President Koroma
Considering the many problems inherited from the SLPP, "we quickly put in place priorities, with energy being our number one priority," the president explained. "With energy we can open all the other sectors, and also attract investors." The president happily reported that the light situation in Freetown has improved considerably. "Within one hundred days we were able to bring some electricity in Freetown by increasing the energy capacity from 5 mega watts to 20 mega watts." The president further disclosed that very soon Bumbuna will be up and running. He said that on the 17 of this month, he switched on the light for the final phase of the Bumbuna project.
Agriculture, which is the second priority, can generate wealth, create employment for the youth, and bring in the much-needed foreign exchange. "My government increased the budgetary allocation for Agriculture from 1.6 percent to 7.5 percent." And a determined effort is being made to increase that to 9.9 percent. The president further disclosed that 350 tractors and other farming equipment were brought into the country to beef up productivity. "Our aim is to make Agriculture an engine of economic growth. In the not- too- distant future, Sierra Leone will be self –sufficient in food production," His Excellency Ernest Bai Koroma assured amid a thunderous applause from Sierra Leoneans.
On Infrastructure, he said his government has revitalized the Freetown/Conakry highway project. He disclosed that a new contract has been signed with the Koreans to commence construction on the Kenema/Kailahun road this year. The Lungi/Port Loko road is also being enhanced and the Bo/Bandajuma/Monrovia road will start this year. Aside from the work being done on major roads, there is also an ongoing effort to repair bridges and expand feeder roads.
The last priority is the Provision of Social Services. "Education and Health pose the biggest challenge," the president admitted. "But we are making steady progress." The number of children going to school has increased, and every effort is being made to review the current 6334 policy with a view to put in place an educational policy that is good and appropriate for Sierra Leone. On the health issue, the president said his government is doing its best to retain doctors and nurses by increasing their salaries. Also, there is a plan to introduce Health insurance and to make conditions of service better for doctors and nurses.
Aside from the four areas of priority, the president also touched on the steps taken to curb corruption by giving the Anti Corruption Commission more powers to act. He reported that the sum of over one billion Leones was recently refunded by government officials due to the work of the ACC. His Excellency also talked about his open government initiative and Agenda for Change – all aimed at ensuring good governance, transparency and accountability. "On the whole, we're happy with the progress and development in the country," the president asserted. He appealed to all Sierra Leoneans to return home to contribute toward the progress and development of Sierra Leone.
Accompanied by his wife Mrs. Sia Koroma, His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma is in the United States to attend this year's session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The president's entourage includes the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Madam Zainab Hawa Bangura, and the Minister of Information and Communication, Alhaji Ibrahim B. Kargbo. Ambassador Sheku Toure, Sierra Leone's Permanent Representative to the United Nations officially welcomed the president and his entourage while His Excellency Bockari Stevens, Sierra Leone's Ambassador to the United States of America, chaired the Town Hall Meeting at the Arts Center of the College of Staten Island in New York.
