Bumbuna will lead to Ernest Koroma’s political longevity

State governance involves the ability of a given government to provide the needed services for the electorates upon its election. Now when we elected President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah in 1996, it was out of the  conviction  among Sierra Leoneans that he was going to meet the challenges of modern day governance, especially taking into account his long stay in the international community .

Perhaps, but based on whom you talk to, the election of President Kabbah in a way did not bring the much needed expectations among Sierra Leoneans, saved for the very fact that he, together with Sierra Leone, brought an end to a decade long civil war. It should also be underscored that the institutional reforms we today enjoy are as a result of the Tejan Kabbah administration. Take institutions like the Independent Media Commission (IMC), the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC), National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), and the office of the Ombudsman et al. These institutions came about as a result of the Kabbah political administration.

In fact, we have today seen how these institutions have been meeting the challenges of our time, like the National Revenue Authority (NRA) which has been collecting hundreds of billions of Leones, the ACC which has continued to pursue corrupt officials in society, and the Ombudsman’s office that has been serving as the voice of the people, among others. So indeed, Kabbah, irrespective of what political thought one has, did perform even if not about 62%, but, in my opinion, he scored about 50%.

Perhaps, again, the other  area  Kabbah did not score much political marks has to do with his effort in the fight against corruption; he instituted the ACC, that is common fact, he prosecuted  ‘some big fishes’,  but not as it is now happening under the Ernest Koroma led government. Kabbah attempted to ensure he chased prominent figures in his government but am afraid; it was not of a political gimmick – Prince Harding, Momoh Pujeh and Harry Will were all chased by Kabbah.

Again, also, President Kabbah did not succeed in taking credit for the area of electricity supply. He failed woefully in that area; this is my opinion, at least. He went with the Bumbuna project to as far as 95% but it became a pity that he did not complete the project. Interestingly, the Bumbuna Hydro Project was initiated by the Siaka Stevens led APC government in the 1970s, but Siaka Stevens could not complete it. The ‘small’ NPRC boys came, did their own part and again, went without making any mark as far as that project could be looked at.

Bumbuna to determine Ernest Koroma’s political longevity

When President Ernest Bai Koroma was elected in 2007, he gave priority to the completion of the Bumbuna Hydro Project. It was initially seen, especially by members for the opposition party as an attempt to gain public support for a project that would take years to complete. Ernest went through several hurdles; the Income Electrix saga, and by extension even Afsatu Kabba, an influential figure in the APC government and party, was embarrassed, saved for the fact that the President played smart by removing her from the Energy Ministry to that of Marine Resources.

But in whatever shape or form one may attempt to look at it, I am of the opinion that President Koroma should take credit for completing the Bumbuna project. It took years indeed, but thank God, it has today been completed through the commitment of President Koroma and team in governance.

With the completion of Bumbuna, we are sure of getting more job facilities. With electricity, we are sure of getting more investors into the country, sure of having more factories in place and when that happens, we are definitely going to get more jobs for our youths in the country. Definitely, Sierra Leone is a post war country that is still trying to overcome the trauma of a war that left hundreds of thousands dead. Therefore, any attempt aimed at addressing post war problems should be embraced, devoid of any political connotation. President Koroma should be credited for having completed Bumbuna. To him and team, I say thank you…

But even as I commend the current political class for completing Bumbuna, there is the need to ensure its continuity and sustainability. Over the years, we have seen how efforts are put on national development strides only for them to end up in the drains. This is not going to be the case with the Bumbuna project, I want to believe. Ernest Korma should realize that, him completing Bumbuna, has gone in projecting his chances of being reelected, thus he is certain of being in political longevity.

Just as I said of Sam Sumana recently that his ability to go the extra mile to fix the roads in Kono will be used by his people to determine whether to go APC again or not, so it shall be with the entire citizenry of Sierra Leone. Bumbuna is a determinant factor for the re-election of Ernest Korma come 2012.   

Momodu Koroma was literally rejected by his people in Yoni not because he was running mate to Berewa, or because he was SLPP, but because he failed to meet some, if not all of the expectations of his people, let alone to mingle with them. I am definitely certain, that, Chief Sam Sumana will not want to go that way. So, my Chief Vice President, do something for your people in Kono before your term expires.  Thank you must humbly for your attention.

Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!

© 2009, https:. All rights reserved.