout the periods it has been in active existence and such has been paying meaningful dividends. It also means offering various training opportunities to broaden the knowledge horizons of its members of staff for sound contributions to the company’s viability and buoyance.

Bent on maintaining that stance, the company has been helping in poverty reduction because by offering job opportunities, either directly or otherwise, it is putting monies in the pockets of individuals to take care of responsibilities. Monies are spent internally as opposed to a situation where the company should have concentrated on importing foreign expatriates to do tasks that indigenes could do better.

NP-SL Ltd has, over the years, in its drive to roll out the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility complementing Government’s efforts to enhance improved standards of living. It has offered institutional capacity supports to vibrant entities as was recently done to the National Fire Force by facilitating the construction of a state-of-the-art water facility at the Force’s Kissy Branch, from which water could be sourced to respond to any fire emergency within that part of the country and even beyond to the entire Greater Freetown. This is just a microcosm of the kind gestures that the company has dished out, all with the objective to make lives better.

To have branches in different parts of the country and going further to have presence within the West African sub-region tells of how the company is determined to grow. We now have NP in Liberia, Guinea, Ivory Coast and The Gambia and the vibrant functioning of  all those branches is a true testimony of how successful its shareholders and Management want to see customers enjoying qualitative petroleum products. The company is providing job opportunities in those countries and at the same time paying taxes, which form components of generated revenues that are used by the respective Governments to undertake the implementation of various development programmes and projects.

NP-SL is moving on the right trajectory and deserves all the necessary support it requires to move from one height to another. The company is poised to continue creating meaningful impacts and consciously moving towards the direction of always setting the pace for others to follow.

Sierra Leone’s leading oil marketing company, the National Petroleum Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL-Ltd) has been very steadfast in its service delivery of high standard petroleum products, which it imports since this country is not an oil producing nation. All we need to do at this point in time is to give the company all the necessary support needed to make it become much stronger than it is at the moment.

Housemate Reality TV Show Puts Sierra Leone in the Spotlight

Housemates Salone Season 2

By Amin Kef Sesay 

The entertainment show that many have been yearning for is going on at the pleasure of many. Housemates Salone Season 2 for now is coming big on your TV screens and via other social media platforms across the country. It is a show which you cannot afford to miss because it is full of fun, laughter and evoking heated discussions in various public places as the episodes continue to unfold.

The Housemates, drawn from various parts of the country and backgrounds are fervently competing to win the minds of viewers who are at liberty to vote for them with the expectation that the will emerge victorious.

What at the end of the day the ultimate winner will heartily and elatedly bag is the whooping sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Million Leones (Le250M) and he or she will be availed the opportunity to go on a round trip to Dubai.

The Reality TV Show is designed in such a way that for every day any of the Housemates stays in the House, he or she becomes automatically eligible to earn one hundred thousand Leones (Le100, 000).

All the Housemates have their unique numbers which members of the public should send via SMS message or used to vote for the Housemates to: 5500 or Dial *5500#. For International voting, call: +23299005500.

Members of the public know that their votes matter and they must step up the pace at which they are voting for their favourite Housemates, The responsibility of galvanizing the public squarely lie on the shoulders of the various Fan Clubs of the Housemates better known as “Teams”. They should take the campaigns to all the nook and cranny of the country to convince individuals that their Housemates deserve the best.

According to the organizers, this exciting Reality TV Show is put together against the backdrop of promoting Youth Empowerment. Better put into perspective, Housemates Salone encompasses providing mentorship for young aspiring Sierra Leoneans who believe that they have talents that they could showcase that will not only be sources of entertainment for viewers but provide valuable insights as to the everyday behavioural patterns of young people living together.

However, the most important aspect of the Reality TV Show is that it is serving as a conduit through which the Housemates are taken through  mental and physical exercises that will end up to mould and shape their characters.

They are currently benefitting from being guided to be motivational speakers, to think critically as well as rationally, how to healthily interact, how to solve problems, to cook, to sing, dance, control emotions and stress.

