NASSIT Engages NYS on Corps’ Contribution

0
176

By NYS Communications Unit

The National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) engaged the National Youth Service (NYS) to discuss issues relating to payment of corps members’ contributions and other relevant issues.

The meeting took place at NYS conference room, Stadium Hostels in Freetown.

Explaining the purpose of the meeting, the acting General Manager Operations at NASSIT, Edwin Mohamed Kamara, explained that the purpose of their visit was to collaborate with NYS with the view to ensuring that MDAs and private institutions start paying their contribution for corps members deployed at their institutions.

He explained they have been encouraging their partners to pay NASSIT contributions for their employees and NYS shouldn’t be an exception as it has the potential to transform intern graduate to permanent employees.

“We want to ensure social collaboration. We want them to be part of the scheme from the period of their placement so that their benefits ratio will increase when they gain permanent jobs and also when they retired. Hence, you are concerned with their welfare, we are also concerned with their benefit,” he said.

As information correctness has been a challenge, the acting General Manager used the occasion to caution workers to be updating their statuses with NASSIT when they make changes to their information.

He added that, “We also have challenges with consistencies and correctness in our records due to different information in your documents.”

Mr. Kamara therefore assured that they will go by the available NYS data and follow where corps members are deployed and ask the institutions to start paying their NASSIT contributions.

Making his contribution, the Regional Office Coordinator at NASSIT, Mohamed Sam, said that according to the NASSIT Act, corps members are supposed to pay their NASSIT contribution whether they are receiving stipend or whatsoever.

“We believe that these people you are dealing with are covered by the NASSIT Act and if we do not cover them, that means, we are infringing on their rights,” he said.

In his response, the Executive Director of NYS, Mohamed Ornanah Jalloh, started off by explaining that Section 40 of the NYS Act says that the institutions where corps members are deployed are supposed to pay their stipend.

He said he was happy that NASSIT has brought up the idea, stressing that NYS wants young graduates to benefit from the NASSIT scheme.

“We are hoping to increase our recruitment to make it more beautiful, but the Ministry of Finance is worried about the increase in our recruitment. For the current batch, we have paid their six months stipend but Ministry of Finance is seeing NYS as a burden,” he explained.

The Executive Director said even though some institutions are giving stipend to corps members, some have refused them stipend, adding that, “Sending our corps members to institutions and also asking them to pay 5% as NASSIT contribution is somehow critical.”

OJ, as he is fondly called expressed that, they do not only have the burden to beg institutions to take their corps members but also have the burden to canvass institutions to be paying NASSIT contributions for them.

At the end of the meeting, it was unanimously agreed that both NASSIT and NYS engage the Ministry of Finance and Accountant Generals office on Thursday, July 22, 2021 to discuss the issue for further actions.

Sexual Penetration: Lotto Retailer & 2 Others Jailed

 Description: C:\Users\User 2020\Desktop\IMAGES\IMG-20210716-WA0270.jpg

The Sierra Leone Court of Appeal Judge presiding over cases at the Sexual Offences Model Court, Hon. Justice Samuel Omodele Taylor (JA) has delivered judgment on three separate sexual offence cases brought before the court.

The three convicts, 20-year-old Mohamed Sesay (Alias Daddy), 28-year-old sand miner, Samuel Sambo and 20-year-old Mercury Lotto Retailer, Johnson Solomon were before the court for sexual penetration contrary to Section 19 of the Sexual Offences Act 2012, Act No. 12 of 2012, as repealed and replaced by Section 4 of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2019, Act No.8 of 2019.

According to the Particulars of Offence in respect of a three count indictment against Mohamed Sesay (Alias Daddy) which include sexual touching and penetration, the accused on the 2nd day of April 2020, at Freetown in the Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone, compelled 7-year-old Kadiatu Abu (not real name) and 6-year-old Delphine Jones (not her real name) to sexually touch him while he later sexually penetrated them.

