The Minister of Works and Public Assets,
Mr. Peter Bayuku Konteh.
New England Ville,
Freetown.
12th July, 2020
LETTER OF REQUEST FOR THE PAVEMENT OF GUARD STREET/DOVE COT
Dear Mr. Minister,
I write to draw your attention to the deplorable state of Guard Street (Dove Cot). Of course, it is an open secret that Guard Street was paved by the NPRC regime some 25 years ago, since then, nothing tangible has been visualised afterwards. The street is full of potholes and those potholes are settled with stinky mud that harbour mosquitoes, flies and other disturbing insects that are major carriers of bacteria, these bacterias are affecting every person and household ,especially our children.
I know, His Excellency Dr. Julius Madda Bio, the Father of the nation, is particular about infrastructural development, which is one of his key objectives and I know the Ministry of Works is working tirelessly to ensure that our roads are fixed on their right footings.
Hon. Sir, I want you to know that by all estimations, the appalling road problem we are faced with is a familiar one and I am sure, this problem is not difficult to fix, except otherwise. We need not be oblivious of the fact that Guard Street is truncated as compared to other streets like Kissy Road and Fourah Bay Road and it is equally as important as other roads.
Certainly Sir, the pavement of Guard Street is one of the ways to fix the customary holding of traffic on Fourah Bay Road, in as much as people are very scary of driving through Guard Street because of its terrible state in fear of their cars being ruined; so they always make use of the only available option, which is Fourah Bay Road. So by all estimations, tight vehicular traffic is expected. .
Moreover, Guard Street houses the Dove Cot Market. The Dove Cot Market as we all know, by all estimations - is the parent market in Freetown and the first choice for us the masses. Our mothers, sisters, daughters, aunties, wives and other relatives across the city normally do their shopping at this market.
In all of these, Mr. Minister, have we ever thought about the appalling state this very important street is? Have we ever sounded the views of the people who are going in and out of this street about its awful state and how do they feel about it? When do our state men last walk/drive passed this street? Of course, I know they are not shopping there, so they need not to go there. so sad!
Mr Minister, do you know that during the rains, we wear slippers to walk pass Guard Street and wash our feet at Fourah Bay Road before wearing our actual shoes to work? Do you know that our school going pupils are not exception to this way of life? Are you aware that our mothers, sisters, daughters, aunties and other relatives normally wash their feet at Fourah Bay Road after their shopping before going to their respective communities or homes in order for them to reduce the stinky mud on their feet?
Interestingly, when I was a boy, Mr Minister, my grandmother used to say, "My grandson the Dove Cot Market is the supermarket for many, especially the low income earners.” What shatters me the most is when my six (6) years old daughter always asks me; why people are using plastic to walk pass Guard Street? I normally smile resentfully without saying anything.
Mr Minister, in addition to the above, Guard Street is top-notch, economically. This street is contributing immensely to the economic growth of this country. This street never sleeps, as business activities run day and night. In fact, businesses start as early as 3:00Am and ends at late as 10:00pm. Is that all? No! What next at night? Loaded Lorries will be coming in and going out and trucks will be offloading and loading.
More so, I know that you are aware that this road has schools (both primary and secondary) and the pupils who are attending these schools are seriously affected by the existing state of the road.
For instance, the Ansarul Islamic Secondary School is one of the renounced schools in this community, with a huge number of pupils. Some of these pupils are residing within the community but the greater number of the pupils are coming from other communities.
Mr Minister, to be honest with you, these pupils normally put on plastic bags on their feet to walk through the stinky mud to make their way to school. Is this not unfortunate? Yes, I believe it is!
Of course, I know this problem is as old as our democracy and I know that it was an inherited problem from all the past regimes after the NPRC, but we are tired of this unwanted condition. So we want it to be fixed.
Honestly, sometimes in my quiet moment, I am tempted to say that Guard Street had been neglected for far too long, when it comes to road maintenance. This road is just like any bush road. The Community people and the business people are swimming in a stinky pool of mud.
Mr Minister, all that I am putting forward to you are not unfounded but facts. It will be our honour to see you and your team conducting an assessment based survey at Guard Street to prove the veracity of our concerns and claims.
My Hon.Minister, I am aware that our problem is very old, but I am kindly requesting that you try to fix it. I am kindly asking that you infuse Guard Street in the road maintenance plan.
Honestly, my people need a paved Road. They are tired of squatting in a terrible environment. They believe in the developmental trajectory of this government and also believe in the vision of the President.
Sir, I will be grateful if my request is granted.
I hope this letter will appeal and speak to you and the conscience of all those whom it may concern, so that they will realise that Guard Street deserves consideration.
I am open for discussion(s).
Thanks for your understanding!
Yours sincerely
Mohamed Alie Savage
General Secretary
Indigenes of Guard Street
Co - founder: Altruistic SL
Tel: 077626453/079442884
Email:medlie2016@gmail.com
Copyright © 2020 Politico Online
