PRESS RELEASE
HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT HAS NOTICED WITH GRAVE CONCERN THAT IN RECENT MONTHS REPRESENTATIVES OF VARIOUS ORGANISATIONS, GROUPS AND STAKEHOLDERS HAVE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ASSEMBLED OUTSIDE THE PRECINCTS OF STATE HOUSE TO REGISTER PROTESTS OVER THE HANDLING OF PERTINENT ISSUES BY GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES, DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES.
IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT SUCH PROTESTS HAVE A DISRUPTIVE INFLUENCE ON THE PEACE AND QUIET OF THE PRESIDENCY.
QUITE APART FROM THE FACT THAT THOSE WHO ORGANISE SUCH PROTESTS DO NOT OBTAIN PRIOR APPROVAL FROM THE SIERRA LEONE POLICE, THE TARGETING OF STATE HOUSE AS THEIR FIRST PORT OF CALL IS UNACCEPTABLE. INDEED, THEY SHOULD FIRST SEEK REDRESS FROM THE SECTORAL MINISTRY, DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY OF GOVERNMENT WITHIN WHOSE COMPETENCE THE MATTER LIES.
THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS HEREBY INFORMED THAT WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT THE STAGING OF PROTESTS OUTSIDE THE PRECINCTS OF STATE HOUSE IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED. ANYONE WHO CONTRAVENES THIS ORDER WILL FACE THE FULL FORCE OF THE LAW.
END
STATE HOUSE
FREETOWN 12TH MAY, 2016
