IN CORRECTING MISLEADING INFORMATION IN THE MEDIA

PEC APOLOGIZES TO MINISTER OF ENERGY.

The Minister of Energy, Ambassador Henry Macauley has given audience to the head of PEC Sierra Leone, Mr. Malador Sowe, his executive and Media friends who streamed into the office of the Minister to tender their apology for the current misinformation being published by certain media houses regarding the six months pilot contract between EDSA and PEC Sierra Leone

The Minister, who was very calm but curious to hear from the guests, quickly invited his Deputy Minister, Ing. Alhaji Hassan Barrie, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs Zainab Buya-Kamara and the Counterpart Director General of EDSA, Ing. Alhaji Timbo to be part of the gathering.

The CEO of PEC, Mr. Malador Sowe in a state of remorse said; ‘Mr. Minister we are very sorry for the misleading information and allegations levied against you on the issue’. He went on to   expose the unprofessionalism of some media houses when he said; ‘I did not grant interview that they could not have investigated. They just grasped the opportunity to write things based on what they heard’, he stated. The journalists who were also part of Mr. Malador’s delegation, also tendered their apologies to the Minister for the bad press that he received over the said pilot contract.

Commenting on the issue, the Permanent Secretary (PS), Mrs. Buya- kamara stated that the Ministry of Energy is for everybody and that young Sierra Leoneans like Mr. Malador Sowe and colleagues are highly encouraged under the local content policy but must not misuse the opportunity. In an angry mood, the PS continued that the unguided publications and misinformation from various media houses were just used to smear the Minister’s good image. That kind of practice she said is unprofessional. She reminded the PEC CEO that it was this same Minister who took PEC’s proposal to the Board of Directors of EDSA and made a recommendation for them to help young Sierra Leoneans to invest in the energy sector.

Deputy Minister, Hassan Barrie stated that he was shocked by the behavior of PEC and their media friends who could not even ask for the Ministry’s side of the story. He lamented that young investors must have respect for others especially senior public officials in the country.

In his reaction, the humble Minister said he started building his reputation as far back as the 80s and some people are trying to damage it now. He stated in no uncertain terms that the misinformation given to the media must be corrected by the PEC CEO. He said; “the repairs should be done by the same media houses,” adding that the extent to which the misinformation is corrected, will determine whether the apology was genuine or not.

PEC CEO, Mr. Malador Sowe gave assurance that his media friends will try as hard as possible to clean the image of the Minister. He said; “Mr. Minister, for the fact that you felt disrespected, I will do all I can alongside my media friends who published allegations against you during the past three weeks, to clean up your image. It is a promise that we are going to do retractions by whatever means Mr. Minister’, he ended.

IS PEC A LOCAL COMPANY IN S/L?

ACC SHOULD INVESTIGATE PEC...

AS THEY STILL HAVE QUESTIONS TO ANSWER

By Ranger

It is now crystal clear, that PEC is misleading the public to gather public sympathy to continue it bad and unviable contract with EDSA to wreck the energy sector and the government as a whole.

Let me first and foremost set the record straight on the GST which PEC now claims to have cascading effects on the customers.

Firstly, let me state that GST is a law passed by parliament, so how can PEC meters affect it. This is not only consider as a public incitement but also a ploy to prevent the public to comply to GST law.

Secondly, it is also evident that EDSA has lost huge sum of money with PEC, because the lost customers activity due to it inability to charge, poor customer service etc and besides EDSA could not know what was being consumed apart from what PEC told them.

This is where the real fraud was taking place that needs ACC investigation. In a nutshell, it seems PEC is trying to get EDSA to do something illegal, by operating a contract that has expired which is pure dishonesty.       
                                     
Let me also hasten to inform the general public that, the meters that PEC illegally removed were also installed by an indigenous Sierra Leonean company that has successfully installed over 20,000 meters. This shows that EDSA does encourage Local content, but does not condone dishonesty and compromise national progress for the sake of selfish private interests.    
                                            
Following the failure of PEC to answer to the questions asked by the general public in relation to its contractual agreement with EDSA that has tendency to rip off the country of it much needed revenue, the general public is now calling on the Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate PEC on it numerous queries raised.

