President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma over the weekend reassured the people of Bunumbu, Kpeje West Chiefdom in Kailahun District, of his government’s commitment to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the Bunumbu Teachers College as well as upgrading the standards of the college to a university level.
Speaking at a meeting held at the BTC campus immediately after a conducted tour of damaged facilities on the deserted campus; President Koroma recalled the sound human resource of teaching staff that Bunumbu used to produce in Sierra Leone.
President Koroma observed that the college was too close to the hearts of the people of Kailahun district saying; “I can say everything here but if I fail to talk about the Bunumbu Teachers College, you won’t appreciate all what I have been saying here this afternoon. We have all benefited directly or indirectly from this institution, so we have to develop the college”.
President Ernest Bai Koroma
He reiterated government’s commitment towards rehabilitating the college.
“I felt so sad for the people of Bunumbu when I saw the level of destruction caused on this campus during the war. Why should Sierra Leoneans destroy their own?” he sadly asked.
Eastern Polytechnic Principal, Dr. Sandi Bockarie described President Koroma’s visit to the region and Bunumbu as an added blessing to the district and Kpeje West Chiefdom in particular. “Your presence in Kailahun district shows that Bunumbu has had its fair share of your developmental drives. And we believe that you have more in stock for us”, he opined as he paid his profound gratitude to President Koroma for the development and transformation of Sierra Leone after the war.
He informed the President that the cost of rehabilitation and reconstruction of the entire campus was $12 Million, and went on to submit copies of their last project document by saying; “we hope you can get good donor agencies for the development of the Bunumbu Campus.” Dr Sandy A. Bockarie however noted that the few structures that had been rehabilitated on the campus were made possible by the tireless efforts of President Koroma’s astute, responsible and transformative leadership, while adding that BTC had already benefited Le.356 Million from “efforts your government has made so far.”
Welcoming President Koroma and his entourage in Kpeje West Chiefdom, Paramount Chief Joseph Brima Keketay II on behalf of his people heartily registered appreciation for the visit paid by the Head of State.
“We are happy to receive you in our chiefdom, you are our good friend, you have tried, may God bless you abundantly and we thank you for your efforts spreading a balance share of developmental strides all over the country”, PC Keketay stated.
He informed President Koroma of the concerns raised by the Council of Chiefs in Kailahun over the rehabilitation of BTC. “So, we have no doubt in your leadership ability in developing Sierra Leone”, the chief declared and said; “Constituency 08 is very proud of you for your performance in developing our country. We are behind you and we are going to re-elect you come November 17th this year, because of your sound performance in governance”.
© Copyright by Awareness Times
Newspaper in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
