Members of Parliament from the opposition side have disclosed to this medium that poverty has become “co-tenant” in Sierra Leone.
The MPs expatiated on the phrase above as they spoke lengthily on how the people are suffering in the country due to inflation, hike of food commodity in the markets and above all currency depreciation among many others.
Making her submissions, the All People’s Congress (APC) female Member of Parliament from Tonkolili District, Hon Mabinty Forna, re-echoed to this medium that ‘poverty has become co-tenant in Sierra Leone’.
The MP says for government to have a successful implementation of the ‘Feed Salone’ it must do a comprehensive assessment of the project policy.
She disclosed that, the situation for Sierra Leoneans continue to be a “death trap” for dwellers in urban places due to lack of food.
She said for the Feed Salone project to become a success, a hard-work and collaboration devoid of bias in the distribution of farming resources and instruments to farmers, is required by the government and partners.
She pointed out that every famer must feel and notice government’s efforts in providing resources equitably irrespective of their political and regional affiliations in the country.
She also reported that Sierra Leone people are undergoing unending sufferings with many of the young-aged engaging in drug (kush) smoking which is affecting their well-being.
The MP appealed to government to prioritize food production, job creation and alleviate poverty and to stop the perpetual sufferings of the masses.
During the debate on the budget, the SLPP Member of Parliament, Hon Jibrila Surmoijueh, has noted that the economic activities of the country would be realized through revenue mobilization.
The MP says the theme of the budget can speak a volume on the development intended to be translated into reality and he referred to the budget as “resuscitation”.
The MP applauded the work of the government and went on to highlight the proposed tax increment on rice and other products in the country.
“This Government is responsible and come next year, the development will be realized,” he said.
He also applauded the work of the President in transforming the socioeconomic development of the country.
Making his submission in the debate, the Parliamentary Oversight Committee Chairman on Finance, Hon Francis Amara Kai-Samba, commended the Ministry of Finance for presenting the budget to Parliament and underscored the importance of the theme of the budget framed toward the realization of socio-economic development of the State.
While referring to the global economic downturn, the Chairman said: “any disturbance of the economic chains around the world would also affect the economic situation of Sierra Leone”.
He said the 2024 budget would address inflation and other external shocks thwarting the country.
On revenue generation, he said, the government will continue to impose taxes and in return will develop other sectors.
He also said the budget presented is pro-poor and it is in the interest of the citizens.
“There are challenges, but there are landmark gains,” he concluded.
Hon Kai-Samba emphasized the need for the support of the Government’s Big Five Changers.
The MP from Kono District, Hon Tamba Simeon Johnny, referred to the budget as “redemption” and went on to applaud the Finance Ministry and team.
He informed the House that Sierra Leone’s economy is better than the other Mano River Union Countries in West Africa.
He decried the previous government on its ‘Agenda for Prosperity’, and went on to state that, the budget for 2024 is an honest [budget].
The MP highlighted the statistical data on the amount of revenue lost by the government for failing to impose a tax on rice.
The MP presented educational achievements of the Free Quality Education by the government and went on to summarize most of the achievements scored so far by President Bio.