Rural Jiwaka needs help

The National Letters

THIS letter is written to serve as notice to the newly-elected governor of Jiwaka so he can do the right thing when it comes to planning for the delivery of goods and services.
As we know, the Kambia people are not connected by road.
So the MP responsible must ask: Is there a possibility of constructing a road?
If a road cannot be constructed, what can be done instead?
If these forgotten people continue risking lives crossing big rivers on foot to go to their gardens, school, church etc, please spare a thought and build a permanent footbridge for them where possible.
Other questions you must ask:

  • Are there any existing school and health facilities in Kambia?
  • Are they (existing schools, health facilities) functioning effectively serving the inhabitants of the outback community day to day?
  • What more needs to be done? and,
  • Are the Kambia people receiving radio and mobile phone signals loud and clear? If not install a necessary communication tower, disk or satellites for clear and effective reception.

The Kambia people must enjoy the same communication signal as people from other parts of the world are enjoying.
Another most vital thing that will in fact put a smile on the face of every Kambia person or household will be solar power.
Electricity is costly and impossible to connect to most outback setting as Kambia.
So solar power will light up that part of the world that has been in the dark for ages and generations.
This will be seen as a big relief and change for the outback people.
Identify school leavers from Kambia or those from outside who have an interest to serve in a place as Kambia.
Sponsor them to take up teacher training and nursing studies.
When they complete their studies they can serve the sick and school children over there where most teachers and nurses from outside refuse to or a reluctant to take up postings.
For the Jimi people, those living along the corridor of Jimi road their needs might differ from those of Kambia people.
But, otherwise, the most isolated communities have the same need of goods and services as those in Kambia.
It is a sin when someone in outback Kambia or Jimi dies from curable disease or when trying to cross a big river on foot.
It’s a sin when school-aged children can’t find a school near by.
It’s a sin when the Jimi and Kambia people are still using bamboo light in the night.
Please spare a thought for them as they have the same right to government services as anybody else in communities accessed by roads.

Paul Minga
Voice for the outback