Wednesday September 14, 2005
Tamba Borbor reports from Freetown
The Head of the British Department For International Development (DFID), Mr. Richard Hogg has stressed that Sierra Leone is well aided by its international development partners.
He was speaking during an interactive session after the official launching of the 2005 Human Development Report at the Miatta Conference Hall Monday 12th September. This is contrary to the opinion of Government officials that the country is not receiving much financial resources from the international community to effectively carry out its developmental programmes. He disclosed that last year, the country received over a $100 million in aid cash while noting that Britain gave 40 million Pounds Sterling towards developmental projects in Sierra Leone. “Sierra Leone is well aided as compared to other countries of its size,” Mr. Hogg stated.
The problem the DIFD Boss maintains is that there are too many projects out of the Government’s control. “You need to raise you own resources to be able to prioritise your development needs and how you use it,” he said.
Mr. Hogg asked what happened to the cash crops that Sierra Leone used to export in the 70s; adding that there is a need to reflect on this issue inorder to be able to talk about trade. He maintained that there should a sustained commitment in the area of security if the little progress registered is to be sustained.
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