Hon.AKK Urges Transparency and Equity in 2025 Budget Implementation

By Benjamin S Conteh 

Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, the All People’s Congress (APC) Member of Parliament and Opposition Whip 1, delivered a sharp and impassioned critique of the 2025 National Budget during a parliamentary debate on Wednesday, November 27, 2024. His comprehensive analysis raised pressing concerns about equity, transparency, and the implementation of critical sectoral allocations, emphasizing the need for sustainable solutions to address the challenges facing ordinary Sierra Leoneans.

Highlighting Issues of Inflation and Salary Adjustments

Hon. Kamara began by acknowledging the 25% salary increase for public sector workers, but he criticized it as insufficient in the face of surging inflation. He argued that while government statistics present modest economic inflation figures, the realities of market inflation are far more severe, eroding the purchasing power of citizens. “A salary increment that cannot keep pace with the rising cost of basic goods and services is a band-aid on a bleeding wound,” he asserted.

Education: Progress Amid Persistent Challenges

The MP commended the budget’s allocation to the education sector, particularly the focus on subsidies, school feeding programs, and support for public examinations. However, he questioned why students, especially in rural and underprivileged areas, continue to face barriers in accessing examination opportunities. Kamara also spotlighted the dire lack of sanitation facilities in schools, stressing that poor hygiene conditions undermine students’ dignity and overall learning environment.

Water Crisis and Inequitable Resource Allocation

Turning to the water sector, Hon. Kamara criticized the disproportionate improvements in affluent areas like IMATT and Hill Station, while the majority of Freetown residents grapple with unreliable or nonexistent water supply. He called for innovative solutions, including private sector involvement, to tackle the ongoing crisis and expand access to clean and safe water across the country.

Healthcare and Infrastructure: Persistent Deficiencies

Kamara did not mince words when addressing the healthcare system, condemning its over-reliance on external pharmacies, which he argued compromises drug quality and availability. He urged the government to invest in local pharmaceutical development and improve drug distribution systems.

On infrastructure, he commended the government for initiating rural road connectivity projects but lamented significant delays and broken promises that hinder economic growth and accessibility. “Timely execution of these projects is essential if we are to connect farmers to markets and spur rural development,” Kamara noted.

Judiciary and Governance: Calls for Better Working Conditions

The judiciary also came under scrutiny, with Kamara highlighting the deplorable working conditions faced by magistrates and judges. He decried the lack of basic provisions, such as vehicles and adequate funding, which undermines the judiciary’s efficiency and independence.

Accountability in Social Programs

Hon. Kamara raised serious concerns about the management of social welfare programs, particularly cash transfers. He alleged that the selection process for beneficiaries often deviates from the intended criteria, depriving the most vulnerable members of society of critical support.

A Call for Equity and Accountability

Concluding his critique, Hon. Kamara called on the Minister of Finance and Parliament to ensure equitable resource allocation and robust accountability mechanisms. “The 2025 budget must translate into tangible benefits for the people it is meant to serve,” he urged, emphasizing the critical role of Parliament in overseeing its implementation.

His passionate appeal highlighted the pressing need to address systemic inefficiencies and build a transparent, people-centered governance framework to uplift the lives of Sierra Leoneans.