By Abubakarr Bah
The Presidential Candidate of the main opposition Sierra Leone People's Party says if elected he will provide housing and free education for serving police officers and military personnel and their families.
Retired Brigadier Julius Maada Bio made this statement at the launch of his New Direction Manifesto at the SLPP Headquarters in Freetown over the weekend.
He described the security forces as one of the significant assets of the country that needed serious attention. “I will improve the conditions of the police and army; provide housing and free education for serving officers that want to acquire higher education” he said.
Bio said the SLPP considered education as a right and not a privilege, promising to revert to the 6-3-3-4 system of education and provide free education for all from Pre-School to secondary level as well as for all female students pursuing science courses in tertiary institutions and Universities.
The SLPP candidate said that “development is about people and by the people”, noting that his new direction believes in investing in children, women, youth and the disadvantaged.
In the University, the SLPP Presidential Candidate said he would separate the office of the President of the country from that of the Chancellor and make the University an autonomous body for effective learning. At present the president of Sierra Leone is Chancellor of the Universoty of Sierra Leone and Njala University.
On the Economy, Bio said he would create job opportunities and enhance household income. This he said would be achieved through improved macro-economic performance and reduced budget deficit.
The 66-page New Direction Manifesto also promises to develop the agriculture, marine and tourism sectors, expand the Free Health Care to cater for people up to 18 years including the aged and physically challenged through a special scheme, and also promises improvements in the Energy, Transport and Communication sectors as well as in Human Rights and the Rule of Law. It also promises a repeal of the criminal and seditious libel laws, among others.
