The Daily IIJ » Alimatu Fofanah

2 Weeks Quranic Competition For Muslims

Alimatu Fofanah — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 10:18:10 +0000

By Alimatu Fofanah
Islamic Scholars in Sierra Leone will have the opportunity to take part in a two week long Quranic and Islamic recitation competition organized by the Iranian Cultural Consulate in Freetown. This was disclosed to members of the Fourth Estate by no less a person than the Cultural Chancellor of the Iranian Cultural Consulate Muhammad Ghazel Soufla.
According to Mr. Ghazel Soufla, the two weeks Quranic competition is organized to brighten the Quranic horizon of Scholars and also encourage them to practice meditation during the holy month of Ramadan which is a blessing to all Sierra Leoneans.
The competition has been divided into two categories and will commence on the 28th August 2010 until the end of two weeks. The two categories of the Quranic competition which is open to Muslim Scholars include the memorization and recitation of the Holy Quran and also the open Quranic competition. “Both categories are open to all Sierra Leoneans irrespective of age or tribe,” stated Ghazel Soufla.
The Iranian Diplomat disclosed the prizes for the two categories of competition. For the memorization and recitation of the Quran, the first prize will be two hundred and seventy thousand Leones (Le 270,000) while the second prize will be two hundred and fifty thousand Leones (250,000). The third prize in this category will be one hundred and fifty thousand Leones (Le 150,000) plus other attractive prizes to be won. The second category which is the open Quranic recitation will see the winner pocket two hundred thousand Leones (Le 200,000) while the runner-up will get one hundred and eighty thousand Leones (Le 180,000). The third prize for this category is one hundred and thirty thousand Leones (Le 130,000) including other attractive consolation prizes for all contestants in the competition.
Sierra Leonean Muslim Scholars who want to take part in this two weeks competition should get the competition forms which are available at the Iranian Cultural Consulate at Garrison Street, Freetown.
This year’s competition according to Mr. Ghazel Soufla will be very interesting and enjoyable and the Iranian Diplomat urged all Sierra Leoneans to take part in this competition.

Education Boss Speaks On Government White Paper

Alimatu Fofanah — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 10:15:02 +0000

By Alimatu Fofanah
The Deputy Director of Education in Kenema, Mr. John Swaray has assured various pupils and parents frightened by the recommendation of the government White Paper on education which recommended the introduction of an additional year for pupils in senior secondary school nationwide.
John Swarray made this assurance during a program on East End Radio live program on Monday 9th August 2010 where he detailed some of the measures that are expected to take immediate effect as opposed to dubious speculation making rounds within the city. He said the introduction of the additional year will not affect the present pupils in SS2 and SS3 stressing that it will only affect SS1 pupils who will eventually benefit from the over hauling of the educational system in the country.

Prof. Gbamanja’s Commission was set up to uncover some of the factors responsible for the massive failure of pupils in the external examination. John Swaray stated that the Gbamanja Commission was set up after government became weary of the poor performance of pupil in the 2008/09 Basic Education Examination (BECE) and WASSCE results during the period under review. The Deputy Director said the Commission has four terms of reference ranging from the investigation and identification of the impact of the 6334 system, the performance of pupils and how that can be compared with the experience of other countries that have accepted the same system. He added that investigating the reasons for indiscipline in secondary school and recommend immediate, short, medium and long term measures to improve and sustain pupil’s performance in the BECE and WASSCE Examination were included in the Commission’s terms of reference.

John Swaray confirmed that some of the endorsements of the government White Paper are to be implemented with immediate effect such as the abolition of the Access Program of entry into colleges. He went on to say that government has criminalized the irregular admission of pupils into secondary schools.

The Deputy Director concluded by stating that the two shift system will gradually phase out and the process is expected to last for a period of three years as recommended by government White Paper.

For Salone’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations… African Minerals Pledges $500,000

Alimatu Fofanah — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 10:13:37 +0000

By Alimatu Fofanah
Popular and dependable mining company, African Minerals, has once again taken the lead in rebranding Sierra Leone with an exciting pledge of US$ 500,000 to the 50th Independence Anniversary Planning Committee headed by Dr. William Konteh.
This sum has relatively lessened the burden on the Planning Committee members who are very desperate to raise the cash needed for the occasion. It is no gainsaying that African Minerals always fulfil promises as the company prides itself on credibility.
“We are very much impressed that one of the biggest and trustworthy companies in the country has stepped forward in ensuring that we achieve our dreams, we therefore thank African Minerals for paying kind attention to this committee,” one of the members told The Exclusive yesterday afternoon. He continued that when President Ernest Bai Koroma launched the Committee in August 6 this year, the first thought was how to raise the money within the shortest period but that with companies like African Minerals around things will be much better.
“The confidence we received from the Management was that we must not worry as long as it is in the interest of promoting the image of Sierra Leone and changing the mindset of what people feel about us and the country, African Minerals will step up positively,” the Committee member further disclosed.
African Minerals’ head of Communications, Anthony Navo Jr, when asked by this press about his company’s pledge, said they would always fulfil their corporate, social responsibility. He noted that his company would always make sure that the communities where they are operating and the country as a whole benefit immensely from African Minerals.