These competitors now have the opportunity to learn from what visiting guests from certain corporate institutions are teaching them, learning how to play games and a host of other things that are aligned to coping mechanisms in life.

If it could be succinctly put in other words, Housemates Salone is a kind of refinery where the competitors are going through life overhauling experiences to an extent that life after Housemates Salone will be completely positively different for them.

Another good thing about the show is that presently it is putting all the Housemates in the spotlight as the Reality TV Show is watched by many in and out of the country. People outside there are knowing them, the talents that they have and what they are capable of doing.

To a certain extent, the show is providing a window of opportunity for the Housemates as some people out there have started manifesting interest in tapping the talents that they are displaying which could end up in changing their fortunes for life. Indeed something has to start somewhere!

This is a rare opportunity for young people who have the conviction that they have all what it takes to grab the mouth-watering winning prize of Two Hundred and Fifty Million Leones and a round trip to Dubai.

Housemates Salone Season 2 is indeed bringing smiles and evoking animated discussions in various social circles.

China Focus China is to Open-up at a Higher Level and Further Expand Win-win Cooperation

H.E. Hu Zhangliang (Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Sierra Leone

H.E. Hu Zhangliang Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Sierra Leone

The 5th plenary session of the 19th CPC Central Committee proposes that China is to comprehensively increase its opening-up level in the next 5 to 15 years and strive for new progress in win-win cooperation with other countries.

  1. Promote facilitation and liberalization of trade and investment.

In the first three quarters of 2020, the total value of China’s imports and exports of goods reached 23.12 trillion yuan, an increase of 0.7% year-on-year. That makes China’s status as a major trading country further consolidated.

The number of China’s pilot free trade zones has increased from 18 to 21. At the national level, the pilot free trade zones have replicated and promoted a total of 260 institutional innovations, and that number at the provincial level is 1,151. What’s more, China has issued an overall plan for the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port, which will be a new highland for China’s further opening up in the years to come.

In addition, China will continue to provide important exhibition platforms especially the China International Import Expo (CIIE) launched in 2018. In the previous two CIIEs, the turnover of intentions exceeded US$120 billion. At the just-concluded third CIIE, companies from all over the world participated actively, and the exhibition area was expanded by nearly 30,000 square meters. After three years of development, the CIIE now becomes an international public product.

In terms of investment, China has been taking active measures to improve the investment environment so as to attract more foreign investment. In the first three quarters of 2020, China’s actual use of foreign investment reached 718.81 billion yuan, up 5.2% year on year. In February, H.E. Chinese President Xi Jinping underscored the need to expand the opening up of financial and other service industries. Only one month later, five foreign-funded financial institutions from the United States, South Korea and other countries held an online opening ceremony in Shanghai, and on April 1, the foreign equity ratio limit for securities firms was lifted.

  1. Promote high quality development of the Belt &Road Cooperation.

Since H.E. President Xi Jinping put forward the Belt & Road initiative in 2013, China’s total trade in goods with countries along the Belt and Road has exceeded 7.8 trillion US dollars, and China’s direct investment in these countries has exceeded 110 billion US dollars. China has signed 200 cooperation documents with 138 countries and 30 international organizations and carried out over 2,000 cooperation projects.

Take the China-Europe train for example, since the implementation of the new operation plan on October 11, 2020, the number of China-Europe train lines has increased from 67 to 73. Now at the Alashankou railway port in Xinjiang alone, there are 22 China-Europe freight trains leaving there and reaching 13 countries.

In the future, China will adhere to the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits and push forward the Belt & Road Initiative with more concrete results.

3.Actively participate in the reform of the global economic governance system.

Since the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China held in October 2017, China has been working more closely with the international community to promote the development of the international political and economic order toward a more just and reasonable direction.

In the future, China will continue to work with the G20 and other countries to strengthen international economic cooperation and strive for a more just and equitable global economic governance system. China will continue to uphold the multilateral trading system,  and actively participate in the reform of the World Trade Organization. China will actively participate in multilateral, bilateral, and regional investment and trade cooperation mechanisms, promote the formulation of economic governance rules in emerging areas and enhance its capacity to participate in international financial governance.

