Standard Times Newspaper

08/10/2025

07/10/2025

IMMEMORIAM

Memory of our late daughter, sister, aunt, niece, mother and
friend Patricia Anisatu Kamara who passed
away in London 7th October 2021.

Today marks your 4th memorial anniversary, and pray for divine grace and God's
blessings and mercy upon your soul.
We loved you, never forgotten
From your dad,
Jonathan Abass Kamara and the rest of the Kamara family

07/10/2025

OBITUARY ANNOCEMENT

The death is reported of Mr Balla Musa Koroma formerly of 7J off White Stick Upper Tengbeh Town.
He was a senior staff member of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank.
He is survived by his wife Nyima Balla Koroma.

CHILDREN:
Forah, Konkofa, Abubakar, Dinkin, and Sia..

MOTHER:
Mammy Merah Koroma,

BROTHERS:
Mr Robert Brima Koroma, Mr Samuel Konkofa Koroma, Rtd AIG Lansana Koroma, Rev. Samuel Momodu Kabba, Mr Mustapha Kabba, Mr Balla Musa Koroma Senior, Merah Tamba, Fanko, Chief Edison Balla Koroma, Fity Ansu Koroma, Nyini Koroma, Kulie, Alusine, Lansana, Forah Kellie, Forah Dankawalie, Fanneh, Musu Bàlla, Deremeh Bàlla, Fanko, Chief Dondor Koroma, Mr FP Koroma, Yembeh Kellie Koroma all in the USA, Farah P. Koroma, Musukura Komeh Koroma, Saio Ferenkeh Koroma, Koyie Koroma, Momorie Koroma,
Mr Karifa D. Koroma, Yemen Kellie Koroma and James Dankawalie Koroma all of USA and many others.

SISTERS:
Mera Nyima, Saradugeh, Saio, Saio Dohron Kabba USA
Ferema, Kumba Koroma and many others.

UNCLES:
Karifa Jalloh Yiffin Tamba Jalloh, Mr Koyue H. Mansaray, Ibrahim Funumba Jawara Bank of Sierra Leone, Col. Manso Koroma of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Mr GPM Marah Deputy Chairman Koinadugu District Council, Mr KK Marah, Yirah Jawara and others.

AUNTS:
Mammy Merah Kargbo in Lungi, Mabu Saio, Mammy Sewa all of Yiffin.

NEPHEWS:
Col. Bockarie Marah of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, Hon. Konkofa Mansaray, Yira Mansaray, Maclure Edward Marah-Secretay General Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, Kelly Mansaray USA, Sorie Kamara, Foday Sesay, and others.

NIECE:
Doron Blake, Favour Forah Koroma, Mera, Nyima, Umu Deen Tarawalie. Sinkarie Kamara, USA, Kumba Pareh Koroma of Holland, Nyama KB Kamara and others.

IN LAWS:
Rtd Captain Moses Kamara, Mr Arima Kamara, Mr Alex Kandeh, Karifa Kamara, Mr Foray Sesay, Mr Bàlla Yirah Koroma


MOTHER IN LAW
Mammy Samara Kamara

CLOSE RELATIVES INCLUDE:
Paramount Chief Foday Manso Koroma 111 of Nieni Chiefdom, Paramount Chief Foday Alimamy Umaro Jalloh 111 of Kelian Chiefdom, Dr Kaifala Marah, Hon Napoleon Koroma Deputy Minister of Mines, Hon. Daniel Koroma, Mr John Sorie Koroma Chiefdom Speaker, the Kabbas, Koromas, Kamaras, Mansaray, Jawara, Thoronka, Marah, Kargbo, all of Nieni Chiefdom Koinadugu and Falaba District

CLOSE FRIENDS:
Management and staff of the Sierra Leone
Commercial Bank. The pastors and members of MCA Tengbeh town and the president and members of the Missionary Church Of Africa Sierra Leone conference, Mr Abubakar Sannor, Mr Arthur Cole and Mr Tito

There will be a Vigil at MCA Tengbeh Town on Sunday 12th October starting at 6:00pm

Funeral Service we will held on Monday 13th October 2025 at the Church at 1PM and burial at the Wilberforce Village cemetery.
The family regrets any omission of name as you are all equally important.

