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The people of the three Kissi Kingdoms that includes Kissi Teng, Kissi Kama, and Tong, have voiced their frustration with the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) government for failing to keep its promises regarding vital infrastructural development.
Key issues include the long awaited construction of the road linking Kailahun to Koindu and the resolution of the ongoing Yenga border dispute with Guinea; promises which they said the government has not fulfilled.
In a recent interview in Koindu, local farmers expressed their discontent with the poor road network, which has caused substantial losses of agricultural produce due to spoilage. Despite repeated assurances from past and current governments, the critical Kailahun-Koindu road and the establishment of a Koindu International Market remain unrealized.
Residents from Kissi Bendu warned that if the SLPP government only prioritizes development close to election times, it may be perceived as a calculated attempt to secure votes rather than a genuine commitment to progress. As a result, they are contemplating shifting their political allegiance to a party that will genuinely focus on infrastructural development.
Mr. Tamba E. K. Fayia, head teacher at the Roman Catholic Primary School in Koindu, pointed out that although construction on the Kailahun-Buedu road is underway, the progress has been exceedingly slow, expressing doubt on whether the Chinese company undertaking the project will complete it before the 2028 general elections.
Describing Koindu, once known as the “Breadbasket of Sierra Leone,” as severely lacking in essential infrastructure, Fayia emphasized the need for a proper market and clean drinking water.
He warned that unresolved issues concerning the Yenga border have stunted the town’s development potential, despite its favorable position between Guinea and Liberia.
Fayia also raised alarming security concerns regarding Guinean soldiers reportedly occupying Yenga, claiming they have established military barracks and deployed over 200 armed personnel in the vicinity. “Koindu is sitting on a bomb,” he remarked, noting the risk of escalating tensions if the situation is not addressed urgently.
The dire lack of employment opportunities for youth in the Kissi chiefdoms has led to social unrest and calls for action. Fayia urged the Ministry of Youth Affairs to establish skills training centers to mitigate those challenges. “Life is very difficult for us here. Transportation is a major challenge, and the cost of living is extremely high,” he added.
In a separate interview, Paramount Chief C. Emmanuel Ganawa of Kissi Teng Chiefdom acknowledged the chiefdom’s current peace but reiterated the ongoing concern regarding the Yenga issue.
He urged the Sierra Leone and Guinean governments, along with ECOWAS, to accelerate their efforts in reaching a peaceful and permanent resolution to the land dispute.
