By Saidu Jalloh, Daily Scope Reporter
President Dr. Julius Maada Bio on Friday officially opened the Fourth Session of the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic, declaring the next year as a period of accelerated delivery in food production, energy supply, healthcare, education and job creation.
Addressing Parliament at Tower Hill in accordance with Section 84(3) of the 1991 Constitution, the President urged Members of Parliament to fulfill their legislative and oversight responsibilities as government intensifies efforts to transform service delivery nationwide.
The session opened with tributes to fallen Members of Parliament, including the late APC National Chairman, Hon. Alhaji Minkailu Mansaray.
President Bio said despite global economic challenges, Sierra Leone recorded GDP growth of 4.6% in 2024 and 4.8% in 2025, with inflation declining to 4.4% by year end. He credited prudent fiscal management and stronger domestic revenue for the stability, and noted over US$323 million in new support from the IMF under the Extended Credit Facility and Resilience and Sustainability Facility.
Government has also expanded access to finance, supported women- and youth-owned enterprises, and promoted local manufacturing to benefit from opportunities under ECOWAS and the African Continental Free Trade Area.
On agriculture, the President announced that rice production under the Feed Salone initiative reached 1.44 million metric tonnes in 2025. He reported growth in cocoa, coffee and cashew exports, and new measures to boost poultry production and food security.
In human capital development, Bio highlighted the Salone Pikin 4 Play en Lan programme, expansion of school feeding to over one million pupils, and the reintegration of more than 108,000 out-of-school children into the education system.
He also updated Parliament on progress in health, roads, water and sanitation, mining, tourism, gender equality, governance, justice, security, electoral reform, and environmental protection, while noting Sierra Leone’s increasing role in regional and international affairs.
Concluding, the President said priorities for the coming year include increasing food output, expanding electricity and water, completing priority infrastructure, improving health and education, and creating more opportunities for youth and women.
“Every Ministry, Department and Agency will be held accountable through measurable performance targets,” he said. “Delivery, transparency and value for money will be the hallmarks of this Year of Action and Accelerated Delivery.”
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