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Address by
His Excellency the President Alhaji Dr. Ahmad
Tejan Kabbah
on the Occasion of the State Opening of the
Second Session of The Second Parliament of the
Republic of Sierra Leone.
20 June 2003
Mr Speaker
Honourable Vice President
My Lord Chief Justice
Ministers of Government
Honourable Members of Parliament
Excellencies Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I wish first and foremost to welcome you all
to this State Opening of the Second Session of
the Second Parliament of the Republic of Sierra
Leone and to thank you for honouring our invitation.
2. On every occasion that I address this chamber
I feel humbled that I have been given the honour
and privilege to serve this nation as President.
On this particular occasion, I also feel a strong
sense of satisfaction, derived from the fact that
we, as a nation, have maintained, enjoyed and
benefited from peace, security, democracy, a reasonable
level of economic recovery and social stability
for over a year.
Mr Speaker,
3. This time last year, we were all celebrating
the end of the rebel war. We were congratulating
ourselves for having successfully conducted General
Elections that were free, fair and totally devoid
of violence. On that occasion, I spelt out some
of the major challenges that we must overcome,
in order to maintain the peace and take the first
steps on the path to sustainable development to
reach our cherished goal of building a united,
peaceful and prosperous nation.
4. As I stood in this chamber welcoming the newly
elected parliamentarians at that time, I called
upon them and the entire nation to join together
in building "a new coalition for national
development", as I felt that the price of
not uniting for national development would be
to remain forever at the bottom of the Human Development
Index. I also emphasized on that occasion that
by electing us to our high offices, the people
of this country had placed a sacred responsibility
upon us. That responsibility, I noted, included
a mandate to repair and rebuild the physical damage
that was inflicted upon this country; to heal
so many shattered lives and to restore the pride
and image of a once peaceful and confident nation.
5. No doubt, our people and all those who wish
us well will want to know how much progress we
have made over the past year in carrying out this
mandate. Therefore, in this address, it will be
my pleasure to present key highlights of what
we have all achieved together as a nation, with
the invaluable contribution of every citizen of
this country in diverse ways, and with the considerable
material, political and diplomatic support of
the International Community.
Mr Speaker,
6. Last year, one of the greatest concerns of
the nation was how to sustain our newly won peace
and safeguard the security of our country. We
were equally concerned about our ability to promote
and consolidate the reconciliation of our fractured
society. We felt deeply the urgent need to strengthen
our resolve to reduce poverty by maintaining prudent
economic management, including the creation of
macro-economic stability and a healthy environment
for investment and wealth creation; we also pledged
to motivate and empower the entire nation, particularly
the youth and women, to undertake productive activities
on a sustained basis, as a catalyst for the creation
of wealth to ensure the long term prosperity of
our country. We indicated that we would try to
accomplish these tasks by building, restructuring
and strengthening public and other relevant institutions;
by mobilizing resources both internally and from
our multilateral and bilateral development partners
and, significantly, by ensuring that these resources
are utilized equitably and with the utmost efficiency
and transparency.
7. While it is my pleasure to present to you
the significant achievements that have been made
in these and many other areas relating to the
governance of the country, I must also apprise
you of setbacks that impeded progress in certain
areas, and of new measures that my Government
will be putting in place not only to address those
setbacks but also to consolidate and improve on
the achievements we have made so far.
National Security
Mr Speaker,
8. In the area of our national security, it is
with deep satisfaction that I report that the
mass violence and war of the past ten years is
now virtually behind us. The pervasive fear that
occupied every waking moment of our thoughts is
now considerably diminished. The crime rate has
fallen significantly.
9. We have continued to make steady progress
with the development of our military in terms
of training, logistics and the improvement of
its facilities.
10. The International Military Advisory and Training
Team (IMATT) has continued to train our forces
and continues to help with the restructuring process
to improve the operational competence of our armed
Forces. As a result, effective deployment of our
forces in areas of the greatest threat to our
territorial integrity has been achieved. This
has ensured that there has been minimum disruption
of the lives of our people by the political instability
in neighbouring countries. Considerable improvement
to the living conditions of our military personnel
and their dependants have been made.
11. Over the past year, we have carried out extensive
refurbishment of the Military hospital in Freetown.
The hospital can now boast of having some of the
most modern diagnostic equipment in the country
and operating under very sanitary conditions.
We similarly refurbished the Army Workshop and
rehabilitated the water supply system at the Juba
barracks. The Benguema Training Centre has also
been upgraded and can now support sophisticated
training of our servicemen and women.
Mr Speaker,
12. A programme for the rehabilitation of old
military barracks and the construction of new
ones has been launched. The programme, code named
Operation PEBU, jointly funded by my Government
and the British Government, is now being implemented.
The programme will provide barracks, living accommodation,
offices and ancillary facilities in Bo, Kambia,
Kabala, Kono, Kailahun, Pujehun, Yele, Juba, Wilberforce
and Benguema. This is only the first of two phases
of the programme.
