By State House Communication Unit
President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma is continuing his ‘thank you’ tour across the country. He arrived in Magburaka, Tonkolili district this afternoon (Wednesday 27 December) where he delivered another installment in his farewell message to the people who came out in their numbers to listen to him.
Delivering his keynote address, President Koroma thanked the people of Tonkolili for providing the space where he went to school from form one to six. He also thanked them for their support to serve as president for two consecutive terms of five years each. He urged the people of Tonkolili district to stay united and focus on winning the next elections.
The president further thanked the people of Tonkolili district for a peaceful tenure over the last ten years, saying there has been peace and quiet all across the country. He used the occasion to present the APC flag bearer Dr Samura M. W. Kamara and his running mate Hon. Chernoh R. M. Bah to the people, adding that no government can finish all the work that is at hand. He also noted that the APC’s record is unparalleled in the history of Sierra Leone.
President Koroma told the mammoth crowd that within the next three years, electricity generation and distribution would be a thing of the past as government has already signed the project to expand Bumbuna hydro electric project as well as the West Africa Power Pool. He mentioned the free health care initiative which has saved more lives since its inception. The president talked about the medical insurance scheme which was enacted by the last parliament.
Welcoming the President and entourage, paramount chief Masakama Kanamanka III of Kholifa Rowala expressed profound appreciation for the remarkable work President Koroma has done for Tonkolili district and the whole country in general.
Chairman of the ceremony Dr Minkailu Bah also thanked President Koroma for connecting Magburaka to other parts of the country through good roads, electricity, clean pipe borne water and a university – the Ernest Bai Koroma University of Science and Technology.
Giving a synopsis of the purpose of the visit, Presidential Campaign Manager John Bornoh Sisay said Tonkolili was the foundation of the APC in 2002. “The President is here to say thanks for the support you gave him to become president over the past ten years. Secondly, he is here to introduce and present the APC flag bearer and running mate to the people of Tonkolili,” he stated.
APC District Youth Leader for Tonkolili district Sheriff Abass Bundu praised President Koroma for transforming the country. “We are determined and always prepared to deliver victory for the party in the forthcoming elections,” said Bundu.
APC District Women’s Leader for Tonkolili Madam Regina Bangura pointed out that Tonkolili is for APC due to the tremendous work the party has done across the district. She pledged unflinching support for the ‘Samura-Chericoco’ ticket for the March 2018 general elections.
Speaking at the ceremony, APC presidential candidate Dr Samura Kamara pledged to continue where President Koroma left off. He also pledged not to leave anyone behind as APC is a grassroots party. Dr Samura Kamara called on all party stalwarts, members and supporters to close ranks and remain focused to win the next elections. “Tonkolili is the heart of APC,” he said and encouraged all and sundry to avoid any cracks within the district party hierarchy.
