By Ragan M. Conteh
The Chairman and Leader of the National Grand Coalition (NGC) who doubles as Member of Parliament representing Constituency 062 in Kambia District, Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, has disclosed in the Well of Parliament that Sierra Leone’s economy is critically challenged.
The former United Nations diplomat noted that the Bio government needs strong economic advisers who will proffer sound economic policies to aid the challenging economy.
The NGC leader made this disclosure on Friday 13th December 2019 during the approval of Presidential nominees in the Well of Parliament on Friday.
He continued that the need for an economic Council is eminent to advise the government on sound economic policies to solve the challenging economy.
Kandeh Yumkella urged the newly approved Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr. Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, to use his expertise to address the challenging economy.
“President Bio, he says, needs economic advisers that will update him about the current economic crisis.
Hon. Lahai Marah representing Constituency 042 in Koinadugu District while making his submission stated that the country’s economy is in coma and noted that the new Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr. Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura should give all his expertise to ensure that the down trend of the economy is reversed and improved.
Hon. Lahai Marah stated that the people who voted for the New Direction are dying as a result of the poor management of the country’s economy.
He opined that the bloated administration has created a burden for the already challenging economy and asserted that the appointments should not be for jokers or lazy people.
The approved Presidential nominees included:Mr. Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, proposed Deputy Minister of Finance II, Dr. Amara Jambai, proposed Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation II, Mr. Adekunie Joliff Milton King, Proposed Ambassador, Sierra Leone Embassy Ethiopia/Africa Union, Commodore (Rtd.) Moses B. Miller, proposed Chairman, Sierra Leone Commission on Small Arms, Madam Janet Jabati, proposed Member, Local Government Services Commission, Mrs. Nylla Othman, proposed Member Local Government Commission.
Other members of the list also include Mrs. Sia Alice Bockarie Torto, proposed Member Local Government Commission, Ms Margret Sia Leomy, proposed Member, Board of Directors Environmental Protection Agency, Madam Marah M.K.N Thomas-Kamara, proposed Member, Board of Directors, National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), Mr. Joseph Bockarie Lahai proposed Member, Road Maintenance Fund Administration and Moses Sellu Mambu, proposed Board Member Road Maintenance Fund Administration respectively.
Most of the MPs urged the nominees to work in the best interest of the nation for the good of the country.