The presidential nominees are to serve invarious high officesof State, with the view of supporting President Bio to succeed in his policies and programmes under the “New Direction”.
The following presidential nominees have been approved by the House:
1. Mrs. Memunatu Baby Pratt-Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs
2. Mr. Joseph J.Ndanema-Minister of Agriculture and Forestry
3. Mrs.Nabeela F. Tunis (nee Koroma)-Minister of Planning and Economic Development
4. Mr. Anthony Y. Brewah-Minister of Local Government and Rural Development
5. Mr.Raymond ErnestDenison de’ Souza George-Minister of Works and Public Assets
6. Dr. Morie Komba Manyeh-Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources
7. Mr. Andrew Ansu Fatoma-Resident Minister-East
8. Mr. Mohamed Elogima Kendekpa Alie-Resident Minister-South
9. Mr. Mohamed Bangura-Minister of Youth Affairs, and
10. Mr. Abu Abu Abdulai Koroma – Resident Minister-North
Seconding the motion, Hon. Dickson Rogers, who doubles as Chief Whip of Parliament commended President Bio for selecting “a galaxy of qualified Sierra Leoneans” to serve the country in various spheres. He also spoke on the need for improving domestic tourism and to refining our youth to be fit for purpose.
In his contribution, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Sengepoh Solomon Thomasdescribed the nominees as “suitably qualified Sierra Leoneans who have been called to serve”, whilst speaking on the need to do something different, saying that governance is not a “fancy”, but rather a serious business based on deliverables.
On the other hand, Hon. Rebecca Yei Kamara of Coalition for Change (C4C) spoke on the need for transparency and accountability in the governance and management of our minerals, with the aim of benefiting the mining affected communities, citing laws and regulations as in Botswana.
Hon. Saa Emmerson Lamina, Leader of Coalition for Change (C4C) concurred on the need for strengthening the governance of our minerals, cognizant of reviewing the Local Government Act of 2004, and the Mines and Minerals Act to sanitize some of the challenges in these sectors.
Hon. PC Bai Kurr Kanagbaro Sanka IIIalso said that exploration companies are mining without the appropriate licenses, whilst speaking on the need for food security, and to avoid other forms of environmental degradation such as erosion and deforestation.
Independent Member of Parliament, Hon. Shiaka M. Sama from Pujehun District has called on the Government to institute an independent investigation as 90% of their farmlands in Sahn Malen is owned by a foreign company, thereby depriving them of their livelihood, whilst referring to Mrs. Tunis and Lawyer Brewah as part of those human rights defenders, who raised the much needed funds to get him out of “prisons”.
Hon. Bashiru Silike and Hon. Veronica K. Sesay respectivelyacclaimedPresident Bio for selecting qualified Sierra Leoneans,whilst speaking on the need for performance and improvement in the respective sectors, cognizant of the entertainment industry.
Deputy Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Ben Kargbo said that the APC could not lend credence and do justice to the debate because they did not take part in the screening processes, but recognized the nominees as “patriotic Sierra Leoneans”.
In concluding the debate, the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mohamed Sidi Tunis promised that the APC will soon start active deliberations in both plenary and committee sittings, whilst appealing to nominees to work with their professionals, who are equally Sierra Leoneans, and not to “sack people” using partisan lenses.
