By Feima Kpaka
The Eighteenth Report of the Committee on Appointments and Public Service was debated and unanimously approved by Parliament on Tuesday, July 16, 2024.
The Presidential Nominees were approved by Parliament are:
Prof. Osman Alimany Sankoh, Commissioner, Tertiary Education Commission, North-East Region; Dr. Lawerence Sao Babawo, Commissioner, Tertiary Education Commission Eastern Region; Madam Edna Magaret Racheal Jones, Commissioner, Tertiary Education North-Western Region; Mr. Momodu Koroma, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the Kingdom of Morocco; Haja Alimatu Abdullah, Commissioner Tertiary Education Commission Western Region; Madam Martha Consilia Kanagbo, High Commissioner of Sierra Leone to the Gambia;
Mr. Abdul Aziz Turay, Deputy Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia;
Mr Paul Sobba Masaquoi, Ambassador of Sierra Leone to the Republic of South Korea; and Mr Daniel Kaitibi Executive Director-Sierra Leone Maritime Administration.
Presenting the Report, the Leader of Government Business told the Plenary that the Nominees were interviewed live on media and on strict procedures including educational backgrounds, track records on pertinent work situations, asset declaration, tax obligations, and vision for productive tenures amongst others.
Seconding the motion, Hon. Rose Marie Bangura from Tonkolili District, thanked the Committee of Appointments and extoll President Bio for appointing their compatriots. The MP underscored the Constitutional role of Parliament with regards vetting of Presidential Nominees and approval. She stressed on the confidence of the President bestowed on the Nominees, adding that they were entrusted to enviable positions and admonished them to go and deliver without prejudice. “There are many other Sierra Leoneans, both home and abroad who are qualified for these positions,” she maintained and asked them to perform in the interest of the State.
Hon. Rose Marie categorically zoomed out on the Female Nominees and heaped praises on Madam Kanagbo, commended Haja Abdullah for her gender activism. She strongly advised all the nominees to work with an open-door policy and the Ambassadors to attract investor. She admonished all the Education Commissioners to go and deliver well.
Hon. Charles Abdulai from Bo District said he was convinced by the Appointments Committee Report and noted that he has no doubt in the Nominees. He zoomed in on Dr. Babawo, Prof. Sankoh and Paul Massaquoi for their good attributes towards their contribution in society. The MP said Madam Kanagbo has a passion for humanity people. “Mr. Speaker, Hon. Members, she is a party loyalist,” he disclosed.
On her part, President of the Female Caucus, Hon. Bernadette Wuyata Songa from Kailahun District expressed dismay over those who are not performing since they gained Parliamentary approval. She commended the Female Nominees and advised the female commissioners to serve well in their capacities like mothers. She also wished the Ambassadors well and asked them to bring goodies home.
Hon. Ibrahim Koroma from Kenema advised the Nominees to go and work diligently with the aspiration of the President. He described all the Nominees as credible people and advised them to work effectively for others to emulate and be proud of.
Hon. Mustapha Sellu from Moyamba District admonished the Nominees to work in the interest of the nation.
Hon. Massay N. Aruna from Bo District appreciated the President for appointing grassroot brothers and sisters. “They are sufferers and people who had worked for the interest of Sierra Leone,” she revealed. He advised the Ambassadors to assist those living in foreign countries. “Martha Kanagbo is a mother and a woman of substance,” she revealed.
The Chief Whip of Parliament, Hon. Dickson Rogers said the Nominees were fine compatriots.
Hon. Ben A. Mansaray from Moyamba District specified his conversation to Pro. Mallam O. Sankoh for his academic and other attributes. The MP highlighted issues affecting education and asked the commissioners to revamp the system to meet global demands.
The Deputy Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie urged the Nominees to deliver, because they are responsible for development. The Youthful MP stressed that the Nominees were responsible for their re-election, adding that their failure to develop the country would not only affect the people, but the President, MPs of the ruling party, amongst others. He used the opportunity to explain their role and responsibility as MPs.
“Please go and deliver,” he said. “Government is not giving us a dime to take development to our people,” he said. The MP told the Nominees that they were responsible for taking development to the people. He said the Nominees are not only going to work for themselves, but for Members of Parliament. He recalled his encounter with Madam Kanagbo in the SLPP. “These are the types of Nominees we want,” he informed and advised them to work in the interest of the people. While commending Mr. Daniel Kaitibi. He used the opportunity to decried the current mobile network. He advised Mr. Katibie to go and transform Maritime Administration. The Deputy Leader asked the Commissioners to appeal to the lecture to do the needful. He advised Mr. Turay to use his diplomatic experience to help Sierra Leone.
Acting Opposition Leader, Hon Aruna Aaron Koroma said they as opposition would always support what is good and advised the Nominees not to disappoint the President and work well. The MP used the opportunity to laud women representation.
The young leader expressed hope in the female Nominees and asked them to do well for other women to emulate.
He zoomed in on Hon. Momodu Koroma and denounced tribal sentiment, and asked all citizens to embrace one another, irrespective of their differences. He assured the House that the Nominee won’t disappoint the nation and would stand tall. The MP spoke about the variance in course contents and urged the commissioners to create uniformity in the course system, fees and attract competitiveness. He urged the Deputy Ambassador to Saudi Arabia not to only represent Sierra Leone, but to protect compatriots. “Please appointees when you go to these offices represent and serve all citizens,” he admonished.
He reassured the House that Paul Massaquoi would do well and commended all Nominees.
The Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma saluted President Bio for appointing nationally and informed that it has been manifested today that their differences are not greater than their similarities.
On education, he recalled what happened through their Campaign manifesto towards achieving current education. The Leader spoke about the sacrifice of Prof. Sankoh and others, in light of their performance at the Committee’s interview. He reflected on efforts made by the 5th Parliament to achieve Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act and related it to Madam Kanagbo’s sacrifice for the SLPP. He used the opportunity to describe women as less corrupt than men.
The MP highlighted the achievements and challenges of Momodu Koroma politically, diplomatically, intelligently, and for national services. He heaped praises on Mr. Daniel Kaitibi and Paul Massaquoi relative to their comparative experience, professionalism and performance. He advised them to deliver.
In his felicitation, the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, on behalf of Parliament and the People of Sierra Leone, congratulated the Nominees. He informed the House that, the offices the nominees are going to occupy have been occupied by other people before and advised them to go and change the dynamics. “Don’t allow anyone to corrupt you,” he said, adding, “Go and serve the people well.”