Below are the following questions PEC continues to dodge that need the attention of the President as the country is certainly be on a time bomb if PEC Contract is renewed without adequately answering to these questions;

The public still demand answers to these following questions:

1. Is it true that EDSA does not have accessed to PEC’s system for monitoring and supervision purposes, and could this be one of the reasons why EDSA decided to terminate its contract with PEC?.

2. Is it true that PEC Smart meters are not compatible with the ones installed by EDSA?

3. Is it true that in installing their Smart meters, PEC removed EDSA meters that were already installed without noticing EDSA and without EDSA’s permission, thereby constituting an offence to remove government property? PEC could favour us with the written permission for EDSA to this effect.

4. Is it true that the PEC contract was limited to only the six months pilot project?

5. Is it true that PEC was collecting a whopping 10 percent commission from the bills it collected, while others were collecting 3%?

6. Is it true that EDSA had no access to the transactions done by PEC? If so, is it not a violation of the disclosure agreement reached by PEC with EDSA?

7. Is it true that costumers were complaining that, they were paying and not getting service on time?

8. Is it true that PEC on its own selected areas to install their Smart meters?

9.  Is it true that after the contract expired in June 2016, the meters installed by PEC became the property of EDSA?

10. Most importantly, did PEC receive authorization from EDSA to install their meters? If so, can they produce original documents from EDSA?

These and yet more questions are of great interest to the general public and deserve answers.

As a result of that the are now calling on the ACC to frog match PEC officials to the commission to answer to these following questions and also investigate why PEC being a local contractor which has benefited from the Local Content Policy is collecting 10% commission of it total sales, while past foreign contractors were collecting 3% of their total sales.

This exorbitant commission collected by PEC, they said has some elements of corruption and kick backs, and therefore needs immediate investigation as they had betrayed the Local Content Policy and portrays bad image about the government.

It will interest the general public to know that the much trumpeted 2 billion Leones collected by PEC, PEC has benefited a whopping 200 million Leones from the said amount which constitute 10%.

Consequently, one would want to wonder why PEC is still behaving like a nuisance?

See next edition

PEC IN HOT WATER!

ACC SHOULD INVESTIGATE PEC...

AS THEY STILL HAVE QUESTIONS TO ANSWER

By Ranger

It is now crystal clear, that PEC is misleading the public to gather public sympathy to continue it bad and unviable contract with EDSA to wreck the energy sector and the government as a whole.

Let me first and foremost set the record straight on the GST which PEC now claims to have cascading effects on the customers.

Firstly, let me state that GST is a law passed by parliament, so how can PEC meters affect it. This is not only consider as a public incitement but also a ploy to prevent the public to comply to GST law.

Secondly, it is also evident that EDSA has lost huge sum of money with PEC, because the lost customers activity due to it inability to charge, poor customer service etc and besides EDSA could not know what was being consumed apart from what PEC told them.

This is where the real fraud was taking place that needs ACC investigation. In a nutshell, it seems PEC is trying to get EDSA to do something illegal, by operating a contract that has expired which is pure dishonesty.                                             
Let me also hasten to inform the general public that, the meters that PEC illegally removed were also installed by an indigenous Sierra Leonean company that has successfully installed over 20,000 meters. This shows that EDSA does encourage Local content, but does not condone dishonesty and compromise national progress for the sake of selfish private interests.                                                 
Following the failure of PEC to answer to the questions asked by the general public in relation to its contractual agreement with EDSA that has tendency to rip off the country of it much needed revenue, the general public is now calling on the Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate PEC on it numerous queries raised.

