Dep. Minister Tondoneh, making a statement
The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Philip Tetema Tondoneh has urged officials in the various local councils across the country to organize sensitization campaigns that would encourage their communities to revert to personal and household hygiene practices and rules enforced during the Ebola crisis so as to help develop a healthy nation.
Jacob Jusu Saffa
Minister of Finance, Jacob Jusu Saffa has informed journalists over the weekend that since the New Direction Government of President Julius Maada Bio came to power in April 2018, they have not received a single dime from donors as budget support. “We rely wholly on government resources to run the country”, Mr. Saffa said.
The Minister of Finance disclosed that the free education policy that is being officially launched today by President Julius Maada Bio for school going children will be fully implemented when schools re-open in September 2018.
By Mohamed Lamin Banya
HEAL Salone has launched its third Education Trade Fair scheduled to start on 28th August.
The one month long education activism will focus on reaching pupils on career counseling, reproductive health and governance issues among others and it will target over 3 million pupils nationwide.
Dr. Denis Sandy, Lands Minister
President Julius Maada Bio said on Tuesday at the occasion marking the first anniversary of the mudslide disaster, that his government is determined to learn from the lessons from the tragedy in order to implement and enforce measures through the Ministry of Lands, Housing and the Environment to prevent a reoccurrence.
By Dr. Mohamed Foh
Under-nutrition is prevalent among the very poor, particularly among women and children. It also has a direct relationship with the high rates of infectious and other preventable diseases. The human and economic costs associated with under-nutrition are huge. It is, therefore, desirable that a coordinated action is pursued both at the national and global levels to combat under-nutrition.
Weeks after losing the March 2018 elections, former President Koroma announced the formation of a Committee of Nine responsible for conducting a review of the party’s performance at the elections, and report on how best to restructure and reform the party.
A little over four months on, there are accusations by party members and supporters that the Committee of Nine has failed to achieve its brief, as former President Koroma continues to maintain a tight grip on the party.
By Mohamed Kai
One pregnant woman, Kadiatu Mansaray has been whisked off to the Female Correctional Centre at Jomo Kenyatta Road on the order of Santigie Bangura adjudicating over the Freetown Magistrate Court No.1 at Siaka Steven Street. She allegedly killed one seventy eight years old man, Alpha Kamara.
The accused person is charged with the offence of Murder, contrary to the Offences against the Persons Act of 1816 in which the state alleged that the accused person, Kadiatu Mansaray murdered Alpha Kamara on Sunday 15th July, 2018 at Pipe Line Road, Moyiba off Mount Aureol in the Freetown Judicial District of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
Dr. Foday Moriba Jaward, EPA boss
Dr. Foday Moriba Jaward, newly-appointed Executive Chairman of EPA, has warned hotel owners and management that hotels using old generators which he said pollutes the air with poisonous fumes would henceforth be arrested. He made this vow while speaking at a forum for the hospitality sector and protecting the environment as it affects their business.
By Joseph S. Margai in Hubei Province, China
As a friend from one West African country was claiming that Sierra Leone is the poorest country in the world, a Tanzanian journalist in Beijing observed that he could never compare Tanzania to Sierra Leone because the East Africa country has enjoyed one-hundred percent peace and stability since independence.
The problems, the Tanzanian journalist continued, ranged from Sierra Leone’s eleven years civil war, Ebola, cholera and mudslides crises.
Canadian Minister of International Development Marie-Claude Bibeau held discussions on Tuesday this week with Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Dr. Alie Kabba, in Freetown.
The Canadian international development minister was in Freetown to renew Canada’s relationship with Sierra Leone, as part of Canada’s commitment to strength ties with Africa and help address the challenges faced by the continent.
By Prince C. Kamara
Santigie Bangura presiding over the Freetown Magistrate Court No.1 at Siaka Steven Street has discharged three accused persons for want of prosecution.
The three accused persons who were former staff of the United Bank of Africa (UBA) were facing thirty two count charges ranging from Conspiracy to Defraud to Embezzlement, contrary to Section (17) sub Section (1b) of the Larceny Act of 1916.
By Mohamed Kai
Three alleged cocaine dealers have been denied bail by Santigie Bangura presiding over the Freetown Magistrate Court No.1 at Siaka Steven Street and ordered that they be kept at the Male Correctional Centre at Pademba Road in Freetown.
The accused persons, Nigerian-born Isaac Chukwunoso, Inspector Donald Kandeh Zizer and Sergeant Ibrahim Bangura of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) are facing criminal charges relating to the importation of a prohibited drug into Sierra Leone to wit: Cocaine, without lawful authority.
By Tholoma Sumah
Freetown is the capital city of Sierra Leone and Lungi is the host to the only International Airport in the country.
However, these two important places have been separated by water since the country was discovered in 1462. Therefore, there has been much anticipation for the construction of a bridge to connect these two places. Britain, Sierra Leone’s colonial master did not do it after over a hundred and fifty years of colonial rule. Sierra Leone became independent in 1961 and since then, citizens have been yearning for a bridge to run through the Sierra Leone River estuary to connect Lungi to Freetown. The estuary is believed to be a varying length of four (4) to Ten (10) miles.
By Mohamed Lamin Banya
“This ministry is aware that the spate of flooding, mud and landslides and heavy winds is a direct impact of rampant deforestation across the country and this country is sitting on an environmental time bomb.”
These were the words of the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr. Joseph Ndanema.
President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio has called on God Almighty to put an end to the turbulent moments the country has experienced recently.
He mentioned his government has been able to change the face of the Ministry of Social Welfare, from one that was known for disorderly behavior and corruption allegations, into a more responsible ministry capable of handling challenges efficiently without attracting public scorn.
