Community radio station embarks on community development in Kenema
One of the six radio stations broadcasting in Kenema city in the Eastern region of Sierra Leone has taken a bold step to embark on not only giving information, education, and entertainment to the community, but this time around to do a physical job for the people in a bid of addressing their most pressing needs. In this vein, the management and staff of a popular and most listened to radio station in the east, Starline Radio 98.4 F.M. in Kenema, owned by one Sidie Yayah Fofanah, alias DJ Snow, last week Thursday 19th May 2011 embarked on serious grading and maintenance of feeder roads and major streets in the Nyandeyama community where it is broadcasting.
In an exclusive interview with the owner, better known as the CEO Sidie Yayah Fofanah (DJ Snow) at the site where the caterpillars where working on the initiative, he said he thought it fit to do that in the community because the people in the community for the past years have been crying to the government, the City Council, the District Council, their councillors, and the members to help them maintain the roads in the community, but their request is often turned down.
He went further to say that the Nyandeyama community is one of the largest communities in Kenema that has a larger number of electorates but yet they are neglected by even their own member of parliament and their few councillors. “I took this step not because I want to become a politician but for the love I have for the community.
‘My station is operating to ease the cost of motor bikes (okada) to the community from Le 2,500 to a better one that will be sweeter for the community because the bike riders always over charge due to the poor road network, he said.
Talking of the cost involved in the project DJ Snow disclosed that for every 8 hours of the work he pays US$1,000, including a drum of diesel and the excessive work was meant to be done for 2 consecutive days, which claims a total of US$2000 and 2 drums of fuel and above.
He concluded that as long as he continues to broadcast in Kenema he will do everything humanly possible to address some of the needs of the community and called on others to emulate his example for Kenema to develop.
One of the community elders, Alpha Kamara, expressed thanks and appreciation to DJ Snow for spending such a huge sum of money to cure the sickness of the people which was a poor road network. Mr. Kamara said Snow is one of the young people that has development at heart and also has the zeal to promote other youths in Kenema. He said that if it hadn’t been for the intervention of Snow, the community was going to suffer greatly during to the rains. He added their honorable member of parliament Theresa Suwu and the four councillors have done nothing to please the people.
D J Snow’s radio station is hosting young boys and girls with about 20-25 manpower, thus making it the only station that encourages youths in the region.
Sam A Lahai, Kenema
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