The Deputy Leader of Government Business I, Hon Bashiru Silikie has stated in Parliament that ‘The economy downturn of this country was caused by the APC’s bad governance on bad agreements with investors’.
The Leader made the disclosure on Tuesday 28 November 2023 during the debate on the 2024 Budget in the Chambers of Parliament.
The budget Bill seeks to provide Authorized expenditure from the Consolidated Fund for the Services of Sierra Leone for the year 2024 and other related matters.
The Theme of the budget is ‘Restoring Macroeconomic Stability while Protecting the Poor and Vulnerable’.
Hon. Bashiru Silikie commended MPs for their contributions to the debate and noted that the Government took over from an austerity Government and blamed the APC squarely for bad governance of the State.
He said when the Government took over power, its priority was on education and highlighted its achievements so far.
On employment, he said, all recruitments were fit especially essential staff.
On electricity supply, he said, the previous Government failed to provide electricity supply for the country and went on to highlight the achievement of electricity supply of the current Government.
On health-related issues, he said the maternal death rate had reduced and went on to give statistical data on the improvement in the health sector.
On rice, the Acting Leader said during the APC era, rice was very difficult to see and even queues were conducted to purchase it, and now he said rice is available in the market.
On the road network, he said many roads and culverts have been constructed and noted that many more will be accomplished.
The Leader commended the Finance Ministry and team for supporting the development of the State and went on to acknowledge the Feed Salone project for the development of the country.
He called on the Finance Minister to take notes of what MPs had contributed to the budget debates and tried to implement them
“This is a new Parliament and I call on all of you to come on board and support the implementation of the budget”. He concluded.
He further called on Parliament to carry out its mandate to oversee the activities of MDAs.