NEC to address missing voters’ data in 7days

August 31, 2017 By Jariatu S. Bangura

Commissioners of the National Electoral Commission have assured Members of Parliament, Civil Society, media and the general public that they would address the many errors of data misplacement and photos of eligible registered voters within the next 7days.

It could be recalled that numerous concerns of data mismatch and data mismanagement were raised by citizens across the country during the week long exhibition process, and needed to be addressed by the Commission ahead of forthcoming general election.

The Executive Sectary at NEC, William Addo Davies, said the errors came as a result of combined registration that was done together with National Civil Registration Authority (NRCA).

He said NEC was currently working towards completing and finalising the voter register before the stipulated six months period.

“According to the Public Election Act, before any election, NEC should have completed voter registration process within 6 months. That is why we are targeting such timeline. We assured you that by September 7^th, 2017, we would have clarified everything,” he said.

He said the errors occurred as a result of the transfer of documents from NCRA machine to NEC, as there was a possibility for data misplacement during that process.

“We do not have enough time during the registration process because NCRA has to do theirs thereafter. After the 31^st August which is the closing date for exhibition, we will address the issues before the 6^th or 7^th September, 2017,” he assured.

He stated that the electoral body would make provisions for those that failed to verify their information after the voters ID cards would have been distributed in November.

For Commissioner Miatta French, there were gaps that needed to be addressed immediately as it was part of their mandate though their work was time bound.

She said they were working together to ensure that the elections are conducted on the slated date of March,7^th 2018, noting that out of the 17,000 voters that were  registered, only 1.7% raised issues.

“There are issues, but we will redo them. You know, we did not prepare budget to buy machines for the registration process based on the fact that NCRA was also to do registration and the two processes were to be carried out, so there was no need for it. We will address it,” she reassured lawmakers.

However, Commissioner Stephen Aiah Mattia, the Electoral Commissioner – East, admitted that the issues raised were true, but promised to find ways to amend them, taking into consideration significant loss of data from the provisional voters’ register.

He told the House that they were moving data from NCRA to their machines which would possibly have the tendency for mistakes.

“Hence we are transferring and it is possible that we may have either surplus or deficit data misplacement of registered voters across the country and the subsequent recapture of data. It is not something that cannot be addressed,” he said.

He reported on the publication of statements of all claims and objections, which, he said have already been made and further revealed that inquiry of voter register would be conducted from 29th -31st August 2017.

Meanwhile, Hon. Hassan Sheriff expressed worried over the timeline given to the commission to properly address all the issues raised.

“Do you think that everything will be put in place properly because we have to give a report of this meeting held here today to the Speaker of the House,” he questioned.

..IEMOC chairman emphasises

August 31, 2017 By Mohamed Massaquoi

Professor Kamara making statement at the party headquarters in Freetown

Chairman of the Independent Elections Monitoring Oversight Committee (IEMOC) of the main opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP)   has disclosed that the party has put every mechanism in place for the forthcoming delegates’ conference scheduled for 15^th to the 19^th September, 2017, in the eastern district town of Kenema.

Professor Laurence Kamara made the statement at a press conference at the SLPP headquarters in Freetown yesterday, stating that since their appointment by the National Executive Council (NEC) in January, they have been working very hard to address some of the challenges facing the party and to prepare the ground for the party’s delegates’ conference.

He promised that they will ensure free, fair and credible elections.

“We are independent and we will remain to be so. The party has faced a lot of challenges over the years, but we are now quite prepared for the SLPP delegates’ conference. It is important to note in this process that NEC has the responsibility of endorsing the party delegate list. Our responsibility is to conduct those elections as guided by the rules and regulations of the Political Parties Registration Commission,” he said.

Another member of the Committee, Dr. Denise Sandy, also said they were independently elected by NEC and that an office was given to them to legitimise their position, adding that they are not in support of any candidate.

‘’We are inviting every Sierra Leonean to be in Kenema for this conference. We have published the list given to us by NEC. We do not want anybody to misinform the public that the Chairman and Leader of the party or the Secretary General should sign the delegate list before publication. We were elected by NEC and we are only answerable to them. We have published the SLPP delegate list in Bo, Makeni and Kenema, respectively without any contest,” he said and called on SLPP members including Sierra Leoneans to cooperate with the party.

Asked about the names and details of aspirants for the flag bearer position, Sandy said.

“It is the responsibility of the secretariat to provide the names of aspirants. We only conduct elections,” he concluded.

August 31, 2017 By Memunatu Bangura 

One of the accused persons in the ongoing Bank of Sierra Leone fraud matter, Rebecca Kosonikeh Fuller, yesterday (Wednesday 30^th August, 2017) collapsed in the dock while the first prosecution witness (PW1) testified against them.

Fuller, together with ten accused persons are preliminarily being investigated in the lower court on allegations of conspiracy to defraud contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.

She collapsed after PW1, Ibrahim Bah, told the court that he recognised all the accused persons with the exception of the fourth, eighth, and tenth.

Although he identified himself as a businessman, the witness refused to disclose his address because of security reasons.

He told the court that he knew all the accused persons through the first accused, Cecilia Fatola Annie Ben-Carew.

She was resuscitated in the courtroom and told the Bench after gaining consciousness that, she hadn’t eaten since that morning.

It was at that juncture that the lead defence counsel, H. M. Gevao, applied for bail to be granted the accused persons on the grounds that the fourth accused was ill, stressing that they should be put on bail to avoid reoccurrences.

However, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Samuel Kamara, objected to the bail application, stating that the fourth accused person did not tell the court that she was sick.

He said the accused person only told the court that she hadn’t eaten since that morning, which, he argued, had apparently led to the collapse. He added that if the accused person was sick, the Correctional Centre has adequate medical service.

State Prosecutor, Lawyer R Gidwani, vehemently objected to bail, stating that the claims of the defense lawyers were baseless, insufficient and unreasonable, and that the offence allegedly committed by the accused persons was very serious.

