By Ragan M. Conteh
The former Minister of Lands and Country Planning, Dennis Sandy, has faced several damning stories and media lampooning for his alleged thuggery and bully-boy tactics in managing the affairs of the Lands Ministry.
Many people and MPs believed that the former minister’s behaviour, at that time, had the full backing of President Julius Maada Bio and others in the leadership of the ruling SLPP, but this has proved not to be true.
In order to caution the new Minister of Lands, the Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Hon. Matthew Sahr Nyuma, has warned the Minister of Lands, Housing and Country, Dr. Turad Sensesie, to work in collaboration with Members of Parliament and civil servants for good service delivery.
He made the assertions at the administrative building during the interactive session with the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Lands, Housing and Country Planning.
“If the minister wants to succeed he should work with Parliament and civil servants for better governance and outcome. MPs and the civil servants in the ministry have key roles to play in land administration and governance,” Hon. Nyuma said.
He said they are aware of the challenges faced in the Ministry, but with team work they will overcome them. He urged the minister to be focused and committed to the job.
In his statement, earlier, the Chairman of the Committee on Land, Hon Quintin Sillia, said the meeting is aimed at acquainting themselves with the minister, share experience and guide him when performing his duties.
He said they have several complaints with regards to the operations of the past administration of the ministry, adding that the new minister should collaborate and work with the Committee in Parliament.
He disclosed that the Committee has catalogued complaints regarding operations of the past administration, which will be forwarded to the new minister, who should not undo the work of the former Minister of Land.
Making his submission, the new Minister of Lands said he was aware that the public is not happy with the operations of the ministry and there are series of concerns.
According to him, much is expected from his leadership and they need to work as a team. He said the focus of the ministry is housing and planning, noting that they have no proper planning for the distribution of lands. He said “This is a new direction with a new focus.”