By Prince J Musa in Kenema.
Chief Minister, Professor David Francis, has cautioned members of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party in Kenema against what he described as “political campism”.
Prof. Francis made the remark during a meeting last week discussing the future of the district.
“Political campism has not made any development impact for the people of Kenema District. And by virtue of the position given to me as your political leader for Kenema district, all campism within the SLPP in Kenema should stop,” Francis told stakeholders in the Kenema City Hall.
“Anybody that does not join Kenema’s development will be excluded from Kenema’s affair. I don’t want to hear any camp attributed with any personalities coming from Kenema,” he warned.
Prof. Francis’ comment comes amidst rumors of rancor within party officials from the district. The problem has also been fueled by the looming SLPP executive elections scheduled for later this year.
Kenema is one of the strongest bases for the SLPP.
The district has been left behind in terms of development for years.
The Chief Minister said the only thing that could change the story of the district was unity and collaboration among stakeholders.
“All the appointments made by the President, both political and non-political from Kenema District, are placed in high positions. Kenema should not be seen divided, but the people need to actualize development and unity will foster that development,” he said
Mayor of the city, Thomas Baio, who chaired the meeting, said: “As a mayor, I have no camp hence it’s for the development of Kenema. The priority of the people is to see Kenema city tarred all over. Because our people have suffered over eleven years and we were marginalized and abandon by then government because of our loyalty to the SLPP.”
The Paramount Chief of Nongowa chiefdom, Mohamed Sidique Kapuwa, also expressed frustration with the pace of development in the district.
PC Kapuwa said: “We want to know the cause of delay of the road work and other developments of Kenema. And now we as traditional leaders on behalf of our people, let this message reach the President that the people of Kenema are not happy with the slow pace of development.”
However, Prof. Francis noted that the government was already embarking on several projects in the district.
“We have secured fund for the completion of Kafoi Bridge which was not part of the Blama road project…,” he said.
He added: “Kenema will have a modern clock tower that will make it look like a city.”
He said they were also working on having a 12 megawatt machine to finally solve the electricity challenge in the city.
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