June 16, 2021
By Aruna Kamara in Bo
The Public Relations Officer of Civil Society groups in Bo District, Joseph Blackie, who also doubles as the Director of PRIDE-Sierra Leone has said that Lower Banta Chiefdom in Moyamba District is on a time bomb waiting to explode as it does not have any central command so far.
Speaking to this medium in a telephone interview from Gbangbatoke in the Lower Banta Chiefdom, Mr. Blackie said that since the Paramount chief was asked to step aside on the grounds of alleged disrespect to chiefdom authorities and misappropriation of funds, which ignited a riot by the youths, their chiefdom is lacking central command.
He said the people in the chiefdom are not paying their taxes in the chiefdom and this will make the local council incapable to undertake development in the chiefdom.
“The lack of central command in the chiefdom has huge security implications that require the intervention of the security sector and the government.’’ Mr. Blackie said.
According to him, the government should devise a strategy to ensuring that there is central command in the chiefdom, which does not augur well for peace and development of the chiefdom.
“From my observation there is no care taker in the chiefdom and this is worrisome which requires urgent government attention,’’ Mr. Blackie cautioned
He said that: “I will be engaging the security sector including the police and the Provincial administration to constantly keep an eye on the chiefdom as it is on a time bomb waiting to explode’’.
Mr. Blackie pointing out that as civil society activist we need to inform the government about things that are happening that will lead to destruction of lives and property, which the government may not be aware of.
He stressed the need for urgent government attention to resolve the protracted conflict in the chiefdom.
Residents of the Lower Banta Chiefdom told this medium in a telephone interview from Gbangbatoke that they are still determined not to allow PC Rushell to lead the chiefdom as paramount chiefdom except he openly apologizes to the people about his wrong doing in the chiefdom.
Other residents called on the government to amicably resolve the impasse in the chiefdom.