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Bumbuna Is Not The Only Issue

Bumbuna Is Not The Only Issue

The issue of electricity and its indispensable significance cannot be over emphasized.

Today, it seems as if Sierra Leoneans have no other things to talk about, except Bumbuna. Whatever might be its hindrance must come to reality someday. I firmly believe that there are so many other pertinent issues relating to development that need considerations too. Some of these crucial issue ranges from education, health, agriculture and a well managed social welfare plans for vulnerable citizens of Sierra Leone. It is also worth noting here that most of the issues we lay premium on and see as a pre-requisite to development have been seen by many countries as issues of the past.

Issues ranging from electricity, good roads, constant pipe borne water supply and internal road transport network have been sustained and maintained in countries like Benin, Mozambique, South Africa et-al. For those countries highlighted so far, though they fall under the category of ‘developing’ countries, yet the issue of electricity, pipe borne water and good road network are no longer a priority to them. Even next door neighbour Guinea in spite of the recent political mutiny can boast of a very good road network linking Conakry to the hinterland of the country in Provincial towns like N’zerekoure, Beila, Mamoa, Labe etc.

With us Sierra Leoneans, in the midst of all our valuable mineral resources, we are still grappling to fix some of these basic social amenities to meet the standards of even a developing country like Sierra Leone.

This issue of Bumbuna electricity and the possibility of it being viable has become so monotonous in the ears of so many Sierra Leoneans and it has contributed in creating pandemonium in some quarters of the country.

For God sake and to cry out loud we as Sierra Leoneans have many things to do and be worried about besides electricity (Bumbuna). Let’s take a keen look into other sectors.

We still have a long way to fix these problems. Yes, I know some Sierra Leoneans in some circles might tend to lift an eye brow why should they not be worried about Bumbuna light, considering the long years that have followed its completion since the 70’s.

What I am worried about as a concerned citizen is the way and manner in which Sierra Leoneans have abandoned their work just to labour over one issue of the Bumbuna Light as if there are no other problems to be fixed. I think it is high time we diversified our way of thinking and focus on other sectors that needed urgent attention.

You listen to the radio it is the same-Bumbuna-with one station in support while another is looking for people who text in lambasting statements. It is the type of politics seen only in Sierra Leone.

Areas like education, health and improved maternal health care service all need serious attention. Education which Sierra Leone was renowned for in Africa, in having a University affiliated with Durham University in England has now dwindled in standards to an alarming rate. The past glory of Sierra Leone being the ‘Athens of Africa’ is no longer seen in terms of performance.

I am appealing to the government through the Education Ministry to introduce development courses in the various tertiary institutions around the country and also make it as a compulsory subject for every faculty. This is because those crop of graduates who graduated in the 70’s, 80’s and up to the 90’s and now occupy high positions of trust in the country have not manifested positive aspects as they are mostly engaged in corruption.

The health delivery services in this country are in no good shape. Every day reports flood in and out of the country on high infant mortality rates and high maternal mortality rates. The hospitals around the country are in deplorable conditions, some with no operation theatre especially Kono, Kailahun and Pujehun are all suffering health neglect.

Readers, I tell you with no exaggeration our road networks are in a dilapidated and deplorable condition. And it is of no use to hide the fact that these are some of the major causes for our under development. The road network leading to Kono is an eyesore, and an experience not to be easily forgotten. Imagine a diamond ferrous place like Kono, where you have the presence of almost every nationality around the globe, and a bread basket for the country still grappling to fix its road network.

Lest we create unnecessary hullabaloo about Bumbuna, let us first of all try to put those issues on our agenda for change.

Readers, I want to reiterate that Bumbuna is not the only issue on our Agenda for change.

There are a plethora of development issues that need a face-lift if we are be recognized as a country ready for progress, let alone talk about Bumbuna. Bumbuna will surely come when the time is due. For me particularly, Bumbuna is not something to be worried about but to put more effort to its first phase completion.

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  • ACHIEVEMENTS IN SIERRA LEONE
    by Ronald Andrew Lisk-Carew
    MONDAY, 15 JUNE 2009

    In the words of Elbert Hubbard “All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing.” Therefore we should publicise positive news; be grateful for and defend the efforts of hard-working public servants who do critical jobs for the nation, not just criticise the failures.

    Our spectacular Cotton Tree is still thriving splendidly.

    At last one can see things are beginning to improve in Sierra Leone. It would have been quite something to be able to enjoy the start of the promised electricity supply from the Bumbuna Hydro-Electric Project in April 2009 as promised. Nevertheless, there was a vast improvement in electricity supply in some areas of Freetown, the sort of “determined government attention” I constructively highlighted in my 2004 article. Some progress has taken place since my last write-up then about my experience in Sierra Leone, in 2004. The Bumbuna project should have a positive impact on the country. Theoretically, it should mean reduced spending on expensive imported fuel for generators if the savings is used to help drive the economy forward, stimulate development and improve living standards. All we need is the political will, good leadership and management.