Africell Goes Facebook

Alimatu Fofanah — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 10:02:15 +0000

By Alimatu Fofanah
Africell, the number one telecommunication company for all the reasons, yesterday launched another service promotion for its valued subscribers ‘Africall Facebook by SMS’.
Speaking to journalists at a press conference which was held at the company’s Headquarters at No. 1 Pivot Street, Wilberforce in Freetown, Africell Head of Event and Sponsorship, Arthur B. Kallon said, the ‘Africell Facebook by SMS’ was created to offer Africell subscribers the facility to update their facebook status, wall links and to reply to friends via SMS.
Facebook, Mr. Kallon said, is a phenomenon that has become a vogue amongst mobile phone users in Sierra Leone.
Mr. Kallon furthered that, the new promo entails a service that their valued subscribers can send various simple instructions by SMS to the specified 800 operating service number and that in response, the subscribers will receive a feedback to his/her phone relating to status updates, comments and notification.
Other functions, the Head of Event and Sponsorship said, such as search for friend, and or delete a friend are also available; and that users can send an instruction to achieve a Help command in the instance they needed assistance.
Giving a summary of how users can interact using SMS, Mr. Kallon said if a subscriber wants to update his/her status he/she should send the letter ‘S’ to 800 and that if the subscriber wants to update his/her wall, he/she should send the letter ‘w’ followed by space and the subscribers message/update and then post it to 800.
He furthered that, if a subscriber wants to search for a friend, he/she should type the word ‘search’ followed by the friend’s name and then SMS to 800.
In this area, he said, result of the search will contain all friends name matching the initial string name and friend code assigned to each friend. To write on friend’s wall he said, the subscriber should type the letter ‘W’ followed by the friend code and the message and then SMS it to 800. To update links, Kallon stated that the subscribers should type the letter ‘L’ followed by the message content and send it via SMS to 800; and that to list all the friends a subscriber has chosen for his facebook update, the subscriber should type the letter ‘L’ and send it to 800. He further maintained that if a subscriber wants to delete a friend from his or her facebook notifications, all he/she needs to do is to type the letters, REM or DEL followed by the friend’s code.
He concluded by noting that for each SMS to 800, the cost per unit is 10 units while the daily charge is 3 units and that subscribers can receive up to 50 SMS daily.
Giving the instructions, Africell’s Head of Marketing, Nancy L. Joseph said to access the service, Africell subscribers should log on to facebook and then search for ‘Africell SL SMS’ or followed the link (http://apps.facebook.com/africellslsms) and then click on ‘Go to application.” She said the subscriber should then add the application to his/her facebook account and then enter the Africell number he/she would like to use for his/her facebook update.
After this, she said, the subscriber will then receive a 4 letter code which he/she will have to use to confirm his or her Africell number.
The press conference was chaired by Africell’s Media Relations Supervisors, Tommy Terry Coker.

Advanced Policy Dialogue Forum Ends

Alimatu Fofanah — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 09:58:30 +0000