Below are the following questions PEC continues to dodge that need the attention of the President as the country is certainly be on a time bomb if PEC Contract is renewed without adequately answering to these questions;

The public still demand answers to these following questions:

1. Is it true that EDSA does not have accessed to PEC’s system for monitoring and supervision purposes, and could this be one of the reasons why EDSA decided to terminate its contract with PEC?.

2. Is it true that PEC Smart meters are not compatible with the ones installed by EDSA?

3. Is it true that in installing their Smart meters, PEC removed EDSA meters that were already installed without noticing EDSA and without EDSA’s permission, thereby constituting an offence to remove government property? PEC could favour us with the written permission for EDSA to this effect.

4. Is it true that the PEC contract was limited to only the six months pilot project?

5. Is it true that PEC was collecting a whopping 10 percent commission from the bills it collected, while others were collecting 3%?

6. Is it true that EDSA had no access to the transactions done by PEC? If so, is it not a violation of the disclosure agreement reached by PEC with EDSA?

7. Is it true that costumers were complaining that, they were paying and not getting service on time?

8. Is it true that PEC on its own selected areas to install their Smart meters?

9. Is it true that after the contract expired in June 2016, the meters installed by PEC became the property of EDSA?

10. Most importantly, did PEC receive authorization from EDSA to install their meters? If so, can they produce original documents from EDSA?

These and yet more questions are of great interest to the general public and deserve answers.

As a result of that the are now calling on the ACC to frog match PEC officials to the commission to answer to these following questions and also investigate why PEC being a local contractor which has benefited from the Local Content Policy is collecting 10% commission of it total sales, while past foreign contractors were collecting 3% of their total sales.

This exorbitant commission collected by PEC, they said has some elements of corruption and kick backs, and therefore needs immediate investigation as they had betrayed the Local Content Policy and portrays bad image about the government.

It will interest the general public to know that the much trumpeted 2 billion Leones collected by PEC, PEC has benefited a whopping 200 million Leones from the said amount which constitute 10%.

Consequently, one would want to wonder why PEC is still behaving like a nuisance?

See next edition

SIERRA LEONE BREWERY CLEARS THE AIR

Brewery Clears the Air

By Ranger

"We are faced with the situation if Government continues to see as if money is not coming in they wont see the real picture. The real picture is that they (importers of beverage) have imported a huge stock at the old rate and have extended the shelf life of the imported drinks from six months to one year six months to two years and they are selling and making huge profit. They are trying to stifle Government revenue collection to make it seem as if nothing is happening which is wrong."

These were the words of Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) officials while reacting to local reports that the newly-introduced Finance Act is causing the NRA to lose revenue.

Speaking at the Wellington Industrial Estate office in Freetown on Friday, 4th November, 2016, Sierra Leone Brewery officials on conditions of anonymity confirmed that the Finance Act was introduced in March this year, alledging that it did not come into effect until six months later in September this year.

The said officials added that during that period, importers of beverages took the opportunity to import very huge stocks into the country and also extended the shelf life of these imported beverages. It was also mentioned that it was done by these importers of beverages in order to make it seem as if they are currently not importing anything when in actual fact, they are now selling their old stocks at the new prices and making profit but presenting a picture as if nothing is happening and they are not importing anything.

On the other hand, it is implicated that the SLBL is losing out because since the Finance Act was introduced they have been fully complying by paying all the relevant taxes and levies to the NRA, the Freetown City Council etc. Again it was learnt that these importers are giving the impression as if Brewery is unable to supply the market and also unable to pay revenue in order to force the Government to overturn the Act simply because they had a field day during the six months before the Act came into force to bring in huge quantum of imported beverages to sell and make profit for at least two years.

This medium is of the understanding  that in the case of Brewery, it ran down its old stocks and brought in new stock of Heineken which is sold at Le292,000 (two hundred and ninety two thousand Leones) while other importers sell much lower their own stocks of different brands. It was also intimated that Brewery after the introduction of the Act, paid the new rate in taxes and duties as high as Le500, 000,000 (five hundred million Leones) for two containers.

