April 5, 2017 By Sahr Morris 

Maggie Barrie now eyeing 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships qualification

Sierra Leone and Ohio State University runner, Maggie Barrie, has wasted no time coming through with a Personal Best time in the 400 meters, clocking 52.82 seconds in her heat at the Florida Relays in United States of America.

Barrie, who hopes to represent Sierra Leone at the forthcoming 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships in London, is close to meeting the Championship 400m standard, which stands at 52.10 seconds for women.

Last Saturday’s push in her opener could have given the Sierra Leonean international hopes that it just a matter of time, she can meet the qualifying time.

In the international sprint sensation in March this year, she also broke her own national record for Sierra Leone in the 400 meters Indoor event at the Big 10 Championships in Ohio, where her University (The Ohio State University) participated.

Maggie took no time in attacking her own personal best time and Sierra Leone National Record of 54.15 seconds to lower it to 53.46 seconds in the preliminary heats of the women’s 400 meters event, which now stands as the new national record.

The triple sprint specialist has a personal best time of 11.68 seconds in the 100 meters. She only started running the 400 meters in earnest at the collegiate level.

Meanwhile, Agnes Bangura won the long jump for the Lynn English girls at their team’s first meet of the 2017 season at Manning Field.

April 5, 2017 By Sahr Morris Jnr

Abdulai Rogers of Sierra Leone (red) v Chamara Perera of Sri Lanka (blue

President of the Sierra Leone Wrestling Association (SLWA), Prince Sualley, has revealed that they were under intensive preparation for the Africa Championships in Marrakesh, Morocco from April 25 to 30, 2017.

According to Sualley, they were expected to take along over 6 wrestlers from both male and female, adding that the championship would form part of the preparation for the World Championship later this year.

The wrestling boss said for the first time they were considering moving the team to camp for a week before their departure to Marrakech, despite they were still seeking funds from both the government and the association’s  well-wishers.

“I am hoping that the last week before our departure we move the wrestlers to camp because this year we want to get one of the best results in the continent,” Sualley said.

The SLWA boss, who is also the Treasurer of the National Olympic Committee of Sierra Leone (NOC-SLE), said all that is required for the wrestlers to win laurels at major championships was to train well to be in proper shape and face the challenges.

Sierra Leone Wrestlers have enjoyed good outings in the African championship, with the duo of Abdulai Salam and Hajaratu Kanu grabbing three successive titles in the continental showpiece.

The pair has won medals in all their previous three outings at the African championship. In Marrakesh, Morocco, Salam won a bronze medal in the 74kg Greco Roman style, while Hajaratu secured bronze in the Olympic qualifiers.

Their last success came in Tunis with Hajaratu securing a silver medal in the 75kg female bout, whilst Salam fought in the 75kg Greco Roman style category and took the bronze medal. This year’s Championships would  see wrestlers fight in Freestyle & Greco-Roman Wrestling.

April 12, 2017 By Ibrahim Tarawallie

Interim Chairman and Leader of the National Progressive Democrats (NPD) yesterday stated that unlike other countries, corruption was being celebrated in Sierra Leone simply because some ministers and other members of society accused and convicted of corruption were being moved from one ministry and department to another, instead of them facing justice in court for their actions.

The NPD is one of the newest political parties to have gotten the approval of the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC), to contest the March 7, 2018 presidential, parliamentary and local council elections, after receiving registration certificate in February, this year.

During a presser hosted in the conference hall of the Sierra Leone Association of journalists (SLAJ), Almami Cyllah,  said those accused of corrupt practices were allowed to get off the hook without any form of prosecution.

Even though corruption is one of those issues that are so difficult to tackle anywhere in the world, Mr. Sillah noted that what makes it unique in Sierra Leone was that it has become a culture and cancer in society.

“Corruption is being celebrated in this country. Leaders and members of society that have been accused of certain corrupt practices are being moved from one ministry and department to another and sometimes promoted to higher positions instead of bringing them to justice. That is a bad thing to do,” he said.

With regard plans by the NPD to tackle corruption if they win the elections, Mr. Sillah, who was Commissioner of the National Electoral Commission during the 1996 elections, said the ordinary Sierra Leonean would be encouraged to be the watchdogs for corrupt practices in order to help bring culprits to book.

“Other countries around the world suffer from corruption but there is a legal system to address it. But in Sierra Leone when someone is caught, they are celebrated. That needs to change. We should not be going after people because we want to indict them but rather we should do so because it is the right thing to do,” he maintained.

On improving the healthcare system, the NPD Interim Chairman said they were determined to be sure that as long they were going to put much money into education, they would spend money to improve the health system in the country.

“The government doesn’t care about the health of the people. Because they have the opportunity to go overseas for treatment, they care less about improving our healthcare system. They live our young people, pregnant women and children to suffer,” he added.

April 12, 2017 By Mohamed Massaquoi

Jacob Jusu Saffa

The main opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) has registered its disappointment to the Chief Electoral Commissioner of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) regarding the ongoing biometric voter registration exercise in the country.

