“No one has the capacity to distract me  President Koroma
President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma has said that no individual has the capacity to district his attention. (Photo: seated from L-R: Ambassador Kargbo, President Ernest Bai Koroma and Head of Chancery, Haja Fatmata Binta Wurie)
“Since the day I was sworn into office as President of Sierra Leone, I had an agenda and outlined my priorities. I know what I want to achieve for the country within three years and further. And I’m happy to state that I am on track.”
The President was addressing members of the Sierra Leone Embassy staff in Brussels, who had assembled at the VIP Lounge of the Brussels Airport on Saturday morning to warmly receive him as he transits on his way to the Kingdom of Kuwait on a state visit to that country.
President Koroma was reacting to a question on some of the negative articles on the internet by some opposition operatives.
“I have a focus and nothing can distract my attention from that focus. No one has that capacity to distract me. They themselves know that very well, so I’m not really bothered,” he reiterated.
Commenting on the resignation of the former boss of the Anti-Corruption Commission Abdul Tejan Cole, the President remarked that he accepted Cole’s resignation in good faith, “only that his timing was badâ€. He continued, “But he is a young man and he might have secured a better job which is his own right.†He assured that he will soon appoint Tejan Cole’s successor who will also be an individual with impeccable character. “My resolve in the fight against corruption is unshakable. It is a challenge which I am determined to pursue throughout my two term tenureâ€, he assured.
The President also briefed staff members about the ongoing road and electricity projects.
“In June, I will hand over the construction of the Lungi/Port Loko road to the contractors. There was a minor hiccup on the first agreement, but that has been ironed out. On the same next month, I will also hand over the construction of all the major roads in Bo and Makeni to Salini Construction (SALCOST). All other road construction including the Lumley/Peninsular, Gberray Junction/Pamalap, Regent/Kossoh town, Kenema/Pendembu and the Freetown roads are all in progress. The Hill Side Road that will run from Blackhall Road to Kingharman Road will soon start as well as a four-lane road from the Congo-Cross Bridge through Wilkinson Road. This APC government has constructed a total of 52 bridges in less than three years including those in Kailahun and Koinadugu. The country must open up and we will achieve that through the help of God Almightyâ€, he said.
The President disclosed the advanced plans for the provision of street lights in Freetown and other major towns before the country’s 50th Anniversary celebrations next April with the provision of about 10,000 (ten thousand ) street poles for the solar electrification that will be sponsored by both the African Development Bank (ADB) and the ECOWAS Bank.
He said Bumbuna had to be shut down recently because of what he described as the low water level in the dam.
“There is however a 10 megawatts generator which is partially providing electricity for the capital until Bumbuna attains its maximum and another 17 megawatts, sponsored by BADEA will be ready before the end of the year,† he stated.
Members in the Presidential delegation include Mohamed Alusine Sesay (State Chief of Protocol), Brian Gilpin (Personal Assistant), Sheku Tejan Sesay (ADC), Ibrahim Sesay (Security), Ralph E. Sawyer (Press), Abdulai Tarawally (Video Cameraman), PC James Coker Jajua of Njaluahun Chiefdom, Kailahun district and Chief Sumaila A.Y. Sesay (Private Businessman).
Chernor Ojuku Sesay, Information Attaché, Sierra Leone Embassy, Brussels/EUStay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
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