The Daily IIJ

The Trans-National Organized Crime Unit (TOCU) of the Sierra Leone Police, with support from the Government of Ireland, launched an operation code name ‘Desert Breeze’ at Mile 14 in the Tonko Limba Chiefdom in the Kambia District, where over one hundred acres of marijuana plantation were intercepted and 38 suspects arrested. Three trucks loaded with cannabis sativa were taken as exhibit.
Report reaching this press states that the state of lawlessness came to the limelight as community people mobilized to prevent the police from going on with the operation. According to report, the people succeeded in mounting road blocks and also use traditional secret society (gbangbani) to scare away the police. Because of this spate of lawlessness perpetrated by the people, the police were left with no alternative but to fire tear gas canisters in order to prevent the protesters from causing mayhem.
Sources confirmed that the ‘Diamba Cultivators’ succeeded in pelting stones and bottles at the police as a form of vetting out their anger against the force for exposing their dubious activities in the Tonko Limba Chiefdom.
While the police were heading for the destination where the huge consignment of diamba would have been burnt, report states that they were attacked again by some lawless youths who laid ambushed police vehicles on the high way.
The cultivation of marijuana in the Tonko Limba Chiefdom has become a major source of livelihood for majority of inhabitants, especially unemployed youths. It is like an industry where a community of village investment in which every family or household has stake. Despite the several workshops conducted by Non-Governmental Organization like the Wealth, Hunger Highlife (WHH) sensitizing community leaders and village heads to deviate from the practice of cultivating marijuana and concentrate on the cultivation of rice, cassava, potatoes, yam and other essential crops, this was followed by the supply of seedlings and farming equipment but to no avail.
The NSCCG (National Security Coordinating Group) has also embarked on community outreach sensitization activities in various communities across the country, preaching against the cultivation of cannabis sativa in the interest of food security which is at the core of government agenda for change. Yet, certain communities are still cultivating this dangerous crop. The cannabis farming has become a very lucrative business, as one kilo of marijuana is about $50, whilst 50 kilo of rice is about Le150, 000. The police conducted a cordon and search operation, houses were searched, cannabis sativa were discovered in houses and vehicles that were about to leave for the Republic of Guinea.
The 38 suspects are currently in police custody helping with the investigations.

The National Youth Coalition of Sierra Leone have taken the venture to be on the forefront to kick hell against violence and the so-called political stronghold syndrome, which are identified as the main causes bringing young to involve in immoral activities.
The Coalition over the weekend engaged youth leaders and civil society organizations at Mattru Jung in the Bonthe District and Fire Stone Community in Freetown.
The Youth Coalition is a network movement of various youth organizations in the country that is working over the years to increasing youth potential, creativity and skills towards national development and also to transform the mentality and attitude of young people in Sierra Leone.
The NYC is proud to announce their support for the White Flag Movement to undertake a peace and non-violence campaign for the 2012 elections.
The meeting was chaired by Youth Adviser, Sulaiman Suntus Kamara condemn those that are forming themselves in to groups with the aim of perpetrating violence and other anti-social crimes. His point was supported by Pa Nabbie another of Tiwani.
Addressing the youths of Fire Stone Community, the National Secretary General of the Coalition said they have recognized the fact that politicians have succeeded in dividing the entire country into regional strongholds, and that their supporters are most times using the popular music titled ‘na my area’, to prevent their opponent from entering their communities.
Saliue AB Kargbo strongly condemns all political parties or individuals who are involved in political and social violence in the country, adding that, “We totally and absolutely condemn those political parties or individuals whose main aim is to frighten investors and attempt to create unrest.” He went on to note that they have identified one of the main factors responsible for political and social intolerance which most times lead to political violence that emanated from the political culture of ‘political strongholds’.
Sierra Leone, he said is a united and peaceful country where no political party has a stronghold. “There is no region, district or chiefdom which belongs to any political party thus the citizens are the custodian of the sovereignty of Sierra Leone,” says the NYC Secretary General.
A similar meeting was held in collaboration with the Bonthe District Youth Council at Mattru Jung.
In his opening remarks Civil Society Activist, Edward Kallon called on the people of Bonthe District to be politically tolerant, noting that they must allow all and sundry to exercise their democratic rights without any form of hindrance or intimidation. Mr. Kallon admonished civil society or4ganizations to be neutral in the electoral process, and vehemently condemn those using traditional or cultural societies to scare away those exercising their political or social rights. The CSO Activist called on political parties to encourage women and youths by awarding them symbols for the coming elections.
A Youth Leader called on his compatriots to refrain from violence. Sinnah advised his audience not to allow politicians to provide them with harmful drugs to perpetrate violence. He noted that political parties should award youths with at least 10% participation as recommended by the 2002 Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report. Sinnah commended President Koroma for setting up the National Youth Commission. He advised the Commission to rollout programs for youth empowerment.
President of National Youth Coalition informed the youths that preaching political strongholds can lead to regional and district violence which is not good for the country.
Ishmael Al-Sankoh Conteh said young people have a greater role to play in the community to ensure a positive democracy and tolerance, which are food for development of any country. He noted that young people forms the vast majority of those that will vote in a government in Sierra Leone. The NYC President reiterated the fact that it’s time for young people to prepare for a brighter future. “Let us don’t allow politicians to contaminate our focused minds with their negative ideologies of perpetrating violence or use their so-called stronghold syndrome to destroy the country. We don’t want the youths of today to be used as a tool to destroy their own communities for politicians’ selfish desire,” he said, and added that it’s time to say no to violence and political stronghold.
He said Sierra Leoneans should see each other as brothers and sisters and discourage violence in their communities. Mr. Conteh encouraged all political parties in the country to unite so that the entire country will have a brighter future.

