– City Mayor declares
By Mohamed Vandi in Kenema
The Mayor of Kenema yesterday told Paramount Chiefs from the Eastern Region that Ebola infection had reduced to zero in the district saying ‘’Kenema District is free from Ebola’’
Joseph Samba Keifala was giving a welcome address during the launch of US$ 1.2 project to support Paramount Chiefs and tribal headmen to implement activities leading to the eradication of Ebola.
He said the district had contained the virus because of the activities of the Ebola Taskforce and the cooperation of local authorities and agencies.
He commended the Local Authorities and other stakeholders for monitoring and enforcing the chiefdom byelaws.
Keifala said they had encouraged Local authorities to form taskforces in their respective chiefdoms to coordinate activities for the eradication of Ebola.
The mayor of the eastern headquarter town said they were now deeply concerned about the infection rate in Kono saying plans were underway to summon a meeting for their intervention.
He lauded the efforts of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development for supporting the Paramount Chiefs to spearhead the fight against Ebola in their respective chiefdoms and assured the ministry and the chiefs of the fullest support of the local councils in their activities.
Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Hadiru Kalokoh, who launched the project, said his government recognised the role of Paramount Chiefs in ensuring development in their localities. He said the president was convinced that the chiefs were the answer to the fight against Ebola.
He said his ministry had mobilised resources to the tune of US$ 1, 200,000 from the National Ebola Response Centre (NERC) to support chiefdoms, councils and Paramount Chiefs to implement activities to keep the virus at bay.
He said it is expected that the chain of transmission of the virus would be broken in all localities within two months, and that existing cases would be indentified and referred to the health authorities for treatment or burial.
He called on the chiefs to appropriately utilise the funds and ensure results within the stipulated time.
The National Chairman of the Council of Paramount Chiefs, Charles Caulker called on his colleagues to ensure the proper utilisation of the fund. He appreciated the effort of government and assured that they would live up to expectation.
© Politico 04
