The Daily IIJ

“HIV/AIDS is not only a problem but an opportunity to change the world,” said Michel Sidibe, the executive director of UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AISDS, during a high level and experts conference in Berlin yesterday.

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The Parliamentary Assistance Coordinating Office (PACO) has on Thursday 26th January 2012 held a

New Clerk of Parliament, Ibrahim Sesay
meeting with development partners at the Parliament Conference Hall in Freetown.
Addressing partners, the new Clerk of Parliament, Ibrahim Sesay said Parliament is an institution that cannot move by itself, and added that when given the opportunity and capacity it can even enable MPs to come up with Private Member Motions and not solely depend on the Executive to always come up will theirs.
He noted that Parliament as a Commission has lots of challenges that boils down on structure and finance. The Clerk commended the fact that the motion moved by President Koroma when he was in Opposition to enable Parliament become independent in handling it finances, is now been implemented.
?We want to have a close link between my office and development partners. My office is always open to development partners that have Parliament at heart,? Mr. Sesay said, and added that even though they have employed professional staffs to boost Parliament Operations, they are still encountering the problem of employing Directors of Finance and Human Resources. These he recognized as key positions that require a huge amount of finance.
The Clerk admonished partners to be visiting Parliament from time to time to see some of their supported programs.
He informed the meeting that Parliament will be dissolved in September 2012 for the elections. ?We have new Members of Parliament coming in. they need capacity building and other support that will improve on their capacity in the House,? says the Clerk, and further reiterated the fact that they want to equip the new Members of Parliament on their oversight responsibilities and enable them develop constituency outreach programs.
Representatives from International Organizations like UNAIDS, IOM, EU, DfID, UNFPA and UNICEF gave updates on their past and present supported development programs in Parliament. They were able to identify key resolutions, such as training programs should not be based on Members of Parliament alone but also other members of staff. Also, development partners should be looking at the Parliament calendar of activities so as to avoid duplication of programs. A representative from DfID pointed out that Parliament should not solely depend on development partners for support, but that they must tap on the increase national revenue to upkeep their operations.
The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Clerk of Parliament, Mohamed Lebbie.

The Vision of the National Youth Coalition is to restore the dignity of all Sierra Leonean youth and empower them for a brighter future. The organization has over the years engaged youths in various developmental activities to sustain their livelihood.
For Sierra Leone?s electoral process to run smoothly and transparently, the Coalition has thought it fit to engage youths from various serving organizations to take part in the whole process. Since the Voter Registration exercise commence on Monday 23rd January 2012, the National Youth Coalition has provided megaphones and stipend to representatives of ten youth groups in Freetown.
Addressing a colourful presentation ceremony at their Fort Street Office on Wednesday 25th January 2012, President of the Coalition Ishmael Al-Sankoh Conteh said they believe that democracy should involve equal participation for all citizens. He reiterated the fact that people have been grumbling about the inabilities of their representatives in Parliament and the Local Council, and added that the necessary changes can only be effected in a fair and transparent election.
Mr. Conteh informed his audience that since the registration process started the Coalition has realize some problems of locating registration centers and some people have to spend about four or five hours awaiting to be registered. The NYC President noted that this prompted his Coalition to provide the megaphones so that it enables the various youth organization to send out a clear message about the process. ?It will enable more people to come out and register, and also teach the process involved in the registration exercise,? says Mr. Al-Sankoh Conteh, and added that the megaphones will be returned after the process.
The NYC President admonished Political Party Agents to cooperate with the National Electoral Commission by making themselves available throughout the registration process.
He concluded by warning that the megaphones are not meant to chant political party slogans or promote the affairs of any political party, but rather those carrying out the sensitization should be nonpartisan.
NYC?s Tamba Deen Kamara is amongst other youths drawn from across the country to go through the Biometric System Education, he informed his audience that the system is a technology used to measure and analyze the human body. He added that in Sierra Leone the system focuses on the thumb and facial feature. ?It will be a permanent registration process that will only be upgraded with new registrations for those reaching the age of 18,? he said, and concluded that the system is meant for eligible Sierra Leoneans that are 18yrs and above.
The event was chaired by NYC?s Secretary General, Salieu A.B. Kargbo.

