July 2, 2021
BY PROBLYN JOHN ALPHA
In a bid to take development to his constituents, the Honorable Member of Parliament for constituency 028 Honourable Sahr Charles together with other elected officials and some executive members of the Coalition For Change (C4C) political party in Kono District have commissioned and handed over two bridges constructed by Hon. Sahr Charles;
The worth of the project has been placed at more than two hundred million Leones to the people of Kamara Chiefdom in Kono District. The said commissioning and handing over ceremony took place at Tombodu Town hall in the above named chiefdom.
In his opening remarks, the chairman of the occasion who also doubles as the District Secretary General of the C4C political party in Kono District Shar Moriba stated that, during the 2018 general elections campaign, Honourable Sahr Charles and other Honourable members of parliament made series of promises to their people, adding that, it is against this backdrop that after been elected to represent his people in the well of parliament thought it expedient to construct the two bridges. It is a pay back gesture and a sign of appreciation to his constituents for bestowing their confidence in him during the 2018 general elections.
Making his statement, the Town Chief of Tombodu town Chief Babonjo commonly known as the Mayor of Tombodu, started by thanking the Honourable Member of Parliament of the aforementioned constituency for bringing such development to the people of Kamara. He noted that it is the felt need of the people of Kamara because they have called on the Government through the District Council to come to their aid but little or no attention was given to them. He thanked God for Honourable Sahr Charles for solving the long existing problem that has deprived the people of Tombodu, Sukudu and neighbouring villages of development he concluded.
On his part, the Mayor of Koidu New Sembehun City Council, His Worship Komba Mathew Sam started his statement by appreciating the effort of the honourable Member of Parliament for constituency 028 for embarking on such developmental project in his constituency. He added that it is a big surprise to him for a Honourable Member of Parliament to undertake such project. He said this has urged him to attend the commissioning and handing over ceremony of the two bridges.
He said, the development they are seeing is not the responsibility of any Member of Parliament but the primary and constitutional responsibilities of the Councils to construct bridges within the municipality and the district, but if such development is been undertaken for the people of Kamara, it is a blessing for them though to some extent it is in fulfilment of their campaign promises.
Making his statement, the embattled caucus leader of the C4C political party in the well of parliament Honourable Francis Bendu of Constituency 027 confidently denied allegations making the rounds that they walked out of parliament because they don’t want to see development coming to Kono.
He added that the reason why they were voted as Members of Parliament during the 2018 General Elections is to represent their people as there is no enough space in the well of parliament to accommodate everybody. He pointed out that it only takes fools and enemies of Kono District not to allow development to come to Kono, and therefore encouraged their constituents to have confidence in them for better representation.
Honourable Sahr Charles whilst giving the key note address abundantly made it clear that he is one of the MPs in the district representing the largest constituency in parliament adding that taking developments to the chiefdoms that constitute his constituency is a bit cumbersome for him. He however encouraged his constituents to be patient with him because development is a gradual process and he also have in mind to take similar or other developments to the other chiefdoms that constitute his constituency.