CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF OF THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE ARMED FORCES CONTINUES HIS MAIDEN ADDRESS TO TROOPS AT SIERRA LEONE NAVY, SERVICE SUPPORT COMMAND, AND 3 INFANTRY BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS
In continuation with his maiden address to Western Area troops, the Chief of Defence Staff of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Major General AI Bangura on Thursday 27 March 2025, addressed troops at the Sierra Leone Navy, Service Support Command and 3 Infantry Brigade Headquarters.
The address centered on the reformation strides taken by the CDS-RSLAF upon assumption of office and the implementation of the Tri-Service as directed by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Commander -in- Chief of the RSLAF and Minister of Defence Brigadier General (Rtd) Dr Julius Maada Bio ( GCRSL) in February 2019. Today, the reversion to Tri-Service has been actualized as the Defence Headquarters has now been separated from the Ministry of Defence with the Service Chiefs operationally effective as Army, Navy and Air Force.
The Chief of Defence Staff – RSLAF also emphasized on the reformation gains made so far during his first One Hundred Days (100) in office, which centered on addressing the acute welfare issues affecting personnel across the force. He highlighted the quick impact welfare issues that he has addressed positively ranging from the provision of RSLAF- Bus Town Service, the increment in funeral purse from Eight Hundred and Twenty Leones (NLe 820 .00) to Ten Thousand Leones ( NLe 10,000.00 ) and a Personal Funeral Purse contribution with 3 Bags of Rice from the CDS-RSLAF, construction of Bore Holes at Murray Town, Juba and Wilberforce Barracks, re-construction of Barracks Roads at Murray Town and Wilberforce Barracks.
Also, increment in marriage assistance to RSLAF Personnel from Two Hundred Fifty Leones (NLe 250.00) to Five Thousand Leones (NLe 5,000.00). The Ration Cash Allowance (RCA) for operation has been increased to Fifty Leones (NLe 50.00) for RSLAF Personnel a day. The Service Support Commander was tasked to purchase a cow for each Forward Patrol and Forward Operating Bases as CDS-RSLAF wanted to see them eating good food when they are on operations,” Looking after soldiers is my priority” he said. Whilst Monthly Running Cost (MRC) was increased for both Battalions and Formations. The Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) and the Brigade Sergeant Majors (BSMs) fuel allocation of 10 % from unit fuel quota therefore, the RSMs and BSMs will now smoothly run their administration.
In contributing to the wellbeing and development of the RSLAF as a Constitutional mandate, the RSLAF will explore the 34 Military Hospital to make it the first port of call on medical for the country and will embark on Cashew Nut farming, Aquatic Fish farming in Bumpeh Tabay, Estates development for the construction of houses for RSLAF Personnel that will be affordable in all Provincial Headquarter Towns.
The National Defence and Strategy Policy document he said will be forwarded to the Defence Council for approval and it will pave the way for RSLAF development plans on the stipulated period. The construction of more Naval Bases and boats were mentioned as critical to the surveillance and protection of the territorial waters of the country by the Sierra Leone Navy.
Personnel on multi-national companies, allowances have been increased to a befitting status of soldiers as they will stay on deployment for two months which will help to cushion some of their personal welfares. On Peace Support Operation, the CDS-RSLAF informed all the troops at the various locations he addressed about $ 10m AU equipment was gifted to the Government of Sierra Leone, and that has placed RSLAF on 75% equipment readiness for PSO.
During the question and answer session, personnel requested for Troops Collection Vehicles to be extended to Camp Junction –Waterloo and it was approved by the CDS-RSLAF which was welcomed joyfully by the personnel.
The completion of 3Infantry Brigade Canteen was also sanctioned to be completed within three months whilst the Other Ranks Canteen at Wilberforce construction project with 500 bed rooms will soon commenced. The CDS also stated that he will construct toilet facilities at the Barracks to improve sanitation. There is also going to be a Forty Thousand Liters of Water Tank to be installed at Wilberforce Barracks to complement the recently constructed boreholes.
He also sanctioned that there should be a Bus as Troops Collection for female RSLAF Serving personnel and it will ply from Waterloo to Defence Headquarters “ They are our mothers and as such they should be treated decently” he said.
Credit:
OFFICE OF THE DIRECTORATE
OF DEFENCE PUBLIC
RELATIONS & INFORMATION
DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS
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WILKINSON ROAD
FREETOWN
PHONE/WHATSAPP:
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