Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698841031299.pdf (Sierra Leone)
OAU DRIVE, TOWER HILL, FREETOWN P A R L I A M E N T A R Y D E B A T E S ____ [HANSARD] ______________ OFFICIAL HANSARD REPORT FIRST SESSION - SECOND MEETING TUESDAY, 2ND OCTOBER, 2018 SESSION – 2018/2019 OAU DRIVE, TOWER HILL, FREETOWN P A R L I A M E N T A R Y D E B A T E S ____ [HANSARD] ______________ OFFICIAL HANSARD REPORT VOLUME: II NUMBER: 23 Second Meeting of the First Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone.
Proceedings of the Sitting of the House Held on Tuesday, 2nd October, 2018.

2 CONTENTS I. PRAYERS II.

RECORDS OF VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS FOR THE PARLIAMENTARY SITTINGS HELD ON THURSDAY, 2ND AND FRIDAY, 3RD AUGUST, 2018 III.

LAYING OF PAPERS [I] HON.
SIDIE M. TUNIS THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY [EXAMINATION INQUIRY AND INVESTIGATION] NOTICE [3] 2018 THE CONSTITUTION OF SIERRA LEONE 1991[ A NO.6 OF 1991] CONSTITUTIONAL INSTRUMENT [NO.67, 2018] [II] MINISTER OF FINANCE COTE D`IVOIRE, LIBERIA, SIERRA LEONE AND GUINEA INTERCONNECTIONS PROJECT SUBSIDIARY CREDIT IMPLEMENTATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE AND THE TRANSMISSION COMPANY OF COTE D`IVOIRE, LIBERIA AND GUINEA TRANSCO [CLSG] IN RELATION TO THE FINANCING AGREEMENT, DATED 4TH JANUARY, 2018 BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION [IDA] [CREDIT NO.
6148 SL] DATED, 1ST OCTOBER, 2018.

IV.

MOTION OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENTS AND THE PUBLIC SERVICE PROPOSER: HON.

SIDIE M. TUNIS SECONDER: HON.

MATHEW S. NYUMA BE IT RESOLVED: THAT THE TENTH REPORT OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENTS AND THE PUBLIC SERVICE BE ADOPTED BY THE HOUSE AND THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED THEREIN BE APPROVED.
3 THE CHAMBER OF PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE Official Hansard Report of the Proceedings of the House _____________________________________________________________ FIRST SESSION – SECOND MEETING OF THE FIFTH PARLIAMENT OF THE SECOND REPUBLIC _____________________________ TUESDAY, 2ND OCTOBER, 2018.
I. PRAYERS [The Table Clerk, Mrs Bintu Weston, Read the Prayers] [The House met at 10:25 a.m. in Parliament Building, Tower Hill, Freetown] [The Speaker, Honourable Dr Chernor Abass Bundu, in the Chair] The House was called to Order 4 Suspension of S. O.

5[2] CORRECTION OF II.

THE PARLIAMENTARY SITTINGS HELD ON THURSDAY, 2ND AND FRIDAY, 3RD AUGUST, 2018.

PROCEEDINGS VOTES AND FOR COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR THE SPEAKER: Honourable Members, welcome back to Parliament.
I hope you all had a very restful vacation during a recess that lasted more than you were officially authorised to take.

However, circumstances compelled all of us to take more than our fair share of the rest that was given to us.

Honourable Members, we will start with the record of Votes and Proceedings for the parliamentary sitting held on Thursday, 2nd August, 2018.

Consistent with our previous practice, we will skip the first two pages containing your names.
If you have any difficulty with the spelling of your names, I will advise that you make correction quietly later on after the sitting with the Clerk of Parliament.

So, will skip pages 1, 2, 3 and 4, and start with page 5.

Page 6?

Page 7?

Page 8?

Page 9?

Page 10?

Page 11?

Page 12?

Page 13?

Page 14?

There being no correction or observation, we move to the record of Votes and Proceedings for the parliamentary sitting held on Friday, 3rd August, 2018.

Again, we are going to start with Page 5.


Page 5?

Page 6?

Page7?

Page 8?

Page 9?

Page 10?

Page 11?

Page 12?

Page 13?

There being no correction or observation, would somebody move for the adoption of the records of Votes and Proceedings for the parliamentary sittings, held on Thursday 2nd and Friday, 3rd August, 2018 as presented?

HON.

MOSES B. JORKIE: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I so move.

THE SPEAKER: Any seconder?

HON.

ALUSINE KANNEH: Mr Speaker, I second the Motion.


[Question Proposed, Put and Agreed to] [Record of Votes and Proceedings for parliamentary sittings held on Thursday, 2nd August and Friday, 3rd August, 2018 have been adopted] 5 III.

PAPERS LAID [i] HON.
SIDIE M. TUNIS [Leader of Government Business]: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I beg to lay on the Table of the House the following papers: The Commission of Inquiry [Examination Inquiry and Investigation], Notice [3] 2018 The Constitution of Sierra Leone 1991 [Act No.6 of 1991] Constitutional Instrument [No.67, 2018] THE SPEAKER: Honourable Members, I wish to draw your attention to the last item on the Order Paper; i.e., item VI, which has to do with „announcement by Mr Speaker.‟ I shall have a word or two to say about the instrument at the end of today‟s proceedings.
In order to allay any fears that Members may have entertained since our last sitting and taking into cognisant what has transpired in the media during our recess.

So, I will reserve my comments until we reach that point.

HON.

IBRAHIM B. KARGBO: Mr Speaker, for the records, I want to state here that we on this side of this Honourable House are not entertaining any fear.

We merely wanted to be part of the process, but properly true [Applause].
THE SPEAKER: Honourable Member, I am sure we welcome that statement most heartily.

Shall we proceed?

[II] THE MINISTER OF FINANCE HON.
SIDIE M. TUNIS: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, in the absence of the Minister of Finance, I beg to lay on the Table of this Honourable House the following paper: Cote D`Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea Interconnections Project Subsidiary Credit Implementation Agreement, between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Transmission Company of Cote D`Ivoire, Liberia and Guinea Transco [CLSG], in relation to the Financing Agreement, Dated 4th January, 2018 between the Republic of Sierra Leone and International Development Association [IDA] [Credit No.
6148 SL] Dated, 1st October, 2018.

6 IV.

MOTION OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENT AND THE PUBLIC SERVICE PROPOSER: HON.

SIDIE M. TUNIS SECONDER: HON.

MATHEW S. NYUMA: BE IT RESOLVED: THAT THE TWELFTH REPORT OF THE FIRST SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENTS AND THE PUBLIC SERVICE BE ADOPTED BY THE HOUSE AND THAT THE RECOMMENDATION CONTAINED THEREIN BE APPROVED.

HON.
HON.

IBRAHIM B. KARGBO: Mr Speaker, with all due respect, I want to use this opportunity to re-echo the concerns that have been raised by this side of the isle more than five times about the late presentation of documents for deliberation in this House [Applause].

I have always respected your ability to be objective and when you assured us sometimes ago that the business of making sure that documents are presented on time, all of us agreed.

We still expect you to stand by your words.


Today, we are here from recess and a good number of our Members were not present when we were going through certain deliberations, especially in the appointment of presidential nominees.

Therefore, as far as we on this side are concerned, we have no knowledge of what has happened so far.

This Report was only brought this morning, when some of our Members have just returned from holidays.
As it is, they do not have enough time to read and understand this Report, it is disheartening and we think this is not acceptable [Applause] Therefore, Mr Speaker, we want you to give us an opportunity to properly read and understand this Report, considering the importance of the offices these nominees are going to occupy.

I would ask, with great respect, that this debate on the nominees be postponed until the next adjournment date.

Thank you, Mr Speaker [Applause].

HON.


SIDIE M. TUNIS: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, to respond to the Acting Leader of the Opposition, I must say with all due respect that I am little bit disappointed.

The Honourable I.

B. Kargbo, who is the Acting Leader of the Opposition, the Honourable Hassan Sesay [Chief Whip of the Opposition] and senior Members of 7 the opposition took part in this process [Applause].
There were two meetings and in both meetings, the Acting Leader of the Opposition participated.

How could you come to this House and say you were not aware.

THE SPEAKER: Order!

HON.

SIDIE M. TUNIS: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, it is not my responsibility as Leader of the House to inform Members.

My responsibility is to ensure that the Reports are ready on time and this Report was prepared yesterday.

HON.
HON.

IBRAHIM B. KARGBO: With all due respect, you will fully understand that in my presentation there is no malice and you know that since we came to Parliament after the elections, we are the very cooperative when it comes to the approval of presidential nominees.

I was not talking about whether I was present at a meeting or not.

The majority of our Members received this Report only this morning [Applause].
Mr Leader of Government Business, how do you expect our own Members who received this document this morning to take part in a sensible debate?

We have to do justice to the effort of the President of this Republic.

This is very important and we are not going to accept any system that will allow people to come here and go later without going through the normal process.

The Standing Orders and the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone are very clear on what should be done.
We have great respect for the nominees themselves and some of them have to travel long distances to come here.

I am saying that the majority of our Members are not knowledgeable about the content of this Report.

THE SPEAKER: Hold on, Honourable Member.

I now invite the Leader of Government Business and the Acting Leader of the Opposition [Applause].

We have a responsibility to the public to ensure that this Parliament functions efficiently and effectively [Applause].
We can only do that by debating from a position of knowledge [Applause].

In that regard, today is a very unique day [Laughter].

The Speakership combines both the Leadership of this House and the Leadership of the Executive [Applause].

This does not happen always.

Therefore, I think this House deserves to show appreciation of what has happened.

It is very usual [Applause].

Please do it louder than that [Applause 8 across the Floor].

I thank you all Honourable Members.


I will stand the House down till 1:00 p.m.

I want to give everybody an opportunity to study the Report [Applause].

HON.

IBRAHIM B. KARGBO: Mr Speaker, may I state here that it was an error for failing to congratulate you when I stood up.

You do not have to prompt us because you are a good man [Applause].

Mr Speaker, we you are gravitating gradually towards objectivity and fair play.
Therefore, we will plead again that the discussions on the nominees be postponed till tomorrow [Applause].

THE SPEAKER: Order!

In that case, I now invite the Acting Leader of the Opposition to come forward please.

Honourable Members, I see some people coming in only now.

I hope the electronic attendance record is been kept in addition to the manual register.

I have had a consultation with the Acting Leader of Government Business and we have arrived at conclusion.
This House will stand down till 2:00 p.m. and that should give every Member of Parliament the opportunity to study the relevant documents that have been distributed [Applause].

[The House was adjourned at 11:30 a.m. and resumed at 2:00 p.m.] HON.

SIDIE M. TUNIS: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, before I proceed, I want to move that item III [ii], which is Miss Lois Anita Kawa, proposed Ombudsman, be expunged from the Report.

HON.
HON.

IBRAHIM B. KARGBO: Mr Speaker, we want to be educated on this other side to explain to us for the removal of the name of the nominee from the list.

I am just asking.

THE SPEAKER: Your question is reserved.

HON.

SIDIE M. TUNIS: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I present to you the Twelfth Report of the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service on Parliamentary vetting of presidential nominations.

