By Sylvester Alhaji Massaquoi
Disagreement has emerged between the Pujehun District Council (PDC) and sections of the headquarter town over the Council’s decision to construct a Clock Tower at Gobaru Junction on the approach to Pujehun town.
Foday Kandeh Rogers, the newly-elected chairman explained that the clock tower project was conceived in the best interest of the district. He said it would attract tourists and investors and would enhance the district's overall image brand. He also stated that the project would create employment opportunities for the community during the construction phase. Rogers said: "I know many would reject this because it's not yet built. Constructing a clock tower at the Gobaru roundabout is the best place chosen because it is spacious and let me tell my people that the clock tower is one of many projects that they will count as development during my tenure.
Rogers said the clock tower project is being sponsored by individuals and the Council, noting that “many stakeholders from this district have started sending in their support and we shall start the project soon".
Paramount Chief Andrew Jaia Kaikai of Kpanga Chiefdom told Politico that the resources allocated to the project could have been better used for developing other areas of the district. He called for consultations with the local people about projects that affect their communities and for the council to be more transparent in the allocation of funds to ensure that contractors give value for money.
The Paramount Chief said: “having meetings with stakeholders and community representatives will better help us to know what they need. This is the first initiative by our council chairman, so let's wait and see what happens after this. I know he will serve his people genuinely and diligently."
Junisa Swaray Jr. who lives in Gobaru town expressed his satisfaction with the project but said the PDC ought to have attended to other issues before constructing a clock tower. He said the PDC should turn its attention to the district football team, Wanjama Stars. “What's wrong with Wanjama Stars having a structure on their own? Most times when we bring players together we struggle to find lodging for them. What's also wrong in having a very big hall for entertainment? We need such a facility especially during the rains.”
Al-Hassan Jaia Jalloh, a prominent youth activist based in Pujehun town, expressed concern about the transparency in the allocation of funds for the clock tower project. He said there was no public consultation before the decision to undertake such a project was arrived at. Jalloh argued that: "the council chairman is serving the people and he should have consulted his people on the issue. The clock tower is generally a good idea but not at this time. What we want now is a district conference hall. A hall that can take one to two thousand people. This hall will be used for meetings and to entertain our people.
Mohamed Setua, Chairman of the Bike Riders Union of Pujehun said the project was a “mere waste of resources, because the chairman should know that constructing a clock tower here is not what we need at this time. We want to see the council market very clean…want to see more shops for traders, not a clock tower that only tells time and date which 95% of the people here can get on their phones”.
Mariama Kaikai, a trader, said the money for the clock tower should be put into “other pressing needs such as improving the educational system and the healthcare sector”.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (13/10/23)
