On behalf of the management and production of Big Sister Sierra Leone, Zainab sheriff has apologized to supporters and fans for not coming on live to unveil the reality TV show which was scheduled at 8: OO a.m. on Sunday October 4, 2020.
According to sheriff it was due to an error on the part of the production team of Big Sister Sierra Leone to meet COVID-19 regulations and the Tourism ministry’s dispensations on indoor gatherings for an event of such scale.
“We are sorry for ruining a portion of our weekend entertainment. This is a major glitch and we offer no excuses but our sincerest apologies,” she said.
She added that all foreign contestants were certified COVID-19 free, but “regretfully they mixed the date up on securing tests for home-based contestants.”
She added that considering the importance of the issue, they ought to have noticed and corrected that mistake in good time.
“We also wish to express our regrets in not bringing a statement out sooner. We were consumed by decision making as time spent out of feasibility. We beg of you, to excuse us.”
According to sheriff they had been contemplating and weighing the validity of introducing their contestants in installments, to fulfill Sunday’s programming.
“In the end, we determined that for production value, we cannot open to Sierra Leone even without participant within the country. And especially because the show’s primary purpose is women empowerment, we want to give every woman a fair introduction to express their qualities,” she explained.
She noted that, in the interest of clarity and fair play, they wish to inform the general public that not going live last night was not down to any form of sabotage as some have suggested.
She also emphasized it was neither due to lack of technical proficiency by their broadcaster, the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Cooperation (SLBC). She said “We stress, the reason for not going live was a failure to meet public health compliance for which we and only we are to blame.”
She concluded, “Subject of course, to health ministry clearance, the plan is to go live tonight.” In a related development, the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation has dispelled rumors that the SLBC has canceled the agreement for the transmission of the Big Sister reality television show. SLBC says that it is braced up and is ready to broadcast the show.
By Ibrahim S. Bangura
6/10/2020. ISSUE NO: 7924