By State House Communication Unit
President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma has urged politicians to focus on ending Ebola as this is not the time for politics. He made this call during a courtesy call on him by Brigadier (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio on Monday 12th October, 2015.
The two men discussed issues ranging from the countdown towards a resilient zero, national cohesion and the need for every Sierra Leonean to focus on ending Ebola as now is not the time for politics.
President Koroma expressed hope that national issues will be approached from a collaborative point of view adding that by the 7th of November 2015, with all things being equal, the country would have been declared Ebola free. “This will be great news for all Sierra Leoneans,” he said. He noted that government led the fight against the Ebola virus supported by other organizations that had placed the country in pole position to winning the fight, noting that the response mechanisms in all the districts should be effective and alert even after the disease would have been defeated. He informed that he has personally led the social mobilization campaign and will be going round the country reminding the people to stay engaged in the fight and continue to adhere to the medical regulations and protocols.
On the issue of national interest and cohesion, the president said is the responsibility of the leadership of political parties and should be seen demonstrated by the leaders. He added that one of the legacies he would want to leave is to see political tolerance as much as we have seen and enjoyed religious tolerance in Sierra Leone. “It is not a matter of life and death…at the end of the day, the destination is a developed and unified country and it is the responsibility to make Sierra Leone great not by fighting or being at each others throats,” he explained.
The Chief Executive pointed out that his door is always open particularly to those that are interested in working with the government and other players to move the country forward. He encouraged the former SLPP presidential candidate to continue to work collaboratively.
Brigadier Bio commended the effective leadership of President Koroma in the fight against Ebola and also government’s proactive stance in helping and catering for the welfare of those affected by the flooding on September 16th.
He also noted that although the country is still not out of the woods yet, substantive progress has been made by government to break the chain of transmission and control the spread of the virus.
The former SLPP presidential candidate also informed President Koroma of his desire to compliment government’s social mobilization and sensitization drive to end Ebola. He therefore said he will be traveling around the country to talk to people to continue to adhere to the health protocols and medical regulations in the fight against Ebola.
Brigadier (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio was accompanied by his former 2012 Running mate Dr Kadie Sesay, the Deputy SLPP Chairman and Leader Dr Prince Alex Harding and Hon. Umar Paran Tarawally.
