Two multipurpose markets funded by donors and implemented by the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) have been shunned by beneficiaries in both Kailahun Town and Nyandaeyama in Kenema, due to conflict among local authorities.
According to investigations the two markets were constructed by NaCSA through the Community Development Program (CPD) and both facilities were officially handed over to stake holders in the respective areas. However it is seemingly evident that nothing visible has been done with regards to the utilization of the two projects by beneficiaries.
The two markets are standing like white elephants in both Kailahun and Kenema and grass has over grown the structures while some of the doors have been ripped off coupled with cracks on the wall to the dissatisfaction of the donor community and the beneficiaries.
At Kailahun and Kenema it was observed that political conflict among local authorities is negatively affecting development efforts as stakeholders do not seem to address the problems. Locals describe the problem as unfortunate and warned that it has the tendency to undermine the development of rural areas.
In Kailahun the Banya’s and Ngobeh’s were accused of creating an unfriendly engagement that led to despair among the beneficiaries of the NaCSA project. As a result marketers have refused to utilize the structures. Despite efforts made to settle the impasse among the two ruling houses there has been no progress on site.
The Nyandaeyama Market project has also faced similar set back according to investigation an incident which allegedly occurred between Benson Suwu and other stakeholders in Kenema, resulted in serious political confrontation.
The NaCSA IEC Program Manager in Freetown Unisa Sesay displayed documents indicating the projects have been completed and closed them, but when questioned about the non utilization of the facilities by the beneficiaries, he said NaCSA is also concerned about it.
He said “NaCSA and the donors are also not happy with the handling of the projects because the essence of the projects was for the people to benefit.” He largely blamed it on “political interferences by stakeholders against the development of communities.”
He further explained about the criteria to implement projects in rural areas, citing consultations with target beneficiaries and the formation of Project Management committees (PMC) before the project is implemented.
He said NaCSA had done everything possible to make the projects a success and it is now left with the communities, councils and local authorities to utilize the projects for its intended purpose.
The project documents at NaCSA shown to Awoko indicates that one hundred and fifty two million eight hundred and forty eight thousand four hundred and fifty Leones (Le152,848,450.000) was spent on the Kailahun project for category type 2 markets while one hundred and twenty four million five hundred and ninety sixty thousand three hundred and sixty Leones (Le124,596,360.00) was spent on the Nyandaeyama project in Kenema.He said the multipurpose markets had facilities like stores, toilets and water well but when our reporter visited the area, he observed that most of toilet facilities are in bad shape because neighbors have been utilizing them for domestic purposes citing the Nyandaeyama market toilet and water well.
Our reporter was also told that the Director of CDP at NaCSA John Ngebeh recently visited Kailahun to discuss with the Kailahun District Council and other relevant stakeholders over the abandonment of the NaCSA project.
Unisa explained that NaCSA officers are committed to ensuring that, the beneficiaries utilize the facilities as soon as possible he implored on stakeholders to put in place the necessary modalities that will encourage or motivate the beneficiaries of the projects. David Fengai at NaCSA office in Kailahun also expressed dismay over the protracted delay in the commissioning of the markets and a strategy to involve the community in establishing a maintenance committee is also in progress. District authorities and beneficiaries spoken to pleaded with stakeholders to forget about the impasse and concentrate on the development of their respective communities by organizing a reconciliation forum among authorities. They further appealed to the Government through NaCSA to consult beneficiaries and create a forum for them to participate in full in the implementation of community development projects that affects them directly to avoid further snubbing.
The beneficiaries also warned district authorities to stop political interference in government and donor projects so that the people can benefit.
By Saidu Bah