The consultations which are spearheaded by the Elder Council of Salala District began last January with Salala elders visiting their counterparts in the three other districts which led to a joint elders meeting of the four districts on the weekend of February 23, in Salala District headquarters.
During last weekend's meeting which was attended by more than 60 elders from across the region many speakers spoke of the long time imbalance of representation of the region at the level of the Liberian Senate which they observed has led to unequal distribution of development projects and other opportunities, adding it is time to have “one of our own son or daughter elected this time.”
The consultation comes in the wake of growing number of persons from who have already declared their intention to contest the 2014 mid-term senatorial elections. Already 10 persons including incumbent, Jewel Howard Taylor, former Bong County Superintendent Rennie B. Jackson, Cuttington University President Henrique Tokpa and others are criss-crossing the county to make their intention for next year election known.
“We are tired voting for senators from Upper Bong County who don't look back at us after their election,” Elder Joseph P. Gwee said.
Some of the elders recalled that since the establishment of the county in 1962 Lower Bong has not had a resident senator who lived in any of the four districts. They said even those purporting to be from the region have lived and done everything in upper Bong, denying the region of easy access to their senator.
The elders have not so far declared their support for a particular persons, but some key elders who confided in our reporter said they as the regional elders are contemplating on petitioning former Bong County Representative, Martin Kerkula for the mid-term, but when contacted on the issue, Mr. Kerkula, declined to make comment, but only said he is weighing the option and holding consultations to make a final determination.
