By Sallieu S. Kanu
Member of Parliament for the Opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) party , Hon Cecelia Mabinty Bangura, who represents Karene District, has called on the government to redirect its energy towards the construction and completion of roads, particularly the Makeni–Kamakwie road which is in a terrible state.
The female APC MP made the call in the Well of Parliament on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, during the ongoing debate of the State of the Nation Address delivered by His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio.
She said that the Makeni-Kamakwie road is of great economic importance, as most agricultural products come from that axis, adding that the road, which links Makeni, Kamalo, Kamakwie and Tambaka, has not only remained unconstructed but forgotten, thereby causing enormous suffering for the people especially transporting goods.
She lamented that the struggle had worsened following the collapse of the bridge at the Kalangba axis.
On agriculture, the Opposition Member of Parliament said the government must move away from the rosy picture it is painting and start to provide the farmers with needed tools and equipment.
On the Health Sector, the APC MP stated that the government has only been focusing on Bo, Kenema, Kailahun, and other south-eastern district headquarters towns even though they do not form the entire Sierra Leone alone, noting that districts and towns in the north should also be catered for in terms of healthcare facilities.
She pointed out that the shortage of essential drugs and critical health services, coupled with the lack of stable electricity are major obstacles in the health sector, and therefore called on the government to pay great attention to these issues rather than paying lip service to them.