July 8, 2021
BY MOHAMED M. SESAY
The Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone under the charge of the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas has yesterday the 7th of July, ratified a fifty-five million dollars ($ 55 million) China grant agreement between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Government of the Peoples’ Republic of China for the construction of a fish harbor.
The title of the agreement is the: Economic and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Government of the People’s Republic of China.
Elucidated the significance of the agreement, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Hon. Emma Kowa-Jalloh intimated Members of Parliament that the agreement is divided into two-fold involving two separate grants for the construction of a fishing harbour. Minister Kowa-Jalloh added that the fishing sector is generating much needed revenue for Government adding that country is endowed with enough Marine Resources.
She further stated that the project would curtail smuggling of the country’s Marine Resources and would contribute to the country’ economic growth through job creation.
Submitting on inter-ministerial coordination and collaboration in light of the agreement, she said aquaculture and fish farming would improve by attracting a better international and local markets to the country’s fishery and marine resources.
“Mr. Speaker Honorable Members, the Harbour itself is very important to Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone is endowed with rich and good fish marine resources which is considered to be the natural asset of our country. This agreement laid in this house is very important for the fisheries and marine sector. Mr. Speaker Honorable soeaker, be it resolved that this honorable house ratifies this agreement”, she said.
The Chairperson of the Committee on Fisheries and Marine Resources, Hon. Neneh Lebbie said that the agreement was good and therefore commended President Bio for his proactive moves geared towards enhancing and strengthening the fishing sector. She lauded the efforts of the Ministry in terms of revenue generation and thanked the Chinese for the grant. “We know that this country needs this kind of investment,” she averred
She alluded to Hon. Dr. Kandeh Yumkella’s call that the country needs to improve on the fishing market to meet the standards of the European Union (EU) market. She advised the Minister to do proper monitoring and evaluation inwards the objective of o ameliorating the sufferings of the youth through job creation.
The Leader of NGC, Hon. Dr. Kandeh Yumkella thanked Government including President Bio and China for such initiative aimed at improving our fishing industry to meet international standards. With this new development, he said he was hopeful that the fishing sector would generate more revenue than the minerals sector in the country.
Welcoming the new development to the fishing sector, he suggested that they would provide an alternative site in view of the land disagreement surrounding Black Johnson.
The Hon. Paramount Chief, Bai Kurr Kanagbaro Sanka III of Tonkolili District appealed to all and sundry to support the project relating to the construction of a fishing harbour. However, he raised concerns on the nature of the project and the acquisition of land in respect of the project.
Hon. Dickson Rogers, Chief Whip of Parliament thanked the Minister for creating a new dimension in the fishery industry. He commended President Bio for the new direction and went on to explain the challenges surrounding fishing sector, especially for standardization and acceptance in the EU market. He advised the Minister to ensure that proper packaging is done to attract the EU market.
The Leader of C4C, Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina acknowledged that the agreement is in line with the Government’s medium term development plan. However, he said he was saddened by the inadequate revenue mobilization from that sector due to unregulated and illegal fishing. He commended the Chinese for the grant and went on to say the country has always encountered challenges in packaging to meet the EU Market specification. Speaking on Government’s contributions to the project, he called on the Minister to apply the local content policy to its fullest.
Hon. Lahai Marah of APC said the grants would improve on the state of employment in the country and also its Gross Domestic Products (GDP). He said as opposition, they are ready to support what is good for the country and went on to say that, the agreement has attracted controversial public concerns. Calling for a detailed document, he said however that a “scanty document” was given to them whilst pointing out some discrepancies.
Hon. Alpha Amadu Bah said a good compatriot would not speak against the agreement considering its derivative benefits to the country. He also spoke on the need to address sensitive and controversial issues arising from the project in light of the proposed location. “This can be a time bomb”, he said if it is not addressed before the implementation of the project.
The Opposition Whip, Hon. Hassan Sesay assured of their support in light of the development of Sierra Leone and recalled the origin of the agreement. He said the project is demand driven, and noted that the lack of such facility has seriously affected the country to attract the international market. He also asked the Minister to do due diligence in respect of biodiversity and environmental impact assessment regarding the viability and sustainability of the project. Speaking on the benefits of the project, he called on the Minister to come up with a comprehensive agreement that has stakeholder’s inputs in view of consultations.
Concluding the debate, the Leader of Government Business Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma explained the nature of the agreement in light of a grant and clarified some claims made by some opposition MPs. He also said that the grant is well placed by following due diligence. Referencing the presidential address on the construction of a fishing harbour for an estimated cost of $55 Million, he spoke on the necessity of public health disclosure for environmental health and impact assessment in respect of the project.