By Ragan M. Conteh

Despite the boycott by the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) Members of Parliament, the ruling the Sierra Leone People’s Party Parliamentarians have unanimously passed the Investment Framework Agreement to investment in and development of Sherbro Island between the government of Sierra Leone and Sherbro Alliance Partners Limited.

Making his submission on the bill, the SLPP MP from Bo District, Hon Joseph Lamin asked whether the Bonthe residents are aware of the bill or ready to accept the agreement.

Meanwhile, Hon. Moses Edwin on the other hand, lauded the government especially the Attorney General and Minister of Justice for the agreement, stating that the Sherbro city if completed will serve as a hub for infrastructural investment.

The MP has also talked about outside interference, that some of those MDAs that are lackadaisical will delay the process of the agreement.

The SLPP MP from Kailahun Hon Quinton Salia Konneh, said they have enacted so many bills and agreements but what is still missing is the aspect of compliance and implementation.

He also asked if the people of Bonthe were engaged, insisting that if they were not consulted, then he fears the document will be another white elephant in the making.

Another legislator, Hon. Lolloh Tongi also said that they have passed into law a lot of bills but described the Sherbro agreement as perfect.

She said she doesn’t want Sierra Leoneans to die in the Mediterranean Sea and therefore noted that if the Island is developed it would stop them from leaving the county to find green pasture elsewhere.

The representative from Kono Hon. Musa Fofanah said lot of progress have been made in Bonthe and that such investment will bring the much needed development in the country.

Hon Rebecca Kamara also spoke on the need to have strong oversight to ensure that, the agreement provisions are adhere to by both parties.

She said Sierra Leone is beautiful and more secure. She added: “Bothe District is blessed, as it has the main island and inland.” She stressed that delay of the implementation of agreements has always remained a serious challenge.

The Deputy Leader of Government Business Hon Bahiru Silikie also emphasized on the importance of the agreement.

During the pre-legislative meeting, the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Priscilla Schwartz informed Members of Parliament that “the entry to the proposed new city will be restricted.”

Presenting the agreement at the pre-legislative hearing Madam Schwartz said the agreement intends to establish a new Sherbro City, and economic zone.

She said the primary objectives of the development zone are to attract long-term public and private sector investment through a specially designed fiscal and trade regime to be promulgated by development authority.

She stated that the zone also enables businesses to expand without excessive government intervention as well as encourages local entrepreneurship and human capital development.

She pointed out that the new Sherbro city will constitute the city as a public corporation with full legal and legislative and executive capacities set forth in the statute, grant the development authority the authorities necessary to plan and administer the development zone, including zoning regulations and building codes as well as implementing the Master Plan and development programme, among others.

The city, according to Schwartz will attract other services and infrastructural projects.

The current Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay, also buttressed the importance of the agreement, stating that it will provide huge investment opportunities as well as serve as a touristic hub in the world.

Sesay emphasized on the need for the agreement to be enacted which he said will facilitate trade and development of Sierra Leone.

As the agreement is being prepared to sail through in Parliament, the Speaker of Parliament, Hon Segepoh Solomon Thomas urged Members who attended Tuesday 24th sitting to do justice to the agreement.

Other MPs also contributed during the pre-legislative hearing on the importance of the agreement.

However, Members of Parliament from the opposition bench boycotted the pre–legislative hearing and plenary sitting, stressing that until their concerns regarding the Clerk of Parliament are addressed.