Cecilia Fatola Annie Ben-Carew, Abdul Ibrahim Sama, Komba Gbolie, Rebecca Kosonikeh Fuller, Yayah Hamid Gabreel Kamara, Dankawallie Mansaray, Solomon Caulker, Patrick Massaquoi, Albert Jabatti Fortune, Francis Alimamy Sesay and Charles Eric Wilhelm, were before Magistrate Moody on one count of conspiracy to defraud contrary to law.

The particulars of offence stated that the accused persons on a date between 1st April, 2017 and 12th July, 2017, at Bank of Sierra Leone, with intent to defraud the Government of Sierra Leone of its needed revenue, conspired with other persons unknown and facilitated the unofficial movement of the Leones and foreign currency (United States Dollars and British Pounds Sterling) out of the said Bank to the hand of private individuals by making false representation that the Bank was engaged in its normal auction exercise, knowing the same to be false.

The Defence team including Lawyer M. E. H. Sesay, S M Sesay, M Dumbuya, H. M. Gevao, B. Pratt, A K Musa, P. T. Bear, J Kapuwa, V. Lansana and O. S Kamara among others.

Meanwhile, the accused persons were denied bail and remanded for the third time at the Male and Female correctional centres, respectively.

The matter has been adjourned to 6^th September, 2017.

August 31, 2017 

The Chinese Red Cross Society, through the Chinese Embassy in Freetown has on Tuesday, 29^th August, 2017, donated USD$ 100,000 as a way of support to the August 14^th mudslide and flood victims in Freetown.

Presenting the message on behalf of the Chinese Red Cross Society to the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society at their Liverpool Street office in Freetown, the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, His Excellence WU Peng, expressed his personal condolences to the government and people of Sierra Leone, who lost their loved ones in the tragic event.

Ambassador WU Peng noted that the Chinese government had already released $ 1 million emergency relief fund to Sierra Leone government to help support the affected people and that the Chinese community including Chinese companies in the country have also given similar support to the government.

He described Sierra Leoneans as friendly and resilient people who he believed would be able to overcome the difficulties and effect of the disaster. He said in China, Red Cross Society is a very important organization in terms of rendering services during such difficult situations. Therefore, he expressed the Embassy’s willingness to establish a very good working relationship with Sierra Leone Red Cross Society in future.

Receiving the officials from the Chinese Embassy, Director of Strategic Partnership, International Relations and Programme Support, Mrs. Augusta Foday-Kalone, on behalf of the Secretary General, thanked the Chinese Red Cross Society and the Ambassador for the donation and assured that the fund will reach the intended beneficiaries. Mrs. Kalone introduced members of staff of Sierra Leone Red Cross Society to Ambassador WU Peng and briefed him on the activities of the Society since the mudslide and flooding. Mrs. Kalone told Ambassador WU that the victims were still housed in temporary shelters and that the government was working on erecting permanent structures for the affected people outside of Freetown.

August 31, 2017 By Yusufu S.Bangura

First prosecution witness (PW1), Christian Paul Farma, has testified before Magistrate Albert Moody of Court No.1 in an ongoing trial involving one Ishmael Kamara and Yusifu Kanu.

The accused persons were before the court on three counts of conspiracy, burglary and larceny and receiving stolen goods contrary to the laws of Sierra Leone.

The police alleged that the first accused person (Ishmael Kamara) on Wednesday 19^th July, 2017, at No.17 Wilberforce Road, Regent, conspired with other persons unknown to commit a felony to wit burglary and larceny.

The particulars continued that on the same date and place, the first accused person broke into and entered the dwelling house of Christian Paul Farma and stole therein one black bag containing fiscal cash of sixty million, four hundred and eighty eight thousand Leones, one black plasma Television, one black Lenevo laptop computer, one black Apple Ipad mini, one black Samsung Note4, one suitcase containing wearings, one brown coolman, all to a total value of one hundred and twenty one million, four hundred thousand Leones, property of Ishmael Kanu.

It also stated that the second accused person (Yusifu Kanu) on Thursday, 20^th August, 2017, at Elliot Street, received one black plasma Television, one black Lenevo laptop computer, one black Apple Ipad mini, one black Samsung Note4, all to a total value of twenty three million, three hundred thousand Leones, property of Christian Paul Farma, knowing the same to be stolen.

Christian Paul Farma recognised the accused persons and recalled that on Wednesday 19 July 2017 he was in his room when he noticed that the backdoor was opened and the guard-bar of the toilet window was also cut.

“I immediately opened the front door and called the landlord (Pa Sawyer), who was upstairs,” he said.

According to him, he went to the Regent police post and reported the matter where he was accompanied by  to scene by police officers.

PW1 said when the LUC and other police personnel arrived at the scene; they took some pictures of the damaged window.

Farma said the next day; he went to Akon police station to make another report.

He said the matter was later transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Headquarters because of the quantum of money involved.

He said he was called to the CID headquarters to identify some of the properties, which he did.

PW1 explained that the second accused told him that he had sold some of the properties, adding that he bought some of the items from the first accused.

Defense lawyer M.P.H.Sesay applied for the statement of the witness to be made available on the next adjourned date.

He also pleaded with the magistrate to consider bail for the accused persons.

Police prosecutor, ASP Samuel Kamara submitted that he was objecting to bail base on the strength of the evidence of the witness.

The matter was adjourned to 7th September 2017.

August 31, 2017 By Memunatu Bangura

Magistrate Albert Moody presiding at Court No.1 has remanded one Ibrahim Sorie Suma, a caretaker at Samsumana Drive, off IMATT on three counts ranging from house breaking, store breaking to larceny.

The particulars of offence stated that on Sunday 23^rd July, 2017 at Samsumana Drive off IMATT  in Freetown broke into and entered  the dwelling house of Fatima Fofana, with intent to steal and stole therein two jewellery boxes containing nine assorted gold rings, twenty assorted gold neck chain, fifty six HP laptop computers, one hundred and nine assorted mobile phones, five kid laptops, one Nintendo play station, six 55 inches plasma television, among other items, all to a total of one billion, one hundred and thirty three million, two hundred and seventy thousand Leones (Le1,133,207,000,000) property of the complainant.

