Although the Energy Minister and the Chairman for Energy and Climate Change has been summoned by Parliament in respect of the fire incident at State House, this singular albeit isolated invitation in the eyes of the public, is not enough.
Sierra Leoneans are demanding that the man sitting on the highest throne of office, the President of the Republic, must give an explanation on the incident particularly as it has to do with his office, the national seat of power, the State House, in order provide a panacea in forestalling another fire incident at his office and other parts of the country that have so poignantly affected ordinary citizens.
Public observation holds that Parliament should conduct their investigations, but the President’s address can be much heavier in ending the widespread debates, discussions and speculations.
The fire incident at State House, the seat of power, has brought about ceaseless discussions and debates about its cause since it is the first incident ever to happen to the seat of power.
As the discussions continue, fear and anxiety has gripped the people with many turning to the Office of the President to allay their fears although it happened in his absence.
President Bio and his wife were out of the country on official duties when the tragedy befalls Sierra Leone. The offices of Climate Change Chairman and the Press Secretary, Dr. Kandeh Kolkeh Yumkella and Keketoma Sandi respectively were badly hit by the flames although fire fighters were deployed at the scene to mitigate its impact. But, the most frustrating aspect was that, the security personnel reportedly threw away youth who had come to help put off the fire.
Calls on the President, Julius Maada Bio to address the people on the state of the nation owing to frequent spates of fires in the country especially State House, the center of state governance.
At the moment, it is befitting to think that important documents (contracts and agreements) could have been burned down during the inferno, and it is only the President that will lay the speculations to rest.
It is also hoped that the facts and figures he would present could not be found anywhere. It is also hoped that while addressing the nation, the President should set up a committee to look into the cause of fire and come out with findings and recommendations to prevent another fire incident. The people of Sierra Leone also see it fit to bring to justice those responsible for the fire outbreak. But, any attempt to appoint a government official especially the Vice President to head the investigation has been ruled out by the public as the probe could not be free and fair. The people wanted to see international fire experts on the ground to investigate the incident.
The people’s fear is being heightened by the outbreaks of fires in other important buildings particularly 34-Military hospital at Wilberforce community in Freetown.
The military facility, few days ago, was reported to have been burned down by fire whose source remains unknown.
The burning of the hospital also might have cost the nation billions of Leones as drugs and medical equipment are stored there.
What about the building itself whose renovation could also be a big blow to state coffers.
As the public urge the President to come to the people, they also fear that other important buildings especially Youyi Building in central Freetown could be next. The building since it was construction houses several ministries except few which are located in other buildings in Freetown.
The fire incidents do not only stop at government offices but business facilities in the private sector.
Reports state that a shop housing motor cycles in Waterloo few kilometers away from Freetown was also torched taking the life of the proprietor away and property worth millions of Leones was also destroyed.
Investigation into the cause of the fire at the Waterloo shop is reportedly being carried out by the police, but the people also fear that the investigation would not go deep down. It is believed that the investigation would stop half way and the victims abandoned to their fate. The fire incident at State House is the latest of fire outbreaks in the country. Fire incidents, few months ago, have broken out in several communities in Freetown opening series of debates about their actual causes. Few years back, shops, stalls and other business entities at Sweizzy community on Wallace Johnson Street in Freetown were burned by fire causing distress for the traders and shop owners.
Little investigation was also carried out and the omission of proper actions brought about wonders about who are behind the fires, and many accused some irate street boys linked to political parties of causing the fire thus confirming the reason the police fail to investigate.
However, few days after the fire, some police and military officers were on the scene taking down names of the fire incident with the aim of compensation, but it is not yet confirmed whether the victims have been compensated.
Not too long after the fire tragedy at Sweizzy community, another fire incident also broke out at Susan’s Bay destroying property. Like the fire incident at Sweizzy, no strong action was done at Susan’s Bay community.
The fire outbreaks also continue in several communities in Freetown and in the provinces causing distress to the people they have affected. Few years back, fire hit business stalls on Lunsar Road, in Port Loko affecting several businessmen. The victims in Port Loko were better off as one them, Mohamed Kargbo said he received NLe10, 000 or Le10, 000, 000 (Ten Million Leones) from government as compensation.
But many say compensation alone is not enough, but effort must be done to stop the rolling incidents of fire here and other parts upcountry.