Former Chief Minister Calls For Travel Restrictions on Presidency To Mitigate Global Crisis
By Kelvin Jay
Former Chief Minister Jacob Jusu Saffa has urged the Government of Sierra Leone to impose temporary restrictions on non-essential government travel, including at the presidential level, as part of broader measures to mitigate the economic impact of the ongoing tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
Speaking during an appearance on the Truth Media Morning Devotion Show on Monday, Saffa provided an analysis of the potential economic consequences of the crisis, warning that failure to adopt urgent measures could further weaken the country’s economy.
According to him, Sierra Leone’s heavy dependence on imports makes it particularly vulnerable to global shocks, especially disruptions affecting fuel supply and prices. He cautioned that the recent rise in fuel prices could trigger ripple effects across the economy, increasing transportation costs and driving up the prices of both locally produced goods and imported commodities.
Saffa noted that these pressures could also place additional strain on the country’s foreign exchange reserves managed by the Bank of Sierra Leone.
He further warned that if the international crisis persists, the Sierra Leonean Leone could depreciate further against major foreign currencies, thereby increasing the cost of imports and worsening the financial burden on citizens.
To mitigate these risks, Saffa called on the government to urgently design and implement an emergency economic response plan. Among the measures he proposed is the introduction of a temporary ban on non-essential government travel, extending even to the presidency, as a way to reduce public spending during the current period of uncertainty.
“This is not the time for excessive talk. Government must get to work now and establish an emergency plan to respond to the current crisis,” Saffa emphasized.
He also urged authorities to improve public communication by clearly explaining how the global tensions could affect Sierra Leone’s economy. According to him, officials should move beyond simplistic explanations that the country is not a fuel-producing nation and instead provide transparent information about the likely economic consequences of the crisis.
In addition, Saffa called for stronger fiscal discipline, particularly by addressing what he described as the overpricing of government contracts awarded to private companies. He warned that without effective mitigation strategies and prudent financial management, Sierra Leone could face severe economic challenges.
Saffa concluded by stressing that decisive leadership, transparent communication, and strict control of government spending will be critical in helping the country navigate the current global economic uncertainty.