07/10/2025

Tribute to a Fallen Journalist - Andrew Collier, a True Friend, Always loved, Never forgotten

With Jonathan Abass Kamara

Expressing my feelings of love and loss memories, focussing on his positive qualities during our youthful days Ginger Hall, Grant Lane, Metzger Lane and Mount Aureole Terrace community in Freetown, and our relationship during the hay days at the Government Information Services ( GIS) and the Sierra Leone News Agency (SLENA), our story went on and on through triumphs, through heartaches, through love found and love lost when the sun sets on September 28, 2025.

Born on the 27th December 1950 to Mr. Luseni Golo Collier and Haja Mrs. Mamakor Collier Nee Sesay, Mr. Andrew Emmanuel Collier is survived by his wife Mrs. Juliana Collier
WHAT OTHERS SAY

The Chairman, Veteran Journalists Union VEJU, Unisa Sesay: "My valued colleague News Reporter Workmate at the GIS Newsroom (1973 - 1976) Clearly remember him always to be calm, respectful and unassuming.
May Andy's rich soul rest in perfect peace".

SAHR MBAYO Secretary General VEJU: "Another veteran is gone. May you continue to rest in perfect peace Veteran Andrew Collier".

MICHAEL BUTSCHER - a Workmate and colleague based in the UK: "It is sad to learn about the death of a colleague and friend. Well, Andy is gone to true world.
May his soul rest in peace".

VETERAN MARIAMA COKER: "Rest in Peace Andrew. May the good Lord send His angels to guide you. You will be dearly missed... You were very respectful and had passion for your job. Rest in perfect peace".

VETERAN DAVID TAM BAYOH: "He was calm, sober thinker, and armist - media person. God rest in perfect peace Amen".

SANPHA SESAY - Texas USA: "Former staff of SLENA I was speechless when I heard of the passing of my boss, mentor, and inspirational friend, Mr. Andrew Collier on September 28. It is a painful reminder that life on this earth is timely temporary.
I first met Andrew Collier in 1992 when I was transferred to the Sierra Leone News Agency SLENA as a junior news reporter from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting by then Minister Mr. Hindolo Trye. It was an eye-opening experience, as I was introduced to a team of seasoned Journalists. Mr. Collier was the first News Editor who kindly advised me to always dress formally, to wear a necktie. It may seem small but it reflected his deep respect for the profession and attention to professionalism.
Andrew Collier was a renowned Journalist with an unmatched passion for the truth and unwavering dedication to the ideals of journalism ".

CYRIL JUXON SMITH: "I am sorry to hear of the passing of Andrew Collier, a long time SLENA to the Vice Presidency. My last memory of him dates back two years ago when we met at the Nassit verification exercise. Always unruffled. May his precious soul rest in peace".

MANAGING DIRECTOR SLENA - Lolo Yeama Sarah Thompson - Oguamah
OBITUARY Announcement: The management and staff of the Sierra Leone News Agency SLENA regret to announce the passing of Mr. Andrew Emmanuel Collier, a veteran Journalist and former staff of SLENA.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.
His dedication, professionalism, and service to the agency will always be remembered.

OTHER WORKMATES, friends and colleagues in the Parlor, former Managing Director and Editor in Chief SLENA, Mohamed Samoura, News Editor Evelyn Langba USA, Abu Max Konneh, Sorie Fofana, Proprietor and Managing Editor Global Times Newspaper, former BBC correspondent Sylvester Rogers, and Managing Editor, Independent Observer Newspaper, Baibai Sesay also expressed condolences to the wife, children and rest of the bereaved family at home and abroad as the story gallops in the parlor with mourners and sympathizers.

INTERMENT
The remains of Andrew Emmanuel Collier, fondly known as Andy by colleagues, will be laid to rest on the 23rd October 2025 in his home town Pujehun
Funeral service will be held at the Church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints in Pujehun
May his gentle soul rest in peace

07/10/2025

Strategic Communications Unit, MOICE
By Marian Magdalene Bangura
The Civic Day Series USA Edition organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE) has ended on a high note with a ground breaking announcement from the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.


During the event, the Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Engineer Amara Kallon, disclosed the implementation of two mega water projects aimed at improving access to clean and safe drinking water for Sierra Leoneans both in Freetown and in other parts of the country.
The Freetown WASH and Aquatic Environment Revamping Project, which is currently at 65%, upon completion, will benefit over one million people.
The Sierra Leone Water Security and WASH Access Improvement Projects is a $ 180 million grant from the World Bank to provide clean water to five million people nationwide. The announcement was received with joy by the audience, particularly members of the diaspora who continue to show keen interest in sustainable development back home.
Speaking at the gathering, Engineer Kallon emphasized that the projects align with government’s broader agenda to enhance public health, improve sanitation, and reduce the burden on communities struggling with limited water supply.
He assured Sierra Leoneans that the initiative will not only serve residents in Freetown but also rural communities.

