A video showing President Julius Maada Bio commissioning an old, dilapidated boat has sparked widespread criticism on social media, with many questioning the significance of the event and the state of the vessel.

The video, which recently gained traction online, shows President Bio cutting a ribbon while surrounded by dignitaries, including the Minister of Youth Affairs and other senior government officials.

Journalist Mamaja Jalloh, also known as DJ Base, expressed confusion in his social media post: “I saw this video making rounds on social media. Please help me understand because I saw the Youth Minister and other top dignitaries standing and clapping. Is this a boat commissioning? Because I see Preso cutting a ribbon and at the same time asking someone, ‘Is this yours?’ That’s an old and worn-out boat. Please help me overstand.”

Other users shared similar sentiments. Mohamed Turay wrote, “How can the president cut a ribbon for an old and dirty boat? Quick-fix activities in this administration always turn into a mess.”

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Sylvester Kambo sarcastically added, “President Bio commissions an ultra-modern boat to boost the blue economy. Imagine your president leaving his office with cabinet ministers to commission this kind of boat in the 21st century. Laughable!”

Sierraloaded reports that the video is from an event in November 2024, where President Bio launched the Youth Empowerment Promotion and Livelihood Programme. The initiative aims to empower over 2,700 youth across Sierra Leone through projects in transportation, fishing, farming, and business.

Key elements of the programme include distributing 200 tricycles, 50 fishing boats equipped with modern accessories, and grants to 40 female youth-led organizations. However, the condition of the boat in the viral video has overshadowed the broader goals of the initiative.

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