Hon. Mamoud Kamara, popularly known as “Nice Guy,” from the main opposition APC, has expressed deep frustration over Lumley’s exclusion from development plans in the recently unveiled 2025 national budget.
Speaking passionately, the Member of Parliament for Lumley questioned the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by his constituents, declaring, “What wrong has the people of Lumley committed against President Bio?”
The opposition MP expressed deep frustration over the exclusion of his constituency from any significant development plans in the 2025 budget. “What wrong has the people of Lumley committed against President Bio?” he asked, as he painted a grim picture of life without access to clean water.
Since 2018, the people of Lumley have struggled with acute water shortages, leaving families, particularly women and children, vulnerable. Hon. Kamara described how girls are often forced to fetch water late at night, exposing them to risks and negatively impacting their education.
“This is unacceptable,” he said, pleading with the government to urgently address the crisis.Hon. Kamara emphasized the far-reaching consequences of the water crisis, stating that the lack of clean water has disrupted daily life, affected hygiene, and deepened despair among residents.
He accused the government of turning a blind eye to the plight of the Lumley people, adding, “These communities are losing hope that anything will be done for them under this administration”.
While commending the Finance Minister for preparing the national budget, Hon. Kamara criticized its failure to address the most urgent needs of citizens, particularly in underserved communities like Lumley.
He described the budget as “an improvisation of deceitfulness,” noting that it lacks concrete measures to tackle key challenges such as access to clean water and sustainable development.
He also questioned the government’s allocation of 20% of the budget to education, arguing that the so-called Free Quality Education initiative remains a financial burden for parents.
“The NLe 75 provided for schoolchildren does not qualify this program to be called free quality education,” he asserted, highlighting that families still bear significant costs to ensure their children’s education.
Hon. Kamara concluded his remarks by calling on the government to prioritize access to clean water in Lumley and other neglected communities. “Water is a basic necessity, and its absence undermines the dignity and well-being of our people,” he said.
He urged the government to take swift action to alleviate the suffering of Lumley residents, warning that continued neglect could have far-reaching consequences.
The water crisis in Lumley serves as a stark reminder of the gaps in infrastructure development across Sierra Leone, with many citizens demanding accountability and urgent solutions from the government.
