By Amin Kef Sesay
The Honourable Member of Parliament for Constituency 098, Dominic Tshombe, intimated that he has appealed to Orange SL, the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, Njala University and the Kori Descendants Union to give support in order to complete the ongoing Le 160 Million Clock Tower project that under construction in Taima town, Southern Sierra Leone.
That was disclosed to the media at the project site in Taiama on Saturday 15th May, 2021.
According to Honourable Tshombe, the project, when completed, will be very useful to residents of Kori Chiefdom as it is located in an ideal position in the town.
The Member of Parliament highlighted that prior to the commencement of work on the clock tower, consultations were held with various stakeholders regarding the benefits of the infrastructure to Taiama.
He stated that it was at that point that the Paramount Chief, Thomas Borbor Gbappi 1V, disclosed that he wants to see the clock tower project at Mile 91 replicated in his Chiefdom.
He further intimated that the Ambassador to China, H.E Ernest Ndomahina, promised to provide the clock tower when consulted on the development project.
MP Tshombe stated that a town hall meeting was held in Taiama on the 23rd March, 2019 during which the Paramount Chief of Kori Chiefdom, PC Thomas B. Gbappi IV, the Chiefdom Speaker of Njama, Kowa Chiefdom Chief Emmanuel George and representatives from Kamajei Chiefdom were present during which time the project was launched.
He said other matters relating to the development and challenges of Constituency 098 were tabled and discussed.
Speaking further, he revealed that an account was opened at the Taiama Community Bank for individuals to make donations for the project adding that at the time of the launch, the total estimate for the project was Le120 Million and it was supposed to have been completed before the end of that year.
According to him with the sail pace of funding, the cost now stands at Le160 Million taking into consideration the increase in the cost of building materials.
He informed that Francis Lahai, the engineer that is doing the job is striving very hard to see the completion of the historical project provided that funds are available.
The Member of Parliament informed that on the day of the launch, Thirty Million Leones (Le30, 000,000) worth of building materials were handed over to engineer Lahai by him.
MP Tshombe said he personally spent over seventy-five million Leones (Le75, 000,000) on the project revealing how one Mr Phyne in the United States of America contributed One Hundred Dollars and Alex Comber also contributed.
He appealed to organizations, business houses and individuals from Kori Chiefdom to contribute towards the completion of the Clock Tower Project concluding that donations can be made by cash, cheque or through the provision of materials.
What has the MP done with the constituency development funds that he gets every year?