13. A major security review is currently underway.
This process is intended to evaluate the post-war
security threats to the State and propose further
adjustments to our security structure.
Mr Speaker,
14. As you are no doubt aware, a Sierra Leone
national has recently taken over the post of Inspector
General of Police in a carefully prepared transition
plan that includes the development of a core of
highly competent police officers to guarantee
effective leadership of the police for years to
come. At this juncture, I should pay tribute to
Mr Keith Biddle, OBE under whose leadership of
the Sierra Leone Police this transformation was
made possible.
15. The improvement in the professional competence
of the police has been matched by an extensive
infrastructural development and heightened motivation
at all levels of the Police Force. Most Police
stations and related facilities throughout the
Western Area have now been rebuilt and others
are at an advanced stage of construction. Here,
I need mention only the Police Training School,
the Central Police Station, the Criminal Investigation
Department building and the Police Station at
Waterloo.
16. In other parts of the country, the reconstruction
or rehabilitation of Police Stations and barracks
promised last year have either been accomplished
or are nearing completion.
17. We have also made significant improvement
on the transportation and communications assets
of the Police Force, so that the Police will be
in a position to respond rapidly to threats to
the peace anywhere in the country.
Civil Service Reform
Mr. Speaker,
18. In the year ahead, My Government will energetically
continue its programme of institutional reform.
Already we have made significant progress in the
modernization of the armed forces and the Sierra
Leone Police.
19. We have now started the reform of another
vital public institution - the civil service.
Let me take this opportunity to acknowledge the
contribution of the civil service to the restoration
of state authority throughout this country and
indeed during the difficult years of conflict.
Many civil servants rendered great service, remaining
at their posts often at personal risk to themselves
and their families. On behalf of the Government
and people of Sierra Leone I thank all of those
civil servants who have rendered selfless service
to the country in its hour of need.
20. Unfortunately, after many years of neglect
caused by political intrusion, lack of resources
and a decade of conflict, the public service in
Sierra Leone has suffered from a decline in its
effectiveness and self-esteem. Now is the time
to re-build and modernize the civil service.
21. My Government has taken an important step
in that direction with the adoption of a new civil
service code, the first comprehensive updating
in several decades. The new code, which includes
several innovative measures designed to improve
performance and reward merit, is being progressively
introduced through all levels of the service.
The Civil Service College is being re-activated.
22. We must now build on this work in order to
rapidly develop a cadre of top public servants
who are exceptionally competent, highly motivated
and appropriately remunerated. They should be
well trained in the management skills that are
commonly used by the public service in other parts
of the world. At the apex of the public service
we must groom a leadership group capable of helping
this country take on the challenges of the 21st
century, encouraged and empowered to exercise
their professional competence, confident that
their careers will not be jeopardized by unwarranted
political interference.
23. This goal cannot be achieved within the confines
of the present civil service structure. The top
echelon of civil service posts must be re-profiled
to take account of the post war need for managerial
competence and professional performance. We shall
do so in a transparent manner. My Government therefore
intends to embark on extensive consultations on
how we can move quickly to introduce such reforms
that will enable us to promote the ethos and practice
of effective public service that is the foundation
of a modern state.
Foreign Affairs
Mr Speaker,
24. As we recover from the war we are determined
to resume our rightful role in international affairs.
Having benefited so much from the goodwill of
international organizations and friendly countries
during our period of stress, we believe that the
best way to express our gratitude is by contributing
in whatever way we can towards the maintenance
of international peace and security. We will also
want to contribute to the enhancement of international
prosperity using our limited resources, and considerable
experience.
25. Our capacity to make these contributions
is gradually being acknowledged as demonstrated
by the recent invitation extended to our country
to provide serving military and police officers
for assignments at the United Nations Secretariat.
Our relations with our traditional bilateral partners
have continued to grow, particularly with Nigeria,
Guinea, Ghana, the United Kingdom, the Peoples'
Republic of China, the United States of America,
Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and
Libya. These Governments have demonstrated their
continued commitment to enhancing the welfare
of the people of this country and their support
for the policies of my Government in ways that
go beyond humanitarian and development assistance.
In this regard, I am pleased to announce that
the Government of the Peoples' Republic of China
has offered to support the enhancement of the
capacity of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through
the construction of a new and modern building.
26. For example, the German Embassy which was
closed in Freetown about a decade ago, is about
to be reopened. France also now wishes to reopen
its diplomatic mission in the country, and other
States are expressing interests in opening diplomatic
missions in Sierra Leone.
27. We are currently trying to enhance the capacity
of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the
construction of a new and modern office building
which the Chinese Government has offered to assist
with.
The Economy
Mr Speaker,
28. Our resolve to manage the economy responsibly
even as we struggled with the problems of the
war endeared us to the rest of the international
community. This, no doubt, won their confidence
and inspired their generous support that made
it possible for us to rapidly resolve our conflict.
