By Donstance Koroma
The lead Sierra Leone Port Authority (SLPA) security officer, on night duty on 25th June, 2020, George Caulker, has implicated President Julius Maada Bio in a theft scandal in respect of a fishing vessel that was discharging on the sea face of Nectar Bulk Terminal at Queen Elizabeth II Quay, Freetown.
Reliable source have it that, on the above mentioned date at around 8:30pm, the Port lead security guard, George Caulker, brought in and introduced an ‘unknown man’ to one Abdul Kanu of Nectar Bulk Terminal Security (NBTS ) as President Bio’s personal trainer sent to monitor operations on the sea face.
According to source, Caulker further told Abdul Kanu of Nectar Bulk Terminal security that the ‘unknown man’ is more powerful and influential than the Deputy General Manager, Yakuba Bio, a relative of President Bio. Therefore whatever the unknown man says, with regards operations within the terminal, is final.
Findings indicate that the unknown man, in question, appeared like any top state detective that looked determined to implement instructions from above.
Revelations are that Caulker and the unknown man walked straight to the sea face and onboard the vessel, which was discharging fish on Nectar terminal.
Surprisingly, Nectar Bulk Terminal supervisors and guards saw Caulker removing bags of fish from the vessel, whiles the unknown man provided close protection without a flasher and helmet, a blatant disregard for safety and security measures governing the sea port, Nightwatch investigation reveals.
Investigation pointed out that Caulker was storing the stolen bags of fish in one of the lifesaving equipment installed on the sea face in an event of any sea accident.
This strange happening, this medium was told, sparked conflict between the Sierra Leone Port Authority and Nectar Bulk Terminal security guards at the sea face.
The intensity of the conflict, the Nightwatch was told, attracted one Abu Kalokoh, Nectar supervisor on duty, to the scene. He pleaded with Caulker and guards to stay in their deployment area and allow them (Nectar guards) to carry out their duty without any interference.
The utterances of Caulker and guards on Nectar supervisor, Abu Kalokoh stimulated the supervisor to report the matter to one Inspector Fatorma of the country’s Port security guard who prevailed on the Port guards to immediately leave the sea face for their own area of deployment.
In obedience to the command of Inspector Fatorma, George Caulker and guards, together with the unknown man, collected the bags of fish and walked out of the Port gate, our investigation reveals.
This unfortunate incident, this medium was told, prompted Nectar Bulk Terminal Security supervisors, on duty, to officially complain to their superior the conduct of the Port Security guards, who the letter indicates is hindering their operation as a private security outfit.
On Nectar supervisors’ complain letter, our investigation pointed out that the supervisors called on Nectar Bulk Terminal senior management to engage the Sierra Leone Port Authority (SLPA) who will educate their guards about the lease agreement between Nectar and SLPA, because the issue of landlord and tenant security guards is becoming monotonous.
Nightwatch investigation has it that George Caulker and team are largely youths and youth adults of the incumbent Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) taskforce that risked their lives before and during the 2018 elections for political recognition and reward.