The officials continued that Brewery pays Excise duties, and that Brewery can challenge them (importers of beverages) that they are not even paying EPA and other levies to the Government. I can boast of this because we have records to prove this, one of the officials told this reporter.

They are calling on the authorities (NRA) and others to conduct a spot check on warehouses of importers of beverages to see whether what is said is not the truth. SLBL officials challenged the general public to also enquire whether the SLBL has not been actively engaged in providing massive employment for the entire country. They added that the SLBL is responsible for providing thousands of direct and indirect employment for distributors, transporters, bar owners and other people, adding that over (10) ten thousand farming families who are engaged in growing sorghum are benefitting directly because Brewery is purchasing  sorghum from them only during the harvest season. We work with them and give them target during the planting season, another official informed.

“We cannot continue importing all the time,” they said furthering that “anyone who loves Sierra Leone should come and open their own factory, so that importing beverages would stop or be reduced drastically."                                       They went on to say that Brewery is paying import duty for Heineken and Cider, (Strong Bow); raw materials (malt etc), spare parts, packaging materials for example empty bottles, crates, crowns (stoppers), labels etc.

They added that Brewery also pays Excise duties for all locally produced drinks based on the volume produced; that is, the more produced the higher Excise duty paid.
These officials added that the Brewery also pays PAYE (Pay-As-You-Earn) for its entire staff, NASSIT fees, and pays annual EPA fees, plus import duty and levies taxes comprising 4.07 Billion Leones is payment for August September and October, 3% advanced income tax, output GST, excise duty for local production, excise duty  for imported beer, import duty and levy tax.

They maintained that unlike others, Brewery is thickly into performing its corporate social responsibilities (CSR). A top official of the company said Brewery is building schools toilets, water wells and the are building two (2) hospitals, one (1) in Calaba Town and one (1) Wellington Communities, which cost the company a little over 1.5 billion Leones in Constituency 98 ward 350 and in Constituency 97.

The officials called on the Government to understand the case of the Brewery and to inspect the records of importers at the Customs to see that they (importers of beverages) actually took undue advantage of the system to make it seem as if Brewery is unable to cope with the Finance Act which is entirely untrue.

They added that, they also want to educate the Government on the fact that the period to analyze the Brewerys performance with regard its compliance with the Finance Act is too short, taking into consideration the above reasons and unfair completion practiced by importers of beverages which the Government needs to investigate and not wait until their huge stockpiles hurriedly brought into the country in March are depleted.

“Let them show evidence of their real stocks imported. Let the government check with Customs and the truth shall be revealed, the SLBL officials challenged.

ABOUT GUINNESS FOREIGN EXTRA STOUT

*ABOUT GUINNESS FOREIGN EXTRA STOUT*

- Guinness Foreign Extra Stout (FES) is perhaps the most popular Irish beer brand in the world

- First brewed by Guinness in 1759, FES was designed for export, and is heavily hopped and typically has a higher alcohol content (7.5% ABV), which gives it a more bitter taste.

- It was first brewed in Sierra Leone, by the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited in October 1967

- In 2011, over 4 million hectolitres of the beer were sold in Africa, where Diageo intend to grow the product into the continent's highest selling beer.

- Guinness is an iconic brand, famous for its extraordinary and inimitable marketing and has evolved over years with different pack sizes to meet the increasing complexity and dynamic consumer preferences especially to suit the trendy millennials.

- Arthur Guinness, founder of Guinness, was influenced by the vision of the Methodist reformer, John Wesley, who often said, “Make all you can, save all you can and Give all you can” and he build his Company around these values. The generosity that has been embedded in the Guinness way of life is still inherent as it continues to demonstrate its spirit of philanthropy across the world. In 2015 at the peak of the Ebola, Guinness DIAGEO, contributed over £200,000 both in cash to fight against Ebola in Sierra Leone and Guinea. Communities within Wellington in Freetown have also benefitted with over 40 taps in 2011.