China will implement the free trade zone promotion strategy and work together with other countries to build a global network of high-standard free trade zones. Very recently, on Nov.15, 2020, the ten ASEAN countries, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand formally signed the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which symbolizes the establishment of the world’s largest free trade zone.

4.Strengthening the Leadership Role of the Communist

Party of China in Steering China’s Opening-up and Reform

Since its founding 100 years ago, CPC has upheld its founding mission to pursue happiness for the Chinese people and sought national rejuvenation. The CPC leadership is the key to China’s success in running its affairs. During the 14th Five-Year Plan period and beyond, China will have to solve many difficult problems and face a series of risks and challenges. Only by strengthening the centralized, unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee can the Party provide overall leadership and coordinate the efforts of all involved to create strong synergy and promote economic and social development.

H.E. Xi Jinping, CPC General Secretary and Chinese President, points out, “China will not close its door to the outside world. It will only open wider.” In the future, China will persist in implementing wider, broader and deeper opening up to promote international cooperation and achieve more mutual benefits and win-win results. By 2025, China’s new systems for developing a higher-level open economy will have basically taken shape. By 2035, a new pattern of opening-up will have been formed and China’s new advantages in international economic cooperation and competition will be significantly enhanced.

On the new journey, China will join hands with other countries in the world, including Sierra Leone for common development and prosperity.

EU Ambassador Pledges Support to Public Service Reforms

His Excellency Tom Vens, Ambassador of the European Union

By Amin Kef Sesay

During the consultation and validation of the Public Service Legislative Review on the 17th November 2020, held at the Civil Service Training College on Tower Hill His Excellency Tom Vens, Ambassador of the European Union said he is delighted, on behalf of the European Union, to be part of the programme.

He noted that the day marked an important one as the country comes to the close of the consultative process on the public service legislative review pointing out that it is the culmination of an important legal review process which has been spearheaded by the Public Service Commission, with support from the European Union, since 2016.

Tom Vens recognized the critical role officials of the Civil Service have played in driving the important reform agenda maintaining that their mandate as the highest authority in charge of HR Management across the Public Service is enshrined in the Constitution.

He stated that he is happy to see that all the duty bearers who have important responsibilities in the HR Management across the Public Service are present to support this process.

“It takes strong leadership and commitment to effectively engage into Public and Civil Service reforms,” he underscored adding how Sierra Leone is facing critical challenges and the gloomy perspectives brought by the COVID-19 pandemics amplify vulnerabilities and need for resolute action.

The Ambassador stated that Sierra Leone is also blessed by strong leadership which has reinforced the political commitment towards strengthening and modernization of the Public and Civil Service of Sierra Leone.

He continued that on multiple occasions H.E. President Maada Bio has referred to the reform of the civil and public service under the authority of the Public Service Commission (PSC) as one of the most critical priorities of his Government.

Its relevance in view of harmonizing and containing the wage bill and enhance government effectiveness cannot be over-emphasized, Tom Vens iterated.

He intimated that he is proud to confirm their support towards the Government’s commitment to establish a modern, robust and efficient public service, with a view to ensure effective service delivery for the people of Sierra Leone.

“Since 2015 the European Union has been investing considerable resources to support the national authority’s efforts to strengthen Civil Service Management,” he disclosed furthering how they have contributed to the review and implementation of  the Human Resources Policies, Procedures, Systems and Methods; strengthening of for Personnel Record Management System; Civil Service Payroll clean up; adoption and implementation of Individual Performance Appraisal System (IPAS).

Ambassador Tom Vens said tangible and important achievements have been realized under the direction of the Human Resources Management Office and for that commended the effective leadership by Director General Ansu Tucker.

He disclosed that additional support is provided to the Civil Service Training College to enhance the capacity of personnel but said they all know this is not enough.

The EU Ambassador noted that to realize the “transformation of the Public Service” to restore the professionalism and efficiency the country needs a strong rationalization effort.

