KHL asked to provide water and power supply for resettled communities
Sierra Leone’s President Ernest Bai Koroma last Saturday called on the management of Koidu Kimberlite Resettlement Project, being undertaken by Koidu Holdings Limited (KHL), to provide the new resettled community with safe drinking water, electricity, infrastructural necessities-as schools, a hospital, a mosque, a church and transportation opportunities.
Led on an inspection tour by KHL Chief Communications Officer Ibrahim Sorie Kamara, the Head of State made the plead while assessing the needs of the new community.
Posing inquiry questions after questions to the Chief Communications Officer to ascertain the procedure every aspect of the process took, President Koroma demonstrated his passionate concern to know whether the people residing in the resettled community are having access to what they used to have when they were living in their former communities.
President Koroma however suggested that the company to make provision of direct water taps and regular power supplies to every household in the community whiles asking for a bus shuttle for the transportation of pupils to and fro schools.
The resettlement process according to Kamara went through a series of consultations with the affected people including their Member of Parliament, Councilors and other key authorities in the communities.
During the course of inspection of facilities the President however learnt that some property owners preferred to receive money for their houses rather than the structures, to against which President Koroma declared; ‘there should not be money for houses but a house for a house hence asked for the MP representing the constituency.
Into further inquiring about the housing scheme and its facilities, Kamara informed President Koroma that KHL has constructed one hundred-and-forty-four houses comprising of thirty sets. He said KHL has built a market, a blacksmith workshop, refurbished and put up twelve houses per week and thirty every month, while stating indicating that the entire project will be completed by November this 2011.
He disclosed that when once a house is being handed over to a beneficiary, the company will give a one month warranty after which the owner has to give his or her personal impression about the structure if pleased with it then the property will be finally allocated to the person entitled to the property.
The village resettlement programme the KHL Communications Chief further explained involves continued public education with full participation of the inhabitants and key stakeholders, reiterating that every decision taken by the company has been well consulted with the people.
The KHL Chief Communications Officer said every four houses have one stand pipe to provide safe drinking water adding; ‘we intend to build a school, a church a church and mosque’.
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2011, https:. All rights reserved.
