September 29, 2020 - Public Review Newspaper

No, recognized Beach Football Association in the country …Costello Kamara

By Athanasius Wisdom Kamara The coordinator for beach football in Sierra Leone Sulay Costello Kamara has told the Public Review sport that there is no recognized Beach Football Association in the country. He said people go to the beach every Sunday to play football and do other exercises for them to keep fit. He revealed that he has been working as a coordinator for the past six months with other sporting bodies across the world to help develop beach football in Sierra Leone. He further revealed that when SLFA announced that beach football will be receiving five thousand dollars from the FIFA COVID-19 funds set of people came up and started championing a course that they are a body responsible for beach football. He furthered that there is no beach football recognized body in the country. He asked that SLFA should hold on to such funds for them to have a responsible and recognized body, noting that if SLFA gives out the funds to the other set of people, they must give a detailed account.

IN KABALA; 62 CRIMINAL CASES TO BE TRIED & 4 MAY FACE DEATH PENALTY

Legislative

Effective Justice Delivery was his Promise to the People of Sierra Leone The Criminal Session of the High Court in Sierra Leone holden in Kabala commenced hearing on the Monday 14th September 2020 with sixty-two (62) cases to be tried and four (4) among the aforesaid may face the death penalty if convicted. The court presided over by His Lordship the Hon. Justice Abdula Rahim Mansaray will run for two weeks and will expeditiously try sixty-two (62) cases of which four are murder, five sexual penetration, four robberies with aggravation, thirteen woundings with intent and others. Public Relations Officer of the Judiciary of Sierra Leone Moses Lamin Kamara said, the return of the holden of the Special Criminal Session of the High Court in Kabala is provided for in Statuary Instrument No. 21 of 2019 and the said instrument according to him; gives the Hon. Chief Justice Desmond Babatunde Edwards to hold criminal Sessions of the High Court in new locations such as Kabala and Tonkolili added to Port Loko in the north, Pujehun and Mattru Jong added to Moyamba in the South and Kailahun in the East. “Since his appointment as Hon. Chief Justice of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Judiciary has for the first time in history; held two criminal sessions of the High Court without funding from any donor and has tried over five hundred criminal cases which many considered a huge success.” Said Judiciary PRO- Moses Lamin Kamara. Mr Kamara said, the aim of the session is to ensure that those who supposed to be in prison are kept there and those who are not found wanting by law and evidence are either acquitted and discharged or discharged. Commenting on those who are standing trial for murder and sexual penetration, Mr Kamara said the law is very clear- as to whosoever is convicted for murder shall face death by hanging and for sexual penetration, it depends on the age of the convict. If the convict is between twelve to seventeen years, he will be sentenced to a minimum of five and a maximum of ten years imprisonment. From eighteen to twenty-three years, the convict will be sentenced from a minimum of ten to life imprisonment and if someone is twenty-three years and above, he will be sentenced to a minimum of fifteen years to Life imprisonment. Mr. said the aforementioned sentencing guidelines are not applicable to sexual penetration cases committing from the 8th of October 2020 to now.

CHIEF MINISTER BOOSTS FOOD SECURITY IN SIERRA LEONE

Agriculture, Business, Environment

Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, Professor David John Francis, has embarked on agriculture in line with President Julius Maada Bio’s ambitious priority for sustainable food self-sufficiency in the country. This move, according to the Chief Minister was not only to motivate other state actors but to use agriculture as an engine for economic growth. Yesterday, 12/09/2020, Chief Minister, Professor David Francis visited his 444 acres of Inland Valley Swamp rice farm in Blama in the Small Bo Chiefdom, Kenema District. His visit was to start the new rice harvest of the 3-months rapid yield hybrid nutritious variety that is now available in the market for the affordable price of Le200,000 for 50kg. ECO Rice is now the cheapest, affordable high-quality and nutritious rice in Sierra Leone today. This has also created job opportunities for Sierra Leoneans. Today, a huge number of young people have gained employment as a result of this investment.