SLPP National Registration Committee Chairman, Jacob Jusu Saffa,   referencing a letter written on the 20, March 2017, said they sought   clarifications from NEC on some issues relating to the Biometric Voter Registration and that they promised during the  Political Parties Liaison Committee (PPLC) meeting on March 29, 2017 that they would reply to the quarries, but to no avail.

“Regrettably, for over three weeks since the letter was written, you have not replied to our letter. On behalf of the SLPP, I would like to express our disappointment for your failure to respond to the letter to date and to state that this act is against the spirit of transparency and partnership which are essential fundamentals of a free and fair electoral process,” he said.

“While waiting to hear from you let me reproduce the following questions in this follow-up letter, how many machines were imported for this process? Can you make available to political parties the serial numbers of the machines by district? What is the distribution of backup machines per district?”

Saffa questioned furthering that they were concerned about the machines being distributed serially by district, how the data collation was done and how secured was the data among other things.

“Let me hasten to reiterate that the responsibility of voter registration is solely the business of the National Electoral Commission (NEC). This means that NEC does not only conduct the physical registration of voters, but stores the data in its own server, conduct matching to check for duplication in the presence of party agents knowledgeable in Biometrics, exhibit the voter registration and issue Voter ID cards. Additionally, the SLPP wishes to emphasise that only the final voter register will be submitted to the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) and the Political Parties. The SLPP abhors any attempt by the NEC to share the data on voters with any other authority before matching is finalized,” he noted.

April 12, 2107 By Hassan Gbassay Koroma

The Principal Magistrate at the Siaka Steven Street Magistrates’ Court No.1, Dr. Abou Bhakarr Binneh Kamara, yesterday remanded one Fomba Bunduka, a recruit of the Sierra Leone Police at the Pademba Road Male Correctional Centre, pending sentencing for the offence of false declaration contrary to the Perjury Act.

The accused was before the court on two counts of false declaration contrary to Section 4 of the Perjury Act of 1911.

 The prosecution alleges that the accused, Fomba Bunduka on 15th February, 2017 at the Human Resource Management , Sierra Leone Police Headquarters, George Street in Freetown, knowingly made false statement in his applicant form for the recruitment in the Sierra Leone Police that his date of birth was 4th April 1988 knowing same to be false.

The prosecution further alleges that the accused on Thursday 23rd February, 2017 at the Sierra Leone Police Force Training School at Hastings, made false statement in his own handwriting and purported that his registration date of birth to be on 4th April 1988 in the police registration sheet knowing to be false.

However, Magistrate Kamara had adjourned the matter to Friday 14th April, 2017 for sentencing.

April 12, 2017 By Joseph S. Margai

Expert engineer from LUCY teaching STEG and EDSA staff on how to maintenance of the sub-station

STEG International Services, a Tunisian based company, which was contracted to undertake the procurement, installation and commissioning of the reinforcement and extension of medium and low voltage network, as well as the supply of prepaid meters and vending stations in the Western Area, is set to complete the addendum of the electricity facility in the Western Area.

STEG International Services is currently implementing an Islamic Development Bank (IDB) project, which costs over eleven million United States Dollars (US$11m). It started the implementation in October, 2015 and completed in December, 2016 but an addendum to the project was also signed by STEG.

 An expert engineer from LUCY, a United Kingdom (UK) based company that manufactured the equipment procured by STEG for the project, has arrived  and staff of both Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) and STEG are being trained on how to maintenance the sub-station machines established by the project.

Yesterday morning at High Broad Street, Murray Town, the expert engineer was busy doing maintenance work and testing a 200KVA sub-station machine before it could be connected to the electricity network.

STEG International Services’ Project Coordinator, Alhaji Mohamed Tarawally, said the manufacturers of the equipment used for the project sent their own engineers to check and ensure as to whether STEG’s staff did a good job.

“After this addendum, electricity distribution and supply will be improved in the Western Area. We are allowing our staff and that of EDSA to be trained on how to do the maintenance work in the absence of the expert engineer. This is a way of ensuring sustainability of the facilities we have installed,” he said in a snappy interview with Concord Times at High Broad Street.

Residents of Murray Town, who were at the scene yesterday, expressed optimism over the improvement of electricity supply in their community.

They thanked President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma and his Minister of Energy, Ambassador Henry Macauley, for providing steady supply of electricity in their community.

April 12, 2017 By Memunatu Bangura

Pa Sao Brima Jaward-84 and Jonathan Gbonda- 34 were yesterday sent on remand at the Male Correctional centre on Pademba Road by Magistrate Abou Bakar Binneh-Kamara of court No. 1 for an alleged Diversity fraud.

The two accused persons were arraigned on five counts of conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence contrary to Section 32 (1) of Larceny Act 1961.

According to the particulars of offence, the men, on a date unknown, between 1^st April to 30^th October, 2016 in Freetown, conspired with other unknown persons to commit a felony.

 The prosecution also alleged that on the same date, the accused persons obtained the sum of eleven million four hundred thousand Leones (Le11, 400,000) from one Muskuda Serry Kamara by falsely purporting that they hada Diversity Visa (DV) program to travel to Australia, knowing same to be false.

