By: Thaimu Bai Sesay (Intern)
On the second allotted day for the debate of 2023, National Budget Debate in the Well of Parliament, Members of Parliament from Different Political Parties have showered praises on the tremendous effort of the current government regarding the goodies in the 2023 National Budget.
Hon. Musa Fofanah affirmed that the 2023 National budget is rational, logical and sincere hence, it’s needles to criticize the budget. He expressed that he appreciated the current budget and what the government has done so far. He also appealed to the government to do more especially in the Health Sector.
Hon. Fofanah also maintained that one cannot blame a government that has just ruled for four years leaving where the actual problems emanated. He said the people should rather ask the government to do more than say the government has not done anything. He expressed that he is very pleased with the intention of the government to finance farmers to prevent the long existing exportation of rice from Kambia to Guinea due to foreign financing.
Honorable Fofanah also encouraged other Members of Parliament to support the government in making more money either from donor partners or local revenue to achieve the 90% food sufficiency policy and other developments.
He surprisingly highlighted the current 24 hours light in Kono which he said only took this government four years to redeem Kono from the long inherited blackout. He emphatically stated that it has never happened in the history of the world. He highlighted other developments the current government has made and also called on the government to support the Immigration Department with logistics.
Joining the bandwagon, Hon. Christopher Keikura Vandy, also expressed that the Fiscal Year Budget presented by the Minister of Finance is very honest and sincere. He commended the government for being so caring to the people of this country. He said that the government has done a lot in ensuring food stability in the country. He made mention of Liberia which does not have rice but has to come to Sierra Leone to secure rice.
He also pointed out that even in the face of the Russia and Ukraine war, Sierra Leone still has sufficient fuel. “The government used $36 million to secure a reservoir of fuel. This has put a stop to this perennial problem”, he said.
Hon. Sahr Charles on the other hand said the document should not be politically debated saying it is a document of the people. He said the only thing this government has achieved is education and even in education it’s only the fees. He questioned the quality of the Free Quality Education Project. He said the Free Quality Education should not be only centred in Freetown leaving the provinces behind.
On the area of accountability, Hon. Charles recalled that the government was doing well during the first two to three months. He disclosed that there were monies recovered from diverse sectors but ended that the government had relaxed doing so.