The government of Sierra Leone has partnered with Africell to revive Sierratel as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO), allowing the company to operate on Africell's existing network infrastructure without requiring massive capital investment in new towers and equipment. This partnership model enables Sierratel to compete in the telecommunications market while the government retains 100% ownership of the brand and assets, receives a 12% revenue share, and addresses legacy staff liabilities through a $2 million initial payment from Africell. The MVNO approach provides a cost-effective solution for governments struggling with state-owned enterprise liabilities while maintaining control over national telecommunications infrastructure.
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>> They teach and preach but good governance. You want for country.
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You give everybody a chance. 98.1 radio democracy radio democracy radio democracy on news and entertainment radio democracy radio democracy radio democracy on news and entertainment >> right the society for radio democracy 192 it's exactly 7:30 a.m. We still talk stitching as we bring them to you in news and affairs program. Good morning salom.
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Good morning free time. Good morning Salion and welcome to the program good morning salon where they come to you live from the society for democracy 98.1 FM Monday May 25 2026 and we bring the program to you this Monday morning >> and I know so the rainy weather >> uh the rain tough um that small rain come as we can see um this use for the drink and plastic rubber to treat it really affect >> me I don't for confusion I don't let people man drink to thick water street so you know confusion everybody so system not >> yeah so man can feel s you put you you you you you reach empty the right place but continue so >> so one of them on Friday off I going to the guy eat the mango the plastic mango see the for inside the gutter I tell if he block now this all over the the the shift and come and then shop there all suffer but again the one place where government really need for pay attention especially the salon police and fon Lumbly lumbly be the most worst place um west be preserved and market woman in the west >> and I tell you in the next three four years lomly go begin get market table if you don't take that for cut off >> well the program good morning sal continue thought of the day sunshine follows rain say good thing can happen after bad one and this woman point them for today edition of the program. Good morning salon. According to the mayor for the Freton city council, Levon Akisoya the 11 roadm they make put 196 solar lights make parking space go reduce traffic and accident them where can happen the central business district.
The president for the salon football administration Babamara don't turn over for bill 435 seats per billion with scoreboard now the football academy where cost over $200,000 and today inside the program radio democracy go talk to the minister of communication innovation and technology Salimaba and Joabas Bangura managing director for Saratel as they will talk about the agreement where government signed with Afr said for make Saratel coming start for work and we go talk to the German ambassador to salon Dr. Pascal Richer we go talk about EU 50year diplomatic relation with saloon.
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Good morning salon to you live from different radio station them across the country. You listening live from Radio Democracy 98.1 FM radio shalom 89.5 and Falaba district radio Malen 88.5 radio 1j1.3 district radio 90.0 Zambia radio 105.5 radio voice of 95.7 district voice of car on 98.0 Voice of Maso district advocacy radio district radio on 106.7 at FM on 95.9 district and tongo radio on 107.5 FM the program good morning salon you can be part of where you can send your message now we ready democracy 981 981 message inbox and same also you can send them on with Facebook page and radio democracy YouTube page the program good morning salon they continue >> we start for look at issues we go say the mayor for the freeon city council leon soy say the $498,000 city to city corporation central business district urban regeneration project for make then do 11 road put 196 solar Right. Make parking space the central business district.
Talk this way. One way we do we councilman do the central business district for Alpha Wuka Dongu.
For more on this we join Adi Jackson.
>> The city to city central business district urban regeneration project a project with the city of Zurich through the UN a habitat. They support the Freetown city council for do and the aim for this project. Now for CI the free city council do tinder at the central business district we going to make free fine like any other city at the wall and this project they under the transform freedom transform in life when the agenda of Ivan Aisoya mayor of free the total money for this project now $498,000 where gold salon they support the free city council for implement for see how this project they go after them don't give this project to one contractor ctor make the mayor of Freton I worship Ivan Akisoya together with the deputy mayor the chief administrator and command at the Fton city council gold salon the salon roads authority don't go on a different side that the central business district where this project target they talk the mayor of free and worship Ivon Aisoya talk more about this project and the reason for the work we doing at the central business district >> we've been working on intervention ion called the central business district CBD regeneration and this is the central business district we're in right now and for the purposes of this particular intervention we're focusing on 11 streets what are we doing well the first thing is that on five streets possibly six now based on today's walkound we are improving the pavements the footpaths so you see now the interlocking blocks um those are being installed around those five main streets and then the slabs will be taken across um to cover the drainage so it won't be open anymore and that will really improve the ability of Freonians to walk in the city. It means you get off the road which improves the congestion on the road. The roads are for the cars, the pavements are for the people because in as much as we are bringing the funding to this we recognize that this pavements are the mandate of SLR. So this is an example of collaboration and complementing. Um myself, the deputy mayor, the chief administrator and other members of staff goal who are implementing partners. We have walked around the streets to see what their challenges are, to see the achievements and just to make sure that we're keeping an eye on the work as it rolls out.
>> The mayor Ivon Aisoya also talk about some of the things that were inside this project and what they hope for achieve after we don't complete this project. We are also going to be installing 196 solar lights in the 11 streets in the central business district and we'll be introducing a greening intervention. The main feature of that greening intervention will be work done on the cotton tree but there will be other elements of greening around the CBD. And finally we'll be introducing a controlled parking zone. So you have metered parking um where people can pay for a short period of time, a long period of time, pay as you go parking which will also help to improve congestion in the city.
>> Inside the project manager for CL group, when are the construction coming where they make their road? Yeah. Engineer Simeon Johnson talk about how far they don't go with this work. The idea of the project is city council has an idea that they want 2 m from the cab to be exclusively for the walkway. They've realized that the walkway over the years has been used up by street parking and illegal structures and even street trading. So they want to create a 2 m from the cab to the building line that people could use for walking free work.
It's a one-year project. We started in January and we hope to be ending by December. Engineer Simeon Johnson end up for assure the mayor and the team say then go work for CC then complete this project inside 12 month term for the society for radio democracy Jackson the report >> the program good morning sal continue to come to you from the society for radio democracy 98.1 FM as you get from we headline wer we headline today inside the program good morning sir Salon we they talk to the minister of communication innovation and technology we salim and also we go talk to we talk to the managing director for Saratel as they go talk about the agreement with government sign with a for make Saratel company start for work for welcome studio guest we abas we go take you through the program on this agreement between Afr and government of Sri L for make Saratel begin workba. Good morning and welcome to the program. Good morning salon.
>> Morning. Thank you for having me.
>> Yes. The last time we host you, we host you as ael u is it corporates affairs director? What was it?
>> Yeah. Yeah. Yes. Was corporate affairs.
It's changed then to chief um you know partnership and projects. Um so from corporate affairs was chief partnerships and projects.
>> Okay. Na as managing director for Saratel. Yes.
>> Congratulations.
>> Thank you. Thank you very much.
>> You still hold your old position.
>> Um not not um not not not as much. Um but actually so um chief partnerships and projects. What that means is that there are lots of specialized projects where um I be involved for drive something in India from the beginning.
And so my involvement with the Seattle MVNO project started in me capacity as a project chief partnership and projects officer but obviously this is a very big project um and now move in way to uh a full managing director. Um so I have I still have some roles for play but it's it's only very very very minuscule um role that I have to play. My main job if I sleep awake every day is is managing director for Seattle. That's what I That's what I sleep and wake up to.
>> All right. The name Joabas Banga as you don't know the person. You don't know voice name. And you just mentioned chief partnership and project and you play a great role in terms of different project including this one right.
>> Yes.
>> So is it that even though you say you not too much older position is it that finally you get for put down that position day?
>> Yeah totally. Um totally if um you know sleep and wake this is my main this is my main role that I that I now play and obviously note that this is a secondment for ael safel seconded me to this um to the to this role and so this is what I sleep and wake up to um so gradually but f because you've involved in things then those things that I've been involving internally are gradually being passed on to other people then the process may actually don't start so um this work needs attention and I need forever and the attention we require.
>> So, so meaning I mean appointing a disposition.
