By: Austine Luseni The Transco Côte d’Ivoire-Liberia-Sierra Leone -Guinea (CLSG) Power Project has on August 12, 2020 seen Sierra Leone interconnected with Liberia in what has been described by many engineers and observers as a milestone or a monumentally significant achievement. The West Africa Power Pool Project aims at providing affordable and reliable electricity supply to the four countries with a giant hydropower plant in Ivory Coast serving as the generation hub, and with evacuation and distribution lines passing through Liberia to Sierra Leone and to Guinea. It is worthy of note that since the New Direction administration of President Julius Maada Bio came to power, Minister of Energy, Alhaji Kanja Sesay, has set his sight on fulfilling the President’s energy security and reformation dream. The CLSG project was straightaway given serious attention through the provision of Sierra Leone’s own financial commitment and the acceleration of work at various substation sites. The aggressive work on substations and the stringing of cables or wires in fulfillment of Sierra Leone’s own commitment to the project has finally resulted into having Sierra Leone interconnected with Liberia. The transmission line from the Moa Substation in Liberia has finally been connected with the one at the Tiloma Substation in Sierra Leone. Minister of Energy, Alhaji Kanja Sesay, expressed his delight at the successful interconnection, noting that the Moa River had presented some daunting challenges in terms of its terrain and especially at this period of the year when the rains have increased in constancy. The minister said he was pleased to superintend over such an historic feat while also praising the Ministry of Finance for the support given to his ministry. He reaffirmed his commitment to overseeing the completion of the project. Country Manager, Transco CLSG, Ing. Paul Saffa, said he couldn’t be more thrilled for the interconnection between Sierra Leone and Liberia. He said the electricity line passing through Sierra Leone is 537km, covering 53 local communities. Ing. Saffa also shed light on the five substations in Kenema, Kono, Bumbuna, Koinadugu and Kamakwei. The CLSG project is key to transforming Sierra Leone’s electricity domain ,and with the commitment of the minister and his team and the successful interconnection between Sierra Leone and Liberia , Sierra Leoneans have every reason to champ at the bit or to expect great things in the not too distant future.
FAO Signs MOU With Statistics S/Leone
The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has signed a joint MOU with statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL). This alliance will help strengthen their partnership for reliable data generation in trying to track the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) in Sierra Leone. Globally FAO has been assigned as a custodian UN agency for 21 indicators of the SDGs, especially SDG #2 (End Hunger, Achieve Food Security and Improved Nutrition and Promote Sustainable agriculture). Statistic Sierra Leone has been providing data to FAO’s headquarters for regional, sub-regional and global compatibility; thus, forming the platform to see how the indicators are being monitored across the countries. As COVID-19 pose more challenge to the global monitoring of data and statistics, the MOU will aid in assessing the impact of COVID-19 on the socio-economic activity in Sierra Leone, especially agriculture. FAO is planning to launch assessment on the impact of COVID-19 on land tenure, agribusinesses and youth; Statistic Sierra Leone is key to implementing the assessment and monitoring process in the country. FAO Representative in Sierra Leone, Dr. Nyabenyi Tito Tipo, said Sierra Leone has been put on the global crisis watch list because of the level of food insecurity in the country. She affirmed that FAO is doing assessment on Africa’s food security, thus, doing assessment on the socioeconomic impact of COVID-19 on the Fisheries sector and aquaculture is crucial. The Statistician General and CEO of Statistic Sierra Leone, Prof. Osman Sankoh, praised the gesture and reviled that Statistic Sierra Leone has received a grant of $30 million from the World Bank to update the country statistics. He mentioned that they are planning to conduct agricultural Census in the country, and FAO’s support remain crucial for success of the whole process. The Food Security Specialist, Robin Yokie, said this partnership would ensure that FAO provides technical and advisory support to Statistic Sierra Leone in conducting the agricultural Census. The mandates of FAO is institutional capacity building, FAO has the technical capacity to support the successful capturing of the well-needed data in agriculture; the collaboration is crucial for generating, disseminating and popularizing crucial data that will inform the development of food security. The Principal Statistician and head of Agricultural statistic, Momodu Kamara, said his institution benefited from FAO capacity building programs in the area of food security, and that Statistic Sierra Leone was part of the National Early Warning System, a project that was implemented by FAO. They are also part of the Food Security Monitoring Group; therefore, the signing of the MOU will further strengthen collaboration between them. The Forestry Expert FAO, Gbessay Ehlogima Sam Momoh,said the MOU would continue to strengthen FAO’s partnership with Stat S; he highlights the collaboration between FAO and Statistic Sierra Leone in conducting assessment on foreign product and cultural products in the market in 2018. Gbessay
