By Sulaiman Jalloh
Hon Juliana Fatorma
Hon. Juliana Aliematu Fatorma of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), representing the people of Kenema District, has, on Friday, 9th August, 2024, informed Members of Parliament that a Crocodile in riverine areas in Kenema has recently killed five persons.
Speaking under Standing Order (SO) 23 of Parliament, Hon. Fatorma said the influx of those crocodiles have scared away farmers and pupils in riverine areas from going to their farms and schools, respectively. She maintained that the invasion of crocodiles in Lower Bambara and part of Malego Chiefdoms has become a thorn in the flesh.
The lawmaker said her constituency has two rivers, Owa and Maleh, and that the crocodiles target people in those rivers especially at the crossing points.
According to her, some of the crocodiles hide along the routes waiting for those crossing the rivers, and children fetching water also fall prey to these crocodiles. She further disclosed that the first person that was attacked by a crocodile was a boy who went to the river to fetch water, pointing out that one fateful day she was trying to cross one of the rivers with her vehicle when she heard people shouting and when she checked, she saw head of the boy being chopped off by the crocodile. She maintained that reports of similar incidents continue to rise, taking the deaths toll to five.
“The situation is so serious that my people are even afraid to enter their farm lands,” the female MP lamented, adding that what is more threatening is the fact that, “lots of pupils use those routes which pose serious threat to their safety.”
Hon. Juliana Aliematu Fatorma therefore called on the Speaker of Parliament and government for a swift intervention to salvage the dire situation.
While assuring the female MP, the Speaker of Parliament, Hon Segepoh Solomon Thomas ordered the Committees on Internal Affairs and Environment to investigate the issue and requested a comprehensive explanation about the issue through writing.
