Northern Bureau Chief
His Excellency- President Ernest Bai Koroma says every Sierra Leonean should be prepared to work hard with sincerity and commitment for the Transformation of the Country to a Middle Income State. This was the theme of his message to the People of the Northern District of Port Loko which he has declared as his Political home.
The President said the Country has wasted so much time and opportunities in the past fifty years , that it is now time for Sierra Leoneans to put aside their political aspirations, and work together with determination for the development of the Country. His Excellency however noted that it would be very difficult for a country to be in the forefront in terms of development if its people are not honest and disciplined enough. He said the people should therefore be able to understand the principles of the much talked about democracy and human rights together with the corresponding responsibilities such as the observance and maintenance of law and order.
The President said he was not in Port Loko to ask for additional time of office or to make additional promises to people for him to do what he intended doing, rather he was there to help Sierra Leoneans see the need to have all hands on deck for the transformation of the Country to a Middle Income Nation wherein it would be pointless for an outsider to dictate on what we ought to do as a people. He said this is the core reason why the issue of who should succeed him must be put aside for now, stressing that his leadership will not allow anyone to debar the standards the All Peoples Congress Party Led Government has so far set.
President Koroma further used the occasion to express delight over what he referred to as the unique standards set up by the great founders of the All Peoples Congress Party. He said the All Peoples Congress is a Party of Actions and not Intentions as is the common case of most Political Parties in the Country, which is why he is not only appreciative of the fact that those set standards are still alive, but that he is highly determined to continue to improve and up keep such positive standards
His Excellency President Ernest Bai Koroma said because he is mindful of the fact that no other government is capable enough to develop this country rather than the APC, that is why he has considered it mandatory for his government to champion the development of this Nation. He said apart from the Road Network he is constructing throughout the country, his government has also been able to provide solar street lights and safe drinking water to most parts of this country including Kailahun, Pujehun, Bonthe, Bo, Kenema, Kono and Koinadugu.
The President who was here with his wife and children said, he has decided to declare Port Loko his second home because it is the origin and home land of great people such as Bai Burreh of Kasseh and Vice President Sorie Ibrahim Koroma from whom he incurred his political inspirations. He said this is why he has decided to have 2 of the key Transformational projects in the District of Port Loko as an indication of his determination to do more of the marvellous works he has started for the people of this country.
As for Port Loko District, the President said most of the big towns like Lungi, where a reliable source of electricity has returned after 18 odd years, Lunsar where electrification is about 80% complete, other places like Lokomasama, Koya and Maforki which are in the threshold for a classic transformation. He said the Bankasoka Mini Hydro has been expanded to ensure that the facility is availed to the nearby villages. The President said the construction project of the New Airport at Mamam has been signed and that effective work will commenced in January next year as its Metrological Station is now under construction.
His Excellency said the most enviable project will be located in the Lokomasama / Kaffu Bullom Chiefdoms where he believes will be transformed to the Singapore of Sierra Leone after he shall have constructed a Commercial and an Industrial City in that part of the Country. President Koroma ended by encouraging every Sierra Leonean to get prepared for the great transformation ahead of his Government.
The Chairman of the occasion – Alhajie Alpha Kanu who is also the Minister of Information, described President Koroma as the New Mandela of Africa and impressed on Youths to opt for relevant education that will make them self reliant in life. The Chairman of the Council of Paramount Chiefs in the District-P/C Alhajie Kompa Bomboli 2nd. of Koya, the Port Loko District Council Chairman- Ahmid Munirr Fofana and the host Member of Parliament- Hon. Alhajie Serray Dumbuya of Constituency 049, on behalf of their respective Institutions, expressed thanks and appreciation to President Koroma, not only for choosing Port Loko as his Political Home, but also for making it the venue for his 2013 Christmas Holiday.
The People of Port Loko praised President Koroma for making their District a pivot of development and prayed that he lives long enough to be able to actualise the rest of his dreams. The 3 day visit of the President which took him to Lungi, Lokomasama, Mange Burreh, Lunsar, and Masiaka, remains memorable to the minds of the people of Port Loko District who have already assured him of their solid support at all times….
Leave a Reply