Sierra Leone’s President, Julius Maada Bio has on Tuesday 10 May 2022 inaugurated the fifth and final State Opening of Parliament at the Parliament Building in Freetown.

The ceremonial event marks the start of the 2022-2023 parliamentary year and President Bio made a speech to set out the agenda for the next parliamentary session, if elected in next year’s elections.

This is the fifth time President Bio exercised the constitutional mandate since he took over State House in 2018, and it is the last session of the Fifth Parliament of the Republic of Sierra Leone. The next session will be Sixth Parliament and it begins next year after the election.

Speaking at the session, President Bio deliberated on the achievements and progress of the government in previous years and sets out its agenda and key legislative plans.

“I am here today, the son of a mother who had no formal education, occupying the second highest office of our country. I say the second because the office of the citizen is in fact the highest position of our nation and democracy,” Bio said.

The president noted that in order to drive inclusivity, the government will continue to implement the National Micro-Finance Programme (MUNAFA FUND), through which 5,328 SMEs (of which 70% are female-owned), have successfully accessed much-needed finance.

“To facilitate the movement of agricultural produce, other goods and persons, part payment was made for rehabilitation of 1,835km of trunk roads nationwide and the completion of 109km of township streets,” he added.

President Bio noted that their economic and inclusive growth agenda remains focused on building the country and improving human capital development outcomes for all.

“I dare say that the ultimate measure of a leader and a nation lies in the ability, not just to weather a storm, but to emerge hopeful and resilient,” he said.

After President delivered his speech, a new parliamentary session begins and Parliament gets back to work.
MPs will debate the content of the speech and vote on it, and normally government does not lose in such voting, as it’s just a procedure.

Presently, Sierra Leone operates on a Hung Parliament with a total membership of 144 Members. The ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) 58; the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) 57; Coalition 4 Change (C4C) 8; the National Grand Coalition (NGC) 4; Independents MPs 3 and 14 Paramount Chiefs.

The Forth Session of the Fifth Parliament that came to an end last month was able to pass into law 15 bills out of 39 bills tabled in the House with the remaining 25 pending for enactment by the next Session. The House approved a total number of 44 Presidential nominees to serve in various government capacities.