By Mohamed Kai
A thirty four years old sex offender, Johnny Lavalie of 13 Sarah Lane, Goderich has been re-arraigned before Abdul Sherriff presiding over the Freetown Magistrate Court No.7 at Siaka Steven Street for the offence of Sexual Penetration of a Child below the age of eighteen years to wit: nine years.
The accused person is alleged to have penetrated the sex organ of a nine years old girl (name withheld) at the aforementioned address on Saturday 9th June 2018 at Balcony, Goderich in the Freetown Judicial District in the Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Alie Kabba
Country Coordinator for USAID, Khadijat Mojidi, recently held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Alie Kabba to discuss America’s funding for the development of a cross boundary solar project for Sierra Leone, in support of President Bio’s government New Direction Strategy.
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) will implement a $2 million cooperative agreement to support the adoption of solar energy practices and reduce demand on the country’s power grid.
The premier Sports Betting and Lottery Company Mercury International has proposed to construct an 80 classrooms building estimated at costing the company an estimated $1.5 million. The proposal was made on Thursday 9th August in support of the government’s free education policy to the Minister of Basic and Secondary School Education, Mr. Alpha Timbo, at his New England Ville office in Freetown.
Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio (R) and his wife Fatima Bio at the site for the commemoration ceremony
Sierra Leone's President Julius Maada Bio on Tuesday (August 14) joined dozens of survivors of a mudslide that hit the capital of Freetown last year to remember the dead.
Around 500 people, many dressed in black and white, gathered in a Regent church where heavy rains caused the partial collapse of Sugar Loaf Mountain, (now a red rock scar) looming over Freetown.
The Committee on NaCSA and NGOs at work
Members of the Parliamentary Committee on NaCSA and NGOs of the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone have on Monday 13th August 2018 concluded probing on the eligibility and operations of more than 30 International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operating in Sierra Leone.
His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has joined fellow Sierra Leoneans to observe the one-year commemoration ceremony for victims of the August 14 2017 mudslide and flooding at Mortomeh in the Regent Community, near Freetown.
The inter-faith service, which took place at the St. Paul’s Catholic Church near the disaster area, was also attended by the Honorable Vice President, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, Her Excellency the First Lady Mrs. Fatima Bio, Cabinet Ministers, other stakeholders, survivors and families who lost their loved ones.
His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has met with a high-level delegation from Canada, headed by the Canadian Minister for International Development, Honorable Marie-Claude Bibeau, who was visiting the country for the first time.
Honorable Bibeau, who was accompanied to State House by the Canadian Ambassador accredited to Sierra Leone, congratulated President Bio on his election and thanked the people of Sierra Leone for a peaceful transition.
Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas PAC Chairman in action
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), chaired by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas has in its continued public hearings on some of the queries raised in the Auditor General's Report of 2016 spat fire on the Local Councils for failing to produce supporting documents at the time of audits
By Mohamed Lamin Banya
Ahead of the launching of the National Tree Planting exercise by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Director of Forestry Alpha Umaru Leigh yesterday presented different species of trees to the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Joseph Ndanema for the national tree planting exercise.
The National Tree Planting exercise is in line with the United Nations Convention on Climate Change, Deforestation and Desertification on Environmental Protection for adaption and Resilience of which Sierra Leone is a signatory.
Sierra Leoneans want peace
The war of words which started between the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party and ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), following the defeat of the former at the polls in March 2018, is simply refusing to go away.
Whilst the SLPP are accusing the APC of trying to sabotage its government and making the country ungovernable, APC party grandees say supporters of the SLPP are violently attacking and intimidating their supporters.
By Mohamed Kai
Hon. Justice Sam Margai presiding over the High Court of Sierra Leone has granted bail to eight persons accused of murder in the form of three hundred and fifty million Leones each, and one surety in like sum.
The bail condition states the two sureties should surrender their Title Deeds to the court and bail to be approved by the Deputy Master and Registrar.
By Mohamed Lamin Banya
Minister of Tourism and Culture Dr. Memunatu Pratt on Monday 13th August 2018 engaged representatives of the Environment Protection Agency and the Hospitality industry, following the cry of the industry on high Environmental Impact Assessment (E1A) License and consultancy by EPA.
The meeting was geared towards addressing the issues that are affecting the industry with regards to EPA and the Hospitality Industry since the Minister took up office.
By Francis Macauley (Works P.R.O)
Works and Public Assets Minister, Raymond De' Souza George has said that his ministry has the mandate in ensuring that all government buildings and assets are properly maintained, and it is a challenge to start with the Youyi building which is hosting so many Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA's)
He made these remarks during a meeting held at the Miatta conference centre, with all representatives from these MDA's on the current management and the status of the Youyi building complex.
National Coordinator Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement Secretariat in the Office of the Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Foh has said, “Malnutrition disturbs national development and the only way to fight malnutrition in Sierra Leone is for all of us to come together and work together to end hunger and malnutrition.”
He was speaking to AYV in a snap interview at his Tower Hill office in Freetown on Tuesday yesterday on the current efforts of the SUN Secretariat to clamp down on malnutrition and hunger particularly affecting children in Sierra Leone.
By Mohamed Kai
Hannah Bonnie presiding over the Freetown Magistrate Court No. 2 at Siaka Stevens Street in Freetown has remitted a case file for reassignment to another magistrate court, against one Rev. Emmanuel Nylander charged with the offence of Human Trafficking, contrary to law.
She informed the court that she was taking her hands off the matter, due to several attacks and aspersions on her staff by the complainants and counsel for the defendant, Barrister Musa Beretay.