DISGRACEFUL!! Church of Latter Days Saints Used Thugs to Demolish Members’ Houses Without Court Order

BY PASTOR MOHAMED SESAY

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints which likes to be seen as squeaky clean has been caught with its pants down committing the most abominable crime while at the same time challenging the Judicial System of Sierra Leone with gross impunity without considering that it is a worldwide Church that has to stay out of anything that will bring its name into disrepute. 

Latter Day Saints, under the suspected orders of the President of the Sierra Leone Mission, President Jarvis, and a female member of the Sierra Leone Church, Sabaina N’giawo, and her Ghanaiansidekick,  Gaberson, sent rabble-rousing thugs to demolish the houses of members of their own Church at Rokupa East of Freetown, on the pretext that LDS was going to build a tabernacle on the ground.

The piece of land originally belonged to LDS but the Church was to give it away to members who paid small amounts to acquire their portions. 

The Church had to give it up after it found out the piece of land was formerly a cemetery where executed prisoners were buried and also because it stands close to the sea and behind an Islamic Mosque. 

After members, including relatives of Sabaina, had erected buildings costing over $500,000, Sabaina N’giawo and Gaberson demanded that 5 of the houses be demolished with the claim that a tabernacle was going to be erected but all of Sabaina’s relatives were never troubled.

Last Wednesday evening,  a member of the LDS brought thugs to demolish the 5 buildings.

Two women concerned collapsed and had to be taken to the hospital. One is said to be in critical condition. 

Coming up: the goings on in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. All shall be exposed.

Why is Sabaina N’giawo so powerful at LDS? All to be exposed.

The criminal acts of LDS member, Emmanuel Prince Pessima will call for his ex-communication from the Church. (CREDIT: COMMENT NEWSPAPER)

Norwegian Investor scammed

By Abu Bakarr Kargbo

Inge Morten Tronstad, scammed by his own brothers and a few corrupt Sierra Leoneans

A Norwegian Mining Investor, Inge Morten Tronstad, is currently seeking justice from the government and people of Sierra Leone following his recent predicament, which almost cost his life. The country stands the risk to be blacklisted by international investment regulations should the government of Sierra Leone fail to provide protection for credible investors coming to the country. Tronstad has made an official complaint to the Sierra Leone Police at the Regional Police Headquarters in Kenema City after he was assaulted by three police officers, namely, Kai Abu and two others from the Operations Support Division (OSD). A medical report has already been issued and the Police confirmed that they are looking into the matter. The sad events of Sunday 19^th March 2023 and Monday 20^th March 2023 will continue to linger in the mind of the Norwegian Investor as one of the worse moments in his life.   

The Norwegian Investor was invited to Sierra Leone in December last year by his own countrymen who told him they are operating a Gold Mining Company called BARVUNRA SIERRA LEONE LIMITED in Kailahun District. “I saw in a Norwegian Newspaper that the company is looking for an Investor to come and invest US$3 million in Sierra Leone. I contacted the company in Norway and they told me they are having a small-scale concession hoping to go on a large-scale,” he said and went on to explain that on his arrival in Sierra Leone, he notice that another company called Majestic Mining Company is already operating in the said concession area.

Tronstad who was appointed to serve as Mining Engineer for Barvunra Sierra Leone Limited had already invested a total sum of US$1.3 million and brought in his machines (two excavates and a dump truck). He wasted no time in doing the excavation work in a mining concession area he thought belonged to the company he was working for. The rightful owners of the area, Majestic Mining Company continued with its expansion work, thereby disrupting the excavation work of Tronstad. “I was contacted by several local people informing me that I have been scammed. I had to cross-check the information with the right owners of the land, it was then I realized that Majestic had all the papers to operate,” he said and added that he had to inform his company, Barvura that he was going to move his equipment from the site because he realized he had been scammed. “I told them that if they want my machines they should pay for them and that I want my money back. They replied that they are not going to release my machines because they had already paid to clear them at the Port. It was at this point I started removing my machines,” he explained and continued that when he was about to go for the next machine he was confronted by the three OSD Police Personnel. “They forcefully grabbed my mobile phone, pepper-sprayed me, handcuffed m,e and told me they are going to kill me. I was saved by a general duty police officer that was riding a motorbike and helped to save my life. I was placed in a vehicle with guns pointed at me and taken to the Paramount Chief who finally rescued me,” Tronstad explained.        

