PORTLOKO CROWNS SOCIAL SAFETY NET AS THE MINISTER OF TOURISM AND TEAM DROP SAFETY NET ANCHOR

Port Loko launching: The Guru on the Mic calling the programme to order was done by the able Deputy General Manager- Mr. J.M. Moijueh- National Tourist Board

Chairman and master of ceremony for the Launching was the political macho, Mr. William Robinson, who dropped his smart wise words, to preach peace and tourism, to the minds of the Beneficiaries.

Just after a well and prudent done job for the people of Makeni, the feed backs sent a alert readiness to people of Port Loko, that happens to be the fifth and final station on the Safety Cash Galore Transfers, to workers within the Tourism and Hospitality Sectors respectively.

Many ill thoughts and still thinking whether the Social Safety Cash Transfer (SSNCT) is a gimmick or a mind game, but realities on the four and fifth stations paid so far has generated different views on the positive side of the SSNCT.

The cash Transfers so far has aid the livelihood of the sector players and workers and as well mitigate the internal tensions from staff on Hotel owners and similar establishment.

Thanks and Appreciation, from mostly women in Port Loko, had no reasons to withhold thanks to the President for a timely intervention with such needful package to mend their lives, during this pandemic and pandering moments.

Mothers and father’s within the sector, that have been long awaiting for the light to shine and finally God has answered their prayers, with the SSNCT amounting to Le. 1.8 million for beneficiaries within the sector to be precised

The Director of Tourism Mr. Mohamed Jalloh, served as an eye opener to detailed the essence of Tourism to the people of North-West on how Tourism and Hospitality can can change the face of the country and Port Loko in particular, he admonished them, to place relevance on the things that will attract investment and increased tourism perspectives within the region at all times.

The Hon. Minister of Tourism in her key Net statement, implored the audience and key stakeholders of the the region to sing the national pledge, before addressing them. She clearly stated, that peace for development is a core, that every one must be committed to it, that posterity will not judged us based on our actions towards our beloved Sierra Leone.

The SSNCT is here to bail out workers within the Sectors of Tourism and Hospitality.

Therefore, they the Beneficiaries must be thankful to God and the government for such a time like in our era.

This manner of chestures has never happened in this country, so this is the first maiden SSNCT to the people of Sierra Leone. She concluded by calling on all tourism players and actors to take registration and taxations very serious, has she said, these monies are generated from these avenues.

The ceremony sent moments of emotions to the people of Port Loko and it’s environs, as must of the Beneficiaries and hotel owners underated the due process.

This just completed prudent and effective process sent a clear indication of the seriousness of Government to the Sectors.

The vote of thanks was given by a smiling beneficiary, who took his time to extend appreciation to the President for the father role he has shown.

To the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs for her professional leadership in carefully carrying out this critical work.

To the deputy Minister of Tourism for giving his relentless support to the Hon. Minister. We must not forget the Ministry of Finance for also believing in the justification submitted by the Minister.

Our Director of Tourism, I must boldly say, you are a tourism lover and Hospitality Guru for also giving your time.

National Tourism Board, the work began with them we on this part will continue to give our best to the entire team.

The Minister also extended appreciation to: ACC,NCRA, MOF, NTB, MTCA STAFF, INTERNAL AUDIT TEAM and the entire team for pulling out this manner of project.

The Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs (MTCA), National Tourist Board in Collaboration with Ministry of Finance (MoF) and Team Continue Launch of Social Safety Net Support Scheme in the Northern Region District Headquarter town – Makeni, 23rd August, 2020

Following the successful launch of the Tourism Safety Net Support scheme in the East and Southern regions, the Hon. Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Dr. Memunatu B. Pratt and team safely arrived in Makeni – the Northern Region District Headquarter town to continue the launching with the cash disbursement to employees in the Tourism and Hospitality Sector at the Wusum Hotel Conference Hall.

Steered by the Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Hon. William I. K. Robinson commented on the Ministry’s responsibilities in promoting Public awareness and community involvement in tourism, a resource naturally endowed to Sierra Leone. He further noted that this safety net support scheme is to support employees in respect of easing the Covid-19 impact on the sector.

The Paramount Chief Bai Shebora Kasangna II welcomed the program in his region describing it as a laudable and timely initiative which will not only benefit the beneficiaries but also their family members and other relatives.

Representative from the Makeni City Council on behalf of Her worshipful the Mayor conveyed welcoming message to the Hon. Minister and her Team for the development strides made so far adding that the people of the municipality are ready to work with her Ministry at all times.

