By Prince J. Musa in Kenema
A new Kenema is on the offing and it starts with the construction of the Bio Clock Tower, among several ongoing development projects in the city, Chief Minister, Professor David Francis, has said.
Prof. Francis was speaking at the inauguration of the newly constructed clock tower which is located at the center of the city. The telecommunications company Africell funded the construction of the tower, which is accompanied by a statue of the president, in whose honor the whole structure was named.
Prof. Francis, who is the most prominent indigene of Kenema in the Bio administration, said development of the district had been part of Bio’s campaign promises and that he intended to fulfill them.
"The digital clock tower, the completion of Carfey Bridge, the city hall and the construction of thirty-five kilometer roads will be part of face-lifting of the new Kenema,” he said in a statement.
Speaking at the event, the Mayor of Kenema City, Thomas Baio, said that it was very important to the people of Kenema. He commended President Bio and his government for bringing development to the district, while assuring that they would do their best to keep the new facility in good shape.
"Today is another actualization of the vision of the New Direction government for the people Kenema. We want to appreciate this government for the development project undertaken in Kenema City. Through the responsible leadership of this government and the political stakeholders in Kenema, development is coming to the people. Very soon the old and abandoned city hall will be completed as work is ongoing rapidly,” he said.
Mr Baio commended the indigenes from the district who are currently in government positions for been supportive towards the development of the city and the district as a whole. The mayor then pleaded with the government to help restore the Gendema Ferry service, which links communities divided by the Sewa River to Kenema.
“We want the ferry to return back in operation as our people are risking their lives using canoe to cross over,” he said.
In his statement, the Chief Executive Officer of Africell, Shadi Gerjawi, said that they were pleased to deliver on their promise to the people of Kenema by constructing the modern clock tower. He said that they were also committed to improving the livelihood of Sierra Leoneans through job creation.
“Africell mobile company will continue to be a good partner to government in providing services to the people," he said.
Mohamed Kallie, a business man in Kenema, told Politico that the construction of modern digital clock tower is another development for the city.
"We are happy as we have started to see tangible development in Kenema. If only tangible projects are undertaking and completed, then we can't say development is not coming," he said.
Another Kenema resident, Mariana Jabbie, said as indigenes of the town, they have trust in the current government that it will bring development to them without discrimination.
“Kenema has suffered over ten years due to bad governance. So our desire is to see fast development for Kenema, less bureaucracies, and our priority as a city is road network. We need two construction companies if we are to see speedy response to road work,” she said.
In his address at the event, President Julius Maada Bio thanked the people of Kenema for their continued support to his government. He said that the people deserved more and assured that his government was committed to bringing more development to the district.
Bio also thanked Africell for providing the support needed for the construction of the clock tower and the First Lady for her great role in the process. He urged the people of Kenema City to take good care of the facility.
"Kenema was neglected and deprived of benefiting from state resources because of their loyalty to Maada Bio and SLPP. Kenema had been declared as a city and it desires all amenities that are needed to be called a city", the president said, adding:
“Government has approved 39 kilometers roads for the city, but we will start with ten streets. The Koroma Street, Reservation Road, Demby Street, and Maxwell Khobe Street will be completed by next year. I will not listen to those criticizing my government. I want to be criticized constructively by engaging me on issues that is developmental to the people.”
President Bio also assured the people of Kenema that the problem of power cut in the city will soon be over. He then reaffirmed his government’s commitment to fulfill all promises made to Sierra Leoneans. And he urged Mayor Biao to take good care of the clock tower built in his name.
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