Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698841552533.pdf (Sierra Leone)
Parliament Building Parliament of Sierra Leone O.A.U Drive, Tower Hill Freetown Website: www.parliament.gov.sl SECOND SESSION OF THE FOURTH PARLIAMENT OF THE SECOND REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE TENTH REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENTS AND THE PUBLIC SERVICE ON PARLIAMENTARY VETTING OF PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATIONS 1.

INTRODUCTION Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service met on Thursday 29th May, 2014 and interviewed seven Presidential nominees for appointment as: i.
Chairman, Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, National Commission for Children Board Members, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank Board Member, Sierra Rutile Limited Member, National Telecommunication Commission (NATCOM) ii.

iii.

iv.

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PROCEDURE The Committee maintained strict consistency to its established procedures which was guided by the principle of objectivity to ensure that the most fitting persons with the right educational background and moral characters are selected to serve this nation.
Great care was taken to also ensure that the nominees were cleared by the Police of any criminal record, and any tax liability by the National Revenue Authority.

Other Probing questions put to the nominees covered wide ranging issues relating to their track records in other pertinent work situations, declared assets, and their visions for a successful and nationally productive tenure.

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TENTH SITTING OF THE COMMITTEE ON THURSDAY 29TH MAY 2014 The following nominees were interviewed: i. Madam Mariama Aminatta Diarra Sesay – Proposed Chairman, National Commission for Children Madam Mariama Aminanta Diarra-Sesay started work from the humble beginning of a classroom teacher.
(1978-1981) In 1982, she joined the Civil Service as Development and Planning Officer in the Ministry of Development and Economic Planning where she rose to the position of Senior 1 Parliament Building Parliament of Sierra Leone O.A.U Drive, Tower Hill Freetown Website: www.parliament.gov.sl Development and Planning Officer, 1986-2000.

In 2000 she was recruited by UNFPA as National Programme Officer and later as Assistant Representative, UNFPA Country Office, Freetown.
Reacting to the Committee‟s inquiries, Madam Diarra-Sesay opined that the establishment of the Commission was a laudable venture as it would further compliment Government‟s efforts to achieve the aims and objectives for which the „Child Rights Act‟ was enacted.
Questioned on her role on the Commission, she said, “I will target the major issues affecting children as highlighted in the „Child Rights Act.‟ I will bring to bear my experience garnered while I was at the population Commission and utilize it to the fullest to ensure that issues like street children, child trafficking, child slavery and all other forms of child abuse are drastically reduced or totally eliminated.” ii.

Mohamed Fofie Konneh - Proposed Deputy Commissioner, National Commission for Children.
Mr. Konneh has a long history of dealing with children particularly street children.
Starting his working life from the humble beginning of a classroom teacher, 1985-1999, Mr. Konneh was recruited as a Social worker by a reputable Non-governmental Organisation, „GOAL/UNICEF Street Children programme.‟ He rose through the ranks to the position of „Partnership and Training Coordinator,‟ „GOAL Sierra Leone Disadvantaged Children and Youths‟ Project.‟ Responding to the Committee probing questions, Mr. Konneh deposed that he had worked with vulnerable children in almost all deprived communities in Sierra Leone.
“I know exactly the challenges that lie ahead of the Commission and I will draw on my modest experience gained in other pertinent work situations to tackle those chalenges.” iii.
Mrs. Olayinka Winifred Laggah –Proposed Commissioner, National Commission for Children Mrs. Olayinka Winifred Laggah has a wealth of professional work experience in child welfare as manifested not only by her educational background but by her previous employments in the Justice Sector Coordination Office, Ministry of Social Welfare Gender and Children Affairs, British Council, JSDP, UNICEF, NCDRRR and the Freetown City Council.
2 Parliament Building Parliament of Sierra Leone O.A.U Drive, Tower Hill Freetown Website: www.parliament.gov.sl Questioned on how it was like working as a Desk Officer for children at the Freetown City Council, she said, “as Desk Officer for children, I was responsible for developing programs for street children in Freetown.

It was quite challenging because we had limited resources to work with in developing programs that would attract donors and support from the City Council.
“We succeeded to a certain extent because we were able to map out all the areas where street children would be found in Freetown.

We were also able to undertake an assessment of street children in Sierra Leone.

We developed a threefold programme: i. ii.

A programme in which children who were on the street were catered for, A programme for easy identification of children who had just arrived or were new on the streets and iii.
A programme to provide care and protection for those children who out rightly refused to return to their homes As a Commissioner, I am hoping to resuscitate and implement the programme.” iv.

Henry Yagba Bangura -Proposed Board Member, Sierra Rutile Limited Mr. Henry Yagba Bangura is an Educationist of eminence who has spent all his working life in the classroom.
Since 1991 to date, he has been a lecturer at the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology and is currently a Principal Lecturer and Head of Department, Social Sciences.

Mr. Bangura had previously served as a Board Member of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank.

Reacting to the Committee‟s questions, Mr. Bangura said he was happy to be given another opportunity to serve his country.

“I will endeavour to do my best,” he promised.


v. Mr. Bakarr Ruskin Kabba – Proposed Member, National Telecommunication Commission (NATCOM ) Mr. Kabba has extensive work experience in diamond dealing but is particularly known for his founding of the: i.

“Sierra Leone Consumer Protection Council, 3 Parliament Building Parliament of Sierra Leone O.A.U Drive, Tower Hill Freetown Website: www.parliament.gov.sl ii.
Tap Yorneh (Let it be) Agricultural Project, Boyah Romende, Feredugu of which he is the coordinator and the iii.

