The Twentieth Report of the Committee on Appointments and Public Service, chaired by the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma has on Thursday 8 August 2024 debated and unanimously approved by Parliament.
The following presidential nominees were approved by Parliament:
1. Mr. Ibrahim Turay- Ambassador, Sierra Leone Embassy, Dakar, Senegal.
2. Mrs. Asmaa James-Deputy, Ambassador, Sierra Leone Embassy Brussels, Belgium.
3. Madam Fatmata Sawaneh- Deputy Ambassador of Sierra Leone Embassy Conkary, Guinea.
4. Mr. Lusine Kallon-Deputy Ambassador, Sierra Leone Embassy, Monrovia, Liberia
5. Mr.Kabineh Moinama Kallon -Chairman,National Revenue Authority
6. Mr. Edward Lebbie Williams- Chairman Sierra Leone Aviation Authority.
7. Ing. Andrew Karmoh Keilli- Chairman, Electricity Distribution Supply Authority.
8. Madam Cathryn Patricia Frances’s Turay-Southern Region, Tertiary Education Commission and
9. Thomas Johnnard Barnet-Board of Trustees, Sierra Leone’s Broadcasting Corporation.
Presenting the Report, the Leader of Government Business, Hon.Mathew Sahr Nyuma, JP told the Plenary that the Nominees were interviewed live on media and on strict procedures including educational backgrounds, track records in pertinent work situations, asset declaration, tax obligations, and vision for productive tenures amongst others.
Seconding the nomination, the Whip of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara from Kambia District recalled the last appointment, in light of information management. He zoomed in on the ambassador designate to Senegal to use his Marinetime expertise to study the fishing sector in that county and bring the development back home. He described Asma James for her career in journalism and football and went on to ask her and attract investment opportunities to bring home the goodies. He urged her to market the country outside. “I am sure with Asma James to the European Union, she would bring opportunities for the country.”, he maintained.
He related Andrew Kailie to “Ponder My Thought”, a newspaper column, and advised him to do more. He used the opportunity to re-echoed out and advised the media to market Sierra Leone well.
On her part, Hon. Fatmata Bintu Bockarie from Bonthe District who was also former National Deputy women’s Leader for the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) , underscored the outstanding leadership charisma of Madam Fatmata Sawaneh having served as National Women’s Leader of the SLPP, and now going to serve as the Deputy Ambassador to Guinea . Hon. Bockarie assured the house that Madam Fatmata Sawaneh would be a support force to her boss as the Deputy Ambassador to Guinea. She also used the opportunity to appeal to President Bio to appoint more party stalwarts. She commended other nominees and asked them to support their people especially the SLPP supporters.
Hon. Zainab Catherine Zainab Tarawalie Opposition Whip 2 from Bombali District urged the nominees to perform. She recalled her female journalistic role together with Asma James and commended President Bio for the latter’s appointment to the European Union. She wished her well and encouraged her to deliver.
The MP zoomed in on Fatmata Sawaneh and expressed satisfaction over her tireless political and gender activism . She admonished her to perform, in light of women’s participation and promotion.
She lauded Kambeneh M. Kallon, Madam Jeneba and others.
She urged Mr. Turay to bring innovation and development.
Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay Deputy Whip, from Moyamba District, who also doubles as President of West Africa Female Caucus said the nominees were all qualified and used the opportunity to thank President Bio for appointing women.
She expressed Partially commendation to the female nominees and heaped calculated praises them. She
She advised all the nominees to work in tandem with diligence and patriotic expectations.
She climaxed her debate with the popular women’s song amidst applause.
Hon. Abdul Latif Sesay from Port Loko District expressed appreciation over the nominees and informed the House about the unwarranted attitude of some Permanent Secretaries who are in the habits of forestalling the vision of Presidential Nominees. He used the opportunity to thank President Bio on behalf of the people of Port Loko for appointing Edward Lebbie Williams. He drew the attention of the same nominee to the exorbitant charges by the new Lungi Airport that has scared away passengers to fly through Guinea. The MP urged all other nominees to work hard and address the problems.
He commended Fatmata Sawaneh for her political tolerance and Madam Asma James for her national role
Hon. Paramount Chief from Bo District, PC Kargobai Desmond Mahayei described the nominees as able bodies and expressed hope for their performance. He explained his relationship with Asma James. The Hon. P.C recalled the deputy Ambassador’s astute role at Radio Democracy and went on to elucidate Madam James’s indelible testaments in football among others.
Hon. Abdul Sulaiman Marray-Conteh from Western Area Urban described the nominees as fine compatriots with special reference to female appointees. He lavished praises on the other nominees. He specifically appreciated Fatmata Sawaneh for her grassroots politics and expressed hope for her performance at the diplomacy.
Rounding up the debate, the Opposition Leader, Hon. Abdul Kargbo said it was incumbent on Parliament to prepare for their assignment, in light of the approval of nominees. He noted that they own the assignment and duties to the nation. He zoomed in on Edward Lebbie Williams and admonished him to always creates impact on any office he serves as head. The Leader expressed dissatisfaction over the deplorable states of the Sierra Leone Airport Authority, whilst the nominee was working and asked Government to improve on same. He informed the House that the Control Tower at the old airport was unlawfully transferred to the new airport. Hon. Abdul Kargbo disclosed to Parliament that the management of the new airport did not treat compatriots fairly in terms of redundancy. He emphasized that the Old Airport had been relegated to nothing and asked the House to investigate the situation.
He continued to caution the Deputy Ambassador to Liberia and asked him to consider his obligation for other young people to emulate. ‘We want young people to succeed so that the Government will repose confidence in other Young people” he stated and admonished to other Nominees to support and protect compatriots in and out of Sierra Leone. He urged the nominees to serve the nation well, adding that there is a retributive justice in-service delivery.
Concluding the debate, the Leader of Government Business thanked all those who contributed to the debates. He predicated his debate on national services delivery, in light of the Constitutional mandate giving to the President to hire and fire. He urged the nominees to serve the people and informed the House that they would bring the matter during the course of question time.
He also decried those who are in the habits of degrading compatriots including the management of the new airport. The Leader acknowledged Asma James for her patriotic role. “Let us give praises to people to work” he stated and lauded the effort of her husband. The Leader used the opportunity to advise all and sundry to respect journalists. The Leader referred to Ing. Andrew Kaili as a positive critic of President Bio’s Administration in his Ponder My Thought and noted that the latter had a free mind. He emphatically denounced pulling-down syndrome. He said Mr. Kambeneh M. Kallon had served Sierra Leone diligently. He acknowledged the tremendous and outstanding efforts of Fatmata Sawaneh for her political and national role. The Leader spoke about gender equality in tandem with the positive aspiration and transportation of President Bio, in light of achievement of the 30%. He finally predicated his debate on national Unity.
In his congratulatory message,the Speaker of Parliament Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas assured the House that the female nominees are going to perform like wonders in their designated offices and urged them to go and make the country proud. “Parliament stands with you and Parliament will always stands with you” he concluded.
In another development, the Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Thursday 8 August 2024 debated and passed into Law with some amendments the Bill entitled “The Sierra Leone Public Transport Authority Act,2024.
Also Parliament has debated and passed into law with some amendments the Bill entitled The National Youth Service (Amendment)Act 2024.
The Bill is seeking to amend the National Youth Service Act 2016 and to provide for other related matters. The Nation Youth Commission (Amendment) Act 2024 which is being an Act to amend the National Youth Commission Act, 2009 and to provide for other related matters was also passed into law.
Parliamentary and Public Relations Department, Parliament of Sierra Leone