9 1.
Introduction Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service, cognizant of its constitutional obligations, met on Friday, 28th September and on Monday, 1st October, 2018 and interviewed Thirteen Presidential Nominees for the following appointments: [i] Chairman, Sierra Leone Road Maintenance Fund Board Administration [SLRMFBA]; [ii] Chairman Board of Directors, National Minerals Agency Board [NMAB]; [iii] Executive Chairperson, Petroleum Regulatory Agency; [iv] Executive Chairman, Produce Monitoring Board, Ministry of Trade and Industry; [v] Board Chairman- Sierra Leone Roads Authority; [vi] Executive Director, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency [NDLEA]; [vii] Chairman, Board of Directors, National Youth Service Board; [viii] Commissioner, Sierra Leone Insurance Commission; [ix] Chairman, Board of Directors, Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority; [x] Governor, Bank of Sierra Leone; [xi] Deputy High Commissioner, Federal Republic of Nigeria; [xii] Deputy Commissioner, Sierra Leone National Commission on Small Arms; [xiii] Commissioner, Sierra Leone National Commission on Small Arms.
2.

Procedure The Committee maintained strict consistency to its established procedure.

The Nominees were interviewed on issues pertaining to their educational background to ensure that they have the relevant education and necessary backup experience to hold such important offices of state.
Further probing questions put to the Nominees covered wide ranging issues relating to their track records in pertinent work situations, declared assets, tax obligations and their visions for a nationally productive tenure.

Issues of unsuitability or otherwise were closely looked into by the Committee.

3.
3.

Fourteenth Sitting of the Committee on Friday 28th September, 2018 Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, the following nominees were interviewed on oath: 10 [i] Mr Smart K. Senesie, Chairman Sierra Leone Road Maintenance Fund Board Administration [RFMA].

Mr Smart Kelson Senesie is a Development and Management Specialist with strong knowledge and competence in Project Management.

He is currently serving as the Director of Missions and Development, United Methodist Church.
Answering to probing questions, Mr Smart Senesie said: “I believe that I have a wealth of experience in development work, especially in management and administration.

I worked with National Commission for Social Action [NaCSA] as a Planning and Monitoring Officer.

I also worked with DFID as Programme officer for Sierra Leone and Liberia.

I am currently Director of Mission and Development of the United Methodist Church.
I believe there is a lot to be brought to the Road Maintenance Fund in terms of administrative experience and prioritising what the country needs in the area of roads.

I believe I would work very closely with the Sierra Leone Roads Authority to ensure that we achieve the goals of His Excellency the President.” [ii] Ms Michaela Kadijatu Conteh, Proposed Chairman, Board of Directors, National Minerals Agency Board.
Ms Michaela Kadijatu Conteh is a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of Sierra Leone in both civil and criminal matters.

She is currently the Head Michaela Conteh and Co. Barristers, Solicitors and Legal Consultants; Top Floor, 17 Pademba road, Freetown.

Reacting to probing questions, Ms Michaela Kadijatu Conteh said: “The requirement for the selection of a Board Chairman of the National Minerals Agency, according to the Act, is very clear.
It states that the Chairman of the Board should be somebody of high integrity, somebody who has demonstrated professional knowledge in the field of minerals.

In 2014-2015, I was the Legal Solicitor for the National Minerals Agency.
That itself shows that I have the requisite knowledge and expertise to Chair the Board.” Answering to further questions, the Nominee said: “I plan to ensure that mining companies strictly comply with the laws prescribed in the Mines and Minerals 11 Act, and other codes of conduct.

I would discourage briefcase investors, and encourage credible investors that would come to Sierra Leone with the intention of doing clean and serious business.
I would ensure that the NMA fully supports the planned nationwide Airborne-Geophysics survey which will commence shortly.

And that particular survey will avail us with credible data on the status of the minerals in Sierra Leone.

So my professional knowledge and expertise in the field of law would help me ensure that companies and individuals in the mineral sector comply with provisions in the Mineral Act.” [iv] Mr Brima Mohamed Baluwa Koroma, Proposed Executive Chairman, Petroleum Regulatory Agency.
Mr Brima Baluwa Koroma is a Financial Management Specialist with competence in cash management and control of funds.

From 2011 to date, he has been serving as the Chief Finance officer, Safecon Petroleum Sierra Leone.

Responding to the Committee‟s enquiries, Mr Koroma said: “The Petroleum Agency was established by an Act of Parliament.
According to the Act, the Agency has the responsibility to strategise for the importation, transportation, storage, and refining of petroleum products in Sierra Leone at a strategic price affordable for all Sierra Leoneans.

As a former player in that industry for seven years, I have already had a very good relationship with all stakeholders nationwide.
I have first-hand knowledge of the problems and challenges of that industry and I intend to address them.” [v] Dr James Vibbi, Proposed Executive Chairman, Produce Monitoring Board, Ministry of Trade and Industry.

Dr James Vibbi is a Project Management Specialist with expert knowledge in Project Design, Project Planning and Implementation, Project Management Monitoring and People Management.

He is currently serving as the Managing Director, DP and J Holdings Company Limited.
Reacting to the Committee‟s enquiries, Dr Vibbi said that if approved, he would undertake a survey to know the yielding capacity of agricultural produce in this country, 12 which would form a database to help do yearly projections.

“Creating the database and knowing the yielding capacity of the country is important because it will help us to stop the trafficking of produce to neighbouring countries.
Secondly, he said,” I will ensure foreign exchange earnings from the export of all agricultural produce are returned to the country to boost the foreign exchange earning of the country.” [vi] Mr Joseph Samba Keifala, Proposed Chairman, Board of Directors, Sierra Leone Roads Authority Board.

Mr Joseph Samba Keifala is a Road Safety Engineer with strong competence and knowledge in strategic transport, change management, automatics engineering.
1997 – 2007, Mr Joseph Samba Keifala served as Executive Director of the Road Transport Authority.

He later served as Mayor, Kenema City Council from 2012-2017.

The candidate was commended across party lines as a highly recognised individual in Sierra Leone, particularly in the Eastern Province.

A senior Member of the Appointments Committee said: “I served as Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority for a very long time.
I also know that you have a wealth of experience in road construction, road maintenance and everything that has to do with roads.

As a very senior engineer, who has been nominated to serve as Chairman of Sierra Leone Roads Authority, we think you are qualified for the job.” [vii] Mr Abdul Sheku Kargbo, Proposed Executive Director, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency [NDLEA] Mr Abdul Sheku Kargbo is a retired military officer and a legal practitioner with a wealth of knowledge in strategic management.
He is currently serving as the Non-Executive Director, United Bank for African [Sierra Leone].

Mr Abdul Sheku Kargbo was also commended across party lines for his services in other pertinent work situations.

An Opposition Member said this about him: “Your military background, to which you have added legal education, makes you the 13 appropriate person for this job.

Mr Chairman, I wish to recommend that we let him go.” [viii] Mr Sahr Nyama, Proposed Chairman, Board Of Directors, National Youth Service.
Mr Sahr Nyama is a Public Sector Management specialist with a wealth of knowledge in Administrative and Project management who has worked with youths and youth organisations for the greater part of his life.

He is currently serving as the Managing Director of West African Resource Management Company [WARMCO SL] Ltd.
Reacting to probing questions, Mr Nyama opined that a well implemented National Youth Service would help in no small way to bridge the ethnic and regional divide and bring about the national cohesion and unity we are yearning as a nation.

“Imagine a youth from Kambia having to do one year youth service in Pujehun.

By the time he leaves, most of his ethnic prejudices would be flushed out.
As the Board Chairman, I will ensure that good policies are designed and put in place to capacitate the youths and prepare them for future challenges.

The President has done well and if approved, I will work to the best of my ability to foster national cohesion among the youth of this country.” [ix] Mr Arthur Nathaniel Yaskey, Proposed Commissioner, Sierra Leone Insurance Commission.
Mr Yaskey is a certified Insurance Executive with over thirty years work experience in Insurance and public sector management.

From 1992–2012, he served as the Managing Director, National Insurance Company Ltd [NIC] Mr Arthur Nathaniel Yaskey was also highly commended across party lines for his past services.

This was what an Opposition Leader had to say about him: “You have been nominated for a position that you helped to create when you were part of the Insurance industry.
A good number of the people of this country would not easily forget the major role you played at NIC and the insurance industry in general.

I have looked at your qualifications and you are over-qualified.

14 Considering your background, you are the kind of man that could be trusted.
I therefor plead with my colleagues that considering the respectability with which you carry yourself in society and your workplace, I wish to ask the Chairman and Members that you be allowed to know that you are qualified for this position.” [x] Sheik Mustapha Bawoh, Proposed Chairman, Board of Directors, Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority [SLRSA].

Mr Mustapha Bawoh is a professional journalist with over twenty-years work experience.
He served as Vice-President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalist [SLAJ] 2011-2013.

In 2006, Mr Bawoh won the Independent Media Commission [IMC] Award for Best Newspaper Columnist.

Mr Sheik M. Bawoh also received the commendation of the Committee for his past good services in other work situations.

This was what a high ranking opposition member had to say about him: “Mr Bawoh, I thought you were going to feel jittery before this Committee.

We did not bring you up to feel jittery in public.


Mr Chairman and Members, permit me to state that Mr Bawoh is a man I have always respected because of his adherence to what he believes in.

I am an All People Congress APC, but he has been devoted to his SLPP for almost a lifetime.

At a time when everybody else wanted to go to the APC, he and his friends decided to stick to the SLPP and that position has paid dividend today.

Mr Bawoh, I know you are a brilliant young man.


I also know that you have a lot of respect for people.

I am very certain that when you go to Road Safety Authority, you will perform well.

Mr Chairman I think we have a very good candidate here and I ask that we allow him to go.” 4.

Fifteenth Sitting of the Committee on Monday, 1st October,, 2018.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, the following Nominees were interviewed on oath: 15 [xi] Professor Kelfala Morana Kallon, Proposed Bank Governor Professor Kelfala Morana Kallon is a renowned and accredited professor of Economics, College of Humanity and Social Services, University of Northern Colorado.

He is an acclaimed writer and publisher in International Journals.
Responding to probing questions on currency stabilisation and maintaining regional integration, Prof. Kelfala M Kallon said: “The Bank of Sierra Leone has the statutory authority for maintaining monetary policy.

It is the only institution that is charged with responsibility of maintaining financial and price stability in this country.

The primary role of the Bank of Sierra Leone is price stability, exchange rate stability and cooperation with the government.
Our relationships with regional economic institutions like the West Africa Monetary Association [WAMA] ECOWAS are negotiable relationships.

My primary concern, as the Governor, Bank of Sierra Leone, is to win the respect of our international financial partners such as the International Monetary Fund [IMF] and the World Bank and assure them that they will be dealing with somebody who is their equal.
Whatever we have to do with WAMA and other regional economic integration is a matter to be negotiated on a formula that may be based on the rate of economic growth or budget deficit.” [xii] Ms Anna Betty Moussa, Proposed Deputy High Commissioner, Federal Republic of Nigeria Ms Anna Belt Musa is a psycho social therapist with excellent communication, training and facilitation skills.

She is currently serving as case manager, pine street Inn, CBFS Residence, USA.
Answering to the Committee‟s enquires, Ms Anna Betty Moussa said: “I am going to work to the best of my ability to improve on the existing good relationship between Sierra Leone and Nigeria.‟‟ 16 [xiii] Col. Rtd Saa Anthony Sinah, Proposed Deputy Commissioner, Sierra Leone Commission on Small Arms Col. [Rtd] Saa Anthony Sinnah is a retired military officer of high standing.

