By Ragan M. Conteh

During the debate on the President’s state opening address, Hon. Hawa Conteh from Koinadugu District on November 5th, 2024 discussed the Feed Salone Project being introduced by government.

Hon. Hawa Conteh agreed with the President’s point in paragraph 24 of his speech, stating that without the capacity to feed our people, “we risk fostering unrest and conflict.”

She emphasized that the peace of a nation like Sierra Leone will always be vulnerable to ‘unrest’ if food security is not adequately addressed.

Also, he argued that the President’s approach to the Feed Salone Project still overlooks a crucial factor: the construction of feeder roads.

In paragraph 29 of the President’s address, it was noted that only 35 kilometers of feeder roads were constructed over a whole year.

She stressed that, within a five-year period,at least 175 kilometers of feeder roads should be constructed to ensure progress.

Without reliable access to rural areas where real farmers operate, the nation will struggle to produce sufficient food.

She pointed out that real farmers, not political farmers, are the ones in these hard-to-reach areas. In Koinadugu District, there are thousands of dedicated farmers in places like Kasonbgo, Dian,Wara Wara Bafodia, Sengbeh, and Yifin, where even motorbikes often struggle to pass, she said. Without feeder roads to these places, large-scale farming will lead to lack of motivation by people.

The SLPP MP from Kono District, Hon. Tom Tucker said most of the promises made by the President are far from the reality and but praised the previous government for developing the Kono District.

He urged for the private sector’s support to improve the country’s economic situation.

He called on the government to cut down the traveling expenses.

He also called for due attention to communication, especially on regarding improving mobile networks nationwide.

He called on MPs to take the debate with a nationalistic lens only.