By Bampia James Bundu
Momoh Konte, the Chairman of the National Telecommunications Commission (NATCOM), has presented a cash sum of Twenty-Five Million Leones (Le25M) to the owner of the single house that was set on fire in Kumala village, Neni chiefdom, Koinadugu district, as part of an effort to stop the spread of the virus in the district.
The money was meant to enable the owner of the house rebuild his property.
It could be recalled that on Thursday 6th November 2014, Paramount and Section chiefs, local authorities, health workers, residents of Kumala and members of the Koinadugu District Ebola Taskforce (KDET), set ablaze the house where Ebola cases were confirmed positive. The exercise was done as a preventive measure to stop further spread of the virus in the village, as was resolved by stakeholders that all infected houses be burnt down completely. The beneficiary, Alimamy Jalloh, was swimming in a pool of joy after he personally received the money in United States dollars at the Freetown residence of Mr. Konte, in the presence of journalists and the Paramount Chief of Neni chiefdom, PC Alimamy Umaru Jalloh III.
Jalloh, the beneficiary, commended his benefactor for fulfilling the promise he made to them few months ago.
“God will continue to bless you for your generosity,” he said, while recalling his (Konte`s) personal role played in fighting Ebola in the district.
He said he was shocked to receive such a huge amount of money.
“My house was unfinished and there were no furniture inside and it was a mud house. With this money, I will construct a better house for me and my family,” Jalloh said.
He recalled that after the burning of his house, the district Ebola taskforce promised him that they would ensure he got a new house built on the same piece of land.
“I never complained to anyone and I knew the credibility of Momoh Konte, and I know he will surely meet up to his promises. I was patiently waiting for this day and today I am a happy man,” he said, in tears.
Paramount Chief Neni chiefdom, PC Alimamy Umaru Jalloh III, expressed thanks and appreciation to the Koinadugu District Ebola Task Force for their relentless effort in fighting Ebola in the district and also thanked Mr. Konte for keeping to his promise and for the logistics he provided during the fight against Ebola. He assured that a new house would be constructed at the same site in order to maintain the memories of what happened in November 6th 2014.
© Politico 19/05/14