Alleged Theft… State House Staff in Court

Law Court Related

BY FeimaSesay Salamatu Bah State Counsel attached to State House, her house was ransacked and property worth over thirty million Leones were stolen. The accused Milton Sowa a mason by profession on Wednesday 16 September 2020 appeared before Magistrate Hannah Bonnie of Court No.1 Pademba Road Freetown on a count of Burglary and Larceny Contrary to Section 25 (1) and 13 (a) of the Larceny Act 1916. According to the Particulars of offence the accused Milton Sowa on Saturday 29 August 2020, at No.8 James Macarthy Drive off Spur Road Freetown with intent to steal broke and entered into the dwelling house of Salamatu Bah State Counsel attached at State House and stole therein one Apple laptop computer value one thousand six hundred dollars, equivalent to the current exchange rate of sixteen million five hundred thousand Leones, one X-R I phone mobile phone value eight hundred dollars equivalent to the current exchange rate eight million nine hundred and forty thousand Leones and fiscal cash of six million five hundred thousand Leones all to the total value of thirty million nine hundred and forty thousand Leones property of Salamatu Bah. When the charge was read to him no plea was taken and no legal representation made on his behalf. The accused was remanded in prison and the matter adjourned to25 September 2020. ASP Ibrahim Sheik Mansaray is Prosecuting the matter.

MoPED facilitates the Donation of USD45,000 Worth of Items

Breaking News, Environment, News

The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development has facilitated the donation of items worth forty-five thousand US dollars, courtesy of the Catholic Relief Service (CRS), to the Western Area Urban and Falaba District COVID-19 Emergency Response Centres ,respectively, to augment government’s efforts in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic in Sierra Leone. The items included: computers, printers and toner cartridges, motorbikes with helmets, megaphones with batteries, thermometers with batteries and rain gears among others. In giving the background, DrAzeezOseni, Head of Programmes CRS said they mobilised resources internally to respond to a call made by MoPED to NGOs (national and International) to support the Government in fighting the corona virus disease. DrAzeezOseni praised the Minister for the visionary leadership he displayed within a short period to change the NGO landscape that has been very conducive for development implementation. He went on further to say that what motivated CRS and the INGOs was the coordinated approach MoPED employed in engaging them to respond to the COVID-19 Response, which he said, had paid off immensely as there was avoidance of duplication of efforts and wastage of resources. The CRS Regional Director for West Africa, Jennifer Overton applauded the Minister for his leadership in coordinating the NGOs. She said it was novel and strategic as it helped to minimise the chaos that happened in previous crisis situations in which NGOs were running like wild geese with no coordination and often, wastage of resources and less impact. She commended Sierra Leoneans for their resilience in surviving various crisis that had befallen the country. In his statement, The Minister of Planning and Economic Development Dr Francis Kai-Kai praised CRS for their support to Sierra Leone since Independence in all facets of society. He noted President Bio’s proactive measures taken when the world became aware of the Corona virus outbreak in China. He said some of the measures involved mobilising development partners in a coordinated manner to ensure all hands were on deck with a united strategy. Dr. Kai-Kai said the donation from CRS was a pleasant but open surprise due to the nature of relationship between Sierra Leone and the CRS that had now been recently elevated to diplomatic level. He called on all present to applaud and celebrate CRS for their demonstration of continued support to development initiatives in Sierra Leone. Dr Kai-Kai went on to say that the donation from CRS to the DICOVERCs of Falaba and Western Urban was appropriate as Western Urban was the epicentre of the COVID-19 and Falaba, a new and deprived district. The DICOVERC Coordinator for Western Urban, Miatta French, on behalf of NACOVERC appreciated CRS for their continued support to the COVID-19 response in the country. She said such donations from NGOs have helped them in the fight against COVID-19 which has massively contributed to the fall in COVID-19 cases in the country. The National NGO Coordinator, Eric Massallay commended CRS for responding to the call of the Government of Sierra Leone through MoPED. He said CRS had continued to demonstrate strategic leadership in mobilizing other NGOs in the two districts they oversee to fight against the COVID-19. Mr. Massallay noted that Falaba, being a very new district would appreciate the donated items in the COVID fight.