Already, names like the Deputy Chief Whip in Parliament – Honourable Alusine Kanneh; Hon. Zainab Kama Brima of Constituency 010; Umaro Fuad Bayoh, Country Manager, Bravura SL Limited; Viggo Gundersen a Norwegian (Principal Suspect for the alleged Kidnapping of his Norwegian brother Inge Morten Trosntad);  Nelson Senesie, Mrs. Millicent Bartalome, John Senesie, and Tejan Senesie – indigenes of Salema Town in the Kailahun District, are allegedly involved in conspiring to manhandle the Norwegian Investor. The police have already arrested Viggo Gundersen who invited his Norwegian brother (Inge Morten Trosntad) to Sierra Leone to be scammed.

USA, UK & EU Diplomatic Roles …Economist speaks

In an exclusive interview with one of Sierra Leone’s finest Economists, Prince Jacob Macauley, he expressed admiration and commended the role of the ambassadors of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, for their unflinching support of the country’s democratic processes. He noted the various interventions, by way of funding, well as technical support given to the government and people of Sierra Leone for the advancement of democracy in the country.

Macauley noted that as giants of democracy, the envoys of the aforementioned countries have endeavored to contribute positively to the development of democracy in the country, and he dismissed as lame, accusations levied against them by some politicians, in a bid to taint the hard-earned reputation of these international partners, who have been very instrumental in getting their respective governments to support the country, both financially and technically.

Economist Macauley furthered that as international partners and moral guarantors of the country’s peace and stability, it behooves them to admonish the government on any matter that has the potential to derail the peace and stability of the country, and if in doing so they come under attack, it is because those who attacked them have deliberately refused to see the role of these international partners in enhancing the country’s peace and democracy. As moral guarantors, and mindful of the negative effect of the country’s 11 years of war, especially with regard to the killings, maiming, and ravaging of the country’s resources by the warring parties, at the detriment of the people, our international partners, whose resources from their taxpayers have been and are still being poured into the country, have the moral standing to ensure that the hard-earned peace remains unhindered.   

Prince Jacob Macauley noted that the aforementioned governments have dished out huge sums of money to help build institutions like Statistics Sierra Leone, the Judiciary, the ECSL, the PPRC, as well as MDAs. Their interventions in the Education sector have seen an improvement in various planned projects. For instance, the EU held discussions with the Education Ministry recently to discuss how the grant of 35 million Euro can be utilized to benefit the nation (22^nd March 2023). The EU is a major funding partner of the ECSL, Judiciary, etc. The UK and the USA have all been funding the government through their various agencies; like the UKAID, USAID, FCDO (Foreign Commonwealth Development Office), etc. These governments have been funding various areas of development; for example governance, Education, Judiciary, national development activities, legal reforms, political participation of vulnerable groups in the country, health, and sanitation, climate change, etc.

Amidst all these interventions, Macauley is grateful that our international partners and moral guarantors are actively supporting the development of the country and democracy. Today, several reforms have taken place, including legal matters and the enhancement of freedom of speech, association, political participation, female empowerment, etc. These, Macauley maintained, are the bedrock of any developing country and the maintenance of peace and stability in the country. He also noted that despite the negative light that a few politicians have embraced to put these envoys in a bad light, their commitments have not waned, and are still doing all they can to ensure that democratic principles are maintained, and the country becomes a shining example of democracy in the region and in Africa.

