The Parliament of Sierra Leone on Tuesday, 20th February 2024 debated and approved with unanimity, the Thirteenth Report of The Committee on Appointments and The Public Service, Chaired By the Acting Leader Of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie.
The following Presidential Nominees were approved by the Parliament:
1 Mr. Bockarie Abdel Aziz Bawoh: Deputy Minister, Ministry Of Information and Civic Education
2. Ing. Vandy Chrispin James French, Deputy Director General Sierra Leone Roads Authority and
3. Mr. Ira Nyake Amara: Chairman of the Board Of Directors Sierra Leone Commercial Bank
Presenting the Report, the Deputy Leader of Government Business told colleague Members of Parliament that, the nominees were interviewed on pertinent issues including educational backgrounds, track records, declared assets, tax obligations, and other related matters.
Seconding the motion, the Chief whip of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara from Kambia District said the nominees have contributed immensely to the development of the nation. He zoomed in on Ing. French for his outstanding performance towards the construction of a road around the Ribbi axis and his hospitality to the people. He used the opportunity to ask the authorities to reconstruct the road to Parliament.
The Opposition Whip reminded the deputy minister to address the information gap relative to new media and cyber law. He asked him to be robust, especially in educating the people on sensitive matters. The MP encouraged Mr. Amara to improve on the growth of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank. “Go and do us proud and add value to the Commercial Bank” he maintained and went on to advise, “go and do the right thing for this nation”.
On his part, Hon Quintin Salia-Konneh from Kailahun District admonished the nominees to work in respect of the expectations of the President and the people. He singled out the deputy minister to continue his outstanding performance in communicating the good work of the government to the people. The MP advised the Ing. to deliver practically and professionally to continue to improve on the road network. He also advised the Chairman Board of Directors to improve the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank. “Please go and serve your various institutions” he stated.
Hon. Brima Mansaray from Kenema District thanked the President for appointing the nominees, especially Mr. Amara. He heaped praises on Mr. Amara for his longstanding performance in the banking sector and advised him to consider the interest rate of Sierra Leone Commercial Bank. He used the opportunity to reveal the bad networks of certain roads in his district and asked Ing. French to help.
Hon. Dr. Unfa G. Koroma from Western Area Urban classified the various institutions as important and that the nominees should deliver in respect of same. He made reference to various scholars relative to addressing the information gap and advised the deputy minister to stand up to the task, in light of positivity and responsibility in civic education. The MP used the opportunity to speak about the maintenance of roads and buttressed the earlier speakers on consideration of Commercial Bank’s interest rate.
Hon. Musa Fofana from Kono District asked the nominees to go to their various offices and make the State proud. He recalled the hard work and professionalism of Ing. French. The MP used the opportunity to ask the Ing. to improve on road construction and rehabilitation. He supported the approval of all the nominees.
Hon. Ben Mansaray from Moyamba District recalled and thanked the Government for road construction and the Mabang bridge. He appealed for additional road construction in the Moyamba District.
In rounding up the debate, the Opposition Leader, Hon. Abdul Kargbo from Port Loko District vehemently advised the nominees to trend on a positive footprint in nation-building. The MP zoomed in on the deputy minister and went on to speak on his versatility of services. He encouraged him to do more.
The Opposition Leader heaped praises on Ing. French for demonstrating a high level of patriotism.
He used the opportunity to advise MPs to patronize with Sierra Leone Commercial Bank and described Mr.Amara as an intelligent man. He outlined his enormous experience and asked him to perform his moral obligation. The Leader asked the House to expeditiously approve the nominees.
Concluding the Acting Leader of Government Business Hon. Bashiru Silikie from Bo District thanked all MPs for their various contributions to the debate. He used the opportunity to ask the nominees to accord MPs with respect, especially in a situation where they would visit the nominees in light of seeking support for onwards support to their people. He reminded the nominees of some bad road networks in their districts and asked them to support them in that direction. He reiterated that failure to undertake development in some instances had affected the reelection of some MPs. “If you don’t perform it would affect us,” he said. He predicated on the service delivery of the nominees especially on the deputy minister and asked them to perform. He encouraged Mr. Amara to go along with his experience to the bank.
In his felicitation, the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu wished the nominees well.
Credit: Parliamentary and Public Relations Department, Parliament of Sierra Leone
