By: James Kamara-Manneh
Sherbro Alliance Partners (SAP) on behalf of Idris Elba and Sierra Leonean entrepreneur – Siaka Stevens, has made a donation of about 3,000 pounds sterling and an assortment of items including food stuffs to the needy, widows, widowers and less privileged in Bonthe Island. He made the goodwill gesture on the 27th December, 2020.
Before the donation, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Thomas reminded the beneficiaries about the proposed beautification of the Island that it is ongoing. He stressed the positive impact this will lead to for citizens of Bonthe Island.
He also called on them to exercise patience as the Bio government will ensure that developments initiatives are rendered to Bonthe Island.
Hon. Thomas also said that the donation is for them to sustain themselves during the holiday period, urging to use it in ways that benefits their households.
Speaking to a representative from (SAP), Charles Samuel Bockarie, he revealed that a total of one thousand bags of rice (25 kg Big Joe), and about three thousand toys for the Sherbro Island children were donated and the neighboring towns of Sittia and Dema will receive one thousand bags of rice each.
Mr. Bockarie said this donation represents a goodwill gesture from both the Idris Elba Foundation and Sierra Leonean entrepreneur – Siaka Stevens.
In the donation package Bonthe Municipality will receive 2 tricycles to enhance revenue generation and Sittia and Dema will receive 2 motorbikes to facilitate the work of the chiefs in their day to day running of the chiefdom.
The SAP representative said such gestures will be extended to other parts of Bonthe district, but for now they are concentrating on the areas served.
In September 2019, Idris Elba Foundation together with Siaka Steven’s entrepreneur signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the government of Sierra Leone to establish a strategic public-partnership aimed at developing Sherbro Island as a city and an economic powerhouse.
The proposed Sherbro Island city will serve as a stimulus for economic growth of Sierra Leone and neighboring West Africa countries. Sherbro Island is located on the Southern coast of the country, and has tremendous tourism and fishing potential.
