Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698079215510.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 SECOND SESSION -THIRD MEETING TUESDAY, 24TH MARCH, 2020 SESSION – 2019/2020 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: I NUMBER: 41 Third Meeting of the Second Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone.
Proceedings of the Sitting of the House Held Tuesday, 24th March, 2020.

2 CONTENTS I. PRAYERS II.

RECORD OF VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS FOR THE PARLIAMENTARY SITTING HELD ON FRIDAY 20TH MARCH, 2020 III.

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

SIDIE M. TUNIS SECONDER: HON.


HASSAN A. SESAY BE IT RESOLVED: THAT THE THIRTEENTH REPORT OF THE SECOND SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENTS AND THE PUBLIC SERVICE BE ADOPTED BY THE HOUSE AND THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED THEREIN BE APPROVED.

IV.

BILL HON.
HINDOLO M. GEVAO CHAIRMAN, LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE [a] REPORT ON THE BILL ENTITLED: THE NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY ACT, 2020 [b] THE NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY ACT, 2020 COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE 3 THE CHAMBER OF PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE Official Hansard Report of the Proceedings of the House _____________________________________________________________ SECOND SESSION – THIRD MEETING OF THE FIFTH PARLIAMENT OF THE SECOND REPUBLIC _____________________________ Tuesday, 24th March, 2020.
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, Hon.

Dr Chernor Abass Bundu in the Chair] The House was called to Order 4 COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR Suspension of S. O.

5[2] THE SPEAKER: Honourable Members good morning.

In case any of you need a sanitizer, I have one here [Laughter] HON.
SIDIE M. TUNIS-[Leader of Government Business]: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I would like to amend the Order Paper to include an item “V” which is: “DECLARATION OF STATE OF PUBLIC EMERGENCY PURSUANT TO SECTION 29 OF THE SIERRA LEONE CONSTITUTION ACT NO.6 OF 1991”.

THE SPEAKER: Mr Leader of Government Business, did I hear you move anything?

HON.

SIDIE M. TUNIS Yes, it is for the amendment of the Order Paper.

THE SPEAKER: You have?

HON.

SIDIE M. TUNIS: Yes, Sir.

THE SPEAKER: Any Seconder?

HON.


MASSAY N. ARUNA: I so second, Mr Speaker.

THE SPEAKER: Mr Leader of Government Business, would you please bring me up to speed?

That will be the new item “V”?

HON.

SIDIE M. TUNIS: Yes, that will be the new item “V” Mr Speaker.

THE SPEAKER: And it reads?

HON.

SIDIE M. TUNIS: “DECLARATION OF STATE OF PUBLIC EMERGENCY PURSUANT TO SECTION 29 OF THE SIERRA LEONE CONSTITUTION ACT NO.6 OF 1991”.

HON.
HON.

HASSAN A. SESAY: Mr Speaker, I think it must read: “Public Health Emergency”.

Let us be specific about it so that we do not be ambiguous in the pronouncement Sir.

THE SPEAKER: Wait for the Proclamation itself what it says, but if you are going strictly by what is contained in Section 29, the word ‘Health’ is not there but the body 5 of the Proclamation will make reference to that.

So, let it be as was given to us by the Leader of Government Business.
[Question Proposed, Put and Agreed To] [Motion to amend the Order Paper to include a new item “V” has been adopted] II.

CORRECTION OF VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS FOR PARLIAMENTARY SITTING HELD ON FRIDAY 20TH MARCH, 2020 THE SPEAKER: Honourable Members, we shall now take the record of Votes and Proceedings of the 40th Sitting held on Friday 20th March, 2020 and we shall skip pages 1 through to 4 and start our consideration from page 5.

Page5?

Page6?

Page7?

Page8?

HON.

SAHR CHARLES: Yes, Mr Speaker.


THE SPEAKER: Yes.

HON.