In 2008, he was appointed Deputy Commissioner to the Sierra Leone Commission on Small Arms.
Reacting to probing questions on the criteria for granting licenses to farmers for crop protection, Col. Rtd Saa Anthony Sinnah said: “There are policies in place for those kinds of issues.

We had amended the Act to make provision for all citizens to carry weapons if they pass the screening processes.” [xiv] Rtd, Brig Gen Tamba R. Allieau, Proposed Commissioner, Sierra Leone National Commission on Small Arms.
He is a retired military Officer with over thirty-two years of outstanding performance record in the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces [RSLAF].

He was, until very recently, serving as the Assistant Chief of Defense Staff for the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces RSLAF.

Rtd Brigadier General Tamba R. Allieau was commended by Members as an accomplished military officer who, they believed, would help to ameliorate the problems of Small Arms Commission.

5.
Recommendations Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, the Committee adjudged the following Presidential nominees to be adequately qualified for their proposed appointments and they are recommended to the House for approval: [i] Mr Smart K. Senesie, Chairman, Sierra Leone Road Maintenance Fund Board Administration [RFMA]; [ii] Ms Michaela Kadijatu Conteh, Proposed Chairman Board of Directors National Minerals Agency Board; [iii] Mr Brima Mohamed Baluwa Koroma, Executive Chairman, Petroleum Regulatory Agency; [iv] Dr James Vibbi, Executive Chairman, Produce Monitoring Board, Ministry of Trade and Industry; 17 [v] Mr Joseph Samba Keifala, Chairman, Board of Directors Sierra Leone Roads Authority Board; [vi] Abdul Sheku Kargbo, Executive Director, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency [NDLEA]; [vii] Mr Sahr Nyama, Chairman, Board of Directors, National Youth Service Board; [viii] Mr Arthur N. Yaskey, Commissioner Sierra Leone Insurance Commission; [ix] Sheik Mustapha Bawoh, Chairman, Board of Directors Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority [SLRSA] Board; [x] Professor Kelfala Morana Kallon, Governor, Bank of Sierra Leone; [xi] Ms Anna Betty Moussa- Deputy High Commissioner, Federal Republic of Nigeria; [xii] Col. Rtd Saa Anthony Sinnah, Deputy Commissioner, Sierra Leone Commission on Small Arms; and [xiii] Rtd, Brigadier General Tamba R. Allieau, Proposed Commissioner, Sierra Leone National Commission on Small Arms.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, the Twelfth Report is the unanimous view of the Committee.

I therefore move that the Twelfth Report of the First Session of the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service be adopted by the House and that the recommendations contained therein be approved.

Signed by Honourable Sidie M. Tunis, Chairman THE SPEAKER: Honourable Members, any seconder?

HON.

MATHEW S. NYUMA: Mr Speaker, I second the Motion.

[Question Proposed] HON.


MATHEW S. NYUMA: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, today is another big day in the governance of this country.

The governance we said will be like a rainbow type and that has been demonstrated in the nominees we have been approving here.

These nominees presented here are from every corner of this country; i.e., North, West, East and South.

Members of Parliament are like the rainbow because the SLPP, APC, etc.

come from all four corners of this country.


We are aware of the fact that we campaigned on series of messages for the good of our country and that is reflected on 18 the way we select nominees and scrutinised them at the Committee level.

This is clear indication to show that we do not put square pegs in a round hole.

We placed them exactly where they are supposed to be [Applause].
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, we said we want to deliver not because we believe in our manifesto, but because we believe that Sierra Leone needs a change.

That was why they voted the „New Direction.‟ Honourable Members, the last time I told you that the „New Direction is the right direction we are taking.

I refer you to a statement made by a senior Member of the Committee on Appointment and the Public Service.

I will not call his name, but he said: “You are qualified and you are even over qualified.
I believe in your loyalty and I believe you can serve Sierra Leone because I have known you for far too long.

You are a responsible senior citizen of this particular country.

I am an APC, but I have known you to believe what you do.

You are a journalist, but serve the SLPP when others are moving like a pendulum, from one political party to the other, but you stayed in your political party” [Applause].

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I want to single out this individual.
He is a man who has done so much with the pen; a man who wrote about „PAOPA;‟ a man not because of his political patronage, but a man who has served this country.

This is the beauty of Sierra Leone because I can be a Muslim and marry to a Christian.

Again, I can be a Mende but that will not stop me from marrying to a Temne.

The issue of tribe will never hold in Sierra Leone because we are „One Country and One People‟ [Applause].
Mr Sheikh Bawoh, not because we shared the same political values or democracy, but because of „PAOPA‟ and I am „PAOPA.‟ Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, we have the tenancy and the quality to criticise the way things are done and this is one of them [Applause].

He is not a man who can just clap for clap sake.

I have known him for a very long time and we come from the same district.

I have tremendous respect for the views of certain people like Honourable Ibrahim Ben Kargbo.
He described him exactly because he has state memory.

He is good at describing people and the description will fit in the person‟s character.

This man 19 fits into the description made by Honourable Ibrahim Ben Kargbo.

I salute you, Honourable Member.

This is a wonderful description you have made about this man.

[Applause].

Mr President… - [Interruption].

THE SPEAKER: Point of correction, Honourable Member.

HON.

MATHEW S. NYUMA: Mr Acting President.

THE SPEAKER: Thank you, Honourable Member.

HON.


MATHEW S. NYUMA: Sometimes I wanted to see if you could react to issues.

Well, you are a very smart President [Laughter].

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, let me come to what I wanted to say.

He described the Acting President to us when we were in Brussels one day.

Honourable Ibrahim Ben Kargbo told me that when they were in school, the Acting President sat to Mathematics paper, but he sat to all the other subjects and he came first.
He said a law was passed that everybody should sit to the Mathematics examination.

The Acting President did not sit to the Mathematics paper and defeated all of them in the class.

The Acting President is a very intelligent and smart man.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I go to another nominee who spoke about fiscal discipline.

Today, we are saying Sierra Leone is going down the drains.
The people are going to ask us because we all contributed to making the people of Sierra Leone where we are, either directly or indirectly.

Today, we are in the driving seat and the driving seat of any state is the Economy.

This is not the time to shift blames, but to make a positive change, a change that can be felt by the ordinary man.

That is the campaign promise we made to the people of this country.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, we have the proposed Bank Governor, Bank of Sierra Leone, Professor Kelfala Morana Kallon.

Though he is a professor, he believes in the caliber of our Committee.

He went through a rigorous screening exercise.

As a word of caution, we have to put into practice the theory of the Economics.

Our present Finance Minister always says these words.

I said it on radios several times that politics is about bread and butter issue.
You can be a professor, but dealing with the „New Direction‟ is about the people.

We had a very beautiful lecture during the interview.

We 20 had questions like one woman one man and it is in the Report, but what is significant in this case is for us to reflect those theories into a buoyant economy for the people of Sierra Leone.

How can you translate it on the lives of the people?

I have taken a very serious position for Members of Parliament to ensure that these nominees perform.
One way of doing this is through our Oversight functions.

It is not going to be business as usual at all.

Therefore, the proposed Bank Governor has to work very hard.

Mr Acting President, Honourable Members, I believe in performance, he has the theory and we are now going to take our Oversight function very seriously.

This will enable us to know whether those theories are translated very well.

Mr Acting President, let me single out another nominee whom we usually call the Local Veteran from the East.
He is somebody whom people have described as a well-known figure, not because he had done things wrong in society, like what Foday Sankoh did to this country, but somebody who has contributed tremendously to the development of society.

Today, if we are talking about Traffic Wardens, he played a part in that process.

He also served as Mayor and grew from a very small community, but he has contributed immensely to the development of Sierra Leone.
He is no other person, but the then „PAOPA‟ Chairman for our District, Mr Joseph Samba Keifala [Applause].

I refer to him as one of the brains from the East and he is our mentor.

He is somebody you can learn from.

In fact, a Member of the Committee said this man had done well.

Mr Acting President, Honourable Members, this man is not going to serve only the party in governance, but he is going to serve everybody, whether you are in party „A‟ or party „B.‟ He is a man with the Sierra Leonean face.
Introducing the idea of Traffic Wardens was not only meant for the people of the East, but that also provided employment for people.

Those are the things we are looking forward to when somebody is managing an institution.

Again, that is the change we are expecting.

You are not only going to serve yourself, but the people of this country.

I believe such nominee has the requisite requirements because what he is going to do now is like talking to your neighbour.
Mr Acting President, Honourable Members, let me say these nominees are from the President and we have the responsibility to screen and that what we have done.

I 21 believe for every Committee, the opposition has the responsibility to object and when nominees are brought to the Floor of the House, we also ask every Member of Parliament to do justice to the Report.

Again, that gives us the platform to continue with our job in the right direction.
I will not talk about all the nominees because they are all good Sierra Leoneans.

I believe they can perform.

Mr Acting President, Honourable Members, we also have Mr Smart K. Senesie, proposed Chairman, Sierra Leone Road Maintenance Fund Board Administration.

I sometimes describe him as the „rehabilitator‟ of our time.

That means when Sierra Leone was down the drains, after the civil war, he works for [NCRRR].
He served in our rural communities and he is serving in one of our religious organisations; i.e., the United Methodist Church [UMC].

He has contributed immensely to the development of society.

He is our District SLPP Chairman from Moyamba [Applause].

Sometimes it is very interesting when people refused to draw a distinct line between professionalism and being political.

Sometimes people practice politics and dilute it with professionalism.

It has happened in most of the corners we are operating.
However, this is a man who has drawn the distinction between professionalism and being a politician.

He is not in that category to mess things up.

If he says he is going to practice politics, he does it properly and when it comes to professionalism, he does that professionally in order to bring developments in the community.

Therefore, Mr Smart K. Senesie is fit for the job.


Mr Acting President, Honourable Members, I do not want to bore you with the same recommendation in talking about all these nominees.

However, I would like to say something about Ms Michaela Kadijatu Conteh, proposed Chairman, Board of Directors, National Minerals Agency Board [Applause].

When she was giving us a general overview about that particular sector, she spoke about Geo-physics of our minerals.
She said we needed to validate our minerals through Geo-physics, so that we can used them to negotiate a deal for the construction of roads and other infrastructural development.

In order words, if we want to construct a particular road, we could ask the Africa Minerals Mining Company to do that for us through proper negotiations.

This will enable us to 22 use our minerals judiciously.

Proper negotiations can bring rapid development into this country.
She was talking about the Geo-physics of the minerals.

Mr Acting President, Honourable Members, as I said earlier, I would like other Members to give their own contributions to these nominees.

I am not in any way trying to praise them, but they deserve praises because they are qualified.

I cannot say they are over qualified, but looking at the description and even what came from the other side of the isle during the Committee hearing, I want to believe we have not done anything wrong.
We are in the right direction and the „New Direction‟ is for the ordinary man and woman.

The “New Direction‟ needs people who can sacrifice and work towards changing this country positively.

Mr Acting President, Honourable Members, I recommend these nominees to the House for approval.

Thank you very much [Applause].


THE SPEAKER: Honourable Members, I want to thank the Honourable Member of Parliament who has just spoken, but let me remind the rest of you who are about to take the Floor that whilst I recognise, of course all of you know that the position of Head of the Executive and Head of this Parliament have been conjoined today for the purposes of this debate, I would implore you to keep to the old nomenclature as „Mr Speaker‟ [Laughter].
I know what some of you on my right side want to say, but let start on the left side, you have the Floor.

HON.

