GARBAGE EVERYWHERE BUT THE MAYOR SMILES ON
We have for over a dozen times in this column talked about indiscriminate waste disposal in the city of Mayor Kemokai but it seems the situation is not limited to this city or even Bo where we recently reported a similar situation. Our Mayor says the recent fuel shortage caused garbage not to be collected. We don’t want to have any big argument with the Mayor but she knows that is far from the truth. We live in Freetown and we know what we are talking about.
Jui-Oroju Bridge in the Western Rural Area is gradually becoming a mini Bormeh in sight. Some traders have managed to get the corridors of that road which connects the city to the rest of the other parts of the country into a hub for street trading.
Coming towards the bridge, on the left hand side, you will see a mini butcher’s market. As if that is not enough, the area has been transformed into a dump site where all manner of garbage is emptied.
We don’t know why this should be the case when we very well know that the Western Area Rural Chairman drives through that route regularly and there is a big signpost with a photo of him welcoming people in and out of his ward which is an indication that he is aware that he is in charge. Or could it be that he does not see through his car window?. Here is our short advice for him:
He should ensure that place is cleaned up at least for this festive season because we have many visitors coming in to enjoy the holidays with us. For some of them, it’s their first visit to this land that we love so we would not want them to go with any negative impression especially not one of a filthy place. This also goes for Mayor Kemokai.
IT’S CHRISTMAS TIME AGAIN AND CRIMINALS ARE ON PARADE
Next time you move out of your house either to go shopping for the holiday or for other purposes, please ensure you guard yourself and your belongings well as you walk along because thieves are everywhere looking for the slightest opportunity to strike.
We know the police already have a lot on their plate to deal with especially during this festive season where people from the provinces and all around the world keep coming into this city of ours so we do not want to add to their problems.
We don’t want to get our police cells congested with pickpockets and buglers. So here is what we think you should do to save the police some stress as they work tirelessly to free the streets of traffic.
1. Handle your bags well as you walk long the usually busy areas to avoid being a victim
2. We know that public transportation has always been a challenge so we expect things to get worse during periods like this but please endeavour not to fight to board a vehicle because those are also the times when they fish out phones and money from pockets and hand bags.
3. In case you want to go out to jolly at night, please ensure your home is well secured under good security lock and key. You have been warned!
FAKE DECEMBER AWARDS ARE HERE AGAIN
The AWARDS season is underway in Sierra Leone once again. Social media platforms are awash with people receiving awards of all types from all kinds of organizations. Some of the awarding organizations, we only hear about them at Christmas as they creep out of their holes to issue awards. Crucially, they only award people in big offices of state and in the corporate world. Are these bodies really telling us that only people in such offices deserve such awards? We note also that all their awardees are based in Freetown. Are there no worthy Sierra Leoneans outside this place called Freetown?
Somebody in authority should do something about this clearly unusual, even unacceptable behavior.
1. These awards have no value and should not be recognized. People are free to do what they want to do because we live in a democracy but this is getting on the verves of our people and all questionable awarding bodies should be told to desist immediately.
2. Those ministers and heads of government agencies that are busy receiving these awards should stop wasting their time. Yes, we see nice pictures of these awards being presented on social media but they count for nothing.
3. We can’t prove allegations that some ministers and agency bosses are using our money to fund these awards. We hope there is no truth in these allegations because we are ready to fight for and recover every cent whenever we prove wrong doing. This must stop now.
SALONE ATTITUDE AND COMBATING FUTURE DISASTERS
There is a general trend in this country in particular for people to blame the government for everything that goes wrong even within their household. They will always take personal credit when the sun shines on them. Anyway, governments get involved in a lot of things so they should be ready to accept anything. Our concern here is how we protect ourselves from disasters. We now know that we are living in a country where disaster strikes from time to time.
1. Let’s think twice about trying to build dwellings in every little corner. How can anybody explain the fact that thousands of people have migrated from their decent communities in rural Sierra Leone and settled in slums around Freetown? When rising sea levels or fire destroys those places politicians become celebrities in front of cameras donating and of rice and soap. The affected people dance and clap and in a few days the suffering resumes.
2. Let’s also think twice about building houses on the hills on one side of Freetown. Despite several warning people are still recklessly constructing shacks on the hills. When a government agency moves in to demolish those dangerous dwellings, we hear cries of highhandedness and bullying. When disaster strikes and people perish, the government is again blamed for not clearing the place. We can’t have it both ways guys.
3. As for our governments, this idea that to win an election in Sierra Leone a political party should help people do whatever they like – street trading, building in prohibited areas, avoid taxes and engage in all round lawlessness is wrong, wrong, wrong. The majority of Sierra Leoneans are getting fed up with this and soon they will be forced to make that clear at the ballot box. It will be a battle between parties that would allow anything for votes and those who would stand for something and face the consequences. The latter would win hands down.
Copyright © 2022 Politico (21/12/22)
