Legal Aid Board Engages Waterloo Community
The Legal Aid Board Sierra Leone on Sunday 17th July engaged the Waterloo Community in the Western Rural District on security and justice issues.
In his opening remarks, veteran politician Hon. Hassan Gbessay Kanu, who chaired the occasion, spoke on the mandate of the Legal Aid Board to give free legal assistance to impoverished Sierra Leoneans.
The Chairman recalled that since the establishment of the Board by an Act of Parliament, the statutory body has caused the release of hundreds of inmates from various correctional centres around the country free of cost.
He called for collective national support for justice to prevail at all levels irrespective of status.
The Executive Director of the Board, Madam Claire Hanciles, said crime rate is on the increase in the Western Rural District communities and that most of the suspects or accused are pupils.
The Executive Director appealed to the people to start visiting their relations at correctional centres.
She lauded the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara for working with them and the communities assiduously.
Joseph M. Lamin, who represented the youths, conceded that the youths of Waterloo are engaged in nefarious crimes that have impacted negatively on the community.
He warned that the advent of the Board should not be a motivation for potential criminals to continue committing crimes in the community.
The Deputy Chief Administrator of Waterloo Rural District Council, Amadu Turay, assured the Legal Aid Board of their support and cooperation to ensure that the Board remains focused on its programmes and activities in the district.
Councillor Fatmata B. Kamara in her statement noted that there are many minor cases at the Waterloo Magistrate’s Court that should have long been resolved out of court.
She however said the establishment of the Legal Aid Board is a step in the right direction to mitigate some of those petty cases in the Magistrate’s Court.
In his keynote address, the Attorney General and Minister of Justices, Joseph F. Kamara, said the All People’s Congress (APC) Government’s belief in justice for all has culminated in the provision of free access to justice, justices for women and access to equal share of property through the Legal Aid Board.
He said as a responsible Government, they have heard the cry of the Western Rural District Council for more courts to be established in the district, noting that justice is development.
The Attorney General disclosed that the Government would soon release the Land Policy Document that would proffer a durable solution to land disputes in the country.
He intimated that though Government has made girl-child education free in the country, their attention have been drawn to the increase demand by teachers which he said contravenes the teaching profession but assured that Government would do something about it in the not-too-distant feature.
The Attorney General assured that they are committed to women empowerment as there are more women in responsible positions in governance than ever before.
He hinted on Government’s plans for social housing scheme and healthcare system for its citizenry.
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2016, https:. All rights reserved.