Concluding the interview, Prince Jacob Macauley admonished the USA, UK, AND EU to continue their work and make Sierra Leone the bastion of democracy in the region, as it is only in a democratic dispensation, where respect for the rule of law and other democratic principles are maintained that economic stability, good governance can prevail.

ECOWAS Free Movement of Persons…SECURIPORT PROVIDES PERFECT SOLUTION

As the Ecowas region is pushing for the adaption of Free Movement of Persons in the region, there’s no doubt, trans- border security could be one of the major challenges to such policy implementation.
The region is currently under terrorist attack starting from Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali which are very close to Guinea, Senegal, Gambia, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
The free movement of persons which is currently in the process of implementation will further expose the region to attacks and threat
to the security of the region.
While these are threats that pose great security dangers in the region, there lies a perfect solution in Securiport, a professional security service system that profiles thousands of data on persons just with a thumbprint.
Operational in Europe and most West African countries including, The Gambia, Cote D’Ivoire, Sierra Leone amongst others, the system, has proven to be an appropriate solution for the implementation of Ecowas free movement of persons policy as evident in its track record in countries where it currently operates.
There’s almost zero-terrorists infiltration or activities in all countries where Securiport operates as the system is well built to detect every information of persons entering and leaving into these countries.
Securiport is Leader in Border Security with cutting-edge biometric technologies and advanced data analytics tools to provide authorities with the knowledge and assurance to ensure order and efficiency across transnational borders.
Securiport upholds the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), as it stipulates that it is unlawful for a U.S. person or company to offer, pay, or promise to pay money or anything of value to any foreign official for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business.
It has proven to be a trusted leader throughout the border security community.
Judging from the company’s track record, it is therefore safe to say the implementation of the Ecowas Free Movement of Persons can best be achieved with Securiport at the helm of affairs.

#2023 ORANGE SOCIAL VENTURE PRIZE COMPETITION

Mines Minister turns Vice President …African Diamond Producing Countries

BY FADDA BAKISH

The Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources of Sierra Leone, Musa Timothy Kabba, was elected as Vice President of the Association of African Diamond Producing Countries (ADPA) at the 8th Extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe on March 23rd, 2023. This came about as a result of Sierra Leone’s strict compliance to the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for its diamonds and the general progressive reforms in its mining sector.

Kabba expressed thanks and appreciation to all those who supported his elections and assured them that he will work in the best interest of the Association.

ADPA was formed on 4^th November 2006 to create a framework and forum where member states discuss their common interests, among other issues. It is an intergovernmental organization that communally congregates every one of Africa’s diamond-producing countries into one coalition. The organization seeks to strengthen the level of influence African diamond-producing countries have on the world diamond market. 

ADPA works to devise and implement policies, strategies, and laws that generate a substantially larger share of diamond profits from foreign diamond mining companies to its Member States, and the key is to identify best practices from the experience of member countries. We recently ran a seminar on mining and tax policies.

ADPA agrees with all the requirements of the Kimberley Process and it is looking to guide the member countries to comply with its requirements. It is encouraging the improvement of the trade-in diamonds within member countries and it has scored concrete successes.

The Kimberley Process (KP) is a multilateral trade regime established in 2003 with the goal of preventing the flow of conflict diamonds. The core of this regime is the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) under which States implement safeguards on shipments of rough diamonds and certify them as “conflict-free”.

Sierra Leone is a member of the Kimberley Process and it has put in place internal controls that certify the origin of its rough diamonds as conflict-free.

 

Fighting against corruption! – are the actual offenders in the dock?

By Sheriff Mahmud Ismail

In November 23, 2021, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) indicted Saidu Nallo, head of the Sierra Leone Chancery in  New York, United States of America, and five others; including Dr. Samura Kamara. Kamara served as Sierra Leone’s minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation until November 2017. Together, the six inductees were charged with 48 counts of various offenses.

