Issues At Large 11-16-09

Diamonds Not Forever

British writer Ian Fleming in his book, ‘Diamonds Are Forever’ made a succinct point when he highlighted the fact that diamonds which had always been seen as minerals which are forever, are not in fact forever!

This has been shown in Kono District where the much talked about diamonds have now become scarce in a district where once people use to get up in the morning to go looking out for the precious stones in their backyards.

In the Kono District, the reality has not been easy to confront, especially where artisanal miners use to have daily success has now become constant failures.

Geologists might have a better explanation but it seems diamonds are indeed drying up in the country, and even the former hot spots have become deserted as miners have all abandon the pits.

The No. 11 Tailings in Kono, which were released with much fan fair from the Ernest Koroma government, has also proved to be another disappointment as there are no significant findings, notwithstanding the great expectations.

Both Sia Nyama Koroma and Vice president Sam-Sumana are said to have bought huge diamond bearing sand to give as a gift to the youths, but the gesture has back fired as the miners, already tired from disappointment all want to enter some educational institution to learn a trade. Learning is better than silver and gold seems to be holding more supporters these days, but the government, apparently ignorant of the new awakening of the youths in this part of the country, still continue trumpeting diamonds and gold.

Information Minister Making Strides  

Minister of Information and Communication, Alhaji I. Ben Kargbo, continues to make strides as the personality on whose shoulders the government of President Koroma rests.

Governance under a democratic dispensation is about explaining every nuance and move to the public, including the opposition, which in most times is always looking out for loopholes. From the global crunch, which the opposition used as a weapon to attack the newly installed government, to the songs of local musician Emmerson Bockarie, the work has been daunting but fulfilling.

From morning till night, from Bo to Kono, from Pujehun to Kailahun, the suave and outspoken Information Minister has proved to be a great personality worth praising. In all the history of information ministers, Alhaji I. Ben Kargbo has been the most outspoken and initiative as he has made it his duty to answer every enquiry, a time for every one and an explanation to every situation. Alhaji I.B. Kargbo is a personality worth having in any government worth its focus.

The Open Government Initiative

The Open Government Initiative, OGI is part of the new system introduced by the Ernest Koroma government. It is supposed to be part of the new face of a democratic APC administration.

However, the much hyped about work of OGI has strangely dissipated with the series of unexplained mishaps and the fact that the former head of OGI has been replaced by a Northerner, thereby throwing speculation open that OGI is another area of employment for Northerners.

What is really the work of OGI? Is it just to make meetings where millions of Leones get missing and at the end of the day nothing works?

The fact of the matter is that if you ask the average Sierra Leonean, my bet is that he or she might well not be able to know its functions. One even taught it is a new condiment for cassava leaves.

OGI might well be CGI, the Closed Government Initiative.

No Houses for Paramount Chiefs

The facts have started emerging. The past government of the SLPP was supposed to build houses for Paramount Chiefs, this was money provided by the international donor partners as a measure to ensure that traditional authorities return home to be among their people.

But as usual, the past government did not even build huts for these them, as shown by Information Minister Alhaji I.B. Kargbo. While the SLPP is presumptuous in condemning the present government for corruption, it has now emerged that they were not saints as they are repeatedly proclaiming.

Sierra Leone has 121 chiefdoms, meaning that there should be the same number of houses. This is a lot of money.

The money was provided by DFID, as part of the rehabilitation of the country, this money cannot be accounted for now, and not even the houses.

It is interesting to note that although the past government failed to build the houses for the chiefs, when it came to the Presidential and Parliamentary elections, the same paramount chiefs wholeheartedly gave their support to the SLPP. One wonders what magic Mr. Berewa, who was then the flag bearer might have fed them to make them support a government that failed to provide them with homes.

New System for Salone Pilgrims

Better days are here for pilgrims going to the Holy land of Mecca, thanks to the work of Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Wusu B. Munu.

Unlike the past, when pilgrims were flown to Nigeria where they ended up performing the Hajj, the present system is a far cry from the former.

Recently, as soon as the pilgrims landed, they were warmly welcomed by the Ambassador himself together with other senior staff. Sierra Leoneans residing in Saudi Arabia were also present to give their support.

The ambassador and staff of the embassy assisted the pilgrims in their airport formalities, after which they took them to their hotels. Pilgrims now feel at home even though they might be in a strange land.

To carry out the work of looking after the affairs of Sierra Leonean pilgrims efficiently, the embassy has temporarily relocated from the city of Riyadh to Jeddah.

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