By Septimus A.M. Saffa
Proving to the nation that the All Peoples Congress (APC) is the best political party and most responsive and responsible in implementing policies and projects in the developmental sector, interview recently conducted with Councillor Edwin Kargbo of Ward 391, Constituency 111 of Western Rural Area, indicates the versatile and development-oriented politician has recorded outstanding achievements since he was elected councillor with APC symbol in 2018. Speaking to We Yone at his Anita Drive residence, Yams Farm Community, Councillor Edwin (as he is popularly called) stated he represents Ward 391 that encompasses villages like Hastings town, Hastings Wharf, Rogbangba and Yams Farm.
‘’I wasted no time in setting up the Ward development Committee, of which I am the chairman,’’ he explained, adding since 2018 to date he has initiated, lobbied and implemented projects touching on economic, social, health, educational, water and sanitation, road infrastructure, humanitarian and recreational infrastructural sectors. He disclosed, in the economic infrastructural sector and empowerment, he has achieved the following; lobbied Western Area Rural District Council (WARDC) headed by Chairman Kasho J. Holland-Cole that has constructed a standard 1 Yams Farm Community Market, equipped with stalls, stores, abattoir and toilet facilities; provided micro credit to number of women, lobbied for the allocation of Social Safety Net Money (Le1,800,000) each to women and those financially strapped individuals; enabled youths, able-bodied men and women and qualified number of residents in job placement in companies like WAN Africa Factory at Hastings, Toll Gate at Hastings, amongst others.
Dilating on gains made in Health Service for residents, the accomplished Councillor revealed he was able to lobby WARDC that culminated in the installation of Solar-powered energy-a project worth 100 million Leones for the refrigeration of drugs and lighting of maternity Ward of Hastings community Health Centre; assisted Rogbangba Community Health Centre with solar-powered energy including Water Well through an implementing NGO-World Hope International with funding from Save the Children Fund as a result of his outstanding lobbying prowess and drive in ensuring basic felt needs of residents are addressed.
‘’I am humbled to report that I and the village Head of Yams Farm Community, Mr. Foday Conteh for years now being paying the rent of a rented structure used as Health Centre in Yams Farm,’’ Councillor Edwin explained, adding plans are well advanced for the building of a permanent Health Clinic in Yams Farm, evident in the acquisition of a parcel of land, together with the drawing of an architectural design.
He furthered, quantum of building materials have been amassed and that, come March, 2022, work will commence. Councillor Edwin Kargbo’s gains in educational sector are also cinematic and tangible, according to his disclosures.
‘’I have awarded scholarships to number of pupils in both primary and secondary schools, especially the less privileged and brilliant ones, with the support cutting across schools in the community,’’ he disclosed, enumerating number of teaching and learning materials donated to schools including Kulafai Rashideen Primary School, Yams Farm, R.E.C. Primary School Hastings; also donation of desks and benches done by WARDC to R.E.C. School Hastings, owing to a case for such an assistance made by him to WARDC hierarchy.
‘’Most importantly, a junior secondary school for girls with funding from ‘’Sunday Foundation’’ based in Holland has been constructed,’’ he stated with sense of fulfilment, while commending a journalist/Coordinator of the Foundation for the huge support. He also intimated We Yone in the exclusive interview of additional contributions to the educational sector including financing the construction of an additional structure at Benevolent Primary School, Rogbangba (worth millions of Leones); provision of incentives to youths engaged in the work as well as supporting a struggling private school at Old Road, Yams Farm. The result-oriented Councillor also informed We Yone during the interview of his humanitarian support to vulnerable groups during the height of COVID-19 outbreak.
‘’Food and non-food items were supplied; veronica buckets, bars of soap, gloves, face masks, hand sanitizers and megaphones,’’ he revealed.
He also facilitated the donation of drugs by a philanthropist based in USA, Dr. Bernadette. Relating to road repairs and recreational facilities, he contributed in getting the management of CRSG to construct Rogbangba Community Centre; personally donated 100 bags of cement and Two Million Leones as incentives for youths engaged in the work, fencing of Hastings Village cemetery by WAN Africa Company due to a proposal submitted by him together with Hon. John Sattie Kargbo; assisting youths in repairing the School Junction-Susu Town road and other number of feeder roads; assisting in cleaning exercise, installation of a big transformer by EDSA, construction of water wells (solar-powered) by Living Water International; renovated through WARDC Yams Farm old Road Water Well; New York/PMTC Community; through his appeals, Concern Worldwide as donor Agency Funded the construction of four (4) water wells in Rogbangba and Hastings; and also, SALWACO has in concert with Arab Emirate in the area of providing clean, safe and secured water facilities. This dynamic Councillor also informed We Yone of his support in promoting sports including athletics, football and other games within Ward 391.
‘’I have utilized my meagre resources in organising athletics and football galas; assisting budding creative Artists and other social programmes aimed at spotting talents for exposure,’’ the soft-spoken and hard-working Councillor explained. Concluding, he explained to We Yone that he has strong faith in the APC, adding he has been building the foundations for victory in 2023 at his local levels, while commending the leadership of APC, Regional, District, Constituency 111 and Zonal executives; local stakeholders and other opinion leaders for his outstanding gains on the development plane.
He particularly hailed the contributions of his mother, Madam Bianda of USA, Chairman of WARDC Kasho J. Holland- Cole as well as the Abdulai Kargbo family for his steady rise in politics and community development. Councillor Edwin Kargbo is a humble, listening and result-oriented politician who believes in teamwork, collaboration and service for humanity.