>> Yes. Yes. Now, now second me to this position present me name to government and um and you know government through the ministry um accept me candidacy for lead for lead the project.
>> All right. We can look at um your vision the main um focus and waiting now some of the team ahead in terms of road map for the development of of Catel. But firstly apart from the name Jabas Banga where people go um tag with call to business and also tag with a bangu in the >> well umian were grow up like a lot of cunians pin we born to parents them were struggle for come up in our life um me story precede me um which I've told over and over to young people them, energize them born to parents not go school at all. I struggle right through school faine.
I sell donuts now municipal school kerosene in the evening. Uh but then you know with the power we get as individuals that once you know you know say you your past not define you your environment not define you your parents not define you um I discovered the power of choices for shape me life um so that even at before me 22nd birthday then they have been in heavy frustration where um even if I see them one school together and Albert ID not see me um I realized through a mentor that me choices they shape in a life not so just me background would have born me and how I grew up once I realized down there I discovered yes I could shape my life just by the choices I made every day so since then it's been one good choice after another one deliberate choice after another for go back now school even five years after after I' been left school Albert Academy I had to go back now school go take me O levels again that ended on a government independent school I go take me O levels and I passed that was the third time I took my O levels and then uh made my way to audit service, you know, sponsor me, uh, KPMG, chartered accountant, um, and everything else follow with the things them way I get for uh, build businesses then you call to business where I start from the beginning only five staff been one branch and uh, but build them into by the time they step down um, you know the business motor from five staff to 123 staff, from one branch to nine branches, from $100,000 um uh loan book to $4.5 million loan book, lots of other things that were happening inside the business. Um then, you know, move to um AIL, start a fresh journey day where we build and build um you know, build from the scratch 200 um five joined AIL. I joined a in 2005. the company being just 2 months old. Um so we were there from the beginning very beginning built from way at 20,000 subscribers um if we get 100 sims we will sell 100 sim card for the day we don't try and it's big celebration so from from then they build so I've been I've been there since you know ael has been a university for me um and a lot of other things they want to know so you know to business I learn for build businesses but then ael teach me all the other things them about marketing corporate marketing and building a strategy and um lots lots and of of other things. So um that's what brought me here today. um you know how many years later, 30 something years later. Uh but but I I want to be grateful to God um you know Aficel the MD Shadi um for the the you know confidence where he get and also the minister uh for communication um that you know accepted two governments accepted the nomination that was made that you know I you know that I I could be somebody where they lead this project. I shouldn't kid you that the bulk of waiting it take for run this project um hangs on people with a BN there are lots of people so the entire engineering team now the entire marketing team now are deployed to this project so you know for real for real for real they sleep and wake they tell me say just the face of this project but you get a whole battalion of um you know people from engineers all the engineering team and and marketing team now if you sell to make sure say this project succeeds.
>> All right. From what you explained from 2005 John Ael, it seems as if you know um um original stakeholder of >> Yes. Yes. original. Original.
>> All right. Now look at the this the status of this um of Sarat since when um government um together with now as managing director with status. You don't need the work.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I don't start work. I start work the very day and um I start work the very day the project was launched by his excellency president bo and um you know we we put out a lot of put out press release and and everything but since then what's been happened we don't set up the first point of sale outlet niata uh we provide limited services the 8:30 to 5:30 every day uh Monday to Friday on Saturday we did day and basically people I mean they during the opening ceremony we get um sim cards we give we give sim cards as as I speak to you now the 0 to5 um code is on forel it ride on the official network so that any s you this country once a day 0 to 5 day each day and so the 0 to 5 day actively on now I I have my own number on and so we we're running the test then we were supposed to on the posata We provide limited services to one we need um eim when electronic sim you know to sim card you need for putting your phone and then installations and they don't and we still sell them sims then and um you know give complimentary sims uh we provided sims to um you know cabinet ministers um all um heads of MDAs all lined up we'll get a list now where we don't get maybe up to 200 where sim cards then we take to the office one after the other because this is a government the government um you know projects this and so um we want to make sure every minister deputy minister heads of MDs they all get the the sim go ahead >> you know thinks that's that that could be the starting of a problem >> go ahead >> um for g see to government ministers that this is a government project we see what ediding to go through in partnership with not only EDSA you get government entities where they do business with government they go bankrupt and they don't they don't pay they pay the debt government businesses not do well now don't come say they revive Saratel start first of all for gimm to ministers give them free or they pay for them or they build them prepaid or postpaid >> well yeah ministers then get sim cards and then use any other customer use them we are a business and um this business is insulated enough, protected enough because government interest now for make sure say they survive and compete like how other um you know mobile phone companies they compete at the country for do that they are disciplines commercial disciplines business disciplines so it's supposed to for maintain so those disciplines will be maintained but for show government get this every government minister supposed for able for use this network for show then believe in in you know government in in agenda We we can look at some of the strategies them put in place for revive the business and some of the stripes but um Jo Abbas Satel for long we as journalist don't they cover them stories them whether they workers they not pay them or they don't take them billing them they use them for other purpose not take over or not partner with Saratel First of all for listeners thing they still they find them difficult to understand how this partnership get for work. All right. Then we this model is called the mobile virtual network operator. MVN O mobile virtual network operator. We mean say now that model way they help you for make you provide but you want for provide mobile phone services. You cable for provider without you get network. I mean say somebody get the network network by network we talk about the tower them you know they get get base stations you get generator all the towers them all over the country um you know every you know you get major mobile phone companies in this country when I didn't get the tower so all we do in this stage this case is to um sign up an agreement where um satel go ride on the aisel network for make sure say every southside um ael then the country you can able for bring the um the signals the Cel signals all over the country. So now in a mobile virtual network operator that's what this this means now you get three parties them to this um this discussion where the first one government to the original satell operations way then you get a free cell on the one side and the middle of these two you get the um the mobile virtual network operator way that is what we run that is what I am managing director for the original seatel day within team and government and the minister will actually um you know give more details um on on their operations and you know what's what's happening um going forward but what we what we what I am managing now the mobile virtual network operations where we sell the network they drive for we where they make sure say to GSM where you sim card they work once we begin the sim card it work any phone from phone to smartphone it's not based on the CDMA we've been data But it's on GSM.
>> So this partnership they understand you well not get anything for do with the assets or liabilities of a of Saratel.
>> No you not get anything for do with the assets and liability government you like I said minister and minister for minister for for really um you know Rob but he not get nothing for the one we get. So now at this state not get nothing for do with the assets except assets where we they use for run the MVNO. So for example currently work they go on now all about the country for make we refurbish the POS the point of sale outlet them when you be able for service customers them all about the country so work don't start all over for make sure the POS ready in time for we commercial launch inside June so that work day you know we last last weekend look at the work um the next bit would be to look at happen north the north northwest in from Port Locia and um and you know even all the way to Connor for find out what Mckeni the work we did for make sure say we can get those POS ready for a commercial launch inside June. All right, we we will ask the minister within the agreement between government and and a free cell in relation to the revive of Saratel.
But before you mention about um the 025 they ride on a free network. Is it that at this point uh Saratel get infrastructure for network?
