By Africa 24

Hon John Sartty Kargbo Esq., a distinguished Member of Parliament representing Constituency 111 in the Western Area Rural District, captivated his audience with a heartfelt and powerful address during the 2025 Budget debate.

His impassioned speech centred on a critically important theme: the urgent need for the government to give priority on the welfare and livelihoods of ordinary Sierra Leoneans at the forefront of its agenda.

With an air of genuine concern, Hon. Kargbo illuminated two pressing issues that demand immediate and focused attention: the pressing need to increase pensioners’ salaries and the importance to provide low-cost housing for the poor to combat the significant housing crisis that is plaguing the nation.

Kargbo talked of the financial hardships endured by countless pensioners, many of whom are struggling to meet even their most basic needs despite having devoted decades of unwavering service to their country.

He passionately contended that the current pension payments are grossly inadequate, plunging retirees into a precarious state of vulnerability and dependency.

With heartfelt sincerity, Kargbo declared that these individuals, who have dedicated their lives to the noble cause of public service, deserve a more dignified and comfortable existence in their twilight years.

He framed the call for increased pensions not merely as a moral obligation but as a profound testament to the government’s genuine commitment to honouring the dignity and well-being of all its citizens.

Shifting his focus to the alarming housing crisis in Sierra Leone, Hon. Kargbo highlighted the plights of families who are desperately seeking safe and affordable homes.

He urged for a strategic and comprehensive approach to remedy the nation’s housing deficits, calling on the government to allocate significant resources towards the construction of low-cost housing homes throughout the country.

Kargbo emphasized that such initiatives would not only give the poor and vulnerable families shelters to sleep they so desperately in need of but would also invigorate the economy by generating much-needed employment opportunities within the construction sector.

Within the broader context of his remarks, Hon. Kargbo elucidated that addressing these critical issues is essential for fostering social equity and alleviating poverty across the nation.

He urged the government to exercise compassion and foresight by ensuring that the 2025 budget is meticulously structured to prioritize initiatives that enhance the quality of life for Sierra Leoneans.

His appeals resonate with a larger vision of achieving sustainable development, where no segment of society is left behind or overlooked.

In a heartfelt conclusion, Hon. Kargbo earnestly implored his fellow lawmakers and policymakers to perceive these proposals not merely as budgetary expenditures but as vital investments in the very fabric of the nation.

He called upon them saying the true measure of a government’s success lies in its unwavering ability to care for its most vulnerable citizens. Kargbo underscored the importance of transforming policy discussions into tangible actions that would uplift lives of retired workers.