Madam Isatu Posseh Bangura, Manager and owner of the Posseh’s Hotel and Catering Services at Babadorie, Lumley, faced one of her greatest embarrassment in her life when on Monday 23rd January 2012 was detained at the Criminal Investigations Department for issuing a bounce cheque to the tune of Le18, 670, 000 (about $4, 500) to Emad Fawaz, owner and Manager of Sea Sweet Patisserie and Restaurant of 98 Wilkinson Road, Freetown.
Police sources revealed that her detention came after she was invited by the CID to respond to allegations of conspiracy and fraud, contrary to the country’s financial regulations.
The Posseh’s Hotel Manager, according to report had to shed tears while begging CID Officers to request for bail in order to prevent her from spending the night in custody. Confirm report state that a close friend of Madam Posseh Bangura had to rescue her by leaving an Opel Car in the CID compound to serve as a temporal surety to secure her bail. A house book is already in police custody, which serves as collateral until Madam Posseh Bangura pay her debt as at the stipulated date of Saturday 28th January 2012.
It can be recalled on 20th December 2011 Fawaz was contacted Madam Isatu Posseh Bangura, requesting him to cater for her daughter’s wedding, which was scheduled for 5th January 2012 at the Bintumani Hotel in Freetown. Madam Bangura ordered for one thousand pieces each of five different types of food. The alleged fraudster’s attempt to embarrass Fawaz with a bad loan placed her in the lions’ den. The two parties agreed on Le18, 670, 000. Report states that Madam Bangura agreed to pay the above amount on the 30th December 2011.
According to report, the Posseh’s Hotel Manager failed to keep up to her promise as at the agreed date. She was alleged to have called Fawaz on 2nd January 2012, and this time promising that her Accountant, Isatu Bah (who is likely to be invited by the police for conspiracy) will make the payment on her behalf.
Fawaz, report went on to state that was told by Madam Bangura to go ahead and purchase the necessary items for the catering, but it all turned out the other way round as the desperate Caterer was shock to learn from his customer (Madam Posseh Bangura) on Wednesday 3rd January 2012 that a cheque dated 9th January 2012 will be paid without any further delay.
Report states that on the wedding day, Fawaz wasted no time to supply seven hundred pieces of the one thousand pieces of each of the five items earlier agreed upon by the two parties. The remaining thirty pieces were supplied at 9 p.m. on the same day.
Fawaz was dumped again by Madam Bangura, this time round a bounce Guaranty Trust Bank cheque was issued to the former, who went to the Brookfields Branch for encashment. Sources say after presenting the cheque to the Cashier, Fawaz was called on the phone by Madam Bangura’s Accountant, Isatu Bah to inform him that he should withdraw the cheque because management has agreed to make cash payment.
It was at this time Fawaz suspected some foul play and wasted no time to meet his debtor at Babadorie, Lumley but only for him to learn from Isatu Bah and the Driver of Madam Bangura, Osman that their boss was not available. Fawaz was also said to have contacted the GTBank at Lumley to do the encashment for the second time. It was at this time round he realized that he has been issued with a bounce cheque.
Report further states that Mrs. Kadie Fawaz, wife of Emad Fawaz, became furious over the lackadaisical attitude of their debtor Madam Isatu Posseh Bangura. Madam Bangura, report states promised in a meeting with Mrs. Kadie Fawaz to pay back the money on 19th January 2012, and added that if she fails to keep to her promise Mr. and Mrs. Fawaz should take the appropriate action.
The failure of Madam Posseh Bangura to pay her debt on the promised prompted Fawaz to bring in the Law Enforcement Agency in order to not only seek redress but to also pay back suppliers who are after his bark requesting him to pay their monies for the items he loaned to cater for Madam Bangura’s daughter’s wedding.
Sources close to Fawaz revealed that Madam Bangura has been a regular customer to Fawaz’s Restaurant, most times ordering for birthday cakes, which she normally supply to her own customers. Her moves in recent days have been described in so many quarters as a mere ploy to bring the entire business of Fawaz into disrepute.
The Sea Sweet Restaurant Manager, report states now rely on the police to force Madam Bangura to pay her debt.
Madam Bangura who had earlier promised to finally pay her debt on Tuesday 24th January 2012 to avoid embarrassment, is been aided by close relatives in order to prevent further unforeseen circumstance.

