By Ragan M. Conteh
The Parliamentary Subcommittee on Appointments and Public Service, has on Friday 15th November 2019 during the ninth sitting of the Committee, interviewed and vetted all fourteen (14) Ministerial appointees in the recently announced Cabinet reshuffle.
The 14 Presidential nominees included Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, proposed Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Professor Foday Jaward, proposed Minister of Environment, Dr. Abu Bakarr Karim, proposed Deputy Minister 11 of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Stephen S. James Jusu, Deputy Minister of Environment, Mr. Denis K. Vandi, Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Paul S. Minah, Deputy Ambassador to Turkey, Brig. Rtd. Kellie Conteh, proposed Minister of Defense, Mr. Mohamed Hassan Kaisamba, Ambassador Designate to Turkey, Ms Manti Tarawallie, proposed Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs and Mr. Ansumana L. M Swarray, Chairman Board of Directors, National Water Resources Management Agency respectively.
Chairman of Appointments and Public Service Committee, who also doubles as Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Hon. Mohamed Sidi Tunis, implored the appointees to work in the best interest of the nation.
He said the government at this point in time requires collaborative effort in order to achieve the national vision.
The Leader of Government Business told the appointees that government badly needs innovative ideas and expertise to move the country forward.
The Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Hon. Chernor Maju Bah in his submission noted that President Bio did not appoint the nominees to be remote controlled but to work assiduously to produce results.
He said new nominees especially the proposed Minister of Agriculture should work assiduously to change the present state of affairs, especially when the people are facing economic turbulence.
The APC leader stated that he has trust in some of the appointees for their commitment for national development.
Hon. Emelia L. Tongi from constituency 001 in Kailahun, specifically admonished the proposed Minister of Defense, Rtd. Brig. Kellie Conteh to work within his powers to settle the Yenga issue which, according to him, has resulted to many of her constituents fleeing from their communities because of the atrocities perpetuated by Guinea counterpart.
Hon. Tongi said she has confidence on the new leadership at the Ministry of Defense and she hoped that the new leadership will lay to rest the perennial boundary issue in Yenga, a land which, according to her, belongs to the people of Sierra Leone.
Chief Whip, Hon. Hassan Sesay, also admonished the nominees to work tirelessly to help resolve the issues around the economy.
He added that Turkey is one of those countries that Sierra Leone badly needs to tap into their rich potentials.
The MP urged the proposed Ambassador to Turkey to do all he could to advocate for Sierra Leone and its people abroad by luring credible investors to the country in the various sectors.
Hon. Ibrahim Silikie in his own contribution stated that Military officers are in dire need of improved conditions of services; housing and other emoluments.
He urged the proposed Minister of Defense to work closely towards addressing the plights of the gallant men and women in the military.
Many MPs in the committee admonished the Presidential nominees to work hard and be corrupt-free for the good of the nation.