EDITORIAL

By: Mohamed Borbor Mansaray
Chief of Media

This Newsletter is a special edition called Bumbuna Special which depicts the Bumbuna success story. Indeed, Bumbuna Phase I has been completed, followed by a series of pre-testing exercise undertaken by His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma.

The desired aim of the President in undertaking the said exercises was to switch on the hydroelectric power plant not only to know whether the machines are in proper order and operational and harmonize the relationship between the machines at the Kingtom Substation and Bumbuna Project site, but for the people of the Freetown Municipality to get a first hand feel and experience of the birth of the Bumbuna Hydroelectricity.

So far, very little or no sign envisage problems have showed up except for the isolated incident in which two workers of the World Bank Consultancy-the Laynaar Consultancy were seriously electrocuted and hospitalized. Thank God, the two victims survived.

Today, we are all gathered here to witness the official commissioning of the Bumbuna Hydro Power Plant which marks the end of the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Project Phase One. The President will also take this opportunity to launch the Bumbuna Hydroelectric Project Phase Two.

With electricity, development and progress are assured. Of course, this development will deliberately “kick away” the Old Aged Enemies of this nation (Poverty and illiteracy) for ever because they can only triumph where there are constant blackouts. With these state enemies off the stage, productivity in all business sectors will grow while tariff on goods and services reduced drastically.

Our children will now live, play and learn in an enabling environment where they will once again enjoy cold water, watch televisions, play music, feel air-conditioned, use computers and internet, enjoy street lights, and wear ironed clothes at more frequent pace than before.

That’s so far about the Bumbuna success story and the next Ministry’s agenda is the Bumbuna Phase II and the rural electrification. It is now time to stop all the negative speculations, criticisms and reflect positively as a nation and/or individually as to what ways and means we are going to manage the operations and benefits of the Bumbuna Project in the general interest of Mama Salone.

Of course, some people are in the habit of critically politicizing every thing under the Sun; from birth to death, water shortage, sea accidents, car crashes, electricity blackouts, armed robbery, rape, murder, you name them. This is against the background that very few people, irrespective of their educational prowess, have the ability to divorce or draw a clear line between national interest and individual interest.

At this age, we must deliberately have no room for personal claims or negative criticisms for the Bumbuna success story because the Bumbuna Chapter is a National Asset; a National Success; and a National Achievement, far devoid of political realm. With astuteness, commitment, dedication and intelligence we can reflect and think as a nation for the betterment of Mama Salone.