TRACE JOENAL

Residents of Kono district east of Sierra Leone have expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of development of their district. "We expect to benefit a lot from the All Peoples Congress government but they have been a big let down and a big slap on our faces" said Unisa Momoh a 45-year-old man in Koidu City. The view of Mr. Momoh is being reechoed by many residents in that district. According to them Kono can boast of three big names in governance who were born in that district, namely, the Vice President Alhaji Sauel Sam Sumana, the First and Second ladies of the country. Investigations carried out indicate that Kono district has the worst roads to and from the district and the poor road network have frustrated many investors, both foreign and local from investing in that district. One can hardly get a five-minute drive without entering a pothole from Matotoka to Koidu city. "The poor road network in Koidu City is causing a lot of pain for us and also delaying ou...

Minister of Information and Communication, Ibrahim Ben Kargbo was quick to spot the invisibility of Airtel at the landing of the fibre optic cable at the Lumley beech. "Airtel is invisible at this event today," the Minister said. His comment came as a result of the ceremonial dress put on by Comium and africell to grace that historic occasion which spelt out a new earn of the country. The Minister who was commending the GSM Company for their tremendous work in the country and how happy they are to see such venture to call them by name but unfortunately for Airtel their absence was not felt. Besides, Airtel the Minister failed to mention the name of Sierratel in the entire programme and their absence was not felt too. Soon after the Minister's comment people were looking around to confirmed his comments after some confirmations they began to ask why Airtel was absent. Some of the views that Airtel may not be happy because of the competition that lies ahead. ...

The piles and piles of filth that has overtaken the Freetown municipality have not only left city dwellers fuming at the Freetown City Council but also the Freetown Waste Management. The situation has left residents of Freetown to wonder where the responsible authorities are taking them. Some say that at the country’s independence celebration there was a sigh of relief as there was continuous cleaning and city dwellers breathed in fresh air and even the mosquitoes were quiet. “This situation is a serious embarrassment to us as a nation of 50 years of independence. We should have grown more than this,” said Ramatu Conteh a resident of Tengbeh Town. Some residents especially those living close to the refuse disposal sites around the city say they hardly breathe fresh air and the stench embarrasses them. “I hardly open my window because of the odour coming from the refuse dump and the ever present mosquitoes. I most times prefer to stay in the heat in the house than to be bitten by...

A mysterious fire break out late yesterday morning at the Project and Data Office of the Ministry of Lands as well as the NRA section of the ministry, both located at the east wing of the third floor of Youyi Building in Freetown. The Data Office is the office responsible to handle all projects and project documents of the Ministry and to process all lands documents. According to report the inferno destroyed properties worth billions of leones and a massive number of land documents. Reports gathered by SALONE TIMES state that the fire 'accident' happened a day after backed up files that had been retrieved from the project's computers by the Geographic Information System Adviser Jombo Samba were returned to the office. The sensitivity of the offices that were affected has raised eyebrows casting aspersions that the fire was not accidental but was done purposefully. It could be recalled that the Data Section of the Ministry has been facing press reports for the ...

Just within an hour when Sierra Leone biggest and finest GSM operator africell advertised free access to the third generation mobile phone technology in Sierra Leone, subscribers wasted no time but to rushed for their phones to be activated for that service. "africell is here with freshness and a change in the telecommunication industry, it is my belief that I should be the first to enjoyed it because we are their subscribers," said Abu Dumbuya of College Road who went to configure his phone to the new 3G. The free services did not come as a surprise to many as they believe that africell is the only GSM operator that can consider its subscribers most. "When it comes to affordable tariffs, africell is number one; number one in promotions, customers care and now 3G. Their position is unshakable.Thank God to africell," said Fanta Conteh a student at FBC. Some thanked God for africell for making Sierra Leone not to lack behind in development but to checkup with t...

As a way of creating equal rights and opportunities for girls and young women in Sierra Leone One Family over the weekend embraced residents of the Dwarzak community. Programe Manager of One Family People (OFP) Hadiatou Diallo said OFP is a local advocacy Non Governmental Organization established in 2008 with the sole aim of restoring the dignity of children with disabilities especially girls and young women in Sierra Leone. She pointed out that they strive to enhance the quality of their lives by advocating for their inclusion into the development agenda of the country. "To accomplish this goal, OFP promotes participation and access to cultural opportunities through music, dance and theatre arts to integrate marginalized groups into the creative, artistic and social life of their communities. OFP also provide safe and accessible space for them to explore, define, and celebrate their culture. Our strong conviction is that disability issues are human rights issues and by under...