    I am familiar with the many problems faced by Sierra Leoneans but there’s some positive stuff on the horizon to give us hope for the future. I saw some changes but there is still a lot to do to change the negative cultures, attitudes and behaviours. For example, some public employees criminally ask for bribes to carry out their public duties and/or to bypass laws and regulations.

    I was particularly impressed by the progress pertaining to the issue of corruption in high places. I hope the feeling that government, especially through the effective approach to bolster the Anti-Corruption Commission is successful. Any new initiative to tackle entrenched institutional corruption must be good. I particularly like the idea of Target Setting and performance targets for ministers, as well as the declaration of assets by all public officials. The same tough approach might work for other sectors of concern to the community.

    One of the best, exciting, fantastic development I saw was the eye-catching refurbished Clock Tower. This positively gives a sense of hope. It brought back fond memories of my childhood since it is still located near my Mountain Cut home and Holly Trinity Church and primary school. At the same time, disturbed and put off by too much street trading in the vicinity.

    Newly Renovated Clock Tower at ‘Eastern Police’.

    There were several adverse and worrying comments concerning the judiciary and police. To many, there are major concerns about the judiciary and police who are perceived as being unethical, inefficient and unprofessional despite recent effort by some in this sector to improve the image and culture of these professions. At street level, the police are said to be unreliable, incompetent and corrupt. They need to be better trained and supervised. The Government need to do something about these serious concerns through bold, clear action and determination if criminal acts, lawlessness and anarchy are to be discouraged. Monitoring and promoting judicial integrity is crucial. It will reassure the public; ensure confidence in the police service and restore the tarnished reputation of the judiciary, ensuring peace and development.

    There are still many issues for government to focus on and pursue, like road blockages, traffic congestions, the incredible uncontrolled destruction of our beautiful mountains and hills; the need for action against people who deliberately squat irreverently and so desecrate cemeteries are of paramount importance. Many traditional residential neighbourhoods are being downgraded to commercial areas to the extent that these areas are increasingly uglycised. This is a key challenge for the City Council. The proactive strides on the electricity front has raised hopes for many citizens saying they are convinced President Ernest Koroma’s government need to be given a chance to address the many challenges they inherited.

    In terms of the global economic crisis, there was a worry that not enough is being done proactively by government to alleviate the financial burden or reduce the impact on the population, especially the most vulnerable communities who suffer desperately from high prices of goods and services. Targeted strategies to stimulate the economy are needed to mitigate the tough symptoms for all struggling citizens.

    Overall, my visit was wonderfully warming not just from the sumptuous sunshine. I had a fantastic, brilliant and lovely time predominantly. Slowly, I am working on my projects. Therefore, I am so looking forward to my next visit.

    Sierra Leone is an exciting place to visit at the moment and so far, the Ernest Koroma government deserve a pat on the back. It was good to see ‘cats eyes’ road studs on some roads again; the newly constructed Freetown City Council Administrative Building at Wallace Johnson Street; FCC Waste Management vehicles and a few visible public dustbins also.

    However, unfortunately, there is no organised house to house collection of refuse. There is a need for modern motor vehicles with hydraulic tipping mechanism for house to house collection of refuse and for public closets and urinals. Government must create public sector jobs; do more to encourage and support job creation by the private sector and address the issue of homelessness. Government should build affordable social housing to help move people from slum dwellings and so improve the quality of life of the nation.

    My experience of visiting Sierra Leone over the last five (5) years tells me clearly, that with true leadership and if effective targeted action is taken to tackle the other significant problems, vis-à-vis THE ENVIRONMENT and HEALTH SERVICES, WATER, EMPLOYMENT, HOUSING, and TRANSPORTATION, especially proper management of our human, material and financial resources, SaLone will be a great place to live in the future. I feel and can confirm that many Sierra Leoneans I heard are more hopeful now and so I can see a bright future for our beloved Sierra Leone.

    In short, corruption still plagues the country, needing political courage and strong government. As mentioned above, I saw some progress in Sierra Leone this year. No doubt there is a lot of work to be done to improve Freetown but if the present Mayor Herbert George A. Williams keeps up his enthusiasm and if he is truly dedicated, we will all enjoy a beautiful Freetown once more, DV.

    12th November 2009
  • The concerns you raised can not be overephasized, given the current deplorable condition of our country. Politicians need to get their priorities right. Untill we stop concentrating on who should stay in the corridors of power and focus on non-political development undertakings, Sierra Leone will ever remain backward. Freetown is the only capital without a central sewage system. Pit latrines and bucket portables are sanitary health hazards to say the least.May be, one day, somebody will hear you loud and clear. Till then, let’s hold our breath.

    10th November 2009

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