According to an ACC press release, ACC/PR/21/034, ‘Dr. Samura Kamara was charged with one count of deceiving a principal and One count of misappropriation of public funds amounting to Two Million, Five Hundred and Sixty Thousand United States Dollars ($2,560,000), meant for the reconstruction of the Sierra Leone Chancery Building in New York.” 

But bank transfers/wires tendered in evidence so far, show that the nearly five million dollars disbursed in respect of ‘the rehabilitation and refurbishment’ of the said Chancery building took place in 2019. 

In November 2022, the Africanist Press, an investigative online media outfit based in the United States, published startling evidence highlighting the period the funds were transferred.

As the Africanist Press put it: “These 2019 bank transactions included evidence of wire transfers from the Bank of Sierra Leone (BSL) that show precisely how Le36.4 billion (over US$3.6 million) was transferred from the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s account to the Republic of Sierra Leone Embassy account in New York between 14th June 2019 and 5th September 2019 by Foreign Affairs officials to the Sierra Leone Mission in New York.”

The US-based Africanist Press went further to assert that, “These bank transfers included eight wire transfer transactions totaling Le20,070,845,946 (about US$2.1 million) by Foreign Affairs officials between 24th May 2019 and 24th September 2019.”

The Africanist Press also pointed out that “Two other SWIFT transfers (FT1916454098 and FT1924808290) in the amounts of Le7,665,845,933.49 (about US$800,000) and Le9,329,999,975.14 (about US$1 million) were also carried out on 13th June 2019, and 5th September 2019. The report said these transfers “were noted specifically as payments towards the renovation of the Chancery Building of the Sierra Leone Mission in New York.”

After more than four years of investigation and about two years of trial, Justice Adrian Fisher, who is presiding over the case, ordered a ‘Locus in Quo’ visit to the site of the building albeit without any procurement or engineering experts.

Whatever the purpose and intent of the court-ordered site inspection were, from the videos and still images emerging on-site, there is no evidence whatsoever of any rehabilitation work for which nearly five million dollars have been reportedly disbursed. The videos and photos of the building depict a completely inhabitable, dilapidated, and abandoned building.

Seeing images of the derelict state of the Chancery building, Sierra Leoneans have reacted with consternation disappointment, and anger. Many wonder why Samura Kamara is in this trial in the first place and not his successors, when all the disbursements were made in 2019, two years after Samura Kamara had left the ministry of foreign affairs.

Samura Kamara resigned from the position of minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation in November 2017. This follows his nomination as presidential candidate for the then-governing All People’s Congress (APC). Kamara lost the 2018 presidential elections to Julius Maada Bio and his Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP). Since then, President Bio has appointed three ministers of foreign affairs and international cooperation – Ali Kabba, Nabila Tunis, and David Francis.

Curiously, rather than investigating the SLPP ministers -Ali Kabba and Nabila Tunis- under whose watch the funds were reportedly disbursed and misappropriated (as the bank statements, photos and videos portray); it is the APC erstwhile foreign minister, who has been targeted.

Not surprisingly, independent political observers and legal analysts hold the view that this trial of Samura Kamara could be politically motivated and they do so for good reasons. Through political chicanery, none out of the other 17 registered opposition political parties would be able to field in a presidential candidate in the coming Presidential elections.

Samura Kamara is the Leader and presidential candidate of the main opposition APC and is the strongest and probably the only contender to the incumbent President Julius Maada Bio in the June 24 presidential elections, barely three months away. Dragging Kamara to court on charges relating to processes, procedures, and funds taken two years after he had left office gives a strong impression of deliberate efforts to decapitate and immobilized the opposition.

Democracy advocates, Sierra Leone’s international partners, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Union (AU), the Commonwealth, the United Nations Office for West Africa, and the Sahel (UNOWAS), have all expressed concern over the tethering of democracy in Sierra Leone and urged for multiparty, inclusive,  peaceful, free, fair and credible elections. They have also implored the judiciary not to be in cahoots with politicians to derail the democratic process.