It's um it's you know for make you invest in a network like we get the size way afel get now it's it's hundreds of millions of dollars that's what's going to take now with the market we get very strong in combent players there what you require now for make government invest something similar to that one the back and obviously government get big priorities there a lot of other things you said they talk about that I best do for one business you know is it government and Musa said they say that you know you know government you want for run real real business you know for put government in and so therefore it makes sense at this point in time minister could tell you just not say you know they don't try options them in the past in terms of how for make sure say we bring come back this brand the way we all leon um you know those those models have not worked because by the tell you they don't know all the investments where you supposed for you can't begin now for meet the competition at the country It's any any investor where they do balanced analysis would know this is an uphill task and it was almost impossible for so it was very innovative that the minister and and and ael sit together and say this model it don't work all but the world if you go now you know England the first MVN get virgin mobile virgin mobile they not get a network then they ride on the three major networks them within America when EO2 vod phone or three no network the rest if you anyone from like a mobile to all of the one anyway they England now mobile virtual network operation so it's the easiest way to be able to make sure you can increase accessibility because now marketing strength now you push now the network the same at the back the strength the same the quality the same now marketing you know how do you market this product how do you position them how do you make sure you create far-flung outlets them so cable for receive this the experience from the front where you able for create this was the best as as we know this was the best option that we had with the minister and with Afel able for negotiates together and um you know we make easy from day one like I said I get me 025 number I can call any sign of this country any sign of this country and I will forget and government still go all the assets >> more into that partnership continue for still to the program Joabas Bangura managing director for Saratel as she they talk about one agreement with government signed with Afr for make Saratel coming start for WBA the program good morning sal continue >> inside the program I want to welcome the minister of um communication technology and innovation good morning ma and name Madame Salam good morning >> good good morning good morning thank you for call invite me >> all right um today we look at Saratel and um waiting some of the team that we listen especially with the agreement with between Saratel and um for revive this mobile network but firstly we start off at the ministry it is >> ministry has been going well don't do well >> what are some of the new thing then under your leadership >> um um I think the ministry we're making moves the min move from um um you building we've relocated to the new natka towers Um this weekend we were at the consumer parliament um with NATa and KMA will bring together um stakeholders um consumers um promote with the private sector and for discussing the sector and then how we all come together for make make changes.
>> Any project implement in a recent time? Um we get the World Bank project the World Bank um digital transformation project um which has been going well and we're still under under implementation.
>> Okay. Now the the keys show the talk on inside the program this morning get for with the arrangement between government and Afric I've not discussed today um earlier this morning um the government signed an agreement um with a to partner with Afel to revive Saratel as an MVNO um as an MVNO operator. Um it's something we as family where has gone through years of um um um challenging in terms of operated or loss market share and we don't get due to the degradation of the network infrastructure. way we don't we don't try different models um in um for how for revive um but we see this um um proposal and partnership from Afel as one way for me I looking at all the circumstances involved we believe this partnership with at zero cost to government and the taxpayers would allow us to bring back um Saratel within the shortest possible time bring back um the network and the product um um for a specific I think audience I think that's something that's missing because it's not just about bringing back seatel we had to think about bringing back satel for who who would it serve what would be the purpose looking at as mentioned this is a country of three successful thriving incumbent companies so you get for kind of understand so it will be sustainable place so um um um situated that day and also this agreement goes alo allow we put us in a position for begin take care of some of the long long liabilities that we say at we make by the time potentially if this is done government will be in a better position to make a decision um for what next it could be continuing as an MVNO there's no reason not to it can be to say okay let's go full privatization because you know we don't in a better position or it can be full state government take over full um operations attended um all these options um would be available but the only difference would mean we'll be in a better position um to be able to make those and make sure so government get the better end of that deal. So that's the agreement um um that we reach which um we're really proud of because it's an example of government um thinking outside the box people solution you know there solve problem the same types of solutions. So this is one we're proud of as an example of government being willing to be innovative, being willing to think outside the box of the problem or solve the problem that we face today.
>> All right, we don't get a lot of names.
We be one can't take over Sarah but unfortunately um some of the names the names in the area again would propose is it government or official? Um um we were approached um by Aficel um but as you mentioned we don't get names and you know I always say it's people from outside when you read outside and just look at and I think so that's a testament by the way to seatel in legacy because most people think about and they think oh that's a great opportunity they think of a company that had great potential at some point in ceroneel's mifi were renowned so I think say it's a it's a testament to that legacy. So most people think oh but it shouldn't take so much for fix. So most people come and see we show realities you can fancy um um then they begin hesitate um on that small. So but on this um um even before me assumption of the office um government actually made reach out to all three of the operators and ask them for proposal in terms of um um all propose um for try for potential partnership and all three of them may submit. So after at some point I take over back I look at the um some of them proposal then for suicide and they but actually during that period they appelled them now out of the all then come back for still express put on file the interest for still continue so we decided to to take that forward >> all right I just want to inform you managing director black so all right now look at the role of government. Um we know say a lot of issues in terms of the mandem and of service benefits salary and the wise would take up the responsibility. Um so one thing for me class part of this um agreement all the the existing liabilities um remain with government but um part of this in terms of how we solve it we got a um we were able to work as part of this agreement was signed um a cell provided a $2 million um um advanced payment which now use for begin pay off some of them staff liabilities there. So um we may do initial assessment based off the initial desk assessment done by the ministry of employment and labor in collaboration with the tele management team who include a union rep and the initial liabilities were estimated around $6 million. Um our cell has provided initial $2 million where they begin use for take care of their liability but just to be mentioned now we go through the process of verification. And it's a good term actually for mentioning this process um is led by the audit sele as part of the committee would set up for go through the verification process including um the ACC audit cerone ministry of communication ministry of labor ministry of finance um they're all part of this um um committee where they where they do this verification process they go ongo now I believe say should have been completed by last week or so.
So once that is done and the the chair of the committee which is audit gives us a green night to begin pay immediately um hopefully this week um um some of those um um um um backlog or outstanding um liability. But on a whole the when it come to staff wise with company we need to take a re look you know this um liability has been allowed to grow staff number grew and the problem say government maybe not for business it's some of those things government how a private person might make a a decision government make decision private person now profit pure profit government say but we people need job government the decision to make even way the company make money for survive for sustain the people any business right you said they run business if if the money make for pay staff you closed down the business but government you remember oh but these are pull so for us I mediate we we're not driven by profit like our private profit basis so don't allow this situation for the high day we've kept the the the manpower and the way that is even though it's not been profitable. So this a good opportunity um whilst we address um the the legacy staff issue therefore really take another look reassess the staff and manpower able to make decisions about what is needed going forward.
>> Now most uh staff that we talk about now we not get for pay them backlog. Yeah.
Currently with the current staff now 179 that does include the retired people people unfortunately don't pass away all of them will still also and we still for but the current just existing on post now >> what happened to the asset of uh Sarat in this agreements the buildings across the country >> so as Mr. Joe mentioned the assets are not part of his agreement at all.
Government still retains um the assets they're not part of the MBN they only use now for the pro but actually government is going through another process of reviewing the assets and will be making a separate agreement on the assets management and and and investment and buy but this was just purely on the for the assets we're going to right now we do an asset audit because even for do an agreement you need for know which status the assets are building right there buildings not habitable so you can't even out right the assets we completely stay in a physical state somebody can't be utilized at all so we're doing an audit to understand the current status asking now um why is it decide that the Saratel network only ride on a sale network across the country why not allow about a full take over of the entire program, the infrastructure, the staff and everything.
>> Um well because again there's two on this you get for bear in mind this is not a privatization. This agreement is not to privatize it's a partnership.
>> So why why not privatize >> well you know by the way set's been out for privatization twice. We'll put out a full notice for privatizing full privatization of settle twice. We go through the whole process and as I mentioned we come down to it when you talk about full private full private means that partner they can't take over all the liabilities we get most private people they pull out because imagine me as an investor one you tell me say and by the way to staff liability you get so many um through the government is repaying a $35 million loan back to the Chinese government because of this CD the same CDMA we put we in this problem government is still paying that loan for that CDM technology owes other private investors call loan all over the place so imagine for private I just say why not privatize we don't attempt for privatize before but anytime you want privatize we put her out once the winning be at the table and we begin go through and see the the reality >> put this to a which this is not a privatization.
>> No propose to Africa.
>> No, no, no, no. We didn't because wouldn't want to.
>> Is it that Saratel gets baggage excess baggage to an extent that nobody no one can close to her?
>> Absolutely.
>> So, but so think about the realities.
>> What about government reviving it? So but then that's a question of priority as as as um as I I'm just coming Mr. Jo explain but to revive Saratel for me compete and rival right against the existing incumbent operators. You talk about first of all um the looking at how the markets right now right you have three strong operators for you to get similar network infrastructure to wait in and get you get for invest hundreds of millions of dollars in the for improve the network for revive the network then you get for compete with them because telecom industry is a very specific kind of industry right if ask almost how long don't get your phone number for how long you don't get your phone number Since um >> so how long? How many years?
