Parliament Endorses Joint Venture Agreement

By Shadrach Aziz Kamara
The Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Tuesday 8th February 2022 debated and ratified with unanimity, a joint venture agreement between the Sierra Leone State Lottery Company limited (SLSLC), the Government of Sierra Leone (represented by the National Commission of Privatization (NCP) and Accord Logistics for the development of Sierra Leone.
Presenting the motion, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy said the agreement was part of the overall vision of making the betting industry more attractive and lucrative for the citizens.
The Opposition Whip, Hon Hassan Sesay said for Sierra Leone State Lottery to be revived is a move that they should celebrate. He went on to say, anything that is related to development, they as opposition would support. He informed that the company is not only a state own, but an indigenous company with a tendency to create more employments, taxation and noted that the agreement was not controversial.
The Chief Whip, Hon. Dickson Rogers recalled that burning issues had been addressed in the agreement. The Whip used the opposition to express serious concerns over the noncompliance of the Local Content Policy, where more foreigners are gaining jobs at the detriment of citizens. He advised the Minister to ensure that, the Local Content Policy is well applied, in light of employment.
Rounding up the debate, the Acting Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Ibrahim Ben Kargbo said the purpose of the company’s establishment was to benefit the state. He made it very clear that they as opposition do not had any controversy about the agreement. He expressed hope that the revived company would benefit the people and also admonished the Minister for properly monitor in the implementation process.
The Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew SahrNyuma thanked all MPs for their various contributions. The Leader highlighted various issues raised, relative to local employment and made it abundantly clear that, the Local Content Policy was going to be considered and assured MPs that the assets will not be going anywhere before, during, and after the operation.