It was further alleged that at the place and date, the accused person broke into  and entered the store of Fonti Fofana, with intent to steal and stole therein three hundred vehicle tyres and four vehicle engines all to a total value of one hundred and forty eight million Leones (148,000,000) property of the complainant.

The particulars also stated that the accused person on a unknown dates between 1^st May, 2017 and 1^st May, 2017, at IMATT, stole two live sheep valued one million Leones, property of Haja Warah Turay.

August 31, 2017 By Sahr Morris Jnr

Bundu wheels off in celebration

Sierra Leone’s youngster, Mustapha Bundu was at the double in Denmark to help Aarhus GF beat third-tier side VSK Aarhus 4-1 in the Dannish DBU Pokalen Cup second round tie at the Vejlby Stadium, while countryman, Ibrahim Teteh Bangura, helped his new side Sinopspor advanced to the 3rd round of the Ziraat Turkish Cup.

It  was the 20-year-old Bundu, who stole the midweek show, scoring the opener in the 8th for AGF before Tobias Sana made it 2-0 six minutes after. The former Bellamy Academy lad hits his second of the night to make it 3-0 in the 22 minutes, thanks to a fine solo goal.

However, the home side fought back but was too late with Daniel Sivertsen scoring in the 39th minutes to reduce the deficit 3-1. The second half was a more even game but in extra time, Jacob Florin Torp  own goal completed a comfortable 4-1 win for the visitors.

In Turkey, Teteh Bangura was not on the score-sheet but however played a part in their 5-4post-game penalty victory over Erbaaspor. The two side finished full time to a 1-1 draw forcing the match to an extra time and post-game shot-out.   Bangura’s Sinopspor are now into the 3rd round of the Ziraat Turkish Cup.

August 31, 2017 By Sahr Morris Jnr

Gou Xin…eyes a great tournament

 Gou Xin, Head of Political Section at the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone, yesterday said the upcoming Sierra Leone Youth Table Tennis Tournament could be a fantastic sports event to be hosted in the country.

The Chinese Embassy is co-hosting the Sierra Leone Youth Table Tennis Tournament with the Sierra Leone Table Tennis Association and the tournament has already been billed to get-off from Friday September 1 to Sunday September 3, 2017.

With all preparations in full gear, Xin who can’t wait to see young talents in action believes the competition would be a great event to be hosted in Sierra Leone, 2017.

“I believe this would be a fantastic sports event in Sierra Leone in 2017,” he said, adding that the opening ceremony will commence at 10:30 A.M on Friday September 1, 2017.

Meanwhile, the three days tournament has already been divided into two categories for male and female lads, aging from 10-13 years and 14-16 years.  A total of 32 young lads will compete in this year’s event.

September 7, 2017 By Ibrahim Tarawallie

Commissioners of the National Electoral Commission (NEC), including the Chairperson Mohamed Nfa Alie Conteh, yesterday failed to show up at a presser summoned by the commission to explain issues surrounding voter registration.

A bevy of journalists and representatives from civil society organisations had gathered at the NEC headquarters in Freetown to get first-hand information on the just concluded voters exhibition exercise and ask relevant questions, especially the readiness of the commission to make public the final voters register ahead of the deadline on 7 September (today).

However, none of the commissioners showed up. The commission’s Director of Media and External Relations, Albert Massaquoi, was at hand though to share a press release signed by the commission’s chairperson, but made no further comments as to the absence of the commissioners.

“I have been directed by the board of commissioners to share with you this press release,” he said tersely before he went out, refusing to take any questions from journalists.

The failure of the NEC commissioners to address issues germane to the smooth conduct of the March 7, 2018 multitier elections will raise further questions as to their preparedness to handle critical issues ahead of the crucial polls.

From August 22 to 28 this year, NEC opened exhibition centres countrywide for eligible voters to verify information provided during the biometric voter registration early in the year.

Names of thousands of voters who had registered are reportedly missing. This development has generated mix-feelings among the public, with civil society groups and political parties divided as to who bears the greatest responsibility for the data loss.

The Sierra Leone Elections Mega Observers (SL-EMO) has expressed grave concern that the data loss could significantly undermine the integrity of the electoral process, with a potential to undermine the credibility of the 2018 elections.

Their view seems to be supported by the ruling All Peoples Congress party. Deputy Minister of Information, Cornelius Deveaux, said on Radio Democracy this Tuesday that “NEC was negligent and incompetent.”

But the Executive Director of Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law, Ibrahim Tommy, said a day earlier on the same radio station that the electoral body needed financial and moral support from the government and citizenry respectively, and not a campaign of calumny to undermine the chairman.

Jacob Jusu Saffa of the opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party opined that someone might have tampered with the data in a bid to give NEC boss Nfa Ali Conteh, who is under pressure to quit by the APC and their supporters, a bad name. “This fault is manufactured by the APC,” as said and blamed the data loss, which he said was a concern to his party, on “rotten faulty machines bought by the National Registration Authority at US$13m.”

Meanwhile, NEC stated in a press release yesterday that they have completed the task of registering voters for the national elections schedule for March 2018.

The commission said the variety of issues raise during the exhibition and enquiry processes have been examined with manual reconciliation of their registration records performed.

“Before the exhibition, NEC knew that there were 3,735 records of voters in Kono and Western Urban Districts that were missing some elements of the voters’ data. Some of these voters have had their data recaptured during the exhibition period, which NEC will be downloading shortly,” the release stated.

Also, NEC said they have confirmed that there are 39,276 voters whose records exist and are complete but cannot upload these records into the server at present even though they are fully registered and can vote at the upcoming elections.

“As at 6 September 2017, there are three million, one hundred and seventy-eight thousand, six hundred and sixty-six (3, 178, 663) registered voters in Sierra Leone,” the release said.

September 7, 2017 By Memunatu Bangura

Presiding Magistrate of Court No.1, Albert Moody, has yesterday granted bail in the sum of one hundred and twenty million Leones and one surety each in like sum to three bankers, five securities and one driver, all attached to the Bank of Sierra Leone.

