NEW PRODUCTION EQUIPMENTS ARRIVE

*As Brewery Expands…*

*New Production Equipments Arrive*

*By Ranger*

The press, together with the Corporate Affairs Assistant of the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL), Unisa Conteh, on Wednesday 15th February,2017 paid an inspection visit to the Queen Elizabeth II Quay to inspect the huge fermenting tanks  imported by the company. The storage tanks are part of the brewery’s investment in its ongoing expansion program. The eight tank consignment includes:

✔6 x FSTs (Fermentation Storage Tanks) of 1, 000 HL
✔ 1 X FST 205 HL and a
✔ Hoisting beam.

The consignment which arrived at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay on Monday 13th February is in the process of being cleared. Other expansion program materials are on the high seas and are expected to arrive at the Freetown Port very soon.

With over One Hundred and Fifty Billion Leones (LE150Bn) invested in the country since 2014 to modernize and expand its production capacity, the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) is now set to more than double its annual production capacity. Through this extensive capital investment, SLBL will also be able to respond quickly to any increase demand for its products in the future. This is further capacitated by the brewery’s importation of new stainless steel fabricated fermenting tanks.

According to the new SLBL Managing Director, Daaf Van Tilburg, this massive investment showcases the brewery’s confidence in the economy. This investment he furthered comes at the right time as the brewery prepares to fully implement the Finance Act of 2016 which gives it impetus to meet the growing demand for its products in the country using locally grown sorghum.

He disclosed that when the new fermenting tanks are installed, the production capacity of the brewery will more than double the brewery's annual production capacity. The tanks will also create the opportunity to brew, package and distribute all of SLBL’s award winning products which include Star Beer, Mutzig Beer, Guinness Stout and Maltina to satisfy current and future consumer demand in the country.

To meet the varied taste of customers, SLBL also markets imported Heineken Beer, Strong Bow Cider, Fayrouz Malt non-alcoholic drink, Royal Club range of soft drinks and Climax Energy Drink.

SLBL established itself in Sierra Leone as a manufacturer of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages just after the country’s independence, 54 years ago.

As a major employer, SLBL has been contributing tremendously to the growth of Gross Domestic Products in Sierra Leone. It has also been diligently performing its Corporate Social Responsibility in the community in which it operates as well as far and wide across the country.

As a dynamic corporate investor, SLBL continues to expand its operations through new investments and innovative equipments and production techniques in order to meet customer satisfaction at all levels.

As it seeks to substitute imported ingredients for the manufacturing of its products with locally grown ingredients, it has established strong working relationship with the Sierra Leone Sorghum Farmers Association to supply the brewery with locally grown sorghum. This has created employment and boosted the incomes of over 12, 000 contract farmers across the country. This relationship has greatly boosted the government’s agenda for prosperity drive.

According to SLBL, they have more than doubled the requirement for sorghum from farmers for 2017. This and other investment initiatives launched by SLBL will greatly contribute to the brewery’s volume growth ambition, create wealth for farmers, grow government revenue from their operations and generally have a multiplier effect on the economy.

The foundation for this development, the SLBL MD said, was set by the actions put in place by his predecessor, Willy Ngana, who has been transferred to the Africa Middle East Regional Office in Holland.

*_By Ranger_*
*_FEB|2017_*

AT LAST GBERE BRIDGE TO BE REPLACED

*AT LAST GBERE BRIDGE TO BE REPLACED…*

*Pres. Koroma’s Development Strides Continue*

*By Ranger*

Being the development-oriented leader that he is, President Koroma continues to expatiate in his infrastructural drives all across the country.

The latest of his developmental drives is at the Gbere Bridge. Travelers, visitors and commuters to this area can witness firsthand the construction of a new bridge going up alongside the old bridge.

According to the engineers, the new bridge would not only be safer, but it would be wider and modern than its predecessor.

Indeed, all across Sierra Leone from Freetown to Kailahun and up to Kono, President Koroma has ensured that he initiates all manner of development projects including new hospitals, roads, schools, universities, agricultural schools and a host of other development projects all aimed at putting Sierra Leone on equal or better footing as its neighbors in order to make the country more competitive and attractive to potential investors.

Another area President Koroma has demonstrated his vision and tenacity is in the energy sector. Being the business man that he is he recognizes the important role uninterrupted energy supply plays in the growth of any country’s economy. It is no secret that since his coming to power in 2007, the energy supply situation has significantly improved and there is less and less blackout these days – thanks to a visionary, President Ernest Bai Koroma.

