By Mabinty M. Kamara
The Managing Director of the Sierra Leone Telecommunication Company (Sierratel), Foday M. Sankoh, has been sent on leave with immediate effect.
Revelation of the news about Mr Sankoh’s apparent forced leave was made in a leaked letter from the office of the president addressed to the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the state run company, dated 2nd October. The letter was copied to the National Chairman and Executive Secretary, National Commission for Privatization.
The letter directed that Mr Sankoh is to be replaced with his deputy at Sierratel.
The Leave notice was sent few days after Sankoh had presented a transformation proposal of the company to the National Commission on Privatization, highlighting the need for such compelling innovative transformation plan for a company that has found it difficult to grow amidst competition from other private sector.
“While Sierratel management and NCP are both mindful of the need for a strategic investor to revitalize Sierratel, an actuarial consultant has prepared the attached company Transformation Plan (CTP) for Sierratel’s consideration. We have carefully looked at it and found it so compelling in its scope that we decided to bring it to your attention as well for your review and advice,” reads a letter from Sankoh to the NCP, which was also leaked via social media.
The letter from the Office of the president ordering Sankoh to go on leave did not indicate any reason for the decision, nor did it state when the leave period ends.
When Politico contacted Sankoh, he declined to comment beyond saying that he was waiting for an appointment to see President Julius Maada Bio.
Dr. Prince Harding, Chairman of the Board of Directors of NCP, also declined to comment when contacted him, noting that since the letter came from the office of the president, the NCP has nothing to say about the decision.
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