Express News Brief 11-08-09
Fifty Peace Corps For Salone
Fifty Peace Corps from the US Department of State will be coming to Sierra Leone to help in various sectors.
Peace Corps personnel will include teachers, engineers, agriculturists, builders, health workers and in other sectors of society.
The Peace Corps, who are expected to land on the shores of Sierra Leone on 20th November this year will be expected to reside in the country for a maximum of two years before being replaced.
The Corps will be in Sierra Leone to undertake community development programmes.
The Peace Corps programme was introduced by one time president of the US John F. Kennedy. Through the Peace Corps, US government aided several countries in the Third World. Food in the form of corn meal, bulgur, milk, soy beans and other edibles were supplied as part of the Peace Corp venture through USAID.
The Peach Corps were pulled out of Sierra Leone in 1991 following the declaration of war.
Fire Burns 2 houses In Freetown
The return of the dry season has also ushered in the usual conflagration in Freetown that last week saw two houses burning as a result of an alleged cigarette.
The incident which occurred past Tuesday by 2:00 p.m. in the afternoon at Edward, saw neighbours fighting to put out the fire but with no success. The fire which started in one house, later transferred to the next structure.
The Sierra Leone Fire Force, was as usual late in coming to the rescue as the two houses burnt down completely. The occupants of the houses were not present when the fire started. When they later returned they were confronted with burnt out belongings and ashes of their furniture.
Police are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Emmerson’s song torments gov’t
Popular Sierra Leonean folk musician Emmerson Bockarie’s recent hit song ‘Yesterday Betteh Pass Tiday’ has caused concern among members of the APC party and government, with highly placed functionaries taking time off their official duties to make counter statements.
The musician had made attacks on the present government, highlighting the spate of corruption in the country while comparing the past administration to the present.
Party stalwarts of the ruling APC see this song as a threat to their government’s popularity and say it has dampened the enthusiasm that had initially followed the start of the hydro electric dam project in the Northern town of Bumbuna.
Opposition members are meanwhile having a field day in criticizing government, claiming their administration has been much better than the present.
Examination nemesis hits Njala University
Out of 310 students that took the IT exams in Njala University 140 students have reported failed. The University’s Head of IT Department Dr. Issa Fofanah said they have a requirement that no students should go below 3.9 percent, as it will result to the expulsion of the student out of the institution.
The failed students are expected to be expelled from the University.
The standard of education in the country’s tertiary institutions, especially Njala College has seriously declined, added to accusations of sexual favours being demanded by lecturers. Female students are said to be the ones seriously affected as they graduate not because of academic performance but because of having sex with lecturers to attain good grades.
President Koroma declares Poppy Day
President Koroma has declared the annual poppy week in remembrance of those who lost their lives during Sierra Leone’s wars, both in the !st and the 2nd World Wars.
“We must remember the purpose, the service that was made by our own kith and kin, we must remember the sacrifice made, the lives that were lost for the freedom we are enjoying today. No amount of compensation can be made for this…we cannot put a price to it.”
According to the head of State, those who are currently serving in the armed forces would only give honour to the past great heroes by putting “in your very best in terms of professionalism and commitment to serving the nation. And if you have to make a sacrifice as in the past, so be it. In all we are doing, our focus should be service to the nation.” The poppy week, marked by the wearing of red ribbons, starts today and ends on 13th November.
The ceremony was witnessed by ex-servicemen and serving officers of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, led by Minister of Defence Paulo Conteh.
European Union envoy leaves Sierra Leone
The outgoing EU Ambassador, Hans Allden, last week bade farewell to President Koroma during a courtesy call at State House. Giving his farewell speech, president Koroma expressed sadness that the EU ambassador is leaving the country. “It’s always a sad moment to bid farewell to friends, especially a friend like you who has made a difference in the relationship between the European Union and Sierra Leone,” the president said.
Under the tenure of Ambassador Allden, numerous significant achievements have been realized. These include an increase in budget support and road infrastructure. “You are the greatest supporter of our roads programme, and it is visible everywhere,” the President said, naming the refurbishment of the Makeni-Kabala Road and the Bo-Bandajuma Road.
Other areas where the EU has been involved in Sierra Leone include the ongoing Conakry-Freetown highway and in sponsoring studies for the Bandajuma-Mano River Road and the Zimmi-Kenema Road.
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