Against this background, it is also worth mentioning the fact that with President Ernest Bai Koroma the country has also seen major development in the creation of public facilities and he has strengthened public institutions which have a bearing on good governance. The ACC and other public institutions are independent and there has been little or no political interference in the work of public entities such as this.

President Koroma has worked for this country so well that international organizations are commending him for a job well done and some have even presented several awards to him. President Koroma has also put Sierra Leone on the international diplomacy map by his leadership roles at the AU, UN and other international bodies.

President Koroma is therefore encouraged by all right-thinking Sierra Leoneans to keep the fire burning Sir!
                                                                                                     *The Times SL Newspaper*

KONO RESIDENTS APPLAUD PLUTO MINING CO.

*Pluto Mining Intensifies Development Projects In Kono*

*By Ranger*

Pluto Mining Company operating in Kono, east of Sierra Leone has benefitted from a series of developmental projects since Maxim Brandwain commonly called Max, who is also the proprietor of Mercury International established his Pluto Mining Company in that part of the country.

One major development is the Congo Bridge. It could be recalled that it was this bridge that was causing serious disturbances; some even violent amongst various parties in that part of the country.

The Congo Bridge has been successfully renovated through the efforts of Pluto Mining. Government spread asphalt on the bridge and it is now safer and very modern, thus adding to the beauty of this area.

Another major development initiative by Pluto Mining is the construction of three additional classrooms for three different schools to boost education in that part of the country. The three schools that benefitted from this are namely Model Secondary School, Ahkolm Secondary School and Experimental Secondary School. Administrators of these schools commended Pluto Mining for this initiative, saying it has greatly alleviated accommodation and seating problems in the schools. Also in the area of education, he has been awarding scholarships to deserving pupils in various schools across Kono.   

Another major achievement for the people of Kono that was initiated by Pluto Mining is the construction of six modern water wells in different areas of Kono. Residents in these areas before now were suffering from lack of pure water and had to trek long distances in order to fetch water. But with this gigantic step taken by Pluto Mining, they are full of praise for the company which alleviated their plight.

The Small Sefadu Bridge due to its former dangerous state was demolished and singlehandedly rebuilt by Pluto Mining Company sometime ago. Through Mercury International, he donated the sum of one hundred million Leones (Le100M) to victims of the Angola Town fire disaster at Fort Street. He has also made immense contributions (financial and material) to hospitals, football teams and community based development organizations, as part of his companies’ corporate social responsibilities.

In a similar development, representing the Paramount Chief of Kamara Chiefdom, Tombodu, Kono District, the Town Chief Saffia Ndomina, in charge of Maima (2) has commended the developmental efforts of Maxim Brandwain who is an international investor operating the Pluto Mining in Kono District.

Speaking on the damaged bridge leading from Maima to Sandor, Town Chief Saffia Ndomina maintained that they are exceedingly happy that at last this bridge would be rebuilt and transformed into a two-way road with footpath for pedestrians.

He recalled that the damaged bridge is forty years old but that because the Kamara Chiefdom does not have money to rebuild the bridge and because this bridge is not of priority to the government like the one along the Ro-Cheko Old Road. He added that the bridge in question was built by the former NDMC to transport their gravel but that when they shut down operations they dismantled the bridge. However, due to the importance of the bridge in this area, the people of Kono repaired it by placing metal rods on the bridge until “we had it rebuilt as a legacy to our grandmother,” the Town Chief highlighted.

According to him, the bridge located at Maima had suffered from mining which was taking place very close to its foundations which is very dangerous. He added that this time round they are not going to allow anyone to mine along the foundations of the bridge.

He added that for those of them living in Kamara Chiefdom, Tombodu in Kono, are aware of the issues and are happy but that there are some elements among them who misinterpret and misunderstand the good works that are taking place in Maima in particular. He mentioned that Maxim Brandwain is responsible for the reconstruction of this bridge at Maima, adding that Mr. Max also promised that after the bridge, he would assist in the construction of a school with a science lab, taking into consideration there is no school with a well equipped lab in Kono and that this would go a long way to rebrand education in Kono. He also stated that Mr. Max also promised the construction of an orphanage.

Town Chief Saffia Ndomina used the opportunity to warn all those going around speaking evil of people helping Kono to grow infrastructurally to stop forthwith. He urged the general public and right-thinking people not to listen to such detractors because they have a selfish hidden desire to destroy the development efforts of Kono District..

*The Times SL Newspaper*