The AIG East, Thomas Mustapha Lahai, engaged the Student Union President and his executive at his regional office in Kenema about the present situation in the country which has warranted his prompt intervention. He however, took member of the Student Union Executive to the resident minister – East, Andrew Ansu Fatorma where the rest of the engagement took place on August 28, 2020.
The meeting came as a result of a notice of invitation by other Eastern Polytechnic Students Union Government calling on all students of the college to meet on campus. The police, however interpreted the invitation as one which has the propensity to creat unrest and draw the attention of stakeholders.
According to the police media officer in Kenema Sgt. Brima J. Musa, the meeting called by the student union executive cannot be unconnected to the present strike action taken by the lecturers of the Eastern Polytechnic which has rendered the final year students hopeless, as they approach their NCTVA Examination.
In his statement, AIG Lahai was quick to remind the students union president and his executive to consider the security of the state battling with the Covid – 19 pandemic and its enhanced regulations which outlaws public gathering.
He advised them to channel their grievances to the public in an appropriate manner, as bad people may be tempted to hijack the true meaning of such a course to their own advantage.
The resident minister admonished the students union president and his executive members that their ultimate goal as students is to go through their academic work successfully.
He further told them of Government effort to address the concerns of the lecturers of Eastern Polytechnic in Kenema, and appealed to their sense of reasoning to put aside the meeting, adding that the issue will be addressed through diplomatic means.
Dr. Mohamed Kanneh, principal of the college, expressed similar sentiments, and informed the students union body that there will be a meeting in Freetown to primarily look at the present situation of the lecturers at Eastern Polytechnic in Kenema.
The president of the student union government, Mr. Juana Saffa, assured the resident minister, the AIG East, the principal and other members of his executive commitment who were present of peace and stability of Kenema city and by extension eastern region. He promised to cancel the proposed meeting while they await the outcome of the proposed meeting in Freetown.
Consequently, a public notice was issued on all local radio stations and social media platforms terminating the meeting.
By Mohamed Mansaray in Kenema
04/09/2020. ISSUE NO: 78902