Sierra Leone is a Fatherless & Motherless Nation, Bio Not at Home When Nation Needs Him
By ABU SHAW
President Julius Maada Bio is always not at home when Sierra Leone needs his comfort and reassuring and presence as Sierra Leoneans mourn.
Sierra Leoneans are without the father of the nation President Bio, as dozens (possibly hundreds) lost their lives. Also, countless more are injured in a fire tragedy along the PMB New Road vicinity in Wellington. The First Family Maada Bio and his wife Mrs Fatima Bio are enjoying posh life in a UK 5-Star Hotel in London at the taxpayers’ expense. This would not have been so sad had it not been the usual situation i.e. the Bios are always away when their presence at home is actually needed. The nation needs a Father and Mother that are present right now at home. (Photo: President Bio and Fatima were dancing in London a few hours after the Wellington explosion had happened.
Instead, where are they? They are spending more extra time abroad. As if attending every conference and accepting every invitation is more of a priority than governing Sierra Leone. Mr and Mrs Bio have been away since last week. Now a major fire calamity has destroyed lives and properties, living hundreds with 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc., degree burns. Inevitable injuries are countless but the father and mother of the nation are overseas. (PhotoS: A survivor of the fires. APC Dr Samura Kamara was in Wellington).
No wonder many people around the vicinity are asking: “Where is the Father of the Nation, at this time when we need to have one with booths on the ground?” He is in the UK to attend an SLPP dinner party. Many wept, wailed, lamented, and were visibly disoriented. Sierra Leoneans are hurting at home. But the President and his wife stayed over in the UK to attend an SLPP dinner celebration as patronage to them on Friday night.
This is happening following a couple of weeks in the US, another week in Dubai and now an extra week in Glasgow and in London. Least we forget a working day visit to Guinea. In most nations that are led by loving and caring individuals, their leaders are always the first to lead a national response in times like these. A fatherless and motherless Sierra Leone is in mourning. The so-called father of the nation is never at home. No wonder the Vuvuzela Police Chief Ambrose Sovula thinks he has the mandate to transform Sierra Leone into a police state. (Photos: APC Sam Sumana was also there. And the Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, right, also appeared in Wellington).
Now nicknamed Bockarie Wakabot and Sampa Tormoh, Mr and Mrs Bio are adding to the negative image of Sierra Leone even though they think they are working hard to change. He believes his own PR press people. Add to the national woes, a fatherless and motherless nation when leadership from the first family is needed the most. Sierra Leone, we sorry O! Now the nation is governed by remote control, President. What else to make of a ruler who leads from oversees and never on the ground?
Another concerned Sierra Leonean blasted: “This incident illustrated a failing State. Also, poverty, ignorance, and lack of appropriate police intervention for public safety! No dedicated local Fire Force as first response. It is very sad.”