TOURISM MINISTRY & UNDP TRAINS COASTAL WOMEN IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP

More News, Tourism, Travel

The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs (MTCA) with support from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on Saturday 12th September, 2020 provided training on the theme ” Climate Change Resilience for Women Entrepreneurs in Tourism Coastal Risk Areas” on Banana Island, one of Sierra Leone’s Colonial legacies dotted along Freetown’s Atlantic Ocean. In his opening statement, the Chairman of the programme –Hon. Deputy Minister of MTCA. Mr. William I.K. Robinson– stated the essence of the gathering, noting that “This is the first time in the history of this country for a Government Minister and his Deputy to be in the Island at the same time.” he further sensitized the locals on the importance of unity and respect for authority, adding that “Tourism is here to empower women on an alternative livelihood.” He assured them of the relevance of the training in their career while encouraging them to put it into good use. Madam Veronica Shuaiba, Head Woman of the village in her welcome address, expressed delight over seeing a sitting Hon. Minister on the said island and for the first time, exclaiming that it is a blessing to them. She further informed the Hon. Minister about the challenge her community faces working with some proprietors of the tourism facilities operating on the Island, whom she believed, normally fail to comply with their cooperate social responsibility mandate. Madam Vero also revealed the unfortunate trend of guests harassment by some residents of Kent village, which according to her recommendation, the Ministry should take strategic action to stifle it in order to ensure reasonable tourism proceeds from visitors. Chairman National Tourists Board, Mr. AlieuKokobay, assured the locals of looking into their concerns as he confirmed to them the urgency and huge interest Government has in developing these islands. Mr. Mohamed Jalloh while reiterating the purpose of the training, said His Excellency the President Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio prioritizes the Tourism Sector as a driver for economic diversification. He continued that “We are here today to prepare the women with training on tourism and climate change as it will help them improve on the community in terms of handling tourists that may visit Banana Island.” The training, Director Jalloh concluded, was to stimulate their minds to have an alternatives in livelihood. In her keynote address the Hon. Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu B. Pratt, expressed satisfaction over the historic event as she expressed thanks and appreciation to President Bio for prioritizing her sector being among the leading vehicles for the nation’s economic growth and development. She took them through the historical significance of the said Island and explained: “We all have relevant things that would have made the story of the Island different. She briefly highlighted some of the immediate attractions needed on the Island ranging from protection and preservation of the jetty to fixing up solar lights panels. She promised to collaborate and partner with relevant stakeholders to get some of these projects in motion. She concluded that “about 70% of women make up the Tourism sector and capacitating them is a must.”