The bail condition stated that sureties must be responsibly employed, reside in western area, produce two passport pictures each and that bail should be approved by the deputy Master and Registrar.

He pronounced the ruling after listening to the testimony of the first prosecution witness (PW1), coupled with a tough deliberation between the prosecution and defense, in which the latter convinced the Magistrate to grant bail to the nine accused persons.

Cecilia Fatola Annie Ben-Carew, Abdul Ibrahim Sama, Komba Gbolie, Rebecca Kosonikeh Fuller, Yayah Hamid Gabreel Kamara, Dankawallie Mansaray, Solomon Caulker, Patrick Massaquoi, Albert Jabatti Fortune, Francis Alimamy Sesay and Charles Eric Wilhelm, were before Magistrate Moody on one count of conspiracy to defraud contrary to law.

The particulars of offences stated that the accused persons on a date between 1^st April 2017 and 12^th July, 2017, at Bank of Sierra Leone, with intent to defraud the Government of Sierra Leone of its needed revenue, conspired with other persons unknown and facilitated the unofficial movement of the Leones and  foreign currencies (United States Dollars and British Pound Sterling) out of the said bank into the hand of private individuals by making false representation that the bank was engaged in its normal auction exercise, knowing the same to be false.

Testifying before the court, first prosecution witness (PW1)-Ibrahim Bah, recalled a date between 1^st April, 2017, and 12^th July, 2017, stating that he was contacted by one Alusine who informed him that he knew someone who had the sum of three hundred thousand United States Dollars for sale.

Bah explained that after Alusine informed him about the sales, he asked him whether it was a legal business to which he replied in the affirmative, stating that it  was coming from the Bank of Sierra Leone.

According to him, Alusine called the second accused person (Abdul Ibrahim Sama) in his presence and confirmed the legality of the sales.

Pw1 stated that on the next day, he was accompanied by Alusine and one Chernor to the eight floor of the Bank of Sierra Leone building where the office of the second accused was located.

Bah told the court that he went with eight Ghana-must-go bags containing the sum of two billion, two hundred and thirty -five million Leones and more to buy the United States Dollars.

He continued that when he arrived at the office of the second accused person, the first accused (Cecilia Fatola Annie Ben-Carew) entered the room.

“The first accused person entered the room while the second accused person introduced her,” he said.

He said the first and second accused persons told him that they would help him to buy the United States Dollars through auction exercise that the bank was engaged in.

PW1 said after the first accused person had crosschecked the amount of money; the first accused person left the office and later returned with the sum of one hundred thousand United States Dollars.

He continued that he requested for the balance of two hundred thousand United States Dollars, adding that the first accused person told him to be patience as they were working on the process.

Bah further stated that he waited for almost an hour and later the first accused gave him another seventy thousand United States Dollars, plus thirty thousand United States Dollars , all  to the total of two hundred thousand United States Dollars.

He said the first accused person asked him to go home and return the next day to collect the balance of one hundred thousand United States Dollars, adding that he asked the first accused person to give him a receipt of payment.

“She made a handwritten receipt which she signed and I took a snapshot of it with my mobile phone,” he said.

Pw1 said on the next day, he went to the office and the first and second accused persons gave him the sum of sixty thousand Unite States Dollars, while they pleaded with him to collect the remaining forty thousand Dollars the next day.

According to him, he refused and asked the first and second accused persons to return the balance of forty thousand United States Dollars in Leones, which they did.

It was at that juncture that ASP Samuel Kamara applied for adjournment , stating that he wanted to tender some documents through  PW1  that were not made ready to the prosecution.

The Defense team includes Lawyer M. E. H. Sesay, S M Sesay, M Dumbuya, H. M. Gevao, B. Pratt, A K Musa, P. T. Bear, J Kapuwa, V. Lansana and O. S Kamara among others.

The matter was adjourned to 13^th September, 2017 for further hearing.

September 7, 2017 By Mohamed Massaquoi

One of the leading aspirants for the position of Secretary General in the forthcoming national delegates’ conference of the main opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP) has emphatically stated that he is confident of winning despite a long0list of candidates.

Mohamed Raman Swarray, known affectionately as “Rado” by his admirers and supporters, said yesterday that he would serve as an efficient and result-oreinted scribe of the opposition party after his election as scribe.

The party is due to hold their conventions from 15th to 17th September in the eastern provincial headquarters town of Kenema.

Mr. Swaray also promised to reunify party members ahead of crucial president and general elections in 2018, though acknowledging that the party, which lost power in 2007, is in “turbulence.”

He said he launched his campaign to head the party’s secretariat a couple of months ago at their headquarters in Freetown and that he has traversed the entire country meeting delegates and stakeholders in a bid to not only win their vote but to preach peace and unity among members

He said he had sacrificed a lucrative job as human resource specialist at bauxite mining company, Sierra Ruitile, because of his conviction that with his wealth of experience and exposure he would harmonise the party. He added that although the SLPP is grappling with numerous challenges, it is the responsibility of patriots of the party to stay and resolve those conflicts instead of running away from the problem.

“Let me make this emphatically clear, for me, no amount of personal ambition is worth plunging this party into ethnic strife. If elected Secretary-General, I commit myself to continue to do all in my power to promote an atmosphere of political tolerance in the party in order to diffuse any tension that may threaten our cohesion and wellbeing, and I will encourage  all political leaders to work with me in that direction,” he said.

Swarray further noted that it is very wrong for some people to dismiss the democratic values of the SLPP as a political party, which have been exhibited over the years even during difficult circumstances, adding that the current malaise in governance by Sierra Leoneans was as a result of bad governance of the ruling All Peoples Congress APC.

Asked whether he belongs to any of the factions in the SLPP, he remarked that, “I am an independent man, therefore in my view belonging to different camps is no reason why we cannot have unity of purpose and work together to achieve solutions to our common challenges as a party; indeed I have people I believe in and ready to work with, but as secretary-general-in-the-making I keep that to my chest. I want to be open to everybody and by the grace of God I have confidence of wining that election,” he said.