The particulars of offence continued that the men on the same date obtained the sum of six million Leones (Le6, 000,000) each from Adama Bangura and Mathew Mamie, and one million two hundred thousand Leones (Le1, 200,000) from Fatmata Kargbo by falsely pretending that they had a Diversity Visa (DV) to America.

The magistrate has adjourned the matter to 19^th April 2016.

In a related development, Magistrate Binneh-Kamara also sentenced Suliaman Abu Bakarr and Mohamed Sesay to one year imprisonment each or pay a fine of five hundred thousand Leones (Le500, 000) each.

He also ordered them to pay a compensation of three hundred thousand Leones (Le300,000) to the complainant.

While delivering his judgment, Magistrate Binneh-Kamara said the accused persons did not wasted the court’s time in answering to the charges.

The duos were before the court on two counts of Conspiracy and Larceny contrary to Section 2 of Larceny Act 1916.

The particulars of offence stated that the men on Friday, 17^th February, 2017 at Wallace Johnson Street, conspired with unknown persons to commit a felony to wit larceny by trick.

April 12, 2017 

Residents of Gorama Mende in Kenema District have endorsed the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report for Seawright Mining Company, thus  calling on the company to go ahead with their proposed Diamond and Gold exploration project.

The report which was prepared by a renowned environmental consulting firm, ECOSYS Sierra Leone Limited is in line with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Act of 2008 and amended in 2010.

The events took place on the 7th April, 2017 at  Pondoru School , Gorama Mende Chiefdom, Kenema District.

 Gorama Mende Chiefdom Speaker, Jeseph S. Koroma said they have agreed for Seawright to operate in their chiefdom.

“I am very much happy about this gathering. We have given you the green light to operate as a mining company in our chiefdom,” he said.

Representing the Environmental Protections Agency (EPA) Sierra Leone, Aiah Wurie Kembay, said EPA was not against mining but was there to protect the environment for the next generation, through the environmental impact assessment.

He urged his audience to be more attentive as they saw the disclosure as one that was very important, adding that no mining will take place if a company fails to conduct an assessment on the environment.

“If public disclosure does not take place, we will not know what the people want and expect, as our responsibility is to take care of the land and the people. Public disclosure is plain talk and face-to-face discussion,” he said.

He appealed to all that they should work in the interest of the community, hoping that they would not regret after the disclosure.

Paramount Chief of Gorama Mende Chiefdom, Kenema District, Madam Mariama Kamanda, welcomed the initiative by Seawright, noting that she was optimistic about the operation of the company in her Chiefdom.

PC Madam Mariama Kamanda reflected on the days when mining companies went to their chiefdom, mined and left without doing anything for them, but stated that Seawright Mining Company had gone to them with a difference.

“Seawright mining is undertaking a lot of developmental projects in our community such as the construction of roads, schools and water facilities, among others,” she said.

She urged her subjects to make good use of the opportunity given to them by the company.

Chief Operation Officer of the company, William Brown Kamanda, disclosed that Seawright is an American based company, but was being managed by a Sierra Leonean and that it started operations in 2013.

Kamanda spoke about the cordial relation they wanted with the community in which they operate, promising to create jobs for the locals when they shall have been graduated into full scale mining.

He added that they were previously operating under the name, Sewa Mining, but changed to Seawright Mining Company in 2016.

“Our exploration is diamond and gold and that is our primary focus. In 2013, we came as a company,” he said.

He added that, “We are strengthening the relationship with the communities; our doors are always opened to the community people. There are lots of developments that have taken place in this community including road rehabilitation, fixing of imported bridges, and supporting education. We have more things to do and plans are on the pipe line,” he said.

He said they were only exploring at the moment, thus speaking about ongoing projects for the community including the construction of six class room blocks, toilets, staff room and office at Foyama.

He said they would be paying Le 50 Million yearly  to the chiefdom and that each of the 14 land owners  would receive Le 5 Million yearly.

“It is only with your compliance and support you will make things happen. We have lot in mind. With your support it will not just be words but action,” he said

Team Leader for the Public Disclosure Report, Anthony Davies of ECOSYS (SL) Ltd, said Seawright mining area and license was previously acquired by the Sewa Mining Company, which mainly used artisanal/local methods for mining the minerals.

Seawright Mining presently has bought the entire share from Sewa Mining Company and owned 100% shares.

He disclosed that the company intended to embark on exploration of the mining concession of the Exploration license EL 45/11 for the next three years. The exploration activities, he added, were targeted to capture Diamonds, Gold and any other chance finding.

The proposed exploration activities would commence in the South-Eastern part of Sierra Leone, along the Sewa River, Between Kenema and Kono Districts in brief, prospecting for Diamonds, Gold and any chance finding.

