By: Aminata Sesay
Hon. Ing. Fallah Tengbeh has commended President Julius Maada Bio’s administration for its investments in road infrastructure, energy and digital development, while calling for increased funding for cybersecurity and cyber resilience in the 2027 national budget.
Speaking on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, during the second day of debate on the President’s Speech in Parliament, Hon. Tengbeh said government policies should be measured by their impact on the lives of ordinary citizens.
Representing Constituency 130, which covers Wilberforce, Krenku Yenga, Congo Town, Tengbeh Town and Aberdeen, he maintained that good governance must translate into tangible development and improved living conditions for the people.
He said the government had prioritized key sectors, including energy, Free Quality Education and agriculture, adding that political criticism should be constructive and guided by the national interest.
“Good governance must deliver results,” Hon. Tengbeh told Parliament, urging lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to put aside political differences and work together in the interest of national development.
On the economy, he disagreed with concerns raised by a previous contributor about the country’s economic performance, arguing that Sierra Leone had demonstrated resilience despite global uncertainties and external shocks affecting inflation and international shipping routes.
Referring to paragraphs 31 and 34 of the President’s Speech, he highlighted the reported reduction in the fiscal deficit from 5.4 per cent to 4.4 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), describing it as an indication of progress towards fiscal discipline and improved economic management.
Turning to infrastructure, Hon. Tengbeh praised the administration’s investments in road and bridge construction.
Citing paragraphs 167 and 168 of the President’s Speech, he referenced 474.46 kilometres of roads reportedly asphalted and 23 bridges constructed or rehabilitated under the administration.
He also highlighted investments in major infrastructure projects, including the Freetown International Airport and a conference centre, which he said reflected the government’s commitment to national development.
On electricity, the lawmaker stressed that reliable power supply was essential to Sierra Leone’s industrialization. He argued that expanding electricity access to households must be accompanied by sufficient generation capacity to support businesses, industries and economic activities.
He pointed to the ongoing construction of a 108-megawatt power plant, which he said was expected to begin supplying electricity in the first quarter of 2027. He expressed hope that the project would help address persistent electricity challenges, particularly in Freetown.
Hon. Tengbeh also referenced the government’s participation in Mission 300 and its energy compact, which he said sought to increase electricity access from approximately 36 to 37 per cent to 80 per cent.
He further stated that Sierra Leone’s installed electricity generation capacity had increased from 130 megawatts to 271 megawatts, representing growth of more than 107 per cent.
As Deputy Chairman of Parliament’s Committee on Communications, Technology and Innovation, Hon. Tengbeh also drew attention to the importance of digital security, warning that technological advancement must be matched with stronger measures to protect national systems and citizens against cyber threats.
“A digital nation must be a secured nation,” he said.
He called on the government to allocate more resources to cybersecurity and cyber resilience in the 2027 budget, cautioning that Sierra Leone should take preventive measures rather than wait for a major cyberattack before strengthening its digital security systems.
He further proposed the establishment of a dedicated Cybersecurity Bureau to bring relevant stakeholders together to monitor emerging threats, coordinate responses and strengthen the country’s cybersecurity framework.
The lawmaker also urged Parliament and the government to ensure that existing laws were effectively implemented and regularly updated to address emerging technological risks.
Concluding his contribution, Hon. Tengbeh returned to road infrastructure, particularly projects in Kailahun District. He disclosed that compensation had been paid to people affected by one of the road projects approximately three weeks earlier and expressed hope that construction would commence before the end of 2026 or in early 2027.
He said the project would bring benefits to affected communities and expressed confidence in continued support for the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP).
Throughout his contribution, Hon. Tengbeh highlighted infrastructure development, electricity expansion and digital security, stressing that government policies must deliver measurable improvements in the lives of Sierra Leoneans.