Last year’s presidential and parliamentary elections left certain towns and villages divided, and the Bonthe municipality is no exception as residents of that district are refusing to support the government morally and financially.
Making this disclosure to our investigative reporter who visited the district recently, government authorities are facing serious challenges with residents in paying their taxes.
Michael E Garrick, the mayor of the Bonthe municipality, noted with regret that during the campaign period PMDC and APC officials allegedly said when they assume power residents of the municipality would not pay taxes as they would be compensated for the long neglect and marginalization they suffered in the hands of the SLPP.
Mayor Garrick added that some residents were deliberately refusing to support the council because of their past experience with the SLPP as most of them highlighted their backwardness with frustration and despair blaming former President Tejan Kabbah and his cabinet for depriving them water, electricity, and good roads.
He maintained that developmental projects were poorly implemented in the district, citing the Bonthe Town hall and police station which were yet to be completed due to lack of proper management and monitoring mechanism by the last government.
“In view of the above residents remain divided unto this new dispensation despite efforts being made by the Talking Drum Studio in collaboration with ENCISS who recently organized a peace carnival in consultation with Radio Bontico 96.9, geared towards reconciling the Islanders for a better future,” he disclosed.
Mayor Garrick admonished the APC government not to replicate the past mistakes of the SLPP, and also appealed to President Koroma to ensure that some of the abandoned projects were completed immediately to convince the electorates that they meant serious business as the last government failed them.
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