The Secretary General of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) said on Saturday, 29th September, 2024, that Sierra Leoneans must put their political interests aside and congratulate themselves for what he described as “the historic signing of the MCC Compact” by President Julius Maada Bio in the United States of America. Mr Umaru Napoleon Koroma also said the Compact signing has come at a time when Sierra Leoneans have become increasingly anxious for improved electricity generation – a core pillar in President Julius Maada Bio’s Big Five development agenda.
Sierra Leone and the Millennium Challenge Corporation have recently signed a $480 million Energy Compact at the MCC Headquarters in Washington DC. According to a release from the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, the Compact will expand and strengthen the country’s energy sector and increase access to electricity in major towns and cities. It also states that the compact would be benefiting over 4 million Sierra Leoneans through the opportunities created by the resulting economic benefits.
In a conversation with this medium, Lawyer Umaru Napoleon Koroma who is also the Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources believe it is unpatriotic for any Sierra Leonean who thinks the MCC Compact should not be awarded to the country irrespective of the fact that the Compact comes with certain conditions which he assured citizens of government’s unwavering commitment to fulfill as enshrined in the Big Five Game Changers of President Julius Maada Bio.
“All of us, regardless of our political ideologies must embrace this compact and disregard the irrelevant political nuances…. the MCC compact is for all Sierra Leoneans” he maintained.