29. At a time when so much attention is being
paid to ranking in national development, we must
take note of latest reports that our economic
performance in the past year was well above average,
and better than many other African countries.
According to the United Nations, the economic
performance of African economies fell short of
expectations in 2002, with economic growth slowing
from an average pace of 4.3 per cent in 2001,
to 3.1 per cent in 2002. By comparison we have
not done badly at all. We recorded a GDP growth
of over 6 per cent. Inflation has been low, and
our exchange rate stable.
30. Although this level of growth starts from
a very low base and is spurred by significant
injections of donor funds provided for resettlement
and reconstruction, the fact remains that such
level of performance could not have been achieved
without prudent leadership and the willingness
of the population to be patient in the face of
austerity.
31. Enormous sacrifice by all Sierra Leoneans
has been rewarded with even more generous funding
by the donor community in the form of HIPC resources
or debt relief of about Le90 billion in the current
financial year, with more such resources to be
made available in subsequent years if we maintain
our good record of discipline in economic and
fiscal management.
32. The World Bank has recently approved Le70
billion for a third Economic Rehabilitation and
Recovery credit.
33. At the bilateral level, we have signed a
poverty reduction framework agreement with Her
Majesty's Government that guarantees British Government
support amounting to more than 100 million over
the next ten years. The agreement will ensure
the provision of funds for the implementation
of priority projects targeted at poverty reduction.
34. It should be noted that this pattern of support
by the donor community is the first of its kind,
where substantial funds are provided for economic
recovery and development immediately following
the end of a conflict. This, it must be said,
is a measure of the strong faith that our development
partners have in our commitment and seriousness
of purpose. Usually, recovery and development
assistance is offered, at least, three years after
the post-conflict period to avoid, as the saying
goes, 'throwing good money after bad.'
Mr Speaker
35. Such widespread recognition of our achievements
has not lulled us into complacency. We have proceeded
steadily with the implementation of critical reforms
and the introduction of new policies to consolidate
our economic recovery. A National Revenue Authority
has now been fully established to improve on tax
administration and boost domestic revenue collection.
We have also fully established a National Commission
for Privatization to oversee the operations of
all public enterprises as they are prepared for
privatisation.
Mr Speaker,
36. We will definitely continue to need donor
assistance, especially for our fragile post-conflict
recovery effort. However, the current extent of
our reliance on donor inputs should not be taken
for granted. I therefore entreat you, honourable
members of Parliament to take the issue of mobilizing
internal resources seriously.
The Development Assistance Coordination Office
Mr Speaker,
37. The recent Consultative Group Meeting held
in Paris agreed on a Framework for Peace, Recovery
and Development. This Framework includes the establishment
of a bi-monthly aid coordination mechanism chaired
by the Vice President and the establishment of
an effective and coordination office for tracking
foreign aid received by this country.
38. This Partnership Committee will serve as
the policy body dealing with all matters relating
to the coordination and management of external
assistance. It will serve as a forum for dialogue
on strategic, policy and funding issues. In particular,
the Committee is assigned with the following objectives:
- Ensure a systematic, coordinated dialogue
between Government and its development partners
on strategic, policy and funding issues;
- Ensure effective monitoring of external assistance;
- Ensure the effective integration of humanitarian
and development assistance with national priorities
and policies; and to reduce the transactions
costs of managing external assistance and ensure
the efficient utilization of external assistance.
39. A Development Assistance Coordination Office
to support the Partnership Committee has been
set up in the Vice President's Office to compile,
track and disseminate comprehensive data on external
assistance flows to Government and its development
partners.
40. In order to enhance collaboration by Government
Partners, and to fulfil functions of the Coordination
Office, it has become essential that all core
line Ministries, agencies and the Bank of Sierra
Leone as well as Sierra Leone's partners, routinely
provide comprehensive data on external assistance
to the Development Assistance Coordination Office.
This new arrangement will greatly assist in the
beneficial utilization of development assistance.
41. In addition to the Aid Coordination Office,
Government has formulated the National Recovery
Strategy to act as the principal instrument for
donor coordination and policy direction for national
recovery for the period immediately following
the end of the war. This strategy is used as a
means of guiding the post-war recovery process
in Sierra Leone over the period 2002-2003, and
is drafted on the basis of integrated assessments
done in each of the country's districts. The National
Recovery Strategy focuses on four key themes -
- Consolidation of State authority;
- Rebuilding communities;
- Peace building and human rights; and
- The restoration of the economy.
42. It sets a number of benchmarks for recovery
in each of the focussed areas. The National Recovery
Strategy is based on a district-by-district approach
and places a heavy emphasis on physical rehabilitation
of the social and administrative infrastructure
of each district.
43. The implementation of the National Recovery
Strategy is monitored through the National Recovery
Committee comprising key Government Ministers
and donor representatives. It meets systematically
with each of the District Recovery Committees
in the Districts under the Chairmanship of the
Vice President to assess progress made and the
problems encountered by each of the districts
in their recovery effort.
