By Fatmata Bundu –
Recently, at the majestic halls of the Sierra Leone Parliament in Tower Hill, Freetown, buzzed with animated discussion as lawmakers engaged in a critical parliamentary debate on the Finance Act 2025. Among the voices that echoed passionately through the chambers was Hon. Alusine Bash Kamara, representing the vibrant Karene District. His fervent address revolved around the overarching theme of “Improving the Well-Being and Quality of Life of Sierra Leoneans,” where he meticulously unveiled pressing issues surrounding infrastructure development, and social protection. Hon. Kamara articulated a strong call for deliberate and substantial investment from the government in these pivotal areas, asserting that such efforts are essential for enhancing the living standards of all Sierra Leoneans.
As he took the floor to discuss the state of the nation’s roads and bridges, Hon. Kamara expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Ministry of Finance for making infrastructure a priority in the 2025 budget. He highlighted the crucial inclusion of the much-anticipated Kabba Ferry and Batkanu Bridge, which he believes are vital for economic connectivity. Hon Alusine
Bash Kamara appealed to government to stop politicizing the Makeni-Kamakwie road as the road not included in the 2025 budget. However, he sought clarification on a couple of local rivers—the Bale River, which connects Patiful to Batkanu, and the Banthoroh River, which links Mateboi with Batkanu. He stressed that these rivers are not merely water bodies; they are lifelines for the communities they serve and integral to the economic and social framework of Batkanu. Their inclusion in the infrastructural plans, he argued, is non-negotiable for the holistic development of the region.
While addressing the significant budget of NLe 497.3 million, bolstered by international partners such as the World Bank, the African Development Bank (AfDB), BADEA, and the Kuwait Fund, Hon. Kamara emphasized that this financial support must transcend mere economic stabilization. It should also cater to the pressing needs of the impoverished and vulnerable populations. He painted a vivid picture of rural Sierra Leone, where the poor condition of roads hampers economic progress and social mobility. Thus, he urged the Ministry of Finance to widen the breadth of infrastructure projects to include the construction of the Sanda-Magbolontor Bridge, which serves as a vital link between Karene and Port Loko Districts. Other roads he advocated for included the critical Kabata Junction to Gbinti Road, Makeni to Kamakwie Road, and Buya-Safarokoh Road, insisting they are indispensable to the success of the Feed Salone initiative as well as the greater development trajectory of the nation.
Turning his attention to social protection, Hon. Kamara underscored the urgent necessity of establishing a robust social safety net under the Ministry of Employment, Labour, and Social Security. This initiative aims to uplift the lives of the poor and vulnerable, notably the aged, who have been excluded from the contributory National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) scheme despite having significantly contributed to the nation’s development. He highlighted that the Ministry of Employment and Social Security has been at the forefront of advocating for social protection in Sierra Leone. Therefore, he proposed that the National Social Protection Secretariat work in close collaboration with the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) to harmonize their efforts and amplify their impact.
Hon. Kamara commended the Ministry of Finance’s proactive stance in allocating Le 4 billion to the Social Safety Net program under the Ministry of Employment, Labour, and Social Security for cash transfers to vulnerable senior citizens. Nonetheless, he conveyed that this allocation is grossly insufficient, drawing attention to the case of Bo District, where 5,266 registered aged individuals each receive Le 1,047,000 per quarter. This staggering figure sums up to Le 5,513,502,000 for just one quarter and Le 22,054,008,000 for an entire year, not accounting for administrative, delivery, and operational expenses.
With palpable concern, Hon. Kamara feared for the future of the aged in other districts, particularly in his own Karene District and the bustling Western Area, given the meagre allocation. He recognized the efforts made by the Ministry of Finance but strongly urged the Honorable House to unite in advocating for a substantial increase in funding directed towards the Ministry of Employment, Labour, and Social Security. Such an increase, he asserted, is crucial for ensuring sustained cash transfers and adequately addressing the needs of the aged population nationwide.
Hon Bash encourage government to construct offices for Karene and Falaba districts including Port Loko City councils, since the APC government had constructed offices for all the other councils across the country.
In conclusion, Hon. Alusine Bash Kamara’s impassioned plea underscored the interconnectedness of infrastructure, and social protection in fostering a brighter, more equitable future for all Sierra Leoneans.
