Concord Times (Freetown)
Pel Koroma
12 July 2007
Freetown — A galaxy of supporters of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), Diplomats, Civil Society representatives and other dignitaries yesterday converged at the Bank of Sierra Leone Complex to listen to the 5-year plan the party has for the country.
Consenting to the manifesto and declaring campaign open, leader of the party and presidential nominee, Vice President Solomon Berewa referred to himself as "a disciplinarian and not a benevolent dictator." He told his party stalwarts that the real activity of campaigning will now start and assured all and sundry that the things in the manifesto are achievable.
"I am proud of the SLPP manifesto 2007. It will serve as a platform to take the country forward," he stated.
Berewa lamented the decline in moral values and respect for law and order.
"Sierra Leone was a failed state before 1996 which resulted to internal strife. By 1996, the situation in the country got worsened and when one happens to come from nothing, it is very difficult to do everything. Today there is peace, stable economy, basic primary education and freedom of speech," Berewa said.
Alhaji UNS Jah, National Chairman of the SLPP who chaired the launching ceremony referred to the manifesto as a "sacred book" compared to the Bible for Christians, the Quran for Muslims and the Tora for the Jews.
Dilating on the manifesto, chairman of the committee, Dr. Alpha Wurie first referred to the impact the party has created on the country since it came back to power in 1996.
Dr. Wurie' impressed on the audience that the SLPP is a non regional but multi tribal party. According to him, "Sierra Leone had a healthy economy before the All Peoples Congress (APC) took over the reigns of government in 1968. Premium was placed on education as a means of developing human resources. But it fell on the way side because of poor leadership and faulty vision of the APC." He added that this germinated into war that first saw child combatants because of the shift in democracy and praised President Kabbah for bringing democracy, peace, anti-corruption, good governance, local government, the Education Act and respect for traditional people.
NaCSA Commissioner, Kanja Sesay was applauded for helping in building up the nation after the gruesome war in which many structures were destroyed.
Dr. Wurie highlighted what the party has for the 2007 election till 2015.
"As a new face with a vision, the SLPP party is bent on ensuring the protection of individual rights. Much premium would be put on attitudinal change if the nation is to move forward. That national consciousness, respect for others, national ethics, respect for public property, respect for the police and respect for human rights are targets of the party." As guiding principles, Dr. Wurie made it clear for zero tolerance against corruption and the promotion of national unity.
SLPP manifesto 2007 priorities include good governance, security, the economy and human development.
Dr. wurie stated that the party is geared towards restructuring Sierra Leone again and at the some time strengthening local government and the Anti Corruption Commission.
"The SLPP now wants a result based management in all institutions" Dr. Wurie said.
"The police, military, prisons and fire force will be carefully managed by the Office National security. The economy, SLPP hopes to increase and sustain the growth of domestic out put. SLPP in the next five years will effect the public expenditure tracking survey," he said.
On the mining sector he said, support will be giving to Kimberly mining, cutting and the polishing of diamonds in Sierra Leone.
Tourism, he said will no longer be a potential tourist resort, but for people to appreciate the beauty of our land.
"In the case of Agriculture, crop production would be encouraged and premium will be placed on the preservation of what we produce. Live stock will continue to grow in the next five years," he stated.
Dr. Wurie assured that energy especially light would be available will be made available nationwide.
Transportation he said will also be improved, as construction of roads in the country is on going and air travel will constitute part of the development plans.
"Very serious attempts would be made in the next five years to improve citizens' access to safe and decent housing for human development. Education will be compulsory as the government now have resources to build about 200 Sababu schools and to promote technical and vocational schools in all chiefdoms in the country, a college per district and university teacher training," he stated.
Health he said will improve as the SLPP plans to decentralise basic services, and provide free health services to the disabled and the poor.
He stated that with the introduction of NASSIT, people would no longer have fear of retiring as they will be sure of their benefits.
"To improve on the quality of life, breast feeding would be encouraged and support would be available for the development of children. Youth employment is a major factor in the manifesto and sports facilities would accorded all districts in the country. Music too will be encouraged and performing acts, promotion of video and filming production would be attained in the next five years.
Gender equality is rife with the SLPP. People would be orientated to move to an era of patriotism and discipline as the leader of the party is a disciplinarian," he concluded.
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