Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698079985769.pdf (Sierra Leone)
1 HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT OAU DRIVE, TOWER HILL FREETOWN E-mail: 0 Usierraleoneparliament@hotmail.comU T UFOURTH SESSION OF THE FOURTH PARLIAMENT OF THE SECOND REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE UTHIRD REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENTS UAND THE PUBLIC SERVICE ON PARLIAMENTARY VETTING UOF PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATIONS 1.
UINTRODUCTION Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the Committee on Appointments and the P February 2016 to interview four th Public Service met on Wednesday 24P Presidential nominees for appointment as follows: i. ii.

iii.

iv.

Member, Sierra Leone Teaching Service Commission Board Member, Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) Member, Audit Service Board Board Member, Sierra Leone Maritime Administration 2.

UPROCEDURE The Committee conducted the hearings within its set framework of procedures.
The nominees were interviewed on issues pertaining to their educational background to ensure that they have the relevant education and necessary backup experience to man 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 vision for a nationally productive tenure 3.
UTHIRD SITTING OF THE COMMITTEE ON WEDNESDAY 24U 2016 TH U FEBRUARY 3:1 The following nominees were interviewed on oath: T 0 P U U P 2 i. Mrs. Elfrida Scott – Proposed Member Sierra Leone Teaching Service Commission.

Mrs. Elfrida Scott is a retired educationist who has spent her entire working life in the teaching profession.
She joined the Government Municipal Secondary School as a teacher in 1982 and with patience, hard work and dedication to duty, she rose through the ranks and retired as Principal of the school.

(1994-2012) Mrs. Elfrida Scott is a member of several organizations involved in the promotion of education, particularly the education of the girl child and has a long list of awards in recognition of her contribution to education in Sierra Leone.
Reacting to the Committee’s inquiries about the establishment of the Teaching Service Commission, Mrs. Elfrida Scott had this to say, “I view the Sierra Leone Teaching Service Commission as very laudable because it has practical functions.

I have just retired from the educational system after 34 years of service.

I know exactly what the ills are in the system and I would be happy to be given the opportunity to contribute towards addressing them.
We are not really happy with the declining standards in the education sector.

Questioned on the issue of the former ‘codes of conduct for teachers,’ Mrs. Scott said that the codes of conduct used to be a regulatory document that was designed to ensure that teachers did their work in a professional manner and comported themselves well.

The Teaching Service Commission,” she said, “would need to reactivate the codes of conduct and enforce it to help address some of the ills of the educational system.
We might just be able to restore the educational system to its former glory or start turning out a new breed of professional teachers.” On the issue of transferring teachers to areas in dire need, Mrs. Scott said, “we have problems with the scarcity of teachers in various subject areas and in various locations in the country.

Trained and qualified teachers are concentrated in the urban areas and do not like to go to the rural areas where social amenities and other facilities are lacking.
If Government and the local communities could help in the provision of housing for teachers and pay attractive ‘remote area allowances,’ many teachers may be motivated to teach in rural areas.” “Alternately,” she said, “Government is spending a lot on Grant-in-aid for students in tertiary institutions.

These students could be bonded to teach in remote areas for a few years after graduation particularly during their National Youth Service.” 3 ii.
Mr. Mani Koroma – Proposed Board Member, Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) Mr. Mani is the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water Resources and is coming on board as an institutional representative.

Mr. Mani is a seasoned provincial administrator who has held positions of Assistant District Officer, (ADO) District Officer (DO) in several districts in the Northern and Southern Provinces.

He has also served as Provincial Secretary North and as Permanent Secretary in several Ministries.
Responding, to probing questions, Mr. Mani Koroma said, “as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water Resources, I have been working with the Director-General and the staff of the company.

As Permanent Secretary and Board member, I want to believe I would be in the position to make a meaningful contribution to policies and to participate in the implementation of those policies.” iii.

Mrs. Marcella Belinda Jones – Proposed Member Audit Service Board.
Mrs. Jones is a professional Accountant with a strong background in taxation, auditing and financial management, backed by over 30 years of excellent managerial and administrative skills at the Income Tax Department.

Mrs. Marcella Jones joined the Income Tax Department as Inspector of Taxes in 1974, rose through the ranks and retired as Commissioner of Income Tax (2001 – 2004).
She is currently the Chief Executive Officer, Marcel Devere Limited, a Consulting Company dealing with audit, tax, business proposals and Assurance Services.

