By: Problyn J Alpha
Some business owners at the Gbense market and main Konomanyi lorry park in Koidu City Kono District have called on the environmental department of the Koidu New Sembehun City Council ( KNSCC) to urgently intervene in the clearing and cleaning of the drainages at the aforementioned public places to avoid further flooding.
They made the appeal on Monday 27th July 2024, following a heavy down pour that disrupted business activities and caused grave damages leading to the loss of items worth thousands of Leones at the above named locations in Koidu City.
Gbense market is one of the largest markets in Koidu City whilst konomanyi main lorry park being the biggest for the daily travelling and weekly trade activities in Kono District.
Meanwhile, users of the said facilities have reportedly failed to maintain the said locations and the city Council leadership has been criticized for neglecting their responsibility to take good care of the aforementioned public places, this according to report has made traders to always bring kush victims to clean for small incentives instead of relying on the waste management department of koidu New Sembehun City Council.
They pointed out that the leadership of is allegedly more focus on the collection of market dues rather than cleaning the highlighted places.
The flooding at the aforementioned locations within the municipality of Koidu is as a result of the failure of effective leadership, noting some authorities have reportedly permitted construction on the main passage of the Kaisambo waterway which has been the major reason for flooding at the main Konomanyi lorry park in Koidu City.
Efforts to contact the KNSCC on the said issue proved challenging as the substantive environmental officer of the council Nannah Conteh has been transferred to another council whilst her successor has not yet officially assumed office to speak to the reported issue.
