Solomon Berewa, SLPP presidential candidate along with his statement chairman, Alpha T. Wurie, released a broad sweeping manifesto highlighting the party’s plans during the five-year term it is vying for this August at the Bank of Sierra Leone Complex in Kingtom.
The manifesto addressed four main areas of concentration: governance and security, the economy, infrastructure and human development.
Berewa highlighted progress he claims his party has made since 1997.
“President Kabbah has left us a legacy of peace and has kick-started our development process,” he said. “But this can only be preserved by nurturing a growing economy that will offer prosperity to future generations. Now we must build on that foundation of peace, solid policies for political development and a robust society in order to realize our dreams.”
Some of the key points of the manifesto include promoting the democratic process, improving energy and national transportation, expanding education, health and nutrition services, increasing access to water and sanitation and improving the quality of life for the vulnerable.
“The next SLPP administration will aim at making Sierra Leone a country where abject poverty will be the sad souvenir of a bleak past; a country where our young people can enjoy the excitement of youth without resorting to violence; and a society where equal opportunities will be available to everyone,” said Berewa.
On improving the country’s energy situation, the manifesto suggests looking for “modern forms” pointing out renewable sources like solar and hydro electricity.
The SLPP says it will break the National Power Authority monopoly, and instead put in place a regulating body and encouraging independent power providers.
The SLPP plans to promote education by expanding primary schooling, prioritizing rural areas and focusing on female students and improving teacher training.
Another stated objective in the manifesto is increasing access to safe drinking water. To meet this end the party says it will provide support for water resources institutions and follow through recommendations and will “endeavor to resuscitate damaged provincial water treatment operations and will work on establishing water wells in those areas.”
Alpha Wurie in his presentation stated that “within the first 12 months every district Headquarter town must boast of 24 hours electricity”
Before unveiling the party manifesto, Berewa took time to criticize the APC’s past governance, which led to what he called, “a failed state.”
“Today is a different Sierra Leone thanks to the SLPP,” Berewa said.
ADVERTISEMENT