Kabala stakeholders brace to resolve standoff
In a bid to resolve the recent crises in Kabala district, stakeholders in the district past Saturday 27th august 2016 ended a stakeholders meeting held at the district council hall in the headquarter town of Kabala to proffer means of restoring peace and stability to reign in the district.
The meeting was graced by Ministers of government and Parliamentarians including nine paramount chiefs from the district. Among them were the resident Minister North, Alie B. Kamara, National Telecommunication Commission (NATCOM) Chairman, Momoh Conteh, Bank governor, of Sierra Leone, Keifala Marah, Office of the National Security, F.B.L Mansaray, Dr. Fasineh Samura, Deputy Minister Transport and Aviation, Inspector general of Police, Francis Munu and others.
The meeting was organized by stakeholders in the district to address the recent crises that led to the loss of lives of two youth during the youth protest as well as proffer probable means of lifting the curfew.
The Inspector General of Police, Francis Munu (in photo) disclosed at the meeting that Police officers who were on the scene were been arrested for effective and efficient investigation on matter but also clarified that the youth chairman and other accused persons are yet to come forward for progress on the matter.
Deputy Minister of Political Affairs, Ahmed Femi Mansaray commended the Inspector General of Police Francis Munu for his swift intervention pointing out that he was once a police officer’s before he was appointed to the position of Deputy Minister, frowned at the youth for taking the law into their hands and also blamed the police for using life bullet on civilians.
Governor Bank of Sierra Leone, Kerifala Marah gave a brief background about the youth village pointing out that is the prerogative of the president’s noting that the President made the promise during the holiday season when he visited Kabala Township but also informed that the prohe President for the construction of the youth village.
Kelfala Marah went further to informed that the Chinese investors conducted a survey in the district to access the location of the center but warned that the site for the construction of the youth village is too far and suggested for the village to be constructed in a more ideal place closer to the capital city.
He said the Chinese also sent message to government that if government is not ready for the project they would withdrew the project from the country the reason why mile 91 was selected. He said himself and other stakeholders from the district would have thought of other avenues to ensure that the district benefits from a youth village apart from that of the Chinese but instead the youth go on the rampage.
The Bank governor further noted that though the youth informed the police about their intention to protest against the transferred of the youth village but were not given the green light to engage on any protest.
Office of the National Security (ONS) Boss, F B. L Mansaray said the Police are a peaceful force but expressed shocked at what happen on that fateful day but also pleaded for the release of those that were in Police custody. He said as a stakeholder who hails from the district the youth should have informed him rather than go on the rampage.
NATCO chairman, Momoh Conteh admonished stakeholders in the district to be law abiding to avert any would be threat of adversity that would give the district a bad name. Encourage stakeholders to act promptly by settling issues related to indifferences for the sake of unity.
Members of Parliament representing Koinadugu district also spoke in similar vein by appealing to the IG to lift the curfew to encourage those who are on the run to come forward while also request for the release of those in detention.
Manso Yapo, Deputy Youth chairman, Kosonko chiefdom who doubles as chairman Koinadugu district council said, he was not around when the incident broke up but also condemn the police for using life bullets on innocent civilians and the youth for not consulting stakeholders, stressing that criminals can take advantage of the situation to wreck havoc.
He said youth should express their concerns on paper for stakeholders to come in and also appealed for the release of those arrested to be released. He thanked the IG and stakeholders for their efforts to come to the district to resolve the matter. Up to press time the curfew is still in force.
By Our Northern correspondent
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