By Shadrach Aziz Kamara
Parliamentarians from both the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) engaged in a heated yet insightful debate following President Julius Maada Bio’s recent address to Parliament, which highlighted his government’s achievements and priorities across key sectors including security, education, energy, and infrastructure.
Taking the floor, Hon. Alex Rogers, a second-term SLPP Member of Parliament representing Pujehun District and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Defense, emphasized the government’s commitment to safeguarding national security through the rule of law and constitutional governance.
Quoting Section 165 of the 1991 Constitution, Hon. Rogers highlighted the statutory responsibilities of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), stressing that under President Bio’s leadership, the military has undergone a remarkable transformation. He noted the establishment of the Tri-Service Structure comprising the Army, Navy, and Air Force as a historic first in the nation’s defense architecture.
Hon. Rogers also drew attention to the Defense Establishment Services (DES), an initiative promoting military-led investments through ten functional companies aimed at boosting national productivity and self-reliance. He mentioned the production of military uniforms and goods locally as part of a broader push to industrialize the sector.
He further commended the Office of National Security (ONS) for the launch of the National Security Strategy Paper a milestone achieved by very few African nations and the creation of an autonomous Early Warning and Rapid Response Mechanism, which now operates directly under the Office of the President.
“Between 2024 and 2025, our national security architecture has been consolidated through decisive leadership and coordinated action,” he stated, praising the Chief of Defence Staff and the professionalization efforts within the armed forces.
In response, Hon. Daniel Amadu Bangura, a first-term APC Member of Parliament from Tonkolili District, challenged the government’s claims of progress, particularly in education and public service delivery.
Citing the 2018 presidential promise of Free Quality Education (FQE), Hon. Bangura said that while the policy was well-intentioned, its implementation has been uneven. He noted discrepancies between the government’s report of constructing over 1,500 classrooms and the reality on the ground, where several communities remain underserved.
He also questioned the expansion of the school feeding program, the lack of adequate laboratories, and the continuing struggles of rural schools to access essential learning materials.
Hon. Bangura further raised concerns over maternal health and road access, citing the case of a 52-kilometer stretch in his constituency where poor road conditions have caused fatalities among expectant mothers. He also lamented the loss of clean water sources due to environmental degradation, calling for a non-partisan response to issues of climate change and sustainable development.
“This is not about party politics,” he appealed. “If we fail to act now, future generations will question our silence.”
Adding to the debate, Hon. Fallah Tembeh, a second-term SLPP Member of Parliament from Kailahun District, described President Bio’s address as a “blueprint of transformation”, reflecting the administration’s gains in energy, agriculture, and economic stability.
He highlighted the government’s Mission 300 Energy Compact, which aims to triple electricity generation capacity from 130 megawatts in 2018 to 270 megawatts by 2025. He attributed this progress to effective policy reforms and investments supported by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact.
“No nation can prosper in darkness,” he said. “Today, Sierra Leone is on the path to reliable and sustainable electricity that will reach even the most remote communities.”
Hon. Tembeh also pointed to a 20% drop in rice prices and the operation of three rice mills, which he said saved the government over $15 million in foreign exchange. He further cited improved revenue performance, reduced inflation, and growing investor confidence as evidence of sound economic management.
Meanwhile, Hon. Mohamed Alpha Jalloh, a first-term APC MP from Falaba District, expressed frustration over what he termed the government’s neglect of northern districts, particularly Falaba and Koinadugu.
He lamented the deplorable state of the Makeni–Kabbalah–Falaba road, describing it as a death trap that isolates his people and hampers economic activity. “It pains me to see women, children, and traders stranded for hours because of bad roads,” he said emotionally.
Hon. Jalloh also revisited the President’s 2018 pledge to restore pipe-borne water in all district headquarter towns, saying that the promise remains unfulfilled in his district. He called on the government to revive the Musaya Livestock Project in Falaba, once a major hub for cattle production, arguing that it aligns with the President’s new $105 million livestock development plan.
He concluded by demanding transparency from the Ministry of Finance regarding unspent budget allocations, questioning whether funds not disbursed to ministries and schools at the end of each fiscal year are lawfully rolled over or lost.
“We need clear and correct answers,” he insisted. “The people of this country deserve accountability.”
The debate underscored the vibrancy of Sierra Leone’s democracy as MPs from both sides of the aisle engaged on critical national issues ranging from defense and education to economic management and infrastructure. While SLPP lawmakers defended the government’s record as evidence of progress and reform, APC MPs pressed for equity, transparency, and improved service delivery, signaling that the path to transformation remains a shared but contested journey.