Mines Minister Caution Mining Companies For Effective Operations

Business, Economy, Mines & Natural Resources

By Mohamed Sheriff The Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources and his team have concluded two-day familiarisation tour to three mining companies in Southern and Eastern part of the country. Sierra Diamonds Limited in Tongo, Kenema District, Sierra Rutile Limited and Sierra Mining Holdings Limited ( Vimetco) in Moyamba District. The purpose of the visits was to know, discuss, and find ways on how the Government can help the mining companies in this difficult time when the Corona virus has put every sector backward. The said mining companies warmly welcomed the Minister and his entourage in their mines. The three companies expressed similar sentiments on how hard they have been hit by the COVID-19 pandemic . They expressed their gratitude to the Minister and his Government for taking special time to visit them and to know how they are faring on during this challenging period. They highlighted some of their plans in the next coming years and social responsibilities they’ve fulfilled in their different mining locations before and during the pandemic in order to help curb the Coronavirus out of their operating areas and the country at large. Karl Smithson, Executive Director Sierra Diamonds Limited said that the company is pleased with the way the Government is allowing them to operate in the country. “Tongo Kimberlite diamonds are hybrid in nature, they are among the best diamonds in the world. The Tongo Diamond Project is one of the highest diamond project in West Africa. The company has planned to provide over 700 jobs for the locals. The landscape of Sierra Leone and Liberia are unique in terms of Mineral in Africa”, he ended. Theuns De-Bruyne is the Acting Chief Operations, Sierra Rutile Limited said over the past two years the company have contributed immensely towards human capital development via training of the locals and as well as giving them scholarships to further their education in various tertiary institutions in the country. BasudebDatta is the General Manager, Vimetco maintained that they will continue to pay taxes and requested for the Minister to consult with the appropriate bodies to see how best the taxes can be reduced for them during this Corona period. The Minister of Mines and Minerals Resources, Mr. Timothy Kabba expressed his thanks and appreciation to the companies for adhering to his call in a short time. He commended the companies for their activities both in the mining sector and to the community people as well. He added that the companies should up their game so as to be able to kick off mining in full scale for the benefit of their companies and the people, since the virus has started subsiding in the country and the world. The Minister noted that the ministry will ensure to provide the required help/aid so that the companies will be able to stand the test of time. ” I want to see the companies succeed so that the lives of the people will be better because they own the land and the minerals”, he said. He commended the companies for the scholarships and training they’re giving to the locals and other citizens; he pleaded with the companies to continue the kind gesture to the community people. ” I want to encourage the companies to ensure that the communities and the country at large benefit from the ongoing mining process so that the country will not be a total loser amidst the plenty of resources it has”, he noted. While addressing the workforce of Sierra Diamonds Limited (SDL) Sierra Rutile Limited (SRL), and Vimetco, the Mines Minister thanked them for accepting to work for the companies. “I want to encourage you to work hard, be patient, law abiding, loyal to your country and be supportive to your family for a better life and a better economy of Sierra Leone”, he said. He commended the companies for creating job opportunities for the locals and the country at large. He promised that the Government of President Bio will stop at nothing to making sure that their rights are protected from abuse. He asked them to always feel free to use the right approach in case they have any issues with their employers. He promised to always be an intermediary between the workers and the companies so that the two will be winners since all of them are working for the country and for-profit purposes. Some of the workers at SDL, SRL, and Vimetco assured the Minister and in extension the Government of their continued support and be law-abiding for the good of the country.

ACC ENGAGES ROAD SAFETY CORPS IN KAMBIA

Corruption

The Public Education team of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in the North-West Regional office has on Wednesday 9th September 2020 engaged staff of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) in Kambia on various issues bothering on corruption and also solicited their support in the fight against bribery. Welcoming the ACC team, the Acting Head of Station of SLRSA in Kambia, Ibrahim T. Sarto described the meeting as timely and appropriate particularly when he was just coming in as the new Head of Station. He expressed firm conviction that the meeting would help guide their conduct and operation and also build on their existing knowledge on corruption. In an interactive meeting, the Regional Manager in his statement informed the Road Safety Corps of the presence of the ACC in the region with a regional office located in Port Loko City to lead the fight against corruption and to put in place anti-corruption measures to address graft and bribery. He explained related corruption offences and warned them in very strong terms to desist from those corrupt practices or face the full force of the law. Staff of the authority were also educated on key highlights of the 2019 Amendment Act of the ACC. Manager Sesayemphasised that the amendment laws have made corruption a very expensive and risky venture to undertake. He cautioned them to be mindful of the law and their interaction with the public, citing a video that went viral on social media wherein a Road Safety Corp was filmed receiving bribe from a tricycle rider. He noted that in the line of duty, the SLRSA officers are liable to face public resistance particularly when enforcing the law and enhancing road safety guidelines and precautions. Public Education Officer Mohamed Thullah encouraged personnel to maintain high ethical standards and to be mindful of the ACC laws, adding that with the presence of the ACC in the region it will no longer be business as usual. He accentuated corrupt issues prevalent in the traffic sector particularly in checkpoints, pointing to a perverse system of extortion from the public. He highlighted various methods of reporting corrupt practices to the ACC and encouraged them to resist and reject demands of corruption. A question and answer session and the presentation of IEC materials on corruption formed part of the engagement.

