News

By Francis H. Murray

30-year old Sia Finoh, a resident of Makor Village in the Tensedakor Section, Sao Chiefdom, Kono District was forced to deliver in a nearby bush on her way to their long distance hospital.

The woman, whose labour pain began in the early hours of Saturday 16 January 2021, was assisted by other women for what would have been a journey of over seven miles to access the only hospital which serves at least eight other communities.

By Umaru Fofana

There seems to still be a logjam between the state and striking lecturers in all the country’s three public universities.

The meeting between Vice President Dr Juldeh Jalloh and representatives of striking lecturers ended yesterday without agreement with the industrial action set to continue.

The president of the Academic Staff Association of the University of Sierra Leone said the VP did not address their key demand, namely a 100% pay rise.

By Francis H. Murray

The Court of Appeal has commenced hearing appeals filed by persons of interest against the findings and recommendations of three judge-led Commissions of Inquiry (COI) for the first time since the launch of the government’s whitepaper in September.

By Alpha Abu

Tractors and other farming implements are being moved to three sites in Kambia and Bonthe districts to kick-start the largest scale rice farming project in many years, aimed at lessening Sierra Leone’s reliance on the importation of rice – the country’s staple food.

By Mabinty M. Kamara and Saio marrah

People commuting from Freetown to the provinces have expressed dissatisfaction over the manner in which state bus tickets are being handled by road transport corporation (SLRTC) officials at the bus stations.

Many travelers prefer making the long distance journeys on the state buses because they are much safer and more comfortable in that they are not overloaded like the private commercial buses.

By Francis H. Murray

In his first reshuffle in 2021, President Julius Maada Bio has sacked four major players in his administration. Two senior cabinet ministers, a deputy minister and the head of a major parastatal were shown the door.  

The 18 January reshuffle left lands minister (Dr. Dennis Sandi), higher education minister (Prof Aiah Gbakima) and deputy transport minister Sadiq Sillah sacked. 

Abu B Kokofelle was sacked as the head of NACSA.

By Mabinty M. Kamara

The Ministry of Energy has confirmed the indefinite suspension of the top two officials of the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA). The two are the Director General, Dr Joe-Lahai Sormana and his deputy Ing. Francis Nyama.

Ing. James Rogers has been appointed to act as the Director General until further notice.

The supervising ministry would not comment on the reasons for the suspension.