By Dadson A. Musa
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Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has, during an engagement with the Mayor, Chairman, councillors and other stakeholders, held recently at the District Council Hall in Bo, lauded President Bio’s Feed Salone Project.
The Feed Salone Project forms part of the President Bio’s 2nd term government ‘Big Five Game Changers’ agenda.
At the jam-packed hall, Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh disclosed that at the interministerial committee that he chaired, they have developed new working model to ensure good local governance where policy coherence remains centre stage. VP Jalloh further disclosed that government is currently importing food costing a whooping sum of six million United States Dollars which, according to him, is not good for the country’s balance of payment. The seasoned UN diplomat and politician further dilated that rice being the staple food takes a huge chunk of two million United Stated Dollars from the aforementioned amount. VP Jalloh furthered that in order to salvage the situation, President bio, in his wisdom, is going to embark on support substitution by expanding production on rice and beverages like cooking oil. He further disclosed that government has secured what he referred to as ECOWAS Common Tariff Agreement meant to drastically reduce rice importation. He reminded the gathering that the exchange rate has stabilized, pointing out that the Leone is now used to buy gold which was not the case before.
The Honourable Vice President further stated that councils have a role to play in order to create jobs. He lectured that in their strategies to encourage investors to go to the provinces they ought to guarantee the investors tax waivers so that infrastructure, energy and road networks can be improved in in rural areas.
VP Jalloh rounded up that government has called on the European Union to give them more supports to fight the Kush endemic. He also called on councillors to play a big role in achieving Feed Salone Project. VP Jalloh advised councils to also mobilize revenue in a bid to make them independent.
On his part, the Minister of Local Government, Tamba Lamina, called on local councils to perform well so as to enable the central government to thrive. He therefore called on the two councils in the district to speak with one voice especially when it comes development.
Giving the final courtesy, the Chairman of the Occasion, Victor Korseh Hindowa expressed thanks and appreciation to Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh for what he considered as a tremendous effort to engage them and express commitment for the development of the district, and by extension, the country.