Concern Worldwide, an international non-governmental that arrived in the country to help war victims in various interventions has turned out to be violators of state instruments that calls for the empowerment of local organizations. The Medical Research Center is about to lose over €300, 000 (three hundred thousand Euro) if appropriate actions are not taken by the European Union and Government of Sierra Leone. A letter from the Medical Research Center dated 25th July 2011 and addressed to Minister of Health and Sanitation calling for arbitration, states that in September 2010 the three parties that put together the “Sustainable Health Action through People’s Empowerment,” (SHAPE) project, namely, Concern Worldwide, Medical Research Center and Tonkolili District Council, were informed that their proposal was successful. In preparation for the implementation of the €1, 268, 576 .21 three years project, the three parties suggested a preparatory meeting which took place at the Concern Worldwide’s office in November 2010. In that meeting they agreed to form a consortium comprising the three partners. This was done to make sure that the implementation of the project is a shared responsibility of all parties and also to emphasize the spirit of partnership, accountability and transparency instead of a big-brother – small-brother partnership. On 25th February 2011, after a delay of over a month to the start of implementation, MRC Officials had to contact the then Concern’s Health Programme Manager, Mr. Rajeev Vishawkarma to enquire why the delay and requested for a meeting of the consortium members. The said meeting was held in March, and to the surprise of the MRC and Tonkolili District Council, the then Country Director of Concern Worldwide informed them that there is a change in the working relationship between the partners. He informed the meeting that Concern’s Head Office at Dublin has advised that they move from consortium approach to partnership approach. He also requested that each member will be having an agreement with Concern Worldwide instead of a common MOU as previously agreed in the November meeting.
This development is said to have not only destroy the forum spirit that would have enhanced a joint commitment and equal participation in joint decision making and therefore a fruitful implementation of the SHAPE project, but also concentrated the decision making and ultimate say in the4 hands of Concern Worldwide.
Because of the unilateral nature of decision making of Concern, the MRC and Tonkolili District Council realized that there is a lot of delay in reaching decision as most of the decisions is geared in favour of Concern Worldwide instead of the interest of the SHAPE project. It was realized that Concern wanted MRC to adjust the implementation period of the project from 36 months to 30 months in the agreement document. This led to the declining of the MRC, which stated clearly that it will only go along with this if the EU is informed accordingly. This led to Concern conceding to MRC and adhered to the 36 months.
Also, report states that Concern wanted to remit monies for implementation in local currency even though the initial budget as submitted by the partners to the EU was in Euros. At this point, MRC again declined referring to the fact that the original budget was in Euros as submitted to the EU and that MRC had to do some international purchasing.
The above issue led to several meetings called by the Ministry of Health, chaired by the Senior Permanent Secretary, Mr. JT Kanu. As a result of this, an arbitrating committee that comprises: Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, the Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organizations and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation. The implementing partners were all invited. During one of the meetings, the implementing partners demonstrated concern for the delay in full implementation of the project and agreed that a solution be reached to address the problems without delay. It was resolved that the only option was for the project to be terminated given that none of the parties can implement alone. “Government wants the project to be implemented and is on the opinion that, it will be prudent that both parties find a common ground to facilitate the implementation process,” a letter from the Health Ministry states. See letter below.
However Concern Worldwide Country Director said the SHAPE project involves 75% funding from the EU and 25% from Concern Worldwide. Madam Marianne Byrne said since they started implementation with the Tonkolili District Council there has been no loss of funds. She accepted the fact that MRC were initially involved in putting together the project, but failed to explain why they were eliminated. The Country Director further said the Director of MRC, MR. Abdul Kareem Jalloh failed to sign the P4 Document developed by Concern Worldwide. She further noted that there were financial concessions made for MRC as a local partner under Concern, and denied having any contractile agreement with SNAP. “It is our mandate to work with local partners. MRC were sub-contractors to Concern. It was Concern that has an agreement with EU and not MRC,” says Madam Byrne. The project, she said was re-negotiated with the EU and it was re-approved for Concern and Tonkolili District Council as implementing partners. Investigation continues.

Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs have concluded the distribution of the annual gesture of sacrificial meat donated by the Government and People of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the Government and people of Sierra Leone.
Various Muslims and Christians from all work of life benefited from the Saudi’s gesture. One of the beneficiaries Amie Conteh a disable at Grafton told this medium that they thanked the government, especially the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare Madam Rosaline Oya Sankoh who was very instrumental in ensuring that some of the disable receive the meat.
She said they were happy and the donation is a clear manifestation that the government is concerned about their plight.
In an interview at the New England Ville Office the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs Madam Oya Sankoh said the distribution of the sacrificial meat from Saudi Arabia was under her supervision and her task was to ensure that the meat were distributed across the country. She revealed that unlike last year they received 5000 cartoons of sacrificial meat and this year they received 4,300 cartoons.
The Deputy Ministry said all the District Chief Imams and Chiefdom Imams benefited from the gesture some received 80, 100 and 150 cartoons.
Political Parties including the ruling APC, SLPP, NDA, UDM, PMDC and RUFP, Media houses, the Police, RSLAF, Orphanage Houses, hospitals, MDAs, Freetown City Council and Mosques.

In the animal kingdom, all creatures’ great and small have no meeting point owing to the fact that those animals that consider themselves as kings and queens of the jungle wouldn’t want to have any dealings with those in the lower cadre. Whilst the lower animals see themselves very inferior, the so-called jungle leaders wouldn’t want to empower them to grow.
The above scenario could best suit the present situation in the country’s NGO community were some international NGOs continue to muzzle their local counterparts for selfish gains.
Concern Worldwide came to Sierra Leone in 1996 to provide emergency aid to war victims in areas like health, education, food income market and HIV and AIDS. After the rebel war, the International Organization turned out to be a wolf in sheep clothing as they based most of their work in health interventions.
Report reaching this press states that in 2009 the European Union Delegation in Sierra Leone put out an advertisement, calling for proposals and the emphasis was on local capacity development.
In 2010, Medical Research Centre (MRC), Tonkolili District Council and Concern Worldwide went into partnership to respond to the EU call for proposal and won the €1, 268, 576 .21 three years project.
As a requirement by EU, all partners were to sign a Partnership Agreement, which defines the shared responsibilities in undertaking the action funded by the European Union in the spirit of good partnership practice which are spelt out in the document.
In keeping with the Agreement, the partners agreed to have Concern Worldwide as the Lead partner.
In November 2010 the partners had a preparation meeting at Concern Worldwide office. In cognizance of the responsibilities in undertaking the action, the partners agreed to form a Strategic Management Team comprising the three partners, and to develop a memorandum of understanding.
According to report, this was done to make sure that the implementation of the project titled “Sustainable Health Action through People’s Empowerment (SHAPE),” is a shared responsibility of all parties and also to emphasis the principle of partnership, accountability and transparency.
Report further states that in November 2010 Concern introduced the P4 documents for the first time to the other two partners. some aspect of the document did not go down well with the MRC, which immediately stated its reservation with based on the following: that the P4 requires that ‘that all employees, officers, sub-contractor and agents of MRC will abide by and promote the terms of this policy at all times in all of its activities under this agreement’; and Concern Worldwide’s Code of Conduct will also be binding to the MRC.
The above posed a problem to MRC because not
MRC workers will be engaged with the project and therefore would not be appropriate for the P4 to be all inclusive to all MRC workers; and also MRC finds the Concern Code of Conduct to be institution-specific. It is said to be a regulatory framework designed by Concern Worldwide to suit its own unique circumstance.
For the way forward, MRC then suggested an addendum to address the issues raised; and after series of engagement between Concern and MRC, Concern insisted that the P4 is a mandatory as it is and that MRC should abide by it at all cost. At this point MRC requested for arbitration from Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (SLANGO) and Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
The tri-partite arbitrating team (MoHS, SLANGO, and MOFED) has series of meeting with the two parties. At the end of three meetings the team points forward a recommendation that an addendum be added to address the fear of MRC. The team also recommended that the Strategic Team as original proposed by the partners be extended to include members from SLANGO, Ministry of Health and Ministry of Finance. This was expected address the prevention of future dispute and to ensure that the project is implemented on time.
It was alleged that when this proposal was mentioned to the two parties, MRC accepted but Concern refused and said they will ask EU to take out MRC from the project.
Report alleged that Concern Worldwide wrote to EU asking for an amendment to the Contract for MRC to be removed from the Contract.
In reply to Concern’s request for the amendment, the EU responded in a letter dated, 15th September 2011 (see letter) stating clearing why removing MRC is not feasible.
It is worthwhile to note that in all these correspondence MRC was not copied.
However after a month another letter came from Concern stating that MRC has been removed based on a modification of the project. Report alleged that Concern Worldwide wasted no time to usher in another International Non-Governmental Organization called SNAP to replace MRC.
In all this period MRC has been implementing through pre-financing. The MOHS has acknowledged that MRC is implementing and has even bought an ambulance for the project.
Responding to the allegations, Concern Worldwide Country Director said the SHAPE project involves 75% funding from the EU and 25% from Concern Worldwide. Madam Marianne Byrne said since they started implementation with the Tonkolili District Council there has been no loss of funds. She accepted the fact that MRC were initially involved in putting together the project, but failed to explain why they were eliminated. The Country Director further said the Director of MRC, MR. Abdul Kareem Jalloh failed to sign the P4 Document developed by Concern Worldwide. She further noted that there were financial concessions made for MRC as a local partner under Concern, and denied having any contractile agreement with SNAP. “It is our mandate to work with local partners. MRC were sub-contractors to Concern. It was Concern that has an agreement with EU and not MRC,” says Madam Byrne. The project, she said was re-negotiated with the EU and it was re-approved for Concern and Tonkolili District Council as implementing partners. Investigation continues.