“The Seawright Mining Company is committed to design and operate the proposed development to the same standard as obliged by the GoSL and the regulatory Agencies-EPA and NMA. SWM is also committed to comply with all applicable legal and regulatory requirements that are obtained in Sierra Leone. This commitment also applies to the expatriate contractor. The design and operational criteria for the exploration processes and facility have been based upon guidance provided by various GoSL authorities, legislative and regulatory considerations identified below, and the World Bank and International Finance Corporation performance standards,” he said.

He went on to say that Seawright Mining Company acknowledged their responsibility to the environment and also to the EPA Act, 2008 and 2010.

He said the developers have identified and examined all the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed exploration project and the operation of various exploration equipment and facilities, and have addressed those concerns in this assessment report.

April 12, 2017 By Victoria Saffa

Residents of Portee community, east end of Freetown, are at risk of contracting diseases as the community has been recently engulfed by heaps of rubbish.

The situation has urged residents to call on both local and international organisations to address the problem of poor sanitation before things get out of control. Residents also expressed grave concern over the manner at which most people in the community have been disposing garbage in drainages very close to their neighbours.

Momoh Conteh, whose house is very close to the community drainage, told Concord Times that people were in the habit of disposing garbage into the drainage, making it very difficult for the free flow of water.

“We are at risk of contracting malaria, cholera and other diseases caused by poor sanitation. We have been telling people to stop dumping garbage in the gutter. Most times, the act is done at night when most people would have gone to bed,” he said.

Another resident, Tenneh Kamara said the community drainage has been in existence for years now, thus expressing similar frustration as the former.

 “Our community has now become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. We cannot sleep at night without mosquitoe coil and sheltox. Two of my kids have contracted malaria. I am just frustrated about the way our neighbours have been treating us by dumping their garbage in the gutter,” she expressed her frustration.

April 12, 2017 By Sahr Morris Jnr

Mohamed Khan of Sierra Leone appeals

Sierra Leone national cricket team, The Patriot are on the brink of relegating to the ICC Africa World Division II, following a poor, shamble and dismal  performance at the ongoing 2017 ICC World Cricket League African qualifier at Sahara Park Willowmoore in Benoni, South Africa.

The Patriot final hopes of escaping relegation in the tournament hang in the balance and a must win encounter against Tanzania on Thursday.

 Another defeat to Botswana last Tuesday marked the West African side poor run continuation in the tournament going down narrowly by 2 wickets to their Southern African opponents, their fourth in four matches.

Unlike previous matches, Sierra Leone started the Botswana match with batting and  were all out for 137 runs in 48.5 overs. Youngster, Edward Ngegba, continued his good form in the tournament as he was Sierra Leone’s top scorer in the match with 42 runs from 87 balls.

Botswana replied in the second inning with 138 for the loss of 8 wickets in 44.3 overs with Motlanka been their stand out player with 53 runs from 104 ball.

The defeat does not only put an end to Sierra Leone hopes of not only progressing to the ICC/African Division 5 or staying at the Davison 1 but sent the team back to the Division II tournament, which they won in April, 2016.

With a game to go against Tanzania on Thursday, the Patriot has nothing more to play for but pride having lost to Ghana by 113 runs in the tournament opener, 41 runs defeat to Zambia and also 91 runs nutmeg to Nigeria.

Meanwhile, Ghana sealed the only qualifying spot to the ICC Division 5 with a victory over Tanzania.

April 12, 2017 By: Samuel Morgan Yomba

Secretary General of Sierra Leone Swimming….Mohamed Turay

Secretary General of Sierra Leone Swimming, Diving and Water Polo Association, Mohamed Abdul Turay, has not hidden his Association backing for the international swimming federation, FINA’s  anti-doping programme.

With less than 100 days to go for the 17th FINA World Championships in Budapest (Hungary), FINA’s Out-of competition anti-doping programme continues to target the top athletes that will attend the competition.

Already in the first quarter of this year, over 600 testing missions were conducted on 376 athletes from 38 countries. A mission may consist of various tests and analyses: urine sample, blood sample for athlete passport, or blood sample for the detection of prohibited substances/methods.

Backing the this latest policy from the World governing body, Turay said it will not only help the sport but would also give chance and opportunity for simmers in smaller nations to compete in a free and clean competitions with level pool for all.

He said: “We are pleased with these new policies which are not only limited to the athletes but also coaches and officials. As an Association, we will ensure our family work in line with the FINA regulations that is why in our upcoming congress, we are going to include the FINA anti-doping policy as part of our deliberation.”

April 12, 2017 By Sahr Morris Jnr

Sierra Leone had a poor start to their campaign in the ongoing 2017 ITTF African Junior and Cadet Championships with defeat to Mauritius and Algeria respectively.

The West African nation is placed in group A together with Mauritius and Algeria. In their opening matches, Mauritius Zayyan Hossein had a three straight sets triumph over Sierra Leone’s  (11-9 , 11-5, 11-7), while Ryan Desscann defeated Alieu Sesay (11-6,11-5,11-8).

 In the final set, Zayyan Hossein registered another straight sets win over both Bredford Sawyer and Alieu Sesay (11-5, 11-3 and 11-7).

