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From Standard Times Press News Paper VIEWPOINT Dear Editor,
I read with dismay the article titled: Chiefdom administrators to account for Le19.3Billion rice money on your Wednesday 14th May edition. This money was meant to purchase seedlings for distribution to our poor but courageous farmers but it went to wealthy leaders, proving the Biblical statement: "The richer becomes richer and the poor become poorer." The entire action of those administrators could be described as unpatriotic, unsympathetic to the poor suffering Sierra Leoneans, ungodly (without the fear of God for causing the suffering of their own people), lack of humanitarian feeling, and sycophancy.
This revelation shows that the past government may have done good things but unfortunately they never knew that they were working with professional thieves and crooks that did nothing but to drag the good image of our beloved country, Sierra Leone unto the mud. Thanks to the ministers of internal affairs and agriculture for this demonic discovery. Therefore, I am imploring all ministers to follow suit.
The acting minister of agriculture demanded these administrators to account for this huge sum of money in two weeks. Wait, Mr. Minister, do you really mean two weeks? or two years? or two decades? Did they take you serious? Or simply mimic you as usual? Well, we heard this type of demand from past presidents, ministers or heads of departments, but with very few, scanty and unsatisfactory reports. However, if the cliché "Only God and fools do not change" is to be applied here, we will surely see a full and satisfactory report or a corresponding reaction will be applied.
The question many people ask is "what will the ministers of internal affairs and Agriculture do if the reports are not available in two weeks or if the reports are unsatisfactory”? Again, I am of the opinion that since this government is promoting change of attitude, the silent syndrome of past governments will be replaced by action. Do you say "teeth for tat"? Yes, if that is needed to sanitize the nation in a bid to uplift the lives of every Sierra Leonean, so be it. My secretary told me that though we now have a different government, the attitude of those in government remain the same. I vehemently disagree with her. But she said, many people go into power to enrich themselves and not to serve the common man. Again, I responded by saying that unlike the former governments, this government is determined to deal with the real, underlying issue of those who desire power: "To be served rather than to serve their voters."
What happens if the reports are unsatisfactory? Let me recommend thus: 1. They should be charged to court for embezzlement. 2. Their properties should be confiscated to the state 3. They should be banned from traveling abroad for a considerable period. 4. They should be banned from holding any public office
Remember, state funds are meant for the general public and not for few.
From Municipal Samura
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