Hon. Jaward Sesay of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party, representing the people of Tonkolili District, has strongly criticized the 2025 national budget, arguing that his district has been overlooked.

Contributing to the budget debate in parliament on Thursday, November 21, 2024, Hon. Sesay claimed that, like in previous years, the 2025 budget fails to address the developmental needs of Tonkolili District.

Speaking to journalists, the lawmaker accused the Ministry of Finance of neglecting Tonkolili District, despite its significant contributions to national revenue through mining and the Bumbuna Hydro Electricity Dam. He described Tonkolili as a “hub” for revenue generation but lamented that the district remains underdeveloped.

“Tonkolili District, with its 19 Chiefdoms and large population, has been excluded from meaningful development allocations since 2019,” he stated. Hon. Sesay emphasized that, despite the wealth of iron ore, gold, and other minerals extracted from the region, the Tonkolili District Council remains among the poorest in the country.

He highlighted numerous challenges faced by the district, including a lack of healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and clean drinking water. He also pointed out high unemployment rates among youth, health hazards caused by chemicals from mining operations, and poor road infrastructure. These issues, he argued, have severely hindered the district’s progress.

Addressing the role of mining companies, Hon. Sesay said surface rents and community development funds are insufficient to address critical infrastructure needs, such as feeder roads. He called for the government to prioritize these capital projects in the national budget. “It seems as if we are cooking the rice but cannot taste it. This is wrong,” he lamented.