By Ragan M. Conteh
The people of Sanda Magbonlothor Chiefdom, in the Karene District, have called on Orange Company to take their network to the Chiefdom. According to one of the section chiefs, Pa Abdulia Sesay, Sanda Magborlothor Chiefdom has tens of thousands of people who are struggling to communicate with their relatives and love ones outside the Chiefdom.
“Other neighboring Chiefdoms also have problems with network. We walk miles in search of Orange network. We are not even talking about Africel’s network, which is extremely poor in our Chiefdom.”
According to Chief Sesay, Sanda Magborlothor Chiefdom is densely populated, which makes it advantageous for Orange to operate in that community. It will also ease the burden on people struggling to communicate with their relatives.
The indigenes of Magbrlonthor Chiefdom believe in Orange network at it is reliable and affordable. Osman Kamara, an indigene of Sanda Magborlothor Chiefdom, said Orange-SL has concentrated on the establishment of networks in other areas across the country. But he insisted they are leaving the densely populated in Karene District. He added that the Chiefdom is in dire need of a network for communication, and are convinced Orange is that network.
Kamara said the people have been begging stakeholders to talk to Orange-SL management to help install network in their community. One of the candidates, who was supposed to contest for chieftaincy election in the Chiefdom, recently, Umar Abdulia Sesay, informed Nightwatch that his people have been yearning for the Orange network all these years, it would appear their efforts have not yielded anything fruitful. In short, the attention of Orange has not been captured.
Umar Sesay said the Chiefdom is densely populated, with no network. “My people walk almost five to seven miles, on hilltops, in search of network. Even as candidates we are suffering due to poor network. No Orange Money, no network, nothing at all,” Umar Sesay said.
Umar believes on Orange network because it is reliable and affordable, adding that his people are very anxious to see the installation of Orange poles in Sanda Magborlonthor Chiefdom just as it was done in other neighboring chiefdoms.
Memunatu Turay, a young lady, said the moment you cross the river from Port Loko District, you lose network, informing also that Sanda Magborlothor Chiefdom lacks network, completely, adding that mobile companies have been neglecting them over the years.
“We have been neglected and abandoned from enjoying the digital revolution President Julius Maada Bio is talking about. We are appealing to Orange Company to help salvage our network problems,” she said.
Saidu Kanu, from Mabonkaneh village, said Sanda Magborlothor Chiefdom is the most deprived of modern day facilities, especially in communication. According to him, Sanda Mogborlonthor Chiefdom has been out of communication opportunity for over years now with no intention, by Government or private sector, to consider the chiefdom for such an opportunity.
“We are appealing to Orange Company, because it is the largest company with strong network, to penetrate in our chiefdom and help redeem us from network darkness,” he said.
Many people, including notable stakeholders, have expressed similar concerns about the perpetual network shortage in their community.