After the Mauritius assignment, then came the Algerian battle and Bredford Sawyer went down to Abderrahmane  Azzala one set to three (5-11, 11-7, 1-11 and 5-11)

Algeria’s Abdelbasset Chaich defeated Mohamed Kamara 11-4, 11-8 and 11-1, whiles in the doubles; Alieu Sesay and Bredford Sawyer went down to Abdelbasset Chaich  and Amdjed Oustani (5-11, 7-11, 10-12).

Sierra Leone now ranked third in the group with just two points, while the Algeria stays top with four points and Mauritius in second with three points.

April 13, 2017

Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles

The Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles has disclosed plans to set up a Human Rights Clinic at the Njala University and also get students involved with legal education.

She made the disclosure while addressing concerned students of the Njala University, the Attorney General and Director of Justice for the National Union of Sierra Leone Students, following a visit to the office on Thursday, April 6.

In less than two weeks since students embarked on a strike action, they returned to the offices of the Legal Aid Board in Freetown to say thank you for the legal assistance accorded them and to express a desire to work with the Board to promote access to justice.

The Public Relations Officers for the concerned students of Njala University, Alpha Umaru Barrie, was full of praises for the Executive Director and staff.

 “You did not only provide us a home during those difficult moments but also ensured the release of our colleagues and represented those who were charged to court. We cannot be grateful enough” he said.

Similar sentiments were expressed by the President of the Concerned Students, Melvina Fudia Kamara and the Attorney General and Director of Justice for the National Union of Sierra Leone Students, Hassan Timbo.

Other students present were the Secretary General for the Concerned Students,Mohamed Kabba, Financial Secretary, Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, Abdulai Kamara and Magdalene Dumbuya.

Ms. Carlton-Hanciles said the assistance provided to the students was not a favour but part of the mandate of the Board and called on them to channel their grievances through lawful means, noting that blocking the route to the residence of the president was not a lawful thing to do.

“As a legal institution, we do not condone lawlessness,” she stressed.

April 13, 2017 By Joseph S. Margai

Mr. Mohamed Bramaia Dumbuya: new hope for the people of Kukuna town

Aspiring candidate for the paramount chieftaincy election in the  recently de-amalgamated Bramaia Chiefdom , Kambia district, northern Sierra Leone, Mohamed Bramaia Dumbuya, has promised to transform the chiefdom into a hub of development, when he shall have been elected into office.

He made the above promise during an exclusive interview with Concord Times at his residence in Kukuna town, Bramaia chiefdom, Kambia district.

It could be recalled that Bramaia chiefdom was divided into two during the de-amalgamation process undertaken by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. Already, many aspirants have expressed their intentions to vie for the paramount chieftaincy position, and the leading one, Mohamed Bramaia Dumbuya, has put plans in place that would lead to the development of one of the ‘remotest’ chiefdoms in the country.

He told Concord Times that he decided to vie for the position because he wanted to better the lives of indigenes of the chiefdom.

.He cited the lack of electricity supply in the chiefdom as one of the challenges faced by residents but promised to lobby government to extend the direly needed facility to that part of the country.

“We have acute shortage of water in Kukuna town, among other problems. The only source of our drinking is a nearby stream which is over one mile away from Kukuna. I will address this problem if I attain the position of a paramount chief,” he said.

 He promised to prioritize education and agriculture when elected paramount chief.

He disclosed that there was no fuel station in the entire township but stated that he has established one with a mini supermarket so that pedestrians would have a place to buy essential items whenever they visit Kukuna.

 He noted that the prices for most of the items sold at his supermarket were the same to those in Freetown.

“I am currently constructing four guest houses which will be used to accommodate strangers,”he promised, adding that he would do everything in his powers to transform Bramaia into a centre of attraction.

Mr. Dumbuya said the chiefdom is predominantly inhabited by Muslims with no standard mosque to accommodate worshippers , adding that he has recently constructed a mosque and installed solar energy for the Muslim population.

 “Many people used to go to Kambia town and Freetown to buy building materials but I have opened a big shop here which contains food stuff, mattresses, among other items. The helps I have been rendering the people have urged them to call on me to vie for the paramount chieftaincy position,” he said.

April 13, 2017 By Ibrahim Tarawallie

A farmer scooping out water from a borehole at Mankneh Village close to Rotifunk Town, Moyamba District

A Sierra Leonean philanthropist residing in Norway has opted to provide safe-drinking water to Rotifunk township and its neighbouring villages with the rebuilding and construction of three hand-jerk pumps.

As the climate changes and the glowing sun continues to dry wet lands and leaving suburbs and inter-lands in a horrible state of despair, Alton Bendu’s  intervention is seen as a welcome move by residents with the search for safe-drinking water becoming more burdensome for ill-privileged communities.

According to Mr. Bendu, water is one of the most important elements needed by all humans for which its safety cannot be abandoned.

He said it is against this backdrop that he has opted to renovate abandoned hand-jerk pumps and dig new ones to provide safe-drinking water for the residents of Rotifunk and its environs.

