By Amin Kef Sesay
In his address during the State Opening of the Third Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone on the 28th May 2020, President Julius Maada Bio, who is also Commander-In-Chief of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces, spoke on a wide range of issues.
The President stated that his Government has identified tourism as one of the clusters for increasing national revenue and job creation, and for achieving economic diversification highlighting that to compete as a unique and attractive Tourist destination, they have proclaimed new National Heritage Sites, restored existing sites, constructed jetties at riverine natural/cultural sites and declared several natural and cultural assets as protected areas, sites and property.
He said an Ultra-Modern entertainment complex will soon be constructed to showcase the talent of artists.
The President furthered that the recent “finish line” for the Budapest- Bamako-Freetown Rally coupled with increased tourist arrivals is sufficient indication that the perception of Sierra Leone as a tourist destination is changing for the better.
The President stated that said that irrespective of religion, ethnicity and region of origin if we come together with the global community, we shall combat and eliminate the coronavirus global pandemic.
The President commended healthcare service providers and all other frontline service providers who are working under challenging circumstances to ensure and assure the safety of their compatriots.
He said since his last address when he used that occasion to canvass all Sierra Leoneans to come together to move this country to the next level of admiration considerable progress has been made underscoring how they have placed human capital development at the centre of development imperatives.
“Two million children, including girls, now have equal access to Free Quality Education, free teaching and learning materials, expanded healthcare services, school buses, and free school feeding in some areas,” the President intimated adding further that they have commenced preparation for a national dialogue on purposeful education that this country needs for future development and competitiveness in the global market.
He noted how they have strengthened the Sexual Offences Act and introduced tougher penalties for rape and gender-based violence, how they have broadened financial inclusion and social protection for women, vulnerable populations and put more women at the centre of governance, the security forces, and in the justice sector.
President Bio said they have recruited and trained more healthcare workers; built and refurbished more healthcare centres and hospitals; introduced a dedicated means of delivering healthcare service delivery across the country. They are expanding energy access throughout the country, constructing more roads and bridges at far lower costs than before this time, and providing more water treatment and supply facilities in all areas of the country.
He divulged how his Government has launched the medium-term National Development Plan, increased domestic revenue mobilisation, eased tax burdens on businesses, and introduced business-friendly policies and processes as well as reviewing agreements and laws that will maximise benefit from our natural resources.
“Since COVID-19 struck, our Quick Action Economic Recovery Plan has ensured the provision of essential commodities and support for SMEs and vulnerable populations. We have undertaken extensive public sector and governance reforms, including merit-based recruitment of Civil Servants, without regard to tribe, region of origin or religious belief,” he stated.
The President revealed that the Medium-Term National Development Plan for 2019-2023 highlights an integrated commitment to transform the Sierra Leone economy pointing out that it is a commitment to deliver on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals and the 7 Aspirations of the African Union Agenda 2063.
He talked on how they have developed monitoring and evaluation mechanisms that will enhance transparency and accountability saying his Government will strengthen its public performance management and service delivery mechanisms.
President Bio thanked development partners for supporting development financing and service delivery in the country saying as a result of our largely productive partnerships they have been able to record some favourable welfare indices and increased our ranking in the United Nations Human Development Index.
He said the Ministry of Finance continues to implement bold economic policies and public financial management reforms to stabilize the macroeconomic fundamentals, tackle structural impediments, and boost economic activity noting that before COVID-19, economic growth had recovered, and was increasing at an impressive rate.
“Inflation had eased down 4 percentage points to 13.9 percent by the end of December 2019, with a projected return to single digits by 2021. Although exchange rates depreciated slightly due to low levels of exports, there is a decrease in the overall budget deficits, and an increase in Gross international reserves. Government continues to strengthen its fiscal consolidation efforts as domestic revenues continue to increase while expenditures remain within budgetary limits,” he mentioned.
He said tax administration reforms, taxpayer education; monitoring of taxpayer compliance among other reforms account for increased domestic revenues.
According to him the expenditure controls have also helped keep total expenditure within budget stating how the Government has also strengthened fiduciary oversight of State-Owned Enterprises and strengthened the management of fiscal risks.
He said the establishment of the Wages and Compensation Commission is far advanced and the draft Bill has been submitted to Cabinet for approval saying the Commission will address equity in pay and compensation and also harmonise the various pension laws in the Public Service.
President Bio said the Ministry of Finance has strengthened the Internal Audit Function and has laid the 2020 Procurement Regulations before Parliament for ratification maintaining that in the medium-term, Government is working on implementing an electronic procurement system.
He stated that to improve service delivery and enhance process efficiency, NASSIT is replacing its current integrated Biometrics Registration System (BRS) referred to as NAPOS II, with a fully functional Web-Based Integrated Biometric Pension Administration System.
The President said for the third successive year, his Government has increased healthcare budget allocations from 7% in 2018 to 10.5% in 2019 and 11% in 2020 stating how Cabinet has approved $19.8 Million for the construction of a National Diagnostic and Radiotherapy Cancer Treatment Centre with modern facilities.
He said the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, with support from the Boosting Agriculture and Food Security Project, has finalized the development of Cocoa, Coffee and Cashew Policies to support the advancement of the tree crops sector.
“In 2020, Government will support the Ministries of Youth Affairs, Defence, as well as the Correctional Services and the Local Councils to establish institutional farms across the country as part of the drive to boost rice production and productivity in order to achieve rice self-sufficiency in the country,” he stated adding that another major area of intervention in the agricultural sector is the promotion of animal production which will improve nutrition and provide increased incomes for livestock farmers saying Government has renovated the Teko Central Veterinary laboratory and equipped same with modern laboratory facilities for the diagnosis of a majority of the endemic animal diseases prevalent in the country.
He said with the support of the Government of the People’s Republic of China, the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources is also conducting a comprehensive fish stocks assessment in Sierra Leone for three years.
President Bio disclosed that the Petroleum Directorate ran a robust licensing round for Sierra Leone’s open offshore acreage saying the process, which attracted 6 international oil and gas companies, was commended by the international oil and gas industry as open, transparent, and credible.
He noted that two companies (Cluff Energy and Innoson Oil and Gas) were selected and awarded provisional Petroleum licenses, after meeting the technical, financial, and commercial requirements set out for the issuance of exploration license for operating in Sierra Leone’s deep water basin.
He said the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources, in collaboration with the National Minerals Agency, has also reviewed standard procedures for all negotiations and agreements between mineral rights holders and local communities through a model community development agreement.
The President noted that more artisanal licenses have been issued with the impact of increased productivity and employment. In addition to the large-scale mining licenses granted, it is expected that operational mines will provide jobs for over 15,000 Sierra Leoneans by the end of 2020 stating how they are now formulating the Mines and Minerals Development Act 2020).
He said his Government has started implementing the Integrated Resilient Urban Mobility Project, a $50 million project that will provide buses, bus terminals, dedicated bus routes, and significantly improve service quality and travel experience for commuters in Freetown.
The President also stated that the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation) (SLBC) has extended coverage, targeting 10 community radio stations in rural communities, to complement SLBC coverage in some areas including Falaba District.
He further stated that Government is committed to upscaling Sierra Leone’s performance at Doing Business Reforms and has set up a technical committee comprising policy makers and development partners.
He revealed how a Guinean based Company, is targeting to invest over 20 Million USD in establishing a Flour Mill in Sierra Leone with a capacity of 2,500 metric tonnes a day stating how they also have a long-term goal of setting up a factory to manufacture machinery for baking among other issues he talked about.
