Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698082065088.pdf (Sierra Leone)
PARLIAMENT BUILDING OAU DRIVE, TOWER HILL FREETOWN E-mail: sierraleoneparliament@hotmail.com/admin@parliament.gov.sl 4th MARCH, 2023 PRESS RELEASE PARLIAMENT RATIFIES SEVERAL AGREEMENTS The Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Tuesday, 04/04/2023 debated and ratified several agreements geared towards the socio-economic development of the State.

The following agreements were ratified by Parliament.

1.
1.

Loan agreements construction of Tikonko-Kpetemba- Mattru Jong Road Project Lot: Tikonko- Kpetema project between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa Dated 20th December 2022 and 2.

Loan Agreement rice value chain development project between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa, dated 20th December 2022.
Presenting the agreements prior to ratifications, the Minister of Finance, Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura said the objective of the road construction is to link several roads in that region.The Minister said the road construction is estimated at 73km that involves several constructive layers with new bridges.

The Minister said the road would also link neighboring countries to enhance quick accessibility and also link transportation and agricultural productivity.
The Minister said the total amount of the project is a USD $25 million from BADEA.

On the agriculture rice project, the Minister said, it would enhance food self-sufficiency with productivity .He also said the agreement would expand accessibility to markets and farmers would improve agricultural productivity.

He said the amount of money involved is twenty million dollars with a grace period of five years.
The Minister also stated that, when the agreement would be implemented, It would increase rice production and market access and contribute to the soico-economic development of the State.

In his contribution to the debate, the Parliamentary Committee Chairman of Agriculture and Food Security, Hon.

Sallieu Osman Sesay said when agriculture is given the right attention it would fixed the economic trajectory of the State and went on to support both agreements.

On his part, Hon.

Eng.


Abib Keifa Fabbah commended both agreements and went on to highlight the importance of the agricultural agreement and underscored the need for more agreements .He called on his colleague MPs to ratify both agreements.

In rounding up the debate, the Acting Leader of Opposition Hon.

Hassan Sesay said any agreements that is not controversial, the opposition would also support it for the interest and progress of the State.
"For any country to develop we need a solid infrastructural development " he said and went on expressed hope that, the agreements would increase economic growth.

In concluding the debate, the Acting Leader of Government Business Hon.Bashiru Silikie said the people of Southern Region appreciated the road network and went on to highlight the challenges involved in the commencement of the road, relatively to lack of funding.
He also said that with the dynamic Leadership of President Bio, funding has now been secured to continue the road construction .He commended the Minister and the Government for bringing more agreements to Parliament for the development of the nation.

On the agricultural agreement, he said through huge financial support to agriculture, it would yield divided for agricultural diversification.
In another development also, Parliament has on Tuesday 04/04/2023 debated and ratified partnership agreements between H2C1 Technologies and the Government of Sierra Leone for modernization through efficient, autonomous, low-cost systems respecting the environment without pollution and emissions of greenhouse gas infrastructures at the level of stationary units (Building ), Energy communications, interior and exterior lighting public lighting, mobile units ( Vehicles), drinking water and urban greenhouses for an annual production of fruits and vegetables dated April 2022.
The Minister of Environment and Climate Change Prof. Foday Jaward championed the ratification of the agreement.

MPs who spoke to the debates applauded the agreement and went on to highlight its significance towards the economic development of the State.

Both Acting Leaders of the House spoke well on sustainable energy and supported the agreement.

Parliamentary and Public Relations Department Parliament of Sierra Leone +23278495023/+23276625960/+23278426851/+23278697776