The Minister of Information and Civic Education Chernor Bah clarified public misconceptions surrounding the Election Reforms Committee. He made it very clear that the Election Review Committee has nothing to do with investigating the 2023 General Election to conduct a re-run. The committee will ensure they look into past elections as provided by the agreement to bring up recommendations to address electoral systems and processes. He emphatically made it clear that the next election is in 2028 and the time to challenge the 2023 election as provided by the 1991 constitution has passed.
In another development, Minister Chernor Bah debunked reports from various news outlets that the Karpowership will shut down due to unpaid arrears on the part of the Government. He informed the public that since the increase of tariff, the government has consistently every month paid up to Nle50 million to Karpowership. He assured the public that the government is committed to ensuring Karpowership keeps supplying electricity to the capital.
The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Princess Dugba said her Ministry is in talks with the Chinese Government to finalize the construction of the Fish Harbour in Black Johnson. She went further to say, the Chinese have registered their commitments to continue with the project.
Minister Princess Dugba disclosed that they are working very hard to remove barriers that are derailing Sierra Leone from exporting its fish to Europe. A committee has been set up in the Chief Minister's office working closely with the Ministry to ensure Sierra Leone gets the European certification which allows the country to export fish in Europe. The Minister went further to say, they are also in touch with the Chinese for the same.
Minister Princess Dugba informed the public that in 2023 they raised Nle119 Million as part of their revenue mobilization. According to her, they have set a higher target for 2024 which she will disclose in a subsequent press conference.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Timothy Musa Kabba talks about Sierra Leone's foreign policy is set out in chapter 10 of the 1991 constitution which clearly states that the foreign policy of the country is to protect and promote its national interest and make Sierra Leone belong to the International Community as well as participate in multilateral organizations. The country's foreign policy is defined by a country that is very impartial in its dispensation of its foreign policy.
Minister Timothy disclosed that President Bio is Championing the African Common Goal to correct the historical injustice at the United Nations Security Council to ensure Africa gets two(2) permanent seats and an additional two(2) seats to make it four(4) in the non-permanent category. He went further to say Sierra Leone supports the two-state solutions to resolve the dispute between Israel and Palestine.
On the withdrawal of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso, Minister Timothy said, ECOWAS is engaging with these countries to address their concerns and commit them to stay with the community. According to the Minister, the livelihood of the people in these countries matters to ECOWAS and they will ensure this impasse is amicably addressed.
♦ Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee in Parliament Hon. Mohamed Bangura said officials of the Ministry were deprived of postings for many years. However, with a series of engagements with the Minister, he disclosed that officials of the Ministry now enjoy postings in foreign embassies.
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