As elections draw nearer, Sierra Leoneans wait in palpable anxiety for the outcome of what many describe as the drama unfolding in the country’s judiciary.

 

ECONOMIC BOOM… SHERBRO ISLAND EXPLODES

The Government of Sierra Leone and Sherbro Alliance Partners (SAP) progress the Sherbro Island City project following the signing of the Investment Framework Agreement (IFA) and a visit to the island and further consultations with stakeholders.

The common vision for Sherbro Island City is to transform the island into an engine of economic growth for Sierra Leone and the surrounding West Africa region. Operated under a legal regime designed to attract and protect long-term investment, Sherbro Island will develop a diversified service and manufacturing economy that creates job opportunities for Sierra Leoneans and attracts new capabilities to the region. The project will integrate efficient infrastructure with transparent and effective governance, supported by the application of smart technology and climate-sensitive policies.

Idris Elba, known as Paramount Chief Kong Mbakie on Sherbro, visited the Island recently to meet with the Mayor, local Chiefs, and other stakeholders. The purpose of his visit was to reaffirm his dedication and commitment to the project, as well as to update stakeholders on the lengthy but productive negotiations with the GoSL, following the signing of an Investment Framework Agreement (IFA) in December 2022. The parties reached an agreement on the IFA in Washington D.C. during the US-Africa Leader’s Summit, with U.S. Senator Gregory Meeks praising the project and GoSL’s commitment to innovation and development.

Mr. Elba stated that he did not want to go public with the news of the IFA signing during the Summit. Instead, he wished to revisit the Island and deliver the news in person. He expressed his gratitude to his Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio, for his continued support for the project, as well as to Ministers Jacob Jusu Saffa, David Sengeh, and other members of the government negotiation team for their tireless work behind the scenes to bring the project to where it is today.

In a statement, Mr. Elba said: “Our commitment lies in supporting the growth of Sierra Leone by developing Sherbro Island, in partnership the Government of Sierra Leone. This project will benefit all Sierra Leoneans, irrespective of their tribal or political affiliations. As a Paramount Chief in Bonthe, I have a duty to the residents of Sherbro Island that I take very seriously. I want the world to see the potential and natural beauty of Sierra Leone.”

During the town hall meeting, Mr. Elba emphasized the importance of establishing a strong foundation for the project to have a lasting impact on future generations. He set out the next steps in the process, including, the need to market and promote the project internationally and to continue to organize the detailed feasibility studies that will be carried out by SAP and world-class consultants.

The project will drive the development of a transformative, large-scale, sustainable economy, on Sherbro Island, Sierra Leone. SAP was founded in 2019 by Idris Elba and Siaka Stevens, who came together over their commitment to building a legacy in Sierra Leone.

A Paramount Chief for Bonthe, Sherbro Island, Mr. Elba is well known by many as a global actor, producer, musician, and humanitarian. He has worked on several projects in Sierra Leone over the years.

Mr. Stevens is a British-Sierra Leonean entrepreneur and the grandson of the late President Siaka Stevens. The SAP team is made up of experienced strategic advisors and lawyers.   

To transform Sherbro Island’s economy and bring investment at scale into Sierra Leone, a radical approach is required. GoSL and SAP’s commitment to transformation by building the right enabling environment for investors, residents, and visitors to Sherbro is critical.

An SEZ is a geographically delineated region that is subject to different economic regulations to other regions in the same country for the purpose of attracting levels of foreign direct investment that could not otherwise be achieved.