Deputy A.I.G. North Mr. Lansana Momorie Koroma expressed appreciation for the Safety Net Support and assured all of a very good safety and security measures that is in place for the region and ended by thanking the government for such a venture in easing the impact of the present pandemic on the lives of employees in the Tourism and Hospitality Sector.

The representative of the Hotel and Tourism Association (HTA) Northern Region, Annie Bangura extended appreciation to government citing that this has never happened in the history of Sierra Leone and appealed for consideration on behalf of employees whose management failed to submit employees list as requested by this Ministry.

The Director of Tourism, Mr. Mohamed Jalloh stated that Sierra Leone is naturally blessed in terms of tourism potentials adding that there is huge economic impact within the sector, that is why the government has identified it as a key sector in diversifying the country’s economy.

The Resident Minister North, Mr. Abu Abu  Koroma  embraced the gesture and thanked the President  for such initiative and also  noted the essence of involving Local Authorities as custodians of natural assets in the Tourism Sector. He admonished all that the support is for all regions and we must extend our hospitable culture to one another as Sierra Leoneans.

The keynote address from the Hon. Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu B. Pratt climaxed the event by describing the day as a divine day and that is why her Team decided to pay beneficiaries even on Sunday. She asked all to sing the National Pledge to show nationalism and emphasizing that this is not the time for politics but time for national development and service delivery.

She highlighted the support of H. E. the President in identifying tourism as a major driver for economic diversification and that within two years major impact has been achieved in rebranding and marketing the country as a destination at the international level and that has placed us among the top tourism destinations in the world. She cited the arrival of 300 Danish citizens and over 700 participants in the Budapest-Bamako Rally from 80 different countries choose Sierra Leone as the final destination in 2020.

Going forward among other things, she concluded the event with a formal launching of the Northern Regional tourism safety net support scheme followed by cash disbursement to all beneficiaries whose names were submitted to NTB and HTA as requested by this Ministry inter earlier.

Identifying tourism as a potential sector capable of providing sustainable jobs and revenue generation opportunities, the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs continued the aspiration of H.E. the President Rtd. Brg. Julius Maada Bio to launch the Safety net Support scheme in the Southern Region, Bo at the St. Francis Hall, on Friday 21^st August, 2020.

The event was chaired by the Hon. Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs William I.K. Robinson, he welcomed dignitaries and participants and informed them on the commitment of the Ministry to promote sustainable tourism driven by the private sector including the local communities as custodians of the country’s unique tourism assets. He continued that Tourism Sector being the most affected by covid-19 and that a message to heal the affected workers is on the way to be revealed by the Hon. Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, fondly known as Mama “Sharp’’ with sharp deliverables. He remarked.

Representing the A.I.G. Southern Region, A.S.P. Mrs. Cecilia Koroma expressed appreciation, delivered on security assurance and re-emphasized compliance to Covid-19 measures.

His Worship the Mayor of Bo City Council, represented by the Deputy Chief Administrator Arthur Alieu conveyed warm welcome message from his Worship the Mayor the host and that the safety net scheme in alleviating covid 19 impact on affected employees within the tourism Sector is timely.

Representative from the Bo District Council Mr. Sylvester Boima Procuemnt Officer, acknowledged the relevance of collaborative public-private partnership to promote the Hospitality Industry and admonished participants to believe in the process of Government.

On the purpose of the launch, the Director of Tourism Mohamed Jalloh informed that this program is a continuation of the national launch of the safety net support scheme on 13^th August 2020 endorsing the Presidential recognition and interest to provide jobs security especially within the tourism sector that was gravely set back by Covid-19 pandemic. He also noted the importance of tourism as alternative to negative environmental activities.

The Resident Minister South, Hon. Mohamed Kondugba Alieu welcomed all and highlighted the challenges inherited from the past 10 years but as a responsible government, efforts are on to provide the people with better public amenities. He further informed on the current electricity equipment installations in the region under his supervision.

Finally, delivering her keynote address, the Hon. Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs acknowledged the tremendous support of H.E. the President Rtd .Brg. Dr. Julius Maada Bio to the Tourism Sector including the Ministry of Finance and other MDAs through a National Development Integrated Strategy in-cooperated by the government. She highlighted gains made by the tourism sector with increase in arrivals and receipt contributing to GDP growth but cut short by the covid-19 pandemic health restrictions. “Recognizing the government’s interest to cushion the negative impact of covid-19 on workers, this tourism social safety net scheme will cover three months basic salary to affected tourism employees whose names were submitted to NTB by their employers,” she maintained.

Closing thanks was delivered by a representative from the beneficiaries as the program was followed by disbursement of the safety net cash support to beneficiaries.