AUSTERITY IN THE LAND: JS MOMOH TOLD US TO TIGHTEN OUR BELT, SO WHAT NOW?
We’ve heard from De Pa. He wants to do everything in LEONES. We believe that includes paying house rent, buying airline tickets and doing small transactions that people shamelessly charge for in dollars in this country. But this new stampede to take out the dollar is causing us to think a lot about the state of our economy.
Hardly a week passes by now without us seeing authentic documents from Momodu Kargbo’s Ministry of Finance or Nkoro at Bank of Sierra Leone announcing one measure after the other trying to deal with the sinking LEONE and a further worsening of the living condition of the ordinary Sierra Leonean.
All these piecemeal measures announced here and there have only succeeded in confusing the people even further. The people of Sierra Leone need the full dose right now. We need De Pa to make a big speech immediately, setting out the full measures now being applied in bits so that the people can prepare. But to wake up today and be told that civil servants would no longer get their full leave allowances or the US dollar must go off the streets quickly and a few more panic buttons being pressed here and there is not good.
While we wait for the full package, we urge all our readers to consider the following:
1. From now on don’t receive US dollars from government officials, including senior politicians in exchange for goods and services or even as gifts.
2. Local and International NGOs should stop turning our streets to FOREX BUREAUX.
3. As with Okada Boys, hundreds of DOLLAR BOYS are going to be thrown out of business. Or they will simply go underground to work with their big time customers. A simple text message plays the trick. For example, MEET ME AT THE SYKE STREET GATE OF THE NATIONAL STADIUM. I HAVE FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS TO CHANGE. Isn’t that easy?
4. Government vehicles should not be on the streets when offices are closed. We are spending too much money on fuel and maintenance.
5. Overseas travel for totally unproductive talk shops must end RIGHT NOW.
6. No more big delegations to UN conferences. May be the US embassy can help by looking a little harder at some visa applications.
7. The government is too big. Let’s sack some ministers and deputies. Let’s blend some ministries and close down some Commissions. We must demonstrate in a practical way that these are not normal times.
“NETWORKS OF LAWLESSNESS” TAKING HOLD IN FREETOWN
When George W. Bush was president of the US, he referred to his country’s enemies as being part of the “Axis of Evil”. His National Security Adviser, Condy Rice talked about “Outpost of Tyranny”, in reference to dictatorships. Very colourful language indeed!
In launching Operation WID in Sierra Leone, De Pa made a big speech at State House. He talked about “Networks of Lawlessness” and identified all areas where those networks existed and promised to deal with them. De Pa even identified journalists who, according to him, conducted their work recklessly as being part of that Network of Recklessness. Interesting!
In the last week or so, Okada guys have confirmed their membership of that network by taking on the police and burning down government vehicles. We have heard that their action was in protest over the death or killing of one of their number. We don’t have the details about that but we have to say that like others we condemn the killing of any Sierra Leonean – Okada Rider, Taxi Driver or University Professor. We equally condemn the destruction of public property for any reason.
So here’s what we think about this whole thing – general lawlessness and Okada Riding:
1. Despite some politicians beginning to waver a bit about the extent of the Okada restrictions, we believe many Sierra Leoneans approve of the measures. They are willing to put up with some inconveniences but they think Okadas must be confined to the new areas. We expect cross-party support for Palo Conteh’s work with the Okada guys.
3. We call on the authorities to use the full power of the law to punish those who destroyed those government vehicles. Very bright examples must be set right now. Otherwise, next time we hear about Okadas taking on the police over any issue, it will be very serious.
4. This talk about Okada boys winning national elections for political parties is a glorified myth that has only emboldened them to cause havoc believing that political considerations will get them off the hook. It’s the same myth that Abacha women are hanging on to.
5. When will any government minister speak out against the arbitrary arrest and detention of journalists in this country? Journalists are neither Okada Riders nor Abacha traders. They are not easily manipulated and are not likely to engage in violence on behalf of any politician.
BIG MONEY FINE FOR HEARTLESS TRANS-NATIONAL AND DSTV
Many People call them Dry Season Television because even a small change in weather condition takes them off the air. They have some funny explanation they run on their channels. We don’t quarrel with the science and this and that. But why don’t they talk about refunds to customers when those disruptions occur? Surely, that’s an option to consider. Or why don’t DSTV lower their charges for customers in West Africa during the rains. What sense does it make to pay for a service you cannot use?
While they think about that, let them pay a fine of TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY MILLION LEONES as fine to NATCOM for their sins.
Recently, NATCOM described their hike in service fees as UNILATERAL AND UNACCEPTABLE! People say the British weather is very uncertain. We can say the same for the LEONE in this little corner of the world. We can also say the same for Trans-national charges.
We have asked our friends around Africa about the cost of DSTV service and we are sure that Trans-national is not helping the situation in this side of hell. NATCOM has been so patient to the extent of being referred to as a toothless bulldog. Finally, as we say in Sierra Leone, Trans-national MAKE MUMU TOK.
1. Subscribers are as hopeless as a customer in a barber’s chair when it comes to dealing with Trans-national in Sierra Leone. Let’s say your subscription is due at a particular date in the month. About a week to that date, we get a message that asks us to pay up two days before that date or be cut off. How can anybody explain that?
2. Try making a call to Trans-national to report a matter to their service staff. They could hardly be bothered. It takes so long to get anybody on the line and it’s not a toll-free line. There’s a lot to do about that.
3. Maintenance service also needs drastic improvement at Trans-national. Getting something done there costs big money. We are not looking for Utopia here but we want to feel like customers. We hope you guys understand.
4. Hiking prices without guaranteeing service is ridiculous. The rains are here again and we all know that the slightest movement in the weather sends DSTV into a kind of tailspin. The service could be cut for as long as the rain lasts. Isn’t there any consideration for people who suffer so much pain? DSTV and their local guys here are only interested in collecting the cash.
5. Isn’t there anything like Corporate Social Responsibility at Trans-national? Can we see their profile please? DSTV makes so much money in Sierra Leone and we cannot see what they are doing to help anybody in this country. Why is Sierra Leone different?
(C) Politico 14/06/16