Commodity Prices Increase in Makeni

September 7, 2017 By Joseph S. Margai

Abubakarr Sesay unhappy about drop in sale of their goods

Alpha Kanu unhappy about drop in sale of their goods

Wholesale and retail traders in Makeni have complained that the sale of basic commodities has plummeted considerably as a result of an increase in retail and wholesale prices, mainly precipitated by toll charges for vehicles plying the Wellington-Masiaka highway, which is the major thoroughfare from the commercial capital Freetown to provincial towns.

The introduction of toll fees at three separate points spanning 62 kilometers along the main highway into and out of Freetown is a direct result of a controversial agreement between the Koroma-led administration and a Chinese Construction company. According to the agreement, which was ratified by the All Peoples Congress-dominated Parliament, the Chinese will reconstruct the road and recoup their expenditure over twenty-five years. Although only ten kilometers of the road has been completed, the company commenced levying charges in mid-August, much to the consternation of road users.

Traders who spoke to Concord Times last Thursday in the township of Makeni said that demand for their commodities has dwindled because after they inevitably raised prices, with customers having to carry the real time economic effect of what they say was a terrible economic decision by the government.

Abubakarr Sesay, a trader who retails bags of rice, iron rods, and other items in Makeni, claimed that they used to pay Le4,000 for 50kg bag of rice from Freetown to Makeni, but  transporters have since increased it to Le5,000.

“The wholesalers in Freetown have also increased the prices of the various types of 50kg bag of rice. A 50kg bag of rice which we used to buy at a cost of Le170,000, is now sold at a cost of Le190,000. There had been increment of two or more thousand Leones on the commodities. Coupled with the payment of toll fees by drivers, we have also made increment in the prices of our goods and that has dropped our sales,” he lamented.

He stated that they now retail 50kg bag of rice at Le185,000, representing a percentage increment of Le20,000, as the wholesale price has been increased to Le165,000.

He revealed that transporters pay Le183,000 at  each of the three toll gates, totaling a whooping sum of Le549,000 over a stretch of 62kilometers.

“We used to buy a ton of half-inch iron rod at a cost of Le3.3m, but we now pay Le4.4m per ton. We used to sell a length of iron rod Le45,000 but it is now being sold Le55,000,” he said and added that a bag of cement which was sold at Le53,000 is now priced Le55,000.

He said sales have dropped dramatically because the customers are unhappy with the sudden increase in the prices of commodities.

Another trader, Alpha Kanu, also expressed similar sentiment. He said that they now pay Le5,000 for a 50kg bag of rice as transport fare from Freetown to Makeni.

“Wholesalers in Freetown have also increased price of rice. On Wednesday, 30^th August, 2017, one of the wholesalers called me to buy a 50kg bag of rice at a cost of Le165,000 and by the next day the price had increased to Le167,000)” he said.

Meanwhile, a truck driver named Sullay Kargbo, who spoke to Concord Times at the Central Lory Park in the eastern part of Freetown, confirmed that they now charge Le5,000 to transport a 50kg bag of rice from Freetown to Makeni because they pay Le549,000 to go across three toll gates, adding that they used to charge Le4,000 for each 50kg bag of rice for the same route.

“Even though we have started to pay for the toll road, government has failed to announce an increment in the transport fare. If we don’t adjust, we would not make any gain. We have been telling passengers to understand our plight,” he said.

September 7, 2017 By Hassan Gbassay Koroma

UK based couple -Bai Ronki and Fatima Fofanah, on Tuesday, September 5, testified in the ongoing preliminary investigation of a theft matter involving one Ibrahim Sorie, who was alleged to have stolen one billion, thirty-three million, two hundred seven thousand Leones.

The accused was in court on three count charges of larceny, house breaking and store breaking contrary to section 26(1) of the Larceny Act of 1916.

The prosecution alleged that the accused on Sunday 23 July, 2017, broke into  and entered the house of Bai Ronki and Fatima Fofanah and stole car engines, computers, tires and other assorted items, totaling one billion, thirty-three million, two hundred and seven thousand Leones.

In his testimony before Magistrate Albert J. Moody of the Siaka Steven Street Magistrates’ Court No.1, Bai Ronki Fofanah, who described himself as a businessman, said he recognised the accused as his caretaker at IMATT in Freetown.

He recalled receiving information while in the United Kingdom on 23 July, 2017, from someone regarding  his house and caretaker.

“Upon receiving the information, I traveled to Freetown immediately. When I arrived at my IMATT’s residence, I observed that both the railing of the first and second floor of my house were destroyed, while  items including car engines, computers, tires and other assorted items were  missing from the stores,” he said, adding that the matter was reported at the Criminal Investigations  Department.

Also, Fatima Fofanah, wife of the first witness, identified herself as a nurse, working in the United Kingdom and also recognised the accused as their caretaker.

She told the court that they are doing business in Sierra Leone while the accused was assisting in running the said business.

“We were paying him four hundred thousand Leones a month. I was receiving information from Sierra Leone while in the UK. I called the accused several times but he was not responding,” she testified.

She added that after the matter was reported at the CID, the accused was arrested, while a search was conducted at his residence where some of the missing items were found in his custody.

Magistrate Moody refused granting bail to the accused person and adjourned the matter to 12 September, 2017 for further evidence.

-Young I.T expert

September 7, 2017 By Ishmael Sallieu Koroma

A graduate in Information and Computer Science from the University of Makeni, Mohamed Bangura, has developed an automated school management system, which he said will help replace manual method in recording school data across the country.

Speaking to Concord Times in an exclusive interview, Bangura said the automated school system will help in the storing of data including schools register, fees details and receipts issued to students.

“The Automated school Management system is an information system primarily designed to computerize, integrate and control the daily operations involved in the collation and processing of students’ data effectively,” said Bangura.

He added that the system does not only make student result collation fast, but also easy and error- free.

The computer Science graduate and teacher said the system provides solution to problems encountered in school management.