SAHR CHARLES: On page 8, item 9, the name of the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development is Honourable “Tamba Lamina” but what is here is “Lamin”, it should be “Lamina”.

That is his name; it is not “Lamin”.

THE SPEAKER: Very well, thank you.

Can someone please move for the adoption of the record of Votes and Proceedings for Parliamentary Sitting held on Friday 20th March, 2020?

HON.
HON.

JOSEPH WILLIAMS-LAMIN: I so move Mr Speaker.

THE SPEAKER: Any Seconder?

HON.

MAADA A. LEBBY: I so second Mr Speaker.

[Question Proposed, Put and Agreed To] [Record of Votes and Proceedings for Parliamentary Sitting held on Friday 20th March, 2020 has been adopted] III.

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

SIDIE M. TUNIS 6 SECONDER: HON.

HASSAN A. SESAY HON.


SIDIE M. TUNIS: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, be it resolved: THAT THE THIRTEENTH REPORT OF THE SECOND SESSION OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENTS AND THE PUBLIC SERVICE BE ADOPTED BY THE HOUSE AND THAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS CONTAINED THEREIN BE APPROVED.

1.
1.

INTRODUCTION Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service that is responsible for vetting Presidential nominees and selecting the most fitted and qualified persons to serve in public offices, met on Monday 23rd March 2020 and interviewed four Presidential nominees for appointments to the following positions: i.

Commissioner, National Commission for Children ii.

Member, Board of Directors, Environment Protection Agency (EPA) iii.
Member, Corporate Affairs Commission iv.

Member National Drug Laws Enforcement Agency 2.

PROCEDURE The Committee conducted the hearing within the ambit of its established criteria and: i. requested for public input into the vetting process to ascertain the suitability of the nominees for their proposed appointments; ii.

requested for specified and reliable documents to be provided by the nominees pertaining to their backgrounds and other related matters; iii.
ensured that the nominees were cleared of any criminal record by the Criminal Investigation Department of the Sierra Leone Police; iv.
ensured that each nominee has the relevant qualification and necessary backup experience to hold his/her proposed appointment; Probing questions put to the nominees covered wide ranging issues pertaining to their track records in other pertinent work situations, their declared assets and 7 liabilities, fulfilment of their tax obligations and their visions for a successful and nationally productive tenure.

Issues of unsuitability or otherwise were closely looked into by the Committee.
THIRTEENTH SITTING OF THE COMMITTEE ON MONDAY 23RD MARCH 2020 The following nominees were interviewed on oath: i. Mr Timothy M. Kabba, Proposed Member, Board of Directors, Environment Protection Agency (EPA) Board Mr Timothy M, Kabba is a versatile, performance-driven and goal-oriented professional, with a strong background in Petroleum Engineering, Leadership, Management and Strategy.
He has a proven success in oil and gas exploration, drilling, oil field development, oil production and reservoir operation.

He is currently the Director General, Petroleum Directorate.

In his interview, Mr. Timothy M. Kabba deposed that he had appeared before the Appointments Committee when he was nominated as Director General of the Petroleum Directorate.
“It is because of my position and my expertise that I have been nominated again to serve as a Board Member of the Environment Protection Agency.” “The world” Mr. Kabba went on, “is currently focusing on how to protect, preserve and maintain the environment for sustainable development.
Man is dependent on the environment but human activities are the main cause of environmental degradation.” Mr Kabba assured the Committee that he would draw on his expertise and experience and would work collaboratively with his colleague Board Members to achieve those goals for which the Environment Protection Agency was established.

8 ii.
8 ii.

Madam Joyce Wuyah Abu – Proposed Commissioner, National Commission for Children Madam Joyce Wuyah Abu is currently the Deputy Commissioner, National Commission for Children (NCC).

She has previously served for over ten years in different NGOs as Child Protection Programme Manager including, Plan International Sierra Leone, Save the Children and Action for Children in Conflict.
Under probing question from the Committee, Madam Joyce Abu prided herself to have accumulated a wealth of work experience in different capacities and in different organizations working on children’s matters.

