By Nasratu Kargbo
Members of Parliament have urged the new Minister of Transport and Aviation, Rtd. Col. Fanday Turay to work towards introducing railway transportation in a bid to reduce travelling constraints in the country and complement the government’s efforts in agriculture.
The MPs made this call on the 8th of August 2023 during a debate on approval of the fourth group of presidential nominees. The Deputy Leader of Government Business II Emerson Saa Lamina said with the introduction of that mode of transportation, it will immensely complement President Julius Maada Bio’s flagship programme.
Addressing Turay, Lamina highlighted the relevance of a railway, saying “With the railway, you can complement President Julius Maada Bio’s pillar one, Agriculture “feed the people”.
In addition, he explained that with the speed of the railway, he can travel from his home town in Kono to Freetown in thirty-five minutes, noting that covering the same distance via vehicle will take four hours.
The MP cited other countries such as Nigeria that have passed a railway policy, stating that theirs started running last year. He compared Sierra Leone to other nations in terms of difficulties in accessing transportation, noting that he wished to see the same in Sierra Leone.
“You are inheriting and taking over a challenging ministry but I believe you can perform. Boost our transport sector whether inland, sea or in the air”. He added that he believes the retired soldier will bring discipline to the sector. He stated that the minister should use his negotiation skills to negotiate taxes, explaining that some Sierra Leoneans travel to Guinea and buy tickets there to travel due to low cost.
Lamina urged the minister to take charge of the transport sector, stating that he wants to see the government dominate and make the sector a booming one as compared to the private sector. He explained that due to the powers the private sector possesses, they tend to bluff at any time and decide to strike when they want to.
Hon Simon Tamba Johnny said, “Do everything humanly possible to get a train in Sierra Leone”.
The MP said that he is from an agrarian society, explaining that they plant plantain, banana, and coffee amongst others, stressing that all of those food items are perishing in their village. “I believe even if you can bring a locomotive train, we can manage it”.
He said the country used to have train services, but that due to the bad economic policies, the train was abandoned because of lack of profit.
The MP said he is aware of the Urban Resilience Mobility Programme, which is set to bring fifty buses for the Sierra Leoneans. He called on the minister to ensure that those in the provinces benefit from the programme, stating that Freetown is not Sierra Leone.
In addition, he asked that drivers stick with the official transportation price list by the government. The MP said many drivers increase transport fares which drastically affects the citizens.
Other Nominees that were approved are Francess Piagie Alghali as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, and Aviation, Ambassador Dr. Michael Imran Kanu approved as Permanent Representative to the United Nations, and the Minister of Youth Affairs Mohamed Oman Bangura.
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