The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Lieutenant General Amara Idara Bangura recently conducted his maiden tour in the provinces in order to acquaint the troops with the development strides that he has undertaken with the support of His Excellency the President and Commander-in-Chief, Retired Brigadier General Julius Maada Bio.
During the tour, the CDS addressed troops in Lungi, Kabala, Kono, Makeni, Bo, Pujehun, Jendema, Zimmi, Kenema and Daru.
Throughout his address, the CDS intimated the troops about the implementation of the Tri-service Plan, the utilization of the engineering equipment on the construction of feeder roads across the country, the increment of the RSLAF Funeral Purse, the increment of Marriage Assistance, Ration Cash Allowance (RCA) and Monthly Running Cost (MRC), the allocation of 10% Unit and Formation fuel quota to the Brigade and Regiment Sergeant Majors, the construction of boreholes at Wilberforce, Murray Town and Juba barracks and the introduction of town service buses for Western Area troops and others.
On peacekeeping operations, Lieutenant General Bangura said that the UN Assessment and Advisory Visit (AAV) Team recently visited Sierra Leone to assess RSLAF’s readiness for peacekeeping assignment. He emphasized that 75% of the peacekeeping equipment have been acquired through the international engagements of the President and Commander-in-Chief.
With regards the agricultural activities, the CDS said that RSLAF was currently engaged in cashew, fish and rice farmings. He revealed that a 550 acre cahew farm has been planted in Mabalay, Gbakeh Loko Chiefdom in Port Loko District. He also revealed that the a 250 acre fish farming was taking place at Bumpeh Tabay in Bo District. He further revealed that the rice cultivation was massively ongoing. He assured that by 2026, the RSLAF would produce at least 10,000 bags of rice so as to feed its personnel.
On the healthcare delivery, Lieutenant General Bangura said that the 34 Military Hospital was being upgraded to the status of being an enviable medical facility in the sub-region. He added that the Hospital would be fully equipped to address some critical medical conditions. He lauded the huge efforts of the First Lady, Dr Fatima Maada Bio for championing the transformation of the military Hospital.
Torching on uniformity, Lieutenant General Bangura revealed that RSLAF has signed partnership with a Nigeria based garment industry so that the industry could set up similar facility in Sierra Leone for the purpose of producing the various service dresses and accoutrements for soldiers.
Talking about estates development, the CDS disclosed that RSLAF would soon engage in the construction of affordable housing facilities in the provinces for its personnel.
During the tour, Lieutenant General Bangura approved the allocation of 100 litres of fuel to all militay personnel in the rank of Warrant Officer Class One (WO1)
In Lungi, the CDS announced that the 15 Infantry Battalion has been renamed as 3 Infantry Battalion. He donated several cartoons of assorted drinks worth Le 100,000.00 for the running of the canteens and messes. He also donated 10 solar lights to the Barracks, one solar battery to the Mosque and one 5KVA generator to the Church.
In Kabala, the CDS donated 100 bags of cement for the construction of the pillars of the perimeter fence of the Barracks and 25 bags of cement for the completion of the church project. He also donated a set of Public Address (PA) System for the Mosque. He further donated one 5KVA generator, one smart television screen and one DSTV decorder to the Forward Patrol Base (FPB) at Sinkunia. He promised constructing one borehole in the Barracks.
In Kono, the CDS donated 50 bundles of zinc for the re-roofing of Other Ranks’ accommodation, a 350-litre freezer for the Other Ranks’ canteen, one 5KVA generator for the Forward Patrol Base (FPB) at Njagbaima Fiama and 30 bags of cement with the workmanship fee for the plastering of the Services Primary School. He promised constructing a borehole and the Services Nursery School.
In Makeni, the CDS promised to complete the 60-bed field hospital – a project he started when he was serving as the Brigade Commander. He also promised to support the construction of the mortuary.
In Pujehun, the CDS donated 100 bags of cement and 50 bundles of zinc with other building materials for the renovation of the Other Ranks’ canteen as well as some Married Quarters. He also donated 10 solar lights to the Barracks. He further donated 10 sewing machines to the Pujehun Branch of Armed Forces Wives Cooperative Society (AFWCS).
In Jendema, the CDS joined the other Security Sector Heads in a stakeholders’ meeting to address the rate of the drug trafficking. He disclosed that there was a plan to recruit 500 veterans, who will compliment the primary security forces at the border.
In Zimmi, the CDS donated 50 bags of cement and 40 celotex ceiling boards for the renovation of the soldiers’ accommodation. He also donated 30 mattresses, one dual DSTV decoder and one television screen.
In Kenema, the CDS commissioned the newly constructed bakery named as “Eastern Region Combat Bread and Confectionery”, which construction project he sponsored. He donated 10 bags of bread flour to start the bakery. He also donated 100 bags of cement and one ton of iron rod for the construction of the perimeter fence of the Brigade Support Group (BSG), East.
XVIII. In Daru, the CDS donated 100 bags of cement for the construction of the perimeter fence of the Barracks and 100 bags of cement for the construction of Services Secondary School. He also donated 100 chairs and desks to the said school. He promised to construct a borehole with submersive machine for the Daru Field Hospital.
The familiarisation tour of the CDS was a huge success, especially with the donations made to address the critical welfare issues of the troops.
It was the first time that a serving CDS has visited his troops and given them such donations. “We want the CDS to visit us every month. He truly understands our welfare and he is committed to solving them”, the soldiers chanted.
For information about RSLAF, please visit our Facebook page at the Ministry of Defence/Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces or our website at www.mod.gov.sl.
Jacob Bassie,
Major,
Staff Officer Grade 2,
Directorate of Defence Public Relations and Information,
Defence Headquarters,
Cockerill Barracks,
Freetown.
Phone/WhatsApp:
078 452 876
