By Nasratu Kargbo
The only Member of Parliament for the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) Mohamed Bangura (defying his party’s boycott order) has urged the new Minster of Trade and Industry, Alpha Sesay to address the hike in prices of goods in the market.
Speaking during debates regarding the first group of ministerial nominees, the MP took the opportunity to address the issue of escalating cost of commodities saying “the people of this country are facing poverty”.
He said as parliamentarians they have done their best by facilitating the passage of good laws“. We amended the Finance Act, we reduced taxes, but yet still a bag of rice is sold over seven hundred thousand Leones”.
Bangura said even though some of the challenges are due to the war in Ukraine-Russia, yet he called on the minister to face the challenges head-on.
The MP said that Sierra Leoneans have voted in President Julius Maada Bio, and therefore the government should ensure citizen’s lives are improved.
Bangura emphasized that at the moment they should think of developing the country and forget about party politics, noting that when people go out to shop, the prices remain the same regardless of the consumer’s party affiliation. The MP noted that this time it should not be business as usual.
Addressing the Minister of Energy designate Alhaji Kanja Sesay, the MP expressed concern over the high electricity tariffs. He applauded Sesay for the work he has done during his last five years as minister of energy.
Bangura said the country is deeply divided especially during the election and called for national unity and peace.
Amongst the thirteen approved ministers, three are women- the Minister of Water Resources, Sao-Kpato Hannah Max-Kyne, Minister of Social Welfare, Melrose Karminty and the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Princess Dugba.
Amongst the big names approved in the first group were Minister of Energy Alhaji Kanja Sesay, Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Kabba, Minister of Finance Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, and Minister of Health Austin Demby.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (28/07/23)