- Creativity reigned at Guinness for nearly all of its 250 years and this has led to the Guinness Book of World records – a book first published to answer bar bets where pints of Guinness were consumed. This is among the several other innovations embarked upon by the Guinness Company which has rewarded the Company numerous awards and accolades.

- The #madeofblack Campaign is a bold new Pan-African campaign which is part of the global GUINNESS® Made of More™ platform. It shines a light on a movement being created by a new generation of Africans whose boldness cannot be contained and who are fueling a new, progressive spirit of Africa. This campaign is a celebration of an attitude that epitomizes individuals who aren’t afraid to truly express themselves

*THE NEW ARIEL GUINNESS BOTTLE*

- This new bottle, with the nomenclature Ariel bottle, has a Sleek distinguishing golden foiled wrapper head protecting the new black top crown cork

- It has embossed unique harps on the shoulder of the new bottle which enables it to stand out from other “stout”.

- The 33 cl bottle is exceptionally black in colour, sleek, trendy and particularly easier to handle. This supports the platform of its profile as a never to be forgotten drink for all occasions and for the celebration of life.

- The label complements the blackness of the bottle portraying the black attitude with distinctive golden colour with the authentic signature of Arthur Guinness himself.
_____________________________________
*Produced, Marketed and Distributed by Sierra Leone Brewery Limited*

LAUNCH OF NEW ARIEL GUINNESS STOUT BOTTLE AT BINTUMANI HOTEL

Launch of New Ariel Guinness Stout Bottle at Bintumani Hotel

By Ranger

Friday 28th October, 2016, Sierra Leone’s premier beverage company, Sierra Leone Brewery Ltd. (SLBL) officially launched its new Ariel Guinness Bottle.

The auspicious occasion took place at the prestigious Bintumani Hotel, Aberdeen in Freetown. Hundreds of distinguished guests including a representative from the Ministry of Trade and Industry were in attendance. He gave a statement on behalf of the Minister.

In his statement he recalled that Guinness Stout was patented in 1759 by an Irish man called Arthur Guinness with a 7.5% alcohol. He went on to state that in October 1967, the first bottle of Guinness Stout was produced in Sierra Leone. He added that the Ministry of Trade felt honored to be part of the launch. He further recalled the historic popularity of Guinness in Sierra Leone and its excellent characteristics which make it stand out among other beverages.

Another guest was Minister of Internal Affairs Major (Rtd) Palo Conteh who read the keynote address of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Samaru W. Kamara who was unavoidably absent and was also supposed to launch the new SLBL product.

Reading verbatim Dr. Samura Kamara’s keynote address, Palo Conteh reiterated the start of Guinness production in 1967 and that since then the company strategically positioned itself as an excellent corporate entity. He also recalled that in 1962, the SLBL became a major contributor to Sierra Leone’s economy. He added that the SLBL is boosting the welfare of thousands of farmers across the country through purchase of locally produced sorghum. He added that the company has been involved in numerous development projects across the country running into billions of Leones. He added that today, the SLBL has put Sierra Leone on the international map of productivity with the launch of the Ariel Guinness Bottle.

He maintained that Guinness is an iconic brand which is dynamically preferred by the young generation. He added that the SLBL has increased employment opportunities directly and indirectly for Sierra Leoneans, but warned all and sundry to drink responsibly. He then proceeded to officially unveil the Ariel Guinness Bottle together with the SLBL Managing Director, Mr. Alphonse Willy Ngana.

Earlier however, the first speaker at the auspicious occasion was the SLBL Managing Director, Mr. Alphonse Willy Ngana. He explained to his audience that Guinness DIAGEO, during the Ebola crisis, donated two hundred thousand Pounds to Sierra Leone and Guinea through CARE International, demonstrating its role as a partner for development. He added that the SLBL is contributing to promoting the local content policy through buying locally grown sorghum from at least ten thousand farmers from across the country. He went on to state that the SLBL is innovative and conscious of the fact that it is contributing positively to the country’s economy through creating jobs for retailers, consumers, distributors and the like who are all Sierra Leoneans.

