Alieu Badara Mansaray, a member of the Waterloo Celebrations Committee, has revealed to nightwatch that his Committee is faced with financial challenges towards the organization of the 200 year celebrations, which are just around the corner.
Mr. Mansaray stated that they have not received any financial assistance in spite of the many letters they have written to various stakeholders to solicit financial support for the celebrations, which are due in April, 2019.
The Committee, according to Mr. Mansaray, has been targeting mobile operators, banks and other entities within and outside the District to support the celebrations. He also disclosed that they intend targeting other residents of Waterloo residing out of the country to see if they can financially assist their impoverished counterpart in Sierra Leone.
The Committee, according to Mr. Mansaray, has also contacted the Western Area Rural District Council with the hope that they also will financially contribute towards the celebrations.
The 200 years Planning Committee has lined up a number of activities to mark the celebration and thsi includes firstly the launching of the Anniversary in April. The Anniversary will also include educational programs, football gala and village parade ceremonies.
Mr. Badara Mansaray has called on prominent Waterloo descendants nationally and internationally to come on board and render their assistance towards the 200 year’s celebration. He said the village has grown in size and population since founded by freed slaves.
Mr. Mansaray called on the central government to pay more attention to Waterloo considering its historical importance.
Waterloo, the District headquarter town for the Western Area Rural District, has grown into a populous area with financial institutions, market stalls, various businesses and emerging communities. The area is challenged with high crime rate and lack of basic social services like water, electricity and roads within the township.
The successful celebration of the 200 years Anniversary is expected to showcase the number of personalities that the area has produced over time.