By Lamin Kamara
Sierra Leone’s Fir best Lady Fatima Jabbie Bio on Sunday broke ground for the construction of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) Southern Regional Office in Bo, pledging 1,000 bags of cement to support the project.
The ceremony marks a step forward for journalists in the southern region, who have long sought a dedicated office to improve coordination, access to resources and professional support outside the capital.
The event was attended by SLAJ President Alhaji Manika Kamara, Southern Regional Chairman Abubakar Mustapha, journalists and other stakeholders.
Mustapha said the project had been delayed by limited land allocation but noted that intervention by the first lady expanded the site from half a plot to four full plots, allowing for a more viable structure.
He also acknowledged a separate donation of 500 bags of cement from stakeholder Joseph Maada Kpulun, which he said would help kick-start construction.
SLAJ President Kamara thanked President Julius Maada Bio and the first lady for supporting media development and called for continued backing to improve journalists’ welfare nationwide.
In a symbolic gesture, Kamara presented the project’s construction documents to the first lady, urging her continued oversight.
Bio, who said she has a background in journalism, accepted the documents and reaffirmed her commitment to the initiative.
“I understand the importance of having a proper office for the association,” she said.
She pledged to personally donate 1,000 bags of cement and called on organisations, partners and individuals to contribute to the project.
Bio said she would work with SLAJ to mobilise further resources to see the project through to completion.
Journalists at the event welcomed the pledges, saying the contributions could accelerate construction and strengthen the association’s operations in the region.
