NEWS BRIEFS ARE REPORTS CULLED FROM OTHER LOCAL NEWSPAPERS AND BROUGHT ONLINE FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR READERS. THIS MEDIUM DOES NOT NECESSARILY AGREE WITH THE CONTENTS BELOW

Soweis on FGM Discussion

Local tabloid reports say elders (Sowies) of the female secret society, ‘Bondo’ in Pujehun District, recently met at Bumpeh Perrie Galines Perrie Chiefdom to discuss best practices relating to Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the district. Reports say the executive members of the society’s council in the district, have asked called on their members to revisit the agreement previously made with UNFPA and Human Rights Commission. According to reports, in that agreement, it was indicated that children below the age 18, should not be recruited into the society. Reports say the total number of Soweis in that district is approximately 4,116.

Parliamentary Committee on Transparency Tours Northern Councils

Local tabloids say the Parliamentary Committee on Transparency and Accountability, recently held a ten-day visit to local councils in the Northern Region. According to reports, the purpose of the tour was to ascertain the councils’ levels of compliance with Section 107 of the Local Government Act 2004. The Act has transparency and accountability clearly spelt out as tools for development, democracy and good governance in it. Reports say at least 14 parliamentarians conducted the tour.

9 Years Jail Term for Drug Abusers

Local tabloids say Magistrate Komba Kamanda of Court No.2 in Freetown, has sentenced 8 accused persons to nine years imprisonment at the Pademba Road prison in Freetown. According to reports, the accused persons were charged for unlawfully possessing cannabis sativa to wit with intent to commit felony. Reports say the jail terms were levied on the accused persons differently based on the gravity of their offences.

SLENA to Resume Daily Publication

It has been revealed that, the Sierra Leone News Agency (SLENA) is expected to resume publication of its daily news bulletin. According to reports, the agency has not been publishing its bulletin for couple of years now due to certain circumstances. Reports say the Ministry of Information and Communication has given a facelift to the agency.

ONS Rescues Kissy Community

Newspaper reports say the Disaster Management Unit of the Office of National Security (ONS) with support from UNDP, has embarked on the construction of retaining walls in disaster prone communities along the Kissy community. According to reports, at the end of the project, the walls would help strengthening the shattered culvert that runs through the Bomeh dumpsite to the Kissy Dockyard community and its environs. Reports say this project will help to mitigate the occurrences of disasters in those communities.

Wife Wants Justice in the Mysterious Death of Husband

Local tabloid reports have it that, Mrs. Ramatu Kanu, wife of the late Mr. Mustapha Kanu, is demanding justice in the mysterious death of her husband in Liberia in 2003. According to reports, a best friend to the late man, identified as Renner, took him to Liberia on a personal adventure. She said few years later, she was informed that her husband has passed away and has been buried in Liberia. Reports say since then, he heard nothing about her husband. She is reportedly calling on the Government of Sierra Leone to grant her justice.

Police Accused of Extorting Monies from Drivers

Local tabloids say commercial drivers across Sierra Leone have expressed dissatisfaction over what they alleged to be the huge amount of money that is been extorted from them by police personnel on a  daily basis. According to reports, police are collecting Le30, 000 at various traffic stand points from drivers daily. Drivers are reported to have said the police extortion has led to the increase in transport crisis across the country. Reports say drivers are now running half ways to cover up what they pay to the police everyday.