“Let‟s Live Pharmacy and Clinic” at Goderich.

Answering to probing questions, Mr. Kabba said he was new in the telecommunication sector as a Board Member but not as a user.

He was au fait, he said, with the problems of telecommunication services in Sierra Leone from the consumer‟s point of view.
“In collaboration with other Members of the Commission, we will endeavour to solve the problems to the satisfaction of the consumers in accordance with NATCOM‟s regulatory framework.” vi.

Mr. Michael Tennyson Kargbo - Proposed Board Member, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank Mr. Kargbo has a wide range of work experience locally and internationally.

He is currently the Operations Manager at the ASAASI Limited with the responsibility to improve on the efficiency of the company which is doing very well.
Mr. Kargbo promised to replicate his work experience to enhance the daily service delivery of the bank.

vii.

Mr. Soulay Ishmail Touray- Proposed Board Member, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank Mr. Soulay Ishmail Touray is a professional economist and accountant and had served as an accountant in the following institutions: i. ii.

1979-1982 - Sierra Leone Produce Marketing Board (SLPMB) 1988-1989 - Konike Rural Bank; iii.

1989-1992 - Sierra Leone Housing Corporation (SALHOC) iv.
1992-1997 - Moreeah Fishing Company v. 2000-2012 - Freetown Central Lorry park 4 Parliament Building Parliament of Sierra Leone O.A.U Drive, Tower Hill Freetown Website: www.parliament.gov.sl Mr. Touray has also been a teacher and a Board Member of the „Sierra Leone Road Transport Authority‟ (SLRTA ) representing the interest of the Sierra Leone Indigenous Transport Owners Association.
Responding to the Committee, Mr. Touray said that he was well aware of the challenges that the bank was facing in recent times.

“It takes people with experience in banking and finance to tackle the challenges and help put the bank on a sound footing.

That I promise to do with the cooperation of other Board Members.” 4.
RECOMMENDATIONS Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the Committee adjudged the following Presidential nominees to be adequately qualified for their proposed appointments and are recommended to the House for approval: Madam Mariama Aminatta Diarra Sesay – Chairman, National Commission for i.

Children ii.

Mrs. Olayinka W. Laggah – Commissioner, National Commission for Children iii.

Mohamed Fofie Konneh - Deputy Commissioner, National Commission for Children.

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iv.

Mr. Bakarr Ruskin Kabba – Member, National Telecommunication Commission (NATCOM) v. Mr. Soulay Eshmail Touray - Board Member, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank vi.

Mr. Michael Tennyson Kargbo - Board Member, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank vii.

Henry Yagba Bangura - Board Member, Sierra Rutile Limited Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the Tenth Report portrays the unanimous view of the Committee.
I therefore move that the Tenth Report of the Second Session of the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service be adopted by the House and that the recommendations contained therein be approved.

Hon.

Ibrahim Bundu Chairman.


5 Parliament Building Parliament of Sierra Leone O.A.U Drive, Tower Hill Freetown Website: www.parliament.gov.sl SECOND SESSION OF THE FOURTH PARLIAMENT OF THE SECOND REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE MINUTES OF THE TENTH SITTING OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENTS ANDTHE PUBLIC SERVICE IN COMMITTEE ROOM NO.1, PARLIAMENT BUILDING,ON THURSDAY 29TH MAY 2014 AT 2:00 P.M 1.

Prayers - Members prayed silently and individually.

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Attendance 2.1 The following Members of the Committee were present.

i. ii.

iii.

iv.

v. vi.

Hon.

Ibrahim Bundu Hon.

Claude D. M. Kamanda Hon.

Benneh Bangura Hon.

Amadu Kanu Hon.

Bliss Osho Williams Hon.

Veronica K. Sesay vii.

Hon.

Komba E. Koedoyoma viii.

Hon.

Mohamed Sidi Tunis 2.2 The following Members of the Committee were absent: ix.

x. xi.

Hon.

Dr. Bernadette Lahai Hon.

L. S. Fofanah Hon.

Alhaji Ansumana Jaia Kaikai xii.

Hon.

Chernor R. M. Bah xiii.

Hon.


Augustine B. Torto xiv.

Hon.

Brimah Conteh xv.

Hon.

Mabinty Funna xvi.

Hon.

P. C. Brima V.S.

Kebbie 3.

PUBLIC HEARING - Hearing was open to the public and the press.

4.

Consideration of Presidential nominations for appointments listed against their names: 6 Parliament Building Parliament of Sierra Leone O.A.U Drive, Tower Hill Freetown Website: www.parliament.gov.sl 4:1 The following nominees were interviewed on oath: i. ii.

iii.

iv.

v. vi.
iii.

iv.

v. vi.

Madam Mariama Aminatta Diarra Sesay – Proposed Chairman, National Commission for Children Mrs. Olayinka W. Laggah – Proposed Commissioner, National Commission for Children Mohamed Fofie Konneh - Proposed Deputy Commissioner, National Commission for Children.
Mr. Bakarr Ruskin Kabba – Proposed Member, National Telecommunication Commission (NATCOM) Mr. Soulay Eshmail Touray - Proposed Board Member, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank Mr. Michael Tennyson Kargbo - Proposed Board Member, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank vii.

Henry Yagba Bangura - Proposed Board Member, Sierra Rutile Limited.

5.

Closed Session 5.1 The Committee unanimously accepted the nomination of all the five candidates interviewed.
The Committee rose at 4: 30 p.m. Director of Committees Peter J. Kulagbanda 7