The Parliament of Sierra Leone on Thursday, 7 November 2024 debated and approved with unanimity three Presidential Nominees to serve in various offices.
The following Presidential Nominees were approved by Members of Parliament:
1. Mr. Stephen Tommy Garnett- Chairman-National Protected Area Authority (NPAA)
2. Dr. Kishore Shankerdas- Member-Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) and
3. Ing. Barton Cole-Proposed Member-Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA).
Moving the motion, the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew S. Nyuma, assured Members of Parliament that the Appointment Committee conducted its open hearing within the usual framework of procedures and the Nominees were vetted on issues pertaining to their educational backgrounds to ensure that they had the required proven track records in pertinent work situations for their appointments in such important offices of State. He disclosed that further probing questions put to the appointees covered wide-ranging of issues relating to declared assets, tax obligations, and their visions for a productive tenure. He said the issues of unsuitability or otherwise were also closely looked into by the Committee.
“Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the Third Report reflects the Committee’s unanimous view. I therefore move that the House adopt the Third Report of the Second Session of the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service and approve the recommendations contained therein,” he moved the motion.
Seconding the motion moved by the Leader of Government Business and Majority Leader, the Majority Deputy Whip 1, Hon Veronica Kadie Sesay reflected on the performance of Nominees at the interview and acknowledged their experience. He admonished Mr. Garnet to pay key attention on encroachment, protection, and pollution of water and land. She used the opportunity to advise the Nominee to prevent some of the actions hindering the Protected Areas. The MP commended Shankerdas on his business credit and asked him to work hard to use his experience to promote sustainable electricity in light of sharing ideas and working collaboratively. She redirected similar advice to other Nominees.
Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, Whip of Opposition, described the Nominee’s designated positions or institutions as keys. He patriotically said the country does not have problems with experiences and ideas but service delivering. The MP expressed concerns that amidst all the experience of NPAA, the problems of environmental destruction continues unabated. The MP from Kambia District patriotically opined that the authorities must make firm decisions to prevent and save the lives of those who are encroaching badly on the Protected Areas, causing environmental hazards.
The Youthful Leader asked for national action devoid of politics on the theory of electricity authorities providing permanent solutions for multiple generations to prevent people from suffering from electricity shortages. He convinced that Bumbuna phase two could be better than the Karpowership and called on the authorities to consider.
Rounding up the debate, the Acting Opposition Leader, Hon. Daniel Brima Koroma said the Report reflect the unanimous decision of the Appointment Committee. He reiterated that the Nominees were fine and expressed optimism about their performance.
He alluded to the threat to some protected areas and the extinction of some species. The Leader said the Protected Areas, including West Africa’s highest pink, the Loma Mountain or Wara Wara Mountain, are no longer protected. He explained the unwarranted activities of commercial hunters.
The MP, while talking about the Peninsula Mountain, explained what transpired between him and his client regarding the encroachment of same.
He said the main pipe-borne water source, Guma Valley, is under serious threat, and there are encroachments everywhere. He used the opportunity to advise the government to consider Rogbere River as an alternative water supply for Freetown. While reflecting on the interview with the Nominees, he positively explained alternative electricity sustainability.
Concluding the debate, the Leader of Government Business and Majority Leader, Hon. Mathew Sahr. Nyuma, alluded to the opposition Whip on his point of collaborative effort of all to promote electricity. He explained that the government’s position in light of the contract with Karpowership and also the attitude of miscreant compatriots in vandalizing electricity items and denouncing their actions. He categorically stated that the sector was challenged by human resources and supported the private sector leading in the same. He acknowledged that the Nominees were qualified, but service delivering was problematic for previous nominees in the energy sector.
For the NPAA Nominee, he admonished him to do a proper environmental assessment to ensure the protection of those areas to prevent disaster. He finally used the opportunity to advise the Nominees to do due diligence in their various capacities.
In his message of felicitations, the Acting Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, said the Nominees had been given the sacred responsibility to serve those sectors. He noted that the electricity sector is currently on transformation and has been the most difficult sector. He warned the Nominees to change the dynamic and recruit volunteers who had institutional memories. For NPAA, he admonished the Chairman on the green belt boundaries to do what is needed. He concluded by wishing the nominees well in their respective National Duties.
Parliamentary and Public Relations Department, Parliament of Sierra Leone.
