Maada Bio
By Mohamed Vandi in Kenema
The presidential flag-bearer of the opposition SLPP party has donated 300 bags of rice to victims of Ebola in Bo, Kenema and Kailahun districts.
Julius Maada Bio made the presentation at the Bo District Council where he said 200 bags would go to Kailahun and Kenema while the remaining 100 bags were for Bo and other areas affected by the disease.
He said his visit was to express condolences to the nation and victims of Ebola and called on all to fight the disease like they did the rebel war. He said the virus was real and not a politics-playing thing and called on government to provide all necessary logistics that would protect health workers.
Bio expressed the hope that his donation would attract the government and others to aid people made hungry by the blockade imposed to stem the spread of the disease.
He also said the "troubled people" of Sierra Leone would be interested in knowing the cause and effect of Ebola when the dust settles.
"I have the people at heart and always respond to their calls'" he said, adding that he felt rich with them. He expressed regret that he could not make it to Kenema and Kailahun because he respected the structures put in place to fight Ebola including the blockade.
Bio's running mate, Dr. Kadie Sesay called for unity in the fight against Ebola and assured of the maximum cooperation of her party.
The Chairman and head of the Ebola Task Force in Bo, Joseph Bindi said his council had not got any funds for Ebola as had been propagated. But rather all funds were sent to the District Health Management Team. He said Bo had recorded 20 positive Ebola cases and three deaths with 21 houses having been quarantined.
He said Kenema and Kailahun were the hardest hit by Ebola but that they had received the least amount.
The Kenema District PRO for SLPP, Brima Kuyateh told Politico that Kenema and Kailahun were well represented at the meeting and that Bio's message would reach the people in the two districts.
(C) Politico 21/08/14
