By Foday Moriba Conteh
President Julius Maada Bio has on the 10th May 2022 opened the Fifth Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone.
The ceremony attracted several state personalities, diplomats, and a series of activities including the guard-of- honour, presidential address and a speaker’s cocktail climaxed the occasion.
After prorogation of the fourth session of Parliament on Monday 9th May 2022 and announcing the commencement of the fifth session of Parliament through a presidential proclamation, that was read by the Clerk of Parliament, Hon. Paran Umar Tarawally on behalf of President Bio as required by law.
In his statement, President Bio recalled his First State Opening, amidst the several assurances on fulfilling his campaign promises and went to speak about challenges including the COVID-19 outbreak with global effects.
President Bio highlighted barrage of development strides including education, poverty alleviation, revenue mobilization, peace, and national cohesion.
He commended the effort of development partners in many aspects, in light of their support to the development aspirations of the country including human capital development as well as economic growth and policy implementation.
He spoke about Government’s interventions aimed at maintaining the prices of commodities amidst the global pandemic, agricultural development, infrastructure, electricity expansion, and microfinance for small business enterprises, farmers, and other poor households.
President Bio said irrespective of the effects of the global pandemic, Sierra Leone’s economy is growing at 5%, and went on to about efforts aimed at ensuring financial instability in the country.
He informed that, within the revenue mobilization sector, reforms are taking place that would enhance the process of generation.
He described education as a propelling propensity that would empower human capital development and build the bedrock of the State. Referring to the free quality education, President Bio spoke about an increase in enrollment, excellent reforms as well as female pupils accessibility to learning institutions. “Hands of Our Girls”, he stated, is an exemplary project that dares to protect and empower female pupils, adding that, there is direct aid geared towards the construction of advanced vocational institutions amidst the already newly established universities in Sierra Leone.
The President emphasized the need for middle-level manpower education to fit into industries and better service delivery.
President Bio extended appreciation to Parliament for the passage of legislations especially those that are related to education.
Whilst speaking on improvements in health, President Bio spoke about the advancement and excellent rollout of the country’s universities and rapid improvement in health and sanitation for compatriots and health workers as well.
He commended the private sector and donor partners for their support to the health sector as well as citizens’ compliance with medical measures.
For Food Security, President Bio spoke about the gains made so far to enhance a sustainable system in food diversification with support from partners to revamp agriculture and fisheries, with nationwide mechanization and other advanced technology in a coordination and collaboration with partners, ministries and other stakeholders.
President Bio reassured all and sundry on land acquisition and investment for the State adding that urban planning with strong policies and strong legislations are parts of the process. He added that environmental protection should be a collective responsibility to address climate change and to protect lives.
For infrastructure, he outlined several road projects, including a four- lane from Freetown to Masiaka, Bandajuma to Liberia amongst others, adding that his Government had completed more bridges in four years than any Government before now. He went on to name several infrastructural projects including military barracks and plans to terminate ferry crossings with bridges including the Yenga border to Guinea.
He also spoke about the ultramodern airport at Lungi that is under construction and would be laced with improved security.
Referencing maritime, President Bio highlighted several modern developments in that sector, especially in port and harbour management.
Speaking on electricity and energy, President Bio said his Government had redoubled accessibility and expansion of electricity to the people as well as many rural communities. He said for the urban areas, megawatts had increased and more customers have registered to use power service, and expressed disappointments over cable theft and vandalization of transformers.
Safe drinking water, he said, is central to human capital development and his Government has made efforts consequent on a larger percentage of his people now having access to drinking water, amidst the vandalization of assets by bad people. He named several communities that are now enjoying water facilities. He spoke about regulations and good policies geared towards due diligence and proper management of the water sector.
President Bio said for fuel and petroleum consumption, the country was affected by a lack of storage facilities, but assured that such problems are being addressed and other related matters as well.
President Bio spoke about the construction of a diplomatic academy in foreign service and also informed that more public buildings are being constructed to stop rental of offices to save and prevent the Government from spending huge money. According to him, the reconstruction of military barracks, border posts, fire stations, and other public entities are ongoing.
For information and communication technology, President Bio said fiber optic phase two is being expanded to many towns and communities, and voucher money transactions are now being practiced by compatriots and related development across borders. Community radio proliferations and mobile coverage to many parts of the country. President informed and emphasized the ease of communications through mobile phones and cyber laws as well as data protection.
He said the process of national civil registration and multipurpose identity cards to enhance data, security, and other relevant matters are being processed.
He said his Government has developed road safety measures that had reduced road accidents and improved many service deliveries in that sector. Urban transport facilities he said are being improved by his government.
Mining, President Bio said, is now contributing to economic growth, and more communities are benefiting, and added that his Government had developed a geophysical survey with data to enhance that sector.
Tourism and culture are now being marketed internationally and this President Bio said would attract tourists.
President Bio said through social protection, many people received cash, and other developmental amenities including road construction and water provisions are now available in rural communities.
He assured all and sundry to promote an inclusive society for all as well as gender balance. He informed that his government had passed a bill intended to address the trafficking of persons, and illegal migration and commended Parliament for passing the law in light of same.
President Bio said gender equality and women’s empowerment are relevant to the development aspirations of the country.
Many carwash centers for youths he said have been built and are creating additional jobs for the people.
The revamp in sporting activities, President Bio said has created more jobs and attractions, citing the country participated in the last African Nations Cup won by Senegal in Cameroon.
On Justice Sector, President Bio informed that access to justice has been improved.
He said human rights issues are being addressed and informed that his government abolished the Death Penalty and repealed Part V of the 1965 Public Order Act and spoke about reforms in the MDAs including human capacity building for staff.
Fighting against corruption he said is a step in the right direction and had helped the country to gain recognition at the international level. The country he said had improved in bilateral relationships and said that his traveling abroad was predicated on projecting a good image of the country. He emphasized that Sierra Leone has regained more global promotion and strategic positioning aimed at improving the image of the country.
He reaffirmed that collaborative efforts were required to gain more development. “I will be commissioning the Magbele Bridge and everybody is invited”, he stated. He ended his speech with a patriotic statement for unity and national cohesion.