>> 20 18 number >> exactly how how long you don't get >> 211.
So I I mention because that's how the industry is it is not an industry where people change change then phone numbers right so any new incumbent player that's what you can't compete against. So force you don't get for invest hundreds of millions of dollars for revive network then you can explain you the liabilities then you get for invest in liabilities to get that then now before you begin member for compete against existing players in the market where most people they don't get they don't capture the market share so now most of the people you get new subscriber you get for really all the easy subscribers all man don't capture so the new one that you get for really work so in that circumstances is another kind person they can commit. So abbas when he start for they don't give ministers then see you get one >> they actually not give me to I think the only minister actually you know they don't give ministers subscribers everybody else >> I ask you because if they give you for drop that you see they use for use >> so this is the thing I will I will I drop me existing but I will use I get because me all the network providers. I use every single one of them. So I could just add me primary now.
>> I continue for the way to inside the program. Madame minister, when we come back um we'll talk to Jo Abbas Bangura with my vision for Sarat and also the minister can tell me um how come about forg I mean take over this office and also sh on this agreement. The program good morning salon come 98.1 you look stress bank >> miss sister go digital >> digital >> yes with bloom bank digital banking JUST TAP CLICK SWIPE AND SEND MONEY RECEIVE money check your balance pay your bills and get quick loans before >> jako koti abu fly.
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The program good morning salon they continue inside the program we look at another issue the newly elected president for the old Edwardian association salon Richard anybody or institution will engage the prince and was name close cap without executive information this national association election I remember this association um for the new executive this join Jafferman's DV >> SECRETARY GENERAL MR. RUFUS VICE PRESIDENT MR. EDWARD THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION of >> I saw the chief electoral commissioner for the old Edwardian association national election Gabriel Sako been they called the winner them of different position them inside the old Edwardian national election this move now part of their situation in preparation for make sure say then get to different thing them why don't they embark the school in development as the school they prepare possibly Celebrate the 105th anniversary. The chief electoral commissioner been talk to E democracy but waiting we make this election able for Don successful one.
>> Well before we get the election we call a meeting and then we read the constitution. We set up the criteria where everybody forgets for make stand which are one you for be a fully paid member for register for 3 years you forget integrity and you forget minimum qualification professional or academic then you can stand. uh we get over 200 people away participate by this election that the most hyped election and the most peaceful we gladly we get a lot of people the way they turn out now we hope say this number we can vote it will translate to membership from this statement important for listen to waiting and whether they will take part this election think about the process in waiting and expectation >> my name is Ibra San election is free and very much and the right people wins election We know that the leader Richard and exe number of student so each work one and one chair problem a proud Edwardian the process I think we all come with our positive energy for work towards school this election win I don't think any individual win we anticipate greatness of the one in put executive elected president always the member ready for help them over seven national position them inside this election Richard and them being for the national president according to the announcement and statement been come out with this big move for the association and the school in name the elections we are peaceful. We thank the outgoing executive for creating the enabling environment. My team is willing to WORK WITH ALL OF YOU GUYS AS Edwardians into ensuring that we take our school our association to a different eye. I want to officially put a ban on every printing of Edwards regalia with immediate effect. Whoever want to print Edward's regalia should come through the executive. Gone are the days where people will use our name and this school or the association will not benefit anything from it. This is a registered institution and we have barrage of lawyers. The law will take its course in the event where the people fail to do the needful. According to Hindus Tennessee part of plan for this school apart from the different projects then for the field and the school in focus now for look inside the constitution and get to digital business. What go help for bring one word between the national body and the diaspora body. We make send this message to all and >> members of this association come on board and support this executive that's the only way we'll be able to succeed but just so they know every single dime of this association will be accounted for whenever we come for general meeting whatever it is that you have come out of the meeting not WhatsApp group so come to the national body register be a part of it and let's move this this school to a different level we had the fourth like what they say they hand over the to the as for we and one for extend the rope as against their upline school and other things cause noise for >> the newly elected president for the old Edwardian association and for call the country and abroad for begin involved in the development project and initiative them where a executive will bring as a commit say it will account for anything where the executive use during the interminal office for the society for democracy Jafferman's Davis The report >> good morning salon the program with the country from 98.1 FM inside the studio feed join away today we talk to the minister of communication innovation and technology Salimaba and Joe Abbas Bangura managing director for Saratel as in the talk one agreement with government sign with a cell for make Saratel come start work back and inside the program anytime from now we will be joined by the German ambassador to salon Dr. Pascal Richard we will talk about the EU50 diplomatic relation with saloon the program good morning saloon day continue and online we go online and get an updates from the all people's congress party on the uh rerun elections where they get over the weekend but meanwhile we still get with studio guest them account to the managing director for Saratel Joe Abbas we don't talk about this agreement and the minister also don't talk about the agreement and my colleague Alia ask to don't start work. What are some of the activities then they do for CC the plan and the um the the partnership within sign for be achieved.
>> Thank you Ma. Um we we I I started saying we already have the POS within AIA um by the civic center if you you you approach it. It's now operational 8:30 to 5:30 every day Monday to Friday and then and on Saturday um at 9:00 to 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. We they provide limited services there where um people I mean they already don't get sim cards.
All the one that will get sim cards will be released that the day um the day where we do the launch have been serviced and also with this we release e sims electronic sim cards. So then people get their phone latest phones where they no need had um sim card for for for make you able for access the network. So we they sell eims electronic sims now um the place there mat but otherwise all over a lot of things they happening now we are launching we get a commercial launch when a full commercial launch um where they be inside June where in August you will see billboards everything where um the show say life day and then this brand day the brand has been relaunched you will see them I told you that there's work going on all over the country now all the side them we we get outlets them work don't commence already uh rebrand them put this with new brand and um recruit the staff train the staff because you know it's new staff them with a with a um with a with a with a pull-up and also want for mention say um we've we've actually and it's public knowledge that the MVNO they also open to receiving applications from the existing Sarah hotel staff them so that anybody with things and qualified and get um you know what it's what is required to take up any positions with inside the MVNO the existing hotel staff them free for for apply so don't they apply already and we don't they conduct some interviews them of of them >> how most of them I don't take >> I can't I don't I don't have the numbers now >> but is it the new from a >> no no so the one fresh recruitment they do all apart from the back office like I said the entire engineering um you know department official and and marketing and there are lots of stuff that is being done at the back end but from the front end now fresh recruitment >> what are the difference between the back end and the front end >> the back end like the engineers said only for recruiting new engineers you get existing engineers then extensions when need but you know for maintain the existing network they already infrastructure timing and you know rigor and routines where there maintain the one those all are already been maintained. So all we need uh for maintain this MVNO brand this MVNO brand is basically mostly in the marketing end. So with the point of sales and um SIM cards been prepared so that you will see SIML sim cards um all fully branded all the marketing materials them um are being prepared uh we will have devices yes my will be out in the market in time for the commercial launch. So all of those things is what's being positioned now. Making sure um you know the staff are separately identifiable. When you see the staff them you will see some we during the launch you would see how you know they were kitted um fully branded um you know Sierrael. So that's all the big walkway they happen now in time for the commercial the commercial launch all of all of that's going on like I said I'll be going also up country um during the course of this week for make sure say all of the locations where PSO for they are active and with CCS we're making good progress for make sure they're doing yeah that's been done recruitment ongoing recruitment and training of the one them go man poss and like I said we're saying again you know from the members of the public from the existing staff them um you know anybody can apply and we've started receiving those applications for make sure um you know we put we best foot forward and and build a satell that we would all be proud of. All right. If you look the old staff there, even some of them don't die young people prioritize them people there.
>> Well, it's like I said again, it's open to applications. Anybody can apply.
