Two and a half years of APC rule, still no hope for Kono Youths

As APC’s two and half year rule progresses, youths of the Kono District in the eastern part Sierra Leone are still languishing in abject poverty and unemployment. Speaking to some disgruntled Central youths who were avid supporters of the ruling APC, they told this reporter with dismay that the emergence of the APC to political  prominence in 2007, was a dream come true for many of them as they were anticipating that their suffering will soon come to past. But as the political clock ticks by, the wide gutter grimace on the faces of youths is still prominent as there is no hope of having a job to eke a living and obviously, the future seems bleak as of now.

It could be remembered that in 2007 run off elections, Kono youths played a significant role in bringing the APC power. In fact when the APC had nowhere to run to for help it was Kono which was the final determinant to ascertain the fate of the APC. As a true indigene of Kono, I want to ask the APC why they have forgotten so soon when they know elections would always come and the indispensable votes of Kono people would be needed. Two and half years is enough time for the APC to have at least started doing substantial things for the people of Kono. In the two and half year rule of this regime, some gleams of development have been seen going on in other districts of the country, why not Kono?

The APC should realize that Kono is not only a mining field, as there are other potentials in Kono district and its people other than diamond mining alone. And the NDMC tailings (San-san) which the APC used to blindfold the youths of Kono were just a hoax that have ended up in failure. If the marginalization of Kono youths in terms of development continues like this, I wonder what campaign strategy the APC would implement to win the heart of Kono people come 2012 polls?  As the popular saying goes that you can fool people sometime, but you can’t continue to fool all the people all the time. The APC must be in the know that development for the betterment of this country as a nation should not  be limited to regions of special interest but to all and even to the last village that comprised Sierra Leone.

At present the political tide of development is high in some district of interest like Bo and Makeni. Quite recently the Minister of Energy and Water Resources, Professor Ogunlade Davidson announced plans for the extension of electricity to Makeni; whilst Kono which was once renowned as one of the largest contributor interns of national revenue is yet to come out of the  dungeon of bad roads, poor medical facilities and no better learning institutions. What an indescribable disappointment to the people of Kono with all their sons and daughters in the corridors of power. What a shame and a slap on the face of the indigenes of Kono. There is a local saying that says, “When your father was a paramount chief you did not wear gown, and when will you?” This proverb is in no lesser way suitable for the people of Kono who are yet to have firm grip on the gleams of Salone politics.

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