ABDUL K. KARGBO: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I have the glorious opportunity, honor and privilege to lend my voice in the approval of these nominees.

It is sacrosanct that some of us were here sometime in 2011 when conscientiously this Parliament approved a Bill and revolutionised it to an Act of Parliament.

That Act is the Bank of Sierra Leone Act, 2011.


I am saying this because after today, I shall ask questions.

I would like my name to be expunged from those Members of Parliament who are going to nod their heads to every approval in this Well.

I owe an obligation to my constituents and this Parliament.

I also owe an obligation to every legal document approved by this Parliament.

23 Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, please permit me to expeditiously quote from the Bank of Sierra Leone Act, 2011.
Section 17, Sub-Section 2 reads: “The Governor and Deputy Governor shall each be appointed under the public seal for a term of five years and shall be eligible for reappointment for another term only.” Again, permit me to read Section 16, Sub–Section 3 of this same Act that was approved by this House in 2011.
It states: “Subject to this Act, the Governor shall not be removed from office by the President before the expiration of his term of office, unless a resolution is passed by Parliament, supported by two/third majority of all its Members recommending its approval.” Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I know a good number of people in this Well would ask me that a similar incident has once happened in this Parliament.

However, I, Honourable Abdul Kargbo, will blame it on the then Members of Parliament.
I want to say this is a different House of Parliament and whatever mistake we have made, our generation yet unborn will have to quote us.

Today, we are quoting the previous Parliament.

We are castigating them for doing the wrong thing.

We are castigating them for abrogating the very Acts we approve in this Parliament.

Tomorrow, I will not want my name to be mention among those abusing the Acts of Parliament.

THE SPEAKER: Honourable Member!

HON.

ABDUL K. KARGBO: yes, Mr Speaker.


THE SPEAKER: If I had any doubt whatsoever that this is your first inning in this Parliament, your utterances have dispelled those doubts all together.

I will not wish to be labored the point by entertaining Point of Order, but I am sure the provision that you have just quoted from the Bank of Sierra Leone` Acts, 2011 were extant when certain actions were taken in this very Parliament [Applause].
Subsequent to the passing of that Law, I take due note to the provision of the Law.

Equally, I take due note of the practice of the previous Government in the implementation of that Law [Applause].

HON.

ABDUL K. KARGBO: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, this very Act has just prompted me to refer the House to the Holy Book, which is the Bible.
It says: “Shall 24 we continue in sin that grace may abound?” Mr Speaker, because of the abrogation by the previous Government, the people wanted a change and that was why they consciously came together, spoke with one voice, and there was a change in the Executive Arm of Government.

I am sure the people were not happy because of those actions.
If this Parliament continues the same actions, I am just reminding this House for the records because the Hansard will be here and our children‟s children will have to read the Hansard and they will know that Honourable Abdul K. Kargbo was not part of this Act.

I am saying this now, Mr Speaker.

THE SPEAKER: Honourable Member, I want to sincerely acknowledge and thank you for raising a very important question.

Let me also thank you, especially for acknowledging the very answer to your question.
The public or the electorate of this country are now well informed as you rightly said.

They have the right to decide on the faith of this Government just as they did decide the faith of the previous Government [Applause].

So let us wait.

So much as I take note of the point you are making, let us leave that to the decision of the electorate at the appropriate time.

I will give you half a minute more to make your point.

HON.
HON.

ABDUL K. KARGBO: Honourable Members, I am sure if this decision was to be left in the hands of the electorate, there would have been no reason for the existence of this Parliament.

Why Parliament is convened to approve nominees [Applause].

I am sure the decision of this Parliament has enormous influence on the public.

Again, I am very happy that you conceded to the fact that this Act is very essential, meaning the abrogation of this Act is catastrophic to this Nation and to our democracy.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I Honourable Abdul K Kargbo, even if I am going to do it solitarily, I will do it.

I am not in favour of the approval of the Bank Governor, contingent on the provision in the Act this very Parliament approved in 2011.

Mr Speaker, to tell you that I am not alone, all those Members of Parliament who are with me… - [Interruption].

THE SPEAKER: Honourable Member, do not speak for them, but speak for yourself.

HON.
HON.

ABDUL K. KARGBO: Please hear me, Mr Speaker 25 THE SPEAKER: No, Honourable Member.

HON.

ABDUL K. KARGBO: I am speaking for myself, Mr Speaker.

THE SPEAKER: Thank you.

HON.

ABDUL K. KARGBO: To tell you that I, Honourable Abdul K. Kargbo is not alone on this, I want all those who are supporting me to knock their tables [Applause from the APC side].

THE SPEAKER: I want to thank the Honourable Abdul K. Kargbo for his very instructive observation.
No doubt, all the Honourable Members will agree that his exposé is symptomatic indeed of the freedom and the beauty of democracy we should practice in this country [Applause].

I now recognise the Honourable Hindolo M. Gavao.

HON.
HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, it takes a pleasure and honour for us to be here again today to add our voices to the approval of our nominees, mindful of the provision in S. O 32[15], which says one must confine his observations to the subject under discussion and may not introduce matters irrelevant thereto.

I will do just that because as a Member of Parliament, I think it is my duty during debate to confine myself to the functions of Parliament in particular.
Our duty is to look at the nominees and examine them to see if they are qualified before we approve them.

If we have issues with the removal of their predecessors or people who were in their offices, I think we can go to the judiciary which is another Arm of Government [Applause].

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I want to crave the indulgence of this House to stop abrogating or taking to ourselves the functions of the judiciary.

We are not a Court, but the people‟s representatives.
There is an Arm of Government where people should seek redress.

If any Sierra Leonean fills strongly about the removal of another Sierra Leonean, the Constitution makes provision for that.

You can go to the judiciary and the last time I checked, the courts are still functioning [Applause].

It is a blessing to the land that I love so dearly to have Professor Kallon to leave America and come to serve his native land in the capacity of a Bank Governor [Applause].
26 Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, as a Nation, we should be commending our brothers who have come to serve their native land.

These are people they have described as over qualified.

These are people who have left lucrative jobs to come to serve this country.

We should commend them and not to take petty things to derail their efforts for coming to help [Applause].
I want to say I am grateful to God and I doff my hat for you to listen to the voice of His Excellency the President, Rtd Brigadier Julius Maada Bio for coming to serve your people.

THE SPEAKER: Honourable Member, please excuse me.

I want to remind members of the public in the upper gallery that they are not allowed to use their cameras or video cameras to capture what is happening in this Well.

I have just noticed somebody videoing these proceedings.
Sergeant-at-Arms, make sure he is removed from the gallery immediately and bring the video here.

In the meantime, keep all the doors shut that lead to the upper and lower galleries.

Please continue, Honourable Member.

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: I have no doubt that the wealth of knowledge accrued by this nominee to serve as Bank Governor will make this Nation proud.
I believe that the Committee of Appointments and the Public Service is one of Committees in this House where we have seasoned Sierra Leoneans charged with the responsibility of vetting presidential nominees before they are presented in this Well for approval.

They did an excellent job by recommending them to this House for approval.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I want to comment on a fine nominee.

He is a very young man who has been praised by an elderly statesman.
This is somebody I always see as role model; i.e., Honourable Ibrahim Ben Kargbo.

Honourable Ibrahim Ben Kargbo is somebody who does not lend words to people because he wants to.

When he says something, he actually meant it.

Mr Speaker, the nominee in question is Sheik Mustapha Bawoh, proposed Chairman, Board of Directors, Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority [SLRSA] Board.

He is a brother and also a young man whom I normally refer to as a go getter.
He is somebody who, when he believes in a course, he will follow it to the latter.

I have known Sheik Mustapha Bawoh in the political course for the past ten 27 years.

He had been a true member of the Sierra Leone‟s Peoples Party [SLPP], though a member of the fourth estate.

He is a friend of all Sierra Leoneans.

[Suspension of S.O 5 [2] being 3:00 p.m.] HON.


HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, though this nominee, Sheik Mustapha Bawoh, has not presented his academic papers for him to be called Professor, in my mind, I call him Professor.

He is somebody who is very versed.

He is a young man who is not only limiting himself to his knowledge in the fourth estate, but highly knowledgeable in other disciplines.

He is a man who researches very well and several young men have benefited from his research.
We will continue to pray to God for him to live long, so that we will continue to benefit from him.

However, I have no doubt that he is a purposeful young man and he would make this Nation proud.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I go to the proposed Chairman, Board of Directors, National Mineral Agency, Ms Michaela Kadijatu Conteh [Applause].

I used to refer to Ms Michaela K. Conteh at the Bar as the foreseen hand.

She is a very influential young Barrister at the Sierra Leone Bar.
She stands for the truth.

She usually called young Lawyers behind closed doors to admonish them on issues of dress code.

She lends her voice and Knowledge to colleagues in court, particularly during cross examinations, when she realises that you are on the right or wrong path.

She is somebody whose characteristic is tied to the biblical diction of „one thing at a time‟ and people will say, „sweet Jesus.‟ She is not in haste at all.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, Ms Michael K. Conteh is very successful and a well- educated Sierra Leonean in the legal profession.

Before her nomination, she has been doing consultancies around the very office she is going to serve.

I have no doubt that the discipline in her, the slow pace at which she is living her life with regards getting pecuniary benefits, will actually guide her in ensuring that the right thing is done in that Agency.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I go to another nominee, who is also a young man, Mr Brima Mohamed Baluwa Koroma, proposed Executive Chairman, Petroleum 28 Regulatory Agency.

Mr Brima Mohamed Baluwa Koroma is a fine gentleman.

He is a man who is down to Earth.

I came to admire this young man after the SLPP won the elections.

Every young man who had played a part and who is educated was poised of being appointed to a position of his choice.
Mr Baluwa Koroma though, he knew one day he would be appointed to a position of his choice, he was so passionate about land issues in this country that he decided to serve as Personal Assistant [PA] to the Minister of Lands.

He had been with the Minister up and down in this country, trying to rectify issues pertaining to land.
Sometimes I sat in my little corner to say why should a graduate, somebody who is also hopeful of getting a lucrative job on his own, why should he becomes Personal Assistant to a Minister?

When he was nominated he said, he loved Sierra Leone and he wanted the right thing to be done.

I came to realise that 90% of the cases in the Judiciary are land cases.

This is why I decided to come along with the Minister to ensure that the right thing was done.
I will not waste all the time commenting on all the nominees.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I go to Mr Sahr Nyama, proposed Chairman, Board of Directors, National Youth Service Board.

We have been to the length and breadth of Sierra Leone and I want to state here you are a true politician [Applause].

You served in the National Executive of the SLPP before 2016 or 2017.

As a true politician, your first call is to your people.
You have been with them and you tried to proffer solutions to their numerous problems.

I have no doubt in your capacity to perform.

There are several young men and women out there and you should make sure that several of them get the benefit that ought to come to them from that office or from other offices that you have to interact with.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, my own interpretation of the „New Direction‟ is that „everybody doing your own thing positively in your own little corner and when all the efforts are put together, sierra Leoneans will be proud of a country we call Sierra Leone.‟ As you all go to your offices, please make the President proud.

Make this Nation proud, so that our children and children yet unborn will be proud of us now and hereafter.

Thank you [Applause].


29 THE SPEAKER: Thank you, Honourable Member for your contribution.

I will now entertain two more speakers from each side of the aisle before I invite the Leadership of both the Government and the Opposition to wind up the debate.

I recognise a lady.

HON.

