Freetown, Sierra Leone — The Opposition Chief Whip in Parliament, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, has launched a scathing critique of President Julius Maada Bio’s administration, calling on the President to formally apologize to the nation for what he described as a litany of broken promises and chronic misgovernance.
Speaking to journalists yesterday, Hon. Kamara accused President Bio of painting an overly optimistic picture of Sierra Leone’s future during his election campaign — pledging Free Quality Education, improved healthcare, food security, justice, and equitable resource distribution. Instead, he said, these pledges have largely remained unfulfilled, with the country grappling with deepening crises.
“President Bio should apologize to the nation,” Hon. Kamara declared, asserting that the government has misled the people, weakened vital institutions, and derailed national development.
Failing Health Sector Exposed
Drawing on official audit reports from 2021 to 2023, Hon. Kamara highlighted what he called “gross mismanagement” within the health sector. He noted that hospitals in Connaught, Bo, Kenema, Magburaka, and Kambia are plagued by shortages of essential medical equipment and personnel.
According to the reports cited by the Opposition Chief Whip, many facilities lack critical tools such as oxygen concentrators, functioning ambulances, blood banks, and mortuary equipment. At Connaught Hospital, he pointed out, the single blood refrigerator in use is over a decade old, while Bo Hospital’s freezers are reportedly non-functional.
Energy Crisis Deepens with Bubuna Phase II Halted
Hon. Kamara also condemned the government’s decision to suspend the Bubuna Phase II Hydroelectric Project, calling it a “grave mistake.” The project, he argued, had the potential to generate 152 megawatts of renewable energy, create more than 2,500 jobs, and significantly stabilize Sierra Leone’s electricity supply.
Despite repeated efforts by the project’s developers to engage the government and renegotiate terms, Hon. Kamara claimed that the administration halted the project for what he described as “political or regional considerations,” exacerbating the country’s energy crisis.
A Call for Accountability and Unity
In his concluding remarks, the Opposition Chief Whip reiterated his call for President Bio to apologize for what he called a failure to deliver on key promises, emphasizing that the government’s actions have eroded public trust. He also urged Sierra Leone’s youth to remain law-abiding and to stay focused on building the nation’s future.
“Our young people must not lose hope,” Hon. Kamara said. “The future of Sierra Leone rests on their shoulders, and they must remain committed to national development.”