By Amadu Barrie in Koindu
The people of the three Kissi Kingdoms – Kissi Teng, Kissi Kama, and Kissi Tong chiefdoms in Kailahun District, Eastern Province of Sierra Leone, have expressed their dissatisfaction with the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) government for failing to fulfill key promises. Chief among these are the construction of the road linking Kailahun to Koindu and the resolution of the long-standing Yenga border issue with the Guinean authorities.
In a recent exclusive interview conducted in Koindu, Kissi Teng Chiefdom, our reporter spoke with several residents, most of whom are farmers. They lamented the poor road network, which has led to significant losses of their agricultural produce due to spoilage.
The residents noted that successive governments, from the late President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah (of blessed memory), through former President Ernest Bai Koroma, to the current President, His Excellency Dr. Julius Maada Bio, have all made repeated promises about constructing the Kailahun-Koindu road and developing the proposed Koindu International Market. However, these pledges remain largely unfulfilled.
People in Kissi Bendu expressed growing frustration, warning that if the SLPP only acts when elections draw near, it will be seen as a mere ploy for votes rather than a genuine commitment to development. As such, they said they are considering shifting their political allegiance to a party that will prioritize infrastructural development and keep its promises.
Mr. Tamba E. K. Fayia, head teacher of the Roman Catholic Primary School in Koindu, confirmed that while work is ongoing on the Kailahun-Buedu road, the pace of construction is extremely slow. He expressed doubt whether the Chinese company undertaking the project would complete it before the 2028 general elections.
He described Koindu, once regarded as the “Breadbasket of Sierra Leone,” as now lacking critical infrastructure; including a proper market and access to clean drinking water. He stressed that Koindu could have become a thriving border town, strategically located between Guinea and Liberia, but the unresolved Yenga issue has rendered it one of the most underdeveloped areas in the country.
Mr. Fayia also raised serious security concerns, claiming that Guinean soldiers have occupied Yenga, building military barracks and stationing over 200 armed men in the area. He described Koindu as “sitting on a bomb” due to the tensions, warning that the situation could escalate if not addressed promptly.
He further highlighted the lack of employment opportunities for youth across the three Kissi chiefdoms, resulting in social issues and unrest. He called on the Ministry of Youth Affairs to intervene by establishing skills training centers in the area.
“Life is very difficult for us here. Transportation is a major challenge, and the cost of living is extremely high,” he added.
In a brief interview, the Paramount Chief of Kissi Teng Chiefdom, C. Emmanuel Ganawa, noted that while the chiefdom remains peaceful, the unresolved Yenga issue continues to be a major source of concern. He urged the Sierra Leone and Guinean governments, along with ECOWAS, to expedite efforts to bring the land dispute to a peaceful and permanent resolution.
