The Pujehun District Council, led by Chairman Foday Kandeh Rogers, convened a historic council meeting on March 26 in Londela Town, Kpaka Chiefdom, bringing together local leaders, youths, and representatives from the District Health Management Team (DHMT).

Community members, many witnessing a council sitting for the first time, raised pressing concerns including limited access to safe drinking water, healthcare shortages, and agricultural challenges.

In response, Chairman Rogers reaffirmed the council’s commitment to address these issues in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. A major highlight of the meeting was the community’s offer of a building to serve as a temporary health centre. “We will engage the appropriate authorities to fast-track healthcare services for Londela residents,” Rogers said, noting that the nearest facility is over nine miles away and only accessible by boat or ferry, posing serious risks during medical emergencies.

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The Health Committee Chairperson, Mr Alicious, reported that challenges affecting the solar lighting system at the DHMT in Pujehun had been successfully resolved with support from the British High Commissioner, ensuring a stable electricity supply to the hospital. He further disclosed that the Ministry of Health has launched a programme to distribute bed nets to pupils in Classes 3 to 5 throughout the district.

Additionally, a joint monitoring visit by the Parliamentary Health Committee and the Pujehun District Health Committee to the 100-bed hospital construction site in Kpanga Chiefdom revealed ongoing progress. Plans are also underway to clear and relocate waste from various communities to the main disposal site in Pujehun.

Chairman Rogers called on the Londela community and stakeholders of the Gbamgbama periodic market to strengthen collaboration with the council. He stressed that communities that comply with agreed market revenue contributions stand to benefit from development projects, including improved market infrastructure, water supply, and sanitation services, citing Jendema as a model.

He also expressed concern over Malem Company’s failure to pay its evacuation fees, warning that the council may work with the Sierra Leone Police to restrict the movement of the company’s goods if non-compliance continues. He underscored the importance of internally generated revenue in sustaining local development, especially amid limited government funding.

 

The meeting concluded with a unanimous resolution by councillors to establish a temporary healthcare centre in Londela Town. The initiative is expected to provide critical support to pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children, particularly in emergencies, and marks a significant step toward improving healthcare access in the remote community.