By R Conteh

The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) Member of Parliament, Hon Jibrila Surmoijueh has noted that the economic activities of the country would be realized through revenue mobilization.

According to the MP the theme of the budget can speak volumes on development and referred to the budget as resuscitation.

The MP applauded the work of the Government and went on to highlight the analysis of the tax increment on rice and other products.

‘This Government is responsible and come next year, the development will be realized’.

He also applauded the work of the President in transforming the socioeconomic development of the country.

The Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Tuesday, 21 November, 2023 commenced debate on the Appropriation Act, 2024 (Budget) for the development of the State, on the theme: ‘Restoring Macroeconomic Stability while Protecting the Poor and Vulnerable’.

The Bill seeks to provide an authorized expenditure from the consolidated Fund for the services of Sierra Leone for the year 2024 and other related matters.

Making his submission to 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 toward 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 it would also affect the economic situation of Sierra Leone.

He said the 2024 budget would address the rise of inflation and other external shock.

On revenue generation, he said, the Government will continue to impose taxes and in return for 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.

Hon Tamba Simeon Johnny from Kono District referred to the budget as redemption and went 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.

He decried the previous Government on its ‘Agenda for Prosperity’, and went on to state that, the budget for 2024 is honest. 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 of President Bio.

Hon Hindolo M Gevao predicated his submission on taxation levied on certain products in the budget. He said the taxes levied on rice, cement, and iron rods would help the Government to acquire more revenue generation and later develop the economic situation of the nation.

The MP went on to highlight the confidence of International Development partners in supporting the Government on its agenda. The MP said despite economic challenges, the Government would continue to fund and support the capital-intensive project around the country.

He said the budget for 2024 speaks volumes on recruitment and assured of regional balance on employment. He referred to the budget as a people-centered budget and acknowledged the benefits of the Budget when approved.

Hon Joseph Williams-Lamin appreciated the work of the Finance Ministry and urged Sierra Leoneans to be honest in their dealings, relative to development.

‘We are progressing as a nation and we are not moving back’, he stated and went on to highlight the developmental achievements in the area of education, agriculture, and other related sectors.

Hon Fallah Tengbeh said everywhere around the world prices would go up and affect the economic condition of a country.

He urged both the opposition and the ruling government to work together to develop the nation.

The MP pinpointed his debate on the macroeconomic development of the State.

‘This Bill would transform the economic situation of a country like Singapore’, he said, and went further to expand the concept of macroeconomics, relative to the development of the State. On employment, he said, it would be accomplished by the Government.

On the 5% tax on rice, he said it is in the right place, and it would foster revenue generation and boost economic development for the nation.