Hon. Abdul Kargbo blast Government Over Rising Wage Bill and External Debt

Opposition Leader Criticizes Government Over Rising Wage Bill and External Debt

Hon. Abdul Kargbo, the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) party leader in Parliament, has strongly criticized the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) government under President Bio for the increasing wage bill, which he argues is contributing significantly to the country's external debt burden.

During the maiden press conference of the APC Members of Parliament, held on Wednesday, May 29, 2024, at the party’s headquarters on Old Railway Line, Brookfields in Freetown, Hon. Kargbo expressed his frustration with the government’s hiring practices amidst an economic crisis.

He argued that the government's continued recruitment of personnel, despite the country's dire economic situation, is irresponsible and exacerbates the financial strain.

Hon. Kargbo highlighted the wage bill figures to underscore his point. He recalled that during the Koroma administration in 2018, the wage bill was Le 1.9 trillion, a figure that the then-opposition SLPP criticized as excessive. 

However, since the SLPP came into power, the wage bill has escalated significantly. He noted that it increased from Le 2.4 trillion in 2019 to Le 5.2 trillion in 2023 and is projected to rise further to Le 6.5 trillion in 2024.

The opposition leader emphasized that this sharp increase in the wage bill is unsustainable and diverts necessary funds from other critical areas such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

He warned that if the government does not implement strict measures to control the wage bill, the country could face severe economic consequences, including a potential debt crisis.

Hon. Kargbo called for immediate action to curb the rising wage bill and improve fiscal discipline. He urged the government to freeze non-essential recruitment and conduct a comprehensive audit of the public sector workforce.

Additionally, he stressed the importance of transparency in loan agreements and prioritizing domestic revenue generation to reduce reliance on external borrowing.