Like small time musicians like our political leaders
We have waited for the last few days for State House or the leaders of our political parties to deny they received TWENTY THOUSAND Obama money from De Pa when they went to the Big House to discuss how to deal with the naughty problems of this country. Despite their last experience at the place where they say they were "molested" and "disgraced", the Green Movement was represented by Chief Kosombo and his henchmen. Even the Dalia Lama who has been in splendid isolation since his SLATER TERRACE EXPERIENCE appeared at Big House.
Before the elections of 2012 many groups were reported to have collected plenty Obama money FROM ABOVE. Recently, small time musicians admitted on radio that they collected TEN THOUSAND Obama money from De Pa as TRANSPORT MONEY. Interesting stuff! So they are now in the same league as our politicians who are reported to have collected TWENTY THOUSAND Obama money from De Pa as TRANSPORT. This goes to the heart of what these people are in politics for.
Can you imagine John Boehner of the Republicans collecting TRANSPORT money from Barack Obama after their meeting at the White House on how to fund the country's budget? I can hear them say that is America and this is Sierra Leone. Shame on them! Our politicians use those comparisons in a self-serving way but we know they are all politicians. We expected our political leaders, at least the big ones, to reject that offer as very patronising, or turn it over to some charity on leaving the Big House. But, shee-yoooooooooor! And they don't like Emerson speaking out.
We congratulate De Pa for attempting a bi-partisan appearance to governance even at this late stage, but the jury is still out on the key question: Is he really serious this time? We have had too many false starts. How about that communiqué they signed in 2009?
De-politicise Kailahun and let the people get on with their lives
We all now know that Red Movement have planted a band of desperados in Kailahun town and outlying areas, on a mission to get the people there to turn red. They move about splashing cash around and bragging that even the forests will all be red soon! De Pa’s men at work indeed.
The Green guys on the other hand believe Kailahun is their heartland, and will remain so despite being out of power for 6 years now and cash becoming a rare possession even among their elite.
Days ago, key players from the Red and Green movements took to the air waves again accusing each other of intimidation and threats of violence against their supporters.
This time, the traditionally sacrosanct Poro society was being portrayed as a violent and uncompromising outfit, susceptible to politics and forceful initiation. "Friends of De Pa" torch bearer and PMDC turn-coater Sahr Mokuwa, Green Movement’s House Rep. Hon. Foyah and the area police chief all gave their version of a string of unpalatable events.
The former PMDC man claimed a gangster and well known Green supporter named "Saddam" was using the society to intimidate Red Movement followers including Kailahun hotelier, the SLPP turn-coat Maya KaiKai.
Hon. Foyah on the other hand alleged Maya Kaikai with his train went to his (Foyah’s) home village and warned the locals there to go Red or else……., and boasting that all, including the security forces, are part and parcel of the Great Red Movement!
Our concern is that Kailahun is too heavily politicised and the predominantly impoverished folks deserve more. Visible good roads, sound strategies to improve cocoa and coffee farms, better health and sanitary facilities and the rights of the children to a better education are just what our folks there need and rightfully so. Economic and social causes like these are just what the so-called local leaders there must champion and not political supremacy. After all only a baby in this country wouldn’t know that power begets wealth that is shared only amongst family members and close cronies of politicians.
Here is a simple message for you guys out there, parading with your hoodlums reignites memories of the death and destruction Kailahun faced during those years of madness in poor Sierra Leone. And remember, the "Slaughter House" where hundreds of our people were butchered is still there as a stark reminder of man’s barbarity to his fellow man. Have some conscience brothers and spare our older folks in that part of the country some peaceful dreams.
Open-air bars are now the vogue along Bai Bureh Road
From SLPMB Junction to the Up-gun roundabout stretch, there are a dozen or so of open air bars with their nice disco lights and other decorations that look so impressive and inviting. The few night clubs in that part of town can’t compete and have shut down. Before, it used to be Eastenders trooping to the west of the city to enjoy night life. Now it's just the other way round and some Westenders with their pretentiously super rich air about them go east to spend “ big”.
Curiously a number of reasons provide answers to this new trend in sharing booze with friends largely in the open.
We can’t be sure of the reasons behind this trend but one fact is that with our irresponsible depletion of all the lush green vegetation around this our Peninsular settlement, the place has become just too hot and going into terribly steamy nightclubs with hardly any effective cooling system was not being entertained any longer by especially older socialites.
You go to Lamsat by St. Helena School or GARAGE at Grassfield, and see girls in their early teens all in bright or skimpy clothes prowling about for their ‘’prey. Young men linger around, gliding to the beat of the music and they could be pimps just covertly keeping watch over their girls or out for some “adventure”. Mind you, never stray away too long and far from your cars as the bouncers couldn’t be everywhere all the time.
Owners of these bars are making good business as guys really spend big. The atmosphere could be really great but these bars are somehow too close to the highway and there have been a good number of cases where some people have been fatally hit by passing cars.
Spend some time at those places and you come away with mixed feelings….. great atmosphere, men with cash to splash on booze and women. Moreover, the desperate and pitiful gaze of these women props up that uneasy thought of just how hard night life could be. Yes hard life in night life.
ABACHA STREET: Isn't this the end of the road?
We firmly believe that all the lawlessness and daylight thieving along Sani Abacha street will end soon. We firmly back Babbabode in his bid to throw them out. The women of Abacha Street and their managers have failed to read the times to understand the direction in which the wind is blowing. They are used to blackmailing governments with threats of voting against them at elections. That tactic is now absolutely threadbare. They should try another.
Their managers keep asking government to provide alternative spots for them to spread their wares. We find that very funny. The real issue is, continuing to trade in that place is a violation of municipal law. The law is supreme in a democracy. Any talk about securing alternatives should only come after the Abacha women would have complied with the law as it is. We are waiting.
A handful of traders and criminals hanging around the area have chased us from that part of the city. This cannot continue. Bababode must have the clearing of Abacha Street at least, as part of his achievement. Well Done Sir! Oh...emmm...wait oh...we will say WELL DONE when it is really done. Dis Na Salone.
(C) Politico 15/01/14