the truck at the a capentry shop

A trailer with registration number AGA 727 owned by Ibrahim Bazil and Sons of Premier Procurement and Petroleum Products Ltd loaded with rice for the Republic of Sierra Leone Arm Forces (RSLAF)  yesterday lost control and killed one person.

The accident took place while the truck was trying to climb Savage Streets hill.  

[Read more →]

UDM Leader Mohamed Bangura

The dispute between Charles Francis Margai the Leader of the Peoples Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC) and the firebrand United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader Mohamed Bangura is gathering momentum as both leaders continue to attack each other’s party at every given opportunity.

Mr. Bangura has responded strongly to certain remarks made by Mr. Margai.

In a telephone conversation with this Medium Mohamed Bangura reacted to Charles Margai recent attack stating that “Margai is not a leader of any political party” [Read more →]

Three men in their late thirties on Friday came to the Abuja residence of an executive of Media Trust Limited, publishers of Daily Trust newspaper, and asked the security guard to let them in to inspect the premises.
The guard on duty and Trust’s chief security officer said they were suspicious of the three men’s attitude, especially coming after the recent threats on newspaper houses.

Media Trust’s security chief, retired Colonel Muktari Garba, said the three men, who appeared to be of Igbo extraction, arrived at the executive’s residence at about 10am on Friday, in an ash-coloured Honda Civic coupewith registration number BL927 RBC.

They said they wanted to confirm from the security guard if the house was the one that belonged to an executive of one of the newspapers in Abuja.

When the guard said no, the men changed their story, saying they heard the house was put up for sale and they were potential buyers wanting to inspect it. They asked the guard to open the gates for them to get into the compound.

When Mr. Agada refused to open the gates, an argument ensued among them, with one of the three men saying: “It is the house, so let us just go.”

Another man said,“Let us stay and see if we can inspect the compound.”

The guard told this reporter that the men were likely to be from the Igbo ethnic group, “because when they were arguing among themselves, they were speaking in Igbo language and I heard all what they were saying because I understand.”

Media Trust’s security chief Garba said the motives of the people were suspicious because “there was no sign pasted in the property to indicate that it was for sale. Also, the men were not accompanied by any estate agent.”

He said that the matter has been reported to the relevant authorities.

The passing of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Bill has faced strong resistance especially by the majority leader of the House of Parliament Honourable S.B.B Dumbuya following the assurance by the Minister of Information and Communication, Ibrahim Ben Kargbo to journalists.

from left Vice President and President of Sierra Leone

The minister said emphatically that the law would be passed into law this week.

The minister who represents the executive arm of government assurance met a serious resistance [Read more →]

In the light of various complaints about the quality of mobile network providers, the Chief Commercial Officer for Comium Liberia and Sierra Leone Joe Amara Bangali Jr. has said that Comium Sierra Leone has the best network in the country.

Chief Commercial Officer for Comium Liberia and Sierra Leone Joe Amara Bangali Jr

Mr. Bangali made this remarks while responding to questions from SALONE TIMES over the weekend at the Company’s  Headquarter in Freetown. “We are always here to give the best and we are giving the best that is why we are the best network in the country” [Read more →]