RIGHT HAND DRIVE BAN PUSHED BACK TO DECEMBER: DEJA VU
Frankly, we suspected all along that the government was looking for a way to back out of its own decision to stop right-hand drive vehicles from operating in Sierra Leone. We say so because Logus Koroma - the man who pushed this measure through shortly after he'd become minister through the Third Term route - lost steam as the date approached. He was even reported to have said that it was up to the police to implement the directive, forgetting that he had created the impression - somewhat conceitedly - that he's always on the frontline to get things done.
Now, hiding under Ebola and its consequences, the government has pushed back the cut-off date to December 31st 2014. That's just around the corner and we are prepared to wait once again. We waited for a year for September 1. But, like we did before, we warn again that right-hand drive vehicles would still be on our roads on 1 January 2015.
The government's record of carrying out its own policies without dithering is very bad and they know that. But as always short-term political gains are at the heart of such decisions. Here are a few examples of how this government dithered when it really didn't need to:
1. Tourism Minister, St. Peter The President of Koinadugu, set a deadline for the clearing of the Lumley-Aberdeen beach bars that are plagued with bad sanitation and crime. On his way to witness the bulldozers in action, he told a radio station the action had been called off by State House.
2. On the day a squatter camp housing physically challenged people was due to be dismantled, the Karaoke minister rushed to State House and after an hour or so, announced on radio that he had secured the consent of De Pa for the squatter camp to remain. The eyesore on Pademba Road is still there.
3. When, in the name of Operation WID, police officers went to Bombay Street to clear traders from the street, the traders simply marched to State House and the decision was reversed. So we were right to be skeptical about the ban on right-hand drive vehicles going ahead. Let's just bury that now and forever, Amen.
EBOLA HOLIDAY AND PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHERS IN SIERRA LEONE
Nobody knows how long the Ebola holiday would last. It could go on until the first half of next year. We hope it doesn't because that would do enormous damage to the country. But in a situation as fluid as the one facing us today, we have to be ready for anything. That's why when we heard that some private schools are planning to send their teachers and ancillary staff away without pay until victory was declared over Ebola, we were shocked at such insensitivity.
We urge them not to try that because the consequences could be devastating. Even as we write, the same schools are busy collecting huge amounts of money as school fees and other charges from parents. So what's happening with all that cash, people? We really don't want these private school owners to create the impression that their workers are not important. They too have families.
We don't even understand why the Ghost Buster of a minister is allowing private school operators to do as they like. Many years ago, the school system was run by people who saw it as an honour to impart knowledge, but the new generation of teachers and school administrators is an interesting lot - Money, Money and more Money. That's all. Have a look at what we saw on one fees schedule:
- School Development Fund
- Thanksgiving Contribution
- CTA Support
- Games and Sports
- Field Trip
And then the almighty tuition fee. What is this? Then parents have to buy uniforms, books and provide other things like lunch and transport and some miscellaneous collection by some teachers. Some of those collecting all this cash are the same ones who don't want to pay their workers during the Ebola holiday. This is really serious.
BIDS OPEN FOR CONTRACTORS TO PAINT N.P BUILDING. Kikikikikiki
Actually, we've not spoken to NP about this bid. It's just part of the humanitarian work we do when we discover an urgent need as we move around. Hahahahahahah! Newspapers are not just about reporting scandals, spectacular failures and the lives of lottery winners. We also help where we can.
Please don't be surprised that we have selected a rich company like NP for this effort. Companies that sell fuel are very rich. No joke. But, you see, the main NP building stands in the heart of Freetown - near the historic Cotton Tree, the Law Courts building, State Avenue and all those very important buildings. Look at the NP building from the Walpole Street end and you will see why we want to help. Also look at all the other buildings around NP and see how decent they are. We hope you now understand why we are launching this effort. Hahahahahahahah.
The other day, we stopped at NP to get some fuel only to be told by the attendants that only one of the four machines were in operation. To be fair with them machines break down from time to time (and that includes our old office car) but at that main terminal we were very close to having zero out of four. Is somebody really checking regularly?
There has been big improvements at some NP stations around the country but the main building is badly in need of urgent action. And please don't tell us you are waiting for the rains to cease. You could have acted before the rains, people.
We shall open all bids at the end of September near the Cotton Tree. Transparency Per Excellence!
LEONE STARS OF THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Why all this urge to play in the CAF tournament at all cost? The news from the SLFA last weekend was that DR Congo was the only country ready to allow Leone Stars to play football in their country at this time when Sierra Leone is blacklisted around the world because of Ebola.
If we went ahead to spend such huge money to participate in this CAF tournament when nurses fighting Ebola are dying and striking for want of protective equipment and allowances, that must be considered as a massive disrespect to our people who have died so far. The nation is sick and all resources must be put towards fighting that disease.
Ok, all our main players are based abroad and our coach is an Irish man who has no Ebola wahala so they can travel. But the other officials in country, who care so much for their per diem are already quarantined because of Ebola. How can we have a team with only a coach and 13 players hanging out in some hotel in Kinshasha claiming to represent Sierra Leone? A football team is not just footballers and coach. Either we get the full complement, including hundreds of supporters or we have no team.
We call on De Pa to withdraw our name from the CAF tournament and end this international disgrace that we are being put through by per diem-hungry SLFA people. They are the ones looking all over the world for a pitch to play football. How does it feel to be arrested at airports, chased out of struggling little Seychelles, and your name being splashed on international TV with the words - Don't Touch Them? Out of CAF now!
(C) Politico 02/09/14
