By Nasratu Kargbo
Members of Parliament have on Tuesday 13th July 2021 unanimously ratified the Dakar-Abidjan treaty that is set to benefit seven countries in the sub-region including Sierra Leone. The treaty expected to ease travel restrictions and boost trade between countries was applauded by all MPs stating that it will create development in the sub-region.
Speaking on the relevance of such a treaty, Hindolo Gevao of SLPP and representing constituency 003 said the corridor is very important, in the area of job opportunity. He explained that it will aid the women in the country who according the MP account for 53% of the population.
He further explained that different countries have developed as a result of such a successful business corridor linking one country with the other.
Gevao said the country has had a good feel of inter-regional trade benefitting Sierra Leone. He explained how in the past, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea experienced inter- trade that was very beneficial to economies of the countries, stating the people from neighboring countries would come to Koindu to buy goods. He said Sierra Leoneans may want to travel to Guinea, Gambia, and Liberia but might not want to go by air, and said the new corridor will solve that because it is focused on road infrastructure, linking one country to the other at a minimal cost. He appealed to MPs to ratify the treaty.
The Chief Whip of the main opposition APC, Hassan Sesay said economic integration will enhance the economy of states in the region.
He noted that just like the West African Power Pool, which is aimed at encouraging the promotion of energy in the Mano River basin, he believed the treaty is set to look into the infrastructure in the sub- region and that all countries in the corridor will benefit tremendously.
SLPP MP Ibrahim Tawa Conteh of constituency 132 said the establishment of the treaty and its importance to trade and the economic bread basket of countries along the trade route is immense.
He noted that it’s about time that the country relies on collaboration with other countries in the region, so that roads are used as important facets in improving trade.
The Leader of the main Opposition who also doubles as the Leader of ECOWAS Parliament for Sierra Leone Chernor Maju Bah said that the project is an ECOWAS project and that “ECOWAS holds it very dear”. He explained that Benin, Nigeria, Mali, Guinea Bissau, Guinea etc. are countries closer to each other and have been benefiting from each other.
He asked members to support the treaty, saying that when they go back to ECOWAS they will have something to report on. He said: “The money is still not there, ECOWAS is doing pre-feasibility studies, so that they will have a bankable feasibility document to take to the EU and other partners who may want to partner with us along this journey”. He urged all colleague MPs to support the treaty.
The treaty which was first brought before the previous parliament in 2017 but was not ratified then.
Copyright © Politico Online (14/07/21)
