INDEPENDENT CELEBRATIONS: PORT LOKO DEVELOPMENT STYLE!!

Independent Day Celebration goes top gear in Port Loko

{Courtsey 

By Hassan Bruz

Northern Bureau Chief

Rebranding Sierra Leone -26/04/2014}

Since the attainment of Political 

Independence 55 years ago, Port Loko is widely known for its unique pattern of either celebrating or commemorating the 27th. Day of every April. It is so notorious in this aspect that there is always an influx of people from every part of the country. Others even do come from abroad. As for the descendants of this great District, it is a do or dies issue. I learnt that their women would prefer divorce with their husbands than to be denied the opportunity to attend this annual event.

As is the practise in most parts of the country, the normal pattern of celebrating Independent Anniversary in Port Loko is traditionally a display of Mask Devils or Totems throughout the Township. The bulk of those who come to grace the occasion, spend a better half of their time drinking, singing and dancing.

Now that it has become a common practise and people have been in it for far too long, one is tempted to give a glance at what ought to be the importance for such celebrations. Certainly, the singing and dancing is never a bad way of expressing delight over the attainment of Independence. But do people have time to reflect on the usefulness of such an attainment?

Well, that is what I intend doing in this dispatch. I would like us to briefly look at Port Loko before, during and after the achievement of Independence. I am sure you would agree with me that the country came through the Colonial Era, when the ‘wants’ of Sierra Leoneans were determined by Colonial Masters.

It would further interest you to know that Port Loko has always been the gateway to and from Sierra Leone, not only because of its geographical location, but also because it produced action oriented persons, the likes of Bai Burreh Kablai of Kasseh , who resisted Colonial Rule. The District therefore served as a host to the Queen of Great Britain when she visited the country in 1961.

In fact Port Loko became the ‘Black Man’s London ’ where all the basic amenities were found. The Roads were tarred, the water taps were functional, and there was a 24 hour supply of electricity. On the whole, life was far more peaceful. There was respect for authority and love for the less fortunate. People were hardworking and self reliant. 

When Sorie Ibrahim Koroma attained the status of a Vice President, he introduced the Maforki Self help Project and a lot of developments were fostered including the construction of the Bai Burreh Memorial Hall. After his demise, and as a result of the lack of maintenance culture, backed by both the years of Rebel War and the Ebola Outbreak, most of these values were lost. It appeared Port Loko would have dangled to a total fall, if it were not for the uprightness of His Excellency- President Ernest Bai Koroma, who seems to be on oath in ensuring that the District regains its former glory. He has not only tarred the key streets and roads in the Township, but has also brought back the Street Lights system. 

President Koroma has further enhanced the construction of a District Stadium at Old Prot Loko and a Mini Hydro at Bankasoka whose construction works were now at the tail end. Perhaps this is why it is now an open secret that President Koroma will be observing the 55th Independent Anniversary in Port Loko. The symptoms to this are obvious. People only need to come to Port Loko and deduce it themselves.

The Presidential Lodge has been rehabilitated; the hitherto defunct  Port Loko water station has undergone maintenance, a Pavement has been constructed at the Central Round About. These and the additional Security presence depict a rousing welcome for the President. His Excellency the President is expected to meet and have direct talks with the Stakeholders during the cause of his visit. Some of the concerns of the people of Port Loko supposed to be tabled before the President would include- the completion of the Muslim Pray Field at Falaba Road, the District Stadium at Old Port Loko, the Bankasoka Mini Hydro and of cause the Bai Burreh Memorial Hall whose rehabilitation Project is now at a standstill. Below are some Photos to help you digest the scene well....