He maintained that a strong rationalization effort is needed to address the mandate-overlaps of a multiplicity of actors and the consequent inconsistencies in standards, processes and procedures in Human Resources Management

“A strong rationalization effort is needed to establish oversight, regulatory and supervisory roles over the Public Services,” he opined.

He stated that the enactment of a single Public Service Act appears to be a centrepiece in the arsenal of measures to streamline and clarify the institutional landscape within the management of the public services and harmonize standards and procedures relating to Public Personnel Management.

Tom Vens said the Mid-term National Development Plan made a clear commitment towards it to be achieved by 2023 at the latest.

He assured of their unfettered support towards the enactment of the Public Service Act.

“I reaffirm the European Union commitment towards supporting the next steps of the process,” he highlighted pointing out the drafting of a Public Service Policy for Sierra Leone to provide general policy guidance to the management of human resources in the public service, and strengthen the constitutional functions of the Public Service Commission.

He also made mention of the robust participatory consultations to clarify the institutional relationships between PSC and the public agencies/ commissions responsible for HR Management to address mandate-overlaps with the PSC through Acts of Parliament.

The Ambassador further named the drafting of the Public Service Bill for enactment.

He said once the Public Service Act is enacted and notified they stand ready to support its dissemination and implementation across public/civil service, as well as the review of the Civil Code and the formulation of the Public Service Regulations, new HR policies, guidelines and templates in line with the new Act.

The Ambassador said in doing so they hope to contribute towards the transformation of the Public and Civil Service of Sierra Leone into a performance service that can ensure accountability and fairness, that can attract and retain skilled, competent and qualified personnel that is capable of delivering the quality and efficient public services that the people of Sierra Leone deserve.

As ECOWAS Parliament Turns 20 … Speaker Sidie Mohamed Tunis Resolute in Consolidating Gains

Speaker of the regional Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) Parliament, His Excellency Rt Honourable Sidie Mohamed Tunis

By Abdul Malik Bangura

Speaker of the regional Economic Community of West African State (ECOWAS) Parliament, His Excellency Rt Honourable Sidie Mohamed Tunis has said he is fully charged and extremely determined to consolidate the gains made so far throughout the twenty (20) years of the existence of the regional law making body.

HE Tunis made this robust disclosure in is congratulatory message on the commemoration of the 20th anniversary celebration of ECOWAS Parliament on Monday 16th November 2020.

In his remarks, HE Tunis said, “the ECOWAS Parliament has metamorphosed into an Institution that can be reckoned with regionally, continentally and even globally,” adding that “in twenty years, there are remarkable achievements and progress. Such achievements are glaring in view of the fact that at the moment, the people of the sub-region can be said to own the processes that lead to the actions and interventions taken on their behalf.”

Speaking on the reason for the establishment of the ECOWAS Parliament, the Speaker said it is “to provide adequate representation for the people in community.” Consequently, the Speaker said that Parliament “is expected to provide a voice for the people in the integration process and ensure that they understand and take advantage of community programmes and policies towards improving their general wellbeing. This sentiment is also in consonance with the ECOWAS Vision 2020, whose catchy phrase is the transformation from an ECOWAS of States to an ECOWAS of People.”

On the achievements so far since the establishment of the ECOWAS Parliament, the Speaker said that the regional organization “in its operations has created mechanisms to forge greater ties with the citizens of the sub-region.”

Furthermore, he said, ECOWAS Parliament “has strengthened representative democracy in the Community; contributing towards the promotion of peace, security, and stability. The Parliament has also been involved in the promotion of the principles of human rights, democracy, the rule of law, transparency, accountability and good governance. Most importantly, with the adoption of the Supplementary Act relating to the Enhancement of the Powers of the Parliament in December, 2016, more responsibilities have been given to the Institution. Currently, the Parliament has oversight functions over programme implementing Agencies. It equally considers the Community budget and renders an opinion.”

Hence, the Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament assured the West African citizens that the leadership of the 5th Legislature is committed to ensuring that the ECOWAS Parliament is brought closer to them and that the integration mantra will not just be strengthened, but brought to its finality. He said “we are determined to further consolidate the gains of the last two decades. With your support and cooperation, we are sure to succeed.”

