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:
- 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 is also dubbed as Majority Leader told colleague Members of Parliament and the Speaker of Parliament 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.
The MP described the appointment of Ing. Momodu as a testament to young people and drew his attention to the delay of construction of the road leading to the hometown of President Bio and 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 and noted 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.
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 emphasized 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.
