By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Hon Abdul Kargbo of the All Peoples Congress, (APC) has accused the Chief Minister of misleading the public with inaccurate information regarding road construction across the country.
Speaking during an interview on AYV television program Wake Up Sierra Leone, Hon Kargbo challenged recent claims credited to the Chief Minister that the previous APC government constructed only four hundred and sixty kilometers of roads over eleven years, while the current administration has built more than four hundred kilometers in just seven years.
According to the opposition leader, the statement is incorrect and does a serious disservice to the people of Sierra Leone. He argued that such figures do not reflect the realities on the ground and distort the true record of infrastructure development under successive governments.
He said presenting misleading statistics to the public undermines trust and weakens accountability, adding that citizens deserve accurate and honest information from those in authority. Hon Kargbo described the claims as fake information intended to deceive the public and score political points.
The opposition leader stressed that governance should be guided by facts rather than propaganda, especially on issues as critical as national infrastructure, which directly affects economic growth, mobility and access to basic services.
Hon Kargbo also used the opportunity to reflect on the role of the opposition in a democratic system. He said opposition parties should not always oppose for the sake of opposition, noting that there are moments when it is necessary to acknowledge and compliment government efforts where they are genuine and beneficial to the people.
According to him, responsible opposition requires balance, integrity and a clear vision for national development. He added that offering constructive criticism alongside fair recognition positions the opposition as a credible alternative government.
He emphasized that as a party that sees itself as a government in waiting, the APC has a responsibility to uphold truth, transparency and national interest in its engagements.
Hon Kargbo called on the government to provide verifiable data on road construction and other development projects, and to allow independent assessment so that the public can make informed judgments.
He concluded by urging political leaders to place national unity and development above partisan interests, warning that persistent misinformation could erode public confidence in democratic institutions and governance processes across the country.
He reaffirmed that Parliament remains a platform for rigorous debate and oversight, and pledged that the opposition will continue to engage on policy issues with civility, evidence and a firm commitment to the welfare of citizens nationwide.