Meanwhile, according to research, the ECOWAS Parliament, also known as the Community Parliament, in the last 20 years has proven to be one of the vital institutions of ECOWAS. It is the Assembly of Peoples of the Community serving as a forum for dialogue, consultation and consensus for Representatives of the people of West Africa with the aim of promoting integration. It was established under Articles 6 and 13 of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty of 1993. The initial Protocol establishing the Parliament was signed in Abuja on August 6, 1994. It provided for the Structure, Composition, Competence and other matters relating to the Parliament. The Parliament is composed of one hundred and fifteen (115) seats. Each Member State shall have a guaranteed minimum of five (5) seats. The remaining forty (40) seats shall be shared on the basis of population.

The First Legislature was inaugurated in Bamako, Mali with a five-year mandate (16 November 2000 to 5 October 2005). The Rt. Honourable Prof. Ali Nouhoum Diallo was elected the first Speaker. Subsequently, the Parliament held its First Ordinary Session in January 2001 at its Seat in Abuja, the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In 2006, a Supplementary Protocol was signed to amend certain sections of the initial Protocol relating to the Parliament, notably, the Life of the Legislature and Terms of Office, both of which changed from five to four years.

Following the restructuring of ECOWAS Institutions by the Authority of Heads of State and Government in 2006, in which the life span of the Legislature was reduced to four years, the Second Legislature was inaugurated on 11th November 2006, under the leadership of His Excellency Mahamane Ousmane from the Republic of Niger. The Legislature lasted until 10th November, 2010.

The Third Legislature was inaugurated on 8 August 2011 with Distinguished Senator Dr. Ike Ekweremadu from Nigeria as the Speaker of Parliament. That Legislature lasted till 7th August, 2015.

The Fourth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament was inaugurated at its first sitting on 4 February 2016. The Right Honourable Moustapha Cisse Lo from Senegal, was elected Speaker. It was inaugurated by H.E. Macky Sall, President of the Senegal and then Chairman of Authority of Heads of State and Government. The Legislature lasted until 3rd February, 2020.

This fifth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament was inaugurated during its first sitting on 9th March, 2020 by His Excellency, Issoufou Mahamadou, President of the Republic of Niger and then Chairman of the Authority of ECOWAS Heads of State and Government. Right Honourable Sidie Mohamed Tunis from Sierra Leone was elected Speaker and he is to hold that position until 2024.

Amb. Ndomahina Gives Insights into China’s Experience on Poverty Alleviation

By Idrissa Conteh: Information Attaché, Beijing, China

His Excellency Ernest M. Ndomahina, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Sierra Leone to the People’s Republic of China has participated in a two-day seminar on poverty alleviation organized by the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture in Changsha, Hunan Province.

HE Ndomahina expressed delight in participating in the two-day seminar organized to alleviate poverty globally, as well as delivering the keynote address on the final day of the seminar.

Delivering his address, Ambassador Ernest M. Ndomahina thanked the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs for a highly inspirational and commendable initiative, stating that it was a demonstration of China’s passionate crusade against poverty.

“China is now within striking distance of eliminating extreme poverty; since over the last four decades China has bailed out more than 800 million people from poverty,” he mentioned.

HE Ndomahina underscored how important the seminar could be in providing useful insights about some of the key steps that led to those spectacular achievements. He revealed that China’s success, in the fight against poverty, was as a result of political will, the mindset of its populace, her development of strategic human capital development and creation of a highly dedicated institution for poverty alleviation.

He reiterated that the political will to fight poverty was from the highest level of governance to the lowest, pointing out that President Xi was the latest Champion of the noble course, and has made the eradication of absolute poverty as one of his three “decisive battles”, stating that his move signified strong leadership to set the tone for all Governmental strata to vigorously pursue Poverty Alleviation in various areas.

He went on to state how important change of mindset could be in the fight against poverty as highlighted by H.E Xi Jinping when he wrote: “poverty alleviation requires a change of attitude.”

