Mr. John Saad, a former chairman of the SLPP UK branch has resigned. He said the present SLPP leadership lacks a competence and vision and that he has been disappointed by its performance. Hence his decision to quit.We publish below Mr. Saad’s statement:
SLPP LACKS VISION, THE COUNTRY DESERVES BETTER.
Sierra Leone is a nation of ironies,blessed with natural and human resources, all the potentials of being a great and progressive nation. Unfortunately, it has lacked the type of leadership that would formulate and implement appropriate policies that would enhance and promote the development of the country for the general good of its population, and the advancement of the country to greater heights.
For the past nearly four decades the country has suffered from its share of misguided and mal-administration of successive governments. The socio-economic infrastructures in place at the time of independence have systematically eroded to the point of total destruction. After 45 years of independence, the basic infrastructures as requisites for nation building and human sustenance are now lacking or in total disrepair. The selfish pursuit of the betterment of just the few in position of influence and power has been tolerated without abatement.
The country is now virtually international-donor-dependent. There is the lack of visionary initiative, the discipline and impetus from government to meet with challenges of taking the country out of the brinks of a failed nation-state and meet the challenges of the 21st century as a growing developing country.
In the early 1990s when the country reverted to pluralistic party system, it was wholesomely welcomed. The expectations were that such move would be the saving grace for the country.
It was at this time that I joined the SLPP. A crop of dedicated diasporans in the UK worked assiduously to see to it that the branch of the SLPP Party was re-established in UK. I was the first democratically elected Chairman of the UK Brach at the time, an office I held till 1996. At that time, it was fervently believed that the SLPP, having been the Party in government at independence, but denied power through out the period of the unitary party system under the APC, would take up the challenge and get the country back to its glory days and beyond.
After a decade in office, SLPP government has failed to show the ability to take bold, positive and progressive policies with the discipline and determination to enforce such policies in order to take the country out of its doldrums. Instead, the old tricks of the APC continue to linger on without abatement. Rather, they are busy recycling the same old discredited politicians who are now bankrupt of progressive ideas and vision.
I have painfully come to the conclusion that the SLPP does not have the vision and strength of will to bring about the positive changes required to take Sierra Leone out of its present predicament. Now I believe I do not have any reason to continue my support for the Party.
I am therefore, tendering my resignation as member of the SLPP Party forthwith.
The country deserves an alternative to the APC and SLPP. All hopes are not lost yet. There is still a way forward for positive change in the country with the dawning of the PMDC.
Long live Sierra Leone for a better and brighter future!!!
John Saad
Photo: Charles Margai, PMDC interim leader.
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