The Daily IIJ

The functions of Members of Parliament as stated in the 1991 Constitution are to make laws, represent their people and do oversight activities. Apart from the above roles, Sierra Leoneans are expecting the Representatives in parliament to be initiators, facilitators and negotiate on development activities that will effect a positive change in their constituencies. The latter seems to be lacking in the Dwozark Farm Community which has a vast majority of voters in Constituency 109.
Since President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma made it clear that candidates for the Parliamentary and Local Council should be nominated by the people in the Constituency and Ward respectively, the race to the November 17 elections have hits up in Constituency 109 where three political heavy weights have shown interest to represent the people in Parliament. They are: the incumbent Hon. Julius Nye Kuffie, Mustapha Bai Attila and Amadu Fofanah (alias Fofie). Amongst the trio, Amadu Fofana seems to be the people’s choice as manifested ever the weekend. Mr. Fofana took the bull by its horn to move around the community to urge people to come out and register as a fulfillment of their civic right.
Speaking to this press in an interview, Chairlady of the Market Women Association, Marie Bangura (alias Marie Chabala) said because of the disappointment they have received from the incumbent MP on community service delivery, most of them had decided to boycott the electoral process. “We are inspired by Mr. Amadu Fofana to register for the elections,” she said.
Highlighting the reasons why they are not happy with the present leadership of the incumbent, Marie Chabala said Hon. Nye Kuffie has not been coordinating with members of the Constituency; he failed to facilitate and negotiate well a promise made by the Sierra Leone Bottling Company to construct a market in the community.
“Fofie is not yet our Honourable but has done a lot for us. He has constructed a dam, a bridge and rendered so many humanitarian supports to the community,” Marie Chabala said and warned that if Fofie is not awarded the symbol they will not vote in any other APC candidate.
Marie advised the APC Party Officials not to sit in their offices but must go out to various Constituencies and Wards to get the views of the people so that they give them the right candidates.
Another community member, Sieh Bangura described Amadu Fofana as a man that has a very good rapport with the people, and added that they don’t want somebody who only visits the community during football matches. “We want someone that knows our interest and is able enough to represent us well in Parliament,” he said, and questioned that “how can some know our needs when he or she does not visit us?” he accepted the fact that the incumbent is involved in some projects in the community but does not coordinate well with his people.
Speaking to this press, Amadu Fofana said the people are responding to the President’s call to present a candidate of their choice. He revealed that he solely undertook the projects in the community. “I realized that water is life and it was on that basis I decided to provide such support to my people,” Fofie said, and further added that he will never desert his people because his aim is to continue to transform the entire constituency and better the lives of the people for a better future.
He accepted the fact that there are enormous problems in the community, which will be solved under the President’s Agenda for Change. He concluded by admonishing Sierra Leoneans to come out and register for a better tomorrow.