Makeni Mayor Alleges Exclusion from Clock Tower Commissioning

Makeni Mayor Alleges Exclusion from Clock Tower Commissioning

Mayor Abubakarr Kamara of Makeni has publicly accused the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Timothy Musa Kabba, of sidelining city stakeholders during the recent commissioning of the Makeni Clock Tower. The Mayor claims that local authorities were excluded from the event despite their significant role in the project’s planning and execution.

The controversy arose following an official Town Hall engagement in Makeni, during which President Julius Maada Bio commissioned a symbolic obelisk donated by the Foreign Minister. Mayor Kamara contends that the project was a collaborative effort, stemming from earlier discussions between himself and Dr. Kabba.

According to the Mayor, the initiative began after Dr. Kabba expressed interest in supporting development priorities in Makeni. Kamara stated that he proposed the expansion of city beautification efforts, which evolved into the construction of the clock tower landmark.

“I started up with sand and everything,” Mayor Kamara said during an interview on Liberty Online TV, emphasizing that the Makeni City Council played a substantial role in the implementation process.

He further alleged that the local council contributed approximately 20 percent of the project’s total cost, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs covered the remaining 80 percent.

The Mayor expressed frustration that, despite these contributions and earlier assurances from Dr. Kabba regarding continued engagement in the city's development, local stakeholders were not invited to the official opening ceremony.

“To my surprise, the Minister and the President went to open the place,” Kamara noted.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet issued a public response to the Mayor’s allegations.