Opposition MP Mamoud Kamara Slams Government Over Neglect of Lumley in 2025 Budget

By Benjamin S Conteh 

Hon. Mamoud Kamara, widely known as “Nice Guy,” from the main opposition APC, has voiced strong discontent over the exclusion of Lumley from the development agenda outlined in the recently unveiled 2025 national budget.

Speaking passionately in Parliament, the Member of Parliament for Lumley challenged the government’s commitment to addressing the pressing needs of his constituents. “What wrong has the people of Lumley committed against President Bio?” he asked, as he decried the dire state of basic services in the community, particularly access to clean water.

Since 2018, Lumley residents have endured severe water shortages, with families especially women and children bearing the brunt of the crisis. Hon. Kamara highlighted the vulnerability of young girls, who are often forced to fetch water late at night, exposing them to safety risks and disrupting their education. “This is unacceptable,” he declared, urging the government to address the issue immediately.

The MP detailed how the lack of clean water has upended daily life, compromised hygiene, and deepened despair among residents. He accused the government of neglecting the plight of Lumley, stating, “These communities are losing hope that anything will be done for them under this administration.”

While acknowledging the Finance Minister’s effort in drafting the budget, Hon. Kamara criticized it for failing to include solutions to critical challenges faced by underserved communities like Lumley. Describing the budget as “an improvisation of deceitfulness,” he argued that it lacks tangible measures for addressing pressing issues such as access to clean water and sustainable development.

Hon. Kamara also questioned the allocation of 20% of the budget to education, criticizing the government’s flagship Free Quality Education initiative. He dismissed the program as a burden on families, arguing that the NLe 75 stipend per child is insufficient to cover essential school expenses. “This does not qualify as free quality education,” he said, emphasizing the financial strain parents continue to endure.

Concluding his remarks, Hon. Kamara called on the government to prioritize access to clean water for Lumley and similarly neglected communities. “Water is a basic necessity, and its absence undermines the dignity and well-being of our people,” he stressed. He warned that continued neglect could exacerbate existing challenges and have far-reaching consequences.

The ongoing water crisis in Lumley underscores the urgent need for improved infrastructure development across Sierra Leone, with citizens demanding greater accountability and swift action from the government.