ACC Warns Heads of Health Centres In Karene Against Extortion
The North- West Regional Manager of the Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) Mr. Al- Hassan Sesay has warned In-Charges of Community Health Centres across Karene District to desist from extortion, bribery and other corrupt practices while performing their duties or face the full force of the anti-corruption laws. He issued this warning during an In-Charges meeting of the fifty-Six (56) Peripheral Health Units (PHUs) in Karene District at the Kamakwie Town Hall on the 29th July 2020. Addressing the heads of the PHUs and other health workers, Manager Sesay expressed dismay over the reported incidences of extortion from the free health care beneficiaries at community level in the health service delivery adding, that health workers play a crucial role to the health and survival of the human resource of the state. He noted that as In-Charges working in PHUs they are considered public officers and are covered by the Anti-Corruption laws. The ACC Regional Manager lamented that the Commission is very much concerned about corrupt practices prevalent in PHUs such as thievery of medical supplies, bribery, extortion and absenteeism. As the ACC is now closer to your door steeps he said, it will no longer be business as usual and defaulters or wrongdoers will not be friends of the ACC. “Desist from wrong or corrupt practice or you stand to face the wrath of the ACC,” he warned He informed them that in the midst of performing their duties, they must be mindful of the ACC’s elite scorpion squad that will sting at any given time when the need arises citing the Bo incident that involved a health practitioner allegedly collecting monies from nurses for purposes of pin codes. Manager Sesay also laid bare interpretation of key related offences including offering, soliciting and accepting advantage, misappropriation of public and donor funds, abuse of office and position among others. He encouraged them to be professional and conduct themselves with high sense of integrity and maintaining ethical standards in discharging their functions. The 56 In-Charges in the PHUs were also briefed on the various reporting mechanism to the ACC as well as supporting the fight against graft and bribery. In his welcome remarks, the District Medical Officer Dr. Chernor S. Jalloh thanked the team for engaging and educating them on various issues of corruption in the sector which will also guide them in carrying out their duties in their different PHUs across the district. Questions, comments and concerns from the health workers formed part of the discussions followed by the presentation of IEC materials.
Orange brings ‘’Bank-To-Wallet’’ Partnership With SLCB
BY FEIMA SESAY Orange Mobile Company, one of the Leading Telecommunications Company operating in Sierra Leone has on Wednesday 12 August, 2020 signed an Orange Money Bank-To-Wallet partnership with Sierra Leone Commercial Bank. The product is to enable both Orange and SLCB customers to get easy access to their monies without having to pay transport at the comfort of their homes. The Orange Money /SLCB Bank-To-Wallet basically allows both customers of Orange and SLCB to be an account holder and to transfer money from their orange money wallet to their Sierra Leone Commercial Bank account and also to move money from their SLCB Account to their Orange Money Wallet. This product is part of Orange’s Cooperate Social Responsibility that allows customers to do a transaction for as low as Le10, 000 to Le15 Million. Bockarie Kalokoh,Deputy Managing Director of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank described the service as one of the bank ‘s happiest day, he added that SLCB had been on this journey with Orange for the past three years. He revealed that he has been a user of the Bank-To-Wallet Product for the past one month and therefore described it as one of the best products ever in terms of banking activities, adding that as a leading bank, they believed partnering with Orange SL would ensure better service with their customers. He continued that the most important thing of the product is the ease on cost of transportation and time, as customers no longer need to go to the bank to do transaction, noting that all they need to do is to move money to their Orange Wallet and do transaction. Mr. Kalokoh however encouraged every service provider to ensure that they enroll with SLCB and Orange so that their services can be easily access. Speaking at the launching ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of Orange Money, David Mansaray said that his company is very excited to partner with SLCB an exercise he described as a step towards a wider objective that will enhance a goal towards much more broader financial inclusion in the country. He went on to states that the partnership is in the right direction, noting that the rate of Financial inclusion in the country is at a low rate of 20% ; and that the total average inclusion rate across the sub Sahara is 40% saying that they have a long way to go with such partnership . He further maintained that the Orange Money Bank-To-Wallet product is a wonderful one for the time being that will save customers time and cost of transportation . He said that it will also support the wider economy by helping teachers, nurses ; and other civil servants that work at the far end of the country. According to him, the product gives them an opportunity not to trek from their village to go to an urban center to collect their monies; but can get it at the comfort of their homes as it takes away the pain of trekking. He assured all their customers of