“One of the basic things people should direct their focus on is to ensure that our communities have clean pure water,” he said.

In Rotifunk, a colonial town located in Moyamba District, poverty perches on the roof of houses and on the outlook of the town itself and its sparsely populated people with demeaning constancy.

According to Pa Lamina Koroma, Headman of Mankneh Village, of all the worries in Rotifunk and villages nearby, water seems to be the most prevailing concern for residents because the wells are dry and their quest for water is high.

Pa Koroma said: “Since Care built us a tap in 1989 and the war destroying it with more people coming to the village, we have had difficult times getting pure water. The whole village had to resort to the drinking of contaminated water fetched in swamps.”

He welcomed the news about Alton Bendu’s intention of renovating the abandoned hand-jerk pumps and constructing three new ones.

For Councilor Abubakarr Mansaray of Ward 292 Bumpeh Chiefdom Moyamba District, the search for safe-drinking water and renovating abandoned wells are real crises for them. He thanked Alton Bendu immensely for being selfless.

In Rotifunk, children had to go two miles away from town to fetch water in swamps with boreholes containing algae. This has led to the poor performance of students in exams since they allocate their study time to the fetching of water.

April 13, 2017  By Alfred Fornah

A cross section of the medical volunteers and the Director of ODA

The Director, Office of Diaspora Affairs (ODA) Mr. Kallay Musa Conteh has on Sunday 9th April, 2017 received a Team of twenty Sierra Leonean Diaspora Medical Professionals including some few other African Diaspora Medics from the United States of America at the Lungi International Airport.

The objective of their mission is to offer their home country free medical services in order to complement Government’s effort in the President’s Recovery Priorities.

According to a member of the Medical Volunteer Team, Zainab Bangura Dalboyi, a respiratory therapist, the medical mission was conducted by the African Diaspora Coordinating Office (ADCO) in collaboration with the African Women’s Cancer Awareness Association and Osman Boie Kamara Foundation.

On Monday 10th April, 2017 at the Connaught Hospital, the team of volunteer medical professionals started to deliver free health care services including dental care, eye care, pediatric, health promotion (like promoting awareness of breast cancer) early detection and referral, health screening and medications to Sierra Leoneans, who are in need of those services.

The Medical Mission is aimed at reaching Sierra Leoneans; particularly the less fortunate, who cannot afford basic medical care and have difficulty in accessing medical facilities.

The President of the African Diaspora Coordinating Office, Mamadu Juma Bah, said the one week clinic which they have started on Monday 10th April will end on Friday 15th April 2017. “The free medical services will be hosted at Connaught Hospital, Under five Clinic at JennerWright Road Up gun and Well Woman Clinic at Murray Town,’’ Mr. Bah noted.

Meanwhile, the African Diaspora Coordinating Office (ADCO) engages the African Diaspora Community for their full and active participation in Social and Economic Development of the Africa Continent, and this is their first Diaspora Medical Mission to Sierra Leone.

April 13, 2017

The Executive Director of  Legal Aid Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles and other staff of the Freetown Office have paid an on the spot visit to the Legal Aid Board Office in Waterloo where they interacted with clients. There were twenty-two clients with women accounting for the majority.

Ms. Carlton-Hanciles spoke to some of the clients about their complaints, majority of which were maintenance cases.

She also touched on the quality of service provided by the staff , assuring that they would be  receiving similar service as clients in the Freetown Office and other parts of the country, where the scheme has got an office.

 “You have to be patient with us because we do have enough staff to service you all at the same time but we will continue to do our best with the resources at our disposal,” she assured them.

Defence Counsel, Lawyer Tholley and Paralegals, Arnold Dixon and Gibril Jalloh, briefed Ms. Carlton-Hanciles and team on the volume of cases received per day. Ms. Carlton-Hanciles assured that steps were being taken to improve the office with furniture, computers, fan and air conditioners.

 “There is need to improve the working environment for you and our clients as the numbers accessing the scheme continue to increase,” she said.

She underlined the need to work closely with the police, the Magistrate Court and stakeholders in the justice sector, noting that the successes of the scheme were linked to the relationship with those institutions.

Carlton-Hanciles and team also interacted with the Magistrate for the Waterloo Court, Ms. Macauley, staff and police prosecutors, stressing the need for collaboration to decongest the Correctional Centres.

“The Pademba Road Correctional Centre has over two thousand one hundred inmates as we speak and this not good for us in the Justice Sector,” she said.

She encouraged the Magistrate to refer minor cases to the Board’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in Waterloo so as to decongest the court.

She also observed that some accused persons granted bail cannot find sureties because the conditions were stiff.

“This is an area you should also look at,” she stressed

Ms. Carlton-Hanciles suggested the idea of setting up courts in the Correctional Centres as part of a strategy to decongest them.

“These courts will ensure those who are due for release are released and those who should go to court do so without any waste of time,” she said.

April 18, 2017 By Patrick Jaiah Kamara

IG Munu…You have the onus to defend your institution in the Supreme Court

A rights and democratic group, Renaissance Movement has filed an action in the Supreme Court (SC) for it to make clear, the parameters within which the office of the Inspector General of Police (IG) can limit citizens’ rights to protest, if at all they have that powers.

