The Press Secretary and Presidential Spokesman, Yusuf Keketoma Sandi, has highlighted the achievements made by His Excellency President Brig. (Rtd) Julius Maada Bio in his four years in office.
Outlining the achievements during the Good Morning Salone, Programme on 98.1 Radio Democracy yesterday, Yusuf Keketoma Sandi conceded that the Government was aware of the current high cost of living caused by increase in the prices of essential commodities dictated by external factors. He said the effect of Coronavirus and the Russia war on Ukraine have impacted negatively on the global economy and Sierra Leone is not an exemption.
The Presidential Spokesman reiterated that the Government was facing serious challenges because of the Coronavirus and the Russia-Ukraine effects, adding that despite the challenges, the Government has made tremendous efforts in cushioning the plight of Sierra Leoneans.
He averred that with the care and love President Julius Bio has for his compatriots, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) – a United States Foreign Agency – in 2019 positively assessed Sierra Leone under the leadership of President Bio in the control of corruption, ruling justly, and investing in people with pass marks in guaranteeing democratic rights, civil liberties, the rule of law, health and primary education expenditures; and also gave a pass mark to the Government in the area of economic freedom, trade policy, gender in the economy and business startup.
Yusuf K. Sandi furthered that the Government has contributed enormously to human capital development through Free Quality School Education (FQSE) for primary and secondary education, provision of school buses and textbooks to pupils nationwide, increment of salaries of teachers by 30 percent and 15 percent for government workers, the diversification of electricity supply across the country amongst other developments.
According to Satellite News, the Presidential Spokesman also harped on how the Government has supplied ambulances nationwide to respond to emergency health issues, the provision of mobile clinics in the rural areas, ongoing extension of the Freetown International Airport in Lungi, Kaffu Bullom Chiefdom, Port Loko District, the repeal of the Criminal Libel Law, the removal of GST on rice, flour, and other essential commodities amongst other reforms.