By: Thaimu Bai Sesay
At the remarkable State Opening of the Second Session of the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, Supreme Head of State delivered a Presidential Address, emphasizing on the greater benefits of embracing unity and peace over political diversity.
He outlined His Government noticeable achievements with commitment to more developments.
The unprecedented State Opening of the Second Session of Parliament which took place on Tuesday 6th August 2024 at the well of Parliament is a constitutional procedure and requirement, enabling the President to officiate a new Parliamentary year referred to as ‘Second Session’. The occasion enables the President to deliver a Presidential Address, detailing accomplishments and commitments for a new year. At the end the Presidential Address is tabled in Parliament for debate.
In the 2024 State Opening of Second Session, the President, His Excellency Julius Maada Bio outlined tangible developments from all sectors of His Government over the years.
Prior to that, the President first emphasized on the peaceful coexistence of the state, urging every Sierra Leone devoid of political background to embrace peace and unity over division. “It is on us all to rise above the din of political discord and to focus on the greater good,” President Bio stated.
As the President`s manifesto is guided by the Medium-Term National Development Plan that spans from 2024 to 2030, President Bio affirmed that without concrete and implementable medium and long-term goals, no government could succeed.
The President justified that spanning the plan from 2024 to 2030, which had not been the usual case, was a meticulous design to guide their journey towards sustainable development that aligns with the UN SDGs of 2030
The President began with His second term flagship program which is agriculture and food security. He expressed believe over the adage ‘a hungry man is an angry man’ and said it linked food scarcity and national security. He emphasized that; it was why he made it a priority by declaring ‘Feed Salone’ as His flagship program. The President detailed the enormous development in the sector which included expansion of rice production, mechanized system and several others.
He assured of dedicating more resources to the agriculture sector and ensures that Sierra Leone produced not only for consumption but also for exports yielding more economic benefits.
His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio continued with Human Capital Development where he also made mention of tangible developments such as recruiting 5,000 healthcare workers, increase the number of doctors to over 600 and innovate measures and technologies in the health sector. He added that with the partnership with Mercy Ships over 5,000 free surgeries had also been provided to Sierra Leoneans. He further talks on the incredible job creation and rural livelihood strategies which are making greater impact in addressing unemployment in the country.
President Bio also briefed the Parliament on the massive development in the other sectors such as infrastructure development and technology ranging from energy, road, port, airport, ect. He talked on the unimaginable gains realized from the blue economy, the mining, tourism and as well as the reforms in those sectors.
His Excellency President Bio expressed the historic achievement of the MCC compacts grant and the effort being made to attain such milestone.
He commended his Government`s great effort in ensuring that Sierra Leone did not only go to the United Nations Security Council but also assumed the Presidency of the Council for the month of August after 53 years back. He strongly commended all the three arms of His Government for the massive reforms of all old laws and lauded efforts made in enabling women’s representation in Parliament and all other sectors.
As all of these could not be achieved without peace and stability, His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio made a clarion call to every Sierra Leonean including those in the opposition to embrace peace and unity. He urged to be united in purpose and steadfast in their resolve, acknowledging that they could only build Sierra Leone with unites force.
