The Paramount Chief of Lower Banta Chiefdom, Moyamba District, PC John Jibao Russell Nyama ll, has on Thursday 15th February, 2024 finally returned home after couple of years in exile.

The event took place at Gbangbatoke Court Baray with a delegation led by the Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs Amb. Tamba Lamina.

Representatives from various Ministries/departments including the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs, Resident Minister – South, Minister of State – South, Office of National Security (ONS), AIGP, Parliamentary Causus Leader – Moyamba, National Council of Paramount Chief, Moyamba District Council among others were part of the delegation to Lower Banta Chiefdom.

Thousands of people including Chiefdom stakeholders, Women and Youth attended the occasion.

While addressing the gathering in his key note address, the Minister of Local Government and Community Affairs Amb. Tamba Lamina pointed out that like many others Chiefdoms across the country, Lower Banta Chiefdom to be specific has been recognised by his ministry of not been peaceful.

The Minister recalled that towards the end of last year His Excellency the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Rtd. Brigadier Dr. Julius Maada Bio visited the people of Lower Banta Chiefdom and appeal to the people for ending the existing conflict of which, he was part of the entourage.

Minister Lamina disclosed that as part of the responsibility of the Government through the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs after several allegations, asked the Paramount Chief of Lower Banta Chiefdom to leave the Chiedom until sanity prevail in the Chiefdom, and out of the complainants, his ministry has made several engagements with key stakeholders in a fight to bring peace in the Chiefdom.

He further stated that Government has been very patient, and in respect for the wish of the people the President asked the Council of Paramount Chief to investigate the issues. He said based on the report and recommendations, they again as part of their efforts to restore peace established a nine/ten man committee, but later realised that the committee was part of the problems.

According to the Minister, it was as the result of this that the Committee was disbanded and search for a care taker of which, we thank the care taker for the contribution made so far in the Chiefdom. The minister further disclosed that it was “Fambutok”, one of the most outstanding NGOs in Community management to have given recommendation that the people of Lower Banta are ready to receive their Paramount Chief. “So if we are here, I want to say today is a happy day for the people of Lower Banta, the Ministry and the Government of Sierra Leone”, and I want to make it very clear that today we have come here to inform you all that Chief Russell have taken his seat back as the Paramount Chief of Lower Banta Chiefdom Moyamba District, and after saying that, we also want to inform you that the next persons will be the Chiefdom Speaker, Section Chief, Town Chief, Youth, Women’s Leaders and so forth within the period of six months”. Local Minister said.

The Minister also made it clear that sub-chief who do not want to work with the Paramount Chief should resign, as boycotting the calls of the Paramount Chief is an act of insubordination and is punishable by law. Amb. Lamina advised everyone to not take Government to ransome and that anyone found of wanting would face the full force of the law.

The Minister further mentioned that one of the causes of conflict in the Lower Banta Chiefdom from the recommendations of the investigation committee in the said matter is the proceeds of the jetty. “And I want to inform you all that effective today, anyone who feels of manning that jetty should hands off, henceforth the jetty would be managed by the Moyamba District Council, and that the District Council should put structures in place alongside the Chiefdom Council for effective management of which, the resources should be share among the District Council and the Chiefdom Council based on the signed agreement approved by Parliament”. He further stated that all sub-chiefs elected, but have not been functioning should be brought back to their positions, Paramount Chief to work with the District Officer filling all vacancies as part of the priority areas in facilitating sanity. He admonished transparency, opensess and accountability in the management and usage of chiedom resources.

As part of his contributions, the Minister of Youth Affairs Hon. Mohamed Bangura on behalf of H.E President Julius Maada Bio, thanked in advance the people of Lower Banta Chiefdom for their overwhelming votes during the just concluded general election.

The Youth Minister on behalf of the youth of Lower Banta Chiefdom apologised and ask for forgiveness from the people of Lower Banta and the Paramount Chief. He encouraged the youth for a decent, loyal and positive change agents in society by using appropriate channels for any concerns. “As a Minister, having apologised on behalf of you the youth, anyone who do otherwise is regarded as a criminal and the law would take it curse”.

The Youth Minister promised the people of Lower Banta Chiefdom for prompt developmental strides as structures have been put in place. He said the reason why Government has not been focused to Lower Banta is as a result of the no existing structures for facilitation. Hon. Bangura encouraged the people of Lower Banta to active the spirits of community interest rather than individual interest.

The Paramount Chief of Lower Banta Chiefdom Moyamba District PC John Jibao Russell Nyama ll, while delivering his vote of thanks, appreciated the Government, and the people of Lower Banta for facilitating the peace and the people of Lower Banta for accepting the outcome.

PC Russell called on all and sundry to find a place in their hearts to forgive him.

“The first thing that I want to say, anyone within Lower Banta that I have hurt willingly or unwillingly let that person forgive me, and myself standing here as a Catholic with or without Memorandum of Understanding, who so ever have hurt me henceforth I have forgiven them all”.

He assured the people of no blame game and called on for unity and the development of Lower Banta Chiefdom.

PC Russell for over five years outside his Chiefdom will summon his first Chiefdom meeting on Tuesday 20th February, 2024 to discuss the way forward for the development of the chiedom.

A memorandum of Understanding between appropriate departments including the Local Government Ministry and the Paramount Chief in relation to recommendations from government climaxed the occasion.