The Second Report of the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service, chaired by the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sahr Mathew Nyuma has, on Tuesday 11 November 2025, been debated and approved by Parliament for the development of Sierra Leone.
The following presidential nominees were approved by Parliament:
1. Justice Masiyambay Bangura Chairman, Board of Director, Legal Aid Bored.
2. Ing. Tideni Hawa Jabbi, Managing Director Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO)
3. Mr. Festus Kallay Director General, Electricity and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC)
4. Miss Margaret Martha Kaitibie, Member, National Petroleum Regulatory (NPRA)
5. Madam Sidnella Sallay Nawie, Member National Youth Commission
6. Mr Bashiru Bah, Member National Youth Commission
7. Mr Mohamed Tejan Kellah Chairman, Sierra Leone Railway Development and Regulatory Authority
8. Mr Josiah Paris Member , Sierra Leone Road Authority (SLRA)
9. Mrs Josephine Anselma Metzger Member Board of Directors Sierra Leone Airports Authority
10. Mr Ibrahim Sawanneh Member Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority Board
11. Ing Mariwan Kallon Managing Director Guma Valley Water Company.
12. Mr Victor Vandy, Member National Petroleum Regulatory Authority
13. Mr Charles Lahai Member National Petroleum Regulatory Authority
14. Lansana Koroma Member National Youth Commission (NYC) and
15. Ing Pierre Palmer Director General National water Resources Management Agency.
Presenting the nominees to the plenary, the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sahr Mathew Nyuma explained to Members of Parliament how the aforesaid nominees were interviewed. According to the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, the nominees were interviewed under oath and issues pertaining to experiences gained over the years and track records. The Leader said they also probed into other issues, which include tax obligations, asset declaration, and vision for a productive tenure of their appointments. He proceeded by telling colleague Members of Parliament that other matters regarding the nominees were critically looked into. Hon. Nyuma stated that the Report reflects the unanimous view of the Committee.
Seconding the motion, the Deputy Leader 2 of Opposition, Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma highlighted the importance of justice and urged the nominee going to the sector to ensure the accessibility of justice to all Sierra Leoneans. He encouraged the government to focus on the provision of water as, according to him, the water system in the country is deplorable. ‘’Government should unbundle the water sector for easy access nationwide’’, he said. He ended by describing one of the nominees, Festus Kallay as ‘’man of the many best’’ and that he is well experienced for the position assigned to him.
The President of Parliamentary Female Caucus, Hon. Bernadette Wuyatta Songa mentioned the significance of the nominees. She specifically singled out the nominee appointed to the Legal Aid Board as someone competent and has been committed to all his previous positions. She also spoke about Festus Kallay, who has been helpful to the female caucus in its activities and that the President did extremely well to appoint the said nominee. She urged all nominees to work in the interest of the people.
Hon. Tamba Kellie, representing Kono District, in his debate, encouraged the nominee for Legal Aid Board to expand the system in order to address a wide range of legal issues across the country. He asked Festus Kallay to regulate players in the water sector by providing laws to guide the sector. He said the sector has major issues that require urgent attention for the safety of water users nationwide. ’’You have the capacity, knowledge and all what it takes to develop the water sector across the country’’, he said.
Hon. Ing. Fallah Tengbeh, representing Kailahun District, described the nominees as people with the required experience to man the various positions that have been assigned to them. ‘’To you the appointees, go out there and perform to ensure the SLPP continues to stay in office’’, he said.
Whip of Opposition, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, representing Kambia District, said most places in the Western Area lacked hospitals. He continued that much work is required to ensure improvement in the water sector. According to him, commercial water companies could not afford to buy water from SALWACO for production because of high cost. ’’As we regulate the sector, let ensure the water going to the public is pure for the people of Sierra Leone’’. He used the occasion to patriotically advise all leaders to change the situation.