Anybody can apply obviously just be to say the way the MVNO set up um it's it's a commercial engine. It's a commercial engine. So that means people involved in the commercial front um opportunities then there but you know people would have to compete and so like I said apply and people would have to compete um for um positions then within the company um most importantly we say you know this has to thrive um government do this deliberately so that once we run this very well minister don't say this no part of part of waiting this thing for make sure say we generate money for able for make sure everything that is owed to Every CIL staff, all CIL staff that is validated, they have to be paid. This engine part of ability for make sure say we generate that revenue we required. So therefore it means we have to maintain a certain level of discipline, commercial discipline, making sure this thing work, making sure we can run the operations, generate the profits where required. Um so it's ultimately at the benefit of the old hotel staff them for make sure say you know they're not for catch their aid again for money we owed to them once it's validated there is an engine where they for generate the revenue we required for make sure say they get paid >> continue for the inside the program we go for a break when we come we can talk to the minister we can give you update about the shong get forget and also um waiting now some of the them. We government expect from the revive of >> Saratel.
You don't look for Sai for keep you money and for make you business grow.
WELL, THAT DETERM FOR keeping money WITH ANY COMMUNITY BANK OR FINANCIAL SERVICES ASSOCIATION with they call FSA WHERE THEY ALL SIGN ALONE because then a good party with good condition where easy for the ordinary man they guide you fine fine one but for manage you money for change you life and the people them and your community say where you keep your money in a bank where they near you you just keep money Bye-bye. But you help your community for go before >> YOU WAITING. YOU WAIT YOU BE businessman or farmer together. SO HE ASKED POSIVE TEACHER OR anybody keep your money NOW ANY COMMUNITY BANK OR FSA NEAR YOU AND SEE HOW YOUR LIFE goes for exchange the number one foreign exchange the country they GIVE ALL THEM 1% % CASH BACK FOR EVERY TRANSACTION WHERE THEY MAKE THROUGH WESTERN Union moni 1% THE GAME SO YOU WILL get from wool party or business partner where they send for you money through western union money or run go any shop where they all about THE COUNTRY FOR YOU fre shop dinner 16 god rich lumbly 59 wellington street 31 Street 19 Fro 10 and 53 San Bacha Street 32A Wilkins Road 9 road and 24 city road port form Liverpool Street for upline with 76 road with five Palmer Street Kala 54 Dala Road with number four street road Mckenni 137 airport Langos compound Kyl and 35 ID road Gambia Tell your neighbor say PC4 in exchange the 1% the game >> you blunt taste ice cream and you don't fe like ice cream no worry again because blue moon ice cream don't come for you >> blue moon ice cream salon they make them and it get different flavor them like chocolate vanilla strawberry almond bubble gum plain yogurt choco ice Pop and different other flavor them.
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program. Good morning s continue on the line. Now we they talk to CDI at Tunis as um on Saturday the APC party may do the rerun of election one forget update within so far out of the election day and on the line now we want for welcome CD atis the national publicity secretary for the APC party. Good morning CD and welcome to democracy.
>> Good morning thank you very much for getting me on. All right. On Saturday election, what happened so far?
Well, uh the elections they just completed yesterday and uh as she rightly stated we'll be getting runs at 65 W and so far by the reports coming in um a whole chunk of their elections they go successfully uh across the country and in places like Faba, Bombali the uh western area, Moamba, Kon other areas then go successfully.
Yes, there are areas who will be about uh in places like Cambia, Karina etc etc but we wait for official reports from them places but I would say to a large extent the elections were successful.
All right. As you say the elections mean successful when I don't collect some of the results them or when I don't start for call them.
No. Um then just complete yesterday. So we wait for from the IMC the internal elections uh management committee when are they responsible for conduct elections but of course we don't we don't get some results unofficial results coming in uh from agents then at the respective districts but we as national executive they wait forget the official results from the I also forget official update from them as to how many elections and they go on successfully and how many of them uh problems be occur and then we will prepare for them going forward.
>> All right. Um any major incident because we see a video or a woman with say some people um I think they see for over voting.
Well, like I said, we are unofficial reports. We see such images and uh videos on social media, but then we not go by them things. We had structures in place, the police, uh the MC, the monitors, them out there, the PPRC. So that one in the you know do the reports and we go get we report and then based on that one day we go respond to them questions they ask officially uh but we still wait the elections then just happened yesterday late in the night I returned from Bombali we didn't make good money to the elections you know so we not meet it as an executive for that we really look that uh their reports there are they get from the field. So I will advise that we wait and by the end of today we going get all of the official you know reports from the field and then we will come back to the public and explain exactly what are the incidents that will happen.
>> All right >> in various parts of the country.
>> All right. Lastly see the the last term we've been get um different people reading at different camp they claim say camp don't don't win the election day maybe sometime may stand for certain position them um what will be your message to supporters them as they wait for call out some of the results there for me anybody politics at this stage premature for CL union because these are just world elections who they try for set up world executives.
So for me if anybody win I go that the APC win because that executive at the end of the day get for work for the party. So I just continue for appeal to we the comrades for remain calm let focus on working in the interest of the party. There are so many dynamics to electing officials in the APC and so whatever people they claim say oh especially those running for flag bearer where they claim at this stage say they don't win s to say maybe these people don't really understand politics and they not really understand the political dynamics as to how presidential candidates are elected in political parties.
will not even start for compile delegates.
You know this is just the initial level of setting up the executive of the party. So no need really for let people begin the at this stage for let people begin you know throw in at this stage because it is way too early for determining anything at the top of the APC.
>> All right it's plenty. Thank you CD way um you give me that opportunity today for talk to listeners them and update them about elections we happen on Saturday plenty. Thank you CD.
>> Always a pleasure. Thank you very much.
>> All right in the national publicity secretary for the APC party yesterday do a rerun of the election where they start for result and as update the public the program.
Good morning salon. We come to you live from democracy 98.1 FM and we bring the program to you this morning >> and namin and uh as we mentioned earlier inside the edition of the program we will be joined by the German ambassador to salon Dr. Pascal Richer where we can talk about um EU 50ear diplomatic relation with salon and inside the studio now we don't be joined by the chairman ambassador good morning and welcome to the program >> good morning Mr. Camara >> uh I hope they talk you now. Howbody morning?
>> Well lovely. Thank you so much for having me.
>> Should I say Gen Morgan?
>> Gauten Morgan. Yeah, >> I can't go beyond that in German.
>> This is fantastic. This is the most common um well expression in the morning in German. Thank you so much. Good morning.
>> Okay. Um, welcome to Ready Democracy. As we've um informed our listeners and viewers of Radio Democracy that we'll be having you today to talk about the European Union, the 50 years uh Golden Jubilee celebration with Srielon, 50 years of relationship with Srielon.
Someone listening to you would first of all like to know what's the EU about?
Well, the European Union is an international organization of 27 member states including the three member states having their own embassies here, France, Ireland and Germany. And then there is the European delegation. Why is that?
Because the European Union is also a subject of international public international law. And um this means member states, these 27 I mentioned, have transferred part of their competences in the field of foreign policies to the European Union whose capital is as you are aware in Brussels.
>> Okay, go ahead.
>> Now, it is a relationship between member states and the European Union which is unique. It does not exist in other parts of the world yet. But the African Union is also bit by bit following this pattern.
And uh we celebrate to our great delight what has begun in 1976.
This partnership between the European Economic Community as it was called at that time. So 50 years ago.
And now as you are aware since the master treaty the European Union is called European Union. Why is that?
Because there are many more competences which have been ever since transferred to Brussels. So to the level of the European Union.
Okay.
The German ambassador to Swoon and you uh mentioned you've given a background what EU is about. Let's look at the 50 years golden jubilee. What are we celebrating? Is there anything to celebrate >> and the partnership between SLUN and Germany?
>> Quite rightly so. There is something to be celebrated even many things. Um we had a great press conference last Wednesday. You would attend Mr. Camra and um this um showed a number of examples.
Now we started with development assistance in 76 but of course it has evolved in so many ways. Now it has become a multiaceted partnership.
