Waterloo People Bemoans SLPP Government

Reports from the Western Rural District of Freetown have it that majority of SLPP supporters in the western rural are unhappy with the decision by President Julius Maada Bio in replacing the former Deputy Minister of Energy Dr. Taylor.

Our investigation uncovered that Dr. Taylor is on record to have played a major role in helping the SLPP to secure a strong grip in the Waterloo community. Some SLPP supporters told this medium that the decision to have Dr. Taylor replaced is the worse decision ever taken by President Bio. They claimed that Dr. Taylor is helpful to them and was able to secure five seats for the SLPP in the rural distry.

What has become so frustrating to the Waterloo community is that the only man appointed from that community has been fired and that will negatively affect the development of the community. The decision by President Bio to fire Dr Taylor, report states, was allegedly influenced by Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella , who is the Chairman for the Energy Committee set up by the President. Many believe that Dr. Yumkella has got nothing to offer other than dividing the SLPP, as evident in his dealings. Since the former Energy Minister Kanja Sesay was sacked, blackout has become the surname of the Bio Government. Some school of thoughts hold the view that President Bio, who has been acting as Energy Minister, has found it very difficult to deliver and therefore was expected to either bring back Kanja Sesay and maintain the team, who, over the years since 2018, have been doing extremely well in managing the electricity situation.

The government is on record to have owed Karpowership over $90 million dollars, and this came to the public limelight in one of the engagements of Dr. Yumkella, who openly stated on air that” we are now focusing to repair generators in Blackhall road, Kingtom and other areas, which will serve and provide electricity for the city. We cannot continue the contract with Karpowership project, which we believe is causing us huge financial burden. As at present, we owe the Karpowership $90 million, and if we continue with the project to the end of this year, the amount will reach $ 300 million dollars” Dr. Kolleh Yumkella said, adding: “Therefore, we won’t continue with the project, but will rather focus on repairing our machines.” It is understood that the Karpowership management felt betrayed by the utterances of Dr Yumkella and therefore decided to stop the supply of electricity as per initial agreement with government. This has caused serious setbacks on the energy sector, with the entire city now covered in blackout.

However, some senior SLPP members spoke to this medium on condition of anonymity, calling on President Julius Maada Bio to beware of Dr. Yumkella. They claimed that if the SLPP wants to maintain its grip of areas they have now gained, they should becareful of how they treat honest and hardworking party supporters.

They maintained that with the good and effective work of Dr. Taylor to his people in Waterloo, he does not deserve such treatment. “Let us learn to appreciate good people. Let us learn to copy the good side of the APC. The APC is known to be greatful and supportive to their members. The same thing was done to Kanja Sesay, and now Dr. Taylor has also suffered the same fate. What does the future hold for some of us in the SLPP if hardworking, committed and dedicated party members are treated this way?” They questioned.