By Amin Kef (Ranger)
The Indian Community in Sierra Leone has, on the 27th May, 2024, donated 14 Solar Led Street Lights to residents of the Wellington Community during a snappy but impressive occasion held at the Choithram Supermarket situated within the locality.
Present at that auspicious event were Neeraj Kumar Saini, the Charge d’ Affaires of the High Commission of India in Sierra Leone, Harish Agnani, the Chief Administrator of Choithrams Group of Companies, the Member of Parliament for Constituency 115, Hon. Alpha Bah, Councillor Isata Leigh, Chief Pa Alimamy Sesay, Officer in Charge of the Wellington Police Station, Amara Kanu, a cross section of the Indian Community and some residents of the community.
The Charge d’ Affaires of the High Commission of India in Sierra Leone, Neeraj Kumar Saini , in his statement intimated that the money to be used in the implementation of the solar led street lights project was generated from the proceeds of an annual celebration that they organized. He continued by informing that as per tradition such funds generated from the annual celebration are used to fund charitable work or activities maintaining that this time around the Indian Community decided to honour a felt need of the community, which is supporting the installation of street lights .
The Charge d’ Affaires went on to state that it is their candid belief that the street lights will be highly beneficial to the residents as they will help in alleviating various security related issues that are directly connected to non availability of lights adding how they will make the various places that the street lights will be installed bright and decent.
On his part, Harish Agnani, the Chief Administrator of Choithram Group of Companies, reiterated what the Charge d’ Affaires stated and went on to enjoin the community residents to sustainably handle them with care.
He affirmed that if something wrong happens to the street lights out of negligence and carelessness the Indian Community will not be in a position to rectify any problem that may occur stressing that such will mark the end of any goodwill donation by them.
Harish Agnani revealed how they will provide twelve solar led street lights which will be installed at strategic positions within the Wellington Community.
In his contribution, Hon Alpha Bah, stated how it is not the very first time that they are receiving such a donation from the Indian Community in Sierra Leone. According to him what they are now witnessing was the materialization of a community request that was made some time ago. He praised the Indian Community for helping the Wellington Community with various infrastructural supports.
The Parliamentarian expressed the view that with the installation of the street lights such will help to minimize crime rates within the community and make the community very safe. He thanked the Indian Community for the donation further assuring that they will take utmost care of them.
Hon Alpha Bah said they earmarked though the Wellington Police Station was not prioritized in the original plan of the installation they will , however, provide an additional two solar street lights solely for the Police Station. That offer automatically increased the number of solar street lights to fourteen from the initial twelve that were donated.
Councillor Isata Leigh, in her few words mentioned how the solar led street lights came timely as reliable electricity supply has become a big challenge in the country. She also commended the cordial relationship that exists between the Wellington Community and the Indian Community saying that it is mutually beneficial for both parties. The Councillor pleaded for more developmental interventions underscoring how there are varying felt needs that want to be addressed.
Officer in Charge of the Wellington Police Station, Amara Kanu, alias Maradona, expressed delight for the donation further disclosing how the Police Station was even built by the Indian Community. He maintained that with the installation of the street lights within the community that will aid them in their night patrols. “When there is light it is easy to patrol,” he said adding he is praying for more to be provided stressing that it is important for the hill tops to be considered maintaining that it is those places that criminals lurk.
He praised the Member of Parliament and Councillor for their relentless efforts in ensuring that various development activities are undertaken within the community and pleaded to the Indian Community to work closely with them and give them support. He ended up expressing gratitude for the donation.
The Chief, Pa Alimamy Sesay, reiterated the statements made by the other community stakeholders and outlined the numerous benefits that residents are realizing as a result of the operations of various Indian owned business entities ranging from providing employment opportunities to the construction of public toilets, markets etc. He expressed optimism that the cordial relationship will continue to grow from strength to strength ending up by expressing appreciation and gratitude for the donation of the solar led street lights.
Climaxing the occasion was the donation of the Solar Led Street Lights by Neeraj Kumar Saini and Harish Agnani to the community stakeholders.