Development assistance is always the beginning but what is ultimately meant is of course help and economic cooperation to self-help. And this is why we are particularly pleased as Europeans but likewise as asian partners uh what I know from them both uh from officials as well as civil society there is a strong interest in doing ever more business together and there is something to be unveiled in the beginning of June. I don't want to tell you the secret now, but there is something coming up in the beginning of June and it um relates of course to this interest of Sial Leon to to become ever more involved in doing business with the European Union.
>> All right. Um Ambassador, take me through some of the activity um activities of European Union presently in Seron. What they are doing presently?
Well, there are many projects in so many fields. Let's say in the field of health, for example, there are plenty of projects. Germany being strongly involved as a partner of the European Union. We cooperate very often together with the European Union and why is that interelia? Because we have the GIS. So um the German company owned by the state and being in charge of implementing projects in the field of economic cooperation and so forth. This includes as well projects in the field of um protection of the environment of energy um than education for example. Um but what is particular important is also agriculture and creation of jobs for the youth and so many other things. If you want to have a certain impression go the website of the European Union of the delegation of the European Union in Freetown and you find plenty of cases involved.
>> All right. Um Mr. Ambassador, you have supported um Craon in the education sector uh infrastructure and other areas for over years now. Which of these areas do you I mean believe has made the biggest um development.
>> That is a good question because I think as you hinted it is important to always look at the results. How do we use our funds? how we do do we use our resources. For example, there are three um districts of technical cooperation where um um maternal mortality of mothers has been reduced to under 1% actually in some cases to 0.1%.
So this is a very strong reduction of uh mortality of mothers.
A second case in point is of course um as you said infrastructure.
Both the European Union as Germany have been devoting funds in this field. For example, Germany has um reestablished rehabilitated roughly 500 kilometers um of roads of feeder roads which in particularly help agriculture which is a key area not only of um well doing business and creating jobs but also to become self-sufficient more self-sufficient as a state as you are aware if you import too many goods it becomes very costly over time very rightly tries to become ever more self-sufficient and that helps tremendously in this regard we have also rehabilitated 30 bridges and partially built them >> now um apart from the support you giving to the German or the EU portfolio in Sri Lon also has to do with uh politics.
>> Yeah.
>> And uh on the 16th of December, EU had a political dialogue um with Australian min with Australian's government. Uh what was this dialogue about and who were involved in the dialogue?
>> Yeah, this is always the highlight during the year. So normally taking place in mid December, the dialogue between both sides. It would take place last time in Freetown and his excellency President Mabielio um was chairing it of course and there were eight members of his cabinet including the chief minister and other very important ministers to cover all fields of our partnership. This alone highlights in how many fields we are closely cooperating and um I I just uh hint at what I already mentioned. there are projects in the field of infrastructure. But then you rightfully said that yes, there is also political dialogue in a more narrow sense of the term. And we for example have highlighted as Europeans the importance of the role of women and gender issues over quite a number of years. And we want to congratulate the government which has brought about a number of very important uh laws of legal acts during the last years. GEW for example is a case in point. Then of course um it has been prohibited that children get married. So under the age of 18 this is not allowed anymore as was enacted in June 24. And there are a number of such issues. There is gender based violence which is of great importance to both sides. The Sonian government as well as partners from the European Union also including NOS's.
There are 50 NOS's alone which are completely or partially funded by Germany and many more are there funded by the European Union and by fellow member states of the European Union.
Okay. Um let's look at the bus store.
You made mention of some of the project that EU is doing and uh every year you engaged in BTO to look at some of these project. uh uh you can take us through some of the activities of the buster in 2025.
>> Yeah. Um well there is one very important um agenda item of both sides that is what was not mentioned yet that is of course the political reform agenda of SEO. As you are aware um in October 23 there was this agreement between the government and the opposition and then uh it was followed by the recommendations of the tripartite committee and these recommendations relate to a considerable number of legal requirements but then also about the need to to change the constitution in some respects. As you can see, there is plenty of issues on the agenda and there are moral garanches.
So these are in particular the United Nations, Echowas and uh the African Union. But then there are also partners to this political agenda process and these partners include the European Union and uh member states being present here as I said already um France, Ireland and Germany and there is a number of issues to be raised and um I think this is a very positive development that um we have contact to the government to the SLP PP on the one side but also regular contact to APC. So to both sides and that helps to exchange views on things because Siron has been a very important democracy in West Africa with with a remarkable democratic tradition. So um you you had elections and repeatedly there was a real change of power in this country. This is something which doesn't fall out of the sky. On the contrary, it means this is a real democracy and um we we are very impressed and try to help to some extent if possible.
>> All right. My colleague asked about um political dialogue and it's no secret that it has been political tension between the ruling APC party and the SLPP party. We have seen we are in um member of parliament councilors chairperson boycott governance because of the agreement between the ruling and the the the opposition. Is your concern about some of the political tension presently happening in our country?
>> Yeah, I must say um this is remarkable.
you feel at times a tension and even a stronger tension and um I think according to to my experience of more than three decades of diplomatic service now um it is always better to avoid too much tension. There should be dialogue.
There should be occasions um at which members of government as well as of the opposition exchange their views. There should be procedures so that both sides have a say and are listened and that there is a better understanding of the respective position.
Democracy is not only about winning out but democracy is about democratic culture and um we've seen some positive development in this regard but you are right um sometimes you get the impression it is becoming very heated and maybe it is possible to rather go for more profound exchanges on on substantial issues rather than um going for for fighting as such fighting the opponent >> the program good morning salon they continue to come to you from the society for radio democracy 98.1 FM you they listen to the German ambassador to salon Dr. Pascal Richard where they talk about the German where they talk about the EU saloon relationship as he prepare for left the studio as a member country the Germany is a is a member of the EU which other um how is Germany operating with the EU in Sriu >> it is done in a complimentary way as I said what is not so much known to to the public.
The European Union has a shared responsibility when it comes to foreign policies. It is shared between the European Union and the member states and this is why we have to cooperate also in the respective capitals. So in Freetown on the one side the European Union has their own funds and they do their own projects and we try to help uh in a complimentary way so that money not be wasted and so that we have well a possibility to to fill gaps where they where they exist and this is why we have to coordinate closely between the European Union and member states. but also other organizations helping for good purposes such as for example gender issues for example how to uh help businesses, how to uh provide for better education for the youth, how to uh make sure that there be better infrastructure and so on so forth.
the program now good morning salon where they come to you live from democracy 98.1 FM for say plenty thank you to ambassador we join inside the program this morning >> yes of course we wish uh for the German ambassador for the with me for a longer time but due to time it left the studio we wish for they get the European Union now with different programs them now the studio uh plenty thanks for joining us today uh German ambassador you we are here to talk on behalf of the European Union Dr. Pascal Richer. Many thanks for coming.
>> Buzz Kamar, thank you so much. Your name I do not know.
>> Manamaran, >> how lovely. How what a charming facet to this program.
>> I will find time for you to come back.
>> Yeah, please. You are always welcome.
Three middle health station.
>> Actually by the end of your service in we'll give you Kamar Dr. Pascal Kamaram.
>> Thank you. Thank you.
>> Thank you so much indeed. Thanks for having me and best of luck.
>> Okay. Thank you very much.
>> Thank you for joining us the program this morning. Um inside the studios we want for car over to the minister of communication technology and innovation we salab before we take break and come to the ambassador. You don't explain a lot of things there. We get f with agreement between um the government of salon and a free sale. But one concern we plenty people will for salon they benefit in terms of shares. Um so as part of this partnership the government they get um 12% shares of the revenue generated um from the um MBNO um but I think also most important written at the part of Dan's family for recognizes also government retains 100% of Saratel's assets currently um um so I think that's something um we we we happy about this then it will generate revenue for get um deal with some of the staff liability and other issues that we already mentioned.
>> All right. Um when um managing director may explain he said they don't open um application for everybody for apply including um former staff of of of um Satel give former staff then priority on this application. Well, so I think what um we talk about is the MVN, right? Um the current staff uh we get people already do engineering and all that. So it's about looking at the skill set required for this and honestly with the staff of this is going to be on a very slim down um basis. Of course the um existing staff um would be given priority to be assessed first. Um I will say that they'll be given priority to be assessed first. Um but then we are also I think as part of government also going to this partnership with the private sector we're leaving the final decision in their hands. They make the final decision of which staff are incorporated and how many.