The disclosure added significant weight to the Civic Day Series, which has been championed by the Information and Civic Education Ministry as a platform to “bring government closer to the people, home and abroad.”
The event will continue to provide space for Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora to engage directly with government officials, share their concerns, and contribute ideas toward the nation’s development.
Attendees commended the initiative and welcomed the water projects as timely and impactful, highlighting that access to safe water remains one of Sierra Leone’s most pressing challenges.
With this commitment, the Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has reassured Sierra Leoneans of government’s determination to deliver tangible development outcomes that improve lives across the country.

07/10/2025

THE TRUTH BEHIND HIS ‘NON-COMPLIANCE’
…OMBUDSMAN MISFIRES AGAIN

Recently, the Office of the Ombudsman made a public statement alleging that “of all institutions, Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU) shows the highest level of non-compliance.”
As a concerned student and proud member of the MMTU community, I find this statement both misleading and disappointing, not only because it is inconsistent with verified facts, but also because it undermines the integrity and hard work of an institution that has demonstrated exceptional commitment to accountability and transparency
Verified Records Contradict the Ombudsman’s Statement.
Before drawing such a conclusion, it is important to examine the facts. On Wednesday, 12th June 2024, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) presented its Systems and Processes Review Report for Milton Margai Technical University. The findings were clear and commendable: MMTU was rated 98% compliant.
This report was the result of a thorough vetting process covering governance, financial management, human resources, and institutional integrity. Additionally, MMTU has been reviewed by Parliament and other oversight bodies, all of which have acknowledged the university’s progress in implementing good governance and compliance standards.
Given these documented results, it is difficult to understand how the Ombudsman, within such a short period in office, arrived at such a negative conclusion. His remarks seem inconsistent with the existing record and risk creating an unfounded public perception about an institution that has worked hard to build credibility.
Concerns About Professional Conduct.
According to credible sources, the Ombudsman allegedly remarked that he “wants to see who is behind the Vice Chancellor and Principal, Professor Philip John Kanu.” If this statement is true, it raises serious ethical concerns about impartiality.
Such comments suggest that the Ombudsman’s statement may have been influenced by personal grievances or malice rather than by objective investigation. The Office of the Ombudsman is expected to uphold fairness, neutrality, and professionalism, values that distinguish it from other roles, such as those in the private or mining sectors where personal rivalries may be more common.
The Ombudsman’s office exists to protect citizens from administrative injustice, not to engage in institutional defamation. Therefore, any public comment made by such a high-ranking official should be based on verifiable evidence, not personal sentiment.
Impact on Students and Alumni.
Milton Margai Technical University has, for decades, produced graduates who now serve in positions of trust across Sierra Leone and beyond. These are men and women contributing meaningfully to national development in education, governance, health, and the private sector.
When an official publicly discredits their alma mater without justification, it indirectly undermines their own professional credibility and the reputation of the qualifications they hold. The ripple effect of such careless statements can harm not just the institution, but the confidence of current and prospective students as well.
A Call for Professionalism and Fairness.
Constructive criticism is always welcome it helps institutions grow. But for accountability processes to maintain legitimacy, they must be rooted in objectivity, evidence, and respect. The Ombudsman’s statement, as it stands, falls short of these principles.
MMTU remains one of Sierra Leone’s most compliant and improving institutions, as confirmed by multiple independent bodies. It continues to uphold standards of transparency, academic excellence, and institutional integrity under the capable leadership of Professor Philip John Kanu.
As concerned students, we urge the Ombudsman to revisit his remarks, align them with verified facts, and exercise the level of professionalism his office demands. The progress of national institutions like MMTU should be supported, not unfairly discredited.