REBECCA Y. KAMARA: Thank you, Mr Speaker.

As you said the last time, I think I have to do it again.

I am Honourable Rebecca Yei Kamara of the great Coalition for Change [C4C], „you see for me, I see for you‟ [Applause].
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I want to first of all thank the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service for a great job done.

I believe it is not just the ruling Party that is part of this Committee, even the Opposition and the other smaller parties are also part of this Committee.

All of them are part of this Committee and I believe the work they have done is a very good work.

To scrutinise these nominees means that they have done almost everything.

It is just for us to approve them.


Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I stand here not to lavish praises on the nominees, but to comment a little on three of these nominees.

One of you may say because they are Konos that is why [Laughter].

I want to state here that is not the case.

It is because of the person you know best.

I will not just stand here and lavish praises on somebody I do not know.
I want to skew my comments to the two nominees who have nominated to serve in the Small Arms Commission; i.e., Rtd Colonel Saa Anthony Sinah and Rtd Brigadier General Tamba R. Allieu.

The President has made no mistake in nominating these two gentlemen [Applause].

All of us know that these two gentlemen fought with their lives for this country during the ten years civil war.

Some people said it was a senseless war.


During that ten years old civil war, these two gentlemen laid down their lives for this country not only for Kono District, but for the country [Applause].

During the disarmament process, they also played a pivotal role.

Today, we would not say people are taking arms to revenge.

If the President, in his wisdom, nominated these people to serve in these positions in terms of controlling small arms, I think he has made no mistake at all.
This House should speedily approve these two gentlemen [Applause].

30 Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, my other comment is to the great Mr Sahr Nyama [Applause].

Although I am an Honourable Member of Parliament, but please excuse me I want to bow for you.

This great man is my mentor.

Some of you might have heard about a group in Kono called Movement of Concern Kono Youths [MOCKY].

This man is one of the brains behind that particular group and that group ensured the total liberation of Kono.
Today, we are living in Kono in peace.

Mr Sahr Nyama has been in the field of youths affairs for a very long time and he is a very patient man.

He persevered in his Party.

the SLPP.

Mr Sahr Nyama has gone through hell, but he is still holding the banner high.

He is always there for the young people.


Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, Mr Sahr Nyama is not only a mentor to me, but many other youth around this country would testify that Mr Sahr Nyama is a reliable person and can be very instrumental in terms of promoting youths issues in this country[Applause].

Nominating him to serve as Board Chairman on the Youth Service Commission is not a mistake at all.

I believe Mr Sahr Nyama will surprise many doubting Thomases.
It will not be news because it will be something that we will say it is a continuation.

The Youth Service Commission is a very new institution and in the wisdom of Mr Sahr Nyama, he would control that institution properly.

Many of our youth will benefit from it.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I want to plead with Mr Sahr Nyama that in as much as that institution works with the youth in this country, many people believe that youth are just men.

Well, I want to remind you that youth are not just men.
We have many female youth who are languishing on the streets [Applause].

Many of them have dropped out of school [with all due respect to men], because of you men [Applause].

If that is the case, they are also Sierra Leoneans.

They should benefit from things that are making the lives of Sierra Leoneans better.

There are many girls who are roaming about the streets of Sierra Leone helplessly and aimlessly.

Today, every district you go, you will see young girls selling.
They did not choose that life for themselves.

It is because there is no provision for them to get out of the streets and do something better for their lives.

Mr Sahr Nyama, I appeal to you to introduce programmes that will 31 better the lives of the youth.

Please sir, the young women are in majority and I want you to think about them very seriously.

Initiate programmes that will better their lives [Applause].
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I call on this Honourable House to speedily approve these three gentlemen.

Thank you very much [Applause].

THE SPEAKER: I thank the Honourable Member for her very constructive contribution to the debate.

I now recognise the Honourable Gentle Man in the blue suit.

HON.

ALPHA A. BAH: Thank you so much, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I know that as Members of Parliament, we share a common aspiration, which is making Sierra Leone a great Nation.
Apart from that, all of us owe a duty to our conscience, to the Almighty Lord, and to the people of Sierra Leone.

On that note, we must realise that our democratic foundation is based on what is usually known as the Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances.

This is why I want to differ from the Member of Parliament who was saying that if a Member of Parliament is dissatisfied with the legality or illegality of things, he/she should seek redress in the courts.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I want to state categorically clear that there are three equal Arms of Government in Sierra Leone; i.e., the Legislature, Judiciary and the Executive Arm.

We are equally important in this dispensation.


We are not discussing any other dispensation, but the „New Direction‟ and it is in this „New Direction‟ that we have a recurrence of what Members are calling „illegal practice.‟ We are here and we have heard the Honourable Member citing provisions of the law which state clearly as to how the Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone should be removed from office.
My estimation is this, the House of Parliament should not be seeing condoling an illegal practice if at all that is the case [Applause].

Apart from screening presidential nominees for approval, we also have one sacred function; i.e., ensuring the respect for the rule of law and constitutionality [Applause].

It is along that line I have admired you for quite a long time.
It will be fine and it will be pleasant for it to be written down in history books of this Parliament that it was during your term as Speaker of this noble House that legality was respected.

32 Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, we must begin to set the model, so that this House of Parliament will be considered as a role model beyond Sierra Leone to the Mano River Union [MRU], West Africa, the Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS] and the African Union [AU].
On that note, Mr Speaker, even when the Honourable Member has said what he wanted to say, but with your leave, I will read the remaining parts of… - [Interruption].

THE SPEAKER: Honourable Member, apart from you being a Member of Parliament, I understand here also you are a Member of the Legal Profession.

HON.

ALPHA A. BAH: Very well, Mr Speaker.

THE SPEAKER: On that note, I am sure you are aware of the principle of stare decisis precedents!

Precedents!

Precedents!

HON.


ALPHA A. BAH: Again, there is an opportunity for judicial review.

There is always that opportunity for review and this is the golden opportunity, Mr Speaker.

It must stop one day.

We love Sierra Leone and all of us have a common aspiration to make Sierra Leone a great Nation.

If that is to be achieved, we must respect constitutionality.
We are here, be it the Speaker of Parliament, the Chief Justice of the Judiciary or the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, we are all bound by rules.

We must respect the rule of law.

Mr Speaker, by virtue of my profession and training… - [Interruption].

THE SPEAKER: I cannot agree more.

HON.


ALPHA A. BAH: On that note, giving what you have stated; i.e., the principle of stare decisis, respecting precedents or following precedents, it is but fitting and prudent that we follow good precedents [Applause].

That is why I am saying that this is a „New Direction.‟ The people voted for the „New Direction‟ based on what they were saying that we did X, Y and Z wrongly.

So, if they are doing the same thing, posterity will judge this House.
33 THE SPEAKER: Honourable Member, I really do not take pleasure in asking this question, but I presume you are like the previous speaker on your side of the House, a new Member?

HON.

ALPHA A. BAH: Very well, Mr Speaker.

THE SPEAKER: Are you?

HON.

ALPHA A. BAH: Yes, I am.

THE SPEAKER: Then indeed I can understand where you are coming from.

HON.
HON.

ALPHA A. BAH: That is why I want to join my colleague Honourable Member that I, Honourable Alpha Amadu Bah, will want to urge this House not to approve the Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone because he was illegally appointed [Applause].

I thank you very much and God bless you all.

THE SPEAKER: Order!

If my arithmetic is right, I think I have taken two Members on my left side.

The score is even?

I call on Honourable Dr Kandeh K. Yumkella to make his contribution.

HON.
HON.

KANDEH K. YUMKELLA [Leader of the National Grand Coalition-NGC]: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, it is a pleasure to be in this Well.

I speak on behalf of the NGC.

As Leader of the NGC in Parliament, we have demonstrated clearly over six months before the recess in this new dispensation that we are always going to be a constructive Opposition.

We have supported Government strongly in their various initiatives, including the Free Education scheme.
We were in the United Nations [UN] recently, marketing our country [Applause].

We have also stated that part of that responsibility, as a constructive Opposition for the sake of posterity, is always speaking for the restoration of constitutionality and the rule of law.

I have heard an exchange in this Parliament that I have to disagree with.
With all due respect to my colleague, Honourable Hindolo Moiwo Gevao, it is wrong to tell parliamentarians that if „they are not happy, they should go to the court [Applause].

I do this on behalf of all of us and for posterity.

34 Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, Section 93 of the 1991 Constitution gives us full powers for Oversight and it is subject to nobody else‟s supervision.
If you go to 93 [6] and the Honourable Speaker has repeatedly reminded Members of Parliament that we should take our Oversight responsibilities seriously.

If you take Section 93 [6], part of it says: „„we shall have all such powers, rights and privileges as are vested in the High Court at a trial in this respect…” HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: Point of Order, Mr Speaker.

HON.

DR KANDEH K. YUMKELLA: Mr Speaker, it is a debate and I believe I have the right to give my own comments.

It is a general comment.


THE SPEAKER: Order!

Dr Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, if a Point of Order has been raised, please give me the opportunity to listen to the Point of Order‟ so that I can make my ruling.

HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

My Point of Order is in relation to Section 93 [6] of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.

Sub-section [6] of Section 93 was quoted by the Honourable Dr Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella.
He started reading Sub-section [6], but he failed to read the paragraphs below Sub-section [6].

It says: „„For the purposes of effectively performing its functions, each of the Committees shall have all such powers, rights and privileges as are vested in the High Court at a trial in respect of [a] enforcing the attendance of witnesses and examining them on oath, affirmation or otherwise.‟‟ We are not examining witnesses.
[b] „„compelling the production of documents‟‟ and [c] „„the issue of a Commission or request to examine the witness abroad.” In all instances stated by the Constitution, what the Honourable Dr Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella has quoted is out of place.

THE SPEAKER: Honourable Dr Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, you may proceed with the debate.

HON.

DR KANDEH K. YUMKELLA: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker [Applause].

Indeed, if he had given me the opportunity, I was also going to refer the House to 35 Section 94 [2].
Again, this is about regulations of procedure of Parliament.
It says: “Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Constitution or in any other law contained, no decision, order or direction of Parliament or any of its Committees or the Speaker, relating to the rules of procedure of Parliament, or to the application or interpretation of such rules, or any act done or purporting to have been done by Parliament or by the Speaker under any rules of procedure, shall be inquired into by any Court.‟‟ What I wanted to do is to reemphasis the point you have made before.
Honourable Hindolo Gavao, you are just entering the Chamber, but I was disagreeing with the statement you made here.

I do not believe this Parliament should be subjugated to any other Arm of government.

We are independent and in the exercise of our functions, including the approval of presidential nominees, we have a responsibility as a Committee to also protect His Excellency the President [Applause].
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I want to state here that we have been in recess and meetings were called, but we were not there.

However, we cannot be seen as a rubberstamp Parliament or a rubberstamp Sub-Committees of Parliament.

We have to take our Oversight responsibility very seriously.

I needed to say that here because that Committee is part of Section 93 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.

Whatever we do, if we do not have enough information, we should request for information.
If there are existing Acts of Parliament protecting tenures of positions, I think that should be relevant to any consideration.

I am on record of saying to the last Government in writing whether it is in my article or institutionalised leakages or „rankanomics‟ that the last Government changed almost five [5] Bank Governors and they did not have the authority.
As a Parliament and as Sub-Committee of Parliament, we have a responsibility to guide the Government and Leader of Government Business when necessary.

