Opposition MP Warns: Food Insecurity May Cause Unrest
By Benjamin S Conteh
An opposition Member of Parliament representing Koinadugu District, Hon. Hawa Conteh, has warned that failing to ensure food security in Sierra Leone could lead to unrest and conflict. She made this statement on November 5th, 2024, during a parliamentary debate on President Bio’s address at the opening of the Sixth Parliament.
Hon. Conteh emphasized the critical importance of food security, referencing the government’s “Feed Salone Project.” She agreed with President Bio’s assertion in paragraph 24 of his speech that “without the capacity to feed our people, we risk fostering unrest and conflict.” She urged the President to prioritize the “Feed Salone Project” as essential to sustaining peace and stability in the country.
Further, Hon. Conteh highlighted the need for infrastructure development, specifically in constructing feeder roads, as addressed in paragraph 29 of the President’s speech. She pointed out that only 35 kilometers of feeder roads had been constructed over the years, a figure she deemed insufficient. According to Hon. Conteh, at least 175 kilometers of feeder roads should be built within a five-year period to facilitate agricultural progress.
She argued that without reliable access to rural areas, where dedicated farmers operate, the country will struggle to produce enough food to support its population. Hon. Conteh clarified that “real farmers” those who live and work in remote areas rather than “political farmers” are essential to boosting food production. In her home district of Koinadugu, she noted, thousands of hardworking farmers reside in places like Kasongo, Dian, Wara Wara Bafodia, Sengbeh, and Yifin, where even motorbikes often have difficulty reaching due to inadequate road access.
Hon. Conteh concluded by stressing that large-scale farming will remain stagnant without the necessary infrastructure to support it. She called on the government to address these issues with urgency to ensure the success of the “Feed Salone Project” and to safeguard the peace and stability of Sierra Leone.