The Peoples’ Development Movement (PDM) says it is bigger than any of its members regardless of name, financial status or creed because it is more than a Political Party.

PDM Spokesperson Msenga Mlungu said PDM is a movement therefore like all political movements its survival is based on commitment to particular ideals that transcend individuals including those in leadership.

Former PDM Secretary General Harry Mkandawire ditched the party in December 2011 and joined Peoples’ Party (PP) of State Vice President Joyce Banda.

Announcing his resignation at a PP rally at Mzimba Boma, Mkandawire said had no chance to unseat DPP in 2014.

Mkandawire, who helped found PDM, was a major benefactor to the party’s coffers particularly during the Rumphi Central bye elections which Aford won.

“People have speculated about PDM dying. Movements do not die because they are an idea. Movements are bigger than an individual and survive beyond any personality. Members may die, resign and or move on but not an idea, not an ideology,” Mlungu said.

He said this in a press statement titled “Issues of leaving and joining the Party” and a copy made available to The Daily IIJ.

“People joining PDM do so with sobriety in its ideology and must believe and live it. Those in PDM only for the sake of political power are in the wrong boat. Those in PDM must be there first as believers of the ideals and through that attain power for the selfless service of others,” Mlungu said.

According to Mlungu, a federal system of government remains the party’s most important ideal.

“PDM advances this position openly without any malice or evil intentions, and consistent with the freedoms of association and expression of God given ideas, as enshrined in the constitution. To be a PDM member one must believe in this ideal,” he said.

Malawi needs transport professionals so as to come up with logistics solutions as Malawi is a land lock country, the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (Malawi Section) has said.

The Institute noted that in countries like Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, and Ghana, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport forms an integral part of all transport related decisions.

“The major challenge we have in Malawi is that we need to create awareness of the profession so that we attract people for certificates and diploma courses,” said James Katunga, one of the people trying to revive the Institute in Malawi.

According to Katunga, who is also Logistics Director for Carlsberg Malawi Limited, a committee vested with the task of reorganising the Institute at Section level has since been put in place with a mandate to conduct an annual general meeting not later than July 2012.

“The Section has a constitution in place modelled on that of the mother body. A Secretariat, which is manned on a part time basis initially, is operational in AGMA house at Maselema,” he said.

Katunga also said the Institute’s membership started soaring with introduction of education programmes in 2007.

“Membership, which includes 10 chartered Fellows and 35 chartered members, now, stands at 600.  We anticipated that the number of chartered members will rise with the introduction of the advanced diploma in the study program,” Katunga said.

The Institute was first established in Malawi in 1959 with the only branch based in the country’s commercial city of Blantyre. Membership was basically drawn from employees of the main modes of transport i.e. rail, road, air and lake services.

Fire broke out in the early hours of Tuesday morning January 24, 2012 at the Borbor Comboh community situated at the Siaka Stevens Street- Krootown axis in central Freetown.
Property worth millions of Leones was destroyed as a large part of the Shanty Town community mostly made up of makeshift zinc structures was burnt to rubble.
The National Fire Force found it difficult to access the burning site, since the community is surrounded by hills and the access roads were hardly motorable.
Speaking to SALONE TIMES Foday Turay, a resident of the community whose house was gutted down by the fire said they thought they could put the fire out when it started because they have a lot of water in their midst. “We later realized that the fire was beyond our control, so we quickly called the fire force to come to our aid.” He said.
Fire Class Fire Man of the National Fire Force Abdul Akim Hamid said the area was difficult for them to access when they arrived at the scene. “We only have access at the mosque at ‘Jokie Bridge’ which helped us to put the fire out,” he said.
He disclosed that the cause of the fire was due to a candle and naked electric cable and that there was no resistance when they arrived. He pointed out that if not for their timely intervention that entire surrounding would have been burnt down because the youths were trying to do it on their own.
He appealed to all to stop using candle, mosquito coil and hurricane lamp in their houses as these are the things that can easily get ablaze. “There are lots of low cost Chinese lights in the country which will help save millions of property in our homes instead of using candles and hurricane lamps that are easily ignited.” he advised.
The Borbor Komboh community together with its Kroo Bay neighbours has often been condemned for its filth and overcrowding and it is often said that these areas are not ideal for people to live considering the health hazards, garbage and human fasces that are very common sight in these areas.
Fatu Conteh a trader told SALONE TIMES that they usually go to the hospital for treatment as they easily fall ill due to the environment they are living in.

