In Themne, the word ‘MAMUTHOR’ means to plead with someone for a favour. That was exactly what President Julius Maada Bio did a week ago in Koya Chiefdom, PortLoko District. He pleaded with the sons and daughters of PortLoko District to vote him in for a second term relying on some concrete achievements in the district.
President Bio has already taken control of Kambia and other parts in the Northern region following the signing of a strategic alliance with Dr Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, former NGC (National Grand Coalition) leader and flag-bearer.
President Bio is noe eyeing PortLoko district with keen interest. The two northern districts are crucial to Bio’s election victory, a situation that prompted repeated appeals. His latest appeal came few days during the launch of a new company in PortLoko district known as Arise Integrated Industrial platforms (ARISE IIP).
The new company which seeks to improve Sierra Leoneans’ living standards will create 9000 jobs with an investment running into millons of dollars. If Bio’s vision materialises, the new company will significantly reduce joblessness in Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone has a teeming population of able-bodied young men and women looking out for job opportunities.
The new company will readily provide answer to the unemployment question. While appealing to PortLoko residents, President Bio looked back at the tangible development initiatives he has taken to PortLoko in recent years. The President is on record to have constructed the first girls school on the soil of PortLoko town.
The construction of the school is in furtherance of Bio’s Free Quality Education scheme which started in Sierra Leone in September, 2018. It is a big-time realisation of a manifesto commitment. The school known as Dr Kadie Sesay Girls’ school is a state of the art, and its location and ambience favours learning.
The naming was deliberate as it was done in rememberance of an eminent female academic, Dr Kadie Sesay who hailed from PortLoko. She lectured for years at Fourah Bay College, a constituent of the University of Sierra Leone.
Dr Kadie Sesay was a running mate to President Bio in the 2012 elections. She would have been the first female Vice President in Sierra Leone if SLPP (Sierra Leone People’s Party) had won the elections. For a long time, PortLoko has several schools, but no special school for girls. Bio’s girls’ school is the first in the town.
The President’s vision is to see a Sierra Leone where everyone can read and write with girls at the centre of learning. Basic and functional literacy is an effective tool for a country’s socio-economic development. Investment in education is also one that has no equal anywhere in the world.
President Bio also reminded the people of PortLoko about the recent construction of an ultra-modern international airport in their community which will also boost the country’s economic development.
Before this time, Sierra Leone has one of the most sub-standard airports in the world, a factor that drives several aircrafts away. For several years, not all aircrafts can land in Sierra Leone, now they can.
It is a very great achievement the people of PortLoko should take pride in. The airport would have been moved to another community had President Bio supported moves by the previous regime. Such passion for development alone should move PortLoko residents into voting in President Bio for a second term.
The airport project and launching of ARISE IIP are not the only goodies SLPP (Sierra Leone People’s Party) has taken to PortLoko. Bio’s government has ensured that mining agreements are reviewed and the mines reactivated for the common good. He critically looked at the agreement between SL Mining Company and the past government. He reviewed the agreement when it became clear that it was not in the interest of the people.
However, government’s action in Lunsar town was misunderstood owing to lack of proper sensitisation. After some clarifications in the agreement, Marampa Mines is now in full swing creating jobs for the jobless and bettering lives.
A new company is also about to start in PortLoko district for the exploitation of Bauxite. Under Bio’s government, Bauxite has been discovered in PortLoko in huge commercial quantities. The discovery is also another great opportunity for the people of PortLoko as they stand to reap the most benefit.
With such mining investment, a big prospect for PortLoko rising from the abyss exists. The appointment of Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh twice as running to President Bio is a no mean feat. Juldeh Jalloh was chosen as running mate in 2018, and became Vice President when Bio won the elections. He ran a successful term of five years with President Bio.
VP Jalloh has been chosen again for another term. For many in PortLoko, Juldeh Jalloh is an asset to them. He has made several interventions in PortLoko that has improved the people’s lives. In times of troubles and life-threatening situations, VP Jalloh always stands with his people.
About two years ago when an inferno destroyed businesses in PortLoko, Juldeh Jalloh lent a helping hand to the victims. Each got Le10m (ten million Leones) to put them back on business. Other assistance in different forms was also offered to the business community in PortLoko town.
The Vice President visits there almost every weekend to familiarise with his people so that he can know their problems. The expression of love by Juldeh Jalloh for his people makes President Bio proud. Many say he made no mistake for choosing VP Jalloh to represent his people at the top echelon of state governance.
By so doing, Bio has broken away from the country’s tradition in which Presidents do not end well with their deputies. President Siaka Stevens did not end well with his Vice President, Sorie Ibrahim Koroma of PortLoko. President Ahmed Tejan Kabba too never fared on well with his Vice President, Albert Joe Demby.
Kabba dropped Demby after his first term and replaced him with Solomon Ekuma Berewa. Former President Ernest Bai Koroma fell out with his Vice President, Chief Samuel Sam Sumana who he replaced with Victor Bockarie Foh. President Bio also appointed one of PortLoko’s industrious sons, Alpha Kanu as Resident Minister for North-West region.
He provided comfort and solace for Kanu after he was thrown away by his APC (All People’s Congress) comrades. Kanu who holds the post of Presidential Spokesman in Bio’s government has championed major development projects in the region.
The comfort provided by SLPP made Alpha Kanu to fall for SLPP, a party he expected to realise his full potentials. He has terminated his APC membership in preference for SLPP saying he is tired of chewing crabs in the secret. It is now better to do it in the open.
From now onwards, the North-West Resident Minister is no longer jittery about his SLPP membership. He has made it public. Haja Isatta Abdulai and Kadiatu Emily Gogra are among prominent politicians from PortLoko that occupy ministerial seats in Bio’s government.
In a clear demonstration of love for PortLoko people, Bio, few years ago, erected a monumental clock tower in the heartland of PortLoko town where youth can rest and do hobbies during leisure. The youth of various political parties are free to take a siesta after fiesta at the clock tower. No discrimination as all are needed.
For such unprecedented achievement, the people of PortLoko have nodded in agreement with President Bio. They demonstrated it at the launching of Arise IIP. The paramount chiefs, sub-chiefs and other traditional leaders poured libation to the departed to render their apology for not throwing their weight behind Bio in 2018.
This time is a different case: they have assured to vote in massively for Bio in June.