Sierra Phoenix

  Sierra Leone Ambassador Bids Farewell to Senegal’s President Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Senegal, Alhaji Brima Elvis Koroma, recently said goodbye to President Bassirou Diomaye Faye at a formal event at the State House in Dakar. After six years in Senegal, Ambassador Koroma expressed gratitude and sadness as he prepared for his next role. He described his time in Senegal as fulfilling and noted that the years seemed to pass quickly due to his meaningful experiences. He appreciated the strong bond between Senegal and Sierra Leone and praised the Senegalese people for their kindness and wisdom. President Faye thanked Ambassador Koroma for his dedication to building stronger ties between the two countries. He encouraged the ambassador to always consider Senegal a “brotherly nation” and wished him well in his new post as Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Algeria. During his time in Senegal, Ambassador Koroma also managed relations with Mauritania and Cape Verde. He now moves on to Algeri...

  SABCO Sardines Dumped at Bomeh: A Clear Sign of Quality Control Failure Last Friday, reports surfaced about a 40-foot truck spotted at the Bomeh trash dumping ground in the eastern part of Freetown. This truck, reportedly owned by SABCO Sardines, was seen discarding a large quantity of sardines, sparking widespread concern. The incident has raised questions about the quality and safety of SABCO’s products, leading many to speculate that the discarded sardines were part of a batch that had gone bad. The sight of a major brand offloading spoiled goods has prompted discussions about food safety standards and the company's responsibility to its consumers. This move by SABCO has been perceived by the public as evidence of a failed experiment in maintaining product quality, which has now resulted in a significant loss for the company. The situation has also highlighted the importance of rigorous quality control measures in the food industry to prevent such occurrences in the future. Th...

Freetown International Airport Introduces New Security Protocols to Combat Child Trafficking and Improve Passenger Services The Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) has implemented a series of new security measures at Freetown International Airport (FIA) in Lungi. These changes are aimed at enhancing airport security, preventing child trafficking, and improving the overall experience for travelers. Effective immediately, the new regulations include stricter access control and additional requirements for children traveling with non-biological guardians. Only children with verified travel arrangements will be allowed entry through the airport’s main gate. These adjustments underscore the SLCAA's commitment to traveler safety while also helping to alleviate congestion within the airport. To ensure smooth implementation, the FIA management has been instructed to clearly communicate these policies to all concerned parties. In cases where children are traveling with adults who a...

  The $4.5 Million University Scandal: A Clear Sign of Sierra Leone’s Enduring Corruption The University of Sierra Leone’s (USL) disastrous $4.5 million deal with the questionable Nigerian developer, Femab Properties, has revealed the deep-rooted corruption and mismanagement plaguing public institutions in Sierra Leone. This incident is not an isolated case but a clear example of how the system is easily exploited by fraudsters with little to no accountability. The deal, intended to build a new campus for the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) in Bureh Town, has turned into a warning of how public funds can be easily misappropriated by dishonest individuals. Handing over $4.5 million—a sum that could have significantly improved the lives of many struggling students—without conducting proper checks is nothing short of criminal. Instead of being used for necessary educational infrastructure, this money has disappeared into the hands of a developer with a questio...

  President Bio Breaks Ground on Major Expansion of Kenema Government Secondary School President Bio Kicks Off Extensive Expansion at Kenema Government Secondary School President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has spearheaded a major expansion at Kenema Government Secondary School, initiating the construction of 34 additional buildings. This project marks a pivotal moment in Sierra Leone’s ongoing mission to elevate its educational system. Backed by a $65 million investment from the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) and other collaborators, the initiative is aimed at significantly upgrading the country’s educational infrastructure. The President emphasized the wide-ranging nature of this project, which extends beyond Kenema to include both the development of new structures and the renovation of existing facilities across four government secondary schools and two technical colleges in Sierra Leone. He recognized the challenges encountered in securing the necessary funding b...

  Paramount Chief of Gbense Chiefdom Speaks on Local Tax Collection On August 21, 2024, Paramount Chief Komba Sangor Korgbende Kaimachainde IV of Gbense Chiefdom addressed the public from his residence in Koidu City. He spoke about the recent increase in local tax collection efforts, which has raised concerns among residents due to the heightened presence of checkpoints enforcing tax payments. The Chief explained that these measures are necessary to ensure that everyone contributes their fair share. He praised the people of Gbense Chiefdom for actively participating in the tax-buying process and emphasized that the money collected from local taxes is vital for running the Chiefdom and supporting local and federal development projects. He also mentioned the ongoing partnership with a mining company that is set to begin operations in the Chiefdom. Although there have been delays due to some unresolved issues, he remains hopeful that these will be resolved soon. Once the mining operat...

391-Carat Diamond Found in Kono District The Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Julius Daniel Mattai, has announced the discovery of a huge 391-carat diamond in Kono District. This impressive diamond was found by Meya Mining Company using their special Tomra Coarse XRT sorter during underground mining at the Meya River Underground Mine. The discovery took place on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at a depth between 275 and 279 meters above sea level. The diamond originally weighed more than 500 carats, making it one of the largest found recently. The day after this discovery, on Wednesday, August 21, Meya Mining Company found two more diamonds in the same area, weighing 105 and 18 carats. These discoveries have brought excitement and attention to the rich mineral resources of Sierra Leone.