The Tenth Report of the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service, Chaired by the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, has been debated and approved by Parliament. The following Presidential Nominees were approved by Parliament: 1. Dr. Ibrahim Stevens, Governor Bank of Sierra Leone (BSL) 2. Ing. Alfred Jalil Momodu, Director General Sierra Leone Roads Authority ( SLRA) 3. Augustine Julius Jemeel Tommy, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) 4. Alhaji Mustapha Turay, Chairman Board of Directors, National Mineral Agency (NMA) 5. Mr. Abu Bakarr Carew, Commissioner, Local Government Services Commission, Western Region and 6. Sheik Mahmoud Foday Sesay, Board Member, Sierra Leone Ports Authority (SLPA).
Presenting the Tenth Report of the Committee on Appointments and Public Service, the Leader of Government Business Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, who also doubles as Majority Leader, told colleague Members of Parliament and the Speaker Hon. Abass Bundu, that all the Presidential Nominees were interviewed on issues relating to their educational background, experience and track records, tax obligation, vision for the designate offices amongst other requirements.
Seconding the motion, Deputy Leader 2 of the Opposition, Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma, gave comprehensive monetary policy advice to the Bank Governor, relative to the foreign exchange rate and depreciation of the Leone. He expressed concern over high interest rates levied by commercial banks as a cost for borrowing, and exorbitant charges made by mobile money for transactions. He also raised concern over the reduction of the country’s foreign reserve. The MP described the appointment of Ing. Momodu as a testament to young people, drew his attention to the delay of construction of the road leading to the hometown of President Bio, outlined the economic value and cost-effectiveness of certain roads, and appealed to the SLRA to reconstruct them. He described the nominee for Local Government Service Commission as fit and called on the Government to support the institution. He spoke positively about other nominees and advised them to deliver.
Hon. Keikura Vandy generally admonished nominees to work with Parliament, noting that it was timely to revive the economy of the State. He zoomed in on the Bank Governor to revive the economy amidst the current situation. He craved the indulgence of the Bank Governor to consider a certain document relating to electricity and ensuring the implementation of the Finance Act 2024, in light of promoting foreign exchange rates and reserves. The MP described Ing. Momodu as someone with unique characteristics. He said it was necessary to bring the financial institutions and SLRA together to ensure the financing of road projects. He described Augustine Tommy, the nominee for NPPA as a hardworking Sierra Leonean and asked him to support the Government in that direction.
Speaking about the nominee on the Local Government Services Commission, he recalled the conflict between the Ministry of Local Government and the latter. Whilst debunking previous speakers, the MP categorically stated that President Bio is working in the interest of the State.
Speaking about the confidence bestowed by the President on the nominees, Hon Amie Moriba drew the attention of the Bank Governor to an alarming exchange rate of the US dollars, and devaluation of the local currency. She used the opportunity to call the attention of the SLRA to the dilapidated nature of some roads and appealed to all nominees to work in the interest of the State.
Hon. Daniel Koroma, Deputy Opposition Leader, zoomed in on the nominee for SLRA and said that he was fit, and went on to ask him to take note of the following which include: the horrible nature of the Road between Model Secondary School via Parliament to State Avenue, the reconstruction of Magboruka/ Bumbuna Road, to fast-track the completion of the construction of a certain bridge in his district and maintenance of the feeder roads in the country.
On his part, Hon. Francis Amara Kai-Samba said the nominees were suitably qualified for the various positions for which they are appointed and informed the House that their offices are facing challenges that need to be addressed. He advised the nominee for NMA to diligently work in the interest of the nation, citing the new Mines Act, and gave similar advice to the Bank Governor as well as the SLRA nominee and others.
While commending the nominees, Hon. Joseph Williams-Lamin emphasized the maintenance of roads and spoke about the financing of road works. He advised the Bank Governor and other nominees to do the needful.
The Whip of Opposition, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, recalled instances relating to young people’s participation in governance. He noted that credentials and qualifications were not the problems of the country, but performance. He raised some concerns about the Bank Governor and urged him to deliver. The MP admonished the NPPA nominee to do more than his predecessor and asked SLRA to consider Samu/Kitchum Road, to boost the Feed Salone project. The MP raised serious concern over the allocation of funds to Kamakwie/Kambia Road and also informed the House about the state of some roads in the country. He alleged that roads have not been paved in the Northwest, as was stated in the previous budget statements, and underscored that national resources need to be distributed equally. He advised all nominees to perform.
Hon. PC. Saquee IV Paul of Kono District thanked President Bio for appointing fine nominees and informed the House about the diamond experience of the nominee for NMA. He used the opportunity to draw the attention of Ing. Momodu to the Kono/Matotoka Highway and appealed for more development projects in their district.
Hon. Bintu Fatmata Bockarie drew the attention of Ing. Momodu to the dilapidated state of roads in her Bonthe district. She informed Parliament that her people were not happy with the conditions of their roads.
Rounding up the debate, the Leader of the Opposition, Hon Abdul Kargbo, recalled how Presidential Nominees are accompanied by their fanfare and related it to Biblical oblivion, that some ended up with curse or happiness. He categorically stated that nominees are obliged to perform in the interest of the State. He emphasised the necessity of positive service delivery. He went on to emphasize the critical role of the Bank Governor, relative to the welfare of the people. “It is my prayers that the Bank Governor we are about to approve, succeeds,” he said, and informed the House that “the Governor needs the support of the House”. He drew the attention of the Bank Governor to commercial bank rates or interest, relative to the welfare of the ordinary citizens. He did a comparative analysis of sub-region currencies and blamed Sierra Leone for poor monetary policy, which, he said, was affecting businesses. He also prayed for the economy of the country to change for the better. He said Ing. Momodu has a moral obligation. The Opposition Leader told the House that budget allocations previously meant for road construction were not fulfilled. The MP denounced some compatriots to stop politicizing institutions and people. He used the opportunity to ask all the nominees to deliver based on the praises of the MPs. He called on the House to speedily approve the nominees.
In concluding the debate, the Acting Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie, asked the nominees to perform, as according to him, if they failed, it would affect their re-elections to governance.
The MP said the oversight role would support and promote the development of the activities of the executive and enhance performance. He revealed that SLRA personnel are proactive, but funding was the problem. While debunking previous speakers, the Leader recalled that former President Koroma used to mention several road constructions in his statements, but most were not accomplished. The Leader admonished the Bank Governor to correct the mistakes of the former Bank governors, who were his predecessors. “We hope you will not disappoint us, the President and the People,” he asked.
He described the SLRA nominee as someone with a wealth of experience and asked him to work in team spirit, in light of his young dynamism. The Leader assured Parliament of the Government’s positive road works and denounced the previous speaker for politicizing the distribution of road constructions in the country. He advised all other nominees to perform. He called on the Local Government and Community Affairs Committee to question the councils on their responsibility, especially on the devolved functions relating to road construction and development. He asked the nominees to treat MPs with respect.
In his felicitation, the Rt. Hon . Speaker Dr.Abass Chernor Bundu, said that the confidence reposed in the nominees had been approved by Parliament and wished them well in their assignments. In another development Parliament on Thursday, 16/11/2023 gave a glowing tribute to the Memory of the Late Hon. Paramount Chief Victor Brima Sidi Kebbie.
