Leading presidential aspirant of the All People’s Congress (APC) and former Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Ady Macauley, has strongly condemned the government for preventing businessman and politician Mohamed ‘Jagaban’ Bangura from proceeding with the symbolic sod-turning of a proposed Kekeh Assembly Plant at Mile 3.
In a public statement, Macauley expressed deep concern that such an initiative aimed at creating employment for hundreds of young Sierra Leoneans was obstructed by the police.
He stressed that the country is already grappling with a worsening youth unemployment crisis, particularly in rural communities, compounded by a sharp increase in substance abuse among young people over the past seven years.
Macauley argued that at a time when joblessness and drug abuse are threatening the nation’s social stability and security, every effort to boost economic opportunities should be encouraged rather than undermined.
“Regardless of one’s political views about Jagaban, frustrating an investment that could empower young people is unjustifiable and unprogressive,” he said.
The proposed assembly plant, according to Jagaban’s vision, is intended to locally assemble kekehs (tricycles) to reduce import dependency, lower costs, and provide direct and indirect jobs for Sierra Leoneans.
Macauley emphasized that initiatives of this nature are vital in addressing the structural challenges of youth unemployment, which remains one of the country’s most pressing socio-economic problems.
He further urged the government to separate politics from national development, warning that politicizing investment opportunities could discourage both local and foreign investors.
Despite his current position as a presidential flagbearer aspirant for the All People’s Congress (APC), Ady Macauley has built a reputation for raising key national issues that transcend party lines. He is widely recognized as a strong advocate for human rights and a consistent voice on matters affecting the well-being of Sierra Leoneans and the country as a whole.