We have a responsibility to also protect tenure of office for certain positions in this country, starting from our Committee deliberations.
Having said that, Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I stated in the interview as Leader of the NGC for us to go back to the Acts that established certain positions to make sure 36 that we guide the Government as what to do.

I like what you did this morning when you withdrew one of the nominees because we were going to object to that nomination.

For the records and for the sake of future procedures, we want our documents early.
We also have to follow Acts of Parliament and we are not subject to the Court of Law [Applause] THE SPEAKER: Order!

I would like to thank the Honourable Dr Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella for his very constructive contribution to the debate.

I think one point which needs to be underscored as I listen to Honourable Members is that the rule of law is a very important principle that must be adhered to at all times.
In this particular instance, I will urge the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service to respect the rule of Law and the provisions of the Laws of this country when they are exercising their power to interview nominees [Applause].

It is better to deal with such issues as have been raised in the Well of this House at the Committee level rather than in the Well of this House [Applause].

That is the most appropriate forum for raising these issues.
Let me say this as a warning to the future work of this Committee.

I would hate to relegate myself to the position of co-chairing, which I am entitled to do in any of the Committees of this Parliament.

However, if I feel it is necessary for me to do so, I shall [Applause].

Please let the work be done assiduously and properly at the Committee level instead of in the Well of the House [Applause].

Having said that, we shall proceed to the concluding stage of this debate.
I call on Honourable Francis Kaisamba to make his contribution.

HON.

FRANCIS A. KAISAMBA: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, we have another batch of presidential nominees in the plenary for approval, having gone through the Committee on Appointments.

I am going by the report read here by the Leader of Government Business.

I am convinced and I do believe that all the nominees are qualified to hold those positions.
Over the years in Sierra Leone and in this Parliament, particularly qualification has not been our problem.

It is performance, service delivery and dedication to duty.

I want to urge all the nominees to be dedicated to their institutions and their responsibilities if approved by 37 this House.

They should know that the President, the people of this country and of course this Parliament, will not accept anything less but rather performance and service delivery.

That is just a general comment.


Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I may however want to comment on few nominees who are before us this afternoon.

I will start with Mr Joseph S. Keifala, former Mayor of the Kenema City.

He has been nominated to serve as the Board Chairman of the SLRA.

The SLRA is the institution that is charged with the responsibility of road maintenance and to contract the construction of roads in this country.
I do not know what is wrong with them now, but I am sure they have a lot of challenges internally.

For example, even in Freetown, there are lots of potholes in the Western Area.

On the High Ways from Masiaka to Bo, the potholes have become a nuisance and they are the cause for many accidents.

As Chairman of the Finance Committee, we will be going to the SLRA.
I know you are knowledgeable in the field of engineering, but I may want to encourage you and your Board members to put policies in place that will ginger up the SLRA to repair and upkeep our roads.

We want proper works to be done on all of those roads.

I must tie that up to the Road Maintenance Fund, which is the institution that is in custody of the funds.

The SLRA have the professionals to do the jobs.


Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, during the last Parliament, the SLRA and the RMFA were not in working terms.

I used to go back and forth for the Kenema roads to be considered.

The then Directors-General of both the Road Maintenance Fund and the SLRA were not in working terms.

I must say that you have to work in consonant with the Road Maintenance Fund.
You have to ensure that the two institutions work together because for any litre of fuel you buy in this country, you are contributing to the Road Maintenance Fund.

The engineers of the SLRA should initiate programmes and the Road Maintenance Fund should provide the funds.

You have been an engineer and I will encourage you and the Board Chairman of Road Maintenance Fund to work together for the betterment of the roads in this country.
Lastly, Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, the nominee knows the state of our roads in Kenema.

Kenema has the worst in terms of roads in this country.

It is the worst 38 regional and district headquarter town in the last administration.

The last Parliament tried, but the political will was not there.

The roads in Kenema are impassable.

We were left to suffer, but I know the political will is there now.
His Excellency the President has promised us that the roads in Kenema would be paved and I am sure we are about giving that particular road contract to a particular Company.

However, concerns have been raised with regards the capacity of that company.

Other stakeholders of Kenema and I have assured the people that this Company was struggling with funds in the last administration.

I can attest to that because I knew what was going on.
Many a time we used to call them here to enquire as to why the Blama/Hanga Road had not been completed.

They were bold enough to tell us that they were short of funds.

However, I know that the required funds will be provided by this administration to construct the roads in Kenema and other parts of this country.

I may want to request, as a stakeholder and an authority in the SLRA, to ensure that we have the best of roads because Kenema has suffered so much.

Please do that for the people of Kenema.


Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I want to talk on Mr Baluwa Koroma; you are going to the Petroleum Regulatory Agency.

Of course you have been in the Oil Marketing Industry.

You have been working with Safecon as an accountant so you are not a stranger to the operations of that particular Industry.

I hope you will do the best that will bring service delivery and satisfaction to the people of this Country.
That is basically what we are asking for and as the people‟s representatives, we will provide our required Oversight functions as provided for in the 1991 Constitution.

Pretty soon, after your approval you will see more of us various Committees, either we go physically to investigate or enquire or we summon you to Parliament.

So please make sure when you are on those seats make sure you are representing or you are working for the people of this Country.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I go to Dr James Vibbi, proposed Executive Chairman, Produce Monitoring Board, Ministry of Trade and Industry.

He is a brother from Kenema District.

We all know the history of that Company in this country because senior compatriots have given us stories with regards to how the Sierra Leone Produce 39 Marketing Board [SLPMB] used to export produce; but recently, we do not know exactly what is happening.

So, you and your staff have a huge task ahead.


We are seeing a lot of produce being ferried from Kenema and Kailahun to Freetown for export to other countries.

How are those exports being done?

Are they paying their correct taxes?

Are taxes been declared properly?

You have to ensure that the best practice is done, so that the Government and people of this country will benefit.

This is because this is a Government that has dedicated itself to revenue generation and that is very key.
It is through revenue generation Government operates and services are provided.

So, you have to ensure that the correct thing is done.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I go to Sheik Mustapha Bawoh, proposed Chairman, Board of Directors, Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority [SLRSA] Board.

There are lots of issues with regards road safety in this country today.

Even in Freetown, vehicles are being packed everywhere and some of them being abandoned on the streets.

Accidents occur everywhere in this country.


If you are driving along the highways, you will notice that drivers do not observe road signs.

So that is an issue as Chairman going to that Board.

You have to ensure that laws are been applied.

Those that are old please make sure you bring them to Parliament for either amendment or review.

We are here to ensure that to help in that direction.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I go to Mr Sahr Nyama, proposed Chairman, Board of Directors, National Youth Service Board.

Mr Sahr Nyama has been a youth activist.

He has served in many capacities and if this House approves your nomination as Board Chairman of the National Youth Service, please work harder.

According to the report, you made a statement and I would like to read.
With the leave of Mr Speaker, it says: „”The Youth Service Scheme will bring cohesion and unity.” I am sure you will work towards those goals, so that we will achieve cohesiveness and unity.

This is because this country has been divided on tribal and regional lines, which is not good for our democracy.

With those few words, Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I thank you very much [Applause].

40 THE SPEAKER: I thank the Honourable Member for his contribution.
I think we will now wind up the debate and I will like to call on the Acting Leader of the Opposition.

HON IBRAHIM B. KARGBO [Acting Leader of the Opposition]: Mr Speaker, you are acting as President of the Republic of Sierra Leone.

What has happened today in Parliament when most parliamentarians came out openly to express their views on certain national issues is also a clear indication that it was about time that you invite us to discuss our welfare.
Members of Parliament are very bitter and angry about their welfare [Applause].

I am not going to attempt to make any comparison between what a Member of Parliament receives as salary to what a civil servant receives, you will surprise.

THE SPEAKER: Honourable Member, I wish to implore you not to proceed further with this particular matter.

I have taken this particular burning issue on board.

It is presently a matter that is been discussed by the Parliamentary Service Commission [PSC] [Applause].
We have already had one meeting in that Commission and the second meeting was actually scheduled for 2:00 p.m. today, but due to circumstances beyond our control, that meeting has to be postponed to another date.

However, be rest assured that the welfare of all Members of Parliament is very close to my heart [Applause] and will be dealt with appropriately at the right time and place.

Having said that, we can now proceed with the matter that is before us this afternoon.

HON.
HON.

IBRAHIM B. KARGBO: Mr Speaker, I have no reason to disbelieve you.

May I also state here that I was merely trying to develop my arguments when you came in and for good reason too because like I said, I have no reason to disbelieve you.

I also merely wanted to emphasise the need for us to start addressing more seriously the welfare of Members of Parliament.
THE SPEAKER: By the way, you are quite right and I want you to take particular notice of the presence in our midst of the Honourable Minister of Finance [Applause] HON.

IBRAHIM B. KARGBO: Mr Speaker, as if you were present this afternoon, when I came across the Minister of Finance, I did tell him and he was very amiable that 41 it was just a matter of time he would be invited by us to discuss our welfare.

He asked the question, why not?


Again, that was a clear indication that something was happening and he is here.

I am not misquoting him at all.

THE SPEAKER: And by the way he is an alumnus of yours [Laughter].

HON IBRAHIM B. KARGBO: We have so many of them here, including you, Mr Speaker.

Like I said earlier, the issue of appointments, especially those made by the President of this Republic must be treated very seriously, the nominees themselves.
When you are listed down to appear before the Committee on Appointments, that invitation comes from one of the highest authorities of Parliament and for you not to be present on the day you are listed to appear before the Committee is an indication that you do not respect the Committee itself and you will not blame us if we take action in your absence.
I think we should give warning to future nominees that if you are invited to appear before the Committee and you do not appear, we simply will go ahead and discuss the issues relating to other nominees.

I am saying this deliberately because one of them came late.

I almost suggested for that nominee to be stood down, but of course, we have always said let us work together as a team in the interest of the country.
I would not stand down a nominee sent here by the President, but of course I think we should treat this very seriously.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, the appointments were made in such a manner as to make it clear that people were considered on the basis of their qualifications to occupy such positions to which they have been nominated.
Ms Michaela Kadijatu Conteh, proposed Chairman, Board of Directors, National Minerals Agency Board has a lot of knowledge about the agency to which she has been nominated [Applause].

Therefore, her historical knowledge will do her good and will help her to perform well when she goes to that Agency.

I do not want to go into the history of why we created that Agency, but it was created for a good reason and Ms Michaela Conteh herself knows why it was created.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, there are lots of arguments today about the nomination of a new Bank Governor and the removal of Governor of the Bank of Sierra 42 Leone.

No doubt, that is a very lucrative position and a good number of people want to occupy that position, including the nominee himself.

I have good reason to believe that when I first saw the nominee, he did not believe that he would be appointed Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone.
Today, he is the Governor of the Bank of Sierra Leone [Applause].

I have literally pleaded with our own side of the House to accept the fact that we cannot allow irregularities of the past to be repeated.

What has happened is that we have today witnessed an argument relating to that kind of administrative development.

I also want to make it very clear that nobody has the right to stop a parliamentarian from making his point in this House.
We do not need to go to any court of law to make our points known.

We are strong enough and we have the legality to say what we want to say here.

We are representing the people of this country.

I am making it very clear that we have the authority to stand in this Well and speak on behalf of the whole of Sierra Leone and nobody has the right to stop us.

So, to even suggest that for us to be able to make a point known we should go to courts is an insult to our very integrity [Applause].
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I go to Mr Smart K. Senesie, proposed Chairman, Sierra Leone Road Maintenance Fund Administration Board.

