By Ragan M. Conteh

Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara from Port Loko District has spoken on the Big 5 Game Changer, noting that technology and infrastructural development and revamping the public service are prudent.

While reflecting on the president’s speech, the MP related it to building public confidence and improving the well-being of the people. He noted that research and development are critical to innovation and improved technology. He recommended to the government to work with a system that would improve various sectors. He warned the government against fake promises and advised them to implement the railway project. Discipline, he said, is prudent and urged the president to maintain the same. He also spoke about the lethargy of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Hon. Hindolo M. Gevao from Kailahun District spoke about patriotism with specific reference to President Bio’s speech in light of several enactments of progressive legislature in tandem with access to justice. He reiterated that youth and women representation are reflected in the judiciary. He said that President Bio acknowledged the proportional representation. He also spoke about President Bio’s contribution to the international arena.

Hon. Aminata Sesay from Port Loko while reflecting on the former president’s action on drugs, she denounced the current government’s war on drug. She urged the government to improve on the health sector. The MP emphatically expressed her passion for health, adding that some of the infrastructures are good, but the equipment and other instruments are not enough with specific reference to the Auditor General’s Report on blood banks, ambulance and oxygen. She narrated a sad story about a patient who died as a result of lack of oxygen. She informed the House about the vulnerability of youths that are employed by certain private companies.

Hon. Emelia Lolloh Tongi from Kailahun District thanked President Bio for his tremendous developments that are unparalleled to other previous leaders, citing women’s representation in governance, the new railway project, and reduction of maternal deaths, economic growth, and support to girls. She encouraged MPs to emulate her effort to promote healthcare for women and children. The MP heaped praises on President Bio for the construction of Kailahun/Koindu Road and decried commercial drivers for extortion. She exonerated the government from rampant drug addiction, including ‘kush,’ and called for collective efforts.

Hon. Ibrahim A. Bangura from Port Loko predicated his debate on transport, water, sanitation, and sports. He commended the President for Air Sierra Leone and called on the government to provide a new ferry to navigate between Lungi and Freetown. The MP said the water project that was launched in Lungi has not been fruitful and called on the government to provide football pitch and fix their deplorable roads.

Hon. Abdul Sulaiman Marray-Conteh from Western Area Urban described the speech as a simple reality that could be used to transform the country relative to compassion and integrity on positive representatives. Meanwhile, he blamed the public service for its lethargy on service delivery. Civic engagement and public education, he said, should be used as a channel by Parliament to reach the people. The MP demonstrated his efforts on the fight against ‘kush’ and asked for collective effort. He urged for social protection and the application of the Mines and Mineral Development Act to achieve development. He underscored the significance of proportional representation and urged colleague MPs to engage in meaningful dialogue.

Hon. Tamba Kellie from Kono District thanked the president for what he described as subdued speech. He also commended the Rt. Hon. Speaker for his leadership role. He also dilated on power sharing.

Hon. Quinton Salia Konneh from Kailahun District called on Parliamentarians to be objective in their debate. He said the government has reduced the import rate of rice from 90% to 30%, noting that local production of Indonesia had been competing with global production. He continued that the Bio led government had made tremendous strides in the improvement of feeder roads to enhance the smooth travelling of agricultural products. He said the government had constructed over 1,500 classrooms under the Free Quality Education, furthering that local communities had benefited from solar electricity. He added that the SLPP had also improved on urban transportation and the provincial areas.

He made specific references to the “Waka Fine Buses.” He concluded by saying that the proportional representation, especially at the executive level is not meant to impose one party state but rather to promote inclusive governance.