Govt. To Rebrand Connaught Hospital …Health Minister

Health, Local, News

By Mohamed Massaquoi Minister of health and sanitation making statement Minister of Health and Sanitation, Prof. Alpha Tejan Wurie has disclosed that government has refocused more on one of the oldest hospitals in the West Africa Sub-Region, the Connaught hospital for effective and efficient service delivery thus damned social media claimed that the hospital lacks it credentials. The hospital provides medical and surgical services; treatment for HIV/AIDS, TB and Leprosy; ophthalmology, physiotherapy, oral health and an outpatient department for emergency care. The Ministry of Health and Sanitation’s (MOHS) Health Sector Recovery Plan for 2015-2020 placed significant focus on improving Connaught Hospital with the aim of making it a key component in a new national teaching hospital complex. To accomplish this, Connaught has attainedthe standard required for accreditation for postgraduate training, and to firmly establish the hospital as a hub of quality care, setting standards nationally. Only recently, Prof. Wurie was at Connaught to hand over additional truck load of assorted supplies of medical commodities including Oxygen Concentrators, Beds, Uniforms and other consumables to the Connaught Teaching Hospital Complex on Thursday September 10, 2020 at the hospital grounds in Freetown. ” I feel very happy, I want them to know that President Julius Maada Bio initially described the year 2020 as he year for deliverable and so our commencement is to rehabilitate facilities within Connaught hospital, and that work is currently ongoing at the Duty House. Also by October this year, we will rehabilitate the Annex Unit and the costing will involve three to four other facilities in this hospital,” he said added that the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is to be re-classified to a standard unit. The Minister urged health practitioners to handle the hospital well and informed them that they are developing a policy for doctors on contract to fully come onboard and provide services to the people.\ The Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Thomas Samba also reiterated that the donation is to motivate healthcare workers in service delivery to their patients. He noted that they do associate with problems and challenges they are facing, and the Ministry will work with them to ensure that these challenges and problems are resolved, and urged them to work together on changing the narratives. The Managing Director, National Medical Supplies Agency (NMSA), Dr. Lawrence Sandi said their vision remains in the pandemic to protect the frontline workers who are the nurses, doctors, pharmacists and all auxiliary staff.

SLCS DG Set to Bows Out

Human Rights, News

The Director General of the Sierra Leone Correctional Service has expressed willingness to retire from the Department when his term of service “comes to an end on the 9th October, 2020”. He made this statement while addressing members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Oversight Committee in Parliament. The DG updated the august body on key achievements and challenges in the SLCS, especially ones under his reign. “Inmates now receive training from trained SLCS staff in vocational skills, and adult literacy, business/ entrepreneurship skills, agriculture, among others.” Pointing to the fact that inmates are engaged in industry work, he said stripends were being provided to inmates which would eventually be used to help in their reintegration and resettlement into society. Mr. Lamboi also mentioned that the University of Makeni stood out, in terms of all other tertiary institutions in the country, in helping inmates with University education. “Other institutions like the United Nations Development Programme, International Bureau of Narcotics and Law Enforcement, Don Bosco Fambul, among others, have played important roles in the reformation drive of the SLCS.” Commenting on structural developments, DG said his administration had ensured the construction of a conference hall, senior officers’ mess, child- friendly centre, the establishment of the North- West regional headquarters in Port Loko, and the construction of a clinic which will be devoted to officers and their families. Having underscored key successes in the Department, the DG shifted the discourse to challenges faced. “We sometimes struggle to get allocation from the Ministry of Finance to run the Department; we are also under- staffed by over a thousand. Above all, we are still grappling with issue of the relocation of the Pademba road Correctional Centre.” Responding to some of the issues raised by the DG, the Chairman of the Committee said the SLCS “is a very important institution in the country”, adding government should pay utmost attention to it. He offered to summon a meeting with the Ministry of Finance in order to impress on them to be releasing funds due to the SLCS, and to also provide funds for the recruitment of personnel.

Abu Bakarr Turay Declares for Bar Association Vice Presidency

In Sia Alleged Murder Trial: Doctor says effect of CPR may Lead to “Fractured Ribs”

Chinese Learning Program Promotes Cultural Diversity and Language Education

Bai Mamoud Acquitted of Failed Coup Charges

Maritime Administration on a Two-Day Management talks to Develop Five-Year Strategic Plan

ACC REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO MONITORING PSSNYE PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

Standards Bureau to Introduce Standardized Market Measurements

IMF talks on sustained reform momentum & efforts to improve macroeconomic conditions in Sierra Leone

ECOWAS National Office Takes on Wai Community in Pujehun on Cross-Border Project Implementation

NSA Certifies 10 Law Graduates

Sierra Leone”s new Ambassador to Morocco resumes duty

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