The Speaker of Sierra Leone Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu has told President Julius Maada Bio’s newly nominated state officials in the Well of Parliament that this is a government by the law and not above the law and that the laws must be obeyed and must be defended at all times.
The Speaker joined the House to congratulate the nominees and said that they are well qualified for the positions they have been appointed to.
He reminded the nominees that their duties are bound by the laws of the land and are expected to work in the interest of the State, while reiterating the point that work must be done for the interest of the State and wished them well in their new pursuits.
The Parliament of Sierra Leone has debated and approved with unanimity the First Report of The Committee on Appointments and the Public Service in the Sixth Parliament, chaired by the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma.
The House approved, Sheku Fantamadi Bangura- Minister of Finance, Alhaji Kanja I. Sesay- Minister of Energy, Dr. Austin Hinga Demby-Minister of Health, Timothy Musa Kabba – Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Princes Betty Dugba -Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Dr. Sao-Kpato Hannah Max-Kyne- Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Ambassador Adekunle Joliff Milton King- Minister of Western Region, Alpha Ibrahim Sesay -Minister of Trade and Industry, Jiwoh Emmanuel Abdulai- Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Major General (Rtd.) David Tamba Ocil Taluva- Minister of Internal Affairs, Melrose A. Karminty -Minister of Social Welfare, Amara Kallon – Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs and Ambassador B. Wurie -Resident Minister North-West.
According to the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, the presidential nominees were interviewed on Friday 21st July, 2023 on issues pertaining to their educational backgrounds, experiences, track records in public service, assets declaration, tax obligations and vision for a nationally productive tenure.
Seconding the motion, the Deputy Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business 1, Hon. Bashiru Silikie said some nominees were appointed five years ago, but today they are not and advised those who had been reappointed by President Bio to do well.
He reiterated that the nominees must work harder and their activities should be in consonance with the President’s manifesto to continue to win the hearts and minds of the people. He also admonished that ministers should not be addressed as Honourable Ministers except those who had served as Honourable Members.
The Deputy Leader urged the Ministers designate to work in tandem with the vision of the 2028 General Elections.
He zoomed in the Minister of Energy and spoke well of his performance in the last government. He also told Parliament that, the Minister of Finance is a very humble man with high sense of duty and professionalism.
The Leader comprehensively heaped praises on the Minister of Health as well as other presidential nominees.
Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas thanked President Bio for the appointments and went on to describe the nominees as qualified compatriots. He revealed to the House that, the interviews of the nominees were done properly.
While recalling past interactions with some nominees, the Deputy Speaker patriotically told the presidential nominees to do things differently, in light of national developments. He used the occasion to comparatively analyze global situations and passionately asked the Ministers designate to admonish the civil servants to change the modus operandi, for the purposes of development.
Deputy Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business 2, Hon. Emerson Saa Lamina made reference to the 1991 Constitution in lieu of appointments and commended the President for such remarkable appointments.
He underscored Pillar 4 of the President’s Manifesto, in light of professionalism and transformation. He recalled the interviews and told the House that the nominees proved very well. The Leader used the opportunity to applaud Timothy Kabba for his remarkable appointment and also commended others.
He comprehensively recalled related national developments undertaken by some of the Ministers. “Work with your Deputies so to enhance socio-economic development” he concluded.
Deputy Chief Whip 1, Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay thanked President Bio for bringing more women to participate in governance and also commended the 5th Parliament for the passage of the GEWE Bill into law. She commended the reappointed presidential nominees for their good works. On behalf of the people of Moyamba, she congratulated the Minister of Energy and also lauded the female nominees. She advised the Ministers to work with their deputies.
The MP drew the attention of the Minister of Internal Affairs to border security and women’s protection.
Rounding up the debate, the Acting Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Mohamed Bangura while admonishing the nominees said he was deceived by public perceptions that the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service was a “Rubber Stamp”, but that to his greatest surprise, nominees were properly vetted by the said Committee.
“This Committee is not going to be business as usual” he stated. The MP reminded the Minister of Trade and Industry on the current economic situation and the hike in prices of goods. He used the opportunity to suggest price control and informed that the people have voted the Government to ameliorate their sufferings.
“This is not the time for party politics, because when you go to the market, you don’t speak party” he revealed. The MP asked the Minister of Internal Affairs to scrutinize the police force and uphold and defend the security of the state.
While alluding to the youthfulness of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, he asked him to consider some staff members for out- stationing. He asked the Minister of Energy to consider the tariffs on electricity bills.
The MP used the occasion to appeal to his colleague APC MPs to come to Parliament and serve the nation. The Acting Leader asked the Speaker to promote peace and national cohesion in the country.
In concluding the debate, the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma thanked all and spoke on the tenets of democracy in response to the Acting Leader of the Opposition. He spoke well of the 5th Parliament and also alluded to the efforts of the Committee on Appointments and Public Service, in light of their recent interviews with nominees.
Ministers approved by Parliament would enter their official duties after they subscribed the oath of office before President Bio, as provided in Section 57 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Act No. 6 of 1991).