‘I Will Not Even Pray For My Enemies To Live In Kono’
Residents of Kono district east of Sierra Leone have expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of development of their district.
"We expect to benefit a lot from the All Peoples Congress government but they have been a big let down and a big slap on our faces" said Unisa Momoh a 45-year-old man in Koidu City.
The view of Mr. Momoh is being reechoed by many residents in that district. According to them Kono can boast of three big names in governance who were born in that district, namely, the Vice President Alhaji Sauel Sam Sumana, the First and Second ladies of the country. Investigations carried out indicate that Kono district has the worst roads to and from the district and the poor road network have frustrated many investors, both foreign and local from investing in that district.
One can hardly get a five-minute drive without entering a pothole from Matotoka to Koidu city. "The poor road network in Koidu City is causing a lot of pain for us and also delaying our journey to any destination" said Sheku Dumbuya. Zainab Bayoh described the lack of development in that district as unbelievable and a disgrace to the Vice President. She pointed out that if Bo, Makeni and Kenema among others road network is improving, it is because there is a proper monitoring system in place by those who have interest in such projects.
"I don't even pray for my enemies to live in this part of the country because there is nothing good there. The Vice President proved to be incapable of governing us because he lacks interest in his own town," she said.
Well Group is the construction company that is constructing roads in Koidu City but their work is very much questionable. While other cities are experiencing good network during the four years of APC rule, Koidu City is still preparing to construct drainages.
SALONE TIMES discovered that the work in Koidu has come to a stand still as one could hardly spot a worker on the construction sites. According to Well Group, they only received 30% payment from the government and they are requesting for more so that they can carry on with the work.
Some are of the view that Well Group is delaying the work with the expectation that diamond might surface on the road as nothing would stop them from digging below the tarmac.
Well Group also accused some residents of not helping that city as they cart away materials such as iron rods, boards, cement among others meant for the construction of that city.
Beside the poor road network, the economic hardship is telling on the faces of most residents. The country's staple food rice is hard to come by and very expensive. One can hardly eat and be satisfied with a plate of rice costing five thousand Leones. The town itself still have relics of the war which ended in 2002. "They are still thinking that they are refugees in our home town as everything is expensive. Since our house was burnt down we are still not able to raise money to build it again because of the cost of materials" said a mother of five children, Mrs. Doris Jabbie. The children of that city are yearning for a brighter future as they are the ones that are suffering the most. The lack of adequate facilities like pipe borne water, electricity and school buildings are the current challenges facing that district. They are now wondering what their future will be if this government which is close to their heart leaves power come 2012.
"We expect to benefit a lot from the All Peoples Congress government but they have been a big let down and a big slap on our faces" said Unisa Momoh a 45-year-old man in Koidu City.
The view of Mr. Momoh is being reechoed by many residents in that district. According to them Kono can boast of three big names in governance who were born in that district, namely, the Vice President Alhaji Sauel Sam Sumana, the First and Second ladies of the country. Investigations carried out indicate that Kono district has the worst roads to and from the district and the poor road network have frustrated many investors, both foreign and local from investing in that district.
One can hardly get a five-minute drive without entering a pothole from Matotoka to Koidu city. "The poor road network in Koidu City is causing a lot of pain for us and also delaying our journey to any destination" said Sheku Dumbuya. Zainab Bayoh described the lack of development in that district as unbelievable and a disgrace to the Vice President. She pointed out that if Bo, Makeni and Kenema among others road network is improving, it is because there is a proper monitoring system in place by those who have interest in such projects.
"I don't even pray for my enemies to live in this part of the country because there is nothing good there. The Vice President proved to be incapable of governing us because he lacks interest in his own town," she said.
Well Group is the construction company that is constructing roads in Koidu City but their work is very much questionable. While other cities are experiencing good network during the four years of APC rule, Koidu City is still preparing to construct drainages.
SALONE TIMES discovered that the work in Koidu has come to a stand still as one could hardly spot a worker on the construction sites. According to Well Group, they only received 30% payment from the government and they are requesting for more so that they can carry on with the work.
Some are of the view that Well Group is delaying the work with the expectation that diamond might surface on the road as nothing would stop them from digging below the tarmac.
Well Group also accused some residents of not helping that city as they cart away materials such as iron rods, boards, cement among others meant for the construction of that city.
Beside the poor road network, the economic hardship is telling on the faces of most residents. The country's staple food rice is hard to come by and very expensive. One can hardly eat and be satisfied with a plate of rice costing five thousand Leones. The town itself still have relics of the war which ended in 2002. "They are still thinking that they are refugees in our home town as everything is expensive. Since our house was burnt down we are still not able to raise money to build it again because of the cost of materials" said a mother of five children, Mrs. Doris Jabbie. The children of that city are yearning for a brighter future as they are the ones that are suffering the most. The lack of adequate facilities like pipe borne water, electricity and school buildings are the current challenges facing that district. They are now wondering what their future will be if this government which is close to their heart leaves power come 2012.
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