Presentation
of plans by ministers in Bo
by
Yusuf Alghali
As
usual, following the President's cabinet meeting,
ministers proceeded to the Bo Town Council Hall,
taking turns to formally present to regional
traditional rulers, Members of Parliament, and
other regional stakeholders, the series of developmental
programmes lined up for the entire southern
province.
This
was immediately followed by a general introduction
by Vice President Solomon Berewa, who indicated
that cabinet had sown the seeds for a range
of project proposals, which were now awaiting
fruition. But he noted that each minister would
first have to make a broad presentation of their
various plans, and following consultations and
feedbacks from regional stakeholders, government
would then revisit and prioritise the most feasible
of projects, given the limited resources presently
available to it.
The
Vice President also made it clear that only
matters verging on the wider regional interests
would be presented for regional approval, pointing
out that narrow district and chiefdom needs
would be considered and addressed by the already
established and working District Committees.
Ministry
of Local Government:
Minister Sidique Brima informed his audience
about government's determination to devolve
more powers to regional authorities, including
chiefdom and district councils. He disclosed
that there was already a task
force roaming the countryside suggesting the
need for the raising of local taxes from Le.
500 as well as exploring other sources of tax
revenues for chiefdoms.
He
also revealed that after local government reforms
and elections, the World Bank would help the
ministry with capacity building activities in
local governance. He said district and chiefdom
councils could also be brought on board to help
in exercises such as teacher verification and
managing rents from surface mining activities.
He spoke of government's plans for significant
constitutional reforms, which would include
making customary laws uniform everywhere.
The
Minister said that the proposed Council of Chiefs
would advise government on chieftaincy issues
and pointed out that President Kabbah had secured
the professional services of an experienced
Ghanaian consultant, who would help in strengthening
local government institutions nationwide.
Ministry
of Education, Science and Technology:
Minister Dr. Alpha Wurie highlighted his ministry's
support to parents by paying Basic Educational
Certificate Examination (BECE) and West African
School Certificate Examination (WASCE) fees
for tens of thousands of school going children.
He also noted the problems emanating from the
mushrooming of unauthorised schools across the
country.He
said government had imposed a specified quota
to the number of teachers that could be recruited
every school year. He added that the Ministry
of Finance would soon issue a new quota for
the coming year. He went on to explain that
this move is designed to guard against the growing
practise by some schools managers, who recruit
teachers neither with government's authority
nor valid letters of appointment.
Dr.
Wurie also informed regional stakeholders that
some teachers might be away from their schools
in Freetown, where they were presently undergoing
training in the use and maintenance of newly
obtained scientific laboratory equipment for
schools. He said funds (USD 7.2m) for the reconstruction
of the Njala University College had been secured
and that work on the staff quarters, classrooms
and other ancillary facilities would commence
in October 2003. The Minister also informed
the gathering about a cabinet proposal for establishing
the Njala University College as a separate autonomous
University of Sierra Leone.
Ministry
of Trade, Industry and State Enterprises:
Minister Dr. Khadi Sesay emphasised her ministry's
support to the local private sector so as to
get domestic industries producing and processing
goods for export and foreign currency generation.
She spoke of government's procurement of 53
tons of an improved variety of the ginger crop,
which has been distributed to local farmers
in traditionally ginger-growing areas. "Very
soon, we shall start re-exporting ginger to
foreign markets," she said, while also
underscoring the need for produce processing
to expand in tandem with the local production
of ginger, fruits, cacao, vegetables, meat and
fish.
Dr. Sesay also proposed the creation of a suitable
replacement of the now defunct Sierra Leone
Produce Marketing Board (SLPMB). She however
referred to a recent successful experimentation
with indigenous local produce buyers, who had
promptly repaid all monies loaned to them with
government's assistance for the purchase and
export of local produce.
In
this regard, she spoke of government's intent
relating to the transformation and revitalisation
of cooperatives countrywide in collaboration
with the Brussels Centre for the Development
of Industries.
Ministry
of Energy and Power:
Minister Emmanuel Grant explained progress towards
converting the southern Bikongo Falls into a
significant regional source of electric power.
He observed that electric supply from the Dodo
dam facility tends to decrease during the dry
seasons. He said the Number 3 (three) machine
had been down for some time now but assured
all that the equipment would be rehabilitated
and strengthened
for increased output. He said electricity supply
might reach Pujehun District by December.
On
water supply, the minister indicated that
the existing Degremont system could not supply
adequate water to the whole of Bo, but noted
that after its proposed rehabilitation of
its distribution lines, it would be able to
service such other district towns as Baoma,
Yormandu and Gerihun.
A
new water bowser was donated to the Bo community
which will be placed under SALWACO for water
distribution to the most needy areas. A second
bowser according to the minister is being
cleared through customs intended for Bo.
Ministry
of Mineral Resources:
Minister Mohamed Swarray Deen spoke of government's
plans to develop cooperative mining in Sierra
Leone. He disclosed that some Le.1.6billion
had
been paid to mining chiefdoms as a percentage
of mining licensing fees, which is to form part
of their chiefdom development funds.
The
Minister, who also distributed cheques to the
Paramount Chiefs of southern mining chiefdoms,
stressed that the monies were not meant for
individuals but for the funding of various chiefdom
development programmes, including redeveloping
lands and sites devastated by mining activities.
Baoma Chiefdom - Le. 46m; Tikonko Chiefdom -
Le. 15m; Njiama Bongor - Le.8m; Valunia Chiefdom
- Le. 1.5m; Gbagbo Chiefdom - Le.2m. More to
follow shortly on the Ministries of Labour,
Agriculture, Health, Transport and Communications,
Gender and Children's Affairs.
President
Kabbah Opens Moyamba Junction Market
Earlier on his way to Bo President Kabbah made
a stop over at Moyamba Junction to open a newly
constructed market, a project impletmented by
the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA)
through funds provided by the African Development
Bank. Enroute to Freetown, President Kabbah
made a spot visit to the now expanded Moyamba
Junction Market. The popular Moyamba Junction
market,
located some 100 miles outside the Freetown
capital, is a favourite refreshment, entertainment
and commercial stop that allows travellers to
and particularly from the southern region to
purchase from among the wide range of agricultural
produce always on display there.
The
market, which used to be a well stocked but
chaotic site, has now been transformed into
a modern produce selling complex that includes
a lorry park, a range of restaurants, public
restrooms and other facilities.
It was a day of excitement for the dozens of
unsuspecting traders, as the President himself
took the opportunity of patronising one of the
local restaurants equipped with television and
video machine for the entertainment of customers.
