Announcements

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18 October 2023

The National Programme Coordinator of FQSE, Augustine Moses Tehguma Koroma, has urged parents and guardians to consider requests for payment of fees from school authorities as acts of extortion.
The National Programme Coordinator urged parents and guardians to report to the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) or the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) any cases of extortion involving school authorities.
He therefore warned sternly against the act of demanding or taking monies from parents or guardians for admission or enrolment of their kids or wards.
In another development, the Free Quality School Education Secretariat of the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education has informed the general public that the Free Quality School Education (FQSE) is still a flagship project of the Government of President Julius Maada Bio.
This rebuttal comes following wild rumours doing the rounds on social media suggesting that the FQSE has ceased to be a flagship project and that it no longer attracts budgetary allocations and the support it used to get from development partners.
According to Mr. Koroma, “The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) remains unwavering in its commitment to fully supporting the scheme and all its ancillary components.”

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03 October 2023

Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms (Arise IIP) has announced that it is expecting the arrival of seven Passenger Railcars imported from Japan on Thursday 26th October, 2023.
In a correspondence addressed to the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Amb. Alhaji Fanday Turay, dated 22nd September, 2023, the General Manager of Interface at Arise IIP, Samuel Komba Kambo, said the Railcars are expected to dock at the Freetown Port on October 26, 2023.
Mr. Kambo explained that bearing the Reference Number ARISESL/0923/02 Title: ‘Arrival of Passenger Trains’, underscores the progress made under the Railway and Port Lease Agreement signed between the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) and Arise IIP on January 17, 2023.
The Agreement grants Arise IIP the responsibility to operate and maintain the rail and port infrastructure, including the operation of a passenger rail service.
He said: “Arise IIP has successfully procured and shipped seven passenger railcars and their associated critical spares from Japan, with an anticipated arrival at Freetown Port on October 26, 2023.” He further explained that Arise IIP is diligently preparing for the reception of these railcars, including the mobilization of necessary equipment to safely unload, transport and park them along the rail infrastructure.
One notable aspect mentioned in the letter is the current control of the rail infrastructure by Kingho, prompting Arise IIP to seek permission from the Government to park the railcars along the rail corridor until the commencement of passenger rail services. The letter also includes detailed information, such as a packing list of the railcars with their respective weights and dimensions, as well as a list of critical spares.
Mr. Kambo concluded the letter by expressing Arise IIP’s intention to submit duty-free entry forms for the shipment in the coming week, in accordance with the provisions of the agreement.
The duty-free waiver is a key element in facilitating the successful implementation of the passenger rail service. The letter has been copied to several high-ranking officials and Ministers, including the Chief Minister, the Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, the Minister of Finance, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the Secretary to the President, and the Commissioner General of National Revenue Authority (NRA).
As Sierra Leone eagerly awaits the arrival of these passenger Railcars, this development marks a significant step forward in enhancing the country’s transportation infrastructure and fostering economic growth. The successful implementation of the passenger rail service is poised to benefit both local commuters and the broader national economy. Stay tuned for further updates on this exciting development.

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12 October 2023

Orange Sierra Leone (OSL), the leading Mobile Telecommunications company, has joined Agro Fishing Company in celebrating its 6th anniversary in Sierra Leone. This is not the first and last time OSL supports the empowerment of young people which has contributed to financial inclusion in the country.

The event took place on Wednesday 4th October, 2023 on Bathurst Street in Freetown. Inspiring Women and Youth to Embrace Fish Farming’ is the theme for this year’s celebration. Head of Public Relations and Corporate Responsibility, OSL, Kamal Abass said the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Agro Fish Farm SL, Aminata Kandeh is not a stranger to OSL.

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03 October 2023

The United States through the US Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) on Friday 28th September, 2023 announced a US$450,000 grant awarded to implementing partner World Monuments Fund (WMF) for the continued stabilization of Old Fourah Bay College in Cline Town, Freetown.
This grant will support the completion of emergency stabilization on the historic building, installation of a new roof, and masonry conservation.
Old Fourah Bay College became the first western-style university in sub-Saharan Africa when it was established in 1827. The historic building plays an important role in the story of Sierra Leone’s history and the power of education. For a century, the college taught the ideas of governance, religion, and public service. Many graduates became West African leaders, including those who helped end colonialism. This is the second grant awarded to WMF for Old Fourah Bay College. A 2021 phase one grant supported initial emergency stabilization and implemented a planning and design process for the structure’s eventual rehabilitation in partnership with the local community.
Ambassador Bryan David Hunt, who recently visited the historic site, said, “We are pleased to play a role in the preservation of this incredible historic site in Sierra Leone so it can continue to inspire and educate the public for generations. The story of Old Fourah Bay College is important to preserve for the people of Sierra Leone, and for Americans with family tiers to this region who can learn from its history as well.”
The AFCP, a U.S. Department of State program, supports projects around the world to preserve cultural heritage and demonstrate American respect for other cultures. WMF is a nonprofit organization that works with local communities around the world to safeguard irreplaceable cultural heritage. This second project phase follows significant input from community members and other local stakeholders through interviews and workshops with the organization to share their future aspirations for Old Fourah Bay College.
APC Group

