By Prince J Musa in Kenema
As part of his official tour of Sierra Leone, United States Ambassador, Bryan David Hunt has assured Stakeholders in Kenema of his unwavering support for President Julius Maada Bio’s “Feed Salone” project.
In his address at the District Council Hall on the 20th November, 2023 Ambassador Hunt referred to the Eastern region as a critical part of Sierra Leone considering its economic viability in terms of Agriculture and Mineral Resources.
He said that part of Sierra Leone is key for the economic development of the country.
He spoke about the significance of democracy in the country and recalled how the government and the opposition were able to resolve the political impasse that led to the opposition going to Parliament and Councils.
He assured of the U.S. Embassy’s commitment to consolidate the peace of the country through dialogue and would expect all Sierra Leoneans to work together with transparency to help develop the country. He commended President Bio for what he said was his ambition to get the country to become a bread basket in the next five years and improve energy.
Ambassador Hunt affirmed the Embassy’s commitment to all projects related to agriculture which is the government’s flagship initiative and urged Sierra Leoneans to work in line with the President’s development trajectory so that the country will once again export rice as it used to be many years ago.
He noted that democracy is key for national development and unity, and called on all Sierra Leoneans to see reasons to restructure their democracy by talking to one another and settling internal problems.
Resident Minister East, Jusu Gbessay Jaka Ngobeh thanked the Ambassador for the visit which he said was the first by a US envoy that he was hosting.
The minister praised the Ambassador for helping to bridge the political divide that existed between the government and the opposition All Peoples Congress (APC).
He assured the Ambassador that the government would do all it could to ensure all recommendations agreed upon in the dialogue were implemented.
“I am convinced that your presence in Sierra Leone will help to mitigate some of the challenges in our country,’’ he said. He encouraged the people to be united.
The Provincial Security Coordinator East, Office of National Security (ONS) Mustapha Bornie told the gathering that the region is one of the most peaceful and that the election was violence-free as no major incidence was recorded which paved the way for more women participation in the governance system.
He assured that they will continue to do their best to ensure that the region remains quiet and violence-free. He requested that the Ambassador assist in facilitating more training for the security sector to enhance professional standards.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (22/11/23)
