By: Aminata Sesay
Hon. Ing. Fallah Kenawah Tengbeh, Member of Parliament for Kailahun District, has praised President Julius Maada Bio’s opening address to Parliament, describing it as a “ledger of delivery” rather than a “ledger of promises.”
Speaking during the debate on the President’s State Opening address, Hon. Tengbeh, an engineer by profession, commended the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) government for its “visible and tangible achievements” in sectors such as education, energy, agriculture, and the economy.
The lawmaker stated that the SLPP-led administration has planted the seeds of progress, particularly in agriculture and energy, which are now bearing fruit. He noted that “darkness is now giving way to light” as electricity generation and access have expanded significantly under President Bio’s leadership a feat he argued surpasses the achievements of the previous All People’s Congress (APC) government.
“Mr. Speaker, this government is a sober and visible government,” Hon. Tengbeh confidently declared.
The MP emphasized that the President’s speech reflected practical results, pointing to improvements in electricity supply, classroom construction, and expanded access to clean water and telecommunications. He specifically highlighted the ongoing multi-donor Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) project in Freetown, which includes the construction of boreholes that are expected to serve up to 2,000 residents each once completed.
Turning to the economy, Hon. Tengbeh asserted that Sierra Leone’s once “battered” economy, under the previous administration, has been significantly stabilized. He noted that government revenue collection exceeded targets in 2024, and inflation had dropped from 54 percent to single digits. He also pointed out that the prices of staple commodities, including rice, had fallen by more than 20 percent in 2025, providing significant relief to citizens.
“That is a huge success for His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, and I am proud to be an SLPP,” he said proudly.
On the issue of national energy development, Hon. Tengbeh stressed that no country can survive without reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity. “Without electricity, our hospitals cannot save lives, and our children cannot study effectively. Energy is the lifeblood of industrialization and development,” he emphasized.
He highlighted the growth in electricity generation from 130 megawatts in 2018 to 270 megawatts in 2025, representing a 100 percent increase. He also referenced the “Division 300 Energy Compact” signed by the government, which, he believes, will triple Sierra Leone’s energy capacity and ensure access, even for rural farmers.
At this point, opposition leader Hon. Abdul Kargbo of the APC interjected, arguing that while electricity generation has increased, access to power remains limited.
In response, Hon. Tengbeh stood firm, citing a report by the African Development Bank as evidence of progress and reaffirming that both the Division 300 and Millennium Challenge Compacts will dramatically expand electricity distribution across the country.
Hon. Tengbeh also outlined the government’s achievements in road infrastructure, economic transformation, and petroleum importation. He revealed that petroleum imports grew by 56 percent in 2025, reaching 250,000 metric tons. Additionally, he noted that revenue collection increased by 14.6 percent, reflecting improved fiscal discipline and national growth.
The MP assured that the government remains committed to resolving the Yenga border issue, emphasizing that “Yenga will be free for Sierra Leone.”
Concluding his remarks, Hon. Tengbeh reaffirmed that governance under the SLPP is defined by results. “Mr. Speaker, governance is delivery. I want to say authoritatively that our government has delivered,” he concluded.