>> All right. Um then say you get business you for to government in this agreement make is it I say a law for government official or government institution there start for you especially when it come to the internet >> well we're not going to make a law because at the end of the day we also have a free economy and even if it's a government owned it should also compete on the fair basis um um with everybody else um and also the other um mobile operators very proud of them as well because they're all several union based companies. So we won't make it a law say past year but we're hoping because of the product the way how it's designed because of the value it brings that people will choose to use it um um themselves but will not make it a mandatory action. All right. The other question I ask I want to come about forget the MD Joe.
>> Oh, so this is part of the private partnership.
>> Is it part of all the agreements?
>> Sorry agreement is with Afel. Afrael as part of the agreement they manage the daytoday. So Afel chose the chosen appointed the MD.
>> Okay. After that not play any role in that?
>> No that's part of the agreement. We're hands off the daytoday making decisions part of partnership with them was part of that. They say they do the day they say they get to hire from every single person they part of the MBN.
>> Okay. The >> not to say we not get trust in Joe by the way. Do we think Joe is fantastic?
Joe's been Joe's been part of the the this um sector for years. Um but just to make government play hand in the decision making of hiring and firing who gets to be there. Continue first with me the program minister of communication innovation technology Salima. Um we the program talk about an agreement we government get with a cell for make satell work back. We go for this music break. We continue the program.
Say no man.
I say alone man is sweet from Where do we sal man?
I say man where we get we gold where we get we get we get we get weight man a new as well.
I say man.
>> Good morning. We continue as music day the sound of we salon man the program good morning salon continue with the start follow messages.
Yes the messages on 077981981 line this one from mystic nadazaki say in any election there are always challenges even when it is properly organized. I believe the executive of the all people's congress and the IMC should ensure that these challenges are addressed ahead of the upcoming rerun internal elections.
>> This one from Jimmy Jimmy Turner say by choice of Joe Abbas Bangura government means positive business for Saratel.
Congratulation again to Joab Banga and kudos to Afel for coming to Sarah Saratel's rescue.
>> Okay. Um this from Tund Scott he says Saratel is literally owned by Afel and for a private company to have such huge stake in the national telecom is worrying.
>> All right this one say madame minister uh what benefit government or the country will have on this agreement.
This one from Muhammad Mans say this government is the people center working in the interest of the people for reasons I tell to the people of Sri.
Thanks very much. This one from Ransford, Donald Ibraham um Hamilton say madame minister what is the difference between the consumer parliament and the national consumer protection commission established under the consumer protection act of 2020 and why was NCPC not involved in the consumer engagement in Kenma >> from Tambaj Betua he say I have no doubt in Joaba's Bangora he has been very progressive when he started back in B city as a regional manager This one from S say how is the MVNO going to get subscriber to complete with the incumbent three players of orange a cell and Q cell it is not going to be the same uphill task to acquire new subscriber just as old Catel and uh this one from Abduj Joe Joe commander they say APC IMC are causing issues for the party they also changed The venue of the election venue late arrangement with grassroots support and district executive even Moamba venue was changed again for the election. This one from Emmanuela Bakar from CC smart minister smart satell messages that we come to studio guest them for respond because of time we will get uh time or will they take another set we start with Joe Abbas Bangra >> um how would the MVN compete for subscribers um minister hint um that there's a market that we think is untapped and um if you they say you bring Seattle for come compete now for that they bring for and so um from we marketing preparation and we research where we do it's targeted at um you know the youth students um creators creatives people way startups for business um we we believe there's a market that um that exists in that end and so what we do um that is actually started now how do you design it that's why if you listen to we tagline freedom freedom is here now um Sarah tell is here what's the freedom about is freedom of choice freedom to be able to choose um and when say flexibility they on how the data um you know is designed imagine if I get um you know college university students we've been involved in helping them figure out their life. Um and they want the way they do business. We've been also been involved um in helping them figure out how do you take a business when I just idea and turn the business to motor man.
Um so how do you now bring data alongside all of those discussions to say if this is what young people need for growing this country? What kind of services do they need for able for help them for able for go? Whether they are students, whether they young businessmen and young business people and way creatives um and you know startups and get them businesses and then try for build together. How do we make sure we design product that is geared you know for support them that is a kind of thought process within and we believe there's a big market for able for do that. Another thing where there in terms of how we compete now the fact that written into the contract now that affordability is is enshrined that means say uh what that amongst other things this means is that NATCA puts a floor price where you say you know price is not for go below what they charge um you know for subscribers that would be a reference point for products and we bring out to the market for make sure say as we targeting people so at this level one for make affordable so that's should not work law on um you know the price in floor we will not for go below but we want to make sure that become a reference so that this this product is available with the high quality where possible the market so that's one way um amongst other things same way and ways then we make sure say we compete obviously the the big footprints where we get um through the the African network is going to be helpful um for that um so that is that is one I think s question for me. I don't know if you're getting any one will be directly me related to me.
>> I think yeah >> we cover to madame um um minister somebody asked about the consumer parliament.
>> Um no definitely so the consumer parliament is slightly different. Um the consumer parliament is we're in a almost like a parliamentary setting. We bring in um the stakeholders them in the telecom industry as I mentioned the ministry natka um our parliamentary committee and and also with the private tax all the amen and we go we speak to different um community stakeholders. to bring all the different consumers, different subsections of the consumers together and we get to tell them the reform priorities the way um we they do um over the next couple of years the industry and then most important they get to share with their own experiences their own feedback of where the sector is where the industry is and see the way they foresee change and improve. So it's it's really just a dialogue opportunity. It's different from I see they mentioned consumer >> um that's an institution protection that's an institution. This was a dialogue a one day dialogue session with with with consumers.
>> Somebody mention about privatization.
You see they made a part of >> but I don't understand privatization.
Therefore do the consumer parliament.
>> Yeah. No, there it's not it's not to that not to it's not a not to institution consumer parliamental workshop but I would love to have um and the NCP part of it but um part of the setting.
>> All right. Somebody asked again say if you update the public about the current infrastructure of Saratel across the country. Um yeah so um um interesting currently we're currently going all over the country doing an asset audit um for understand the current status of the assets that's how many buildings they have how many towers they have how much um fiber um on the ground they have and their metro network so that process ongoing right now for verify not just the assets the physical presence but now the status of the assets because the assets there so don't degrade significantly there right now then they send me pictures them of assets in the province not get roof you know so there's a lot of work to be done so but we're in the process now of doing that audit to be in a better position for make an arrangement following that >> yeah before we can look at we take wakabot and there is a message you see why is it that the government of siron likes to act against its own initial overton returns to the general public and foreign investors as well as against uh good advice. The Saratel Africell partnership will cause government and other big international embarrassment and will and millions of dollars in lawsuits. The minister knows fully well that a renowned Swiss company won the bid for privatization and partnership with Saratel after a competitive bidding process was done in which all relevant agencies were present including the law officers department and the ministry of communications. Does the minister not know and understand that this current a partnership is uh legally untenable?
Why? Okay, that's a that message from somebody say go against a bidding process where somebody a Swiss company we don't win. Um um sure I think there's several um um things that I'd mentioned to you there's been several attempts um to privatize that's happened since 2023 or so not um anything recently but I think most important activity for measures I mentioned before this is not a privatization this is a partnership so in terms of what we have with Afel we have a partnership ongoing and for this partnership we received a concurrence from the AG's office um um um to move forward.
>> You aware of any Swiss company where win the bid?
>> I'm aware of a privatization process with um with aware that a Swiss company was part of the biders was one of the ones who bid but I have not been part of any um contract signing um negotiation with with with them. I think the last time I heard of this company was in 2023 and I've not received any followup to see where that is. But where can NTP dealt with the full privatization? It's under the pview of NCP um directly. But I will say for this I think the point to reiterate is what we have um with our facility is not a privatization. It's a partnership um on this model and secondly we received concurrent legal advice from the AG's office in terms of signing this contract and how we move forward.
