By Sorie Sudan Sesay,London.
Sierra Leone’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Melvin Chalobah, has extended invitation to the Mayor of London Barnet, His Worship Councillor John Marshall(photo) to go to Sierra Leone and help towards the development process.
HE Chalobah made this invitation during a courtesy call at the Mayor’s North West London official residence.
The High Commissioner observed that Sierra Leone and United Kingdom have a long standing relationship and that UK is the most important partner towards the development of Sierra Leone.
He said Sierra Leone had gone through a very turbulent period but that the country has now recovered from war adding that the peaceful and successful elections in the country are all indicators of stability.
He thanked the Mayor and Councillors for taking care of Sierra Leoneans and absorbing them into the British society.
The Mayoh described the invitation from the High Commissioner as a kind gesture adding that he would like to be in Sierra Leone and share the problems with the people of that country.
He enquired about the rate of employment in the country, the scale of remittances from the United Kingdom to Sierra Leone as well as the literacy rate in the country.
Responding to his questions, HE Chalobah observed that Sierra Leone was once the anthems of West Africa with the most outstanding university, Fourah Bay College which he said, was established in 1825.
He said remittances to Sierra Leone from the United Kingdom is about $250million and this, he said, has a very significant positive impact on the economy of the country especially during the civil war.
Unemployment, according to the High Commissioner, is very high especially involving youths and that the government is fighting very hard to address that problem.
Reverend Ndelema of Solid Rock International, who coordinated the meeting earlier, thanked the Mayor for honouring the meeting.
He said Sierra Leone is desperate for help and called on the Mayor to use his good offices to help towards the development of Sierra Leone.
Comments