President Koroma announces Receipt of US$1M from Saudi Prince By Aruna Turay. The donated One Million United States Dollars granted to Sierra Leone by His Royal Highness Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Bin Saud of Saudi Arabia to the Government of Sierra Leone through the Alwaleed Foundation, has been received. This, according to news reports, was publicly announced by His Excellency the President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma on Thursday 15th August 2013 at a specially arranged ceremony at State House aided by his Special Executive Assistant, Dr. Sylvia Blyden. The money is meant to improve maternal and child health and also to address youth employment. The ceremony was witnessed by key government officials including the Chief of Staff, Dr. Richard Konteh, the Minister of Information, Alhaji Alpha Kanu, the Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Momodu Kargbo, the Bank Governor, Dr. Sheku Sambadeen Sesay and beneficiary Ministers (Health’s Ms. Miatta Kargbo and Youths’ Ms. Feremusu Konte[deputy]). Presidential Youth Aide, Bai Mahmoud Bangura and the State House press were also present. President Koroma informed the gathering that when the Prince made the offer back in June this year, he appointed his Special Executive Assistant (SEA), Dr. Sylvia Blyden to work with the Prince’s Office in Saudi Arabia, to ensure the modalities for the transfer of the money went smoothly. The Head of State said this assignment was well carried out by Dr. Blyden resulting in all the one million dollars being now lodged at the Bank. President Koroma then asked Blyden to inform beneficiary ministries of Health and Youths, as to the modalities for them to be accessing and utilising the donated cash. Dr. Sylvia Blyden gave a precise & concise briefing on the conditions under which the Alwaleed Foundation granted the money. She told the gathering that the donated one million dollars will be utilised in specific sector projects that are “tangible and with a visible and quickly felt impact”. Dr. Blyden said none of the one million dollars would be used on abstract programmes like “sensitisation”. She furthered that “according to Grant Agreement I signed with the Prince’s Office, no more than 20% should be used to cover overheads”. She then asked the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Youths to submit project proposals to ensure they met the stated requirements for disbursement of the funds. This, the two ministries said, will be done within a week. Bank Governor Sesay said a special bank account will be opened at Central Bank for the one million dollars not to co-mingle with other government funds. He said SEA and other relevant authorities would decide as to signatory withdrawals to fund the agreed projects. It could be recalled that the Prince made the donation during his one-day visit to Sierra Leone on Monday 10th June this year after he heard of President Koroma’s very deep passion for youths employment and health of women and children.
Posted on: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 16:24:53 +0000
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