Sierra Phoenix

The city of Freetown is witnessing remarkable strides in urban development, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Freetown City Council (FCC) and the World Bank. Recently, Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr hosted a high-level delegation led by Franz Drees-Gross, the West Africa Regional Director for Infrastructure at the World Bank, to assess the progress of the Resilient Urban Sierra Leone Project (RUSLP). This initiative is a testament to the city’s commitment to sustainable growth, environmental conservation, and improved living conditions for its residents. The delegation, which included Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist Francis Samson Nkoka and PIU Lead Anthony Koroma, visited critical project sites in Freetown to witness firsthand the transformative impact of these interventions. Key Highlights of the Visit The delegation explored various projects funded under RUSLP, including the innovative FreetownTheTreeTown initiative, the review of Freetown’s structure plan, and the si...

  In Loving Memory of Victor Onie Williams: A Report on the Visit to His Bereaved Family Date: Friday, 6th December 2024 Class: Final Honors 1, Department of Legal Studies, Faculty of Law The passing of our dear classmate, Mr. Victor Onie Williams, has left an irreplaceable void in our hearts. As students in the Faculty of Law at Fourah Bay College (FBC), we came together to extend our condolences to his family and offer our support during this difficult time. A Family in Mourning Upon visiting Victor’s family, we were warmly received despite the immense grief that filled the atmosphere. His mother recounted the events of that fateful day, explaining that Victor had visited her in the afternoon before heading to the Eastend part of Freetown to meet a friend. Shockingly, not long after, a classmate informed her that Victor had suffered an attack and had been rushed to the Rokupa Government Hospital. The family was left bewildered by conflicting accounts of his whereabouts and the ...

  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...