He appeared before us and he performed reasonably well.

We hope that when he goes to the Road Maintenance Fund, he will perform the functions for which he has been sent there to do.

We have accepted and we agreed that he should go to that institution because we have trust in him [Applause].
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I go to Mr Sahr Nyama, proposed Chairman, Board of Directors, National Youth Service Board.

I also want to make the point very clear here that the President has found it necessary to fill the position that would handle the youth of this country.

I hope the nominee would be able to perform that role effectively.

He has a track record in handling the youth affairs.
Mr Speaker, the point has been made that one of the causative factors for problems in this country is the fact that we have never put in place a comprehensive structure to handle our youth.

Now, we are moving towards that direction and we started earlier on to put in place the 43 mechanisms and we believe that whoever is going to accept or occupy the position relating to the youth, will do so with the full understanding that you want to use that institution for cohesion and national unity.
To us, it is important that we bring the people of this country together and one beginning point is to make sure that we bring our young people together.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, we on this side, have discovered that there is quite a number of errors recently during the bye-elections.

That situation exploded into a war and we believe that we should not use our youth to create a situation of war fair.
Also, we want to make it very clear that we on this side of the House will continue to stand for what we stand for.

We are the opposition Members of Parliament and we will stand firm and continue to perform our role as the opposition.

However, we are aware of the fact that we are in majority in this House; therefore, our Members have a right to stand up and express themselves in the interest of their own people.

To us, it is important that we look at it from this angle.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I have already seen the point that we cannot make errors repeatedly.

We will not accept that at all.

But more importantly, as we roundup, we have seen all the nominees sent by his Excellency the President and they have been scrutinised.

I hope all of us will continue to look at them as nominees of the President who have gone through the system.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, the position of the Bank Governor of the Republic Sierra Leone, like I have said earlier, was an issue we discussed at the Committee on Appointments and whether we like it or not, he was grilled.

Difficult questions were asked and I think that is only fair for us to consider his position in the likes that he has gone through the process [Applause].

THE SPEAKER: Oder!
THE SPEAKER: Oder!

Honourable Members, I do not want to call names, but if you look at where my eyes are focused, I will say no more.

HON.

IBRAHIM B. KARGBO: Mr Speaker, like I said, I want to make it very clear here that in future, when we are scrutinising nominees, the whole process should be 44 transparent enough to be able to accommodate all those who are interested in listening to the deliberations.
If anybody believes that I have not taken his own position, I will insist that there is also time for us to address issues that are necessary to be addressed.

But, the important thing is that I hope the errors that have been committed will not happen anymore in this Country [Applause].

THE SPEAKER: I thank the Honourable Member for his very incisive and constructive contribution.

I now call on the Leader of Government Business to wind up the debate.

HON.
HON.

SIDIE M. TUNIS [Leader of Government Business]: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I believe the Honourable Leader of the Opposition has actually said it all.

I will just react to very few issues that will probably take less than a minute.

I want to assure Honourable Members on the other side under my administration, I will continue to dialogue with them.
I will continue to dialog with the entire membership of Opposition to ensure our programmes under the „New Direction‟ go through Parliament smoothly.

The nomination of the Governor is not my responsibility as Leader of the House and it is also not the responsibility of the Leaders of Opposition, but His Excellency the President.

My business, as a Chairman of the Committee on Appointments is to ensure that nominees from State House are qualified.
It is sometimes not qualification issue, but it is our responsibility as Members of Parliament to ensure that the nominees are properly screened.

It is in that line that I decided to hold consultations with the leaders of this House and the Honourable Speaker to withdraw one of the nominees this morning.

I also want to assure you that the reports from the Committee are provided on time.

I will ensure you that you will start receiving those reports on time.
Having said that, Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, we have highly qualified people who have been nominated by His Excellency the President and the Committee on Appointments has recommended them for the approval of this Honourable House.

The proposed Bank Governor is highly qualified individual and Mr Arthur N. Yaskey, proposed Commissioner, Sierra Leone Insurance Commission, is from the insurance industry for a very long time.
45 Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, Ms Michaela Kadijatu Conteh, proposed Chairman Board of Directors, National Minerals Agency Board, has double qualifications because being a lawyer and at the same time having so much knowledge on the mineral resources give her a very big advantage to serve as Chairman of NMA.

Again, Mr Joseph Samba Keifala, proposed Chairman, Board of Directors, Sierra Leone Roads Authority Board, is a Household name in the road industry.
He has served in the Sierra Leone Safety Authority for a very long time as a senior engineer.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, the retired military officers we have here are highly disciplined; Rtd Col. Saa Anthony Sinah, proposed Deputy Commissioner, Sierra Leone Commission on Small Arms and Rtd Brigadier General Tamba R. Allieu, proposed Commissioner, Sierra Leone National Commission on Small Arms.
They are highly qualified and disciplined military officers who are going to occupied positions as required by their discipline.

So, I am very pleased to have them here.

On that note, Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, without wasting the time of this House and considering the fact that we have one more item on the Order Paper, I want to again plead with my colleagues to speedily approve all of the nominees.

I thank you [Applause].


[Question Proposed, Put and Agreed to] [Motion of the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service has been ratified] THE SPEAKER: Honourable Members, it is now my privilege and honour on behalf of the House to extend our warm congratulations and felicitations to the nominees that this House has just approved [Applause].
We have no doubt, quite apart from the very high profile personalities that they are, that indeed they are all well qualified for the positions they have been nominated to serve.

We are quite certain that they will not disappoint this House or the President in discharging the responsibilities they now bear.

And indeed, should live up to the expectations of both the President and this House and the confidence that we have all reposed in them.
I know it is now very late in the day, so I will not say much, except to endorse the decision of this House that indeed you 46 have been approved and we wish you well in your new assignment.

Good luck and God bless you [Applause].

You are now free to leave the Chamber.
V. PAPER LAID THE MINISTER OF FINANACE Be it Resolved that this Honourable House ratify the following Agreement which was laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 2nd October, 2018: Cote D`Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea Interconnections Project Subsidiary Credit Implementation Agreement between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Transmission Company of Cote D`Ivoire, Liberia and Guinea Transco [CLSG] in relation to the Financing Agreement, Dated 4th January, 2018 Between the Republic of Sierra Leone and International Development Association [IDA] [Credit No.
6148 SL], Dated, 1st October, 2018.
MR JACOB J. SAFFA [Minister of Finance]: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, be it resolved that this Honourable House ratify the following Agreement which was laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 2nd October, 2018: Cote D‟ Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea Interconnection Project, Subsidiary Credit Implementation Agreement between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Transmission Company of Cote D‟ Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea Transco CLSG in relation to the Financing Agreement, dated 4th January, 2018 between the Republic of Sierra Leone and International Development Association Credit No.
[6148- SL], dated 1st October 2018.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, be it resolved that this House ratify the subsidiary agreement implementation agreement between the Republic of Sierra Leone transmission company of Cote D‟ Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea dated 1st October 2018 which was laid on the table of this Honourable House this Morning 2nd October 2018 in relation to the financing agreement dated 1st January, 2018 that was ratified by this same Honourable House on 10th July, 2018.
Mr Speaker, the Cote D‟ Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea CLSG Interconnection Project is a West African Power Poll [WAP] initiative, aimed at improving electricity generation and transmission 47 in the sub-region.

The project is, while initially aligned the export of 83 megawatts from Cote D‟ Ivory, the development of the hydro power sources in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia thereby positioning them as desk exporters of the WAP interconnected system.
The project shall also significantly increase the electricity access to rural electrification communities along the rout through a share wire mechanism.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, significant progress has been made by the four countries, mobilising the required financing from the various donors, including the World Bank, the African Development Bank and the European Investment Bank.

The total cost of the Project is estimated at Euro 3023mln.
Government has successfully secured its own contribution from ADB and the European Investment Bank two grants and loan financing amount of Euro 103mln.

Also, Government has recently secured a credit of Euro 59,570,000mln as an additional financing to close the financing gap of the Project.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, consistent with the provision of the treaty, a special proposed company, owned by the four national utilities of the four states, has been established in the name of Transco CLSG with the General Manager and Management already in place.

The Steering Committee comprises the four ministers of energy and four representatives of the Ministry of Finance of the four member states.
The implementation of committees comprises the Directors of Energy and Desk Management from the four member states.

The overriding role of the two committees is to ensure the full implementation of the provision of the treaty, as agreed by the four heads of states of member countries and to provide adequate oversight and monitoring to ensure that the objectives set out for the project, as enshrined in the Treaty, are effectively met, while ensuring that none of the states are unduly disadvantaged.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, there are numbers of critical conditions precedent to the effectiveness of the additional financing Agreement obtained by the Republic of Sierra Leone from the World Bank to finance our contribution to the Project.

When a number of this condition has been fulfilled, a critical one that is still outstanding is the 48 ratification of the Subsidiary Credit implementation Agreement between the Republic of Sierra Leone and Transco CLSG.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, you would recall that on the 10th July, 2018 Parliament ratified the said additional financing Agreement between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the World Bank for the amount of $ 59,570,000 as additional financing to close the financing gap of the Project.

As provided in the said additional financing Agreement, Government, on similar terms, should release the $ 59,570,000 to Transco CLSG, to enable the company to construct the Transmission Line.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, in effect, although Government is the primary borrower of the fund to the World Bank, the body will be shifted to Transco CLSG to utilised the process of the management of the transmission line and to fully repay the credit plus interest cost.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, given the importance of this Project, I ask that this Honourable House ratify the subsidiary credit Implementation Agreement between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Transmission of Company of Cote D‟ Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea [Transco CLSG], dated 1st October, 2018: Cote D`Ivoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea Interconnections Project Subsidiary Credit Implementation Agreement between the Republic of Sierra Leone and the Transmission Company of Cote D`Ivoire, Liberia and Guinea Transco [CLSG] in relation to the Financing Agreement, Dated 4th January, 2018 Between the Republic of Sierra Leone and International Development Association [IDA] [Credit No.
6148 - SL], Dated, 1st October, 2018.

[Question Proposed] HON.

FRANCIS A. KAISAMBA: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, this is basically an addendum and additional financial Agreement like what the Minister rightly mentioned.

The parent Agreement was passed in this Parliament a couple of months ago and it was non-controversial.

Members of Parliament have agreed for the electrification and the challenges we have in the energy industry.
So, if the Government has gone ahead to 49 secure additional funding for the Interconnection Project, I am sure the subsidiary Agreement is non-controversial.

I expect Members of Parliament not to be labour on point.

I thank you very much.

HON.

DR KANDEH K. YUMKELLA: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I want to commend the Minister and Government for securing this financing Agreement.

This is one of those very complicated projects.

I have debated on this interconnection amongst African countries.
For instance, it took those Governments almost seven years to agree on forming that utility Company and to work out the modalities.

They even went to ECOWAS.

So, it is one of those projects we have been yearning about to enhance energy trading amongst African countries.

If this project is implemented, we will be able to export Energy to other countries and attract big Companies that can build dams here to export electricity.

This is because they know there is an off-taker on the other side.
So, I fully support this Project and good luck [Applause].

THE SPEAKER: Well, this is the shortest debate [Laughter].

HON.

IBRAHIM B. KARGBO: Mr Speaker, considering the important nature of this Project and the fact that we have agreed with the Government to improve electricity not only in Sierra Leone, but in the sub-region, our own side will agree and support the presentation made by the Minister of Finance.