a quality service of the Orange money bank to wallet that will enable them get easy access to their monies. The Managing Director of Sierra Leone Commercial Bank Abdul F.Turay in a statement before the official launch said he is pleased with the collaboration with orange money, as the partnership will enhance a formidable and far-reach valuable business growth relationship. He added that the alliance was designed to reach a large customer base; describing Orange customers’ base as the largest in the country. He said that the service is for both the formal and informal system that SLCB and Orange Money Bank To Wallet service would ensure that the SLCB has access to their monies in 24hours. The Managing Director described the SLCB as the people’s bank, and that they are committed to supporting the government effort in ensuring that citizens are safe ; and that the Bank to Wallet product is geared to support government’s objectives in its drive to economic development . Mr. Turay explained further that, with these services, their customers will no longer travel from longer distances to go to a banking hall, but at the comfort of their homes they can do their transaction as they wish and on time. “As a financial institution, we will encourage everyone to be safe; and use this service especially during this COVID 19 period, you need to stay at your home, it is part of our strategies to broaden our financial inclusion in the country and SLCB is always there to take the lead in ensuring that government achieves their objectives”, he noted. The SLCB/ Orange Money Bank-To-Wallet was officially launched by the Managing Director of SLCB Mr. Abdul F. Turay and Mr. David Mansaray CEO Orange Money.
Ex-AFRC/RUF Warlords beg For Forgiveness
Ibrahim Bazzy Kamara, a former war leader in the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) has called on the government and people of Sierra Leone to forgive them (former wars leaders) for the crimes they were alleged to have committed during the Country’s civil conflict. Mr Kamara who is serving his jail term of over 40years sentence in the Rwanda spoke via an audio trending on Social Media (WhatsApp), pleaded on behalf of his colleagues whom he said are all serving decades of sentencing jail term in the east African country . He said they had been suffering in jail for crimes they did not commit particularly as military men in the Sierra Leone Army who fought to defend the territories of the country from rebel agressions . ‘’I was sentenced for crimes that were committed in places that I never had business with or been to especially as a military man. How could we be convicted for over 40years in jail when the AFRC only ruled for 9 months? I have never been to places like Bo or deployed in those areas when I was the army. But the court said so. We have put the past behind us, we don’t war again, we are appealing to president Bio to help us . we are are treated badly here in a foreign land. ‘’ Bazzy Said. as part and Issa Sesay has regretted their actions and appeal to the People of Sierra Leone and the SLPP government to forgive them and allow them to return home. According to Ibrahim Bazzy Kamara, who was the PLO 3 in the AFRC junta regime, he was once a military man and he had served in the Sierra Leone Armed Forces before joining the AFRC /RUF which ruled the country for 9 months. Mr . Kamara expressed deep remorse and apologized to Sierra Leoneans for all that went wrong in the country’s civil conflict that left thousands killed, maimed and devastated. He continued that they have been victims of their own fate as they are the ones caught to answer for the crimes committed all throughout the war. He said he had not set eyes on his children for over 20yrs and that he sees his wife once a year. He complained that they have been facing serious language barrier issue that only few people speak English in the Prison they find themselves. Also, he continued that they have been suffering from malnutrition as the food they usually serve them isn’t ‘’good for consumption,’’ but they had nothing to do about it; “is either we eat or starve.” The former AFRC strong man said that the Rwandan Authority manipulated them to camouflage the world that things are okay, while they recover all their citizens who committed the 1994 genocide. ‘’we’ve put in the same cell with their citizens who committed the genocide and the security forces in the prison have considered us as enemies. we have constantly receiving threats “we’re going to kill you all, you have associated with our enemies and you are now our enemies” Mr. Kamara quoted the Rwandan Security Forces. He also complained that they feared for their lives and have they have therefore stayed away from the Rwandan inmates, and this has made the environment hostile for them as they have self-isolated themselves. ‘’The most unfortunate thing is that when an inmate receives such statement is dangerous; we have witnessed the killing of inmates and no one questioned such action. In lieu of these, Mr Kamara said they preferred serving their jail term in Sierra Leone and pleaded with all concerned for their repatriation. Bazzy praised President Bio as a man whom he fought alongside during their days in the army, referring to the president as a discipline and hardworking man. He acknowledged the fact that only the government of Sierra Leone will help for their release. “We are not asking for Freedom, but to return home so that we won’t die in a foreign land.” Kamara said with regret. ‘’ if we are taken home, we will have relief; as Sierra Leone is our motherland and we will be able see our compatriots There and we will even have a chance to taste Sierra Leone’s food, which we have not tasted for years.’’ He said. He explained that even though they take responsibility for the War crimes committed in the war, but they had also played a part in bringing peace to the country especially the role they played to lore in their fighters to disarm. “To disarmed Military men isn’t easy, but I do play a part to disarm them, so they should judge us for the good part we played too,” he said. He described President Bio as a fine man whom he worked under in the NPRC military regime in Daru town, and said “he is a good command and a gentleman.” Bazzy is serving lengthy sentencing with 5 four other ex-war lords who were sentenced by the UN-backed Special Court for Sierra Leone that tried armed factions in the country’s conflict. He said President Bio is a man of honor and “his words are his bond,” he strongly believes if His Excellency takes up their plight and advocate for them to return home. It could be recalled that Sierra Leone suffered an 11 years brutal war which started in 1991 and ended in 2002. The war was started by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) on March 23th 1991, they were supported by the former President of Liberia Charles Taylor’s forces in an attempt to overthrow the Joseph Saidu Momoh government. The Revolutionary United Front (RUF) seized most part of the Capital city, Freetown. They later failed in the coup and many of its leaders were charged for crimes against Humanity at the Sierra Leone Special Court. Some of their surviving leaders are Issa Sesay, Morris Kallon, Ibrahim B. Kamara, Santigie Kanu and Augustine Gbao. All of whom were convicted in February 2009 of
2018/2019 FINANCIAL STATEMENT…
ROKEL BANK EXCELS Under the dynamic leadership of Dr Dayo Gilpin who was recruited in 2017 to turn the bank’s fortune around, Rokel Commercial Bank continues to march on with its impressive performance after its remarkable transformation from a loss-making to a profit-making financial institution. When he assumed office in mid-2017, after his appointment as Chief Executive Officer of the Rokel Commercial Bank, Dr Gilpin boldly stated: “My focus and interests are in developing the bank into the best banking institution in Sierra Leone and to see RC Bank grow beyond our shores.” The just released 2019 annual report and audited financial statements show the bank netted an imposing Le63 Billion profit after tax. Also, the bank’s total annual revenue growth rises from 184 billion in 2018 to 208 billion in 2019. Three successive profitable years is testimony to the hard work, vision and commitment of Managing Director, Dr Gilpin, Senior Management, staff and the Board of Directors to restore RCB to its former glory through rebranding and repositioning it to become a profit-making banking institution. RCB’s recent surge in profitability should be seen against a backdrop of a very competitive business climate and stiff competition occasioned by the presence of several foreign owned banks in Sierra Leone. As part of its rebranding, RCB has done a lot to bring onboard more customers by reaching out to the unbanked population with new technology driven products and services. Reporting profits for the past three years has come on the back of a massive expansion drive by the bank as seen in the establishment and revival of branches or mobile outlets across the country. The revolutionary mobile based product, Rokel Simkorpor has been a big game changer bringing in a record number of new customers whilst at the same time RCB continues to perform its corporate social responsibilities to different classes of beneficiaries.
COVID-19 Affects Gbalamuya Customs Revenue Collection
Commissioner-General of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), Dr. Samuel Jibao By: Amara Kargbo Gbalamuya Border Custom Post Check Point in Kambia District, one of the country’s revenues collections under the auspices of the National Revenue Authority has been challenged at the moment of coronavirus. In an exclusive interview, Joseph Rogers, Manager of Gbalamuya Custom Post, noted that Sierra Leone is producing fewer commodities than what it consumed. Instead, it is solely dependent on the crossing- border trading. However, since importation and exportation have considerably dropped it has equally affected their means of generating revenue in the border. He said, in the midst of these difficult times, the Commissioner-General of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), Dr. Samuel Jibao, and the institution has been rolling out supports to the National COVID-19 Emergency Response Centre (NaCOVERC), agencies and its community of operation. The custom constituted apt security measures especially when borders were closed, checkpoints restrained movement of persons, instead, the commission only allows Lorry drivers with goods to ply the road. As a custom, they will proactively protect the country against any harmful importation of goods, which ‘COVID-19’ is no exception. Before COVID struck the country, the government ensured that all individuals as well as vehicles use the main custom root, provided firm security controls in all porous areas around the border which is in full operation. The custom post also has an Anti-Smuggling Unit Patrol team which carries surveillance activities on people, and persons with goods along the border which in numerous stand will suffocate smuggling to an optimal level. He submitted that, despite the World Health threat (COVID-19), that has lashed financially constrained impacts; the border custom will continue to do their best.
