The staff members, retailers and customers of the Sierra Leone State Lottery Company and the National Commission on Privatization (NCP) have witnessed a transition ceremony of the outgoing Managing Director, Charles S. Kamara, to the incoming Managing Director, Jerry E. George. The ceremony took place at Lotto building, Tower Hill in Freetown, Monday 10 September 2018.
Members of the Sierra Leone State Lottery, retailers and customers of the betting game described the outgoing MD as someone who was passionate and had a motivational spirit for the game hence he had contributed immensely towards the transformation of the institution.
The Chairman of NCP, Umaru Napoléon Koroma, thanked the outgoing MD for his relentless and dedicated services delivered to the nation especially in the capacity as Managing Director of the State Lottery pointing out that his diligent contributions have helped in the development of the nation.
The NCP Chair said the handing over ceremony is not the end of the road for the young man stating as a citizen his contribution in other sectors is relevant hence the history of the Sierra Leone State Lottery cannot be complete without mentioning the name of the outgoing MD. He wished him the best of life after Lotto and pleaded with him to continue the good service to the country.
Napoléon said as chair of the Commission that was established since 2002 he had set a benchmark to change perception and narratives on government properties.
The outgoing MD Charles S. Kamara expressed gratitude to the entire management and staff of the Sierra Leone State Lottery, past and present board members of the Commission, retailers and customers of the game for their support to him and the game. He said gains made during his tenure, as MD was as a result of his commitment to national service, hard work, dedication and support from all players in the betting game.
Charles said since 2nd August 2010 when he joined the betting company till 3rd August 2018, the stage on which he was allowed to perform his national service was at the State Lottery where according to him, he has been able to manage effectively and efficiently.
Outlining his successes, the outgoing MD said he was able to transform the old analog betting machines into modern customer services machine, which is in line with savings on the cost of printing of tickets. Despite the financial downturn and the absence of regulation and unfair service delivery in betting games, he said he was able to make a profit of Le17.1 billion in 2017 as compared to Le14.1 billion in 2016, with total assets amounting to Le.3.3 billion and a Net cash balance of Le190 million, with liability of Le4.7 billion.
Charles S. Kamara said during his tenure in office he was able to downsize his staff, cutting down to 5% operational staff and the purchase of new lotto station machine, launching of a website in 2016, winning of appeal court ruling in favor of lotto and also, won 7 meritorious awards.
Despite the successes there are challenges and he pleaded with the incoming MD to look into the lack of a regulatory body in the betting game pointing that, establishment of a regulatory framework for all betting company in the country will help in the area of revenue and fair completion. He pleaded with government to go into partnership for the development of a betting game pointing that the game can be profitable with huge turnover when it is being run with partnership hence, the introduction of SMS mobile betting.
The incoming MD for the Sierra Leone State Lottery Company Jerry E. George, thanked his predecessor for the gains made during his tenure in office which according to him will be maintained and stating that betting business used to be a booming sector in the country according it a household name across the nation.
The new MD recalled back in 1990 when the Sierra Leone State Lottery single handedly sponsored the country Zone 2 football tournament which clearly shows how creative the sector was in those days.
George says he was committed to ensuring people management, transparency and accountability, fiscal management towards improving on the betting customers faith in the game because according to him integrity and confident building strives to multiply and develop customer’s number in the game. He assured all of a revamp and promised the generation of more revenue for the country through betting.
He described the staff as the greatest asset of the company hence called on them to be efficient and effective towards their work in ensuring the interest of the country is put first. He reassured both retailers and customers of lotto that his administration will work with them in meeting with the social and economic needs of the country.
The outgoing Managing Director who was accorded a farewell card and a plaque from staff and retailers Association for his service to the nation while he was working with them.
MK/10/9/18
By Mohamed Kabba
Twitter: @chikakabba
Tuesday September 11, 2018.