On Thursday 20th December 2018, the Ombudsman and team paid courtesy call on the Chief of Maforki Chiefdom, Alimamy Maforki Kamara, where the Ombudsman was greeted by the people of Maforki Chiefdom with singing and dancing. The Ombudsman Leon Jenkins – Johnston explained the work of the office of the Ombudsman to the people of Marforki and asked them to take their complaints and grievances to the Office of the Ombudsman in Port Loko. He emphasized the Presidents call for the Free Quality Education and advised the people of Maforki not to give their children of school going age to be marries away but use this opportunity to educate them as they would take up the mantle of responsibility in the future.
Responding, Chief Alimamy Maforki Kamara, thanked the ombudsman and team for visiting the people of Marforkti. He stated that he is aware of the Office of the Ombudsman in Port Loko and ask that the Ombudsman looks into issues affecting them. He stated that since the previous government, the people of Marforki have been marginalized as they are not consulted when decisions are taken and also they do not benefit from developmental activities when they are brought to Port Loko. He thanked the Ombudsman for the good work the office in Port Loko is doing as at first they had no money and nowhere to report the advantages that are taken on them. He expressed thanks and ask anyone of his subject to seek redress whenever any government official takes advantage of them.
The women of Marforki Chiefdom showed appreciation for the Ombudsman as they sang and dance before him.
The Ombudsman and Team also paid a brief courtesy call on Paramount Chief Alikali Mella II. The Ombudsman explained the creation, functions and mandate of the Office of the Ombudsman. He thanked Paramount Chief Alikali Mella II for the support he has been given to the office and asked that it be continued.
Responding, Paramount Chief Alikali Mella II, thanked the Ombudsman for the visit and promised to continue to work with the office of the Ombudsman.
The Ombudsman and team paid courtesy call on the Senior District Officer, Port Loko District David C. Conteh who also doubles as the chairman of DISEC. The Ombudsman Leon Jenkins- Johnston explained the mandate and functions of the Office of the Ombudsman. He stated that the office seeks to fervent injustice, bias and other forms of maladministration. He furthered that he is meeting with stakeholders to seek support for the Office in the region.
The Senior District Officer, David C. Conteh thanked the Ombudsman for the visit and continue to pledge the DISEC commitment to supporting the work of the Office of the Ombudsman. He thanked the President for appointing young People to position of authority.
The Ombudsman and Team also paid a courtesy call on the Chairman Port Loko District Council Ibrahim Bangura. The Ombudsman Leon Jenkins-Johnston said that he is meeting with stakeholders in the country to seek support for the Office of the Ombudsman across the country. He further explained the mandate and functions of the Office.
Chief Administrator Raman Tom Farmar, thanked the Ombudsman foe taking his time to visit the Council. He revealed that they have a good working relationship with the office and is looking forward to working very closely with the office.
Thanking the Ombudsman, the Chairman, Port Loko District Council, Ibrahim Bangura said that the council faces a lot of challenges prominent among which is the non-payment of Benefits of retired workers and also they as chairmen are not paid salaries but sitting fees which is not enough for them to take care of their families. He reveled that people are under paid in the council and due to the ignorance of the law governing the office environment many do not seek redress. He thanked the ombudsman for the visit and promised to convey the message to the Councilors.
The final stop in the tour was the Port Loko City Council, where the Ombudsman and team met with the Deputy Mayor Zachariah Kamara and Chief Administrator Joseph Gando. The Ombudsman explained the mandate and functions of the Office. He stated that he was on a fact finding mission to seek support from stakeholders for the Office of the Ombudsman in Port Loko. He stated that the Office is an outlet to make complaints against government institutions. He thanked them for the support they have been giving to the office.
Chief Administrator, Joseph Gando, said that they are working under very tedious conditions. He stated that they are faced with a very big task in collecting dues as they do not have the required personnel to carry out such function and they are prevented from recruiting personnel to do the job. He stated that even the staff that are working in the council are not on salary. He revealed that he has served the councils for eight months without salary. He furthered that the Mayor and his deputy are not on salary but provided sitting fees. He stated that they have complained to their representatives in parliament but nothing seems to be happening.
Responding the Deputy Mayor, Port Loko City Council Zachariah Kamara said that the issues are not unique to the Port Loko city Council alone but other councils across the country. He requested that the Ombudsman championed some of the issues raise on their behalf. He thank the ombudsman for building confidence in them and reiterated that the Ombudsman negotiate with the ministry of Finance on their behalf.
