Express News Brief 11-19-09
SLPP MPs Boycott Mines Bill Debate
The opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party Members of Parliament on Tuesday 17th November 2009 refused to participate on the mines and minerals bill debate. According to reports, the SLPP MPs stated that their refusal to participate on the bill debate is as a result of deliberate negligence of the ruling All Peoples Congress (APC) MPs to comply with constitutional procedures in passing a bill.
The Mining Bill was out rightly rejected by members of the opposition SLPP based on various factors.
Journalist Attacked By ‘Okada’ Riders
A UN Radio and Eastern Radio reporter in Kenema, Mariama Khai Fornah, was on Saturday 14th November 2009 reportedly assaulted by striking bike riders in the city.
According to reports, the bike riders are said to have attacked the journalist even though she informed them that she was going to work and that part of her job included making the authorities know about their strike.
The bikers, said to be seen publicly drinking alcohol and smoking a substance believed to be marijuana pushed her from the motor bike she had rented and poured alcohol and dirty water on her.
The strikers told her that no motor bike was allowed to ply the streets of Kenema that day.
The problem of bike riders in Kenema has been a matter of concern to the populace. Bike riders in the town are said to be rude and have little or no respect for pedestrians and authorities in the city of Kenema. It is highly believed that the bike riders are given support by senior police officers and members of the Kenema District Council, who are reported to be the major owners of commercial bikes in Kenema city.
Minister Koroma Cautions Food Importers
Mohamed D. Koroma, Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, has advised importers of egg, chicken and sausages to keep these food items in appropriate and health storage capacities in order to maintain them in  healthy manner for consumption.
The Deputy Minster added that these items are most of the time sold to consumers even when they have expired and are unfit for human consumption.
EU To The Rescue For Sierra Leone
The delegation of the European Commission in Sierra Leone has signed an agreement with the United Nations World Food Programme in Sierra Leone to fund the government with 2.7 million Euros to tackle the high food price crises in the country.
The EU has been one of Sierra Leone’s prominent donor partners, and have contributed significantly in various sectors in the country.
Africell Promotes Premier League
One of the GSM operators in Sierra Leone, Africell, has on Monday November 16th 2009 donated the sum of Le 200 million to the country’s premier league board in order to boost football in the country.
Africell has been one of the great supporters of sports, especially in the promotion of soccer in the country. Africell also initiated the refurbishing of the National Stadium, including the painting of the entire bowl and the outside structure of the sports complex.
Civil Society Condemns HRC-SLÂ
Campaign for Just Mining, a part of the Network Movement for Justice and Development on Tuesday 17th November 2009 criticized the Human Rights Commission- Sierra Leone, for not doing enough to bring out the short comings in the recently rejected Mines Bill.
This statement was made during a press briefing in Freetown. The human rights commission was also accused for not doing enough in highlighting the various process needed in enacting the Mines and Minerals Bill.
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