Lead defense lawyer, Francis Ben Kelfala Esq, who is also one of the complainant in the matter, said in a press conference held at Charlotte Street in Freetown, that the Movement was challenging the authority of the IG and the police generally, who he said have constituted themselves into a ‘quasi-judicial’ entity that determines whether people can hold meeting, demonstrate or protest.

He said the Movement has put before the Supreme Court seven questions to answer and to decide on- as to whether Part III of the Public Order Act (POA) of 1965, which gives the police powers to allow or disallow permission to protest, was consistent with Section 26&27 of the 1991 constitution.

“Our core principles, ideas, and belief is that the rule of law must be prevailed and not an individual. We in the Movement have filed papers in the Supreme Court challenging the authority of the IG and the police force generally, who has constituted themselves into quasi-judicial entity, where they determine whether people can hold meetings, demonstrate, or protest. In doing so, they are applying the laws discriminatorily,” he said.

 He said the Movement has also asked among other issues, for the apex court to make clear whether the IG, refusing to provide security and stopping demonstrations, was not ultra-varying his powers.

Lawyer Kelfala noted that they were also asking the court as to whether the way the police handle the issue of protests was not discriminatorily done, as some people have been given security to protest, while others were refused.

He noted that some people go out to protest instantaneously without hindrance, while others were harassed, beaten and sometimes shot and killed.

He said they also wanted to know whether the powers in Section 17 of POA of 1965 were necessary in a democratic state.

“We believe this decision would set the matter to rest. Why are the police shooting at people that go out to protest? Do they have the power to do so? If this decision is made and becomes part of our jurisprudent, a lot would fall into place either ways,” he said.

He urged the new Chief Justice, Abdulai Hamid Cham, who took office in January 2016, to empanel judges to the matter as it was the second case filed in the highest court.

He said they have provided the court with a fifteen page case laws and precedencies from various democratic jurisdictions, which he said would help the court.

Earlier, Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, outgoing chairman of the Movement, said implementing the POA must be done with such flexibility that would give credence to constitutional provision as stated in Section 25 of 1991 Constitution.

“As a democratic country that is aspiring for its democratic credentials, democratic activities like procession and expression of disagreement of government policy must be greatly encouraged,” he said.

He said the Movement, which was formed in 2004 on Fourah Bay College campus, was made up young people from different political backgrounds, with the belief that the country was going the wrong part.

The plaintiff in the matter includes; Emmanuel Saffa Abdulai, Augustine Sorie Sengbeh Marrah, Michael Kanu, Gerald Sidi Cole, Kwesi Taylor, James Prince Sankoh and Francis Ben Kelfala.

“Three people were reported dead when youths protested in Kabala against government’s decision to allegedly move the youth village from Kabala in the Koinadugu.Opposition party members arrested, an Ansarul Islamic pupil was killed, womens’ group refused clearance by the police to assemble at Miata Coverence hall for the CRC to strength womens right ect,” he said .

World Bank lines-up $60m fisheries project

April 18, 2017 By Patrick Jaiah Kamara

Group photo taken outside the JOC conference Hall, Murray Town

The World Bank Country Manager in Sierra Leone has disclosed to newsmen last Thursday at the conference hall of the Joint Operation Centre (JOC) in Murray Town that the Bank has lined- up a sixty million United States Dollars project for the fishery sector.

Parminder P.S. Brar told a joint presser organised by his office, European Union (EU), the United States Embassy, and the JOC, that the scheme would be inaugurated next month as there was an ongoing four million Dollar  project.

He said the Bank was committed to continuing its successful partnership with the government of Sierra Leone through the WARFP (West African Regional Fisheries Programme), because the sub region fishing grounds were some of the richest in the world.

He noted that West African countries were losing $10 billion each year to illegal, Unregulated, and Unreported (IUU) fishing, which he said posed a serious challenge not only to Sierra Leone or Africa but also the world at large.

“The World Bank recognises the challenges Sierra Leone faces in managing its natural resources. The Bank remains fully committed to supporting the government in ensuring that the fisheries sector is sustainable and profitable. We believe that the fishing industry is absolutely critical for Sierra Leone that is why starting next month, we would be preparing a USD$60 million project for supporting fisheries in the country,” he disclosed.

The sector is the second highest contributor to the country’s Gross Domestic Product. In 2016, it contributed Le56 billion to the national revenue but illegal activities offshore are needed to be addressed.

The World Bank chief urged government to repatriate some of the monies generated by the sector to the Joint Maritime Committee (JMC) in order to augment their financial needs.

On his part, United States Ambassador, John Hoover said his government believed that the country’s maritime domain has vast potential to benefit the citizens, hence  his government recently provided coastal radar, a shipment transponder identification system, and technological upgrades to the computer system at the JOC.

He said the upgrades would beef up security surveillance and improved ability to combat the many illegal activities occurring offshore, and that they were also supporting the country to develop a National Maritime Strategy.

