IMF 2021 Country Report : Public Investment Management Assessment

Sierra Leone has made significant strides to rebuild its public infrastructure after the devastating civil war, but the desperate infrastructure needs remain. At the end of the conflict in 2002, the country was left with virtually no infrastructure. Redevelopment of public infrastructure was ignited by the mining boom, which started in the late 2000s. Over the period 2008−18, public investment averaged 6.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), which has translated into an estimated capital stock of about 65 percent in constant 2011 GDP. However, a level of public investment is still lower than neighboring countries by about one percentage point. The level of capital stock per capita is one of the lowest in the region, only slightly above that of Liberia. Some districts still have no paved roads, no electricity, and no water systems, almost 20 years after the war.

Administrator General enhances work in Regional Offices

By: Amara Kargbo

SLENA-Correspondent

Saptieu E. Saccoh, Administrator and Registrar General of the Office of the Administrator and Registrar General (OARG) and her team hasve concluded on the spot visits, conducted training on the registrations of legal instruments in the  regional offices of Bo, Kenema, Makeni, and Port-Loko.  

In an interview with SLENA, Madam Saccoh said her office is committed to the  decentralization process to ensure that  people living in the provinces have a fair share of state institutions and services.

Whilst noting that the “ OARG continues to make numerous strides to make sure that instruments deposited at the OARG are safe and secured. Digitization, regional connectivity, preparing regulations “

UAE DONATES FOOD ITEMS FOR THE MONTH OF RAMADAN

Humanitarian assistance from the United Arab Emirates, (UAE) to muslims observing the month of ramadan  yesterday arrived via a special flight at the Lungi airport.

Resident Minister North-West, Haja Isata Abdulai, who received the items on behalf of the Government, said the gift was a laudable one demonstrative of Sierra Leone’s strong bilateral relationship with the UAE. She added that the items were also a product of President Bio’s travelings around the world to build strategic relationships.

“We want to extend our thanks and appreciation to the government and people of UAE for such a wonderful donation and may God continue to bless our relationship with the UAE. I also want to say thanks to Ambassador Sesay for his incredible work in the UAE,” she added.

Government of Japan commits USD$700 000 for impact of COVID -19 on child rights

The Government of Japan has committed USD$700 000.00, to the Government of Sierra Leone’s programme, Response to the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 on child-rights and resilience building in Sierra Leone.
Japan’s contribution will enable UNICEF to support Government in mitigating the immediate and prolonged impact of COVID-19 on the nutritional status and protection of vulnerable children in Sierra Leone, including through undertaking an assessment of the nutrition situation of children under-five and women of reproductive age in the lean season of 2021 to inform an evidence-based, updated COVID-19 nutrition response plan.
“This new grant affirms the Government of Japan and UNICEF in the efforts to respond to the socio-economic impact of COVID-19 on child-rights and resilience building in Sierra Leone especially in the hard to reach area. We, the Government of Japan, have supported the people in Sierra Leone through UNICEF for years. This grant is further a proof of sustained commitment that Japan remains a key partner in Sierra Leone and fights against the global pandemic.” said H.E. Himeno Tsutomu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Sierra Leone.
According to the Sierra Leone Emergency Food Security Monitoring System (2020), COVID-19 travel restrictions and lack of money have resulted in the drastic altering of household livelihoods and incomes, resulting in increased food insecurity.
Across Sierra Leone, 51 per cent of households are unable to access markets, resulting in a 10-percentage point increase in household food insecurity from 53 per cent during 2019 lean season to 63 per cent during 2020 lean season and an 11-percentage point increase of households with poor food consumption from 23 per cent during the lean season of 2019 to 34 per cent during the lean season of 2020.  

ON MAY DAY: LABOUR MINISTER CALLS FOR MORE EFFORTS  IN ADDRESSING LABOUR ISSUES

Sierra Leone’s Minister of Labour and Social Security, Mr. Alpha Osman Timbo, has called on the Government and its partners to enhance their commitments in addressing labour issues in the country.
The Minister was speaking at an event marking the celebration of International Workers’ Day (MAY DAY) on 1st May, 2021, at the Family Kingdom, Aberdeen, Freetown. In collaboration with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security and the Sierra Leone Employers’ Federation, the Sierra Leone Labour Congress held a low-key celebration on the theme ‘COVID-19 AND THE FUTURE OF WORK IN SIERRA LEONE’.
Mr. Timbo observed that workers were without a doubt, faced with numerous challenges as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, but pointed out that Sierra Leone was very lucky because there is a “constructive and proactive leadership which has kept the Pandemic under control”.
He noted that one good thing the outbreak of COVID-19 did for the country was that, it pushed it towards digitization; adding that the state could not have been in a position to implement some of the reforms it was now executing and achieving, as far as digitization is concerned. “It is hoped that we can only improve on these things after COVID-19,” he continued.
“As a result of what we have all suffered as workers since the emergence of COVID-19, this day calls for more committed and concerted efforts from us as a Government, the Federation and Labour Congress, to continue to work together now more than ever before to share our opportunities, discuss the challenges which we all face together, and map out a future which all of us will collectively implement,” Minister Timbo admonished.
Further, the Minister advised all workers to continue to have confidence in the President Bio-led administration, irrespective of current challenges, “because the government has the best interest of workers at heart”. He assured all that the Ministry will look into the issues raised by the President of the Sierra Leone Labour Congress in his speech, and take appropriate actions where necessary.