By Prince J. Musa in Kenema
The President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) has on the 7th of November turned the sod for the construction of the eastern regional office in Kenema.
The commissioner of the Rights to Access Information Commission East, Mary Wuyatta Karimu, who chaired the occasion, commended SLAJ east for taking the lead to construct their own office space, noting that that will help to focus on other developmental projects that will promote development of journalism in the country.
In her statement, the Regional Chairperson SLAJ east, Victoria Vande Barnard, commended all the authorities in Kenema and the national executive for being part of the project.
“We want to ensure the smooth running of the activities of media practitioners in the eastern region. As a region, we want to set a pace for other regions to emulate the eastern region. This is to show that there are better women who can deliver in terms of leadership,” she said.
The construction of the office, according to officials, was facilitated by the Chief Executive Officer of the National Public Procurement Authority, Ibrahim Brima Swarray, among others. During the ceremony, Mr Swarray noted that his desire to support the project was meant to compliment the vision and mission of President Bio in enhancing the fourth estate in the country.
“For journalists to promote democratic accountability, they need an environment that is conducive to do their work,” Mr Swaray said, while explaining how he got involved in the project. He told the gathering that he was approached by one of the journalists in the region about the idea.
“There will be no good governance were the media is left behind. The expunging of the criminal liable law that intimidated journalists was part of the political promise made by the president during campaign. As a son of the soil and to start fulfilling the commitment of our president, I want to give three bags of cement, two tons of iron rod and Le10million as a start,” he said.
He added that the government believed in constructive criticism and would stand to listen to the concerns of the people through the media.
In his statement, the Mayor of Kenema, Thomas Karim Baio, praised the regional leadership of SLAJ for the initiative.
“Our achievement and failure can only be spotted out by the close monitoring of the fourth estate. The development of a community, a country can’t go on well if the media fails to partake in the effective implementation and monitoring the activities of duty bearers. The leadership of SLAJ east has sent a signal that development should be a key priority for any reasonable leader,” he said.
Mayor Baio then presented 200 bags of cement towards the project.
In his Key note address, the President of SLAJ, Ahmed Sahid Nasarallah, described the event as “ground breaking.”
“In over 49 years as an association, this is the first in history starting a building project for office for the media. Seeing various building materials at the site gives me a feeling of accomplishment of this project. This building project is going to serve as a symbolic history of SLAJ in this country. I feel proud and happy that this development is taking place under my leadership as SLAJ President,” he said.
He went on to commend the outgone provincial Secretary east, Mohamed Sheik Kargbo, for being the lead facilitator in acquiring the piece of land for SLAJ office. He noted that the gesture of the NPPA Chief Executive Officer demonstrated that this government considered the media as a force to reckon with in enhancing democratic good governance.
Nasrallah went on to note that the Ministry of Lands promised to give land to SLAJ in the regions for the building of SLAJ offices as way to support President Bio’s effort in fulfilling his commitment to the media fraternity.
“Kenema will be given another land beside this and all documentation will be done speedily,” he said.
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