By: Thaimu Bai Sesay
Continuously fostering developments through legal partnerships, the Sixth Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Tuesday, 10th December 2024, ratified several landmark development agreements worth over 100 million United States Dollars.
The agreements, which encompass critical areas such as job creation, agriculture, climate resilience, transportation, and youth empowerment, mark a significant stride in the nation’s socioeconomic advancement. Parliament approved five major agreements aimed at fostering sustainable growth and improving livelihoods. These agreements were:
Livestock and Livelihoods Development Programme – A financing agreement between Sierra Leone and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, signed on November 6, 2024. WOKDONCAM Initiative – A protocol of agreement with the African Development Bank, focusing on job creation for youth and women in climate-smart agriculture and waste management, signed on July 9, 2024.
Climate Finance and Energy Innovation Hub A grant agreement with the OPEC Fund for International Development, established on June 24, 2024. Sierra Leone Connectivity and Agricultural Market Infrastructure Project – A financing agreement with the International Development Association, finalized on June 13, 2024. Pro-Poor Growth and Youth Empowerment Project. A grant and project agreement with KfW, Germany, signed on February 5, 2024. A Push for National Transformation.
Deputy Minister of Finance, Madam Kadiatu Alie, presented the agreements, emphasizing their alignment with the government’s Feed Salone initiative. She highlighted the grant component of $30 million for livestock and livelihood development, stressing the program’s potential to transform rural economies, enhance food security, and empower marginalized communities.
The agreements also focus on strengthening institutional capacity and fostering job creation, particularly among youth and women. The Deputy Minister of Finance l Madam Kadiatu Allie who was spearheading the agreements assured the House, of the government’s unwavering commitment to leveraging these funds for national development.
Chairperson of the Finance Committee, Hon. Francis Amara Kai-Samba, commended President Bio’s administration for securing these vital agreements. He underscored their largely grant-based nature, calling them a testament to Sierra Leone’s growing credibility among international partners. However, he urged implementing agencies to ensure proper utilization of the funds while encouraging robust parliamentary oversight.
Hon. Bash Kamara from Bo District welcomed the focus on agriculture, lauding its potential to enhance food security and create jobs. Meanwhile, Hon. Dr. Unpha S. Koroma emphasized the agreements’ broader implications, including addressing rural-urban migration through youth-focused development programs.
Deputy Opposition Leader, Hon. Daniel Koroma, stressed the importance of adhering to the agreements’ conditions. He called for a national push towards white meat livestock production as part of the Feed Salone initiative and advocated for increased agricultural productivity.
Calling for transparency and accountability, Opposition Leader Hon. Abdul Kargbo first off described the agreements as a “step in the right direction,” particularly highlighting the OPEC Fund’s support for addressing climate change impacts. He called for transparency, accountability, and sustained monitoring, urging implementing agencies to prioritize state interests above political differences. He further noted the strategic importance of rural road development for agricultural productivity and national progress.
Further assuring government commitment, Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, assured Parliament of the government’s commitment to ensuring the agreements’ success. He outlined a robust implementation framework involving key ministries and steering committees. The projects, spanning eight districts including Bo, Kenema, Port Loko, and Makeni, aim to uplift communities through comprehensive interventions in agriculture, climate resilience, and youth and women empowerment.
Hon. Nyuma hailed the agreements as transformative and urged MPs to exercise their oversight responsibilities diligently. He emphasized that these projects reflect Sierra Leone’s constitutional commitment to sustainable development and equitable growth.
With over $100 million set to be injected into the economy, these agreements symbolize a new chapter of hope and progress for Sierra Leone, paving the way for a more prosperous future.
