The Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Thursday 17 August 2023 approved with unanimity, The Fifth Report of the Committee on Appointments and Public Services, chaired by the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma.
The following Presidential Nominees were Approved by Parliament:
1. Mr. Umaru Napoleon Koroma Esq.- Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources
2. Mr. Osman Ibrahim Kanu Esq.- Director of Public Prosecution (DPP)
3. Mr. Moriba S. Kororma- Deputy Minister, Ministry of Internal Affairs
4. Mr. Edwin Foray Gondor-Member Anti-Corruption Advisory Board
5. Mr. Chernor Jalloh- Member Anti-corruption Commission Advisory Board
6. Alhaji O. Aberdeen-Member Anti Corruption Advisory Board
7. Hon. Josephine Makieu- Member Of the Advisory Board, Anti Corruption Commission and
8. Dr. Joseph Gaima Lukulay Moiba- Member of the Advisory Board, Anti-Corruption Commission
According to Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, the Nominees were interviewed on Wednesday 16/08/2023 on strict procedures including educational background, and tax obligations, amongst other requirements.
Seconding the motion, the Deputy Majority and Leader of Government Business 2, Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina thanked President Bio for appointing the nominees and implored them to promote Feed Salone Agenda. The Leader called on all to put their hands on deck, in light of a joint venture to support agriculture and feed the people.
Through the ACC’s hard work, he said President Bio’s Government scored high in the MCC and also gained prowess in another international arena. He advised the nominees designated to ACC to render positive services for the country.
He heaped praise on the Deputy Minister-designate for Internal Affairs, Moriba S. Koroma, and admonished him to collaboratively work with his Minister to deliver, especially on improving the Police.
He also spoke positively of the independence of the Judiciary relative to the appointment of the DPP.
The Leader echoed a standing ovation for the Deputy Minister designated to Mines and Mineral Resources and also lauded President Bio for making good laws for the peace and development of Sierra Leone.
He revealed that Umaru Napoleon Koroma was one of the strongest pillars behind the drafting of positive Bills that were passed into law by the 5th Parliament when he was serving as Deputy Minister of Justice. He expressed hope that all the nominees would deliver. The Leader decried diplomatic interference in the country’s politics.
Hon. Bello Shaw from Falaba zoomed in on the DPP and asked him to fast-track the cases of prisoners whose files have been abandoned.
He also asked the DPP to advise Diplomats to stop interfering with the politics of Sierra Leone. He commended Umarau Napoleon Koroma Esq. and advised him to continue maintaining the youthful leadership and perform as usual for other youths to gain more positions in the current governance.
He spoke well of ACC Members’ designates and other nominees. He used the opportunity to ask for fair representation from the government in his area.
Hon. Fode M. Kabba also from Falaba thanked President Bio for appointing the nominees, who have gone through parliamentary scrutiny and maintained that they are qualified for approval. He religiously quoted from the Quran, in light of the trust and confidence bestowed on the nominees by the President and the people. He spoke positively of Umaru Napoleon Koroma for his reappointment. He admonished him to perform in the new office and assured all nominees of his support.
Hon. Francis Amara Kai-Samba from Kenema singled out the Deputy Minister-designate for Mines and Mineral Resources for demonstrating dynamic leadership and responsibility, adding that his previous performance attributed to more youth appointments.
According to him, if the country managed its resources well, the people would gain political independence from outsiders and went on to condemn diplomatic inference in the country’s politics.
He advised the ACC nominees to deliver and commended the designated Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs for his astute political roles and assured the House that his appointment would enhance peace and serenity in Kenema.
Hon. Ibrahim Koroma from Kenema expressed appreciation to President Bio for appointing the nominees and admonished the latter to promote the former’s agenda. He advised them to serve diligently in the interest of the State. He zoomed in on Napoleon and informed the House that the latter has exhibited positive characteristics.
“His appointment is not a surprise to us,” he maintained and went on to heaped praises on the appointee for the position of reappointed as Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs. He congratulated all the nominees and prayed fervently for them to deliver.
Hon. Wuyata Songa thanked President for appointing the nominees and stated that they were all qualified.
She noted that Sierra Leone will never forget Umaru Napoleon Koroma for his dynamic role. She wished Mr. Gondor well and described Hon. Josephine Makieu as a positive woman whose contributions helped the last Parliament immensely. The MP urged all the nominees to perform.
Hon. Mariama E. Goba from Kenema said the designated Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs is a household name in Kenema and would not be forgotten easily in the SLPP history. She wished him well and expressed hope for deliverables. She commended all the nominees and wished them well in their new offices.
Hon. Boston Munda from Kenema District heaped praises on Umaru Napoleon Koroma and informed the House that, the nominee needs to be celebrated.
The MP extended personal gratification to the designated Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs for his outstanding role. He described him as a good man. He said Hon. Josephine Makieu did well in the last Parliament and assured her of continued Parliamentary support.
In rounding up the debate, the Acting Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Mohamed Bangura, categorically stated that diplomats have the right to talk on Sierra Leone Politics, quoting Article 41 of the Vienna Conventions, adding that no ambassador has gone beyond his limit. He asked the House to trust the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation about the matter.
The Acting Opposition Leader said Napoleon Koroma is a household name and described him as a man who cuts across the country. The MP lauded the nominee for hard work.
He also spoke very well about the DPP and described him as an erudite lawyer. “He is one of the few civil servants in the country that held the principle of neutrality” he revealed and advised him to take note of the complexity of his new office. He wished him well and told the House that he would monitor him.
The Leader said they would miss Hon. Josephine Makieu for her soft-spoken ability and described her as a mother. Heaping praises on the Deputy Minister-designate for Internal Affairs he said “I know the Agbawo of Kenema” and described him as a steadfast man with good attributes. “You are going to deliver the peace and security of this country,” he said and went on to decry the kush drug. “Mr. Speaker Honourable Members we from this end are 100% in support of the approval of the nominees” he concluded.
Concluding the debate, Hon. Nyuma thanked all for their various contributions. He responded and clarified concerns and issues raised. The Leader said it is good to have very responsible young people like Umaru Napoleon Koroma who is humble and loyal. He spoke positively of the nominee’s experience and vision to work in the office designated.
He described Moriba S. Koroma as a grassroots man and a true Sierra Leone. “Agbawo you are a good man” he revealed. He spoke comprehensively and positively about him. He assured the House that the nominee would work in team spirit and asked him to collaborative support to curb the dangerous ‘kush’ drug. He urged parents and compatriots to collaborate with the government in the fight against drugs and promote education among children. “Let us take the fight against drugs as a national drive” he informed and went on to predicate on the unity and cohesion of the country. He went on to reiterate the necessity of exclusivity in electoral reform. “Let us live as a nation” he stated. The Leader admonished the ACC nominees to fight corruption, and to develop the country. He also thanked Honourable Paramount Chiefs for their support in that direction.
In his felicitation, the Speaker of Parliament Hon. Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu thanked President Bio for appointing the nominees and stated that they are eminently qualified. He congratulated the nominees and wished them well in their assignments.
