Sierra Leone\u2019s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom has called on Britain to continue to render more assistance to the people of Sierra Leone.<\/p>\n
His Excellency Edward Mohamed Turay made these remark during the launch of the All Parties Parliamentary Group (APPG) at the House of Commons, West Central London.<\/p>\n
In his 20-minutes address, Turay said Sierra Leone has long-standing and deep-rooted ties with the United Kingdom – of which we are extremely proud and continue to cherish.<\/p>\n
He quoted a 2008 report which indicated that there were approximately 100,000<\/strong> Sierra Leonean immigrants residing in the United Kingdom, with over half of that number residing in the Greater London area.<\/p>\n The report, according to the High Commissioner, further noted that the overwhelming majority of the Sierra Leonean immigrants living in the Greater London area – approximately 20,000<\/strong> – resided in the Boroughs of Southwark and Lambeth, merely a short ride over the River Thames form here.<\/p>\n The High Commissioner said that the opposition in Sierra Leone can say anything bad about their country in their desperation for power especially now that elections are approaching.<\/p>\n \u201cThey say so many dirty things about their country that is untrue especially when elections are approaching,\u201d Hon. Turay said while responding to a question from Liberal Democrat MP Simon Huges<\/p>\n The \u201crebel war\u201d, as it came to be known, completely devastated most parts of Sierra Leone and unleashed a campaign of bloodshed, the brutality of which surpassed anything known in the history of our country.\u00a0 As a result of the war, tens of thousands of Sierra Leoneans lost their lives and many others were maimed and displaced.<\/p>\n He seized the opportunity to thank the British government for the role played by the British forces to stabilize the situation on the ground, adding that the decisive actions taken by the United Kingdom Government helped to end what he referred to as \u2018our national nightmare.\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n He said the United Kingdom remains the largest bilateral donor to Sierra Leone, contributing close to 450 million pounds<\/strong> over the past ten years.<\/p>\n Working closely with the Government of Sierra Leone and other donors, it has supported efforts to build an effective, democratic and capable nation that is making steady progress in reducing poverty and promoting sustainable growth.<\/p>\n The High Commissioner drew reference to the World Bank which declared that Sierra Leone has enjoyed the fastest rate of improvement in political stability in the world over the last decade or so.\u00a0 This, he said, is not by accident.<\/p>\n He said his government has continued to consolidate the peace process through the establishment and\/or strengthening of key<\/strong> governance institutions such as the National Electoral Commission (NEC), Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC), Anti Corruption Commission (ACC), Independent Media Commission (IMC), Transnational Organized Crime Unit (TOCU), Human Rights Commission (HRC), Attitudinal and Behavioural Change Commission (ABC), Open Government Initiative (OGI) and Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC).<\/p>\n The High Commissioner described this year\u2019s elections as \u2018another critical test\u2019, adding: \u201cwe are committed to ensuring free, fair, and transparent and violence free elections\u201d.<\/p>\n According to the High Commissioner, to ensure free, fair and transparent elections, they have introduced Biometric Voter Registration.<\/p>\n He said upon assuming office in 2007, his President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma declared that he would \u201crun the government like a business\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 clear about his objectives and about how to get there. And, he has been resolute in making it happen.<\/p>\n He also spoke about his government\u2019s \u201cAgenda for Change\u201d <\/strong>which <\/strong>aims to put Sierra Leone from the path of aid dependency to that of a dynamic, self-sustaining economy. It clearly articulates changes required to put Sierra Leone on a path towards growth and development in the energy, infrastructure, health, and education sectors and institution building.<\/p>\n The High Commissioner acknowledged the fact that there are still many improvements and changes that are required, but added: \u201dwe are immensely proud of the work that has taken place, with help from friends and partners like the UK, to take us forward in recent years\u201d.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, before and after the High Commissioner\u2019s address, the MPs posed questions of relevance to widen their knowledge and understanding about Sierra Leone especially in the areas on business, airline, the forth-coming elections, tourism and the industrial economic growth in Sierra Leone.<\/p>\n MP Simon Huges who covers undoubtedly the biggest constituency of Sierra Leoneans in the United Kingdom raised concerns about the elections and the health care with a view to see which area the group can come in and assist the government of Sierra Leone.<\/p>\n Please see below the full speech of the High Commissioner…<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Statement by His Excellency Edward Turay at launch of APPG for Sierra Leone in the House of Commons, London, United Kingdom, 20 June 2012 <\/strong><\/p>\n Good Morning Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen: <\/strong><\/p>\n II.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 OPENING:<\/strong><\/p>\n It is a pleasure to speak to you in this marvellous setting in the House of Commons.\u00a0 I am particularly delighted and honoured to address such a distinguished audience. It brings tremendous pride and honour to my country that you have demonstrated an interest in Sierra Leone and the issues that are important to her by launching an All-Party Parliamentary group on Sierra Leone.<\/p>\n On behalf of our President, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, the Government and the people of Sierra Leone, please permit me to express utmost appreciation and gratitude to you for making today a reality.\u00a0 I extend special appreciation for Rt. Hon. Gavin Williamson who has worked diligently at the forefront of this initiative.\u00a0 Thank you, Gavin.<\/p>\n FURTHER, I would like to take this opportunity to unequivocally pledge to provide all support necessary to enable the APPG on Sierra Leone to achieve its principal objectives of promoting awareness and understanding amongst parliamentarians of issues relating to Sierra Leone and promoting good relations between Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom. Our government strongly believes that the launching of the APPG on Sierra Leone today will undoubtedly strengthen the existing ties between our two countries and, indeed, our respective Parliaments. I am therefore pleased to convey hereby my Government\u2019s firm pledge to work closely with the Group in its endeavours and initiatives.<\/p>\n II.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 BACKGROUND:<\/strong><\/p>\n As you are aware, Sierra Leone has long-standing and deep-rooted ties with the United Kingdom – of which we are extremely proud and continue to cherish.\u00a0 A 2008 report indicated that there were approximately 100,000<\/strong> Sierra Leonean immigrants then resident in the United Kingdom, with over half of that number residing in the Greater London area.\u00a0 The report further noted that the overwhelming majority of the Sierra Leonean immigrants living in the Greater London area – approximately 20,000<\/strong> – resided in the Boroughs of Southwark and Lambeth, merely a short ride over the River Thames form here.<\/p>\n With your kind indulgence, may I also add my personal perspective on the ties between our two countries? Prior to my current posting, I served as a Member of the Sierra Leone Parliament for over twenty-four years, during which I held numerous committee chairmanships, and also served as Minority Leader.\u00a0 Given that the Sierra Leone Parliament is modelled partly on the \u201cWestminster\u201d style, I very often looked to the extraordinary history and tradition of excellence of these Houses for inspiration and guidance.<\/p>\n