Public Expenditure Management
Mr Speaker,
44. We attach a high degree of importance to
probity, transparency, accountability and efficiency
in the management of public resources. In this
regard, we have been reviewing our expenditure
profile with the aim of minimizing any leakage
of public funds. In addition to our three-year
budgetary planning formula through the Medium
Term Expenditure Framework we have established
Community Budget Oversight Committees, in all
the Districts as part of our decentralization
programme. These Committees will participate in
the annual budget discussions and will monitor
budget implementation in their respective areas.
45. You will recall that in my last address to
Parliament I spoke of the need to reform and ultimately
decentralise our procurement system which traditionally
was riddled with corrupt practices, causing leakages
of public funds. We have advanced significantly
in that direction. We are grateful for the technical
assistance from the UNDP which has conducted a
review of that system. This review showed that
we lose billions of leones each year through improper
and inefficient procurement practices with an
estimated loss of about Le70 billion this year.
A Procurement Reform Steering Committee, which
includes our donor partners and is chaired by
the Honourable Vice President, now has the responsibility
to ensure that a new and decentralized system
is instituted.
Mr Speaker,
46. In our efforts to ensure accountability in
the use of public funds, the second Public Expenditure
Tracking Survey (PETS) was conducted in August
2002 for public expenditure for the second half
of the 2001 Financial Year. This survey, as with
the first, has revealed that government policies
need to be fully implemented at the grassroots
levels in order to reach target beneficiaries.
For example, our cost recovery for drugs programme
is non-existent in certain areas and it was reported
that eighty percent (80%) of pregnant women, nursing
mothers, school and under-five children still
pay consultation fees and for basic medical services.
The survey also indicated that not all funds are
being transferred to local district levels by
the central line ministries and at the same time
there are inadequate records of resources received
at the local level.
Mr Speaker,
47. All of this indicates that there is an urgent
need to strengthen accountability systems in order
to ensure that public officials are held accountable
for any misappropriation of funds. Therefore,
we are collaborating with the World Bank and DFID
under a limited Country Financial Accountability
Assessment (CFAA). The first of the recommendations
of this study has seen the setting up of the Financial
Management and Accounting Systems Unit in the
Accountant General's Department to reduce opportunities
for corruption and non-transparent budgetary transactions.
Plans are already underway to conduct a full scale
CFAA. A strengthened Auditor General's Department
will also ensure that expenditure is accounted
for in a more regular manner than at present.
Mr Speaker,
48. This week the Chief Justice and one other
Supreme Court Judge received an invitation by
DFID and the Commonwealth Secretariat to visit
London to interview two judges and one prosecutor
for assignment to Sierra Leone to handle specifically
corruption cases.
Trade and Investment
Mr Speaker,
49. As a small nation, we are keenly aware of
the value of trade as a vehicle for economic growth
and social advancement. We also appreciate the
fierce competition that exists in the global trading
environment. Therefore, in order to be able to
reap the benefits of trade we must produce high
quality goods and services at competitive prices.
This calls for a highly developed local entrepreneurial
group, an educated workforce, a conducive investment
climate and access to foreign markets.
50. The draft bill for a new Investment Code
has been completed. Government is, however, now
discussing with our development partners on the
issue of incentives. The final Investment Code
will, therefore, be ready soon. This is an initial
step in encouraging Sierra Leonean entrepreneurs
and attracting reputable foreign partners to forge
long-term relationships with us, not only for
the economic benefit of the country as a whole,
but also for the transfer of needed managerial
and technical skills, as well as technological
know-how to Sierra Leone.
51. My Government's policies on education, tax
and legal reforms, infrastructural development,
the fight against corruption and the intensification
of bilateral cooperation, are also intended to
have a direct positive impact on trade and investment
and to favour steady long-term economic benefits
for Sierra Leoneans. The goal is to ensure that
Sierra Leoneans benefit consistently and broadly
from foreign investment as well as from their
own investments in the country. This goal must
be pursued in a way that encourages Sierra Leoneans
abroad to reinvest assets in and return to Sierra
Leone.
52. No doubt, it is because of these measures
that both local and foreign investment interests
have begun to grow, as can be seen in the numerous
private construction projects that are now being
implemented throughout the country, such as the
Bintumani and Lungi Airport hotels. Investment
interests in other sectors including mining, manufacturing,
tourism, agriculture and fishing are also growing
including the reactivation of rutile mining by
Sierra Rutile, and the rebuilding of the sugar
factory at Magbass. Egyptian business groups have
also shown interest in commercial agriculture
and fishing, and Chinese investment groups have
indicated strong interest in building manufacturing
and assembly plants in the country.