By Alimatu Fofanah
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development in coloboration with the United Nation African Institute for Economic Development and planning has held a two-day dialogue session at the Miatta Conference Hall. The theme of this dialogue was’s ‘planning for economic recovery and development in post-conflict Sierra Leone; the road travelled and the challenges ahead.
The dialogue was a high-level event opened principally to senior officials of the Ministries of Finance and Economic Development, Trade and Industry and Mineral Resources; the bank of Sierra Leone, development assistance coordination office and the Anti-Corruption Commission. In other words, it was designed to be an inter-ministerial, cross-departmental forum that will allow participants to gain a holistic understanding of the post-conflict reconstruction and development strategy that is being pursued and the place they occupy within the bigger picture.
Moreover, the dialogue allowed Sierra Leone’s top most development policy officials and practitioners to engage one another in an assessment of the progress that has been registered for rebuilding the country. The dialogue forum also brought together representatives from West African Countries like Nigeria, Ghana and Liberia. Each of these countries presented a paper on their experience of reconstruction and development after a period of conflict. The measures were reviewed as part of the proceedings of the advanced policy dialogue facilitated by the United Nations African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (UNIDEP).
In his keynote address, the Secretary to the President, Mr. Osho Coker on behalf of the President Said Government was determined to over come the challenges through a road map that reflects the peoples’ aspirations for change and the requirements for economic growth. The Agenda for Change, he said was designed to support economic growth and development through substantially higher public investment. He noted that the economic recovery programme was also supported by other multi-lateral and bilateral development partners including the ADB, DFID, EU and the World Bank through a number of economic recovery and poverty reduction programmes.
The Deputy Minister of Finance Dr. Richard Konteh noted that the national policy dialogue on planning for Economic recovery and development in post-conflict Sierra Leone will surely mark the beginning of this engagement and hoped that it would be an annual exercise. He disclosed that the main objective of the national policy dialogue was to re-launch the culture of planning and to underscore its relevance and importance especially for countries coming out of conflict like Sierra Leone.
The Deputy Minister stated that the Agenda for Change has its major priorities, agriculture, and water resources, infrastructural, development, energy, and human development (Health, Education, etc) and some cross-cutting themes that make for a holistic approach to development. He described the dialogue forum as a unique one in the history of Sierra Leone which offers an opportunity for Sierra Leone to meet and exchange views and share experience with others from the neighboring countries.

Former Head of State in dilemma

Alimatu Fofanah — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 09:57:22 +0000

By Alimatu Fofanah
This medium is continuing to wonder why after all the verifications he carried out on the case of Rtd. Capt. Valentine Strasser, the Minister of Defence, Pallo Conteh, even after giving his word of honour as a military man; has not done anything to get the former Head of State paid.
Can the Defence Minister give us the reasons, when almost all the wounded In Action had long been settled? Is Strasser not eligible for this payment which is in fact a little amount that cannot solve all of his problems. It is an issue of principles?
Is that to say that had Strasser died from his gunshot wounds, he would have died for Sierra Leone for nothing? Has Mr. Pallo Conteh received orders from above not to pay Strasser? We don’t want to believe so because President Koroma cannot be party to this.
Mr. Defence Minister, are you being coerced by senior officers in the RSLAF not to pay Strasser? Does the intervention of IMATT not create any impression on you? If not, please Sir the public is asking you kindly to come out and say something. Give us the reason why you are still holding on to Strasser’s money? Or is it that his money has fallen into the wrong hands? Why Mr. Minister, why? We want to know.
For God’s sake can a man like Strasser live barely on a pension below thirty thousand Leones? The answer is just no. And what we are saying is that as a former Head of State, the man deserves more than this; he is entitled to a minimally decent life because coming by three meals (decent meals, not cookery) is quite a problem for Strasser notwithstanding his simple life style. Man must live and not survive.
This man can hardly stand and walk all by himself to far distance because of his bad leg where he was shot by enemies during the war and because of which he is now limping badly.
Strasser despite his present very pathetic plight, surely has self pride to go in the streets begging.
Or is it that as usual in many cases, we are waiting for him to die so that we can accord him a befitting state funeral with all pump and pageantry? Like the French saying: calling in the doctor when the patient is long dead and gone? Just like slaughtering cows for a dead person who had hardly ever eaten a lump of meat in his/her life time?
We believe we should save ourselves this national disgrace because this is the only country on earth where a former Head of State is treated like this. This is unacceptable to say the least; all the reason why we need as a nation to rehabilitate Strasser now before it is too late.
In the light of all this; we are appealing to the Minister of Defence to address the issue of his young colleague, who, would have long been frustrated into madness, starvation, shame, hope like a pauper, had it not been for his professional military abnegation and self control.
Mr. Minister, we hope you have got us loud and clear.

