By Prince J Musa in Kenema
A retired school principal, Ansumana Gbao has been inaugurated as Regent Chief for Wandor Chiefdom in the Kenema district. The ceremony took place at Fala, the chiefdom’s headquarter town.
The inauguration came following the death of Paramount Chief Henry Fangawa Jamukor 11 on the 16th of August 2021. The government through the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development ensured the holding of the event on the 23rd January 2022.
Addressing the chiefdom authorities and the people of Wandor, the Senior District Officer (SDO) Kenema, William Ngegbai said the local government Act and that of the paramount chieftaincy Act of 2009, gives the government the authority to appoint a regent chief outside the chiefdom that has lost their paramount chief who would serve in a caretaker role until the election for a new paramount chief.
He said the period for that preparation could be between six and twelve months until the people of the affected chiefdom are ready to elect their next paramount chief.
‘’You are expected to provide a leadership that is inclusive and accommodative for everybody in the chiefdom and maintaining unity among the people’’, the SDO said.
He admonished the new regent chief to be caring, hospitable, and fearless in performing his duties in the best interest of the people and Wandor chiefdom as a whole.
The sitting member of parliament for constituency 017 which comprises Wandor, Dodo, and Simbaru Chiefdoms, Brima Mansaray in his statement advised the three ruling houses not to see themselves as enemies vying for the chieftaincy, but as one people ready to bring peace and development to the chiefdom.
He said they should embrace one another for the spirit of peace and called on notable figures like Juana Fangawa Jamukor, Augustine Sellu Gbakapa, Manja Koiwa, and Mohamed Sam Kenie Sahr Ndopei to accommodate the new regent chief by according him hospitality and to work with him in facilitating a smooth transition within the speculated time frame.
Mansaray used the opportunity to inform the people that the Chinese company CLSG has won the contract for the construction of a bridge over the ferry crossing point at Gendema linking Simbaru and Wandor chiefdom and that government and its donor partners will officially hand over the project to the contractor to begin the work.
Regent Chief Gbow thanked the government through the local government ministry for entrusting their confidence in him to serve in that capacity. He affirmed his commitment to the peace and development of Wandor chiefdom and to continue in uniting the people.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (26/01/22)
