By Nasratu Kargbo
Whilst debating the Bill entitled the Appropriation Act 2024, All People’s Congress Member of Parliament- Western Area, Osman A. Timbo has said that the budget is not enough to undertake development projects and run the affairs of the state.
The MP said this shows the poor state of the country noting that the total amount of money allocated for running the state in 2024 is NLe 2.4 billion, which when converted to the US dollar is $1 Billion.
He questioned “If Sierra Leone is to develop, is this amount enough for this nation to move to the next level?”He said the amount is not even enough to pay salaries not to talk of undertaking development projects.
In the area of taxes, Timbo said that no nation can tax its way out of poverty, and for any country that has the government as the largest employer is bound not to succeed, saying that such is the case for Sierra Leone.
Referring to paragraph 98 of the budget which speaks about tax, Timbo explained that domestic revenue is projected to increase to NLe14.9 billion from taxes.
He compared Sierra Leone to Singapore and stated that the country succeeded by embarking on globalization and lowering of taxes. He said the country even with almost no natural resources has become one of the most developed nations in the world. He said Singapore receives more than ten million tourists yearly, noting that at the time of independence, two thirds of the country’s population lived in slums, but said today it is the envy of South East Asia.
He spoke of Sierra Leone’s air fare being expensive as compared to the neighboring countries. He said countries like South Africa and Rwanda are visa free countries, and Sierra Leone should copy same.
Speaking on agriculture, Timbo heaped praises on the ‘Feed Salone’ initiative, but noted that if the country imports fried plantain, then it would be difficult.
He said since the war ended in 2001, the country has been going round in circles, stating that the country has been climbing down the ladder in the development index. “Twenty-two years after the war, we are still in the same place”,he stated.
He challenged all young people in higher places to work together and ensure the country improves in the different sectors.
‘’We cannot blame our parents any more for the decadence of this nation, it is now our responsibility”, he stressed and therefore called on all young persons in different spheres to ensure they do their bit for the growth of the nation.
Timbo expressed appreciation to President Julius Maada Bio for giving the highest Ministerial position (Chief Minister) to a young man and also mentioned how the two main parties have also young people representing them at different levels of the political front.
The Appropriation Act 2024 authorizes expenditure from the Consolidated Fund for service delivery for the year 2024 and related matters.
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