“Africell Truly Number One For All The Reasons…”Winner Confesses

Alimatu Fofanah — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 09:50:35 +0000

By Alimatu Fofanah
Africell Sunday Jamboree winner confessed that, Africell is truly number one for all the reasons. He made this confession in an interview with this press after he emerged as the lucky winner in the fascinating puzzle session during past Sunday Jamboree talk show.
“Africell has done a lot for us in this country. Take into consideration, the beautification of the Cotton Tree, and the Wilberforce Roundabout, our post office and now the construction of the Makeni Clock Tower.” The winner said.
He went further to outline some of the services that the company is offering to its subscribers which he said includes the just launched ‘Africell Facebook by SMS’ which he said, doesn’t require a subscriber to log into the internet or has a sophisticated phone that has an internet facility.
He said the service can be used by all Africell subscribers regardless of the type of phone the subscriber is using as long as he/she has air time.
The winner also made mention of the promotions the company is offering to it subscribers. Among them he said wais the just concluded ‘Win Your Weight in Cash’ wherein subscribers won thousands of millions, Win Your Dream’ promo, cash chamber etc.
He commended the company for such corporate social responsibilities and expressed hope that it will do more than what it has done while encouraging Sierra Leoneans to join and stay fixed with Africell because according to her, Africell is here to sty and make life better for all Sierra Leoneans.
“Africell is the best among the rest in the telecommunication industry of Sierra Leone,” he noted.
Africell Head of Marketing Units, Nancy L. Joseph and her team, Abdulai Jalloh (Temba B), Ngadie J. Kargbo moderated the talk show and made meaningful contributions.

African Minerals makes way for development

Alimatu Fofanah — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 09:46:19 +0000

By Alimatu Fofanah
African Minerals Limited (AML) has been exploring the Tonkolili deposit in the Sula Mountain range in Sierra Leone for the last seven years and in 2009 confirmed the presence of a world-class magnetite iron ore deposit. The mine is located approximately 200km East of Freetown and requires extensive pit to port infrastructure to develop the project.
The Project Benefits includes: employment generation both during construction and operation, large scale investment in Sierra Leone, government revenues, project wide training initiatives, community investment and development and contribution to local and regional development
The Tonkolili Iron Ore Project consists of mining and processing operations that will produce concentrate for export at a rate of about 45 years at these production rates, and there is opportunity for increased production subject to further exploration and feasibility studies.
Mining will use standard techniques including blasting and open cast excavation. Ore will be crushed to a fine silt texture and concentrated in a series of process plants located near the mine. The mine and process plant will require large quantities of power and water, generating considerable amounts of surplus material or overburden. Concentrate will be transported over 200km to a new, purpose-built port at Tagrin Point, near the mouth of the Sierra Leone River Estuary. Newly developed rail infrastructure will be required to link Tonkolili with Tagrin Point. The proposed port facility will be a deep water port comprising a causeway, trestle and berths located 700-800m off-shore.
This will involve extraction of the iron ore and be supported by associated infrastructure including a raw water storage facility, processing equipment, disposal of overburden and a tailings facility. Other ancillary arrangements include accommodation, camps and services and an airstrip.
A standard gauge heavy haul rail line will be built following a route close to the existing road network from Tonkolili to Makeni and through to Rogbere Junction near Lunsar. From there it will follow the Pepel rail alignment to Lungi Lol. It will then branch off and run close to the Port Loko-Lungi Road and down to Tagrin Point.
A new deepwater port will be constructed to the West of the Tagrin Ferry Terminal and a service port will be built to the East of Tagrin Point. A range of material handling facilities will be established in the main port including: stockpiles of ore, rail car dumper unloading and ship loading facility with jetty, docking berths and conveyors
The secondary port will house a fuel depot, container terminal, power generation and support services. Offices, accommodation and road infrastructure will also be developed in this area.
AML has signed a 99 year lease agreement with the Government of Sierra Leone to reconstruct, manage and operate Pepel Port and the Pepel – Marampa Railway. AML is working towards initially mining hematite (another type of iron ore) that overlies the Tonkolili magnetite deposits and exporting this product via Pepel Port. A dedicated haul road (approximately 120km in length) will be built from the mine site to a railhead near Lunsar and the existing railway line refurbished between Marampa and Pepel. These works form what is referred to as the Early Cash Flow (ECF) project and forms the first phase of the Tonkolili Project as phase two, the magnetite project, is built.
AML is undertaking an Environmental, Social, & Health Impact Assessment (ESHIA) for the project in line with Sierra Leone requirements and international best practice. As part of the process AML has commenced stakeholder identification and consultations. Several baseline surveys have commenced and a comprehensive range of surveys will be completed, prior to identifying potential effects and mitigation associated with the project. On completion of the ESHIA, a statutory review period will be publicized during which stakeholders can comment. Once SLEPA is satisfied that the study has addressed project impacts adequately, a license will be issued.

