The Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Monday, 24/04/2032 debated and ratified a joint venture agreement for the Construction of Peninsula City around the West Coast of Freetown.
The following agreement was ratified by Parliament:
1. Joint Venture Agreement-Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Peninsula Group Limited Peninsula City Limited for the Flagship Tourism City “Peninsula City”
Presenting the agreement before ratification, the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Memunatu B. Pratt said the tourist agreement was geared towards expanding the economy and wealth through natural resources into sustainable growth.
She disclosed to Parliament that Government had allocated 355 acres of ocean-fronting land around the Big Water Village near York for the construction of the Peninsula City.
According to the Minister, the land is being leased to a Sierra Leonean Company, Peninsula City to construct the said city in coming months and years. She told Parliament that, the Government will hold 15% equity and profit share in the business. The Minister reassured Parliament that, the agreement is impressive and they followed the due diligence especially in the interest of the people and State.
Further, the Minister said tourism and infrastructural development are critical and explained the work plans relating to the construction of lots of eco edifices.
She highlighted the importance and benefits of the agreement for the people and State.
In his submission to the debate, Chairman Tourism Committee in Parliament, Hon. Tom Tucker thanked the Ministry and informed the House that, the sector is very lucrative. He further said the agreement would create positive impact and told the House that, the interest of the host community is highly considered. He reassured that, the project would develop and improve the country to its past tourist glory. He described the agreement as one of the best.
Hon. Muniru Lansana spoke about the abundant benefits of tourism including job creation, cultural values and foreign attraction.
Hon. Dr. Roland Kargbo recalled that tourism was a key area for diversifying the economy and went on to thank the Minister for bringing such a document to Parliament for ratification. “This document before us, besides being a touristic would also add value to the metropolis” he stated and spoke about the many important components of the agreement.
He advised the House to promote robust monitoring of the project.
Acting Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Hassan Sesay said tourism is a brighter sector of the society and such an agreement needs to be supported to improve the economy. He expressed concern over the late receipt of the document and informed the House that, they would always support what is good. He also brought up the issue of the acquisition of the land and related it to the election and transition. “I don’t have anything against the Peninsula City, but the timing,” he said and went on to emphasize the timing. He said the idea behind the document is good, but they do not understand the document.
Acting Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie recalled some aspects surrounding the project and clarified that the document was distributed to all Members of Parliament last week, contrary to the statement of the previous speaker. He positively endorsed the agreement.
In another development, Parliament on Monday, 24/04/2023 enacted into law, the Bill entitled: “The Basic and Senior Secondary Education Act, 2023”.
The Act is seeking to restructure and reform the Basic and Senior Secondary Education system to make it free, accessible, compulsory, relevant, all-inclusive, and rights-based, to improve the governance structure of the school system, and to provide for other related matters.
Further, the Parliament of Sierra Leone on Monday, 24/04/ 2023 extensively debated and passed into law, the Bill entitled: “The Sierra Leone Commission on Small Arms and Ammunitions Act, 2023”.
The Bill is seeking to repeal and replace the Sierra Leone National Commission on Small Arms Act, 2010 (Act No. 6 of 2010), to provide for the continuing existence of the Sierra Leone National Commission on Small Arms as the Sierra Leone Commission on Arms and ammunitions; to regulate and supervise the manufacture, trade, and use of arms, ammunition, and other related materials and to provide for other related matters.
The Bill was piloted by the Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Lawrence Lahai Leema.
Also, the Parliament of Sierra Leone on Monday at around 7:00 PM debated and enacted into law the Bill entitled: ” The Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority Act, 2023″ with some amendments after an heated debate.
The Bill seeks to continue the existence of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority, to regulate the Ports and Harbours, and to provide for other related matters.
The Bill was piloted by the Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Rex Bonapha.
Also, on Monday, 24/04/2023 at around 10:00PM, the Parliament of Sierra Leone passed into law, the Bill entitled: “The Tax and Duty Exemption Bill, 2023” with some amendments.
The Bill seeks to provide for the regulations and administration of tax and duty exemption and to provide for other related matters.
The Bill was piloted by the Deputy Minister of Finance, Bockarie Kalokoh.
Furthermore, the Parliament of Sierra Leone on Monday 24/04/2023, at around 11:00 PM debated and passed into law, the Bill entitled: “The Parliament Act, 2023”, with some amendments and unanimity.
The Bill seeks to provide for the Establishment of a Parliamentary Commission to provide for the Leadership and Government structure of Parliament, provide for the establishment of the Parliamentary Service, provide for salaries and other benefits of Members of Parliament and other staff, and to provide for other related matters.
The Bill was a Private Member Bill and was piloted by Hon. Musa Fofana.
Finally, close to midnight of 24/04/2023 Parliament of Sierra Leone debated and enacted into law with some amendments the Bill entitled: “The Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute Act, 2023”.