53. In this regard, Government has reached agreement
with a Chinese company for the National Workshop
at Cline Town to be rehabilitated and upgraded
as an initial step in the establishment of light
manufacturing industries. The workshop would also
serve as a production centre for the fabrication
of essential spare parts and appropriate machinery
for agriculture and industry. Among other things,
this will save us valuable foreign exchange and
lead the way towards the development of our manufacturing
capacity.
Mr Speaker,
54. We will sustain these developments while
ensuring that indigenous investors develop and
maintain a strong stake in the economy through
various support facilities such as the promotion
of access to finance by small and medium scale
entrepreneurs, particularly in the agricultural
sector. Through the Ministry of Trade and Industry,
we will encourage the maximum utilization of the
trade concessions offered by the United States
of America in its African Growth and Opportunities
Acts or AGOA as well as those offered by the European
Union.
Agriculture
Mr Speaker,
55. We have pursued relentlessly our declared
goal of making the Agricultural Sector a key pillar
of our economic development, and have taken measures
to develop and modernize the various components
of the sector.
56. Over the past year, we have rehabilitated
about 1,200 hectares of inland valley swamps for
rice production in seven Districts and the Western
Area. We are providing large quantities of seed
rice to farmers nationwide and over 20,000 oil
palm seedlings in our ongoing efforts to reactivate
commercial palm oil production in the country.
57. More than 1,300 farmers' groups in the Western
Area have been provided with assorted vegetable
seeds. A livestock replenishment programme is
currently being implemented, with significant
qualities of sheep and goats having been distributed
in Kono, Kailahun, Kambia, Koinadugu and Bombali.
We shall establish livestock clinics in every
District to ensure not only the health of the
animals but the safety of the meat we eat.
58. In our bid to boost the productivity and
export potential of the Agricultural Sector, we
are promoting mechanized farming and crop diversification.
Government has this year supplied tractors to
agricultural stations throughout the country for
use by local farmers. Larger quantities of tractors
and related inputs as well as support facilities
such as drying floors, stores and relevant farming
instructions will be provided as a catalyst for
the sustained development of the sector.
59. In the area of crop diversification, a programme
of commercial production of ginger for export
is being developed in collaboration with the Peoples'
Republic of China. As I am speaking, an initial
consignment of ginger seeds is arriving in Freetown
this week from the People's Republic of China
and will be distributed to farmers for planning
in the current season. The cultivation of a wide
range of other crops will also be encouraged and
supported. With these and other activities currently
being pursued or planned by the Ministry of Agriculture,
Food Security and Forestry, including in the area
of capacity building in the Ministry, we are confident
that, well before the year 2007 every Sierra Leonean
will have access to adequate food.
The Mining Sector
Mr Speaker,
60. The state of the Mining Sector, particularly
the diamond industry, continues to pose serious
challenges to Government. While our efforts at
reorganizing the industry have yielded some results,
by and large the age-old problem of smuggling,
exploitation, cheating and chaos in the diamond
mining areas have not been brought under full
control.
61. The Government is committed to bringing about
a well-regulated and transparent diamond mining
and trading regime for the benefit of the State
and people of Sierra Leone. This one-time mainstay
of the economic has suffered from deliberate de-regulation
in former times, leading to its fuelling the rebel
war.
62. Having taken the advice of the World Bank
and other experts in the field, your Government
intends without delay to:
- Rigorously enforce existing diamond mining
and trading legislation, empowering the Sierra
Leone Police as the primary body for the enforcement
of that legislation.
- Invite an internationally acclaimed diamond
mining company to determine and recommend the
conditions which must be implemented in order
to bring maximum revenue to Sierra Leone.
- Regularly publish the value of diamonds exported,
the taxation raised and the disposal of that
revenue.
63. Other areas in the sector continue to show
great promise, and are attracting interest from
investors. In April this year I commissioned a
High Resolution Magnetic Survey carried out by
the Africa Diamond Holdings Ltd. This survey covered
the Koinadugu and Kono Districts. Similar surveys
over the rest of the country are planned. One
of the objectives of these surveys is to ascertain
the extent of existing Kimberlite diamond deposits
and to investigate the existence of new ones.
64. Alluvial diamond mining has recently commenced
in the Kambia and Bombali Districts and government
is taking the appropriate steps to regulate and
manage mining activities in these areas
65. We have recently carried out the bidding
process for blocks for oil exploration in the
Sierra Leone offshore, and the evaluating of the
bids is now in progress. When this process is
completed, successful bidders will be issued with
licences to commence exploration.
66. Better incentives for investment in the mining
sector are being provided by Government. The income
tax rate in the oil and other sectors, for example,
will be lowered from almost 38% to 30%.
Infrastructure
Mr Speaker,
67. The poor state of our infrastructure over
the years has posed one of the greatest barriers
to our socio-economic advancement. The limited
extent and poor condition of our road network,
poor energy supply and telecommunications have
severely inhibited the growth and development
of virtually all sectors of the economy and even
hampered the Government's ability to govern, as
access to many parts of the country remained hazardous.