“Protecting Sierra Leone’s Maritime space and its resources is complex and requires a coordinated whole-of-government. With the radar system and other upgrades at the JOC, we call on the JOC to aggressively protect the country’s maritime space by detecting, interdicting and fining illegal vessels in Sierra Leone waters,” he said.

Demonstrating how the radar and Automatic Information System (AIS) work, Head of Operations at JOC, Alex Daniel Kamara, said the radar gives them a real time vision of the sea view at about 12 nautical miles from the Queen Elizabeth Quay, but noted that it was not enough as any other activities happening beyond those areas could not be visible to them.

“With the help of the AIS and the radar, we get correct maritime information but the range of the radar is too short, that is why we are asking the US government to see how best they can help us so that we can have a better and wider coverage of the radar more especially when the Capelite house will be functioning. We would be able to have a better and correct maritime picture but for now what is happening in our habour area beyond 12 nautical miles is invisible to us,” he said.

He said timely response to apprehending illegal vessels; low internet bandwidth, power outage and the unavailability of fuel to power the standby generator, were major challenges at the JOC.

Earlier, Lieutenant Hassan Conteh, Commander of the JMC, stated that the country’s water body needed to be protected as it wasn’t only contributing to the GDP but also employed 15% of the population.

He noted that to alleviate the many challenges at the JOC, they have recommended a change in status from a ‘Committee’ to a ‘Commission,’ which he said required political will.

“If this is achieved, the burning issue of funding to the JMC would have been addressed as there would be a running budget for the JMC. This is important because it enhance sustainable operation and construction of a formidable maritime infrastructure to safeguard the porous space for both security reasons and the economy of this nation,” he stated.

He called on development partners to support the installation of the remaining radar along the coast to fully monitor and fill the economic basket of the nation.

The Charge d’Affaires of the EU delegation, Inga Krastina mentioned that the fight against illegal activities at sea, more especially IUU fishing were critical for the country particularly in terms of food security.

While she assured of EU’s cooperation with other development partners to fight against the IUU fishing, she also urged the country to reinforce regional cooperation.

April 18, 2017 By Joseph S. Margai

VP Foh

UNOPS Country Manager, Nick Gardner (right) explaining the benefits of solar to local authorities

Vice President of Sierra Leone, Victor Bockarie Foh, United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) and the Department for International Development (DFID), have last Tuesday 11^th April, 2017, commissioned a six kilowatts solar energy at  Luvema town in the Kandu Lekpeama chiefdom, Kenema district, eastern Sierra Leone.

It could be recalled that since the beginning of April, 2017, UNOPS and the Ministry of Energy have been commissioning solar energy installation at Community Health Centres (CHCs) in Kambia and Koinadugu in the north and Kenema district in the eastern region of Sierra Leone. The fund for the project, which was provided by DFID, was over thirty-four million Pounds Sterling (£34.5m).

In his statement, VP Foh said even though there were challenges to take development to every corner of the country, the UK government has taken a bold step to bringing solar energy to rural communities.

He acknowledged that the British were the country’s colonial masters and that over the years; they have been supporting the country in diverse ways.

“We are appealing to DFID to extend the solar mini grids under the Rural Renewable Energy Project (RREP) from 50 to 149, so that Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma’s dream to ensure that all chiefdoms enjoy electricity becomes a reality,” he said.

He urged beneficiaries to take proper care of the facility by regularly conducting maintenance, adding that when the batteries would be destroyed in the future, people should be able to replace it instead of going to DFID.

British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Guy Warrington, said the project was funded by the United Kingdom (UK) government, and that they were proud to supporting Sierra Leone, which is the third largest recipient of UK support.

“I am delighted for the support U.K. aid is giving to Sierra Leone. It is a 34.5 million Pounds project gears towards improving rural electrification in support of the government of Sierra Leone,” he stated.

He disclosed that to improve energy access to rural communities was part of the 420 million Pounds commitment made by the U.K. people to the post Ebola recovery, reiterating that Sierra Leone was the first country to sign an Energy Africa Compact with the U.K.

Minister of Energy, Henry Macauley, said the project was in response to Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma’s commitment to increasing the number of solar energy supply to rural communities.

“After the completion of this phase one, we will incorporate institutions such as schools, among others. The current project will facilitate healthy living of the people because all the drugs would be cooled. Children would be able to study at night and there will be safer deliveries of pregnant women,” he said.

UNOPS Country Manager, Nick Gardener, said the project would run for four years and that it would create a platform for the provision of electricity to rural communities. He added that after solar energy has been installed at 50 CHCs, 50 communities would then benefit from the same facilities, and that a total of five hundred thousand (500,000) people in rural communities will experience energy supply.

“Institutions and individual homes will be connected in rural communities. The solar energy will supply electricity for 24 hours a day. It does not require power supply but it should be properly handled. It’s a six kilowatts pack, stand-alone- system,” he said.

Community Health Officer (CHO), Francis Lebbie, expressed his appreciation to the government, DFID and UNOPS for providing such important facility for them.