By: Problyn J. Alpha
After seven decades and three years of existence the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone who also doubles as the Chairman and leader of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) Dr. Julius Maada Bio has officially turned the sod for the construction of the Party’s office in Kono District.
The epoch making ceremony which attracted traditional leaders, government and party officers, members of parliament, and Councilors including all works of life and the Press took place at the Construction site in Koidu City, Kono District.
The Local Government and Rural Development Minister, Tamba Lamina intimated to the audience that, the challenges they saw after acquiring the Land for the Party office were almost very impossible to develop.
On his part, the Paramount Chief of Tankoro Chiefdom, Kono District who also doubles as the Paramount Chief Member of Parliament elect, Kono District P.C. Paul Ngaba Saquee V thanked and appreciated his Colleague Paramount Chiefs for their unflinching support to promoting peace among themselves and their people for the betterment of the City of Koidu and Kono district.
He noted that the division among them before now was inevitable whenever it is time to have their representative in the well of Parliament.
“If we are gathered here today to officially turn the sod for the construction of the SLPP District office on this land of Kono, it is also as a result of the laudable benchmarks set by the Late Sia Elizabeth Tongu of blessed Memory,” P.C. Saquee noted.
He further explained that at least four years ago, the late SLPP Kono District Chairperson Madam Sia Elizabeth Tongu asked him to give the Party the said land for the construction of its office in the district. P.C. Saquee pointed out that haven heard from the late Chairperson of the SLPP in Kono District he then asked her to search for where she would want the Party’s District office to be constructed adding at least two weeks later said land was given to the Party for construction of its District office.
Delivering his keynote address, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio foremost thanked all present especially the Paramount Chiefs for providing the land.
“ Our presence in Kono District today was to show the people of Kono District that my government truly loves and cherishes them a lot, we are not only focusing on bringing developments to Kono District, but we as well want everybody to know that my government respects everyone,” President Bio maintained.
He said Kono district is part of Sierra Leone and it has been one of the major sources of the economy of the country for over a century and it is an obligation on his government to correct what he called the ‘Historical Injustices the district has suffered’.
President Bio further assured the people of Kono District that his government was more than ready to ensure that the District has all the social amenities it deserves. The first gentleman of the Republic of Sierra Leone beseeches all and sundry to vote wisely that will pave the away for more sustainable developments in the district and the Country as a whole.
Meanwhile, singing and dancing by the Green entertainers climaxed the said official turning of the sod for the construction of the SLPP District Office in Kono District.