According to him, he is sure that the people of Sierra Leone are able to develop the economy through hard work and extended his thanks and appreciation to President Koroma and the government of Sierra Leone for creating the level playing field and giving the SLBL the necessary support to grow.

He called on the general public to support the SLBL and noted that Guinness symbolizes power and that with this power Sierra Leoneans can succeed. Finally, he thanked his staff and partners from across Africa and Europe for ensuring the successful production of the new bottle through the installation of  state-of-the-art equipment.

Also speaking was the SLBL Marketing Manager, Desmond George. He spoke on the new Guinness TVC, how to pour Guinness TVC and went ahead to do sampling followed by a mock volcanic explosion which brought forth the Ariel Guinness Stout to the amazement of the audience.

During the ensuing interlude there were musical performances by Dallas B, and a dance performance done by Men of Black.

The vote of thanks was done by Albert O.U. Collier who heaped praise on the SLBL, the audience and SLBL partners and the government. Food and drinks were then served which climaxed the event.

Guinness is "made of more"
               ***
It could be recalled that on Wednesday 26th October, 2016, the SLBL held the pre-launch of the Ariel Guinness Stout at the company’s headquarters at the Wellington Industrial Estate. It was well attended and there were several speeches.

The Managing Director, Willy Alphonse Ngana, said at the auspicious occasion that: “the new Guinness bottle is a game changer for the company.” He went on to thank his staff and partners from across Africa for ensuring the successful production of the new bottle through the installation of state-of-the-art equipment.

He said: “Guinness represents the power and resilience of black.” He added that the new trendy and classy Guinness bottle is expected to bring change in the market and accelerate sales.

“The management team is committed; we are fighting the right battle and we are winning the battle as we deliver high standard and quality beverage,” the SLBL Managing Director confidently said.

He went on to praise the Chairman of the Sierra Leone Sorghum Farmers’ Association, Dennis Jusu and everybody for their resilience. “Think Black, Drink Black Guinness,” he ended.

Desmond George the SLBL Marketing Manager said the pre-launch was mainly for SLBL staff and management.

According to SLBL, the launch is first of its kind and would go a long way to boost production, sales and distribution of Ariel Guinness.

The climax of the event was the distribution of food and drinks; but more particularly, the serving of the new Ariel Guinness to the guests who openly commended the new product for its unique taste. It was indeed a very colorful and breathtaking event which displayed the drive to push local content policy. 

        

LAUNCH OF NEW ARIEL GUINNESS STOUT BOTTLE AT BINTUMANI HOTEL

Launch of New Ariel Guinness Stout Bottle at Bintumani Hotel

By Ranger

Friday 28th October, 2016, Sierra Leone’s premier beverage company, Sierra Leone Brewery Ltd. (SLBL) officially launched its new Ariel Guinness Bottle.

The auspicious occasion took place at the prestigious Bintumani Hotel, Aberdeen in Freetown. Hundreds of distinguished guests including a representative from the Ministry of Trade and Industry were in attendance. He gave a statement on behalf of the Minister.

In his statement he recalled that Guinness Stout was patented in 1759 by an Irish man called Arthur Guinness with a 7.5% alcohol. He went on to state that in October 1967, the first bottle of Guinness Stout was produced in Sierra Leone. He added that the Ministry of Trade felt honored to be part of the launch. He further recalled the historic popularity of Guinness in Sierra Leone and its excellent characteristics which make it stand out among other beverages.

Another guest was Minister of Internal Affairs Major (Rtd) Palo Conteh who read the keynote address of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Samaru W. Kamara who was unavoidably absent and was also supposed to launch the new SLBL product.