“It can also be used to trace the attendance of teachers and printing out of students report cards at the end of every term. It can be very much useful in the school Management system,” he stressed.

He stated that as the world is currently witnessing a computer age, there is need for Sierra Leone to join the band wagon of the development drive the world is experiencing.

“The system would bring awareness to any good administrator of a school since it will bring about transparency especially when it comes to monetary issues. All fees data are stored electronically and data cannot be altered,” he said.

Mr. Bangura noted that when the system is implemented, it will create an opportunity for staff and members of an institution to be able to learn technology and familiarize themselves with knowledge of competing in a twenty -first century society.

“I have seen that the manual method used in recording school data and other information related to school operations is quite boring. It is not safe when it comes to confidentiality,” He noted.

He said he decided to embark on that research to help in the digitalization of the storage of information in the country, adding that other countries across the world are developing and moving the digital way of recording school data.

Mr. Bangura highlighted that some of the challenges he went through in putting up the automated system was internet connectivity and getting information.

“The automated school system is a new idea in the country and it is quite strange. That is why I’m using the media to popularise it for the betterment of data storage in the country,” he said.

Mr. Bangura said although the use of paper work in school administration cannot be completely written off, the automated school system will boost the general school administration.

He revealed that his school is on the verge of putting that application into its management system as he believed it would change the way of storing data in their school and make the work of administrators easier.

He appealed for more support from the government and private Individuals who are operating schools to take advantage of the all Sierra Leonean initiative so that it will happen and help school administrators in their daily job.

September 7, 2017 By Joseph S. Margai 

Makoloh Village Head Osman Sesay

has urged a change of name for the Songo Toll Gate

Village head of Makoloh, Osman Sesay, has called on government to change the name from Songo Toll Gate to Makoloh Toll Gate so as to retain the identity of the village where the gate is situated.

Headman Sesay, who was speaking to Concord Times last Saturday at Makoloh village, contended that the current name should be ‘Makoloh Toll Gate’, after the village where it is located.

He explained that his call for a change was predicated on the fact that residents of the tiny settlement lost houses and crops to give way to the road and the toll gate.

“I personally surrendered my piece of land for the construction of the toll road, toll camp and toll gate. Even though it was done in the interest of the country and the people, we [Makoloh residents] should have been recognized,” he said. “This was a deliberate attempt by the government and the Chinese contractors to hide the identity of Makoloh village. Songo is miles away from Makoloh village and the people there did not contribute anything to the construction of the toll road.”

Acording to him, just over few weeks after the name Songo was written on the toll gate, passengers and drivers now refer to the village as Songo instead of Makoloh, adding “so our village’s identity has lost.”

He added: “If government insists on using the name Songo for the toll gate, we wouldn’t mind if it could be named Makoloh/Songo Toll Gate. Songo is our sister village and we are not against them in anyway, but we don’t want to lose the identity of our village.”

He told our reporter they have lodged a complaint with the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) and China Railway Seventh Group (CRSG) Country Director but nothing has been done to address their plight.

Quizzed as to what their reaction would be if government fails to do as they demand, Headman Sesay said they have a parliamentary representative whom they hope will continue to advocate on their behalf.

However, Member of Parliament (MP) representing Constituency 57, where Makoloh village is situated, Hon. Abu Bakarr S.A.T. Koroma, said residents of the village didn’t raise the issue before they toll gate was named after Songo, despite several meetings with them.

“All of them were compensated and nobody said the name of the toll gate should be Makoloh Toll Gate. After the work has been completed they are now calling on government to change the name. But I will take their concern to the concerned authorities and I will later get on to them and inform them about any further development,” he promised.

On his part, Public Relations Officer of Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA), Sorie Ibrahim Kanu, confirmed they have received a letter from residents of Makoloh village demanding for change of name for the Songo Toll Gate.

He said the SLRA has instructed the construction company – China Railway Seventh Group (CRSG) – to change the name.

“It was an error and we took note of it but we want them to continue to exercise patience as plans are underway to address their concern soonest,” he said

September 7, 2017 By Sahr Morris Jnr

Mohamed Kamanor

Ibrahim Bangura

Sorie Barrie

Head Coach of the Sierra Leone national home-based team, Abu Bakarr ‘Toasto’ Kamara, has left-out, goalkeeper, Ibrahim Bangura aka Stop Pain, right-back, Mohamed Kamanor and striker, Sorie Barrie from his final West Africa Football Union (WAFU) 18-man squad.

The trio, who were part of Kamara’s African Nations Championship (CHAN) squad during the two-legged tie against Senegal could not get the nod in the tactician WAFU squad.

Another notable name, who was with the CHAN group that was again absent for the WAFU tournament is winger Prince Barrie. The talented winger is said to be in Conakry, Guinea on a pursuit of international contract.

Kamanor and Sorie Barrie’s  omission from the squad could not be a surprise to many as they were both demoted to the bench during Sierra Leone’s 3-1 defeat to Senegal at the Alassane Djigo Stadium in the return leg tie of the CHAN qualifiers, while Bangura was between the posts in both legs.

Meanwhile, Momoh Conteh of – Diamond Stars, Central Parade’s Abu Dumbuya aka Diaby and Amadu Barrie of Wusum Stars are the three players added to a squad that is dominated by players, who featured in the CHAN qualifiers.

In related development, the Sierra Leone 25-man delegation of 18 players and seven officials departed the countries shores onboard Kenya Airways on Wednesday afternoon.

Players; FC Johansen’s; Abu Suma, Nyakeh O Alpha, Yeami Dunia and George Matta, Momoh Conteh from Diamond Stars, Isaac Caulker (Gk) and Mamoud Fofanah aka Lampard of FC Kallon, Alfred Nyuma  and Abu Dumbuya aka Diaby both of Central Parade, Unisa Koroma (Gk) & Kemson Fofanah from East End Lions, Ports Authority trio; Nathaniel Tongo Vula, Donald Wellington and Mohammed L. Bangura, Amadu Barrie and Mohammed Sesay of Wusum Stars,  Morie Alie from Bo Rangers and Lahai Coker – Kamboi Eagles.

