By Foday Moriba Conteh
A Technical and Economic Cooperation Grant Agreement, estimated at $55 Million between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Government of the People’s Republic of China for the advancement and development of Sierra Leone was debated and approved by Parliament on the 7th July 2021.
Presenting the agreement for ratification, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Hon. Emma Kowa-Jalloh, said the agreement is divided into two halves involving two separate grants for the construction of a fishing harbour.
Speaking on the importance of the agreement, the Minister said that the fishing sector is generating much needed revenue for Government and added that the country is endowed with enough marine resources.
She went on to say that the project would curtail smuggling of the country’s Marine Resources and would contribute to the economy through job creation. Submitting on inter-ministerial coordination and collaboration in light of the agreement, she said aquaculture and fish farming would improve by attracting better international and local markets to our fishing resources.
The Chairperson of the Committee on Fisheries and Marine Resources, Hon. Neneh Lebbie said that the agreement is good and commended President Bio for his proactive moves geared towards enhancing and strengthening the fishing sector.
She lauded the efforts of the Ministry in terms of revenue generation and thanked the Chinese for the grant.
“We know that this country needs this kind of investment,” she posited and alluded to Hon. Dr. Kandeh Yumkella’s call that we need to improve on our fishing market to meet the standards of the European Union (EU) market.
She advised the Minister to do proper monitoring and evaluation in due course to ameliorate the sufferings of the youth through job creation.
The Leader of NGC, Hon Dr. Kandeh Yumkella thanked Government including President Bio and China for such an initiative aimed at improving our fishing industry to meet international standards. With this new development, he said, he is hopeful that the fishing sector would generate more revenue than the minerals sector in the country. Welcoming the new development to the fishing sector, he suggested that they would provide an alternative site in view of the land disagreement surrounding Black Johnson.
The Hon. Paramount Chief, Bai Kurr Kanagbaro Sanka III of Tonkolili District appealed to all and sundry to support the project relating to the construction of a fishing harbour. However, he raised concerns on the nature of the project and the acquisition of land in respect of the project.
Hon. Dickson Rogers, Chief Whip of Parliament thanked the Minister for creating a new dimension in the fishery industry. He commended President Bio for the new direction and went on to explain the challenges surrounding fishing sector, especially for standardization and acceptance in the EU market. He advised the Minister to ensure that proper packaging is done to attract the EU market.
The Leader of C4C, Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina acknowledged that the agreement is in line with the Government’s medium term development plan. However, he said he was saddened by the inadequate revenue mobilization from that sector due to unregulated and illegal fishing. He commended the Chinese for the grant and went on to say the country has always encountered challenges of packaging for the EU Market. Speaking on Government’s contributions to the project, he called on the Minister to apply the local content policy to its fullest.
Hon. Lahai Marah of APC said the grants would improve on the state of employment in the country and also the Gross Domestic Products (GDP). He said as opposition, they are ready to support what is good for the country and went on to say that, the agreement has attracted controversial public concerns. Calling for a detailed document, he said however that a “scanty document” was given to them whilst pointing out some discrepancies.
Hon. Alpha Amadu Bah said a good compatriot would not speak against the agreement considering its derivative benefits to the country. He also spoke on the need to address sensitive and controversial issues arising from the project in light of the proposed location. “This can be a time bomb”, he said if it is not addressed before the implementation of the project.
Wrapping up, the Opposition Whip, Hon. Hassan Sesay assured of their support in light of the development of Sierra Leone and recalled the origin of the agreement. He said the project is demand driven, and noted that the lack of such facility has seriously affected the country to attract the international market. He also asked the Minister to do due diligence in respect of biodiversity and environmental impact assessment regarding the viability and sustainability of the project. Speaking on the benefits of the project, he called on the Minister to come up with a comprehensive agreement that has stakeholders’ inputs in view of consultations.
Concluding, the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma explained the nature of the agreement in light of a grant and clarified some claims made by some opposition MPs. He also said that the grant is well placed by following due diligence. Referencing the presidential address on the construction of a fishing harbour for an estimated cost of $55 Million, he spoke on the necessity of public health disclosure for environmental health and impact assessment in respect of the project.