Hon. Abubakar Fofanah, representing Kenema District, said Parliament is obliged to do due diligence in the approval of nominees and went on to encourage the latter to work and deliver for the growth and development of Sierra Leone.
Hon. Francis Amara Kaisamba, representing Kenema Distruct, described the nominees as highly qualified compatriots for the respective positions. He specifically asked one of the nominees to go and transform the water sector in light of collective work for service delivery.
Deputy Whip 1 of Opposition, Hon. Catherine Zainab Tarawally, representing Bombali District, stated that sometimes politics should be put aside for the overall progress of the State. She urged the nominees to avoid politics and deliver for Sierra Leoneans. She specifically singled out Festus Kallay and described him as someone who is committed to service delivery.‘’ We on this side are saying,Yes to Festus’’ she said.
Hon. Lolloh Tongi, representing Kailahun District, said the nominees are expected to work in the interest of the people. She urged the nominees going to the water sector, particularly Guma Valley Water Company, to stop people from encroaching water catchment areas across the Freetown Peninsular. She encouraged the female nominees to prioritize development and performance in their respective positions.
Hon. PC Desmond M. Kargobai from Bo District advised the nominees to be accommodating Members of Parliament when they contact them in their respective offices after approval.
Hon. Mamoud Kamara, representing Western Area said, Parliament is part of governance and that people always come to Members of Parliament when basic amenities are not available. He said that places like Juba, Malama, and Kamayama are struggling for clean water. He asked the government to make more efforts in providing basic necessities for the people of Sierra Leone.
Hon. Quintin Salia-Konneh, representing Kailahun District, said there are challenges in the water sector that need to be addressed for the benefit of Sierra Leoneans. He said the Legal Aid Board needs more support to ensure access to justice for the people. He said, “the nominees are good personalities and are qualified to deliver for the people of Sierra Leone.” He said Festus Kallay has been effective in all positions he had occupied in the past.
Deputy Chief Whip 1, Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay, representing Moyamba District, encouraged nominees to the water sector to make water accessible for the people of Sierra Leone. ’’All of you are qualified, go and work, deliver, don’t disappoint the President’’, she stated.
Hon. Lucinda Kellie, representing Kono District, described Festus Kallay as someone committed and working beyond party lines. ‘’ Thank you, President, for choosing this gentleman’’, she said and went on to urge all the appointees to prioritize the interest of the people of Sierra Leone.
Rounding the debate, the Leader of Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo advised the nominees to be nationalistic and that their various institutions need more support for effectiveness and performance. He urged the appointees to serve diligently in their designated offices. “Those appointed in positions should move away from corruption and bring development to the country,” he maintained. He advised the nominees to focus on performance and be result-oriented. Hon. Abdul Kargbo encouraged the nominees to use innovation to effect change and progress in their respective institutions. He continued that most institutions are in bad conditions because of mismanagement by institutional heads. Referencing Section 26 of the 1991 Constitution, the Leader said everyone has the right to belong to political parties if he or she so desires, but their ideology should not bring division among Sierra Leoneans. He highlighted systemic problems affecting effectiveness at the Legal Aid Board and noted that there is a need for appropriate funding in order for the institutions to be sustained.
Concluding the debate, the Majority and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sahr Mathew Nyuma mentioned the tireless commitment made by one of the nominees, Festus Kallay and described him as a “colourless man” and a strong administrator who has manifested it in many ways for the growth of the nation. He said, “for the past 6 months, there has been single digit inflation, which shows the efforts of President Bio’s government to improving the economy. Hon. Nyuma continued that Guma Valley Water Company has one of the best filtration mechanisms in the country and that the government is committed to providing pure and accessible water facilities across the country. He encouraged colleague Members of Parliament to prioritize national development and make institutions apolitical. “Our business is to ensure people have access to essential services across the country,” he said. He ended up saying that Sierra Leone has sufficient energy, but the issue of distribution is major across the country, which, according to him the government is tirelessly working to address.
