By Prince J Musa in Kenema
The Paramount Chief of Luawa Chiefdom, Mohamed Kailondo Banya has expressed concern over boundary-related conflicts between chiefdoms in the district which he said are posing as serious security issue to them as authorities.
He said such disputes are creating tension among their subjects while they as leaders are overwhelmed in trying to deal with those issues, and therefore called on the new resident minister to intervene and help resolve those matters before they degenerate into violence.
“We have boundary conflict between Luawa and King Kamal chiefdom and between Luawa and Upper Bambara who are all good neighbors, ’’ he said
The paramount chief was speaking at a ceremony to welcome the newly appointed Resident Minister East, Rtd General KES-Boyah to Kailahun district. He said the visit of the minister demonstrate the quality of good leadership and assured that the Council of Paramount Chiefs in Kailahun district will work with his office to sustain peace in the region.
In his statement, the Chairman of the ruling Sierra Leones Peoples Party, Kailahun District Gbessay Chuki Ngobeh, referred to the visit of the minister as timely, especially when they have one bye-election slated for the 26th March 2022 in constituency 005. He said as a party, their focus is on development and affirmed their support to the minister, adding that, the bye-election campaign is going on peacefully between the ruling SLPP and the main opposition APC party with no tension among them.
The Financial Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, Sahr Jusu highlighted developmental projects that have been implemented in the district by the current government, noting that the site for the construction of Manowa Bridge will soon be handed over to the contractor for work to start.
Jusu also spoke about the construction of a hospital at Joijoma that will ease the health challenges of people in the district who may have to travel long distances in search of medical treatment. He said work on the hospital will be completed by July this year.
In his keynote address, the Minister of State East, Rtd General KES-Boyah, thanked the people of Kailahun district and the SLPP party for the reception accorded him as resident minister for the region, saying his primary objective is to unify the party and ensure peace and development in the three districts in the region.
He said he wanted to interface with the stakeholders in the district and to get some firsthand information from them on issues affecting the people. Minister Boyah maintained that the sustainability of peace in the eastern region in general and among the SLPP members is one key thing he stands for.
He assured the people of Kailahun district that issues of security should not be trivialized especially when the Eastern region shares borders with two neighboring countries.
He assured his people of consultative leadership in finding solutions to the issues affecting that part of the country and promised not to use his office to intimidate anyone.
Referring to the three districts of Kenema, Kono and Kailahun as the breadbasket of the country, the minister expressed his commitment to work with all sectors, organizations and other development partners for the progress of the eastern province.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (14/03/22)
