The Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Friday, 10 January 2025 debated and approved two Presidential Nominees to serve in various offices of the State.
The following Presidential Nominees were approved by Parliament:
1. Madam Michaella Barbara Eddina Swallow- Deputy Permanent Representative 2 (Legal) of the United Nations and
2. Mr. Allan Spaceline Tuboku Metzger- Member, Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (EGTC).
Presenting the Report of the Appointments and Public Service Committee, the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma told Members of Parliament that, the Presidential Nominees were interviewed using strict procedures, including educational. backgrounds, track records in pertinent work situation, asset declaration amongst others.
Seconding the motion, the Deputy Majority Leader of Government Business, Hon.Bashiru Silikie said the Nominees are fit for purpose and believe that the President did not make mistakes in nominating them. The Deputy Leader urged the Nominees to serve well in their various positions.
Referencing Madam Michaella, the Deputy Leader highlighted some of her passion and quality she possessed during their school days.The Leader went on to heap praises on her for hard work. He expressed hope and believe that the Nominee would perform at the United Nations.
He called on Mr.Metzger to be a team player in order to generate enough electricity supply for the nation.
In rounding up the debate , the Oppstion Leader, Hon Abdul Kargbo applauded the Appointment Committee’s work and went on to advise the Nominees to work in line with development. He zoomed on the appointee for EGTC and informed him that electricity supply is a human rights issue and the people should receive electricity supply .He went on to called on the appointee to serve and supply what the people deserve. He called on him to be team player and serve well.
On the United Nations Representative, he advised her to represent the country well and use the opportunity to ask the Nominees to serve without political affiliation for the benefit of the nation. “Kindly translate your good action into reality and don’t discriminate but serve all with respect,” he concluded.
Concluding the debate the Leader of Government Business, Hon Mathew Shar Nuyma said the government always recognize gender parity and acknowledge government strides in developing everyone. In referencing the UN Representative, the Leader said the norminee is place in the right tragetory to serve .”We do appointment base on their CV”, he said, and went on to called on her to serve in her best of ability for the nation.
On the EGTC appointee, he called on him to serve with diligent and concluded by calling on the Nominees to serve with their professionalism.
In another Development also, the Parliament of Sierra Leone on Friday, 10th January 2025 also debated the Bill entitled “The National Petroleum Regulatory Authority Act, 2024”.
The Bill seeks to provide for the continuation of the Petroleum Regulatory Authority which shall now be known as the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority and shall continue to provide for the regulation of the petroleum downstream industry including the licensing, monitoring and supervision of refineries, transportation, marketing and retail activities and to provide for other related matters.
Presenting the Bill, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Mr. Ibrahim Alpha Sesay said global crisis for oil has engendered Government action to meet the products demand and supply. He also reassured Parliament about the protection of the interest of the consumers and the providers. He underscored the need for review of parent documents to meet with the global trend in tandem with new transformations including Storage facilities and others. Explaining the objective of the document, the Minister noted that the document intended to ensure enforcement mandate, to achieve efficiency, eliminate barriers for market entrance amongst.
Chairman of the Trade Committee in Parliament, Hon Veronica Kadie Sesay, who also doubles as Deputy Chief Whip 1 the said the document was overdue and expressed the importance of the petroleum products and essentiality. She informed the House that the Bill would enhance due diligence in the sector and decentralization of the commodity across the country. She emphasized on the importance of the Bill in light of transforming the Agency to Authority in tandem with the huge beneficiation. She encouraged the Authority to be, to do fair play and collaborative work among the petroleum companies. She concluded that the Bill was not controversial and encouraged colleague MPs to support the approval.
Members of Parliament from both sides including the Leadership of the House made meaningful contributions to the debate, in light of concerns, clarifications, administrative and board composition, functions, tenure of office amongst others.