07/10/2025

“UNFAIR AND NEGLIGENCE”
IPRP UNVEILS FLAWS IN PROCUREMENT PROCESS

Sierra Leone’s Independent Procurement Review Panel (IPRP) has delivered a scathing judgment against the Procurement Committee of the Free Education Project Secretariat, declaring their decision to disqualify Rolaan Enterprises as “unfair, wrong, and negligently done.” The panel’s findings, released late last week, emphasize the need for improved adherence to procurement laws and clear communication between entities involved in public contracts.
The appeal process began when Rolaan Enterprises, which aims to provide essential educational materials under a World Bank-funded initiative, was disqualified from the bidding process on August 27, 2025. Rolaan’s disqualification stemmed from the Procurement Committee’s inability to verify its ISO Certificate, a requirement for participation in the tender process. However, the IPRP found that the decision was based on an incorrect and insufficient verification process.
The Procurement Committee, represented by key figures including Pastor Dr. Mohamed Kallon and others, argued they could not validate the ISO certificate through an established website. Continuing, they justified their decision by stating they accessed only a specific website address rather than conducting a broader search, which would have included the correct URL provided on the certificate.
During a session held on September 1, 2025, the panel examined both parties’ arguments. Rolaan's representatives—Mr. Lansana Rolaan Robert, Mrs. Ansonia Koroma, and Mr. Ernest C. Greene—asserted that the disqualification lacked proper justification, highlighting that the ISO Certificate contained a valid website address (https://www.ukasltd.co.uk/certificate-clients/ Certificate Number: QA-55185/0725).
The IPRP’s report heavily criticized the Procurement Committee for neglecting section 53(1) of the Public Procurement Act of 2016, which requires entities to seek clarification when there are doubts or challenges related to bid submissions. Instead of reaching out to Rolaan Enterprises for clarification following difficulties in verifying the QR code on the certificate, the committee hastily eliminated them from consideration.
“The procuring entity did not seek clarification as provided in section 53(5) of the Act when the QR code could not direct them to a website address,” the report noted. This omission ultimately led to a decision that lacked the necessary grounding, as it failed to explore all available avenues for verification.
Moreover, while the Procurement Committee relied heavily on the World Bank's procurement guidelines, the IPRP underscored the primacy of Sierra Leone’s procurement laws, stating unequivocally, “The procurement law of Sierra Leone takes priority over any guidelines in all procurement processes."
The implications of this ruling extend beyond the Rolaan Enterprise case. It reflects a broader need for enhanced transparency and fairness in procurement practices within the country. With public funds at stake, any missteps could result in significant financial losses for government projects, as well as hinder the delivery of crucial educational resources.
The IPRP directed the Evaluation Committee to re-evaluate Rolaan Enterprises within seven days of receiving the decision. This re-evaluation will specifically include scrutiny of the ISO Certificate, now confirmed to be verifiable, and will occur under the supervision of an observer from either the National Public Procurement Authority or the Anti-Corruption Commission.
Rolaan Enterprises expressed relief and gratitude following the ruling. “This decision restores our faith in the procurement process,” said Mr. Lansana Rolaan Robert, one of the company’s representatives. “We remain committed to providing quality educational materials to help support children’s education in our communities.”
Conversely, the Procurement Committee acknowledged its oversight. Dr. Luseni and Pastor Dr. Kallon admitted that they had limited their search too narrowly, stressing that ISO certificates can be verified through numerous websites.
As the IPRP works to facilitate a fairer procurement landscape, stakeholders within the sector are reminded of the importance of adhering to local legal frameworks while navigating international guidelines. This case illustrates the delicate balance needed between compliance with donor expectations and adherence to national legislation.
The recent ruling by the IPRP serves as a timely reminder of the significance of due diligence and transparent processes in public procurement. The re-evaluation of Rolaan Enterprises opens a pathway for the provision of vital educational materials, ultimately benefitting classrooms and students across Sierra Leone.

05/10/2025

world Teachers Day

03/10/2025

Frontpage Stories

01/10/2025

IMMEMORIAL
Two years have woven its way through our lives without you: a dear Wife, Daughter, Teacher, Friend and Sister, Mrs. Mariatu Koroma (Nee Sesay) as you left us on 2nd October, 2023.
Your smiles and laughter still echo in our hearts, a comforting embrace remains with us, undiminished each passing days.
Mrs. Koroma, you have left this world, but your memories remain etched in our souls.
Gone from our sight but never from our hearts. You are dearly missed.
Though you are no longer here, Mrs. Koroma, the lessons you imparted and the love you shared continues to guide us, like a lighthouse guiding torch in the night.
Remembering you on this day fills us with both sadness and gratitude.
Continue to Rest In Perfect Peace Mrs. Mariatu Koroma (Nee Sesay)