Tonkolili District Marginalized in 2025 Budget, Opposition MP Alleges
By Benjamin S Conteh
Hon. Jawah Sesay, an opposition Member of Parliament representing the people of Tonkolili District, has accused the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) of neglecting his district in the 2025 Financial Budget. Speaking in Parliament, Hon. Sesay lamented the district’s exclusion from major development projects, claiming the government has failed to address their needs.
“The people of Tonkolili do not trust the SLPP-led government under President Bio. Having reviewed the budget document, Tonkolili District is completely absent. Mr. Speaker, it feels as though Tonkolili is no longer part of Sierra Leone,” Hon. Sesay stated.
He further criticized the government for failing to deliver on previous promises, citing the 2024 national budget as another instance where the district was overlooked. He mentioned that even Samba Town, a key area in the district, saw no tangible development despite its economic contributions.
“For us in Tonkolili, we feel completely excluded from the 2025 national budget,” the MP emphasized.
Hon. Sesay called for the ruling party to include Tonkolili in a supplementary budget, highlighting the district’s significance to the nation. He noted that Tonkolili is home to several major mining operations, including the Kingo Group of Companies and the largest agricultural project, Miro Sierra Leone, which significantly contribute to the country’s GDP. He also pointed out the importance of Bumbuna Phase Two, a critical energy project based in the district.
“Tonkolili is the district where iron ore is mined, generating millions of leones in government revenue. Yet, it is nowhere to be found in the budget,” Hon. Sesay argued.
The MP referenced specific pages in the budget document pages 34, 36, and 37 that discuss allocations for health and education but fail to mention Tonkolili District.
“It is painful to cook rice and not be able to eat it,” he remarked, expressing his frustration.
Turning to the 345.7 billion leones allocated to the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) for road construction, Hon. Sesay urged the government to fulfill its promises to Tonkolili. He specifically highlighted the deplorable state of roads from Magburaka to Bendugu and criticized the SLPP for failing to deliver on its 2018 election campaign promises of improved infrastructure.
“In terms of road infrastructure, Tonkolili District is far behind. I am deeply disappointed that the budget failed to address the Magburaka-Bendugu road,” he said.
He further criticized the government for failing to utilize royalties paid by mining companies, such as Leone Rock Sierra Leone, to improve local infrastructure. Under the previous administration, royalties from Africa Mineral were used for road construction, but under the current regime, the district continues to grapple with poor road networks and deteriorating bridges.
Hon. Sesay also highlighted the impact of these infrastructural challenges on the lives of Tonkolili residents, citing the increased cost of living, including the soaring price of a bag of rice, now at NLe900.
In conclusion, the opposition MP appealed to the Minister of Finance to prioritize Tonkolili in a supplementary budget, stressing the district’s vital role in national development.
