President Julius Maada Bio and Alhaji Dr. Kandeh Kolleh YumkellaIn an astonishing admission, President Julius Maada Bio has openly admitted that he cannot bring about the transformative changes the country requires, instead promising to inspire future leaders to take up this critical task.
This revelation was made during a recent address at the State Lodge, following a significant blackout in the capital city of Freetown, which had a substantial impact on small businesses and everyday citizens. “I will not be able to change the country, but I will inspire others to do so,” President Bio said, expressing a sense of urgency in the face of ongoing challenges.
Critics have pointed out that President Bio’s six-year presidency has been characterised by economic decline. Many political analysts claim that his administration presided over one of Sierra Leone’s most difficult economic periods in history. This recognition is especially poignant given Bio’s previous criticisms of the Ernest Bai Koroma administration, which he accused of destroying the country’s economy over eleven years. Following President Bio’s candid remarks, Alhaji Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, who heads the Presidential Initiative on Climate Change, Renewable Energy, and Food Security, apologised for the nationwide blackout. During a segment on AYV TV, “Wake Up Sierra Leone,” Dr. Yumkella apologised to the people of Sierra Leone for the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority’s failure to provide reliable electricity, highlighting the current administration’s struggles. Julian Sawyer, a retired civil servant with 36 years of experience in various government departments, expressed the frustrations shared by many Sierra Leoneans.
He stated, “It is becoming clearer that the Bio-led administration will be unable to address the fundamental issues with basic amenities that the people of Sierra Leone seek.” He lamented that he and his family are going through the most difficult times since the civil war ended in 2002. “We barely buy our basic foodstuffs anymore; food prices have skyrocketed, and electricity, which we rely on to preserve our limited food supplies, has become a rarity in most homes, including ours,” he added.
Sawyer’s sentiments resonate with many citizens who are dealing with the harsh realities of rising costs and inadequate services. As the country continues to face these pressing challenges, there is growing concern among the public that conditions will worsen before improving. The prospect of a brighter future appears increasingly elusive as Sierra Leoneans wait for the changes they believed they had voted for in 2018.
