The World Bank Director in Sierra Leone, Engelbert Gudmusson, today bade farewell to President Koroma and introduced his successor, Vijay Pillai. In his remarks, Mr. Gudmusson thanked President Koroma for the wonderful cooperation and access accorded to him during his tour of duty. “It has been very valuable to me. It made my life and my work much easier. I have enjoyed every minute of it,” he said, while hoping that he had also been of assistance to the President and the Government of Sierra Leone. “I wish you would accord the same access to my successor who I highly recommend as a dependable person,” he maintained. He said he witnessed the 2007 elections and monitored the transition process from the former government to the new one, and “we are now in a much better place… You and your government are very much on top of the issues.”

It should be brought to the notice of the public that the press release issued out yesterday 21^st June 2010 by the Office of the President about a press report sent out by the Press Secretariat was not a retraction but a clarification.  At no time did the whole press release make mention of retracting the story. There was no use of the word ‘retract’ or ‘regret’ or ‘withdraw’ or ‘apologise’.