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  On Tuesday, September 17, 2024, Magistrate Santigie Bangura resumed hearing a case at Court No. 2, Pademba Road, previously adjourned. The case focuses on key events involving the accused, Hussein Ant, Jamal Antar, and Suliaman Barrie. The prosecution presented Alhaji Kabha, the Operations Manager for Global Aviation, as a witness, whose testimony provided crucial details about the accused and the circumstances surrounding the alleged incident. Alhaji Kabha, a seasoned employee with over 12 years at Global Aviation, testified, led by State Counsel Yusuf Trade Sesay Esq. Kabha explained his role in handling import, export, and transit documentation for the company. He recounted events starting from November 11, 2023, when he encountered the accused Hussein Ant in Waterloo and identified Jamal Antar as the receiver of one of the containers. Kabha described his responsibilities, which included processing containers through Water Quay, Cline Town, and supervising their scanning and r...

  In a major financial scandal, it has been reported that a staggering 12 million new leones (NLe 12,000,000) is missing from the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA). If verified, this significant loss could call for an immediate overhaul of the institution’s financial management systems. On September 12, 2024, the Anti-Corruption Commission’s (ACC) elite Scorpion Squad conducted a raid on SLRSA’s headquarters, following reports of the missing funds. According to a public notice from the ACC, the funds were generated between March and August 2024, but never made it to their intended destination. The investigation has led to the arrest of 34 system operators, who are currently assisting the ACC with inquiries. Although the ACC has yet to confirm the exact figure involved, sources suggest that the missing amount could be as high as 12 billion old leones, a figure that has sent shockwaves through the institution and the public alike. If true, this alarming sum would highlight a...

The General Manager of Sierra Leone’s National Tourist Board, Fatmata H. Carew, is currently facing legal proceedings initiated by the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) for failing to remit over six hundred million Leones in employee social security contributions. This case was brought before Magistrate Sahr Kekura at the NASSIT Court. The allegations involve a violation of Section 32(1)(c) of the National Social Security and Insurance Trust Act No. 5 of 2001, which requires employers to make regular contributions to their employees’ social security accounts. Between July 2018 and April 2024, the Tourist Board, under Carew’s management, reportedly neglected to make these contributions, resulting in an outstanding amount of Le 692,461.75 (new Leones). NASSIT’s legal representative, Farakhan Sesay Esq., informed the court that both the National Tourist Board and NASSIT are negotiating a settlement agreement to ensure the owed contributions are paid within the legally ...

Vice President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has pledged to take decisive action against buildings that pose potential disaster risks, including the demolition of structurally unsafe structures. This statement was made during his visit to the tragic scene of the recent building collapse at Kissy, Freetown, which resulted in multiple casualties. In his address, Dr. Jalloh outlined the government's plans to empower the Ministry of Lands with increased authority to ensure enforcement and compliance with building regulations, following a spate of building collapses. He highlighted that the government will undertake a thorough investigation of the recent collapses to prevent further tragedies and to enforce stricter adherence to structural design codes.  On behalf of President Julius Maada Bio and the Government of Sierra Leone, the Vice President expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and commended the efforts of the National Disaster Management ...

In a pivotal meeting with the Project Implementation Unit (PIU) at the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Chairman of the Energy Governance Coordination Group (EGCG), laid out a roadmap for transformative reforms in Sierra Leone's energy sector. Mandated by President Julius Maada Bio to spearhead reforms, Dr. Yumkella underscored the need for collaboration, professionalism, and accountability to maximize the sector's potential. During the meeting, Dr. Yumkella stressed the importance of delivering visible and impactful results, while also maintaining the integrity and reputation of the energy sector. He expressed his commitment to keeping the president accurately informed on the progress of the reforms, reinforcing a culture of transparency and accountability. Acknowledging the current challenges within the sector, Dr. Yumkella remained optimistic that through teamwork and consistent effort, the sector could overcome its obstacles and mee...

On September 17, 2024, the Ministry of Social Welfare, in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), took a crucial step toward combating child marriage by holding a strategic meeting to outline the implementation of the newly enacted Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024 . The meeting, held at the Police Wives Association Hall in Kingtom, culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry and the SLP. Inspector General of Police, Mr. William Fayia Sellu, underscored the importance of this partnership, which aligns with national efforts and the First Lady’s vision of eradicating early child marriage in Sierra Leone. He stressed that coordinated action from government bodies, non-governmental organizations, and community leaders—particularly in rural areas—is key to ensuring effective enforcement of the new law. Mr. Sellu highlighted persistent challenges, such as the common practice of resolving child marriage cases through informal settlement...

On Wednesday, September 18, 2024, Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio delivered a powerful keynote address at the OpenAg Symposium held at Oxford University, calling for strategic partnerships to tackle the adverse effects of climate change on global water and energy resources. In his address, President Bio emphasized the need for innovative solutions to mitigate the impact of climate change, particularly in water and energy security, which are crucial for sustainable agricultural practices. He highlighted Sierra Leone's openness to collaboration in agricultural research and partnerships that could bolster the country’s "Feed Salone" agenda—a national initiative aimed at enhancing food security through sustainable agricultural development. President Bio expressed his gratitude to the Oxford India Centre for Sustainable Development, UPL, and other partners and investors for organizing the symposium, which promotes actionable solutions for global agricultural developm...

The Government of Sierra Leone has taken a significant step towards strengthening the nation’s infrastructure with the signing of a financing agreement for the reconstruction of the Mabang-Moyamba-Gbangbatoke corridor. This major project aims to improve regional connectivity, facilitate transportation, and boost economic growth in the southern region of the country. The agreement was signed yesterday at the Ministry of Finance by acting Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kadiatu Allie, and the Minister of Works and Public Assets, Dr. Denis Sandy. The project will be executed by SIETRA, a renowned Burkina Faso-based construction firm, and is a critical part of President Julius Maada Bio’s ongoing infrastructure agenda. The signing ceremony attracted several high-profile dignitaries, including the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay; Director General of the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA), Ing. Momodu; and Paramount Chief Caulker of Rotifunk. Following the agree...

The Sierra Leone Ports and Harbour Authority (SLPHA) has made significant strides in vessel traffic and import volumes, as announced by Director General Yankuba Askia Bio during the Ministry of Information and Communications’ (MOIC) weekly press briefing. These advancements reflect the authority’s commitment to strengthening the nation's port infrastructure and overall maritime operations. DG Bio proudly shared that vessel traffic has grown, rising from 426 vessels in 2022 to 435 vessels in 2023, signaling a robust increase in maritime activities. Additionally, imports saw a 9% boost, with the total volume of goods handled jumping from 61,000 metric tons in 2022 to 68,000 metric tons in 2023. These figures underscore a positive trend in Sierra Leone’s trade and economic activity, facilitated through its ports. In line with President Julius Maada Bio's employment agenda, the SLPHA has also created 200 new jobs, with the employees earning above the national minimum wage, further ...