By Anthony Vandy, SLPP PRO On Social Media
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It is no hidden secret that since President Dr. Julius Maada Bio assumed leadership in 2018, his reemergence into the Highest National Leadership of the Country has brought so many international reassures especially from the country’s donor partners and the International Community and at the same time led to so many transformation and infrastructural developments within the four corners of Sierra Leone.
Starting with the Flagship Program of His Excellency the President, the Free Quality Education Program (FQSE) which was launched by the President in August, 2018, it was met with mixed feelings, perceptions and receptions from the Sierra Leonean populace. Some believed that the program was not feasible, or was doomed to fail as there were no financial resources to help implement and sustain it. Some other Sierra Leoneans genuinely believed in the success of the program. Today, there is surge in the enrollment of pupils in schools throughout the country. More than 3,040 schools have been approved. More than 1,400 teachers have been approved; 1,901 teachers re-assessed, and recruitment process for more 3,400 teachers completed. Parents and guardians feel relived from the burden of paying school fees, buying exercise and core textbooks. More awareness about the relevance of education in developing human beings. More and more girls are enrolling in schools. The notion that education was not a right, but a privilege has been wiped off the minds of Sierra Leoneans through the unfettered access to education. The national school-feeding program is motivation and inspiration to children to enroll and stay in schools. All Sierra Leonean children regardless of their physical, intellectual and socio-economic conditions have equal access to free quality school education in Sierra Leone. Special amenities and infrastructure improvements such as ramps have been made available to either school for the blind, or co-mingled schools where physically challenged children need help to access education.
In the area of roads, government has commissioned the Bo Mattru-Jong Road, the Kenema/Tongo-Fields/Koidu Road, the Commissioning of the construction of 68 streets in Kenema, commissioning of the construction of the Kenema mini stadium, the Commissioning of the completion of the Tokeh Peninsula Road and also supported the rehabilitation of the Bo stadium and the rehabilitation of Magburaka Boys School & commissioned the road and clock tower. The government is almost at a completion of the 170 bed rooms for senior ranks military at the Wilberforce Barracks in Freetown. Another 100 beds hospital at the 34 Barracks has almost been completed.
After 12 years of trial, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), a United States Foreign Aid agency in 2019 positively assessed Sierra Leone under the leadership of President Bio in the control of corruption, ruling justly and investing in people with pass marks in guaranteeing democratic rights, civil liberties, the rule of law, health and primary education expenditures. The MCC also gave a pass mark to the government of President Bio in the area of economic freedom, trade policy, gender in the economy and business start-up.
In the same spirit, the government of President Bio had reviewed the Anti-Corruption Act to make it more robust in the fight against corruption.
In terms of debt they inherited, the government of President Bio paid $1.2 billion domestic debt left by ex-president Koroma of the APC.
In 2019, President Bio launched Africaโs first block chain and decentralized digital platform under the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) in Sierra Leone.
The government has established and operationalized the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) under the Office of the President.
In an effort of translating commitment into action for the construction of the Lungi/Freetown Bridge, arrangements for the construction of the bridge are far ahead.
By way of motivating teachers for quality delivery of learning in schools, the government has increased salaries of teacher by 30%
Government has also created a Ministry of the Environment in response to the global environmental challenges.
Government has recruited 300 females in the army, first ever in the history of Sierra Leone.
There has been a commissioning of 48 hospitals across the country.
Government has also approved 106 schools across the country
Government has supplied 506 ambulances across the country to respond to emergency health issues.
Government has commissioned the construction of two universities: one in Bonthe and the other in Kono District.
Government has paid for application forms for students who enrolled in public universities across the country.
Government has offered scholarships to university students offering Mathematics, Geography, Agriculture, Biology and Engineering across the country.
