During the commissioning of the rebranded Sierratel head office, the Managing Director of Sierratel, Senesie Kallon, said the institution needs about Le44 billion to revamp the company. Kallon apologized to Sierratel customers because of poor service. He said, “The time is now for us to change strategy and improve the services on their data as well as voice.” “As we are commissioning our new head office. This is the rebirth of Sierratel and the transformation has started. We are planning to erect 70 new sites across the country and we plan to increase our subscriber base in the offices, the homes and on the move with our 4G Lte and make sure that every town and city knows about Sierratel before the end of this year.” The Managing Director called on the government to come to their aid and make sure that the sleeping giant is awake to take over the telecommunications world because Sierratel is government-owned and they hope to get a quick turnover of Le89 billion. Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rado Swaray, said the government will support Sierratel in their drive because the competition in the country is keen and only the strongest will survive. He said the government has launched the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on Information, Communication Technology (ICT) so that they can improve Sierratel. “Currently we are at an advance stage of negotiation with China for a $30 million USD loan to increase broadband communication. We want to make sure that the entire country has digitalized network to make communications easy as we are working on our e-Government to make communications easy for all ministries, departments and agencies.” The Chair of National Commission for Privatization (NCP), Umaru Napoleon Koroma, said the short, medium and long-term plans presented by the management are achievable and they will get the support of NCP. The deputy leader of government business and the Chair of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Information and Technology, Hon. Matthew Nyuma said Sierra Leone is in a hurry to develop and the communications industry must not be behind. “Parliament is right behind you and we will make sure that we support you with positive legislation that will bring success to the company as Sierratel is ours and we must make sure it survives and be the best in the country.”
AT/22/1/19
Wednesday January 23, 2019.