Ambassador Ndomahina disclosed that Sierra Leone is just like any developing country that had been plagued by poverty as the country’s backdrop of poverty resembles that of China. “Just like China, the country was seriously ravaged by a bitter and protracted civil war, whose vestiges are still perceptible on its physical and socio-economic landscape,” he added.

He affirmed that many Sierra Leoneans are living below the poverty line and that adult literacy is only 41%, stating how the above mentioned seriously undermine the agricultural sector which can provide employment for 75% of the population saying that many working in the sector lack the adequate farm techniques to cultivate the main cash crops such as cocoa, coffee, tubers and cereals.

Ambassador Ndomahina said despite the gloomy picture there is a very strong political will to alleviate the plight of the masses, and that the current Head of State, His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, has made poverty alleviation a national priority, and that upon assumption of office he made a solemn promise: “I am again offering the nation hope and a new promise that Sierra Leone will be better for all under my leadership. I promise a New Direction for Sierra Leone as a united peaceful, progressive, dynamic, confident enterprising and happy nation where the people have unlimited access to jobs, food, education and health services and where there is equal justice and equal opportunity for all. ”

He furthered that during President Bio’s visit to China in 2018, he asked for support from his Chinese counterpart, HE Xi Jinping. He, therefore, commended China for  being highly responsive to the appeal whiles disclosing that it was only two weeks ago that the Chinese Embassy in Freetown gratuitously supported the training of a crop of Sierra Leoneans on poverty alleviation.

H.E Ndomahina concluded by assuring the organizers of the seminar that the knowledge gathered would be utilized as a foundation to build and fulfil the aspirations of his people to end poverty in Sierra Leone, mentioning further that the Government of Sierra Leone under the leadership of H.E Bio would look forward to engaging the Chinese Government on the alleviation of poverty in future.

S/Leone’s Finest Economist Hails Finance Minister JJ Saffa

Prince Macaulay, Sierra Leone’s finest Economist

By Foday Moriba Conteh

Prince Macaulay, Sierra Leone’s finest Economist has given words of advice to the Minister of Finance, Jacob Jusu Saffa for his resilience in managing the State finances.

According to Prince Macaulay, the Minister is a seasoned financial expert who has a wealth of experience in financial, economic and related matters, adding that he is also a politician worth his salt. His prudent financial discipline yielded fruits when on Friday, 13th November 2020, the Bill entitled “The Appropriation Act 2021” being an Act to authorize expenditure from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the services of Sierra Leone for 2021 was tabled, and based on his presentation before the House, the Government Budget and Statement of Economic and Financial Policies, including the Coronavirus (COVID-19) information were well received as part of the 2021 Budget and approved.

Macauley noted that Minister Saffa’s wise counsel culminated in actions taken before Sierra Leone recorded its COVID-19 index case on 30th March 2020, resulting in the COVID-19 Health Preparedness and Response Plan, which focused on SAVING LIVES and to cushion the impact of the disease on the private sector and the masses, the Quick Action Economic Response Programme (QAERP) was borne, which focused on SAVING LIVELIHOODS.

Impressed by this action, donor partners commended the Government’s effort at addressing the negative impact on the lives of its citizens by the virus. This resulted in more assistance from them. It should be noted that donor partners do not simply come in to support any country without observing their plans. Thus having seen the marvellous plans designed by the Government and undertaken, they then joined the band wagon, supporting financially the Government’s quick economic recovery plan.

It should be noted that the implementation of these two response programmes, with new priorities, necessitated additional Government spending and compelled our development partners to reprioritize, reallocate and scale up financial support. Hence, there was a need for a Supplementary Budget, which the Minister of Finance, presented to Parliament on 24th July. 2020.

Prince Macaulay further maintained that the exemplary work of the Minister, even in the midst of COVID-19 and all its accompanying challenges, saw 112 of the 159 commitments in the original 2020 Budget being either completed or are on track to be completed by the planned dates; and that 25 of the 28 commitments in the Supplementary Budget have either been completed or on track for delivery.

