KAMBIA (TV-News24) — A councilor at the Kambia District Council alleged during a council meeting last week in Kambia town that a man who died after been stabbed by his friend would not have died had workers of the Madina Community Health Center opened the doors to the healthcare.
Councilor Aminata Bangura of Ward 196 in Tonko Limba Chiefdom says the behavior of health workers at the health center contributed to the death — because of their attitude.
Cllr. Bangura says when they arrived at for emergency care for the youth at night, they knocked on the doors, but no one responded to them nor opened the doors as the young man struggles for his life.
“We took the boy at night after he was stabbed by his friend, and we met the nurses sleeping. We knocked at all the doors of the hospital; nobody could answer until the boy took his last breath,” Cllr. Bangura narrated.
There are various committees within the council such as: agriculture, education, and health.
During the meeting, which was the council’s first since the coronavirus outbreak, and for the new administration instituted about a month ago, Cllr. Isata Sesay who chairs the Health Committee, says the situation with the health sector in the community deplorable and unacceptable.
Cllr. Sesay — who also represents Ward 203 — says the health sector needs attention to save the community.
However, she says, there has been improvements in other areas within the community — in her area of responsibility.
“Amidst these challenges in my ward, my ward has received seven borehole water wells that are currently serving our communities. And a mining company, that is expected to provide employment for 500–1000 youth in the district,” Cllr. Isata says.
But Cllr. Bangura thinks the health care sector situation should be addressed as it is a serious issue that is affecting the people.
She further explains about another incident where a pregnant woman was not given access to the hospital because the doors were closed — and they had to take her to a traditional doctor to give birth.
“Same happened to a pregnant woman who, hadn’t she had a decision for an alternative — she would have been the second victim of neglect,” she says.
In fact, during the meeting the District Medical Officer who was present, left early — and when it was time to address the issue of the health sector, he could not be found. And such had been a recurrence of district council meetings in past administrations.
Chief Administrator Dr. Edward Alpha expressed disappointment over the attitude of some members who he said, are in the habit of attending meetings late but will leave early.
“This is our local Parliament, and everything around it must be taken seriously. Please let today be a day of grace, and any time such happen I will not take it lightly,” Alpha warns.
District Council Chairman Mohamed Yayah Bangura highlighted previous engagements the council had undertaken for the progress of the district as a whole.
Particularly was an engagement he had with Supreme Mineral Corporation — a new mining company that is about to commence bauxite mining in the district.
“The mining concession of the company covers two Chiefdom namely — Magbema and Gbinleh chiefdoms. Seventy five percent of the mining will be done in Magbema and twenty five percent in Gbinleh.
“Additionally, we are expecting light in Kambia soon and a contractor has been handed over to the community and work will soon start in earnest,” Bangura says.
Bangura has also been appointed in the African Development Bank steering committee — a feat Cllr. Hawa Dumbuya of Ward 194 in Tonko Limba Chiefdom hopes will bring blessings to the district.
“Let me draw your attention to my Ward that Tonko Limba is the bowl for maize and sorghum which I want you to consider as you proceed with your work in the steering committee of the ADB; that shall be implementing a $11.5M in the agricultural sector of the country,” Cllr. Dumbuya says.
Cllr. Abu Bakarr Kemedo Kamara of Ward 181 says he was disappointed that some sectors in the district are implementing activities without the involvement of the relevant council committees.
“The involvement of the relevant authorities in community activities is integral and will help us progress as a district. Transparency is the bedrock to local growth. Let me also draw the attention of the council to the poor performance of our committees due to the political consideration during the setting of the said committees,” Kemedo says.
Addressing this, Dr. Alpha said any devolved sector implementation that doesn’t have the involvement of heads of committee or representatives will be considered void, and the district council would not recognize it.
Dr. Alpha furthered that the handing over ceremony from his predecessor was ceremonial — as there were no assets register nor a single document that will give the council ownership of its properties.
This includes the land on which the council building currently sits.
“I inherited an audit process that is full of issues for which I have called my colleague to come and help mend the problems. This implies council has no property,” Dr. Alpha says.
Cllr. Unisa Kamara showered praises on the newly transferred Dr. Alpha for his show of transparency. He reminded the council about the review of the local council’s budget.
“Let me take this opportunity to call on all Ministries, Department and Agency to make known evidence of their past and current activity implementation plans. I want to also call on the Council to provide us the District Development Plan, the EU budget to save us from misinforming the people we are presenting in the twenty three political wards in Kambia District,” Cllr. Kamara says.
The local governance system in Kambia district was a crumbling one contrasting to the other 19 in the country, according to an Auditor General’s report.
