LIGHTING UP OUR TOWNS WAS WELL OVERDUE
At last some of our major towns too will start enjoying electricity supply after decades of neglect. We say the provision of power was overdue because since our country’s civil strife ended almost 19 years ago, people in our towns should have been given such a service over the years. We should therefore commend Principal for initiating such a development. When you think of places like Kambia, Moyamba, Kailahun, Pujehun, Bonthe and Mattru that are to benefit from this first phase of the much needed electricity supply, one can only expect the people in those places to breathe a sigh of relief.
Kambia town is very close to the Sierra Leone- Guinea border area and the availability of power there, will stimulate economic activities that will benefit the locals immensely. Moyamba with all its important colonial history had practically become a snoring town and injecting power generation will get it from its slumber and bring back life to a town in a district that is home to some of the country’s finest intelligentsias. Kailahun, Pujehun , Bonthe and Mattru are all productive areas in terms of agriculture and businesses will be oiled by the power supply. It is quite significant to know that the electrification of the towns will be welcomed by the residents and would not just brighten up their homes, but their livelihoods. A very interesting aspect of this project is that it is funded a hundred percent by Principal’s administration. We are told contractors are both local and foreign but we hope that they will all do a good job and render quality service to the people. Other towns should follow immediately the present ones have their projects in motion. We have to improve the countryside not just Freetown.
ADIO’S DIEGO MARADONA!
The football world was stunned on Wednesday when news emerged of the passing away of one of the game’s greatest players Diego Maradona. Here was a man who had it all; skill, strength, fame and fortune from a sport he was such a legendary figure. He inspired so many youngsters in his native Argentina and the rest of the world. His dribbling ability and pace left opponents many a time embarrassed, and really outsmarted defenders with guile and phenomenal flair.
He was a true football great and one that influenced the game so much. He was however not free from controversy on and off the field and was quite bullish in facing such situations. Perhaps the most recognizable of these was when Maradona opened the scoring in the quarter final of the World Cup match between Argentina and England in Mexico in 1986. The Argentine rose up to score a disputed goal that the referee was unable to notice; he had actually used his hand in the process.
Argentina went on to win the match 2-1, and England never forgave Maradona who was unrepentant. Post- match he famously said he scored the disputed goal a little with his head and ‘’a little with the hand of God’’. The English press then dubbed it ‘’hand of god goal’’. He also scored the second goal that he later described as ‘’goal of the century’’. He was a club legend at Napoli and had the Italian outfit always at heart. But his lifestyle after he hung up his boots was quite unsavoury; drugs and eccentric behavior especially during his unsuccessful spells as coach for club and country. Maradona died of a heart attack plunging his country into three days of national mourning for a true football icon. His contribution to football will never be forgotten. Adio’s Senor Diego Maradona!
WHEN WILL COUNCIL MOVE INTO THE NEW CITY HALL
The newly constructed City hall in Freetown was officially opened some weeks ago in a well-attended ceremony. We know $48m loan was provided by the South Koreans who constructed the magnificent looking building that has given the inner city skyline some excellent picture. Principal was represented by Local Government Minister Tamba Lamina and gave quite a lengthy statement at the opening ceremony. Deputy Finance Minister Patricia Laverly also presented a comprehensive speech. Through all that, we also got to know that $2m of government money went to the building project. Madam Mayor was in such an elated mood and we could sense her desire to superintend over the nice structure. It has been weeks now and people are beginning to ask just what is holding up the Council Staff from going into their new smart edifice. We hear all sorts of rumours but we can only advise that Madam Mayor and her Chief Administrator enter into the new structure with one mind and work together for the good of people in the municipality and the country as a whole. The structure has got some 15 floors with impressive facilities like a theatre and conference hall. We want to suggest that credible and efficient entity be contracted to properly upkeep the building. We as nation always complain of indiscipline when it comes to keeping our public buildings clean and well- managed. We would hate to see the walls and stairways of that building losing their tidiness overtime or getting overwhelmed by unbearable stench from a faulty toilet pipe, which no one will bother to fix.
This has happened to many of our public structures and we would not want that to occur again with this city hall. Also Council can offer firms and other businesses to adopt a floor each, for which Council can receive a fee. It could be another way of advertising the brand name of the company. As for the theatre Council should be very selective of those groups wishing to premier movies or hold other events there. In the 1980s, the old city hall was vandalized by angry youths attending a Discorama after the sound system became faulty. That marked the end of music shows in the building which was later burnt down during the war. Now that we have a splendid structure on that same spot, we have to take proper care of it. Even the front lawn should be entrusted in the care of a florist who will make sure the flowers are well kept. Madam Mayor we always think about the good of the country and nothing more!
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