Hon. Lucinda Finda Kellie Pushes for Justice in Kono District

Hon. Lucinda Finda Kellie, the outspoken representative from Kono District, has passionately urged President Julius Maada Bio to fulfill his campaign promises and deliver justice for her constituents. Speaking during a parliamentary debate at the Sierra Leone Parliament Tower Hill in Freetown on Thursday, 7th November 2024, Hon. Lucinda expressed her concerns over unfulfilled promises, particularly the construction of a blowhole in her district, which was initiated during President Bio’s campaign visit but later abandoned.

In her emotional speech, Hon. Lucinda emphasized that the abandoned blowhole project had ignited hope in the community, which is still without reliable access to clean drinking water. “Mr. Speaker,” she said, addressing the assembly, “During his campaign, President Bio visited Kono District, including my village of Tankoro. A blowhole was dug, raising hopes for the community. But since the elections, this vital project has been abandoned, leaving the people of Tankoro without safe drinking water.”

She reiterated that the people of Kono deserve better, stating that the President’s failure to fulfill these promises is a clear injustice. “The people of Kono are calling on President Bio to deliver on the commitments made during the campaign. If he truly wishes to uphold justice, he must prioritize the construction of the roads he promised and ensure the completion of the university project dedicated to science and technology in Kono,” she urged.

Hon. Lucinda also raised concerns over the impact of the Feed Salone initiative, which aims to promote food self-sufficiency in Sierra Leone. While acknowledging the initiative’s potential, she pointed out the rising costs of essential goods like rice, exacerbated by the taxes imposed on imported rice to support the program. “The increasing taxes on imported rice, justified as part of the Feed Salone initiative, have driven up rice prices, making it unaffordable for many Sierra Leoneans,” she stated. “What was meant to be a blessing feels more like a curse for ordinary citizens struggling with high food prices.”

Hon. Lucinda’s speech struck a chord as she urged the President and her fellow lawmakers to honor the promises made during the election campaign. She expressed frustration that her people’s rights and needs were being ignored. “If the President is committed to justice, he must ensure that the commitments to Kono and its people are fulfilled,” she concluded, rallying her fellow parliamentarians from Kono District to stand with her in advocating for their people’s needs.