Express News Brief 11-20-09
No Funding for Negligent MDAS
Head of Monitoring and Evaluation at the National Public Procurement Authority, Mr. Mohamed J. Musa was reported to have said that all government ministries, departments, and agencies that did not submit their 2010 procurement plans to the NPPA against November 2009 have been barred by the authority, and as a result they are likely to loose out in the final disbursement for 2009.
Iranian Consulate Commemorates Philosopher
The Iranian consul in Sierra Leone, Mohamed Ghezel Sofla, on Wednesday 18 November 2009, organized a ‘Book Reading Day’ to remember the death of a great Iranian Philosopher, Mohammad Husayn At-Tabataba. The ceremony was held at the Iranian Cultural Consulate in Freetown.
Deputy Health Minster in Night Supervision
In an attempt to focus on improvement in treatment and care for patients in the country, the Deputy Minister of Health, Mohamed D. Koroma, has formed two teams for supportive supervision and monitoring of health care service delivery in all hospitals and health centers nationwide.
The deputy minister who is the leader for team one said that the monitoring is also aimed at understanding the problems faced by health practitioners.
Commences Polio ‘Wel-bodi’ Week
With primary concern in the prevention of the spread of polio virus in the country, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation has declared this week “Mami en Pikin Welbodi Week” campaign for vitamin a capsule, worm medicine (Albendazole), measles, Polio and yellow fever vaccinations to be held in five districts in the country.
Le2.5 Billion NPA Loan to pay debt
The National Power Authority is reported to have requested for a loan of Le2.5 Billion at the Union Trust Bank in order to clear its debt to the Income Electrix Energy Company. The government, under the then Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Haja Afsatu Kabba had entered into an agreement with Income Electrix, resulting in a much controversial contract being awarded to the company, for which the Anti-Corruption Commission investigated and found that the contract did not go through the proper procedure.
Foreign fishermen fined $1 million
Fifteen fishermen of different nationalities have been fined the sum of $1 million dollars by Magistrate Steven Conteh at the Freetown Magistrate court No1. The fifteen were charged for contravening Sierra Leone’s Fisheries Act. The foreigner fishermen include Koreans.
New Mines Act empowers women and youths
The recently parliamentary approved Mines and Minerals Act 2009 has, in the amendments made, incorporated interventions for youths and women into the Mineral Advisory Body. This is geared towards empowering women and youths who were before this time not included in any decision making on mining and extractive activities in their respective communities.
500,000 mad citizens in Sierra Leone
The sole consultant psychiatrist in the country, Dr. Edward Nahim, has disclosed that the number of Sierra Leoneans with psychiatric problems has risen to the alarming number of five hundred thousand people. This means a significant number of the population of the country have mental illnesses.
Dr. Nahim has blamed the rising trend of mental illness in the country on the population.
Numerous organizations and religious groups have already expressed concern with this alarming figure. Most of those affected with this mental illness are said to be the youths.
By Ishmael S. Dugba – SEMStay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
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