By: Aminata Sesay
Hon. Musa Lahai has highlighted progress in economic management, national security and the provision of essential public services under President Julius Maada Bio’s administration, citing government interventions in agriculture, petroleum supply, water provision and road infrastructure.
Speaking on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, during the second allotted day of debate on the President’s Speech in Parliament, Hon. Lahai assessed the administration’s performance against commitments outlined in the 2025 presidential address.
He focused on four key areas: the economy, security, water supply, and roads and bridges, arguing that improvements in these sectors were important to national development and the livelihoods of ordinary Sierra Leoneans.
On the economy, Hon. Lahai pointed to the increased availability of locally produced foodstuffs in markets, which he said had helped reduce dependence on imported rice and created opportunities to redirect resources towards domestic agricultural production.
He also commended the government’s liberalization of the petroleum sector, citing increased storage capacity and the entry of additional operators into the market. According to him, these measures had contributed to improved fuel availability despite challenges in the global economy.
On national security, the lawmaker described peace and stability as essential conditions for development. He commended the government for its investments in the military, police and correctional services, particularly in personnel welfare, logistics and operational capacity.
He further attributed improvements in community safety to community policing and increased security presence, while noting that opportunities for military personnel to participate in international peacekeeping operations had also expanded.
Turning to water supply, Hon. Lahai said several projects undertaken since the 2025 presidential address were helping to address longstanding water shortages in Freetown and other parts of the country.
He cited the Freetown water supply expansion project, the Bumbuna–Grafton–Allen Town water project and initiatives serving communities such as Hamilton, Angola, Okufia and Adonkia. He also highlighted water rehabilitation projects in district headquarters, including Kabala in Koinadugu District.
He noted that improved access to safe water would ease the burden on women and girls, who often travel long distances to fetch water for their households.
On roads and bridges, Hon. Lahai said improved road connectivity was facilitating the movement of people, goods and services while strengthening links between chiefdoms, district headquarters and commercial centres.
He specifically highlighted ongoing road construction and rehabilitation works linking Kono District with other parts of the country, noting that better transport connections could stimulate commercial activities and contribute to economic growth.
Hon. Lahai maintained that roads, schools, health facilities, water infrastructure and security services were interconnected pillars of national development. He said citizens should be able to experience the impact of government policies through improvements in their everyday lives.
Describing 2026 as a year of delivery, he emphasised that development should be measured by practical achievements rather than promises.
While acknowledging that national development was a continuous process, Hon. Lahai commended President Bio’s administration for its efforts and expressed support for its development agenda ahead of the 2028 elections.