By Melvin Tejan Mansaray

A Lawmaker in the current Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone, representing the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), Western Area Urban,  Honorable Idriss Sahid Kamara has said that  some members  of the opposition  bench woefully criticized the 2024 budget  “without any tangible justification of their points or opinions.”

Giving his impression about the government’s  2024 Appropriation Act, presented by the Ministry of Finance to Parliament,  Hon. Kamara said it is his  thinking that the 2024 Appropriation Act,

” is  a fine Act that is  geared towards ensuring economic growth, improving on jobs creation, youth empowerment and the Government’s flagship programme of Feed Salone.”

Hon. Kamara said the budget is aiming at  improving on the management of public finances and enhancing effectiveness of monetary exchange rate policies to reduce inflation and, stabilize the exchange rate to lower the cost of living for the poor and vulnerable people.

He said in  this way, the citizenry are sure of improving on their standard of living which has to do with their basic health and social amenities.

On the specific Issues that he had  to raise about the budget, Hon. Kamara said, “generally speaking, the issues of the budget which someone might see as  –  risk factor – to disrupt the implementation of the 2024 budget does not hold ground in my belief and perspective.  Hence, government is sure to put modalities in place to mitigate any forthcoming of such.”

On the performance of the opposition during the  five allotted days of plenary debate on the budget, Hon. Kamara said the opposition had  been generalist  in their criticisms of the fiscal document.

“From a government standpoint,  I see it that my colleagues on the other side are doing generic criticisms on the budget even though most of them are very much aware about the significance of the budget.”

He said he would  have loved to see a debate with genuine suggestions and recommendations rather than some MPs  criticizing woefully without any tangible justification of their points or opinions.

It is apparent that some freshmen and fresh women lawmakers indeed made a good showing during the five allotted days of debate that has now been committed to the Committee of Supply but this is not same for those who were not opportuned  to catch the eye of their party’s lists for Mr  Speaker’s eye.

Hon. Kamara said: “I see it that once an MP has gone through an induction, he or  she should not be referred to as a freshman or woman. However, for the purpose of first term Parliamentarians, it would be very much appreciated if we are given enough or ample time to participate in parliamentary debates.

This could be of need because most of us the first time MPs  are well grounded on debate issues and could be able to showcase ourselves to create more impact in the Well.”

Hon. Kamara however had a message of thanks to his governing SLPP party  for their hard work and commitment towards improving on the livelihood of  citizens and further encouraged them to continue their good work and take the responsibility by taking the lead in fostering development.

He however made  a special appeal that the Government considers the PWD-Borrow pit road, Mayenkineh road and the Mayenkineh- Orogu road linking to the Grafton Communities.

The roads he said are life threatening and  moreso for pregnant women, school going children and the aged.

He also highlighted the point that the SLPP won the debate at the end of the day noting that, “It is far from being imaginable that the opposition won the budget debate taking cognizance of their weak criticisms on important issues which held no grounds to reckon with.”

Hon. Kamara concluded with a message to the electorate that: “I feel very much honored and grateful to my people in the Western Area Urban District for the confidence they reposed in me to represent them in the Well of Parliament.”

“I wholeheartedly wish to assure you  that you made the best choice. On that note, I will do all that I can to make sure that your  expectations are met, ” Honorable Idriss Sahid Kamara promised.