Sierra Leone’s Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, revealed in an exclusive interview with AYV that the nation experienced a substantial financial loss of NLe77.6 million ($3.5 million) over a three-day period from June 19 to June 21, 2024.
The financial hit was linked to unfulfilled threats of protests, which disrupted the country’s economic stability.
According to Dr. Sengeh, the National Revenue Authority (NRA) usually collects an average daily revenue of NLe72 million.
However, due to the political turbulence during these critical dates, the actual revenue collected plummeted significantly: NLe46.94 million on June 19, NLe49.39 million on June 20, and NLe53.11 million on June 21. This drastic reduction underscores the severity of the economic impact caused by the political unrest.
The Chief Minister attributed this revenue shortfall to political instability spurred by what he termed as “divisive politics.”
He voiced his concerns about the ramifications of such financial losses, emphasizing that the funds lost could have been crucial in addressing several of the country’s pressing needs.
Specifically, Dr. Sengeh noted that the missing millions could have been utilized to pay public sector salaries, support the free education initiative, and bolster healthcare services.
Dr. Sengeh’s disclosure highlights the broader implications of political instability on Sierra Leone’s economy and the critical importance of maintaining political harmony for the nation’s financial health.
As the country navigates these challenges, the government’s focus remains on stabilizing the political climate to prevent further economic setbacks.
