The Parliament of Sierra Leone, on Thursday, 31/10/2024, debated and ratified several agreements for the socio-economic development of the State.
The following agreements were ratified by the Parliament of Sierra Leone: (I) Grant Agreement -Global Agriculture and Food Security Program, Grant Agreement Second Additional Financing for the West Africa Food System Resilience Program Phase 2 Under Multi-Phase Programmatic Approach between the Republic of Sierra Leone and International Bank For Reconstruction and Development (Acting as Trustee and as a Supervising Entity of the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program Dated 4th August 2023).
(ii) Letter of Agreement Transition Support Facility(TSF)Pillar (III), Enhancing Efficiency in Public Debt Management Institutional Support ( EEPDMIS) Projects Republic of Sierra Leone Dated 5th July 2023. (III) Financing Agreement (Sierra Leone Financial Inclusion Projects between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the International Development Association (IDA), Dated 29th. June,2023. (iv) Financing Agreement (Second Additional Financing Free Education Project) between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the International Development Association Dated 29 September 2023).
(V) Republic of Sierra Leone Financing(IFAD) Grants No.2000002586/loan No.2000002587 Additional Loan No.2000003095 Grant No2000002586/Additional Grant DSF No 2000003094/Additional RPSF Grant No 2000003757 Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (AVDP)( Amendment to the Financing Agreement) Dated 22nd March 2023. (Vi) Republic of Sierra Leone Financing Agreement Loan No.1-893-Sl; Grant No.1Dst -81115 Sl Additional Loan No.2000002312 Additional Grant No 2000002311.
Rural Finance and Community Improvement Programme II (”RFC1P2”The Programme) Amendment to the Financing Agreement between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the International Fund for Agricultural Development Dated 24th October 2023. (Vii) Loan Agreement Construction and Equipment of the Riyadh Referral Hospital between the Saudi Fund for Development and the Republic of Sierra Leone Dated 9th November 2023.
(Viii) Financing Agreement between the European Commission and the Republic of Sierra Leone (Ix) Protocol of Agreement between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the African Development Fund( Mano River Union Road Development and Transport Facilitation Programme Phase (Iv) Dated 5 February 2024. (X) Subsidiary Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone Represented by the Ministry of Finance and Bank of Sierra Leone Regarding the Sierra Second Financial Inclusion Projects Dated 26th October 2023.
The Deputy Minister of Finance, Kadiatu Alie, in her presentation of all agreements before the House, highlighted the importance of these agreements towards the economic development of the country. The Deputy Minister of Finance elucidated details of the agreement before the House and acknowledged its contribution to national development.
In his submission to the debate, Hon. Mustapha Sellu from Moyamba District appreciated the agreements and submitted for proper oversight on the implementation of these agreements.
In her contribution to the agreements, Hon.Rugaitu Bangura, from Tonkolili District, pleaded with the Minister for more intervention to help Master Farmers carry out their agricultural activities. She also requested more support for the farming sector.
Rounding up the debate, the Acting Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Daniel Koroma, called for additional value to agriculture through the agreements. He also advocated for additional value to be added to finished products and went on to caution the implementation of certain agreements before the House for ratification.
In concluding the debate, the Acting Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie, welcomed the various agreements and expressed optimism that the agreements would benefit the State immensely.
