Sierra Leone News: President Bio prays for those who declared him dead

Sierra Leone’s president Julius Maada Bio and his family yesterday arrived in Freetown to a joyous welcome by his ruling party supporters, after almost 10 days absence from the country, which prompted wild speculations about his whereabouts and wellbeing.

The president was met on arrival at the Murray Town sea coach dock by a mass of supporters and party loyalists, who formed a long vehicle convoy to accompany the president to his residence at State Lodge, as traffic in the central district of Freetown grounded to a halt.

To prove he was indeed well and hearty, the president stopped his car and came out to wave to the chanting crowd.

Arriving at Lungi International Airport, the President Bio told AYV that fake news have become part of us. “But I pray for those who declared me dead. May God make them live longer to see me prosper. I pray for them to be in good health, because it is for them I am working for, to see every Sierra Leonean smile,” he said.

“But I don’t know where that news came from that I was sick or dead. But you’ve seen me; and when God is ready for me he will call me at his own time and I will answer to his will,” he said

President Bio said that the country is far behind. “So even when you are on leave, you are really not on leave. You always have to find a way to ensure that good things come to the country. In that venture, I used the opportunity when I was in Kenya to meet with the president to see how we can improve tourism in this country, because tourism is one sector that made Kenya one of the leading economies in the East and Central Africa”

“And there are lots of things they have done very well, especially the wild life preservation which is something we need; and he assured me that anything we want to do he is in readiness to support us, so we can have the same facilities here,” he said

President Bio said, “I am back to fulfil my duties to the people of Sierra Leone.” “ That is why they elected me. I don’t have any other thing and I pray to God for those who declared me dead. They have seen me alive and I am praying for them to live long so they will all see the progress inside Sierra Leone,” he said.

“I believe Sierra Leone will be a better place if we all work hard. Sierra Leone is a small country. It takes a lot of energy, time and planning for us to make Sierra Leone a better country; and gradually we have changed the image and the narrative; and with time we will see the improvements,” he said.

In a related development, President Bio yesterday departed the shores of Sierra Leone to attend 172nd Independence Anniversary of Liberia following invitation by his colleague, President George M. Weah.

In his letter of invitation to President Bio, President George M. Weah, Sr. stated: “Your positive disposition towards Liberia has won you a special place in the hearts of Liberians and your personal attendance at these ceremonies will serve to further cement relations between our two countries and peoples.”

This year’s Independence anniversary celebration will be the second since the ascendancy of His Excellency President George M. Weah, Sr. to the Presidency of the Republic of Liberia. The activities for the Independence celebration started on 19th July and will conclude on 26th July 2019.

President Bio is expected to return on Friday July 26, 2019.