Freetown Terminal donates food items to Muslims

By Abu Bakarr Kargbo

Freetown Terminal Limited (FTL), a subsidiary of Bollore Group, has donated food items to surrounding communities and some institutions under its operations at a colorful ceremony held on Wednesday 22^nd March 2023 at its head office in Freetown. The beneficiaries, mainly the Muslim community include, Moa Warf and Seaside Communities, Constituencies 121 and 122, Wards 423 and 424, Sierra Leone Dock Workers Union, Sierra Leone Port Authority, Ministry of Transport and Aviation etc. The items, which cost Nle585,047.88 (five hundred and eighty-five thousand and forty-seven new Leones), include 212 25kg bags of sugar, 309 50kg bags of rice, 189 50kg bags of onions, 155 20liters of cooking oil, 85 cartoons of maggie and 122 cartoons of tomato paste. FTL’s General Manager, Nicolas Escalin underscored the existing cordial relationship existing between the company and the surrounding communities, adding that the company appreciates and values the relationship which is why it continues to support them at all times. He wished all Muslims a happy and blessed Ramadan and continued by praying for peace and unity amongst those observing the Holy Month.

A Senior Stakeholder at the Seaside Community, Sheik Mohamed A. Bangura praised FTL for its continuous support to his community and noted that not every company can do what FTL is doing for surrounding communities in its area of operations. “We have no doubt that FTL has made a tremendous contribution to boosting our community’s development. We pray that the blessings of Ramadan is given to Freetown Terminal Limited,” Shiek Bangura remarked and continued that the community will continue to support the company at all times.

Hon. Allieu Ibrahim Koyon Kamara, Representing Constituency 122, described the existing relationship between the company and his constituency as very cordial, noting that FTL has not relented in meeting its corporate social responsibility. “The company’s corporate social responsibility is second to none,” he said and added that lots have been done for his people and assured that the donated food items will be distributed fairly to the targeted beneficiaries.

FTL’s Head of communications,  Gassimu S. Fofana assured that the company will continue to support communities in its operations area and furthered that it is committed to supporting the country’s economic development.  

FTL thrives and prides itself on proper service delivery, as it works with clients to solve all shipping worries by giving expert advice. It remains the leading port operator in the country and its objective include efficient operation, effective service delivery, and unparalleled customer service.  

Enhancing Travellers Experience & Accountability: Govt Partners With Securiport

President Bio, in support of Securiport

Sources closed to the government of Sierra Leone revealed that the government has partnered with Securiport to ensure that Sierra Leone issues a well-secured E-Visa system for people entering and exiting the country.
Securiport has a very good track record in the management of security in Sierra Leone and they have been in Sierra Leone since 2012 when Alshabab threatened to attack Sierra Leone for its participation in the peace mission to date.
Today, Securiport system is now working with all the internal security sectors including the Office of National Security (ONS), the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) among others.
E- Visa simply means an Electronic-Visa- it is an official document that permits people to enter and travel within the country. E-Visa systems create a situation in which people can sit in their comfort zones and apply for a visa using their hand devices without necessarily having any physical contact.
This system will ensure that people coming into Sierra Leone would have been thoroughly scrutinized to ensure that people with criminal records don’t sneak into the country.
Thus, an electronic visa system especially one that is being done by Securiport will ensure that people with criminal backgrounds are being detected and denied entry into the country.
Also, an E-Visa system has the huge potential of saving huge revenue for the government. With the current manual visa stamp system Audit Reports year in and year out have pointed out how the government is losing millions, hence the need for an E-Visa system.
In the recently published Audit report, it is observed that the Immigration Department is issuing visas in a stamp form, rather than actual visa stickers which makes it difficult to ensure a complete trace of the quantities of visas issued and revenue collected.
Therefore, by partnering with Securiport to issue E-Visa in Sierra Leone, it has shown that the government is serious about dealing with wastage and corruption in the immigration sector thereby increasing government revenue. It will also improve on the quality of Sierra Leonean Visa issued there by preventing tampering of Visa.
Furthermore, almost all other countries in the sub-region have moved from outdated manual visa stamps to a much more modern and secured E-Visa System.
This has shown that the Govt of President Bio takes its primary responsibility to secure the nation seriously and ensure an E-Visa system that meets international standards.