Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Friday 18 August 2023 debated and approved with unanimity the Sixth 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. Hon Mima Yema Mimi Sobba-Steven – Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environment and Climate Change and
2. Mr. Mohamed Haji- Kella- Deputy Minister, Ministry of Social Welfare
Seconding the motion, the Deputy Majority Leader and Leader of Government of Business 2, Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina said the nominees are adequately qualified and they are not fake.
The Leader urged the nominees to work collaboratively to enhance development. He said Ministers of Government are answerable to the Presidency and Parliament and went on to advise the nominees to seek clarification on conflict-related issues regarding administrative management with line MDAs.
He pleaded with the Deputy Minister designate to Social Welfare to review the Disability Act.
On his part, Hon.Mustapha Sallu from Moyamba District commended the President for appointing well-qualified Sierra Leoneans to serve and went on to advise the nominees to work in line with President’s Big Five Changer Initiatives.
The MP praised both nominees for their outstanding background in leadership management.
Hon Francis Amara Kai-Samba from Kenema District said the nominees are qualified and referred to both appointees as hardworking individuals and assured the House that the nominees would serve well. He called on the Social Welfare Deputy Minister designate to seek and address all related drug issues in the country.
Hon.Joseph Williams-Lamin from Bo District added his voice to the approval of the nominees and said they are qualified. The MP described the designated Deputy Social Welfare Minister as a good man who loves and cares for the people and went on to advise them to serve in the best interest of the country.
Hon.Mariama Zombo from the Pujuhun District referred to Hon.Stevens as the best educator who had served the nation to the best of her ability.
On Climate change, the MP said it is very important to raise awareness on it and went on to call on the Ministry of Environment to cascade the information of climate change to young people.
“Let us add a climate change curriculum into our syllabus to educate both primary and secondary school pupils,” she said.
The MP advised the Social Welfare Deputy Minister-designate to lay more emphasis on the physically challenged persons in society and called for the review of the Disability Act.
In rounding up the debate, the Acting Leader of the Opposition, Hon.Mohamed Bangura said the Appointment Committee had done the vetting and revealed that the nominees are qualified to serve.
He warned that Hajj scholarships meant for the people of Sierra Leone should be awarded to Sierra Leoneans and not to foreigners.
“For the records, they are fit and qualified for the positions entrusted to them,” he concluded.
In concluding the debate, the Acting Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon Bashiru Silikie said the environment is challenged and advised the Minister-designate for the environment to take cognizant of the environment and also forest reserved areas.
He praised the Deputy Minister-designate to Social Welfare to improve his performance and serve to the best of his ability.
In his felicitation message, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon. Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu said the nominees are eminently qualified and hoped the Deputy Minister of Social Welfare designate would continue to serve well for the people of Sierra Leone and joined MPs to wish them well in their new offices.