Sierratel Hits $29 Million Jackpot

Alimatu Fofanah — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 09:44:33 +0000

By Alimatu Fofanah
The Managing Director of the Sierra Leone Telecommunications Company (SIERRATEL) Mr. Alpha Sesay has returned from France with flying colours after securing $29.4M guarantee from the ECOWAS Bank – a loan given by the Indian government,
Speaking in an interview with The Exclusive, the Senior Public Relations Officer, Mr. Saidu Turay (Moscow) said “this capital will tremendously help Sierratel provide positive telecommunications service to Sierra Leoneans with the revolutionalized land line and CDMA modern technology.
“According to telecommunications experts, this is the best thing that has happened in the history of telecommunications in this country. Landline and CDMA technology will be robust and will add two (2) more exchanges to the existing ones at Wellington, Central, Brookfield’s, Wilberforce, Aberdeen and Cline Town,” Mr. Turay explained. The additional two will be stationed at Leicester Square and Kossoh Town by Jui Junction.
Apart from this positive advancement, it would bring to the industry a computerized system of all customers’ services and will help improve drastically revenue collection through a pre-paid system for 99% of customers including government – Sierratel’s worst debtors.
The Sierratel image builder said “this cable technology is part of the modern telecommunications package for Sierra Leone; to usher in high speed internet via the land line, while the fiber optics technology will improve services in the urban areas”.

NASSIT Completes Another Set Of Affordable Houses

Alimatu Fofanah — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 09:38:56 +0000

By Alimatu Fofanah
The Management and Board members of the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) on Saturday received the second set of affordable houses in the northern city of Makeni. Reliable Construction Company and Femi Turcom constructed the six-clustered houses at the Mena Hills overlooking the portrait of a camel’s back in Binkolo town.
The Project Architect Thomas Koroma, after receiving the keys from the Contractor, said he was very much delighted and elated to receive keys from the Contractor after fulfilling the mandate and interpreted the dreams of NASSIT. “Looking at the buildings, you will notice that a great deal of perfect work has been done which is a real manifestation of sleepless nights, time and hard work that has visualised what this new environment should be like,” Koroma said.
Mr. Koroma went on to thank NASSIT for giving them the opportunity to showcase their potentials. The six units, he maintained, are just a tip of the iceberg, as many more would be constructed in the next couple of months after impressing their clients. “We believe this area in time to come will be an envy of other communities as we have planned to develop a well structured community,” Koroma stated.
The Project Manager, Siray Timbo declaring the project as a real success story, disclosed that the work started last August and the Contractors, he said, had completed the project before time, adding that it was indeed a successful story.
According to the Project Manager, the Constructors did not only complete the job before time, but also fulfilled the necessary criteria, which include cost, quality and time. The buildings, he revealed, consists of four (4) units of three (3) bedrooms and two (2) units of three (3) bedrooms flats well equipped with dining rooms, kitchen, parlour and toilet. He said there will be an access road, solar light system, tanks and boreholes for water supply and one can live conveniently at the apex of Makeni city. He added that there have been some consultations and technical meetings from the start to finish of the project and that it was therefore no surprise to see a wonderful work done.
NASSIT’s Deputy Director (Admin), Joseph Mans, extended sincere thanks and appreciations to the entire team, which include the Project Manager, Architects, Engineers, Contractors and all those who contributed towards the realisation of the project. The Contractors, he said, actually accomplished the project specifications. To develop a concept, he noted, requires time and a lot of thinking. “Providing houses that would be in line with the level of income earners in the country is really not an easy task. We are contemplating on opening a project that would also cater for low-income earners which is our ultimate goal. We therefore request from stakeholders for a free hold of this land,” the Deputy Director said. Ownership of the house, he stressed, will be on outright sales and mortgage systems.
The Deputy Mayor of Makeni City, Isatu Fofanah said it was a special moment that is worth celebrating. According to her, it was another milestone achievement for the City and the people of Bombali district. The buildings, she said, marks the beginning of a long journey of success. She therefore thanked and blessed NASSIT for considering their City as they have demonstrated love to the people of Bombali district. She assured that Council would take responsibility of protecting the buildings.
A member of the Board of Trustees, Unisa Conteh said NASSIT has continued to work in line with President Koroma’s aspirations of transforming the entire country. He commended and lavished praises on all players who contributed immensely towards the success of the project and expressed hope that the remaining portions of the land would be utilised.
Paramount Chief of Bombali Shebora Bai Sheborah Kasangha 11 said as a custodian he was overwhelmed with the development in his town and therefore thanked the government, landowners and NASSIT. The Chairman of the occasion, Ismael Kandeh said even though he has not seen the other structures in other parts of the country, he believes the affordable houses that were first completed would be the once to beat.
NASSIT he said would endeavour to make use of all huge acres of land they have acquired as long as they continue to have positive response from the wider public.