Officials; Abu Bakarr Kamara (Head Coach), Amidu Karim ( Asst Coach), John Dominic Konneh (Asst Coach),  Jeffery Kabia (Gk Coach), Unisa Yusuf Kamara (Team Doctor), Ali Bardara Tarawaly (SLFA Executive Committee member) and Kemoh Sesay (Media officer).

September 7, 2017 By Sahr Morris Jnr 

Sierra Leone home-based national team

Sierra Leone home-based national team, Leone Stars, tie against Super Eagles of Nigeria in the WAFU tournament has deferred to Monday September 11.

The pair who were drawn in first round knock-out clash of the 2017 WAFU tournament was billed to play on September 9 but the tournament organisers decided to shift the tie from the weekend to Monday to enable the Super Eagles players play for the clubs in the final league game in the weekend.

Meanwhile, head coach of the home-based Super Eagles squad, Salisu Yusuf selected goalkeepers Ikechukwu Ezenwa and Dele Ajiboye, and 16 other players amonst his final 18-man squad for the tournament.

 FULL LIST OF SUPER EAGLES

Goalkeepers: Ikechukwu Ezenwa (FC IfeanyiUbah); Dele Ajiboye (Plateau United)

Defenders: Stephen Eze (FC IfeanyiUbah); Emmanuel Ariwachukwu (Akwa United); Chima Akas (Enyimba FC); Osas Okoro (Rangers International); Adeleye Olamilekan (FC IfeanyiUbah); Daniel James (Plateau United)

Midfielders: Afeez Aremu (Akwa United); Ifeanyi Ifeanyi (Akwa United); Rabiu Ali (Kano Pillars); Samuel Mathias (El-Kanemi Warriors); Destiny Ashadi (Katsina United)

Forwards: Gabriel Okechukwu (Akwa United); Kingsley Eduwo (Lobi Stars); Peter Eneji (Plateau United); Ubong Friday (Akwa United); Anthony Okpotu (Lobi Stars)

September 7, 2017 By: Osman Benk Sankoh

Being the fifth son in a family of fourteen, born to a Kuranko man who served in the Sierra Leone police force for almost 40 years and a Mandingo mother, this young gentle man, aspiring for the post of Secretary-General of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), has found his place in the Sierra Leonean society not withstanding his indigent and humble background. Holding to the values of hard work and dint perseverance, he attended many schools across the country along with his father’s numerous transfers ending his academic sojourn at the Albert Academy and Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone.

Like many, Napoleon was not born with a fat bank account or assets bequeath to him. His dad who joined the Sierra Leone Police three years after the country gained Independence and retired as a Sergeant in 2002 wanted a very good education for his fourteen children. He wanted the good life for them but alas! Poverty was the greatest enemy. His mum, uneducated, with seven children to take care of and; his step mum with equally that same number of kids had to stay home working for others just for daily bread. She also sold rice by cup and palm-oil by pint to keep Napoleon and others from going to bed on hungry stomachs. As if that was not already a worse situation, when Napoleon  was 3-years-old , the mum had to move him and his other six siblings to her maternal home in Kailahun where he grew up among his uncles – the Tarawallies. Then, the civil war broke out in 1991.Young Napoleon and family trekked to Guinea in May that year to start life as refugees in a village called Gomandu. There, he attended a refugee school in a town called Wounde Kenema.

In October, 1991, Napoleon’s story as an internally displaced person started. He walked from Guinea to Kono. He wanted to continue with school. He was accepted but things were difficult for his uncle he stayed with. He could not pay. Like a troubadour, in December that same year, Napoleon was on the road again. Kenema was his destination. He stayed with his elder sister whose husband was a mechanic and taxi driver in a one bedroom flat. He was enrolled at the Ansarul Islamic Secondary School from 1992 to 1994 from where he once again journeyed to Freetown. He got to Block 12 E Low-cost Housing Estate; Kissy where his uncle was staying just to be told that there was no space for him. Instead, he was sent to Madina in Kambia, got admitted at the Government Secondary School and  nearly a year after that, the threat of a rebel attack on the village forced him to return to Freetown again. This time, a kitchen was converted for him and another cousin to be used as bedroom.

To his rescue for his educational needs was his elder brother, a daily wage worker at the Ministry of Agriculture. He got enrollment at the Independence Memorial Secondary School where he sat to his O’levels exams in 1996. With no hope of getting money to further his education even if he was to pass the exams, Napoleon boarded a vehicle again to Kenema with the intention of going to Tongo to work as a ‘diamond digger.’

With all of these, one may begin to think that the imagination of becoming a teacher or a clerk at rice or some building materials store is a long stretch. For Napoleon who was born in 1979 though, he has gone through almost all of the crucibles of life that have adequately prepared him for the position of Sec-Gen.

For him, “the administration of the party has been in the hands of typical politicians. The party has been in the opposition for the past 10 years and the secretariat has not functioned effectively.”  He wants each and every member to have a feel and touch of the party.

If elected, Napoleon would, “put together a very strong database system in place so that all members at home and in the Diaspora will be able to know in real time what is happening to the party on a regular basis.” He also hopes to address and further strengthen the secretariat’s relationship with members in the Diaspora who claim that the party only considers them during elections when they need funding from them.

“As we approach the elections, I want to have a vigorous membership drive to ensure that each and every one of our supporters is a card- carrying member of the party,” Napoleon has publicly said in many quarters. Furthermore, he has said, “I want to provide that administrative knack that will bring back discipline to the party.”

In what is expected to be a highly competitive election with diverse experience and qualifications from the other competitors, Napoleon sees himself as the most qualified candidate this time for several reasons. He sees himself as one that represents that energy that the party needs to move forward. He believes he can coordinate the younger folks and equally serve as an interface with the Elders of the party as they prepare for the 2018 elections. He says, “I have a proven record of standing up for my colleagues during my days at Fourah Bay College.” On campus where both of us served as Student Representative Council (SRC) members for Davidson-Nicol Hall in 2001,Napoleon was also; Flat Governor -Block 35(1999-2000);Assistant Sec-Gen, D-Nicol (2000-2001); Sec Gen, D-Nicol (2002-2003) and President, D-Nicol (2003-2004).In 2005/06,he was Chief Justice, National Union of Sierra Leone Students (NUSS) and Interim President, NUSS in 2007.Also, as a student, Napoleon was Organizing Secretary-SLPP FBC branch in 2001/2002.

