The Eighteenth Report of the Committee on Appointments and Public Service, chaired by the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma on Tuesday, 16/07/2024 debated and unanimously approved by Parliament.
The following Presidential Nominees were approved by Parliament:
1. Prof. Osman Alimany Sankoh, Commissioner, Tertiary Education Commission, North-East Region
2. Dr. Lawerence Sao Babawo, Commissioner, Tertiary Education Commission Eastern Region.
3. Madam Edna Magaret Racheal Jones, Commissioner, Tertiary Education North-Western Region.
4. Mr Momodu Koroma, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the Kingdom of Morocco
5. Haja Alimatu Abdullah, Commissioner Tertiary Education Commission Western Region
6. Madam Martha Consilia Kanagbo, High Commissioner of Sierra Leone to the Gambia
7. Mr Abdul Aziz Turay Deputy Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
8. Mr Paul Sobba Masaquoi, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the Republic of South Korea and
9. Mr Daniel Katibie Executive Director-Sierra Leone Maritime Administration
Presenting the Report, the Leader of Government Business told the Plenary that the Nominees were interviewed live on media and strict procedures including educational backgrounds, track records on pertinent work situations, asset declaration, tax obligations, and vision for productive tenures amongst others.
Seconding the motion, Hon. Rose Marie Bangura from Tonkolili District thanked the Committee of Appointments and went on to extoll President Bio for appointing the compatriots. The MP underscored the Constitutional role of Parliament in vetting Presidential Nominees and approval. The MP stressed the confidence of the President bestowed on the Nominees adding that they were entrusted to enviable positions and admonished them to go and deliver without prejudice. “There are many other Sierra Leoneans, both home and abroad who are qualified for these positions,” she maintained and asked them to perform in the interest of the State.
Hon Rose Marie categorically zoomed out on the Female Nominees and heaped praises on Madam Kanagbo, commended Haja Abdullah for her gender activism. She lauded and strongly advised all the nominees to work with an open-door policy and the Ambassadors to attract investment opportunities. She admonished all the Education Commissioners to go and deliver well.
Hon.Charles Abdulai from Bo District said he was convinced by the Appointments Committee Report and noted that he does not doubt the Nominees. He zoomed in on Dr Babawo, Prof. Sankoh and Paul Massaquoi for their good attributes towards the development of society. The MP said Madam Kanagbo has a passion for humanity and is generous to people. “Mr. Speaker, Hon. Members she is a party loyalist” he disclosed.
On her part, the President of the Female Caucus, Hon. Bernadette Wuyata Songa from Kailahun District expressed dismay over those who are not performing since they gained Parliamentary approval. She commended the Female Nominees and advised the female commissioners to serve well and in their capacities like mothers. She also wished the Ambassadors well and asked them to bring goodies home. She used the opportunity to recall her bad experience in Kenya where the Sierra Leone Ambassador refused to see a high power delegation from Sierra Leone. On the contrary, she lavished praises on the current Ambassador to the Gambia for her hospitality to visitors. She described Madam Kanagbo as a very tolerant person and admonished all the appointees to perform.
Hon. Dr. Upha G. Koroma from Western Area Urban used the opportunity to denounce corruption and zoomed in on the Hon. Momodu Koroma and recalled his encounter with his family. He expressed happiness over his appointment, adding that he has been a forgotten person in the SLPP. He also commended Mr Abdul Aziz Turay and used the opportunity to advise him to improve the status and welfare of Sierra Leonean pilgrimages in the future. He called the attention of the Maritime Administration to Tasso Island and admonished the Commissioners on tertiary institutions. He singled out the Commissioner for the Northeast region and lauded him for his remarkable services.
Hon. Ibrahim Koroma from Kenema dedicated his speech to the enduring efforts of the Late President Mandela, relating his aspiration to President Bio. He advised the Nominees to go and work diligently with the aspiration of the President. He described all the Nominees as credible people and advised them to work effectively for others to emulate and be proud of.
Hon.Mustapha Sellu from Moyamba District, while expressing thanks, admonished the Nominees to work in the interest of the nation. He recalled his encounter with Mr. Aziz Turay for laudable services and commended others, including Mr. Katibie, and Madam Kanagbo. He said that most of the Nominees are grassroots friends and warned them all to relate well with Nominees and grassroots.
Hon. Massay N. Aruna from Bo District appreciated the President for appointing grassroots brothers and sisters. “They are sufferers and people who had worked for the interest of Sierra Leone,” she revealed and advised the Ambassadors, to assist those living in foreign countries. “Martha Kanagbo is a mother and a woman of substance,” she revealed. The MP heaped praises on others, including Hon. Momodu Koroma, Paul Massaquoi, and others.
The Chief Whip of Parliament, Hon. Dickson Rogers said the Nominees were fine compatriots, but not to praise them. He recalled the approval of Paul Massaquoi a few years ago for the Maritime Administration and his contributions to the transformation of the same. He described the day as special for Martha Kanagbo, assured that Mr. Katibie would succeed and described him as a redeemer, Mallam O, a reformer of the Statistics Office in Sierra Leone. The Chief Whip recalled his political relationship with Hon. Momodu Koroma, described him as a loyalist and advised him to protect Sierra Leoneans in Morocco and bring investment home.
