DOWNBELOW With Amadu Daramy in Maryland
Josef Lewis continued, “let me repeat once again colleagues “climate change is real and real. It is no joke. Drought in Brazil and some Southern States in America.
In Sierra Leone, the rains caused many problems throughout the country and the roads are disastrous due to the poor drainage system in the country. Freetown City Council is another catastrophe. People are building all over the place, especially in valleys, hilltops, waterways and other prohibited areas and even along and on top of the famous ‘Samba Gutter.’
In Makeni, the entire township was over-flooded especially during July and August, the middle of the raining season.”
The advent of the social media has enlightened citizens to see and know what is happening all over the country and abroad. For instance, when I saw the roads in the Eastern part of the country especially the Tongo/Kenema and Kono axis, I could not believe my eyes.
No wonder the Kenema Boys from Kenema District, sang the song that they have been neglected by the ruling SLPP Government which they voted for. Although some parts of the Northern District are also deplorable, it’s an eyesore to say the least.”
Gbondima Gbondo merged from the left side of the road and stopped the bus at the gas station to refill the tank, as there were some few journalists left to board the bus.
Jonathan Macauley, Amadu C. Koroma and Jonathan Jarrett materialized with a few other journalists all of whom shouted in unison, “’Jarro, Jarro, Jarro of aw di go dae go fame of SLBS.’”
Jon Z. Foray, after reading The Democrat Newspaper, left his seat and went towards IBM Kamara and Peter Goma who were reading the Standard Times newspaper while Jonathan Leigh and Sorie Sudan Sesay were reading The Independent Observer. However, no one paid attention to him.
Jon Z. Foray then proceeded to Hon. Frank Kposowa and whispered in his ears but Hon. Frank Kposowa also ignored him so he returned to his seat quietly.
Meanwhile, Richie Olu Gordon was reading Peep Magazine and at the same time listening keenly to Josef Lewis.
Christo Johnson moved towards Richie Olu Gordon who was seated by Clarence Roy Macauley who was reading The News Newspaper but when he saw Mrs. Bernadette Cole seated by Mariatu Thulla, he smiled and said, “Bernie, so you are with your Mass Communication student?”
It was at the gas station that a disguised blind old man walking with a stick came towards the bus and said, “Manjalaji, please help me for God’s sake.”
When Gbondima Gbondo saw the old blind man coming, he alerted Saoman Conteh and Jon Z Foray and both looked keenly at the old man with dreadlocks hair they remarked, “lagilaa, this man is Corporal Foday Sankoh.”
The journalists raised an alarm and the police quickly arrived at the scene and took Corporal Foday Sankoh away.
Gbondima Gbondo started the bus and left for their destination.
Josef Lewis continued, “Bilal, have you finished distributing the newspapers and cell phones to our colleagues? Please give all of them their cell phones and join them in the WhatsApp group so that they will know what’s happening ‘upabove.’
Suddenly, IBM Kamara saw Peter Goma and Jonathan Macauley seated right behind him displaying the Standard Times Newspaper with the front-page banner headline, “Ex-President Ernest Bai Koroma Celebrates 71st Birthday in Nigeria.”
Within the twinkle of an eye, Bilal Turay suddenly appeared in front of them to distribute their Galaxy 22 cell phones and sim cards.
Richie Olu Gordon shouted abruptly. Gbodima Gbondo smiled and turned to Hon. Frank Kposowa who remarked, “hello Olu, do you want to say anything?”
“Yes please,” Olu Gordon responded and continued “I am interested in what Josef Lewis is saying about the attempted coup.”
Smiling, Gbondima immediately responded, “Olu, I thought you were going to ask about Sylvia Blyden ‘upabove’.”
All the journalists burst into laughter.
“Anyway, Josef Lewis will elaborate about the attempted coup later,” Gbodima assured all.
According to Josef Lewis, “Government needs to pay attention on the deplorable road network nationwide. Also, the rains this year are the worst in decades. It rained heavily in Makeni even the day I was coming ‘downbelow.’ This is not only the case in Sierra Leone but worldwide. Look at the current flooding disaster in Spain where over 200 people have died not to mention the widespread loss of property, the worst in Spain’s recent history.”