Thank you [Applause].

HON.


SIDI M. TUNIS: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I want to thank my colleagues and I support the Motion of the Minister of Finance.

Thank you [Applause].

[Question Proposed, Put and Agreed to] [Government Motion by the Minister of Finance has been Ratified] ANNOUNCEMENT THE SPEAKER: Honourable Members, I have a few announcements to make.
The first announcement relates to three Constitutional Instruments that have been laid on the Table of this House; i.e., the Constitutional Instrument No.

64, Constitutional Instrument No.

65 and Constitutional Instrument No.

67 of 2018.

These Constitutional Instruments relate to the proposed establishment of Commissions of enquiry.

Let me 50 now state very clearly that the first two Instruments; i.e., Nos.

64 and 65 were laid before this House on the 2nd August, 2018.
However, Honourable Members would recall that we went on recess the following day; i.e., on the 3rd August, 2018.

Today, the third Instrument was laid on the Table of the House.

In total, we now have three Instruments.

Section 170[7] and the Standing Orders are silent on a very crucial fundamental issue; i.e., whether time runs, as required by Section 170[7], requiring maturity of the Instruments after they have been laid on the Table of the House for twenty-one [21] days.
The question is whether time runs, even though Parliament is in recess.

I have consulted the practice of other legislatures.

I have also been guided by the practice of our own courts of justice and I have come to the conclusion that consistent with the practice of other reputable Parliaments around the world and the High Court of Sierra Leone, time should not and must not run whilst Parliament is in recess or dissolved or prorogued.
I want this ruling to be clearly indicated on the record for future guidance of this House.

That is to say, the time stipulations, whether in our Constitution or in our Standing Orders, will not run while Parliament is in recess, prorogued or dissolved.

Consequently, Honourable Members, these three Instruments are on the Table and the counting or the computation of the 21 day requirement under Section 170 [7] of Constitution of Sierra Leone will start only as from today.
The three Instruments will therefore mature on the 23rd October, 2018.

Honourable Members, I also recalled that there was an attempt, or be it a fraud attempt, on that occasion for a notice to be given for a debate to take place.

I am still amenable and favourably inclined to agree to the proposal that those three Instruments should be debated by the House.
I am of the view that half way through the 21 day period, that is to say, on or about the 11th of October, 2018 I will order this House to engage itself in a full blown debate on the Instrument [Applause].

The only proviso I will add is that any Member of Parliament who is so minded to request a debate should do so in accordance with the provisions of our Standing Orders.

I want Honourable Members to take a close look at S.O.
18, which is predicated on a written 51 communication from a Member of Parliament to the Clerk of Parliament demanding such a request.

It is not based on any request in the Well of the House.

Honourable Members, the other decision I would like to make here is provided I receive the appropriate request, I would like this House to entertain, during the full debate, if so requested, that the debate be televised nationwide [Applause].
I will order the Clerk to extend an invitation to the international community represented here by diplomatic representatives, the media and all other interested parties to be present.

Honourable Members, let me again encapsulate the decisions I have just made.

I have said that the twenty-one day period begins to run from today through to the 23rd October, 2018 in fulfilment of the Constitutional provision of Section 170[7] of the 1991 Constitution.
In other words, those Instruments will mature on the 23rd October, 2018.

Secondly, that this House will entertain a debate on those Instruments if any Member of Parliament is so minded, provided of course the proper communication is addressed to the Clerk of Parliament under the appropriate Standing Order.

Thirdly, that the general public, including the International Community, is invited to witness that debate.

That is the first announcement.


Honourable Members, the second announcement relates to an action that I took on your behalf as Members of Parliament during the recess.

I have addressed each and every one of you in a memorandum on that issue, which is the pledge I made on your behalf on the „Free Quality Education that was launched by His Excellency the President on the 20th August, 2018.

I would like to read out, with your indulgence, the communication by way of a memorandum, dated 31st August, 2018.
The second paragraph reads: “In the course of the programme for the occasion, impromptu invitations were extended to individuals and corporations to make public pledges for this historic, noble and laudable national aspiration.

This is a project that has, as its cardinal objectives, first, to give all the citizens of Sierra Leone equal rights and adequate opportunities to realise their fullest potential through free, compulsory and basic quality education at primary and secondary school levels.
Second, to eradicate the scourge of illiteracy from our citizenry, as declared in Section 9 of the fundamental 52 principles of state policy, enshrined in Chapter II of the Constitution of Sierra Leone 1991.

I was among those whom the Chairman of the occasion invited to make a pledge on my personal behalf and on behalf of Parliament.

Accordingly, I announced on behalf of my humble self and every Member of Parliament a pledge of one month salary to be spread over a period of 12 months.
I am aware that the impromptu nature of the invitation had not afforded me the opportunity to consult or engage any Member of Parliament before making the pledge on their behalf.

However, strongly espousing the nobility and sanctity of education as the fundamental pillar of national development, I believed in the circumstances, it was the right thing for me to do on behalf of all the Members of Parliament.
My decision was also informed by the fact that there is hardly a constituency in the country that would not benefit from the new free quality education launched by the President, and of which every Member of Parliament would be proud to be a part.

I sincerely hope I have done justice to every Member of Parliament [Laughter].

Honourable Members, I think the murmuring signifies approval.

I would like to go over that statement again [Laughter].
I sincerely hope I have done justice to every Member of Parliament and that you will feel able to endorse the pledge I made on your behalf [Laughter].

However, consistent with the principles of democracy and free speech, in the event that you disapprove of my action, please feel free to opt out of the pledge I have made and to inform the Clerk of Parliament accordingly.
I do hope and sincerely hope that this Honourable House consisting of Honourable Members will endorse the pledge that I have made on your behalf.

I do not know whether the Leader of the House will start the endorsement in the form of moving a Motion for the approval of this House [Laughter].

HON.
HON.

SIDI M. TUNIS: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, in line with the importance of the „free quality education‟ and the eagerness of Honourable Members of Parliament to see the success of this programme, I want to move that this Honourable House endorse the pledge made by the Honourable Speaker on behalf of Honourable Members of Parliament as outlined in the statement read by the Honourable Speaker.

53 THE SPEAKER: Any seconder?

HON.


IBRAHIM B. KARGBO: Mr Speaker, from our own side, all we can say now, and with due respect to the Speaker and for his sense of patriotism, we are asking for more time, so that we can discuss this matter among ourselves [Applause].

We will come back to Mr Speaker.

I assure you that.

THE SPEAKER: The Honourable Kandeh K. Yumkella HON.
DR KANDEH K. YUMKELLA: Mr Speaker, we are on record for supporting the „free quality Education‟ initiative and I am also in consultations with my colleagues since I have been away for some time now.

However, I want to admonish colleagues that we cannot let our Speaker down.

We are hoping that the consultations will not be long.

In fact, I think the consultations are in place because we have not been able to see each other for some time now.
I got calls from my own Membership as well, but I anticipate that the endorsement would come because you did something we usually do in the United Nations; i.e., opt out clause, and I think as a good Lawyer, you included it for those who feel strongly that they should not do it.

However, this is a noble initiative and I have heard some colleagues saying that they have already started paying school fees for lot of children.

We have our Constituency obligations.


Some have also said that we were expecting the Ministers to have done same; i.e., one month salary, but we heard them saying half month salary over six months.

That was disappointing to some Members, but I want to assure you that I am in consultation with my colleague Leaders and we would find a way that will make sure we support your noble effort.

This is because the course is good and education is the ultimate liberator of people.
So, we commend the Government for the free education initiative.

As we are contributing financially to it, we want to emphasise here that we also want to be part of it by ensuring that the provision of the free quality education materials arrive in our constituencies; i.e., the books, pencils and uniforms.

Those who are contractors must deliver services to the local communities and that is part of our responsibility.
I will do my own consultations and I can tell you that I do not think it will be too difficult.

Thank you very much.

54 THE SPEAKER: Honourable Members, I would like to thank the Honourable Member for his very constructive contribution.

Let me also take this opportunity to remind Honourable Members that presently the Parliamentary Service Commission is charged with the responsibility relating to the welfare of Members of Parliament [Applause].
I am sure Honourable Members would expect Mr Speaker to represent their interests vigorously [Applause].

I recognise Honourable Member for C4C.

HON.

AIAH D.S KASSEGBAMA: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, in as much as from the C4C angle, we are not going to let the Speaker down, but I want to plead with you to give us time, so that we can consult with our challenges.

We will get back to you as soon as possible.

Thank you very much.

THE SPEAKER: I thank the Honourable Member of the C4C.
The Honourable Independent Member has the Floor.

HON.

QUINTIN SALIA KONNEH: Thank you, Mr Speaker.

On behalf of myself and my team, I want to say we are in full support of your pronouncement, even though things are difficult for Honourable Members.

However, for the interest of our country, we will always support such decision.

On behalf of myself and my team, I want to register our support to this move.

The Independent Members of Parliament are a team [Undertone].
At this point, our only recommendation to this drive is for us to wait until next year January, 2019 before we start contributing.

We want to tie up the loose ends before the end of the year.

We are however in full support of it [Laughter].

Thank you very much.

THE SPEAKER: I thank the Independent Honourable Member.

Do I recognise any other Member wishing to take the Floor on this matter?

The Honourable Paramount Chief Member HON.

P.C ALIE B.
P.C ALIE B.

SHERIFF III: Mr Speaker, let me start my statement by saying that it is better to die at the youth of flowers and be remembered than to die at an old age and be forgetting.

If we were there as Paramount Chiefs, perhaps we would have said something more than what you have stated.

On behalf of the Paramount Chiefs, I 55 want to say that we endorse that decision and we are willing to pay.

I thank you for this venture even though we were absent [Applause].
THE SPEAKER: I thank the Honourable Paramount Chief personally.

I do not know whether I should turn my attention to the Acting leader of the Opposition.

Instead of differing this matter to our next sitting whether he would like to give it a second consideration.

HON.

IBRAHIM B. KARGBO: Mr Speaker, the point has been made very successfully that we are not adverse to be a party to this whole process.

We have no reason to mislead you.


I will continue to plead with you that you give a little bit of time, so that we can sit down and discuss before we get back to you.

THE SPEAKER: I thank the Honourable Member for his contribution.

I did that on behalf of all Members of Parliament.

I will certainly want a unanimous decision on this matter.
In that light, I will defer taking a final decision to the next sitting of Parliament, which as I said earlier, is likely to be on the 11th October, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. when a final decision will be taken.

I think the only missing link now in the finality of that decision is what I expect to hear from the Acting Leader of the Opposition.
I have already heard from the Leader of the NGC, a representative of the C4C, the Paramount Chief, the Independent Members and I have also heard from the Leader of Government Business.

You are the only one holding up the decision of this House; but of course, I respect your point of view and we shall wait until the 11th October.
Honourable Members, the final announcement I will like to make is that my attention has been drawn to a bereavement suffered by one of us, the Honourable Member for Constituency 025, Honourable Paul S. Sam, who regrettably lost his father on Saturday, 27th September, 2018.

On behalf of all Honourable Members, I wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and pray that God Almighty will forgive the old man for his sins and receive his soul in his Heavenly Kingdom.
Shall we rise and observe a minute silence, please?

[A minute of silence was observed in honour of the deceased].

May his soul rest in perfect peace.

56 ADJOURNMENT [The House rose at 4:55 p.m., and was adjourned to Thursday, 11 October, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.] 57