By Dadson A. Musa
The feed Salone initiative is one which has seen several vices and virtues, but if that is to show and or tell us anything, it is largely because government has made it as a major flagship program in its second and final term. This is not to suggest in any way that other sectors are not important. However, this article tends to showcase how all other sectors have a crucial role to play in making sure that governmental initiatives are given the much-needed attention.
Located along coastal line which is another huge blessing like the precious minerals we have as a country. Our marine resources are in abundance and valuable. And they are a major source of protein for the growth and health of our people. So, we cannot do without them in this feed Salone drive. This prompted our late former president, Ahmed Tejan Kabba on his campaign trail in 1996 to say this, ” our marine resources alone are enough to solve the problems of this and keep us debt- free.” Late Tejan Kabba said this with all assertiveness. From the north of Sierra Leone through the western area, right down to the south we enjoy coastal line and the resources and other benefits are huge. I heard the Chief Minister paint an optimistic view of it going forward. Well, David Moinina Sengeh, it always has been optimistic from our founding.
Like our minerals, the marine resources have been tampered with by predatory foreign hands. And it has not happened without our brothers and sisters giving these foreigners the leverage to some extent. Our marine resources have been seized on by pirates and poachers who come here clandestinely and scoop good quantity with government and the people benefiting nothing. After stealing our fishes and other marine resources they go out there and sell them for dollars. This is done because we have not had the naval ability or powers to man our marine territory. And in instances where we have managed to capture them and bring, our naval officers are given bribes in dollars and the thieves get away with it. This has been happening regularly over the years. And it has been a serious syndicate.
On the other hand, our marine personnel, civilian and military/ police need to be well trained, equipped and motivated to man and protect our waters for our exclusive good. Most personnels working in the fishery ministry do not have the requisite training to do the job well and be effective. Once this staff do very good job the many leakages in the sector will come to an end as we can succeed to a large extent in staving off pre
datory foreign hands. True to the late president Ahmed Tejan Kabba’ swords the sector has very huge potential, not only to feed this country but to bring us much needed revenue.
The other issue that needs addressing is making sure our marine resources get directly to the European market and not through third parties. Once this happens, we begin to earn money for our marine resources in dollars and not pittance from middle men. The restrictions and conditions placed on our marine resources are calculated ploys by foreign hands to fleece us in the fishery industry just as in the mining industry. We hope government work on this. This is a very wise move to bring the fishery or marine industry into feed Salone. Government must do this with all seriousness and tactfully to make sure it succeeds and free it of corruption. And the opposition should view this as development opportunity, not with a political lens. Give it their support as it is an opportunity to change the fortune of Sierra Leone for good.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Monday, June 9TH, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