Over Seeming Charlotte Land Dispute… George Family Denies Daddy SAJ’s Claim

Cross sections of the George Family of Charlotte Village

By Foday Moriba Conteh

The George Family of Charlotte Village, who happens to be the rightful owner of a 0. 4153 acre piece of land located at Charlotte in the West Area Rural District community has on Thursday 19th November, 2020 denied the allegation made by Joseph Gerald Adolphus Cole better known by his stage name Daddy SAJ that he part of that family claiming that their piece of land was illegally taken away from them.

The aforementioned piece of land, this medium reliably learnt, was sold to one Victor John.

This disclosure was made during a Press Conference that was convened at Hill Cut Road, West End of Freetown, by a cross section of the George Family.

Speaking during the press conference, Dr. Patrick Kebbie, a representative of the George Family, disclosed that Joseph Gerald Adolphus Cole association with the land in question is not recognized and cannot be accepted, strongly maintaining that the family is not aware of his involvement.

He said that Daddy SAJ has never held any consultation with the George Family whom he said is the rightful owner of the said piece of land, adding that the family has no idea about Daddy SAJ’s personal interest in terms of the claim that he is fighting for the said family going further to underscore that they family is not really aware why Daddy SAJ should go to that extent.

Dr. Patrick Kebbie revealed that within the Charlotte Community there is no Cole surname but rather George and that the George Family had been in Charlotte for over decades.

He further revealed that one of the members of the George Family who happens to be their Aunty, Grandma Edith George, legally  sold the said piece of land to one Victor John.

Dr. Kebbie told newsmen that Victor John did not buy the said land at Charlotte illegally but did so legally and in that regard he is  assuring Victor John that he is the rightful owner of the land and that as a family they are not picking any fight with him or anybody in relation to the land .

Members of the George Family present during the Press Conference were: Bankolay George from Ibo Town, Mrs. Fatmata Hajaratu Jalloh, nee George, 84d Off Pratt Street, New England Ville, Mrs. Christiana​ Emiline Sesay, nee George,26 Jalloh Drive, York Road, Waterloo, Mrs. Selina Alice Kebbie, nee George, Francess Abioseh Edith George, 22 Jalloh drive, York Road, Waterloo, Vidal James George, 17b George Brooke, Dwarzark, Mrs. Sabina Rebbeca Clarra Koroma, nee George,13 Sheriff drive, Lumley, Irene Nenneh Ashcroft, nee George, 13 Goree Street, and Late Mme. Mary Adesumi George (DECEASED R.I.P) Daughter :- Mme. Esther Rugiatu.

 

Warrant of Arrest Imminent for Former Pres. Koroma -ACC Commissioner 

By Amin Kef Sesay

An interview that was to be given by the former President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, to the Anti-Corruption Commission scheduled to take place on the 19th November 2020 at the Anti-Corruption Commission Head Office in Freetown never materialized leaving in its trail discussions in various circles around the country.

The interview was supposed to border around allegations of corrupt practices, by the Former President while he was in office, as mentioned in a Report by a Commission of Inquiry that was set up by the ruling SLPP Government and detailed in the Government White Paper that subsequently followed.

According to the Lead Counsel, representing former President Ernest Bai Koroma, Lawyer Joseph F. Kamara, the former President could not make it to the Anti-Corruption Commission Head Office for the interview due to the lack of adequate security apparatus to prevent any untoward thing from occurring.

He added that he and other lawyers representing the former Head of State went to the ACC to make a representation and after which to engage the security apparatus in order for them to advice for the safe travelling of the former President maintaining that once the security situation is made clear and there is a corridor of passage for the former President, the latter is willingly ready to come to the ACC for the said interview.

Joseph F. Kamara maintained that they don’t have doubts about the preparedness of the State to provide security but lamented that the thin available security force present around the precinct of the ACC was not sufficient, according to their estimation, furthering how they were expecting a bigger State Security force that will enable the former President to come to the ACC.

He further revealed that they are waiting for a convincing security clearance and once they receive it the former President will make himself available at the ACC further emphasizing that the former President wants to come to the ACC but he is waiting on the State to provide the necessary security.

