By Kelfala Kargbo
Freetown, 20th October 2025- A $34.1 million agricultural investment meant to boost rice production in Sierra Leone is now at the centre of a heated parliamentary debate, with opposition MP Hon. Daniel Koroma warning that the Torma Bum Rice Project is “going down the drain.”
Speaking during deliberations on President Julius Maada Bio’s address to Parliament, Hon. Koroma accused the government of mishandling the large-scale venture, describing it as “unsuccessful” and calling for an urgent investigation into alleged corruption and poor oversight.
Funded by the African Development Bank, the Torma Bum Rice Project is a flagship initiative under the government’s Big Five Agenda, designed to complement the Feed Salone campaign and reduce the country’s dependence on imported rice.
“This is not just about having food, it’s about ensuring safety and nutrition,” Koroma argued. “We cannot afford to waste $34.1 million while food insecurity continues to threaten our people.”
In response, Hon. Christopher Keikura Vandy of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party defended the project’s trajectory, citing a 13% reduction in rice importation and an 18% increase in domestic rice production as evidence of progress.
“The President’s investment in agriculture is yielding results,” Vandy said. “We are seeing tangible improvements in food production and economic resilience.”
Minister of Agriculture Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, in an interview with Truth Media, confirmed that the project is expected to conclude in December 2026, with five tons of rice projected for harvest in January 2026.
“We remain optimistic about the outcomes,” Dr. Kpaka stated. “The Torma Bum project is a long-term investment, and we are committed to delivering results.”
Despite government assurances, Hon. Koroma insists that the project lacks transparency and strategic direction. He urged Parliament to launch a formal investigation into its management and impact.
“We owe it to the people of Sierra Leone to ensure that every dollar spent delivers value,” he said.
As the debate intensifies, the future of the Torma Bum Rice Project hangs in the balance, caught between promises of agricultural transformation and growing demands for accountability.
