By Alpha Abu
President Julius Maada Bio is set to address the nation in the coming days, according to him at the commissioning of the Mabang Bridge last Friday amidst the challenging economic situation in the country.
The President who many say should have spoken by now amidst the rise in the price of fuel and the attendant effects on the cost of transportation and other commodities, promised to address the nation this week.
His statement at Mabang was greeted with deafening applause, a testament to the widely held view that he should have by now spoken to the populace about the worsening economic situation in the country brought about mostly by external factors.
He said though he was in Ribbi Chiefdom in the Moyamba district to open the strategically positioned Mabang bridge, he admitted his government’s concern about the tough times people across the country face on a daily basis.
He attributed the harsh economic climate to the Ukraine-Russia conflict that has seen a steep rise in the price of fuel. He said any hike in the cost of fuel products would affect the prices of other goods and services.
He also spoke about the astronomical rise in the sea- cargo freight charges which have forced prices of goods and services to also go up.
Bio said his government is very much concerned about the situation in the country and removed all taxes on imported rice and other goods to cushion the effects brought about by the grinding harsh global economic climate.
Bio also spoke about the revenue the government continues to lose as they try to ameliorate the situation.
He stated that his administration would never wish to see the people suffer, and frowned at those he described as ‘’bad politicians” whom he said would want to use the situation to seek undue attention.
“I am appealing to you the people, that bad politics should have no place in our society”, Bio stated.
He called for unity and mobilisation on farming so that certain products like onions could be locally produced to reduce reliance on importation.
Commodities prices have risen over the past five months in the country as fuel cost continues to soar in the wake of the war in Ukraine.
Last week Monday most businesses and schools were closed in parts of the country after groups of women made public plans to protest over the rising cost of living.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (15/07/22)
