Youth leader attacks government over closure of children’s centres
President of Young Leaders-Sierra Leone has launched a ferocious attack on the government following reports of the closure of centres in Bo, Kenema and Makeni which serve street children.
Unisa Dizo-Conteh Jr. (in photo) said: “quite frankly, closing centres that help and support vulnerable children is something really appalling.” “It’s really outrageous to hear reports of poor children being abandoned – while greedy officials continue to accumulate wealth at the expense of these vulnerable children.”
“The Minister of Social Welfare and the government must do everything they can to ensure children in Sierra Leone receive the right support and services they need,” he added.
In a brief interview with Sierra Express Media, Dizo Jr. said “Sierra Leone is having conversations on transformation of the country to a middle income country by 2025. “Failure to protect the future of our children today will absolutely result to destroying that vision.”
Sierra Express Media learned that the salaries of staff working with street children have not been paid since April 2011. Mr Alhaji Brima Rogers, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare, said that the delay in payment was due to a problem involving the Ministry of Finance.
Dizo Jr. said: “it’s high time the government really prioritise the needs of children and young people.” “How often do they need reminding that children are our future?”
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