Continue for look at more issues again.
Mommy named now in the scatter meet with the feeling present for problem really wonder that fly for the go for the fly fly Alpha people not again people get any language learn from you not better because one don't enjoy life but anyway I always tell last go fly you fly not listen people get my club one chapter investig Get proper one game play for you to talk back. I don't talk I continue for investig Get for PPSL party women's leader for PPSL party knowadical complain for woman Anyway, make slap because complain nothing change. But anyway, don't begin.
The place that general of police make even simple and strict man for uncle left legacy. But anyway, uncle, we wish you all the best. Me, the honorable Pikwa.
>> Well, from Wakabot, we come back now studio and uh we look at one headline stories. them before we come to studio guest them. This one's um the president for the Salon Football Association Baba Don Oba for bill 434 seats per billion with scoreboard. at the Salomon football academy with um we according to Ram this project cost over about $200,000 we now support we ini for football development well I look part of this and put this report together president and the executive committee member them of the saloon football association don't turn Oba for bill $244,000 per billion that is saloon football academy king Tom Freton with this according to Babad Kamar President Salon football association donation from to football development say football association academy is going to have a 435 capacity pavilion >> donated on behalf of executive committee to the people of thank you very much thank you >> babamara simo announced the next project where the new office for SLF.
>> Ladies and gentlemen, with what much I do, I want to pronounce to you that SEO Football Association with the help of FIFA CF and the government of Son have acquired a new headquarters.
The minimum lifespan of this project is 50 years. But what will happen to the current SLFA office within day now after we go transfer that the new office at the end of the year?
>> This place will only start as technical center for football. But that one we should call the headquarters of football is going to match regional federations.
Talent development key that the game we make babai the camera say the FA they work now with FIFA for implement the pilot phase of the FIFA arena project whether for develop football facility now school them will benefit from the pilot phase and why Babamara explain >> yes the school only school with a definite article the B school the second beneficial school is the Albat academy you may want to know Why not St. Edwards? I mean our neighbors St. Edos are having a project to construct a full 68x 105 m football pitch. Even in that our input is going to be there but you will know when the time comes. how these projects they work. Babi again the FIFA arena project this is a pilot phase if we achieve this based on their specification then we have the right to apply for more so that more schools will benefit but for this pilot phase I want to say that there are issues involved in you having the fever arena it's a two component project the school will fund one component and fif will fund the other component what does the school They are responsible for the construction of the sub base. When we did inquiries from Liberia, the minimum amount you can spend to construct a sub base is $40,000. So a school has to be prepared to pay that money to if they not pay it to us. We hire the contractor. They go send the content to them. They work with the contractor.
There is no money transaction between we and the school. They pay their contractor directly. All this according to the minister of sport Augusta James temer go help government for achieve the five game big change them especially the human capital development but what I want to emphasize here today is that you're within the parameters of governments the five big changes that government is emphasizing you as an association in football is giving us a result and I want to thank you very much here >> Augusta James temer end of for pledge government commitment for work with different stakeholder them for develop sport for radio democracy makam the reports >> from that from that report today we look at message don't send on77981981 line and also our Facebook page >> this one from such a huge Um from super caps for the they say um we used to know Saratel as the gateway of communication and effective communication service delivery. Uh we thank God the company is um now live again.
>> This one from um Muhammad say Mr. MD please do not allow too much government involvement in terms of money. let them pay for all facilities because if you allow it won't dry again just like Eda and Guma.
>> Um this one and we um interview with uh the APC national publicity secretary say indeed okay with the European Union say indeed there should be dialogue in our political space uh resolved political differences as a nation.
However, such dialogue appears ineffective due to continued disagreement between the government and opposition over the implementation of the trapat recommendations which definitely affect our democracy.
>> This other one from um Michaela say uncle Joe please explain the difference between CDMA and GSM.
Okay, we because of time >> and the other one say um MD do what is your marketing strategy to revive Saratel again?
Oh >> Joas, you could respond to the message then round up a statement.
>> Um Satel is literally owned by by so I think minister don't do a lot for emphasize the fact that government owns everything. Um as far as Seattle is concerned, government owns the brand, government owns the assets, government owns everything, every property. Um and so it's a partnership where they make government begin earn money from the from day one and also make sure city service all of us the country now as I talk to you.
It's there cannot be an easier way where government cable for make sure we get back to the point where revenues are raised um and able for settle the you know amongst other things the things same way government ought to to the staff them um government to pay for services obviously the minister emphasized that the you know the free hand written into the agreement you know that um if we sell CRL is operated in a way where governments not get hands at in in in the way it's done um on the day-to-day basis from CCDMA and GSM CDMA the way CDMA they operate waiting they embed the unique um identifier for say this is a number or the right inside the phone so that once they call they come waiting they identify the you know that own call for go inside the phone engraved whereas um with the GSM system so you can pull your SIM card inside your SIM card it work any of systems and the CDMMA it's engraved inside the phone. So now the phone then gets the unique identifier. So that's a major difference with the between the two systems. There's a lot of portability with GSM and all over the country. um for the round for make say we don't start operations as um as um Sierra tell we get one poss within a building the poss are being revived now and have been worked on and um and so inside June now we get to full commercial launch on full commercial launch day then every one of services will be available there with sim cards all over the country with distributors them wherever you have distributors people they sell mobile own products them all over the country. We would have Satel seems that and >> thank you very much Joe Abbas Bangura we hopefully get updates from the agreement there or the operation of Saratel from time to time we come to the minister for communication you get some messages they can respond to them >> thank you very much I think say one fundamental message um which I definitely disagree with was about um um Afrisel taking over um a stateowned operator that's definitely not what this is they're not taking over but we're in a partnership with them and I think see also for CBC you know government as part of actual government delivery was also partner with private sector for make for usai private sector to come in because some sometimes that private sector does it better we do that um that's part of um government in in in role as well for make sure we have a thriving private sector so that's what we've done um we believe this agreement um or this partnership to really put Sarah tail um in a better position. It go make sure say by the time when this is done the government is in a better position to make whatever else decision that government of that did they go get way more options than this government had in terms of dealing with Saratel and and we look forward to that they going to be overseeing and monitoring and making sure we have effective um ways to ensure that what Afril agreed to they do that within Mr. Good evening to agree. So we look forward to that.
>> Before we go for that break, he be respond to a message where do we say that is a pending legal issue or we sal for this agreement. You go assure the public that nothing of such no happen or regardless.
>> I can't assure the public what somebody else go do. I can't assure the public somebody >> but but maybe the arrangement proper.
You go say there's nothing of >> what I can assure you say government has a very good position. I can't assure you what somebody else go. So anybody can make a claim. Anybody can go court.
There's nothing preventing anybody for a case for for for standard.
>> So I I I don't believe so. But anybody can cut that. It's my perception versus yours what you believe. Um um if you have a case, if somebody believes they have a case, everybody can go there. But to assure you is government has a very good um um position on where we are with this.
>> Thank you very much to allian is back. It is back. When you see the passion, the emotions express all over the country, they already announced this you know say this is big thing for this country. I wish after this program >> I know >> but it's really is back believe you me it's back for the entire country the same passion and emotions we express let's keep it going when they get to commercial launch let's make proud by making sure waiting we always proud of come back the market so is back >> thank you very much uh Joe Abbas Bangura for joining me inside the edition of the program Good morning salon Joe Abbas the managing director for Saratel and also we get the minister for communication innovation and technology Salab there for talk about one agreement where government sign with Afel for make Saratel begin work back and also Alan program get the German ambassador to salon Dr. for Pascal Richer. We may talk about the EU50 diplomatic relationship with Salon.
Good morning, Cinder of the program.
Good morning, Salon. We come to you live from Radio Democracy 98.1 FM. Plenty thank you to producer Kon with support from Jackson. Plenty thank you to Kman technical support Facebook. So to meet another man, have a wonderful day. Bye-bye. The life.
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