The Scramble For Mayor Of Freetown
After the disgraceful indictment and judgment of former Mayor of Freetown Herbert George Williams (in photo), many Sierra Leoneans are baffled, perplexed or rather disappointed at the final decision taken by the judiciary and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to impose a fine and let the accused walk away scot-free.
Currently the scramble for the Mayor of Freetown has begun and the dishonor and humiliation with regards the former mayor’s misappropriation of taxpayers ‘money are fresh in the minds of the Sierra Leonean people and should be ready to make a better choice this time than the former.
Undeniably, it could be recalled that, when the ruling party, the All Peoples Congress (APC) took power in 2007, the people of Sierra Leone from different political backgrounds paid their local taxes willingly for the enhancement of mama Salone development agenda initiative which was a very big challenge.
However, things went the other way round at the Freetown City Council when officials started to eat with both hands resulting to a unanimous and deliberate refusal of tax payments by the people. Since then, no council officials have the guts to demand payment of local taxes by the people. Knowing fully well, what the implications might be.
Today, the quest to serve in the Freetown City Council has become a passion to many including members of the press family, the fourth estate of the realm. Candidates who are yet-to-declare and those who have done so are equally preparing for the November 17 polls.
Veteran journalists, Winston Ojukutu Macauley and Theo Nicol are both vying for the APC symbols that will enable either or candidate for the mayor of Freetown, while a clergy, Reverend Bankole Johnson and Dennis O. Williams vying for the same office under the same party see themselves as the most feet candidate.
The All Peoples Congress (APC) Symbol Committee has a daunting and meticulous task in issuing the party’s symbols to candidates. The APC Symbol Committee has the mandate and criteria that make an aspirant eligible for symbol but must consider trustworthiness, clean background, and clear cut agendas.
As the influx of members from other political parties to the ruling APC party continues unstoppably, the APC Symbol Committee must not frown on the ‘incomings’ because the good work of the government and its leadership are forcing well-meaning and patriotic Sierra Leoneans to join the party. Nevertheless, the Symbol Committee must also be in a position to screen most of these ‘incomings’ as some of them are being sent in as moles and the later must not go down with the genuine ‘incomings’.
Again, Sierra Leoneans, especially Freetonians must endeavor to fulfill their patriotic obligation by starting to pay local taxes for the development of this our beloved nation in anticipation of a very honest and God fearing Mayor of Freetown come next year.
By E. Awotelli-Cole
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