The exact date of the construction of the East-End Police Clock Tower is not known, but it was undoubtedly built during the colonial era, originally marking the entrance point to Freetown city. Today, this historic landmark stands as a reminder of how far we have come: from a land of freed slaves, to a colony created for the establishment and propagation of Western ideologies, and finally, to a resilient people striving to prove their capacity for self-determination.
Over time, this colonial relic has become a symbol of progress and transformation for other city centres and towns in what was once known as the Protectorate. One way these communities express their desire for modernization and metropolitan transition is through the construction of clock towers-- projects often undertaken by local authorities or patriotic indigenes. This architectural heritage, coupled with streets that still bear colonial names such as Campbell Street, Savage Square, Rawdon Street, and McRobert Street, reflects how deeply colonial influence continues to shape our urban spaces and cultures.
Makeni, like many other regional cities, embodies this imitation of colonial symbolism. The city takes pride in its uniquely designed clock tower--often hailed as one of the finest in the country--even though the clock has been frozen in time for years. Interestingly, most of Makeni’s major streets and neighbourhoods are named after those in Freetown, underscoring its long-standing aspiration to mirror the capital’s urban identity.
Yet, here lies the irony: Makeni, despite these visible emblems of progress, continues to suffer from some of the most deplorable road networks in the region. Of particular concern is the road leading to the Regional Hospital in Makama. Residents have long questioned why this crucial road, used daily by pregnant women and patients seeking advanced medical care, was excluded from the road rehabilitation projects commissioned under the previous APC regime. Many still wonder when construction will finally be completed, years after it began.
What is even more baffling, however, is the recent construction of a second clock tower at the Turntable area by the current serving Mayor. From the very start, I have asked: What is the need for another clock tower when the first remains non-functional?
Supporters of the project argue that it reflects the Mayor’s dedication and hard work. But I continue to ask: Is this visionary leadership or simply performative leadership? Is development about what people see, or about what they actually experience?
Building a second clock tower while the first stands still represents a clear case of misplaced priorities. It is not a felt need, but an induced one--crafted to score political points rather than to deliver meaningful development.
Although I do not know the exact cost of the new project, one thing is certain: whatever amount was allocated could have been better invested in repairing the Makama Road that leads to the Government Hospital. Ask the current Mayor about the road, and he might tell you that the central government has been neglectful. But that explanation, to me, exposes a deeper flaw in governance and leadership as practiced in Sierra Leone.
The very idea of decentralisation becomes questionable if a city council can raise funds to build a second clock tower but cannot fix a life-threatening road. If the council can afford a monument, surely it can afford to patch a critical route to a hospital. The issue, therefore, is not about resources but about vision. Without visionary leadership acumen, even the most patriotic leader can fail to bring about genuine change.
What Makeni needs is not another clock tower, but an improved road network that ensures safe and easy access to essential facilities. Only the gullible would consider a second clock tower a priority.
This project, in my view, serves more as a political monument than a developmental one, a symbol of legacy-building rather than visionary progress.
It is no secret that Makeni is now struggling to maintain its former status as one of Sierra Leone’s cleanest cities-- a title it proudly held twice under the leadership of former Mayor Sunkarie Kabba.
A genuine leader would not prioritise monuments over people’s welfare. Such a leader would channel resources into improving public health, strengthening sanitation, and rebranding Makeni as a clean, healthy, and flourishing city. Real development should enhance the experience of the people, not merely feed their impression of progress.
Development, in my perspective, must aim to improve how people live and feel--not how leaders want to be remembered.
© Amadu Wurie Jalloh
16/10/25
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