Parliament Debates Presidential Speech

The Parliament of Sierra Leone has commenced debates on the speech of His Excellency the President he so graciously delivered on Thursday 7th August 2025.
Commencing the debate, The Acting Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie highlighted the significance of the speech delivered by President Bio. He said, Members of Parliament should look at the speech in good fate and be objective in holding the government accountable. ’In this chamber, we don’t’ speak as SLPP or APC, but we speak as Members of Parliament representing the people of Sierra Leone’’ and went on to say “Our business is not only to criticize but to also provide solutions for the people of Sierra Leone”. He urged colleague MPs to be sincere and nationalistic. He added that education should be the bedrock for the development of the nation. On health, electricity, economy, employment and other sectors, he said the current government has done more than any government in the history of Sierra Leone.
On his part, Hon. Aruna P. Lakkoh, representing Tonkolili District, refuted some claims earlier made by the mover of the motion with respect to the construction of Makeni Kabala Road. He said, the issue of drug abuse is worrisome, and it’s highly affecting young people across the country. ‘’ Young people are now highly involved in drug taking, and parents are unable to control some of these challenges” he stated. The MP encouraged the government to find amicable ways of addressing the above-mentioned concerns. He mentioned that some of the car-wash facilities built by the government are being used by young people as drug caters.
In his contrubtuition to the motion, Hon. Alex Rogers, representing Pujehun District, underscored the relevance of the speech delivered by the President, with specific reference to national security. He emphasised that the national security of the country should be the utmost concern and that the government has been committed to the safety of Sierra Leoneans. He said the military has a responsibility to guide and secure the country and also to ensure the protection of the territorial integrity of the State. Hon. Rogers mentioned that for the first time in the history of Sierra Leone, the military is tirelessly working on producing its own military uniforms. He informed the House that the government has nearly come to the conclusion of resolving the Yenga disputes.
In his submission, Hon. Daniel Fornah representing Tonkolili District underlined the need for the growth and development of Sierra Leone. He questioned the promise made by the President in providing classrooms across various chiefdoms in the country. He stated that health facilities are a major challenge in Tonkolili District and that pregnant women are faced with serious problems during childbearing due to inadequate health facilities in communities. He requested more government support in those communities, in order to save lives across the country.
Hon. Falla Tengbeh, from Kailahun District, described President Bio speech as one of the best speeches ever delivered in the history of Sierra Leone. ’’The President spoke entirely about deliveries ranging from electricity, health etc.’’. He said education is no longer a privilege as most Sierra Leoneans now have access to quality education across the country. According to him, diplomacy is the only way in resolving the Yenga disputes. Hon. Tengbeh said electricity has increased to about 270 megawatts under President Bio’s dispensation. He highlighted the drastic growth in the economy, referencing single-digit inflation in the country.
Hon. Mohamed Alpha Jalloh, representing Falaba District, expressed disappointment regarding the Government of President Bio. He denounced the current government inability to connect Falaba District to Kabala District, adding that the government has failed to construct the roads and bridges connecting the above-mentioned communities.’’Since 2018 all promises made by the President, including the provision of pipe-born water to district headquarters, are not visible’’ he said.
Hon. Musa Lahai, representing Kailahun District, centered his submission on agriculture, water and Proportional Representation. He said the government has drastically reduced the cost of rice nationwide. Speaking on security, he said no nation will make progress without peace. He emphasized the importance of security and that the government should continue prioritizing it. ‘’This government has contributed greatly to providing water at IMATT, Hillstation, Gluscster and many other areas across the country,’’ he said. Referencing section 46 submission 1 of the 1991 Constitution, he said, the issue of 10/10 years is for individuals and not for political parties in governance. He ended by asking all to prefer proportional representation as the suitable system for election.
Hon. Mariama Bangura, representing West Urban District, described the Feed Salon project as not a favour but a duty by the government as stated in the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone. She urged the government to double its steps in curtailing drug addiction nationwide. ’’The PR is a defacto one-party system, and we will resist attempts to a one-party form of government in the country,’’ she ended.
Hon. Mohamed Alpha Jabbie from Falaba District, countered claims made by the opposition bench. He said, the school feeding initiative is laudable and that it’s still ongoing nationwide. ‘’Only marginalized communities are benefiting from school feeding initiatives currently,’’ he said. The MP categorically stated that, with education, a nation is hopeful for progress and development. ’’The education before 2018 was considered rubbish and not important’’, he said.
Hon. Mahmoud Kamara,representing Western Urban, in his submission to debate underscored the need for government to rise above party lines and look at the concerns of the the people regarding Proportional Representation. He said,the State of Emergency declared by the President has no impact as drugs addiction has greatly increase across the country. He encouraged the law enforcement department to target those producing or importing drugs into the country. The MP encouraged the government to prioritize the Feed Salone initiative for the people of Sierra Leone. “Access to quality health care is not a privilege but a duty for all Sierra Leoneans to benefit”he said.He called on government to do another overhead bridge around Juba to ease to movement of people.
Hon. Musa Fofana, representing Kono District, highlighted the progress made by the current government, relative to making making life easier through the provision of basic needs for the people. The MP made reference to the government’s Midterm National development for Sierra Leone,which according to him has drastically help different areas in the country. He emphatically revealed that much progressive work have been done at the water sector. “After 50 years,no government has done this in the water sector than the SLPP government under the leadership of President Bio”he said.