Post mark London: What more evidence does the President want?
Peckam, south-east of London is a densely populated immigrant black community where you’ll find the crème-de la-crème of the Sierra Leonean society.
Issues relating to Sierra Leone and Africa in general are often debated in most quarters around this south-eastern community to the extent that one begins to wonder whether you are still living in Sierra Leone.
My visit to Peckam last Monday was a coincidence, but I eventually realised how interesting it was to be among a group of about sixteen Sierra Leoneans whom I met at a restaurant in Peckam.
Like in Sierra Leone, the issue that was at the centre of their discussion was President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma’s latest decision to inflict punitive action against NRA/Customs officials for allegedly involving in customs fraud.
Abdul Kadri of Liverpool narrated the ugly incident of how he had to abandon his Mercedes Benz car at the Quay after Customs and NRA officials forced him to give ‘kick-backs’ twice more than the amount he bought it in the UK.
Like Abdul, the experiences of others were just the same – some even worse.
Back in the office, throughout my over one year stay in London as a diplomat I have never received such calls on any matter relating to Sierra Leone than this NRA/Customs brouhaha.
The general perception among Sierra Leoneans and friends of Sierra Leone here in the United Kingdom is that Sierra Leone is moving towards the right direction with a well focused leader to take the country forward in terms of development – and for that they were very much appreciative of the President.
Many potential investors have lost confidence going into Sierra Leone either because of the stigma left behind by the war or the frustration they got making first attempt.
The issue of Customs and NRA officials subjecting potential Sierra Leonean investors into paying kick-backs (which hardly go into government coffers) while allowing foreign investors to underpay duty charges is common and no longer news.
This, to a larger extent is affecting the economy of the country which obviously should not be a cup of tea for any well-meaning patriotic Sierra Leoneans.
And therefore when I hear some sections of the local press charging the President for having no evidence in making such arrest, I feel pity for Mama Salone and begin to wonder how sincere some of my colleagues are.
I am not castigating anyone – I am merely expressing my disgust at such arrant nonsense.
We all know the Lebanestic manoeuvres behind such criticisms and for that I say damn to all those critics and thumbs up for President Koroma.
We equally also know that some of our colleagues are not bitter with the President because of the affected NRA/Customs officials, but because of the Lebanese national involved in the fraud which certainly did not go down well with members of the Lebanese Community.
The Lebanese (or should I say some of their top guns) are desperate and determined to fight behind the scene to save the head of their ‘corrupt’ brother no matter the consequences.
They have a very strong influence in Sierra Leone which cannot be under-estimated – make no doubt it.
They have the power to make and unmake and this applies even within the media. They bankroll some sections of the press and remote-control high-profiled police personnel.
Having worked as a newspaper editor in Sierra Leone for more than a decade before my appointment in London, I know the power of Lebanese brown envelope and I know how much those brown envelopes  are capable of turning black to white – but to the extent of downplaying sensitive national matters like this is what makes me totally disappointed.
Of course, the politicians too are not resting – they are bent on making capital over the issue by discrediting the President regardless of how much popularity the President earns over his latest decision.
They know the political capital the President is continuing to make since he took this widely popular decision – they know how much respect such drastic action has brought the President’s growing popularity and are therefore bent on doing everything within their power to cast aspersion on him. But the President must go on as he has started.
Corruption is dreaded disease which has torn Sierra Leone apart. The fight to change the face of Sierra Leone is great but the fact of the matter remains that the majority of Sierra Leoneans both at home and abroad do welcome the President’s action.
The author is the Information Attaché at the Sierra Leone High Commission in London and also Publisher of the London-based SIERRA Update magazine.Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
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