By Francis H. Murray
Sierra Leone’s Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, Luseni Kallon, has turned the sod for the construction of a youth market in Masalia village, Portloko District in the north of the country.
The market, according to officials, will serve as a major point of exchange where the harvested products from the youth farm, another government funded youth support project, would be sold. The market is situated at about 1000 meters away from the National Youth Farm,
Mr. Kallon said the construction of the market was part of the flagship programme of the New Direction government in ensuring that the mindset of Sierra Leoneans were transformed from a state of dependency on importation of rice and other food commodities to rice producing self-sufficiency.
“It is the dream of President [Julius Maada] Bio to see all Sierra Leoneans become self-sufficient in the area of food production and in feeding ourselves,” he said, adding that the government’s efforts to promote agriculture was a clear manifestation of President Bio’s commitment to ensuring food sustenance in the country.
Abubakarr Bangura, Councilor of Masalia Village, lauded the efforts of the government towards agriculture, noting that it was the first time such a venture was been under taken by any government.
Frank Amadu Bio, Field Manager for the Youth in Agriculture Project, said the initiative was meant to encourage the youths to sell their farm produce and be able to fend for themselves and their families from the proceeds.
He added that it’s also part of the President’s vision to get the youths engaged in doing something meaningful in their lives rather than perpetuating violence. He assured the youths that the market would not only operate independently, but that they would also ensure they have total control over it.
Copyright © 2020 Politico Online
