By John K. Marah
During the weekly press briefing held by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, Honorable Sia Mahawa Habiama Tommy, the respected representative from Kono District, shared her insights on the upcoming 2025 National Budget. The briefing took place at the Miatta Conference Hall in the the Youyi Building, Freetown.
Hon. Sia expressed her gratitude for the government’s continuous commitment to fostering youth employment, enhancing skill development, and promoting entrepreneurship. She emphasized that these initiatives have the potential to address the urgent problem of unemployment not only in Kono but also throughout Sierra Leone.
One of budgetighlights she praised was the substantial allocation of funds to vocational and skills traicentressters. She asserted that tcentresnters are essential for empowering young individuals who may not have access to formal educational opportunities, equipping them with valuable skills that can lead to improved livelihoods.
In her address, Hon. Sia made a compelling case for the fair distribution of these essential opportunities. She advocated for policies that would ensure rural communities like Kono receive significant benefits from national initiatives.
To further bolster her argument, she highlighted the transformative decision to recruit an additional 3,000 healthcare workers. This initiative aims to enhance healthcare delivery systems, especially in underserved areas where medical personnel are critically needed. Hon. Sia urged the Ministry of Health to prioritize Kono District, ensuring it receives adequate resources, including necessary medical supplies and personnel, to address the ongoing healthcare challenges in the region.
While she commended the government’s focus on infrastructure development, she stressed the need for increased attention to rural roads and electrification projects in Kono. Hon. Sia pointed out the poor condition of the roads connecting Kono to neneighbouringgistricts, explaining how these inadequacies hinder trade and limit access to essential services. She called for urgent action to remedy these infrastructure issues.
Reflecting on the budget’s provisions for agriculture, Hon. Sia encouraged the government to provide more support to smallholder farmers in Kono. She emphasized the importance of offering essential resources such as fertilizers and tools, as well as facilitating access to markets, all of which are crucial for boosting agricultural productivity and alleviating poverty in the region. In her view, targeted youth programs that engage younger individuals in agriculture and agribusiness would create significant opportunities for economic empowerment.
Hon. Sia also took a moment to commend the government’s aacknowledgementtof climate change as a pressing issue, advocating for practical interventions in Kono. She asserted that initiatives such as reforestation projects and sustainable land management practices are vital for combating deforestation, soil erosion, and water scarcity, thereby protecting the region’s environmental integrity and natural resources.
The honourablee member expressed her gratitude for the increased budget allocations directed toward the education sector, particularly highlighting the focus on free quality education and scholarships for tertiary institutions. However, she urged the Ministry of Education to ensure that these resources are utilized efficiently to improve school infrastructure and enhance teacher training programs in Kono.
As a committed Parliamentarian, Hon. Sia pledged that Parliament would diligently monitor the implementation of the budget to ensure transparency and effectiveness. She vowed to advocate vigorously for the fair allocation of resources, holding government agencies accountable for fulfilling their commitments outlined in the 2025 budget.
In her powerful conclusion, Hon. Sia implored the government to prioritize rural areas like Kono within its development framework. She advocated for more inclusive resource allocation strategies to ensure that every citizen, regardless of their geographic location, can benefit from the nation’s growth and development efforts.
Hon. Sia Mahawa Habiama Tommy’s articulate address at the press briefing showcased her unwavering commitment to ensuring that the 2025 National Budgetfulfils its promises, especially for marginalized regions like Kono. Her focus on youth empowerment, healthcare enhancement, educational improvement, and infrastructure development emphasized critical priorities that demand immediate attention to bridge the development gap and promote holistic national growth.
