By Sulaiman Jalloh
The Minority Leader in Parliament, Hon. Abdul Kargbo has, during the government press briefing held on Tuesday, 6th August, 2024 at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Tower Hill in Freetown, after the State Opening of Parliament, categorically stated that the opposition All Peoples Congress (APC) is not averse to development.
Hon. Abdul Kargbo made that statement when he appeared as guest at the said press briefing, stressing that as opposition Members of Parliament they are not against progress and development but can criticize constructively were necessary, as according to him, it is essential for democracy to thrive. “If the government performs well, we are going to commend them; and should they fail to deliver, we must offer constructive feedback,” the Minority Leader asserted. The lawmaker reiterated the role of the opposition but affirmed that the APC party is committed to supporting sustainable development in the country. He however stated that a government that does not accept criticism is not truly democratic.
According to the Minority Leader, the State Opening delivered by President Bio in Parliament marked the beginning of the new parliamentary session and that it was in accordance with Section 84(3) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, noting that the first secession which started July 2023 is always an event where the President will give account of promises made in political party manifestos or previous state opening and gives plans for the next year. He noted that Parliament has its own calendar that is different from the normal calendar and that the President’s State Opening always marks the opening of the next session of the country’s legislature.
Hon. Kargbo furthered that the President will first disaggregate campaign manifestos into what his government was able to achieve and what he is hoping to achieve on annual basis. The lawmaker maintained that the President’s State Opening address is an extract of his manifesto and that Parliament has the responsibility to monitor Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) ensuring that what the first gentleman promised is achieved as, according to him, State Opening address is a heart of expectancy.
Hon. Kargbo disclosed that President Bio’s State Opening address emphasised on peace and national cohesion, the MCC grant, the UN Security Council attainment, among others. He commended government for the MCC Compact grant. The minority leader however noted that true and lasting peace cannot be achieved without first ensuring harmony among political stakeholders and the public.
