By: Thaimu Bai Sesay
The Parliament of Sierra Leone has concluded its five-day debate on President Julius Maada Bio’s State Opening address, with a range of MPs offering robust reflections on the country’s developmental strides, challenges, and future.
The debate, held to thank the President for his August 6, 2024, address he so graciously delivered, emphasized unity, food security, economic growth, infrastructure, and health, with parliamentarians from both sides agreeing that collaboration across party lines is essential to advance Sierra Leone.
In his closing remarks on the fifth allotted day debate, Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, urged colleagues to prioritize national unity and stability. He lauded the President’s dedication to democracy, tracing his commitment to peace back to his role during the NPRC era, and encouraged MPs to support agricultural initiatives and food security. Hon.
Nyuma emphasized that the President’s leadership in agriculture and human capital development has attracted donor confidence and laid a foundation for economic growth. “Let’s put Sierra Leone first in the interest of moving forward,” he declared.
The Acting Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Daniel Brima Koroma, also echoed the need for unity, expressing a desire for the opposition to collaborate with the government to build the nation. He urged the government to adhere to the Tripartite Recommendations and rejected recent tax increases on essential commodities like rice and construction materials.
He credited the administration’s anti-corruption efforts with a 79% success rate but raised concerns about the independence of key oversight bodies. “The opposition can and should be partners in development,” he asserted.
Agriculture and food security dominated much of the debate, with the President’s Feed Salone initiative emerging as a focal point. Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara (AKK) from Kambia District called on MPs to avoid politicizing food security, stressing that the Feed Salone program addresses a fundamental issue affecting all Sierra Leoneans.
Opposition Deputy Leader 2, Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma, voiced skepticism about the initiative’s long-term viability, questioning the adequacy of its funding and policy support. Meanwhile, Hon. Nyuma and the Chief Whip, Hon. Dickson Momoh Rogers, expressed optimism, noting significant donor support and progress toward mechanized farming.
Economic conditions were another key concern. The Deputy Minister of Finance, Kadiatu Allie, reassured MPs that the government has taken concrete steps to manage inflation, boost domestic revenue, and attract international aid.
She referenced the Millennium Challenge Compact with the United States as a critical milestone for strengthening Sierra Leone’s energy infrastructure. However, Hon. Koroma argued that basic costs remain too high, citing rising prices for food and mobile network tariffs. He emphasized the need for broader economic reforms to counter inflation and alleviate hardship.
MPs also addressed the need for expanded energy and infrastructure development. Hon. Aaron Koroma argued for increased private-sector involvement in the energy sector. At the same time, Hon. Rogers highlighted projects like the Hill Cut Bypass Road and solar installations, commending the administration’s achievements in rural electrification.
The Minister of Basic Senior Secondary Education, Comrade Sacky, detailed advancements in teacher recruitment and classroom construction, noting over 14,000 teachers have been recruited since 2018. On the health front, MPs expressed mixed views; while Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara criticized the affordability of medical services, Deputy Minister Kadiatu Allie highlighted recent government efforts to expand healthcare and boost maternal health.
The debate concluded with Hon. Nyuma reiterating the importance of bipartisan cooperation and donor support. MPs from both sides reflected on the state of Sierra Leone’s democracy, economic stability, and developmental trajectory, agreeing that the President’s vision for agriculture, education, and infrastructure deserves continued support to create a prosperous, self-sufficient nation.
The five-day dialogue underscored Parliament’s shared commitment to Sierra Leone’s growth, with calls for unified efforts resonating throughout. As the debate concluded, MPs were left with a renewed mandate: to work in partnership across political lines for the welfare and progress of the people they represent.