In her evidence in chief, 7-year-old Kadiatu recognised Delphine as her friend and the accused as her neighbour. She recalled that on the same day, while she and Delphine were watching movie at their parlour, the convict came in to join them and asked her to close the door, which she did.

She continued that the convict later penetrated her sexually while he also inserted his fingers into the vagina of Delphine before they had a knock on the door by one Uncle Abdulai and the matter was reported to the police station.

After leading in evidence a number of witnesses including the two victims and a medical doctor, State Prosecutor A. J. M Bockarie closed their case.

When put on his election, the accused relied on his statement to the police.

After a review of the totality of the evidence, Hon. Justice Taylor acquitted and discharged the accused on the count of sexual touching for want of evidence by the prosecution but found him guilty on counts two and three, relating to sexual penetration. The convict pleaded for mercy.

Hon. Justice S.O. Taylor sentenced Mohamed Sesay (Alias Daddy) to 10 years imprisonment in respect of count two and another 10 years imprisonment in respect of count three with both sentences to run concurrently.

In his trial, accused Johnson Solomon opted to change his plea after the Prosecutor had led in evidence two witnesses and pleaded guilty of the offence of sexual penetration. Following his change of plea, Hon. Justice Taylor sentenced him to10 years’ imprisonment including time spent for sexually penetrating an 11-year-old girl.

Accused Samuel Simbo also pleaded guilty of the offence of sexual penetration upon his arraignment before the court, with the said offence leaving the 13-year-old victim pregnant. Upon his plea, the Hon. Justice Taylor sentenced the convict to10 years’ imprisonment including time already spent in prison. 

New Biometric Driver’s License Unveiled

 

The Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority on Friday 16th July 2021 exhibited its New Securitized Biometric Drivers’ License at the Authority’s Headquarters kissy Road Freetown.

In his key note address, the Minister Commended the SLRSA Executive Director for what he calls “Putting the President’s vision into Perspective”. He admonished the Executive Director to do more and continue flying the flag of Sierra Leone higher

Speaking on behalf of the Board of Directors, Dr. Adams B. Steven said he is but happy to be a part of the history being made at the SLRSA and as a Board they are more than willing to work with the Management of the SLRSA.

The Inspector General of the Sierra Leone Police, Dr. Ambrose Sovoula said he is one of the happiest people on earth because having this securitized Biometric Drivers’ License will help ease the burden on the Police with numerous cases of fake License. He commended the SLRSA Executive Director Ibrahim Sannoh and applauded the MIS team for such a job well done. He however admonished the management to appreciate the team that can serve as a motivation for more work to be done

Representative from the Transport Committee at the Sierra Leone Parliament, Honorable Ambrose Maada Lebbie said it’s a big goal being scored by the SLRSA and he commended the Minister for providing the much needed oversight   “As a Parliament our doors are always open for help and advices” the Honourable affirmed.

The Executive Director of the SLRSA Mr. Ibrahim Sannoh said the ‘Era of Faking SLRSA Products are over’ he was thankful to God for making this day a reality. He proffered his heartfelt gratitude to the Minister of Transport and Aviation Mr. Kabineh Kallon for his continuous support towards the SLRSA and promised to do more and work within the Agenda of the President in the interest of state and for the development of Sierra Leone.

“SLRSA Under my leadership has not only blocked the leakages but, We have worked so hard to ensure our products (Vehicle License Stickers, Drivers’ License and Vehicle License Plates) are ISO Certified. Our goals are in Congruence with the central government’s Revenue generation drive for socioeconomic development of Sierra Leone” Mr. Sannoh said.

The event was graced by key stakeholders including representatives from the security sector. The product was Launched by the Minister Of Transport and Aviation Kabineh Kallon and was climaxed with a PowerPoint presentation by SLRSA Management Information System Analyst Mr. Glen Cole on the Features of the New Securitized Biometric Drivers License.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here