What Govt. is doing to Cushion in the Economic Hardship? By AlusineFullah The Government of Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA), the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and oil marketing companies, has reached an agreement to raise the prices of petroleum products within the country, transitioning from Nle 25 to NLe 30 per litre“During the period under review, the International oil reference prices (Plats) increased invariably though at a declining rate, however, the stronger USD/SLL has hiked the pump prices for Diesel and Kerosene. Diesel is still cross subsidized at the retail market…” According to the press lease from PRA, it states: “Accordingly, pump prices effective 29th August 2023 for the public are as follow: Petrol: NLe 30, Diesel: NLe 30, Kerosine: NLe 30; Fuel oil: NLe 30 Fuel price is astronomically high and it has brought a sharp thorn in the flesh of the fledging economy. Who stomach the pain? The poor people!!Moving things from the frying pan into the fire, the price of fuel constantly skyrocketing every moment and hour. Put simple, the price of petroleum products has witnessed a steady rise in recent times with ripple effects on public transportation and the cost of local products, the price of rice, the staple food, has also progressively hiked. This is coupled with an unprecedented rise in the prices of building materials, with a direct impact on housing.  Food like all commodities in Sierra Leone is transported by and large within the country by road, thus the price of food commodities is directly related to the price of fuel.  As a result, high food prices in Sierra Leone have forced Sierra Leoneans to eat cheaper and less nutritious food, to eat smaller portions and less. This has caused increased levels of malnutrition, mental depression and disease, increased poverty and threats to peace, stability and social cohesion in the country. Food like all commodities in Sierra Leone is transported by and large within the country by road, thus the price of food commodities is directly related to the price of fuel. According to Hassan Koroma, a staunch supporter from the main opposition party, APC said: “Looking at the 17 SDS goals, goal 1 focuses on no poverty. In line with that, each and every government has a key responsibility to vastly reduce economic hardship for the people. Let us forget about politics now, but let us talk about lingering hardship in this country. As a Sierra Leonean, I need to be honest here that economic hardship is rapidly growing…people are dying of this chronic hardship which has fueled by constant increased of fuel price…” According to Councilor Mohamed Conteh (from the SLPP camp) at ward 109 told Expo Times that: “The economy hardship in Sierra Leone is a global thing. The Russian war and COVID 19 issues have put a thorn to the economic growth in Sierra Leone. On the side of the government, in order to mitigate the lingering financial crises, in his presentation of financial year 2023, Dennis K. Vandi stated: “Mr. Speaker, Honorable Members, despite the limited fiscal space engendered by the ongoing crises, Government will continue to implement programmes and policies to mitigate the impact on the population, especially the vulnerable groups. Therefore, the 2023 Budget seeks to provide support to: Many Sierra Leoneans are still pondering and wondering whether the 2023 budget is reflecting on the common man.  This is not the first time for fuel price increment. In nexus to that, on the 1st August, 2023 PRA released a press lease that stated: “The Government of Sierra Leone through the Petroleum Regulatory Agency (PRA), the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Trade and Industry and oil Marketing Companies has agreed to increase the prices of petroleum products in the country from Le22, 000 to Le25, 000. The new pump prices will be effective today 1st August 2023. Under the new adjustments, the pump prices for petrol, diesel, kerosene, and fuel oil will all be set at NLe25.00 for the public.”

By AlusineFullah Dr. Austin Demby, the Minister of Health and Sanitation has been appointed as the first vice-chairman of the world health organization (WHO) regional committee for Africa. This appointment has put Sierra Leone in a strategic position for advancement in health investment and outcomes. Dr. Demby has disclosed that he has got a fruitful discussions as well as engaging, the WHO regional committee for Africa is in full gears to discussing global prevention, preparedness an response mechanisms respectively. Dr. Austin Demby is currently the Minister of Health and Sanitation for the Government of Sierra Leone prior to assuming his current position; he served as the Acting Director of the Office of Global Health at the United States Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Dr. Demby began his public health career in 1980 as a research scientist with the centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Meanwhile, he then went on to become country director of the CDC field station in Sierra Leone (1987-1989) where he studied Lassa fever and other viral hemorrhagic fevers.

By Alusine Fullah The Sierra Leone Police (SLP) has made a concern on a press lease that dated on the 29th August, 2023 about boats and canoes operations across the wharves of Sierra Leone. The press lease states: “The Sierra Leone (SLP) is concernd that locally made boats and canoes operate and berth at wharves across the country at night in the guise of involving in either transpporttion and fishing activities…” After serious engagement/ meeting with various stakeholders to examine the threats posed by these operation in wharves across the country, the meeting however concluded that credible intelligence so far received points to the fact that unscruptious people have plans to exploit the current situation to their advantage by using these wharves at night to carry out clandestine activities. Connizant to the security threats posed, the SLP has announced the following measures: Effective Friday, 1st September, 2023, all boats are banned from using, berthing or anchoring any wharf across the country after 7pm; That the SLP, working with other ministers, departments and agencies will intensify monitoring and security checks at all wharves across the country.

By AlusineFullah His Excellency the President, Brig. (Rtd.) Julius Maada Bio has appointed Mrs. Musayeroh Barrie as the new Director General- Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority. The statement from the Office of President reads: “I have the honor to inform you that in accordance with Section 22 (1) of the Civil Aviation Act, 2019, it has pleased His Excellency the President, Brig. (Rtd.) Julius Maada Bio to appoint you as Director General, Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, subject to the approval of Parliament. You are kindly advised to contact the Clerk of Parliament who will arrange a meeting with the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service of Parliament to consider your appointment. Following approval by Parliament, further details, including the Terms and Conditions of your appointment will be communicated to you.”