By: Alpha S. Conteh
Reaching out Animated Development Organization (R.O.A .D), a youth organization formed immediately after the 2018 general elections on Sunday 21st June, 2020 admitted the Hon Member of parliament for Constituency 113, Rugiatu Rosy Kanu into organization as member.
The organization is made up mainly of members sacked by the present government from various MDAs because of either their loyalty to the former government, region or tribe.
Giving a background of the Organization, the Spokesman, Ragan M. Conteh informed Hon Kanu and her team that they decided to form the organization primarily because after a good number of their colleagues were sacked they decided to embark on agriculture to ease their stress.
He noted that what they did was to bring members from other political parties on board such as NGC and C4C in order to have a national lens and thanked the Honourable for responding to their invitation at short notice, clear testimony that she supports their initiative.
Ragan Conteh concluded by describing Hon Kanu’s contributions in parliament and outside as outstanding as a journalist he always follow parliamentary proceedings.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the organization, Moses James said that the rationale behind the organization as the name implies is coined to signify the inhuman treatment meted against a group of Sierra Leoneans suffering as a result of their political belief.
The chairman stressed ‘in our time, we have come to live with the moment of a sad state of affairs created by the political class, those who should be promoters of the welfare of young people’.
He said the present situation in the country spells doom in their lives be it either about the economy, Agriculture, education, Health, social, and politics the Chairman stated.
He said based on the wishes and aspirations of members, any time issues of the welfare of the people lay bare the secret heart of Sierra Leoneans itself they must rise to challenge such, Chairman Moses James informed Hon Kanu and team.
Mr. James also stated that the organization was met with challenges having to do with funds to do registration, purchase of tools but a senior Member of Parliament have consented to assist them with funds to register the Organization.
Others speakers such as the Secretary of the Organization, Foday Samura stated that they were not surprised when the MP responded to their invitation with no protocols attached adding that they have heard a lot of wonderful strides in the constituency carried out by the MP.
The Secretary of the organization concluded by respectfully asking the MP to help them with tolls and other agricultural equipment’s as they plan to invest more on agriculture after lifting the inter District lockdown.
After listening to their contributions and requests, Hon Rugiatu Rosy Kanu said that ‘’when I see the caliber of faces around the organization, I see maturity and from today I will register as a member for the betterment of the organization and the Constituency as a whole ’’ Hon Kanu stated amidst jubilation and thunderous applause from members.
Hon Kanu took time to explain her primarily function such as making laws, oversight and representation while at the same time outlining the challenges they face as opposition MPs.
She said that sometimes when national issues are brought to the Well it is very difficult for a thorough debate to hammer home issues affecting the ordinary man and woman because most times the Order Paper would be given to them in the well of parliament so there will be no time to bring out burning issues.
She however thanked them for the initiative and assured them of her fullest support and turned to the Organizing Secretary of the constituency Mohamed Yaraba Sesay who doubles as R.O.A.D Organizing Secretary to liaise with her as to how she could boost the organization’.
In another development, the Hon.MP also play host to the Voice of Youth of Constituency 113 at her office comprising first time voters in which they acknowledged the tremendous efforts by the MP and also presented a proposal to the MP to help them rehabilitate Bore Holes while at the same provide free tuition for candidates facing this years’ WASSCE, BECE and NPSE.
Mohamed Sesay, President of the First Time Voters informed Hon Kanu that as political head of the constituency, “we don’t want to embark on such projects without informing you because your unique style of politics is second to none with a sound mind to develop the constituency’’ He stated.
Hon Kanu responded in a positive tone by assuring the youth of her support to enhance the projects as long as it is for the improvement of the lives of her constituents.
She stating that the initiative is good but as MPs they are constrained and that before now, MPs were given Constituency Development Fund (CDF) pointing out that all developments have been devolved to the Council but that notwithstanding she would try as best as possible to meet some of the demands of her constituents.
As a start, the MP noted she would provide them with Veronica Buckets and face Masks while encouraging them to liaise with the Constituency Youth Secretary Amid Conteh.
On the same Sunday, Hon Kanu killed three birds with one stone when she made an unannounced visit to stakeholders within the constituency to get first-hand information on the constrains they faced in their respective communities and in turn channel those concerns to the legislative arm of government.
All the stakeholders visited, thanked the MP for the unannounced visit noting that it is very unheard of for a sitting MP to make such a visit amidst the challenges they face as an opposition.
‘’When those who voted you see you around they feel power belongs to them’’ whilst further encouraged the MP to continue her good work” Constituents asserted.
The MP was accompanied by the Constituency Secretary, Gibriel O. Tarawallie, the Organizing Secretary and host of others during the visits.