Deputy Information Minister Calls on Salone Film Industry to Harmonize Its Activities
The Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Madam Mamadi Gobeh-Kamara, has called on members of the Sierra Leone Film Industry to harmonize their activities to enhance progress in the industry. She was speaking during a meeting with the Sierra Leone Film Council in the conference room of the Ministry of Information and Communications on Thursday, 6th August 2020. She underscored that there is a lot the industry can achieve if only they work as one. The Deputy Minister asked the leadership of the Sierra Leone Film Council to furnish the ministry with details of their operations on the basis of which help will be rendered to them. She however pointed out that the ministry is aware of the many factions that exist within the movie industry in the country, saying they are formulating a policy that will sanitize the industry and make it more progressive, although stressing that this will require the collective effort of all stakeholders in the industry. Madam Mamadi Gobeh-Kamara urged the Sierra Leone Film Council leadership to exercise patience, adding that the ministry will soon convene a general meeting of all stakeholders in the movie industry to map the way forward with regards harmonization of their activities. She commended the Film Council for their determination and perseverance in ensuring that the country’s movie industry thrives, assuring of the ministry’s support at all times. The Chairman of the Sierra Leone Film Council, Michael Ibrahim Kargbo, thanked the Deputy Minister for sparing her time to meet with them and also for her words of encouragement. He explained that the Sierra Leone Film Council came into being from the vision of its membership drawn from across the country, adding that they have been working closely with the Ministry of Information. Kargbo disclosed that the ministry at some point had recognized the Council as the official group providing leadership for members of the film industry. He welcomed the suggestion by the Deputy Minister to hold a meeting with all stakeholders in the industry as that will help resolve their differences. He highlighted some of the steps they have taken as a Council to make the industry attractive and also outlined the challenges they are facing. He appealed to the Deputy Minister to use her good office to help them make headway in the indistry. He praised the Minister and the Deputy Minister for their hard work in transforming the ministry and giving it a new face. The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Communications, Abass Sallieu Kamara.
Virtual Launch of the SL COVID – 19 Response Hub Portal
The Ministry of Information and Communications in collaboration with its partners will officially Launch the Sierra Leone COVID -19 Hub Portal on the 7th August 2020 at the Ministry’s Conference Room, 8th Floor Youyi Building at 2pm. Theme: “Digital Innovation in Public Health Emergencies – The Sierra Leone Experience”. The event will feature high profile guest speakers on key topics under this theme. The discussions will also highlight key digital tools used in fighting COVID-19, share experiences and lessons learned when leveraging digital innovation. It is worthy to note that the Ministry of Information and Communications in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Statistics Sierra Leone and Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation along with international partners developed the Sierra Leone COVID – 19 Response Hub that will serve as a centralized public dashboard to enhance near-real-time updates of containment efforts and spatial information on critical resources.
Parliament Approves Bill on Consumer protection
The Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Thursday 6th August 2020, after an extensive debate passed into law the Bill entitled: “The Consumer Protection Act, 2020”, with some amendments. The Act is seeking to provide for the protection and promotion of the interest of the consumers and provide for the establishment of a National Consumer Commission and other related matters. The Bill was piloted by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy. It was debated on a separate date by Parliament before committal to a joint committee for further scrutiny. The Minister had earlier informed the House that the objective of the Bill was to enhance the protection and rights of the consumers in a free market economy; to address issues surrounding a restricted market, and to allow a free flow market in respect of consumer protection in Sierra Leone. Presenting the Joint Committal Report of Legislative and Trade Committees, the Chairman of the Legislative Committee, Hon. Hindolo M. Gevao informed the Committee of the Whole House that, both the Legislative and Trade Committees proposed the amendments with inputs from Standard Bureau and Trader’s Unions present during the course of the hearings. In light of the recommendations, the Chairman disclosed that the Committees spent few days to amend and scrutinize the long and short titles, definitions, paragraphs, clauses, fines, and penalties on culprits, service delivery and safety, consumer protection, composition of board among others. He assured the Committee of the Whole House that the Report reflects a consensus of Honourable Members of both Committees who formed part of the deliberations. After presenting the Report, the Chairman was accorded a resounding applause for a job well done; before the recommendations were adopted and the said Bill passed with some amendments.