35 Years for full implementation of Agenda for Prosperity –

Deputy Info & Communications Min. Hon. Theo Nicol

Sierra Leone’s Deputy Information and communications Minister Hon. Theo Nicol has said “it will take governments a period of thirty five years (35years) to fully and effectually implement the Agenda for prosperity.

Speaking to African American audience mainly Academics, Professionals, and Medico’s of New Jersey, including executive members of the All People’s Congress (APC) New Jersey Chapter at the Jamaican conference center, Thursday August 22, 2013, Hon.Theo Nicol described the “agenda for Prosperity as a working document that is geared towards driving the development process of the west African nation for the next thirty five (35) years.

“That does not mean President Ernest Bai Koroma is going to run for office to govern the Country for thirty five years.” Said Hon. Theo Nicol. Adding, “The agenda for prosperity is being implemented in phases. “He displayed the booklet and said it takes time to recover and achieve all what is contained here.

“When the Government of President Ernest Bai Koroma assumed office in 2007, the Country’s infrastructure was in a very bad shape: total electricity generation was under twenty Megawatts, the Country was faced with very high Infant, Child, and Maternal Mortality Rates, Education level was at its lowest ebb and the economy was down trodden.

Today, the President Ernest Bai Koroma government is credited by the World Bank and other Bretton Woods institution as one of the World’s fastest growing economies.

It has launched the biggest road construction program in the Country’s history. New road networks between Masiaka and Bo, Bo and Kenema, Makeni and Matotoka, and Freetown and Conakry, Kenema and Pendembu, Lumley and Tokeh and Port-Loko.

The International Airport which was about to be blacklisted by international aviation authorities on account of its dismal state has been rehabilitated to international standards.

In 2011, Energy generation rose to 76.5 Megawatts: to make mention of newly constructed hydro and mini hydro dams need not be overemphasized.

“There is no quick fix solution to our country’s problems. “ As I speak, the agenda for prosperity is on course.” Said the Minister.

He referred to early this year, when President Earnest Bai Koroma launched the third Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper known as the ‘Agenda for Prosperity’ at the Miatta Conference Centre in Brookfield Freetown, and said “It is designed for our Country to overcome all sorts of challenges, and subsequently clear all impediments from the way of our Country’s economic development.

According to him, the Agenda for prosperity is built on eight pillars, including effective management of the Country’s natural resources, international competitiveness, diversified economic growth, labor and employment, social protection, accelerating human development and so on.

He described the cost of the project as a capital intensive program.” Therefore a very substantial amount of money is needed for the implementation of the “Agenda for Prosperity”; but I can assure you that a fraction of the needed total funds is available and when the program shall be fully implemented, Sierra Leone will become a middle income Country that will be compared to a Country like Hong Kong.”

Hon. Theo Nicol dilated on the new education policy and said the government has increased the salaries of teachers range from 200 to 400%, increase salaries of lecturers, increase subvention to universities, increase budget for education with bias for the girl child education, Science and Technology to build capacity for middle man skills jobs.

Responding Alhaji Badara Kamara thanked President Ernest Bai Koroma for the initiative –to send his spokesman to New Jersey to clarify these burning issues. “We are very satisfy with your participation in so far as clarifying these issues are concern. “Mr. Minister, we were worried about this third term issue, because of the rumor: but as from today, the detractors should go on the search for another topic-because the third term agenda issue is now laid to rest. “Third term Agenda is a pipe dream”. He also thanked Pasco Temple and Reverend Leroy Wilfred Kabbs Kanu Secretary General Almami Turay and Pavi Jalloh for arranging the meeting and called on the Hon. Minister to come again whenever he has time.

Members present were Representations from the ruling APC and the opposition SLPP, Sierra Leone Community of New Jersey (SLCNJ), Tegloma, Sarbeh, and Religious leaders.

At the Sierra Leone Mission accredited to the United Nations in New York, Hon Theo Nicol was received by the Minister Counsellor Mr. Alusine Sesay and Minister Plenipotentiary Reverend Wilfred Leroy Kabbs Kanu, before being led to Ambassador Osman Keh Kamara and Ambassador Amadu Koroma, who not only warmly welcomed the Hon. Minister, but also applauded him for his good work.

Ambassador Amadu Koroma said he felt the impact of the Hon. Minister’s action in Maryland no sooner than when he clarified some issues. The senior Attorney and Barrister at Law concurred that there is no provision in the 1991 Constitution that makes provision for a third term president.

Hon. Theo Nicol briefed the Ambassadors on his activities in Washington DC and Maryland and updated them about his mission to New Jersey and Connecticut.

In his own contribution, Ambassador Osman Keh Kamara offered the Hon. Minister his representational vehicle to enable him visit New Jersey and Connecticut without any form of distraction. “That is why we are here to facilitate Government’s work.”

by Pasco Temple & Kabbs Kanu

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