On his part, Director of Public Education and Outreach, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Patrick Sandy, said former President Ernest Bai Koroma has the right to express his concern about his security further revealing how they have discussed it with the security sector.

He said once that is cleared the Former President will come in for the interview underscoring how the ACC is on standby.

Sandy reiterated that the Former President has the right to raise concern about his security but assured that they are determined to conduct the interview with him.

BBC correspondent, Umaru Fofanah, in an earlier report filed in yesterday as the situation was inconclusively unfolding said the Commissioner of the ACC, Francis Ben Kelfala, intimated that he has so far received no reason from the former President or lawyers as to why he, Ernest Koroma, has not shown up at the stipulated time adding that they are still expecting him and if he does not avail himself they will take what he called their next step.

Umaru said the ACC Commissioner stated that they are considering issuing out a warrant of arrest as an option.

It could be recalled that six weeks ago when the ACC team travelled to Makeni, Northern Sierra Leone, which is the home town of the former President, they were prevented from conducting the said interview due to the mounting of road blocks and other disturbances.

 

2020 WASSCE 5 Subjects Pass Rate By Countries… Ghana 68.5%, Nigeria 65.8%, Gambia 64.8%, Sierra Leone 4.5% – Why?

By Amin Kef Sesay

WASSCE results nationwide for 2019 and 2020 clearly show that teachers and parents are not doing their work well in providing for and catering for their children and students to meet the rigors of learning properly in and out of the classroom that will guarantee them credible passes in public exams; especially WASSCE.

Many who went through the old system of learning put the blame first and foremost on the students and their attitude to learning these days – with specific reference to their cheating culture and lackadaisical approach to their studies.

Others blame the staff and institutions, for which as part of the remedy, the ACC has been arresting and publicly naming and shaming some of the teachers involved in exams malpractices.

From the point of the parents, many of today’s parents are too busy with bread and butter issues to have time to monitor the progress of their children in school and at home. Their children forge test and exam results.

Thus, if parents and teachers really monitored the work and progress of students, it would be hard for them not to learn and therefore hard for them to fail in both class and public exams.

Whatever we say boils down to the fact that there are too many half-baked unprofessional poorly motivate teachers in our classrooms. A cursory visit to many of the unsupervised schools will clearly reveal that many students spend the whole day in school with hardly a teacher entering their classes to teach them.

Critically, there is not much incentive given to attract and keep the best teachers in the service, as many only use teaching as a stepping stone to greener pastures which makes teacher turnover in schools very high with only those private schools that pay well being able to recruit and retain good teachers – especially in maths, the sciences and English language.

Critically, also, there is the crying need to shift the teaching and learning curriculum towards more practical Tech-Voc subjects because truth is, competence in Maths and English which form the basis for university entrance requirement is not wide in the secondary school system nationwide.

On the part of improving the quality of our students, the following strategies can be adopted by both parents and teachers:

Encourage students to be independent learners. The majority of our young people spend a considerable time on their phones. They can therefore, be encouraged to explore concepts outside of the classroom using this tool.

On the part of the Ministry and school administrations, the future recruitment of staff should focus on employing people that have passion for education and have gone through some sort of teachers’ training in addition to the right qualification for the subject being delivered. These staff should in turn be rewarded with a remuneration package that is in line with industry standards.

Finally, breaking away from the pre-colonial education methodology that we are still tied to, we need to embrace a range of assessment methods; as exams are not the only methods to test for the knowledge and understanding of the subject being taught.

Also, given modern realities, there is a need to strengthen our vocational education. Vocational education plays a key role in providing the requisite skills that university education won’t cover. Practical skills such as carpentering, tailoring, cooking, plumbing and general entrepreneurship skills could be best honed in a vocational setting.

In a nutshell, acquiring knowledge through the formal education system is not the problem; the problem is the way in which the system is organized to create, disseminate and assess knowledge.

The curricula and methods need to be revised in line with the marketplace and educators need to take the centre stage in educating our young people about the significance of having and utilizing a good secondary, vocational and university education.

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