Following this development, Members of Parliament debated and unanimously ratified three financing agreements, including agribusiness, social safety net and finance cooperation, costing millions of dollars.
Parliament on Tuesday 26th November 2019, ratified a protocol signed between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the African Development Fund (ADF) for the Sierra Leone Agri-business and Rice Value Chain Support Project (SLARIS) Dated 20th August 2019; Financing Agreement (Second additional financing for Sierra Leone Social Safety Net Project) between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the International Development Association (IDA) dated 12th September 2019 and amendment to the amended and restated financing agreement (Sierra Leone; Social Safety Net Project-Grant NOS.H9250-SL and D0920-SL) dated 12th eptember, 2019 and; ratification of Sierra Leone’s membership of the Africa Finance Cooperation.
SLPP MP Hon. Francis Amara Kaisamba, said that the agreements are not controversial, in view of the potential to improve rice production aimed at reducing government spending on the importation of rice to the country.
APC MP Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara recalled several agreements that had been ratified by Parliament, and called on institutions to implement these agreements for the benefit of the country. Speaking about social safety net, he called on government not to politicize the distribution of cash to the beneficiaries.
C4C MP Hon. Sahr Charles, said that the agreements would address the issue of hunger in the country, and also called on the authorities to implement the social safety net devoid of partisan considerations.
SLPP MP Hon. Osman A. Charles, said the agreements are in line with the government’s 2020 National Budget, which is aimed at creating job opportunities for thousands of youths in the country.
SLPP MP Hon. Moses A. Edwin, called for checks and balances during the implementation of these financing agreements.
The acting Leader of Opposition, Ibrahim Ben Kargbo (APC), commended the Deputy Minister for her hard work, and assured her of parliament’s support for the financing agreements.
Concluding the debate, the acting Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sahr M. Nyuma, said that they do not have any dissenting view from previous speakers regarding these agreements; adding that all MPs have a role to play during the implementation period. He specifically noted that, the agreements would improve farming in the country.
“Our farmers are really poor, and we must endure to make them better”, he said and assured MPs that the implementation of these financing agreements would not enjoy any inkling of partisan considerations.
