One of Sierra Leone’s Civil Society Activists, J MUS, has urged the administration of President Bio to declare austerity measures in the country, as the Leone continues to depreciate sharply against foreign currencies in the currency market.

According to him, the Guinea France currently holds greater
Value than the Leone, which he said it’s the first time in the history of Sierra Leone.

“For the first time in our nation’s history, the Guinean franc holds greater value than the Leone. This alarming situation raises serious concerns for citizens as our currency rapidly loses value against foreign counterparts banknotes.”

He said the devalued in the local currency has led to the current harsh economic situation in the country.
He added that the devaluation of the Leone has reached a critical point, thus creating unprecedented financial instability as it is exacerbating the suffering of the people.

The administration’s failure to reduce unnecessary ministries, agencies, and embassies, has led to an inflated wage bill in the face of the nation’s economic challenges.

“I call upon the President to urgently reduce the number of unnecessary ministries, agencies, and embassies that have been created, which have inflated the wage bill to unsustainable levels in the country.”

The CSO said a responsible government should heed the voices of its citizens. He, said the present administration of government has demonstrated a disturbing disregard for the suffering of the masses.

As a civil society activist, I draw the government’s attention to Section 5, Subsection 2(b) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991, which mandates that the security, peace, and welfare of the people shall be the primary focus and the responsibility of the government.

The people of Sierra Leone are enduring severe hardship.

Salaries remain stagnant while the cost of living has been skyrocketed, with excessive taxes causing a burden to the populace.

The CSO including many other citizens have questioned the President on his excessive travelings, saying as he travels he is wasting taxpayers’ monies on unnecessary foreign trips. The reckless spending and rampant corruption within this government are matters of grave concern to the public, he said.

J MUS urged other civil society activist, and journalists to stand up for the rights of the people within the framework of the Sierra Leone Constitution and the rule of law, stating that section 11 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone empowers the press, radio, television, and other mass media agencies to freely uphold the fundamental principles contained in the Constitution and to hold the government accountable to the people.

Despite the government is employing more than four advisors within the Ministry of Finance, with each staff earning over four thousand dollars, he said, “our economy remains in a dire state.”

“I call on the President, the Minister of Finance, and the Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone to take immediate and effective action to stabilize our nation’s economy before it deteriorates further.”