By Ragan M. Conteh

The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) MP from Moyamba District, who serves as the President of the female caucus Parliament of West Africa Parliament, Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay, has surged opposition MPs to give the budget with the respect it so deserves.

She said the budget is on the right trajectory, noting that it is unfortunate to be coming from a Member of Parliament to have referred to the budget as a Kush budget.

“The budget is not a Kush budget, as alluded to by a Member of Parliament from Bombali District,” said Hon Veronica.

She referred to the budget as a “National Cake” adding that the budget would be shared equally in regions of the country and she acknowledged the new appointment by government of Prof. Joe A.D Alie, as opposed by the opposition.

She concluded by commending the President for the achievements on road network and in other developmental sectors and also for empowering women in politics.

Hon Brima Mansary from Kenema debunked the previous debater statement to have said there is no development in Tonkolili by the government.

He said the budget spoke volumes on developments and noted that there would be economic prudence in developing the State.

On agricultural activities he said, financial support and machinery should be provided to meet the need for the implementation of the Feed ‘Salone’ initiative by the government.

In his submission, Hon Ibrahim Barrie from Bombali District, highlighted the importance of the National Budget and the role of the opposition in checkmating the ruling Government.

On Kush-related drug matters, he raised the concern over the little amount of budgetary allocation to National Drug Law Agencies meant to tackle the effects of Kush.

“Our young people are vulnerable”, he said, adding a Kush rehab centre is to be established with money given for the provinces of Kush rehabilitation center in tandem with budgetary allocations for Kush victims in the provinces.

He pleaded with the Government to rehabilitate the road linking the regional Makeni Government Hospital.

“Let there be equity in the development of the State resources and let us approach development with one mind”, he affirmed.

The MP called on the Government to reduce the creation of new MDAs and other appointments.