5 Comments
Prominent APC politician and former Anti-Corruption Commissioner, Ady Macauley, has expressed strong criticism of the proposed Government Finance Act 2024.
Macauley raised concerns over the suggested tax increases on essential commodities such as rice, gas, cement, and iron rods, stating that such a move signals serious trouble for the nation’s economy.
He emphasized the paradox of raising taxes on staple foods like rice when over half the country, according to World Bank figures, struggles to feed itself, with a third facing a food crisis.
Macauley went on to condemn the decision to burden the poor with additional taxes, calling attention to the need for alternative solutions. He proposed reducing government expenditure as a viable option, suggesting measures such as cutting down on the wage bill, imposing travel restrictions on public officials, and ending the extravagant purchases of gas-guzzling V8 Toyota Land Cruisers for political appointees.
He urged the government to reconsider free fuel allocations for political figures, emphasizing that these adjustments could alleviate the financial burden on the common citizens.
He emphasized, “When you Look at the new draft Finance Bill 2024, in which there is proposed tax hike on rice, gas, cement & iron rods, you just know our economy is in serious trouble and those steering the ship are sinking it. Who raises taxes on our staple food, rice, at a time when world bank figures show more than half the country cannot feed themselves and a third on at food crisis point?. Dada go soon tell you say make you eat rice wisely.”
In additional statement, Macauley presented the government with a stark choice between preserving the privileges of the political class or imposing more tax misery on the already struggling population. He painted a bleak economic picture, describing the country as being on the edge of an economic cliff. He concluded his remarks with an appeal to a higher power, saying, “Allah save us.”
Ady Macauley’s strong stance against the proposed Finance Bill underscores the growing concerns about the economic direction and policies of the current administration led by President Bio. As discussions surrounding the bill intensify, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the mounting criticism from figures like Macauley and the broader public.
I think the former ACC boss Aday Maculey had said it. Who next to condemned the government for developing a new financial act, whilst there are thousands of SLeinans going to bed hungry. APC Parliamentarian this u
is a te
If things goes up has planned, Sierra Leone will have more ……. Pls reduce the fuel given to government officials and their persem.
I really don’t know who the parliamentarians are serving ????
The 5% tax imposition on rice is a clear indication of how our representatives are self centered.
I really piety those who always hope on politician for their survival.
Sierra Leone is on the brink of divide and loosing citizens, who may preferred to seek refuge in neighbouring countries.
It is high time jobless youths cut down their family burdens and focus on immediate family rather than those longated lineages.
This increase should have been 30% increment on the importation of harmful drugs: KUSH, Cocaine , etç.
I am really hurried and frustrated as a young man in my twenties.
The bright future may await us in heavens.
As a good citizen of our country I always stand and said the truth and nothing but the truth. I had the formal ACC Bose writing such unthinking massage for just asking those who don’t know their behavior during the time when their government was in power rooting and roobing this country in bread daylight in which I don’t have any daught of saying all what’s we are going through is their parmanet running of our country that has lead us where we are today.
Can you imagine that this same man was a head of ACC and never showed us an example that what he actually achieve as his team of office since their so called APC was in power. And after surgery cleaning out resources and totally comvers its to be there. After seeing at the eve of elections results annancement there we the good citizen of this nation seeing government officials rooting and roobing our country economy and resources at all livel failing to know that this same country belongs to all of us. So please Mr ACC Bose tell your political party APC to go into action by doing development at their own level . Raderthan all the time pointing fingers at rulling government. Instead please add value by injecting new development in our political system. So please as the saying goodbye come outside and help to do something that are tangible to us as good citizen that will confused us to vote for your party APC.