President Talks about Sierra Leone’s Participation in UN Security Council
By Elizabeth Campbell
President Julius Maada Bio has highlighted Sierra Leone’s participation in the United Nations Security Council at the just concluded town hall meeting held at the Bintumani Conference center in freetown,
In August of this year, exactly six days from now President Bio will be seated at the United Nations in Washington to chair the UN Security council meeting. Sierra Leone is returning to that position after 53 years of absence and President Bio will be on the history books as the president that returns Sierra Leone to that seat once again.
“We as Africans have to think big. I told you when I was campaigning that I will change the image of this country and as Chinua Achebe said in his book if you wash your hands clean you will eat with kings. We have now washed our hands clean and the reason we are returning to that position under my leadership,” President Bio told the town hall meeting.
The President uses the occasion to officially launch the magazine containing achievement since his re-election in 2023. The landmark event, organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, was the first of its kind by a sitting president, making a mark of transparency and accountability.
The magazine put together by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education contains therein stories of achievements, and the things the President continue to do just one year in his second term.
President Bio during the town hall meeting vowed to consolidate the gains from his previous term and drive forward the agenda set out in the manifesto. The president called on Sierra Leone to be peaceful noting that no nation will progress if there is no peace.
The magazine showcases significant achievements across key sector, including, human capital development, technology and innovation, the Feed Salone Initiative, economic growth, women’s empowerment, transportation and infrastructure, energy sector improvements, and youth development initiatives.
Also in answering to questions put forward by the minister President Bio zoom in infrastructure, noting that his government is an infrastructure government highlighting the number of bridges and roads constructed just in six years.
“No other government has done what my government has done in six years. Let me assure you that I will work hard to do the remaining roads and bridges before my term ends,” he said.
The President noted that as a country we should be able to feed ourselves and the reason for the Feed Salone project.
He said Sierra Leone buy rice from China, India and Pakistan, adding that by this alone we are empowering the economies of these countries.
“Let us start planting our own rice not only in subsistence basis but commercial that will put food on the table and bring the much needed revenue for the country. If we are unable to feed ourselves, we will die poor,” the President said.
On the energy sector, President Bio called on citizens to imbibe the civic culture of responsible citizens by supporting government in its energy transformation.
He said most people are stealing light and they do it in league with people at EDSA.
“This is the more reason why we are now reforming EDSA and very soon we will give you that result. If people are not stealing light, we will not owe the Karpowership that is supplying light to the city.
The President spoke about progress in the energy sector but was quick to caution that development is a process and people have to be patient.
President Bio ordered the demolition of illegal structures beyond the green belt to protect the Guma valley water dam.
President Bio was reacting to the recent heavy down pour of rains that led to the loss of lives and destruction of houses.
“I am here today for us all to talk. This town hall meeting is an obligation on my part as your president for us to talk as a family,” he said.
President Bio uses the occasion to sympathysise with families who lost their loved ones as a result of the rain while noting that climate change is real.
“Anybody beyond the green belt must move, and I have instructed the demolition of structures beyond the green belt.”
“I don’t care who has a house there, be it a minister or family member as long as the structure is beyond the green belt it will be demolished,” the president said.
The town hall meeting first of its kind remains the topic of discussion.