Between June 19th -21st June… Gov’t Loses $3.5M due to Political Instability … Chief Minister Reveals
SierraLeone Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh in an audio released on Saturday 22nd June 2024, informed the general public that between 19th to the 21st June,2024, the country Revenue generating entity, NRA, loses NLe77.6 in revenue collection as a result of the political instability threatened by SierraLeoneans.
Dr. David Sengeh revealed that the daily revenue collected by the National Revenue Authority (NRA) is Nle 72 million, but went on to note that on the 19th June, Government was only able to collect Nle46.94million, and Nle49.39million on the 20th June, and 53.11million respectively on the 21st June 2024, thereby losing NLe 77.6million which is equivalent of $ 3.5M triggered by the threatening remarks of some people.
According to the Chief Minister, this is a huge amount that could be utilized in paying public sector salaries, funding the free and quality education programme and strengthening health care facilities.
Chief Minister, Dr. David Sengeh intimated that the situation mirrors the statements delivered by both President Julius Maada Bio and the opposition leader, Dr.Samura kamara on the National Unity Agreement.
The latter said political stability must be entrenched to foster economic stability, while the former points out that democracy is a process and it needs to develop overtime.
He reveals that inflation use to stand at 38% for the month of April but due to the vibrant economic policies of the government inflation has been brought down to 35.85% in May, whiles a drastic reduction is also expected by the end of June 2024.
Despite the recent favourable economic indices, Chief Minister, Dr. David Sengeh was displeased that those who doesn’t mean well for the country are bent on reversing the gains the government has achieved in the economic sphere.
Dr.David Sengeh assured that the government is working with the APC through the tripartite committee report recommendations to ensure the prevalence of political stability that will invariably lead to economic stability.
Dr. Sengeh appealed to the general public to ignore a sit at home strike in the future, and to disregard those calling for it because the government will lose a lot of money if the general public becomes economically inactive.
“If the general public does the right thing then we will deliver together,” the Chief Minister affirms.
The Chief Minister further used the platform to update the public about the $170million grant received by the Ministry of health to combat malaria and other diseases.
He also informed the public with regards the completion of a brand new children’s hospital at Lumley, the west end of Freetown and the launch of a $415million gas generation plant at Kissy, the east end of Freetown.
It should be noted that the energy investment will be accompanied by huge economic and employment benefits to the nation.
