The Three Sierra Leonean Members of Parliament who are in attendance to this year’s Global Parliamentary Conference have appealed to the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group to increase the nominal and present value of the Country’s debt ceiling.
They also appealed for more grant to stimulate growth of the Country’s Economy.
Speaking on the topic “Parliamentary Workshop: Focus on Health Systems” at room WB MC6-100, Tuesday April 12th, 2016 Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma said the “Ebola Virus Disease left a very big hole in the economy and narrow the revenue scope of the Country.”
“The Ebola Virus Disease did not only ravaged the Country’s health sector, but also affected other viable economic areas including Agriculture, Mining, Trade, Fishing, Tourism and Infrastructure.
“It also affected Education, Communications and small scale businesses and enterprises thereby leaving the country bare.” Said Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma: adding,
“Ebola Virus Disease saw the closure of businesses and commercial activities. “Now that the War is over, we are grappling with a slow start of economic activities- thus having relative impact on the other sectors.
“As I speak, Economic activities are yet to pick up, while the government is facing challenges in upgrade of its systems.
“Our President His Excellency Ernest Bai Koroma has embarked on improving the Health systems with the ongoing program of a “post graduate medical training institute primarily to look into strategies of medical institutions and equally on the way to bring up a national emergency response services.”
Prior to the Ebola Outbreak, Sierra Leone was striving with economic growth and development activities.
They praised the leadership skills and courage of President Ernest Bai Koroma who took over the leadership of the Health Sector and saw to it that Ebola was conquered.
Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma on behalf of the government and people of Sierra Leone thanked the international Community for their intervention and said the moneys contributed went to the Non- Profit organizations and not to the Government of Sierra Leone. “We had no control of it and were not accountable to us as a government.”
Hon. Shekuba Amani Sannoh and Hon. Lahai Marah also contributed by answering questions from other Parliamentarians and guests.
They assured the donor of judicious use of their assistance.
The trio were so impressive that the IMF regional Director Mr. John Wakeman Linn called for a special meeting with his team for Thursday April 14th 2016.
Other speakers at the session include Jeremy Lefroy MP, UK Chairman, The Parliamentary Network on the World Bank & IMF and Alpha Diallo, MP Guinea.
Meanwhile the trio (Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma, Hon. Shekuba Amani Sannoh and Hon. Lahai Marah) met with some members of the financial delegation from Sierra Leone on the twelfth floor of the World Bank, at the office of Mr. Sheku Bangura Senior Advisor to the executive Director.
They met with Mr. Dan Mason Executive Chairman Petroleum Unit, Mr. Matthew Dingie Director of Budget, Mr. Sahr Jusu Director of Debt, Mr. Alimamy Bangura Director of Policy and Strategy Ministry of Finance: Mr. Mohamed Mansaray Director of Research Bank of Sierra Leone, Mr. Jibao Flee Assistant Director Financial Management Bank of Sierra Leone.
They also met with Mr. Amara O. Kuyateh Deputy Director General National Social Security and Insurance Trust.
