APC Criticizes Government’s Food Security Strategy, Launches Digital Membership System
The
All Peoples Congress (APC) held its third Parliamentary Monthly Press
Conference on August 28, 2024, at the party's Brookfield headquarters in
Freetown, where they scrutinized the government's approach to food security in
Sierra Leone.
The conference was attended by several key APC members and also spotlighted the party's move towards a modernized membership registration system. APC Secretary General, Esq. Lansana Dumbuya, announced a significant shift from manual to digital registration at the national level, though local registration processes remain unchanged.
Dumbuya explained that this new digital system is designed to
unify members and boost their sense of patriotism. "This system will help
us identify our members wherever they are and call upon them when needed,"
he stated, adding that the unique registration codes assigned to members would
be permanent and exclusive.
The conference took a more critical tone as APC officials turned their attention to Sierra Leone's ongoing food security crisis, laying the blame squarely on the ruling Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP).
Hon. Ibrahim Barrie was particularly
vocal, criticizing the government for failing to address food insecurity. He
referenced a 2023 report from the World Food Programme (WFP) that found 78% of
Sierra Leoneans are food insecure, with 20% of households facing severe insecurity.
Barrie
argued that the SLPP’s agricultural policies, particularly the "Feed
Salone" project, have been more about political appearances than
substantive action. He highlighted the failure of the Tomagbom project, a key
component of "Feed Salone," which received $34.1 billion but has yet
to yield any tangible results. "Since it was launched on June 11, 2021,
not even a single bag of rice has been produced from this project," Barrie
claimed.
Hon.
Alpha Jalloh also criticized the government's repeated failures in similar
initiatives, comparing the "Feed Salone" project to "giving an
old dog a new name." He urged President Maada Bio to visit agricultural
sites personally, without the presence of media, to understand the issues and develop practical solutions.
The APC's strong criticism of the government’s handling of food security reflects the party's strategy as it positions itself ahead of the next elections. Party leaders expressed confidence in their prospects of returning to power.
"I
am sure that everybody is sure that the party will come to governance; even
Maada Bio himself is sure that the APC will win the next election,"
Dumbuya asserted, dismissing doubts about the party's chances as unfounded.
The
press conference not only reinforced the APC's stance on key national issues
but also marked a significant step in the party's internal restructuring
efforts. As it seeks to galvanize support, the APC aims to present itself as a
viable alternative to the current administration.