VP FOH ENDORSES LEBANESE EXECUTIVE

*VP Foh Endorses Lebanese Executive*‼‼

*By Ranger*

Vice President of Sierra Leone, Hon. Ambassador Victor Bockarie Foh on Friday 13th january, 2017 advised and even warned the whole Lebanese Executive in Sierra Leone to avoid making insinuations and allegations.

He addressed the Lebanese Executive in the presence of the media in Freetown, saying that he discourages gossip and slander; and went on to state that the Lebanese are pivotal to the economic growth of the state. He also spoke on the necessity of the state being the agent of change to ensure that the Lebanese Community in Sierra Leone and its nationals do everything officially possible to ensure that love, development, progress and cooperation exists and is maintained between all parties concerned.

According to him, all parties concerned must ensure that the future of the Lebanese Community in Sierra Leone is assured and capable of manning its own affairs.

He maintained that the Lebanese nationals in Sierra Leone must embrace peace, trust and unity. He added that he is glad that they, (Lebanese) converged at the occasion which is a demonstration of their solidarity and uniqueness with Sierra Leone and Sierra Leoneans.

He went on to state that the Lebanese Community in Sierra Leone is officially recognized by the Government of Sierra Leone; which is ready and willing to work with the Lebanese in Sierra Leone, adding that Sierra Leone and Lebanon are very good friends.

He encouraged them to embrace peace and unity and also gave them words of courage.

He added: “We want peace and unity in the Lebanese Community.” He also mentioned the importance of the participation of the Madingo, Fullah and other nationalities in Sierra Leone that are doing their best to rebrand Sierra Leone in the vision of our President.

He maintained that President Ernest Bai Koroma does not wish for anyone to suffer when it comes to payment of tax.

The VP also cautioned the Lebanese in Sierra Leone to always ensure that they do their public and private businesses transparently and to also ensure that they pay tax. He also encouraged the Lebanese in Sierra Leone to always endeavor to work with the Sierra Leone Government as the latter is always ready and willing to work with local and international partners.

Surprisingly, VP Foh used the opportunity to advise the Lebanese Community in Sierra Leone to encourage their nationals for the overall development of this country; noting that the Lebanese in Sierra Leone have and continue to be part and parcel of the development of Sierra Leone.

He also advised the local press (print and electronic) to be more professional in reporting. The Hon. VP congratulated the newly constituted Executive and admonished them to work in the interest of all Lebanese residing in Sierra Leone.

Also speaking was the Minister of Trade and Industry, Capt. (Rtd) Alieu Pat Sowe. He told his audience that Sierra Leoneans and Lebanese nationals are one of the same kind. He added that Sierra Leoneans and Lebanese nationals attend the same schools and that the latter have been in this country since colonial times, adding that he would like to see more and better development for this country.

He emphasized to the Lebanese Community that anything they see as detrimental or dangerous to the development of Sierra Leone should be brought to the notice of the authorities. He maintained that all foreign and local entrepreneurs must abide by the Local Content Policy passed by the Sierra Leone Parliament which seeks to improve quality; adding that this would also improve quantity.

The Lebanese Community President, Samir Hassiniyeh introduced the Lebanese Community Vice President Hisham Mackie and members of the executive of the Lebanese Community.

Samir Hassaniyeh assured VP Foh and the Government of Sierra Leone that they would work together for the good of Sierra Leone.

Other participants were the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Maya Kaikai who chaired the meeting. Also present at the auspicious occasion were Minister of State VP Office Hon. Alhaji Mohamed Alie Bah, Deputy Information and Communication Minister, Cornelius Deveaux, Secretary to Vice President, Dr. Julius Sandi and the Director General Foreign Affairs and the International Cooperation, Mrs Kadie Bassir.

Photos and interviews climaxed the occasion.

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