SALONE TIMES  has learnt that the acting Administrator of the Freetown City Council (FCC) is  planning to establish officers  in the east and west of Freetown.

According to the Public Relations Officer of FCC Cyril Mattia, the acting Administrator called a general staff meeting to brainstorm on the development of the city and it was after that meeting that he said the idea came up for council  to establish officers in those areas.

Mr. Mattia went on to say that  they have been viewing with great concern the  huge traffic congestion in central Freetown. “We want to ease the cost of transportation for Freetonians, instead of them coming to the City centre only to pay their taxes they would pay at those branches,” he said.

He pointed out that the  central office will  be meant to administrate and also act as a check and balance in the other offices. He added that the two offices will be fully equipped to meet the  needs of tax payers.

Mr. Mattia also disclosed that the Freetown Waste Management Company has now been transferred to the Local Government Ministry. “All  backlog salaries have been paid . Now strategies have been put in place to clean the city,” he said.

Having fulfilled the criteria in the Political Parties Act of 2002, the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC) has approved the Citizens Democratic Party (CDP) to contest in the November 17 general elections.

Presenting the final certificate of registration to the new party, PPRC Chairman, Justice Samuel Ademosu admonished the CDP’s executive and members to refrain from making unfounded statements or attack the privacy of members of other political parties. 

He reminded them of their responsibilities as enshrined in the 1991 constitution, the Political Parties Act of 2002 and the code of conduct for political parties.

“I admonish you to be lawful,” Ademosu said. “Let me also remind you of the challenges ahead. Please advise your members especially the youth not to be used to perpetuate violence during the electioneering process.”

As he received the certificate, CDP’s chair and leader, Joshua Albert Carew described the day as historic noting that Sierra Leoneans now have an alternative.

“We are very much optimistic that the people will embrace our party’s ideology. We are not formed to attack other political parties but to change the system,” Carew said.

Sierra Leone’s president continues to win laurels both in and out of the country for his exemplary and quality leadership since he took over the nation’s governance following his victory in the 2007 general elections. The latest of such accolades is the Special Recognition Award in Leadership bestowed in him by the All Works of Life, AWOL during their National Achievement Awards ceremony hosted at the Family Kingdom in Freetown.

There was standing ovation for Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma as soon as he was invited to the podium by the master of ceremony, Nicky Spencer-Coker, to collect his award.

In his statement, AWOL’s chairman, Hon. Chernor R.M. Bah noted that he felt very proud to have accomplished the promise he made during the 2010 awards night that his organisation will lead the country’s golden jubilee celebrations.

He maintained that AWOL contributed immensely, both human and financially, in galvanising and mobilising the whole nation into taking full ownership of the celebrations.  

“As we continue to celebrate, we take somber reflections on where and how we want to see our country in the next 50 years,” noted the AWOL chairman. “The answer can be found in our theme for this year’s awards ceremony: ‘Building a New Nation’. We want to see elected officials of state responsive to the needs and aspirations of the people. We want to see non-violence and peaceful co-existence and tolerance among political parties and young people. This will be my last function as chairman of AWOL as I bow out after completing my two terms.”  

Other awardees included Standard Chartered Bank as Financial Institution of the Year; the National Telecommunications Commission, NATCOM scooped the Parastatal of the Year; Africell – Communications Company of the Year; Medical Practitioner – Dr. SAS Kargbo; Legal Practitioner – Nasiru-Deen Tejan-Cole; Media House, print – Awareness Times and electronic – Star Radio; Parliamentarian of the Year – Hon. Alimamy Kamara; and Petty Trader of the Year – Fatmata Bah-Nee Kargbo.