Answering to the Committees’ inquiries, Mrs. Marcella Jones said, “I think the board should take a closer view at the overall functions of the Audit Service Department and to make an effort to strengthen the work of the Department.
If I obtain your blessings of approval to serve as a Board Member, my role will be to ensure that I do my work as diligently and conscientiously as I can.

I will draw on my accumulated experience in the Income Tax Department for the success of the Department.
Questioned on the challenges she faced as Commissioner of Income Tax, Mrs. Jones said,” the greatest challenge was in getting my staff to know and to understand that we were civil servants and our function was to collect revenue for 4 and on behalf of government and not on our own behalf.

I ensured that all monies collected at the time were accounted for to Government.” iv.
Mr. Oman Manansu-Conteh – Proposed Board Member, Sierra Leone Maritime Administration Mr. Osman Manansu-Conteh has had a brilliant career in the Insurance Industry that spanned 38 years of work experience.

(1972 – 2010) In 2012, he was hired as a consultant to conduct a study on the operations of the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration.

Responding to the Committee’s inquiries, Mr. Manansu Conteh deposed that he has a fair knowledge of the operation of the Maritime Administration.
“In 2012,” he said, “I was contracted to do an analysis of the operation of the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration.

I did the work and submitted my report to the authorities concerned.

I will draw on the knowledge gained during that exercise and the recommendations made thereto for the success of the Maritime Administration.” 4.
RECOMMENDATIONS Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the Committee adjudged the following Presidential nominees to be adequately qualified for their proposed appointments and are recommended to the House for approval: i. ii.

iii.

iv.
iii.

iv.

Mrs. Elfrida Scott- Member, Sierra Leone Teaching Service Commission Mr. Mani Koroma –Board Member, Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO) Ms. Marcella Belinda Jones- Member, Audit Service Board Mr. Osman Manansu-Conteh- Board Member, Sierra Leone Maritime Administration Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the Third Report reflects the unanimous view of the Committee.
I therefore move that the Third Report of the Fourth Session of the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service be adopted by the House and that the recommendations contained therein be approved.

Hon.
Hon.

Ibrahim R. Bundu Chairman Date…………………………… 5 HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT OAU DRIVE, TOWER HILL FREETOWN E-mail: 0 T Usierraleoneparliament@hotmail.comU UFOURTH SESSION OF THE FOURTH PARLIAMENT OF THE SECOND REPUBLICOF SIERRA LEONE UMINUTES OF THE THIRD SITTING OF THE COMMITTEE ON UAPPOINTMENTS ANDTHE PUBLIC SERVICE IN COMMITTEE UROOM NO.1, PARLIAMENT BUILDING, ON WEDNESDAY th U24U U FEBRUARY 2016 AT 2:00 P. MU.

1.

Prayers - Members observed a moment of silent meditation.

2.
2.

Attendance 2.1 The following Members of the Committee were present.

i. ii.

iii.

iv.

v. vi.

vii.

viii.

ix.

x. xi.

xii.

xiii.

Hon.

Ibrahim R. Bundu – Chairman Hon.

Chernor R. M. Bah Hon.

Leonard S. Fofana Alhaji Ansumana Jaia Kaikai Hon Patrick L M Kargbo Hon Abie Kaloko Hon Mabinty H Bangura Hon.

Benneh Bangura Hon.

Veronica Sesay Hon.


E. K. Koedoyoma Hon Jusufu Barry Mansaray Hon Habib Mundu Hon PC Joseph Alie Kavura Kongomoh II 2.2 The following Members of the Committee were absent: i. Hon.

Dr. Bernadette Lahai T 0 P U U P 6 ii.

iii.

Hon.

Amadu Kanu Hon.

Claude D. M. Kamanda 4.

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

5.

Consideration of Presidential nominations for appointments as listed: 5:1 The following nominees were interviewed on oath: i. ii.
Mrs. Elfrida Scott-Proposed Member, Sierra Leone Teaching Service Commission Mr. Mani Koroma –Proposed Board Member, Sierra Leone Water Company SALWACO iii.

iv.

Ms. Marcella Belinda Jones- Proposed Member, Audit Service Board Mr. Osman Manansu-Conteh-Proposed Board Member, Sierra Leone Maritime Administration 6.

Closed Session 6:1 The Committee unanimously accepted the nomination of all the four candidates interviewed.

The Committee rose at 4: 00 p.m. Director of Committees Peter J. Kulagbanda