Because of these conditions we have lost valuable
revenue and employment in such potentially lucrative
industries as the service industry, including
Tourism. This is why we have embarked upon an
extensive infrastructural development programme
covering roads, energy, water supply and telecommunications,
among others.
Mr Speaker,
68. It is with great pleasure that I wish to
inform you that at this point in time we have
been able to secure over 80% of the funding, largely
from our development partners, for the implementation
of our current infrastructural programme. This,
I believe, is mainly as a result of the high quality
of our programme design and our ability to our
development partners about the relevance of our
programmes to the needs of the people of Sierra
Leone.
Mr Speaker,
69. By the end of this year we will have completed
the rehabilitation of major streets in Bo, Makeni,
Sembehun, Kenema, Tongo and Pujehun. Similar road
works in Freetown are also expected to be completed
over the same period.
70. Maintenance work on trunk roads and about
300 km of feeder roads throughout the country
is in progress. Funds that have already been mobilized
will support the construction and rehabilitation
of up to over 1000 km of trunk roads and about
900 km of feeder roads. Already the reconstruction
of the Waterloo-Kent road in the Freetown Peninsular
is nearing completion. Resources have also been
secured for the remaining sector of the road from
Kent all the way to Juba. Work on this sector
will soon commence and be completed in 2004. Other
trunk and secondary roads on which rehabilitation
work will soon start are the Freetown-Conakry
road, the Masiaka-Makeni, Masiaka-Taiama Roads,
and the Taiama-Bo road among others.
71. Feasibility studies have been carried out
for the proposed hillside road. When constructed,
this road will ease the congestion faced by motorists
driving through Kissy Road and Fourah Bay Road.
Terms of reference are also being prepared for
feasibility studies for the Lungi/Freetown road
link via Lokomasama and Waterloo.
72. On-going road works already employ several
thousands of people countrywide, and many more
people will find jobs when other road projects
begin. This will not only help to absorb the many
young men and women currently looking for work,
it will also provide business opportunities for
those in commerce, manufacturing and agriculture,
among others.
Mr Speaker,
73. Over the past year, we have worked hard to
find durable solutions to our energy problem.
I am happy to inform you that the funding and
modalities for the completion of the Bumbuna project
are now in place and that the contractors have
assured us of its completion next year. For this
achievement we should express our thanks to the
ADB, the Government of Italy and the World Bank
which together have undertaken to provide the
bulk of the funding.
Mr Speaker,
74. Since Bumbuna will not be providing power
to all parts of the country, we have decided to
explore the development of a similar facility
in the Kono District to supplement the existing
capacity at Dodo for the entire Eastern and Southern
regions. In this regard, I am pleased to report
that discussions are in progress with one of the
most renowned engineering companies in the world
in the construction of these facilities. This
company from the Peoples' Republic of China has
already made field visits and demonstrated considerable
interest.
Mr Speaker,
75. With regard to the supply of safe drinking
water, extensive developments of the water supply
systems in Bo, Makeni, Kenema and Lungi, among
other areas, including Freetown, are in progress.
With support from the World Bank under the Urban
Water Supply Rehabilitation project we will also
be able to upgrade or develop water facilities
in Matotoka, Magburaka, Bo, Potoru and Pujehun.
For villages and small towns, the Government will
directly construct over three hundred wells while
encouraging NGOs and other agencies to construct
even more.
Mr Speaker,
76. The provision of these and other social amenities
such as schools and health clinics, as well as
road will encourage the return of people to the
rural areas which will now offer them better lives
than the difficult existence they now endure in
the cities. This will in turn restore the vibrance
of the rural communities and regenerate their
potential to contribute to economic growth and
the building of wealth for the nation. It will
also help to decongest the cities and discourage
the growth of squatter settlements and their associated
environmental, health and other social problems.
77. In effect, the regeneration of rural communities
represents a vital strategy for addressing pressing
economic and social problems and it will therefore
be pursued with vigour as part of the general
decentralization programme.
Mr Speaker,
78. Significant efforts have been made in repairing
the damage caused to the telecommunications infrastructure
during the war. Much has been achieved, not only
in the rehabilitation process, but even in the
upgrading of the equipment and improvement of
services. Services have already been restored
to most parts of the Western Area. Work on the
restoration of services to the rest of the country
is progressing rapidly, and this year a digitalized
network will be in operation in Bo, Lungi, Kenema,
Makeni and Koidu.
79. In the meantime, the Government is taking
measures through the encouragement of private
sector participation in the industry to improve
the quality of the service and eventually lower
the cost to the consumer. In this regard, we are
conducting a desk review to fine tune our policy
to ensure that high standards are maintained in
the telecommunications industry.
Education
Mr Speaker,
80. We have made, and are making good progress
in rehabilitating school buildings and providing
equipment, learning and teaching materials, in
particular, science and technology equipment for
secondary schools and technical vocational institutions.