Reading verbatim Dr. Samura Kamara’s keynote address, Palo Conteh reiterated the start of Guinness production in 1967 and that since then the company strategically positioned itself as an excellent corporate entity. He also recalled that in 1962, the SLBL became a major contributor to Sierra Leone’s economy. He added that the SLBL is boosting the welfare of thousands of farmers across the country through purchase of locally produced sorghum. He added that the company has been involved in numerous development projects across the country running into billions of Leones. He added that today, the SLBL has put Sierra Leone on the international map of productivity with the launch of the Ariel Guinness Bottle.

He maintained that Guinness is an iconic brand which is dynamically preferred by the young generation. He added that the SLBL has increased employment opportunities directly and indirectly for Sierra Leoneans, but warned all and sundry to drink responsibly. He then proceeded to officially unveil the Ariel Guinness Bottle together with the SLBL Managing Director, Mr. Alphonse Willy Ngana.

Earlier however, the first speaker at the auspicious occasion was the SLBL Managing Director, Mr. Alphonse Willy Ngana. He explained to his audience that Guinness DIAGEO, during the Ebola crisis, donated two hundred thousand Pounds to Sierra Leone and Guinea through CARE International, demonstrating its role as a partner for development. He added that the SLBL is contributing to promoting the local content policy through buying locally grown sorghum from at least ten thousand farmers from across the country. He went on to state that the SLBL is innovative and conscious of the fact that it is contributing positively to the country’s economy through creating jobs for retailers, consumers, distributors and the like who are all Sierra Leoneans.

According to him, he is sure that the people of Sierra Leone are able to develop the economy through hard work and extended his thanks and appreciation to President Koroma and the government of Sierra Leone for creating the level playing field and giving the SLBL the necessary support to grow.

He called on the general public to support the SLBL and noted that Guinness symbolizes power and that with this power Sierra Leoneans can succeed. Finally, he thanked his staff and partners from across Africa and Europe for ensuring the successful production of the new bottle through the installation of  state-of-the-art equipment.

Also speaking was the SLBL Marketing Manager, Desmond George. He spoke on the new Guinness TVC, how to pour Guinness TVC and went ahead to do sampling followed by a mock volcanic explosion which brought forth the Ariel Guinness Stout to the amazement of the audience.

During the ensuing interlude there were musical performances by Dallas B, and a dance performance done by Men of Black.

The vote of thanks was done by Albert O.U. Collier who heaped praise on the SLBL, the audience and SLBL partners and the government. Food and drinks were then served which climaxed the event.

Guinness is "made of more"
               ***
It could be recalled that on Wednesday 26th October, 2016, the SLBL held the pre-launch of the Ariel Guinness Stout at the company’s headquarters at the Wellington Industrial Estate. It was well attended and there were several speeches.

The Managing Director, Willy Alphonse Ngana, said at the auspicious occasion that: “the new Guinness bottle is a game changer for the company.” He went on to thank his staff and partners from across Africa for ensuring the successful production of the new bottle through the installation of state-of-the-art equipment.

He said: “Guinness represents the power and resilience of black.” He added that the new trendy and classy Guinness bottle is expected to bring change in the market and accelerate sales.

“The management team is committed; we are fighting the right battle and we are winning the battle as we deliver high standard and quality beverage,” the SLBL Managing Director confidently said.

He went on to praise the Chairman of the Sierra Leone Sorghum Farmers’ Association, Dennis Jusu and everybody for their resilience. “Think Black, Drink Black Guinness,” he ended.

Desmond George the SLBL Marketing Manager said the pre-launch was mainly for SLBL staff and management.

According to SLBL, the launch is first of its kind and would go a long way to boost production, sales and distribution of Ariel Guinness.

The climax of the event was the distribution of food and drinks; but more particularly, the serving of the new Ariel Guinness to the guests who openly commended the new product for its unique taste. It was indeed a very colorful and breathtaking event which displayed the drive to push local content policy.