The Minister of
information and communication, Mr Mohamed Bangura has on Friday 21st October,
2016 told the people of Sierra Leone that the government is removing the
subsidy in fuel as a austerity measure to save the country’s economic crisis.
He made this statement this in a well attended
meeting with the people of Portloko, Kambia and Bombali.
According to him, the decision
to remove fuel subsidy was not political but based on a recent world Bank
advise to the President Koroma’s Administration on fuel. “It is time that
the people of this county take leadership, it not about APC or SLPP but for Sierra
Leoneans”, said the Honorable Minister.
The Minister used the podium to reflect on the
Ebola Outbreak in the Country and its corresponding impact on National
Development. He explained how the situation has been worsening by both the
scale- down operations in the Mining Sector and the deteriorating World
Economy. He said this simply imply that things are tough and rough the World
over.
He informed the gathering about the
approximately 200 Billion Leones Government normally factors in subsidies
including the 85.5 Billion Leones it has already paid as Fuel Subsidy for 2016
alone, and the 70 Percent it normally pays for University Students and other
areas. The Minister said Government does all of these with the sole aim of
improving the living standards of its People.
He said the Government is therefore taken aback
when it was recently discovered that the bulk of fuel is being smuggled into
neighbouring countries. He said the activities of such ill-meaning people have
excercebated the already challenging times the Country is faced with. The
Minister said because these are no normal times, People should therefore be
willing to make some sacrifices.
He then went ahead to brief the Audience about
the conditionality of the International Monitory Fund [IMF] which is of the
perception that the amount of money Government is paying on Fuel Subsidies is
too high and ought to be removed. Hon. Mohamed Bangura said even though
Government is somehow compelled to adhere, yet it deems it equally fit to sound
the opinion of its People before a decision could be developed.
He said if the Fuel Subsidies are removed, the
money could then be used to increase the Salaries of workers and address other
spheres aimed at improving the welfare of Sierra Leoneans. He said Government
would also be able to give a thorough look at some key sectors such as Health,
Agriculture, Energy, Water and Education, adding that plans are afoot to
reintroduce the School Feeding Programme in all Government and Government
assisted Primary Schools.
A Handful of the District Members of Parliament
who availed their presence confirmed that Government is indeed going through
hard times and that the money used on Fuel Subsidies is not only too much , but
that is could be far more useful if it is removed to address other key needs of
State.
In their response, the Paramount Chiefs, Ward
Councillors and representatives of the various Pressure Groups in the District,
feared that the removal of Fuel Subsidies is bound to have some ripple effects
on the living standards of People.
They explained how this could lead to price
increase and how certain Dealers have already started hauling fuel at the
various Stations in anticipation of an increase in Price Increase.
Source: Sierraloaded
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