Undoubtedly, Napoleon has a name and ‘face– recognition’ within and outside of his party. As a lawyer, he has represented thousands and thousands of clients, mostly on pro-bono. He is the ‘poor man’s lawyer’ that is friend to young guys washing cars along the streets of Freetown and a brother to many of the market women on Mallamah-Thomas Street, an area where is office is located. Several years back, he was driving along Campbell Street with his car glass down and a phone to his ear. It was the evening rush hour and traffic abound. Unsuspectingly, a thief was watching his movement. He dashed for the phone, wrestled it from Napoleon and like the flash of thunder, the thief disappeared.  Some young people he had defended in the past were at the scene and promised to retrieve his phone. And indeed the next day, the phone was brought back to him.

As to his set skills, Napoleon disclosed, “I have provided leadership for those colleagues who are the young working class of this country. I will be able to garner their resources and time to achieve victory for the SLPP come 2018.Many a time,” he said, “people have seen the party as a South-eastern dominated block but I am from Koinadugu and a Kuranko coming to serve shows the party’s strong belief in diversity.”

From 2009 to date, Napoleon provided legal representation for the party from the Magistrate courts to the Court of Appeal. “I have held this party dear to my heart and I have the energy to serve diligently,” Napoleon said.

The Napoleon that I know has seen good times and has gone through challenging ones as well. He knows what it means to walk his way to school from Low- Cost, Kissy to Albert Academy on Berry Street one day in and one day out. He knows what it means staying with a complete stranger on Oneal Street in return for food and shelter. He also knows what it means to ‘canal ‘from FBC to Portee to look for food and money to take back with him to campus. Sometimes, he has returned to campus with nothing.

Notwithstanding, he has provided a helping hand to many people. He is passionate about his country. Every friend, man or woman is a brother or sister to Napoleon. He listens and listens very well. He shows commitment to his beliefs.

It will be no mistake if Napoleon, who holds an Honors Degree in Political Science and a Law Degree from FBC is given the opportunity to serve as the next Secretary -General of the SLPP and I would not wait to read the headline story, “SLPP elects Napoleon as Scribe.”

Disclaimer: Osman Benk Sankoh, a former journalist with Concord Times now works with the United Nations and the sentiments expressed in this piece are his and do not  necessarily reflect those of the organization he works with.

September 8, 2017 By Memunatu Bangura

Members of the Sierra Leone Central Union (SLCU),  has yesterday donated food and non-food items to people residing within the Kamaya-Lumley axis that were affected by the August 14 flooding.

Addressing beneficiaries, Consultant of the Union, Samuel Ben Turay, said SLCU is a Non-Governmental Organisation based in Netherlands with its membership comprising Sierra Leoneans living in that country.

He disclosed that the relief items included one hundred bags of rice, one hundred bundles of pure water, gallons of cooking oil and cartoons of sardines, among other items.

According to him, he was in Germany when the August 14 disaster occurred and thought that it was their duty as members of the union, to help people that were affected by the disaster.

Turay said when he returned home after the disaster, he visited Kamaya and other communities, adding that he found out that the situation was challenging for the people living in those communities.

He said it was on that basis that he contacted members of the union to put hands together to help the affected people with food and other items.

Secretary General of the Union, Alusine Sesay, said he had been living in Holland for nineteen years, but always has Sierra Leone on his mind because he was a born Sierra Leonean.

He said members of the union were moved by the pains of the people that were affected, adding that they were concerned about what was happening and decided to be part of the victims’ pain and to console them in their own way.

Sesay said his union has been engaged in helping vulnerable people in Sierra Leone, adding that members of SLCU have also built a school at Lungi.

Receiving the items on behalf of the victims, Section Chief of Kamaya, Kebbie Conteh, said he was pleased to have received such goodies, adding that the affected people in his community were in dire need of such items.

He said there were over four hundred people in the community that were affected by the August 14 disaster and have been coming to his compound for supplies and other facilities.

Chief Conteh promised members of the union that he would distribute the donated items to the people that were directly affected, while calling on other well-meaning Sierra Leoneans living within and outside the country to come to their aid.

September 8, 2017 By Joseph S. Margai

Accuser: Mariama Sheriff-Leigh

accused: Kadijah O. Sesay, Deputy Minister of Works

A diehard supporter of the ruling All People’s Congress  (APC) party, Mariama Sheriff-Leigh, has told Concord Times that the Deputy Minister of Works, Housing and Infrastructure, Kadijah O. Sesay,  owes her the sum of Le11.670 million.

According to Madam Sheriff-Leigh, the deputy minister owes her the amount after she took items from her stall on credit in 2016.

“I did not give her the physical cash. She has been taking foodstuff and other goods from my stall on credit and I have been taking note of everything. During the last bye-election at Bumbuna, she took about three million seven hundred thousand Leones (Le3,700,000) worth loaves of bread from my bakery, plus  seventy (70) bundles of pure drinking water, but hasn’t paid me a dime,” she explained.

She claimed that the deputy minister had promised to pay for the said goods, though she was yet to honour her promise.

Asked about her relationship with the deputy minister, Mrs. Sheriff-Leigh said she knew Madam Kadijah O. Sesay through APC – the party they both support.

“Most times, she would sit in Freetown and instruct me to prepare food for her guests. At times, she comes to the shop and take lots of items and promise to pay me later, but she has not,” she further claimed.

However, when contacted through her mobile phone, the deputy minister denied owing Madam Sheriff any amount, stating that, “Mr. Reporter, I don’t want to waste both mine and your time. If Mariama Sheriff-Leigh alleges that I have to pay her she should take me to court.”