By Ragan M. Conteh
The Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Transport and Aviation, on Wednesday 25th March 2020, embarrassed the Managing Director of the National Shipping Company Ltd (NSC), Ahmed Saybom Kanu, for treating with levity the Parliamentary Committee responsible for undertaking oversight functions and vetting of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
In his submission, the Chairman of the Committee on Transport and Aviation, Hon. Dickson Rogers, said he is very embarrassed with the SLNSC that is charged with the mandate of providing efficient, reliable and affordable shipping services in and out of Sierra Leone, for failing to provide sufficient documents to members of the Committee.
The Chairman, Hon. Rogers, also discovered that the Committee invited staff of the Company, especially the Finance, Procurement offices and other relevant stakeholders to clarify and defend what they submitted to the Committee but ‘they woefully failed to adhere.’
Hon. Rogers furthered that it seems as if the Managing Director does not have total control over his staff in the Agency.
“You are not working as a team, Mr. Managing Director, or you don’t respect Members of Parliament,” he fumed.
The MP urged colleague MPs to detain the Managing Director, Ahmed Saybom Kanu, until he produces his staff before the Committee.
The Managing Director, according to Hon. Rogers, was earlier requested by the Committee to submit 17 copies of each of the documents requested but he failed to honour their request, adding that even the document presented was scanty.
According to Hon. Rogers, the Committee requested for the perusal of pertinent documents that have to do with the financial details of the operations of the Company,but the Managing Director failed to submit them to the Committee.
The Honourable MP furthered that the Committee also requested the Company to provide an activity report, adding that looking at the attendance list of staff of the Company it seems as if the Managing Director and staff do not work as a team.
In her submission, the Deputy Chairperson of Committee on Transport and Aviation, Hon. Lolloh Tongi, representing Constituency 001, in Kailahun District, disclosed that the essence of vetting is to look at the operations of MDAs, adding that the documents submitted were incomplete and scanty.
She furthered that none of them was able to justify their claims. He said that they are directed by the Constitution, especially Section 95 and 96 which, she said, gives the Committees in Parliament the powers of a High Court and powers to investigate MDAs.
The SLPP Member of Parliament, Hon. Bashiru Silikie, said the MDAs are not treating Members of Parliament seriously, citing the attendance by only the Managing Director of the Shipping Company, leaving the Finance, Procurement officers and other staff needed by the Committee.
“They are all parts of the neglect, Hon. Silikie said.
Other Members of Parliament expressed similar frustration.
The Managing Director, Ahmed Saybom Kanu, in his response, stated that he only submitted to the Committee on Transport and Aviation what was requested. He however assured MPs that he would ensure that staffs of the company attend subsequent hearings and submit relevant documents at the adjourned date.