Hon. Ben A. Mansaray from Moyamba District specified his conversation to Pro. Mallam O. Sankoh for his academic and other attributes. The MP highlighted issues affecting education and asked the commissioners to revamp the system to meet global demands. “This country is constrained with budget allocation,” he explained the problems of the tertiary education commission. The MP encouraged Mr Katibie to support his Moyamba people and asked him to understudy the institution designate amidst the high rate of turnover of Nominees. “Please go and deliver on the Big 5 Game Changers,” he concluded.
Hon. Musa Fofana from Kono District lavished praises on the Nominees and recalled his encounter with previous nominees. He informed the House that a lot of gains have been made in the educational system and asked the commissioners to go and consolidate the achievement. He used the opportunity to underscore the importance of the Mid-term Census and accredited it to Prof. Mallam O. He advised Paul Massaquoi to go and make Sierra Leone proud and extend the same felicitation to others. He stressed that Medium Term National Development align with global development. He recalled the past days of Hon. Momodu Koroma for his positive attributes.
Hon. Billor Shaw from Falaba District zoomed in on Nominees of Tertiary Education and spoke about the challenges of the Commission including finance. He also advised the Ambassador of South Korea and others to represent the country well, to attract more foreign opportunities and investments.
The MP commended the efforts of the SLPP Government towards education especially in his remote Communities
and went on to heap praises on Mr Katibie for his promotion of education and Mobile Networks.
Hon.Joseph Williams-Lamin from Bo District allotted the Day to Hon. Momodu Koroma and explained the Nominee’s relationship to Bo District. He described Momodu Koroma as a quiet and perfect gentleman. The MP advised the nominees to go and serve the people. He used the opportunity to educate the House and the people on Education.
Hon. Fatmata Bintu Bockarie from Bonthe District thanked President Bio for appointing the Nominees and went on to zoom in on Mrs. Kanagbo, Mr. Kaitibie and others. “Auntie Martha Kanagbo, you are the pride of SLPP,” she stated and referred to Hon. Momodu Koroma as someone with patience. She said Mr Kaitibie is a generous man and admonished all the Nominees to relate with the people and MPs.
The Deputy Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie urged the Nominees to deliver because they were responsible for development. The Youthful MP stressed that the Nominees were responsible for their re-elections or turnover, adding that their failure to develop the country would not only affect the people but also the President, and MPs of the ruling party amongst others. He used the opportunity to explain their role and responsibility as MPs.
“Please go and deliver,” he maintained and added that “Government is not giving us a dime to take development to our people,”. The MP told the Nominees that they were responsible for taking development to the people. He said the Nominees are not only going to work for themselves but for Members of Parliament. He recalled his encounter with Madam Kanagbo in the SLPP. “These are the types of Nominees we want,” he informed and advised them to work in the interest of the people. While commending Mr Katibie, he used the opportunity to decry the current mobile network. He advised Mr. Katibie to go and transform the Maritime Administration. The Deputy Leader asked the Commissioners to appeal to the lecturer to do the needful. He advised Mr. Turay to use his diplomatic experience to help Sierra Leone.
Acting Opposition Leader, Hon Aruna Aaron Koroma said they as the opposition would always support what is good and advised the Nominees not to disappoint the President and to work well. The MP used the opportunity to laud women’s representation, in light of the appointment of the female nominees. The young leader expressed hope in the female Nominees and asked them to do well for other women to emulate.
He zoomed in on Hon. Momodu Koroma denounced tribal sentiment, and asked all citizens to embrace one another, irrespective of their differences. He assured the House that the Nominee wouldn’t disappoint the nation and would stand tall. He spoke about the Tertiary Commission and referred to its Act. The MP spoke about the variance in course contents and urged the commissioners to create uniformity in the course system, and fees and attract competitiveness. He urged the Deputy Ambassador to Saudi Arabia not to only represent Sierra Leone, but to protect compatriots. “Please appointees when you go to these offices represent and serve all citizens” he admonished.
He reassured the House that Paul Massaquoi would do well and commended all Nominees.
In conclusion, the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma saluted President Bio for appointing them nationally and informed that it has been manifested today that their differences are not greater than their similarities.
On education, he recalled what happened through their Campaign manifesto towards achieving current education. The Leader spoke about the sacrifice of Prof. Sankoh and others, in light of their performance at the Committee’s interview. He reflected on efforts made by the 5th Parliament to achieve the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act and related it to Madam Kanagbo’s sacrifice for the SLPP. He used the opportunity to describe women as less corrupt than men.
The MP highlighted the achievements and challenges of Momodu Koroma politically, diplomatically, intelligently, and for national services. He heaped praises on Mr Katibie and Paul Massaquoi relative to their comparative experience, professionalism, performance, and administration and advised them to deliver.
He thanked all for their various contributions.
In his felicitation, the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, on behalf of Parliament and the People of Sierra Leone, congratulated the Nominees. He informed the House that, the offices the Nominees are going to occupy have been occupied by other people and advised them to go and change the dynamics. “Don’t allow anyone to corrupt you,” he said and went on “Go and serve the people well.”
