By Aaron Lahai
Lahai Lawrence Leema, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs was on Sunday 20th September 2020 recognized as Honorary Member of the Timber Association Sierra Leone (TASL), a position bestowed on him during a well-attended meeting of over two thousand members of the Association in the northern Koinadugu district headquarter town of Kabala.
Abass Janneh, the former Chairman of the Association, stated that the award was in recognition of the outstanding performance of Minister Leema since his appointment to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Janneh added that the Award was also in recognition of the demonstration of hard work, sincerity and fairness in the discharge of the Minister’s duties to the people of Sierra Leone. He emphasized that members of the Association were assembled to publicly thank Hon. Leema for his role in settling the impasse among members in the Association. Mr. Janneh affirmed the legitimacy of the Ibrahim Sorie Yansaneh led Interim Executive. He asked for the collective effort of the membership to ensure that they actualize the dream of the Association.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion-Mr. John Fasuluku thanked the Hon. Deputy Minister for honoring their invitation and applauded the membership of TASL for displaying a mark of unity, peace and cohesion.
The host Paramount Chief ,Alie Marrah III of Sengbeh Chiefdom, Koinadugu district welcomed the attendees and reassured his support for the Association. He craved for unity, peace, respect and development in the Association. PC Marrah III echoed the need for the Association to work with chiefs as custodians of customs and tradition, the people and the Government.
Ibrahim Sorie Yansaneh, Interim Chairman of TASL thanked the New Direction Government of President Bio for giving them the space to trade without hindrance. He extended his appreciation to the Deputy Minister Hon. Lahai Lawrence Leema, the Government Agent, Babadi Kamara and other stakeholders who have played diverse roles in ensuring lasting peace among TASL members. He encouraged all members to work with his team and stressed for their collective inputs to push the Association forward. He expressed concern over the challenges impeding the growth of the Association such as division, transparency, accountability. He, however encouraged the team to work together and improve on the challenges.
In his keynote address, Lahai Lawrence Leema, the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs thanked President Bio for giving him the opportunity to serve Sierra Leoneans, adding that his ability to resolve the impasse among the timber Association members was as a result of the responsibility given to him by President Bio. He appreciated the Association for the rousing welcome accorded him and echoed President Bio’s desire to reach every Sierra Leonean.
Minister Leema’s speech was centered on the theme “Cut 1, Plant 10”. Hon. Leema appreciated the Association for their decorous, well organized and focused efforts to salvage the division in the Association. He admonished the audience on value addition and commitment to afforestation, climate change, and discipline.
The Hon. Deputy Minister reaffirmed his support to ensure that TASL always make and take decisions without interference or prejudice. As a stakeholder, he promised to play a supervisory role to prevent underlying security issues in the course of making such decision. “I have stood for what was right, I will continue to uphold that and maintain the peace and security of this country across every facet of our society,” he assured.
Authorities present during the meeting were: the Chief Administrator of Koinadugu District Council, ONS Coordinator, national and district Executives of the Association. Minister Leema lauded Babadi Kamara for his exceptional leadership in the timber sector and described him as a nice and friendly personality. The occasion ended with the official opening of the Koinadugu TASL office by the Deputy Internal Affairs Minister.
The vibrant and articulate young Deputy Minister, who doubles as the National Publicity Secretary of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) engaged the party’s Executive and membership in Kabala, Kamabai. He encouraged party members to be patient, committed and believe in the President’s New Direction agenda.
