By Kadijatu Bangura, Reporter D.S
The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Sierra Leone Police at the Mena Police Station has locked down the office of the Makeni Regional Hospital Secretary, Mr. Kabia, as part of an investigation into the theft of ninety-six solar batteries.
A notice on the office door reads, “Out of Bound. Do Not Open,” following accusations against the Maintenance Officer, Mr. Kabia, for allegedly stealing the solar batteries procured by the government and development partners for installation at the hospital and other Peripheral Health Units (PHUs) across Bombali District.
Reports from Future Media indicate that the Medical Superintendent and Matron of the hospital caught a Community Health Officer with six stolen solar batteries, which had allegedly been sold to him by the Maintenance Officer. The Community Health Officer reportedly installed the batteries in his home.
Additionally, Kabia faces allegations of removing all repaired air conditioners stored in a container on the hospital grounds, which were intended for installation in various departments.
Investigations revealed that the Maintenance Officer, currently on the run, had established a business within the hospital premises, operating a cinema for staff and local citizens to watch football matches and sell drinks, all without action from hospital authorities.
As of now, three senior officials from the hospital—including the Community Health Officer who purchased the alleged stolen batteries, the Hospital Secretary, and the Chief Security Officer—are in detention at the Mena Police Station assisting with the investigation. Regional Media Officer for the Northeast, Sergeant John Abass Kamara, confirmed the situation, stating, “We have three suspects in our custody helping with the investigation.” He added that the key suspect, the Maintenance Officer, is still at large.
Citizens have urged the Minister of Health, Dr. Austin Demby, to take decisive action against anyone found guilty in this case. The cost of each solar battery and panel is estimated at forty million Leones (Le40M), with the total value of the ninety-six batteries and panels amounting to three billion eight hundred and forty million Leones (Le3,840,000,000).
For more information, contact Daily Scope Newspaper at dailyscopemedia@gmail.com.