In the past year, a total of 196 educational facilities
nationwide, including technical/vocational institutions
were rehabilitated or are under rehabilitation.
Among these are, Port Loko Teachers College, Makeni
Teachers College, St. Francis Secondary School,
St. Joseph's Secondary School, Makeni, Mathora
Girls Secondary School, and the Boys' Secondary
School, Magburaka. We have almost completed the
rehabilitation and construction of another 112
educational institutions in all four regions.
Work has already started on the rehabilitation
of Njala University College and all the necessary
funding has been obtained for the completion of
the rehabilitation.
81. We have also mobilized about USD40 million
as a combined grant and loan budget for the Rehabilitation
of Basic Education Programme.
82. We are surely on our way to increasing and
retaining school enrolment, in order to raise
our literacy rate, and ultimately to regain the
position of leadership in educational excellence
that Sierra Leone once enjoyed.
Mr Speaker,
83. We are aware that we need to motivate and
empower our teachers by paying them well, regularly
and on time. From now onwards, government will
seek to match the level of funding for school
reconstruction and rehabilitation with funding
for recruitment, training and improving the conditions
of service for teachers. In all these, Government
shall work in close collaboration with school
proprietors who, after all, are ultimately responsible
for the management of their schools.
84. We firmly maintain our commitment to reducing
the burden of children's education on parents
with limited means. We have, therefore, extended
the payment of public examination fees from National
Primary School Examination (NPSE) to the Basic
Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and the
West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE).
Commencing next academic year, Government will
meet the cost of fees for every girl child in
the northern and eastern regions at JSS1 level
after successful completion of the primary level
(NPSE) examinations. These regions currently experience
the lowest education access rate for girls at
this level.
Mr Speaker,
85. We have established that the reading habit
of the average Sierra Leonean is very poor. To
address this situation, Government will be building
and stocking libraries across the country. The
benefits of a society that reads are invaluable
and so as a government we shall seek to make books
and other tools for education accessible to all
the people, not just the children.
Health and Sanitation
Mr Speaker,
86. We have achieved a measure of success, in
a short span of time, in ensuring that the targeted
vulnerable groups have free access to basic health
services. Notably, in the past year we have set
up the Sierra Leone HIV/AIDS Response Project
(SHARP). Government attaches high priority to
this project, since its long-term benefit to our
society will be profound if successfully implemented.
It is for this reason that the project is placed
directly under the supervision of my office. Let
me take this opportunity to express our sincere
appreciation to the Government of the United States
of America for their invaluable support so far
towards this project.
87. We have also extended the school health programme
to cover previously inaccessible areas, extensively
reconstructed and equipped health facilities countrywide
and rehabilitated community health centers. The
construction of twenty peripheral health units,
including water wells and sanitation facilities
is near completion.
88. The rehabilitation of Connaught Hospital,
the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH),
and the Kissy Mental Hospital will start shortly.
The assessment of the district hospitals in Bombali,
Koinadugu, Kono and Moyamba are in the final stages
for the bidding process to start and the phased
reconstruction of Kailahun District Hospital has
already commenced. To attract qualified and experienced
medical practitioners back to the regions and
rural areas, we are renovating staff quarters,
and providing other incentives.
89. However, there is still more to be done.
Surveys indicate that many targeted beneficiaries
do not have ready access to appropriate services
due to bureaucratic inefficiency and related problems.
In a bid to address these and associated problems,
we have decentralised the financial management
systems of the health service, established hospital
management committees. A Bill is now on its way
to Parliament, the enactment of which will enable
us to set up and operationalize Area/District
Medical Boards.
90. As part of our preventive health programme,
and in order to improve sanitation, we are currently
considering proposals for the long-term treatment
of public waste. These proposals include the transformation
of waste into energy. However, in the interim
phase, youth groups have been mobilized to assist
with waste collection and its disposal. We have
also ordered specially designed vehicles and equipment
from the United Kingdom to facilitate the cleaning
exercise.
The Judiciary
Mr Speaker,
91. Last year, we committed ourselves to pursuing,
as a mater of urgency, reform of the laws and
the judiciary of the state with a view to developing
a more effective and efficient legal and judicial
system.
92. In the past year, magistrate courts have
started sitting in all districts, except Bonthe.
A new Chief Justice has been appointed who with
the support of the UNDP has overseen the training
and installation of 86 Justices of the Peace (JPs)
and support staff in 18 locations to perform critical
judicial functions. The assignment of the JPs
will ease the pressure of work on the magistrates
who currently make only periodic tours to the
districts. It will also reduce the backlog of
cases; shorten the length of pre-trial detentions
and limits the delays of trials.
93. The appointment of resident magistrates,
next year, to cover all the districts remains
a priority in order to speed up the judicial process.
