News

Covid-19 restrictions: Gov’t introduces new pass issuance policy

By Kemo Cham

The National Coronavirus (Covid-19) Response Team has introduced a new policy in the management of its pass system to ensure that the right people are allowed to move about during lockdowns and other restrictions.

Effective last week, the passes will now be applied for and issued electronically, the Emergency Operation Center (EOC) said in a statement, noting that the move is meant to improve on the management and efficiency of the system.

For enforcing curfew, Sierra Leone Police suspends officer

By Mabinty M. Kamara

In what constitutes a major test of the effectiveness of the Covid-19 restrictions, the Sierra Leone Police is on the spot for sanctioning one of its officers who refused to allow some “influential persons” to allegedly violate the curfew order.

Inspector John Kargbo, who was the commander in charge of a checkpoint located in Newton the outskirts of Waterloo, said that on Friday 24 April, he received a letter conveying his indefinite suspension from the force on allegations of insubordination.

Mixed feelings over extended partial lockdown in Sierra Leone

By Mabinty M. Kamara

The Emergency Operations Center (EOC) announced on Friday evening that the curfew and inter district lockdown has now been extended “indefinitely”.

The measures were first announced by government on the 12th of April, as part of ways to halt the spread of the Corona virus. But the measure has done little to curb the spread of the virus.

On Saturday the country recorded four more cases, taking the cumulative confirmed cases to 86.

Sierra Leone president establishes scientific advisory body on emergencies

By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay

President Julius Maada Bio has created a scientific body tasked with advising him on situations of emergencies.

The Scientific and Technical Advisory Group for Emergencies (STAGE) comprises 12 people, drawn from diverse fields of studies. Those who make up the list are experts based locally and internationally.

Sierra Leone anti-corruption agency secures conviction against IT officer

By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has secured a conviction against Abdul Razak Kabba, a former Senior Information and Technology officer of the Pharmacy Board Sierra Leone.

Kabba, who was convicted last week Thursday, 25th April, was embroiled in a procurement scheme that illegally benefitted his company.

The case was presided over by Justice Simeon Alieu, who sentenced the convict to Ten (10) years imprisonment with the option of paying a fine of Le100 million.

SLAJ conducts training on COVID-19 reporting

By Prince J Musa in Kenema         

Journalists in Kenema District have undergone a short training on ethical reportage of the COVID-19 pandemic in Sierra Leone. The training was conducted by the regional branch of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), with financial support from the German development agency, Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH).          

The training was held in Kenema on Thursday.

WHO warns Covid-19 is a threat to Malaria progress

By Kemo Cham

Progress against Malaria is at serious risk of reversal by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the World Health Organization (WHO) and its partners have warned, calling for concerted effort to prevent that.

The WHO said the pandemic could turn back the clock 20 years on deaths caused by the parasitic disease.

The warning comes as the world commemorated World Malaria Day on April 25.

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