By Alpha Amadu Jalloh
Mr. President, what a sad moment in the history of our country. I always feel sorry for our people, but this is the most difficult period in the lives of Sierra Leoneans. Instead of providing the nation with stable electricity, your government is now complicit in destroying the properties of ordinary citizens. The dangers we now face from the erratic electricity supply, what we call “ad light,” cannot be overstated. It fluctuates like the unpredictable waves of the Atlantic Ocean, wreaking havoc on homes and businesses alike. Mr. President, this is tragic. Even the residence of the Honorable Abdul Kargbo has not been spared from the consequences of this unreliable power supply. If a sitting member of Parliament cannot escape the effects of this disaster, what hope is there for the common man?
Mr. President, let me call your attention to another pressing issue: your refusal to listen to your finance minister. In the last budget reading to Parliament, he clearly stated the grim reality of inflation that Sierra Leone is facing. Prices of basic commodities have skyrocketed, the purchasing power of citizens has dwindled, and many households are struggling to survive. Yet, instead of addressing these economic challenges head-on, you have gone ahead and opened another embassy in Qatar. Mr. President, what is really wrong with you? Why are you not considering the plight of the people? What exactly do you gain from this frivolous nonsense that you call diplomacy?
Mr. President, do not forget that we, the people, are well aware of your motives. It is no secret that these new embassies are mere political tools designed to reward your party stalwarts, minions who have no pride in themselves, men and women who lack the courage to stand up to you for the sake of the suffering masses. They are selfish and greedy individuals who prioritize their personal gains over the interests of the nation. You continue to expand the diplomatic service not out of necessity, but as a way to sustain the loyalty of these political parasites. Mr. President, how long do you intend to keep this up? How much longer can you afford to ignore the cries of the people?
Mr. President, another disturbing trend I have observed is the reckless manner in which you are handing out concessions to businesses. Virtually every company that comes to invest in Sierra Leone is being given tax concessions, exemptions, and privileges without proper scrutiny. These businesses, in return, grease the palms of you and your close associates with hefty kickbacks. Mr. President, let me remind you: “Wi nor to fool man dem o.” We are watching. The people of Sierra Leone know what is happening behind the scenes. You are not deceiving anyone. Your administration has turned public office into a marketplace where the highest bidder wins government favors at the expense of the nation.
Mr. President, you are not learning. The same mistakes that have crippled past governments are being repeated with alarming consistency. You must always remember that there is life after the presidency. How do you want to be remembered? As a leader who ignored the suffering of his people, who enriched himself and his allies at the expense of the nation? Or as a statesman who rose above personal interests and worked for the greater good? The choice is yours, Mr. President.
Mr. President, trust me, the next government will certainly pursue you for all the wrongs you are committing today. Be mindful of your actions. The office you now occupy is not a personal inheritance; it is a public trust. When the people decide that enough is enough, there will be no
refuge, no escape from the judgment of history. The cries of the people will not go unanswered forever. The wheels of justice turn slowly, but they turn surely.
Mr. President, this is an opportunity for you to change course. Listen to the people. Address the energy crisis with urgency. Stop rewarding incompetence and political loyalty at the expense of national development. End the reckless spending on diplomatic missions that yield no tangible benefits for Sierra Leone. Cut down on wasteful government expenditures and focus on policies that uplift the masses. Mr. President, be wise. For once, put the interests of the people above your own. Mr. President, “Bo do ya tel wi usai Jos Leijdekkers dae ba”? Is it true he is actually Sierra Leonean like myself?
Sierra Leone deserves better.
