Freetown, 5th November, 2026 – Members of Parliament on Wednesday, 4th November, 2026 continued debate on the motion of thanks for the Presidential Address delivered by President Julius Maada Bio at the State Opening of the Fourth Session of the Sixth Parliament on 7th August, 2026.
The motion reads: “That we the Members of Parliament here assembled wish to thank His Excellency the President for the Address he so graciously delivered on the occasion of the State Opening of the Fourth Session of the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone.”
Opening the day’s debate, Hon. Fatmata Bintu Bockarie (Bonthe) commended the President for declaring 2026 a Year of Action, welcoming priorities on food production, electricity and clean water, while calling for measurable results for ordinary citizens. She called for responsible engagement between Government and Opposition and appealed for construction of the Java-to-Oyahu road.
Hon. Abdul Latif Sesay (Port Loko) said the President fulfilled his constitutional duty to report on the State of the Nation, but said performance must be judged by tangible results. He flagged incomplete projects, a non-operational fire force facility, poor roads and bridges, youth unemployment, financial strain on local councils and poor telecoms in his constituency.
Hon. Engineer Fallah Tengbeh (Kailahun) defended the Government’s record, citing improved fiscal management, road and bridge construction, electricity generation and digital transformation. He praised the 108-megawatt power project and Mission 300 Energy Compact and called for more investment in cybersecurity and a National Cyber Resilience Forum.
Hon. Mohamed Shebureh Bangura (Kambia) questioned food security claims amid rising food prices and transport costs, and called for rehabilitation of the abandoned agricultural facility at Mambolo and better infrastructure to connect island communities to markets.
Hon. Rev. Fatmata Sarah Soukenah praised gains in women’s empowerment, gender equality, free quality education, child protection and human capital development, pointing to the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act.
Hon. Mohamed Papa Bangura raised concern over the 2026 WASSCE performance despite education investment, called for fair distribution of road and bridge projects and respect for rule of law. As a member of the Sports Committee, he commended sports investment but urged completion of the National Stadium to cut costs of hosting matches abroad.
Hon. Joseph Williams Lamin (Bo) commended Government institutions and development partners, including China, for supporting national development. He defended infrastructure achievements and backed the Feed Salone initiative, calling for more investment in local food production to reduce rice imports.
Hon. Mariama Bangura said development promises must translate into better living conditions. She cited rising cost of living, youth unemployment, poor electricity and water, bad roads and rising drug abuse among youths. She appealed for rehabilitation of the road to Independence Avenue.
Hon. Alice Jebbeh Kumabeh praised nationwide bridge construction and road rehabilitation and plans to replace ferries with bridges, saying it has improved connectivity regardless of region.
Hon. Zainab Bah (Western Rural) highlighted tourism as a driver of jobs and investment, naming Kent, Banana Island and Wango Waterfall, and called for better roads, electricity, water and sanitation to tourist sites. She urged prioritization of Wango Waterfall.
Hon. Musa Lahai (Kailahun) described the address as one of the best ever, citing achievements in education, electricity, infrastructure and healthcare.
Hon. Amidu H. Mansaray (Koinadugu) called for urgent rehabilitation of a deteriorating road in his constituency. He challenged Government’s claim on 23 bridges, arguing distribution was uneven with 18 in the South-East, 2 in the North and 3 in the Western Area, and questioned whether some were funded by partners or inherited. He also raised the drug abuse crisis and adequacy of rehabilitation facilities.
Hon. Juliana Fatorma commended the President for peace, national unity, education and infrastructure, and called for collective support for national development.
Hon. Ing. Habbie Fabbeh (Bo) defended Government’s nationwide development record, saying projects extend across regions through Government and partner funding, and cited progress in roads, bridges, healthcare, immunization and safe drinking water.
Debate continues.