Additionally, our aim is to appoint resident judges
in all the regions in order to ensure an effective
functioning of the judiciary at all levels of
our society. In line with our commitment, we now
have a fully functioning Law Reform Commission
whose mandate is to review all the laws of our
country and to make recommendations regarding
the need for the updating, amendment or repeal
of these laws.
94. As you are aware, the main Law Courts Buildings
in Freetown have been refurbished and the rehabilitation
of High Courts, Magistrate Courts and Customary
Courts throughout the country is in progress.
As we are rehabilitating the courts, and increasing
the number of magistrates and judges, we will
also strive to improve conditions of service and
provide them the necessary support facilities.
Governance
Mr Speaker,
95. The peaceful and successful election of over
60 Paramount Chiefs throughout the country this
year marks a high point in our governance reform
efforts. In the ceremony marking my Recognition
of the newly elected Paramount Chiefs in Kenema,
Bo, Makeni and Port Loko from the 26th to the
30th January, I spoke about the central role played
by Paramount Chiefs in the governance of our country
over the years. I lamented about the regrettable
devaluation of their stature and role in recent
times and called for a restitution of the dignity
and authority of this vital national institution.
Mr Speaker,
96. I am pleased to report to this House that
this process of restitution has begun. I have
appointed a team of local consultants with experience
in chieftaincy and public service matters to assist
the current Council of Paramount Chiefs in carrying
out its responsibilities consistent with established
terms of reference that include the restructuring
of the management of chiefdoms throughout the
country.
Mr Speaker,
97. Another major endeavour that we have embarked
upon is the decentralization of Government. Considerable
work has already been done under the direction
of the Minister of Local Government and Rural
Development. Extensive consultations have been
carried out throughout the country and studies
undertaken regarding such issues as how elections
of District Councils should be done, the form
and extent of devolution of powers to the Districts.
We are expecting that once these issues are resolved
we should be able to hold district council elections
in a few months.
98. Meanwhile, during my recent visit to Ghana,
I took the opportunity to discuss this matter
with my colleague President Kufuor since Ghana
is one of the countries with the best experiences
in decentralization. The President was kind enough
to assign to Government one of the leading authorities
on this subject, on a short-term advisory basis.
The Adviser, Prof. S. K. Nkrumah, arrived in Freetown
early this week and is already at work and will
be advising on the design and development of local
Government structures that will be relevant to
our needs and enhance the effectiveness of Distinct
Councils.
Mr Speaker,
99. Consistent with our declared commitment to
the enhancement of the welfare and progress of
women, children and the youth we continue to provide
resources for programmes designed to benefit these
groups. We have also taken measures to address
specific issues relating to their needs.
100. While I have made detailed comments on these
efforts and related matters in several speeches
over the past year, I wish to state here that
Government has committed more than Le4 billion
on children through the National Commission for
War Affected Children (NACWAC) since the Commission
was inaugurated in February this year.
Efforts to Enhance Popular Participation in
Governance
101. In its effort to involve the population
in the governance of this country with a view
of rendering our democracy well and truly participatory,
the rotation of Cabinet meetings between the capital
city and the Provincial Headquarters, has been
in progress. By this process the Government literally
moves to the people. The reason for conceiving
of this idea is to enable the Ministers of Government
to dialogue directly with Paramount Chiefs, Chiefdom
Elders and other opinion formers of the Regions
about the development aspirations of the Regions
visited. At these meetings, Government reveals
its proposals for the development of the region
visited, and requires the endorsement or amendment
of those proposals with appropriate priorities
for implementation of the agreed development projects
set by the people themselves. Unlike visits to
Districts by the National Recovery Committee,
in these meetings Cabinet devotes itself to regional
or inter-regional issues only.
102. This innovative method of involving the
population in the decision-making process of Government,
especially in respect of matters directly affecting
their welfare, has been highly appreciated by
the people and acclaimed as a unique experiment
in participatory democratic governance. It is
bound to produce popular cooperation and collaboration
between the Government and the governed. It also
fosters mutual understanding and appreciation
of the level of resources available to Government
for development at any particular time to the
extent that it keeps the expectations of the people
within achievable limits. Government will continue
with this new-found good practice of governance.
Conclusion
Mr Speaker,
103. Let me take this opportunity to extend my
profound thanks to the International Donor Community,
including the International and National Non-Governmental
Organizations, for their invaluable support of
our efforts in shaping the destiny of our nation.
104. I should pay special tribute to the people
of Sierra Leone for their faith in our leadership
and the enormous sacrifices they were willing
to make in the interest of the survival and progress
of our country. Without this, none of the achievements
presented here could have been made.
105. It is, therefore, relevant at this point
to remind those of us, I mean both the executive
and the legislature, that have been entrusted
with managing the affairs of the Nation, to always
strive to enhance the creation of wealth for the
benefit of the general population rather than
agitate for personal comfort or advantage. The
occupation of a public office should always be
regarded as a heavy and sacred responsibility
and not as a source of personal reward.
I thank you.
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