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12 October 2023

The National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) under the Sierra Leone Community Driven Development Project (SLCDDP II) last Thursday 5th October, 2023 trained engineers of its prospective contractors for the construction of water irrigation and harvesting (dam system) for Bolilands conservation infrastructures held at the Commission’s conference room at Charlotte Street, Freetown. The project seeks to identify the potential public irrigation infrastructure that can be developed for the benefit of farmers. The focus in this area will be on public infrastructure built on a watershed basis to be managed by water users and farmer groups. Speaking at the opening ceremony of the training, NaCSA Deputy Commissioner, Jimmy Batilo Songa, congratulated the prospective winners of the bid for the construction of the dam system to aid agricultural productivity throughout the year. The Deputy Commissioner however admonished the contractors to work in the interest of the citizens and actualize one of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio’s Five Big Changers - Feed Salone - through agriculture. Mr. Songa disclosed that the SLCDDP II will come to an end on 18th April, 2024 and that the solar panel irrigated dam system construction is a sub project to enable crop cultivation right through the year. SLCDDP II Project Manager, Momoh Juana, underscored the importance of the training of contractors’ engineers, pointing out that the project is highly technical and the engineers are required to ask all the pertinent questions relating to the dam system construction. He said SLCDDP II is a project funded by Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) for a five-year period and that the livelihood and economic infrastructure irrigation development is one of the components of the project. Mr. Juana furthered that the project is very important for enhancing food security and developing the livelihood of the communities. He told the contractors that there is exigency of time to complete the project on record time without failure as an option, adding that the first tranche of payment has been made to prospective contractors to commence work at once because the project is critical to the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) to reduce rice importation in the country.

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03 October 2023

The Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) has put together some Traffic Regulation offences and their penalties for public services. Traffic Regulations often lead to fines and/or imprisonment. The offences and penalties are as follows:-
1. Using a taxi for conveyance of livestock: Penalty – minimum penalty for this offence is a fine of Le400,000
2. Carrying excess passengers on a taxi: Penalty – Le400,000
3. Carrying excess persons onboard omnibus: Penalty – Le400,000
4. Driving an unclean omnibus and driver/conductor not properly dressed and tidy: Penalty - Le400,000
5. Carrying onboard omnibus goods and passengers at the same time: Penalty – Le400,000
6. Driving omnibus on an unauthorized route: Penalty – Le400,000
7. Failing to route a public service vehicle operating in Western Area (taxi/omnibus): Penalty - Le300,000
8. Carrying additional freight or load on the canopy of a tanker: Penalty – Le400,000
9. Parking a spirit or explosive tanker in populated location: Penalty – Le400,000
10. Failing to produce driving license on demand for inspection by an appropriate authority: Penalty - Le400,000
11. Driving public service vehicles without passenger manifest (provincial vehicles): Penalty – Le400,000
12. Permitting person(s) to stand in a motor vehicle or trailer that is not covered while in motion.
13. Driving vehicle without (fire extinguisher, wheel spanner, horn, insurance certificate, warning reflection triangle, inflated spare tire, first aid box, jack and road worthiness certificate): Penalty – Le400,000
14. Driving vehicle with tinted glass when not approved by the police: Penalty – Le400,000
15. Driving and smoking while the vehicle is in motion: Penalty – Le400,000
16. Eating and driving in a vehicle while the vehicle is in motion: Penalty – Le400,000
17. Driver regulating or receiving mobile telephone call, while the vehicle is ion motion: Penalty – Le400,000
18. Driving/riding recklessly or carelessly or dangerously or under the influence of alcohol (in case of commercial vehicle): Penalty – one can be arrested for committing such offence (warrants arrest).
19. Driving a motor vehicle dangerously: Penalty – warrants arrest
20. Driving under the influence of alcohol above minimum percentage: Penalty – warrants arrests

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10 October 2023

Leone Rock Metal Group recently marked a significant achievement in its commitment to corporate social responsibility by inaugurating a Bike Riders' Office in Kamasondo, Lungi-Lol, Port Loko district. The event on September 30, 2023, demonstrated the company’s dedication to supporting the development of the communities they primarily operate in.
The ceremony was attended by community leaders, local government officials, LRMG staff, and members of the bike riders’ association, symbolizing unity and embracing progress in the region. This initiative aims to foster collaboration between LRMG and the community, emphasising its commitment to the area's welfare and progress.
Situated in the heart of Kamasondo, Lungi-Lol, the newly established office benefits not only bike riders but also the entire community. Part of LRMG's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, the Bike Riders' Office acts as a hub for the association, offering essential services and facilities, including an Administrative Center, Safety and Training Center, Community Meeting Space, and Security which is timely and much needed.
As the ceremony unfolded, KRP’s Community and Security Manager; Alhaji Mohamed Turay, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, emphasizing the significance of Kamasondo as an important operational community for the company, he added "Our commitment to sustainable development goes beyond mining. We are dedicated to supporting the communities where we operate and ensuring that our presence leaves a positive impact. This Bike Riders' Office is just one example of our ongoing efforts to empower the community and enhance their quality of life."
Mr. Baiadam Ballay, Chiefdom Rider’s Chairman, conveyed heartfelt appreciation for LRMG's generous contribution, highlighting the newfound organizational capabilities and enhanced safety measures that the Bike Riders' Office offers.
Honourable Member of Parliament, Mr. Ismail Sankoh, commended LRMG's dedication to corporate social responsibility and highlighted the transformative impact of the newly donated office on the association and the community's well-being.
The local riders' association expressed their gratitude for the new facility, emphasizing its role in streamlining operations and enhancing transportation services within Kamasondo, Lungi-Lol. As the community celebrates this milestone, the partnership between Leone Rock Metal Group and the community stands as a beacon of positive change, showcasing the potential of collaboration between businesses and communities for mutual benefit.
The construction of the Bike Riders' Office exemplifies the positive change that can arise when businesses prioritize community development. Leone Rock Metal Group's commitment to its corporate social responsibility serves as a commendable example for other enterprises operating in the region, fostering hope and unity in Kamasondo, Lungi-Lol.

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22 September 2023

ORANGE SL AR KAK PROMO

ARKAK TIKTOK CHALLENGE

HOW TO PARTICIPATE