14 February 2008

Sierra Express Reader, Freetown

Letter to the President

I greet you in the name of nationalism and patriotism, Sir. I am writing this letter to bring to your attention issues that are affecting Sierra Leonean citizens. Sir, please be informed that some groups of young men that are always dressed in black, and using a black jeep without license plate, are harassing peaceful citizens and extorting money from them. These young men call themselves the “APC Task Force” They are going all over the country beating up prominent people and business men and women in the guise of being sent by your government. As I am writing, I am afraid not to be attacked when this letter meets your office.

Your Excellency, the people of this country have started raising serious concern about the return of the old APC, which I know, you were not a member of, and it is for that reason the people of this country tagged you as “Mr. Clean Politician.”

Mr. President, as I write this letter, citizens are calling me every other minute to ask about the time you will declare your assets. One of the callers was so anxious that, he reminded me of your promise to declare your assets two weeks after you made the announcement. Those two weeks have long been expired but I am sure the workload as a President makes you forget about some other little commitments you make to your people. I know that to declare an asset is just a day’s thing, so you will address it soon, now that I have reminded you in this letter.

Sir, I will want to also call your attention on how prices are going up in the country especially rice. As you know Sir, rice is the staple food in Sierra Leone and if the citizenry is deprived of it, or it becomes expensive, this will surely be a problem for you and your government, which I am not wishing for you. I am afraid that we do not return to the days when people stand in long queues to buy rice which was commonly known as “Tow Line.”

I am very very much confident that the frequent trips to Makeni will not drag you to copying the style of your APC predecessor, late President Joseph Saidu Momoh. You are much more educated and modern. You have a youthful government, starting with the Vice President to Kemoh Sesay, Alimamy P. Koroma, Alpha Khan, Pat Sowe etc., all these guys are men that can come to the lowest people of the country. I trust these young men to advise you on daily things that are happening around and about as they have been around for long and have so many contacts.

Please Sir, turn you attention to the traffic jam in Freetown which is due to street trading. Since you assume power, there has been lawlessness in that regard. The street traders are claiming that they are the only people in the country that voted for you and that is the reason you are in power. Even if that is the case, other citizens have the same right like those street traders. Please defend the rights of these citizens. I believe you will not allow any individual or group of individuals to trample on the rights of others in your name.

Your Excellency Sir, many people appreciate the way you are acting when there is a serious problem somewhere in the country; for example, the Congress School matter, and the Kono issue. That was a perfect move in order to bring peace, but people are still saying after visiting those places, no action has been taken. Mr. President, with utmost respect, you have to make your presence felt. You should instruct the Police to properly investigate and bring the defaulters to book. 

Sir, someone played a cassette to me the other day where you were making a speech. In that cassette, you said you will not make the Attorney General’s office and the Ministry of Justice the same, you would rather separate them. I was surprised when I listened to that cassette. I know you to be someone of his words. Something must have taken your attention. Please do not let those little problems take over you anymore! When you promise, please follow it up as you have been doing at RITCORP.

Your minister in the South, who was also chairman of Moyamba District for SLPP, is turning out to be a thorn in the flesh for the people of the Southern Province. He is imposing on the people things that are not possible. I want you to tell him that, those places are SLPP strongholds. He should not insist that people must move from SLPP to APC. He knows very well that he is hailing from that area and that was the reason he was a district chairman of the SLPP. You have to compensate the Police officers in that region. They sometimes refuse to take bad instructions. For that reason the minister is about to complain to their boss for them to be transferred. Please do not allow those kinds of things to happen. That region is a very sensitive region to your rule, please handle it with care. If the Minister cannot perform well, please replace him. Sir, know that people refer to you as “father of the nation”, so you should not allow people to refer to you as “father of Makeni,” or “father of the North.”

Sir, I believe you will not succumb to those Old Folks that are running up and down State House with boxes of money for you to give them your protection. These Old Folks did the same thing to Momoh. They take money from Lebanese businessmen and other foreign nationals and bring that money to you for protection when they are in their dubious activities. Please do not encourage them. Someone told me that you awarded the repairs of State House to your brother, if that is the case sir, please do not repeat it. You are the President of this country; you have one million and more ways to help your immediate family members but do not use the contract strategy. That has long been outdated. Don’t expose yourself to that kind trivial thing.

Lastly Sir, I think it is time for you to meet the SLPP executive and say sorry on behalf of the APC youth for the incident of September 17, 2007. That will make you a hero and father of peace.

Thank you for giving us light in Freetown. We are drinking cold water and drinks. Our food is well preserved. An octogenarian inquired from me yesterday about the cost of the light. I was a little bit hesitant to tell him because I know the old man is not used to million dollars. I want to ask if it is true that, the machine was rented for 32 million dollars for one year so then that is too much and I will not tell the old man. Please think about it again sir. I heard that Bumbuna needs nearly that same kind of amount for its completion. Why didn’t you give that money to Bumbuna? I am sure you will reconsider that action after reading this letter. Not to forget sir, I am still where you left me eating my Bo Gari just one time a day. I am confident that you will change things soon, so I prefer your rule.

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