“That means that I have spent more than half of my work-life working with and for children.

So working in the Commission as the Commissioner is not strange to me.

That is my terrain and a very familiar terrain.


Besides, I have spent a little over a year in the Commission as a Deputy Commissioner and has been the Acting Commissioner since about a month ago”, she said.

iii.

Ms Rakiatu O. R. Kassim – Proposed Member Cooperate Affairs Commission (CAC) Ms. Rakiatu O. R Kassim is an expert in Financial Management Services, Auditing, Research, Supervisor and Administrator.
She is currently working as a Manager in the Advisory Department in Banker Tilly SL, formerly KPMG Sierra Leone.

She is an individual worker and a committed and dependable team player.

Reacting to the Committee’s inquiries, Ms Rakiatu Kassim said: “The Corporate Affairs Commission is a Commission that was set up for companies coming in to register, so that they go through the correct procedures to know what to do in the country.
With the blessing and guidance of this Honourable House, I will ensure that the right things are done as per law.

Data management will also be one of our key focuses.

We will discourage the habit of foreign companies coming in without going through the right procedures.” 9 iv.
Mr Sahr H. Ensah – Proposed Member National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency Mr Sahr H. Ensah has a strong background in Financial, Administrative and Personnel Management, with 37 years working experience in the Civil Service of Sierra Leone.

He served in the Ministries of Education, Health, the Accountant General’s Department and he is highly computer literate.
Responding to the Committee’s inquiries, Mr Sahr H. Ensah said, “I will be going with determination to this very important Agency because I know that health is wealth.

I know for a fact that there is a proliferation of counterfeit drugs into the country and I am also aware about the problem of drug abuse amongst the youths of this country.
To curtail the proliferation of counterfeit drugs and drug abuse, I will draw on my experience in the Ministry of Health and work collaboratively with other Board Members to enforce the law without fear or favour.

I will also draw on my experience with youths to curtail drug abuse through the use of the carrot and the stick - advice and sensitize them about the adverse effects of drug abuse and or enforcing the law,” he said.

4.
4.

RECOMMENDATIONS Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the Committee adjudged the following Presidential nominees to be fit and qualified for their proposed appointments and are recommended to the House for approval: i. Madam Joyce Wuyah Abu, Commissioner, National Commission for Children ii.

Mr. Timothy Musa Kabba , Member, Board of Directors, Environment Protection Agency (EPA) iii.

iv.
iv.

Ms. Rakiatu O. R. Kassim, Member, Corporate Affairs Commission Mr. Sahr H. Ensah, Member, National Drug Laws Enforcement Agency 10 Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, the Thirteenth Report is the unanimous view of the Committee.

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

Hon.
Hon.

Sidie Mohamed Tunis Chairman THE SPEAKER: I thank the Leader of Government Business, any Seconder to that Motion?

HON.

HASSAN A. SESAY: I so second Mr Speaker.

[Question Proposed] HON.

HASSAN A. SESAY: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, let me first of all commend the Government for today having a 50/50% in terms of the nominees we have before us for approval- two men and two women, kudos!
Because it is rare for us to see a balance in appointments given to people when they come to this House, but today for the first time we see a 50/50%, thank you very much.

Now, the nominees that we have in front of us bear no controversy.

I would have started with the man heading the Petroleum Institute but like we say ladies first, so let us give them the preference.
The lady being nominated to serve in the National Commission for Children Madam Joyce Wuyah Abu has been there before; she was the Deputy to her predecessor.

So, I think it will not be an issue for her to just fit into the shoes that she had been groomed for all these years.

The challenges regarding the issue of children have been one that she knows very well.
So, we expect that when she gets there, she would just continue the work that they have been doing in trying to protect our children because we are all aware of the problems such as child violence, child abuse, violence against women etc.

So, we expect that you continue along those lines to ensure that our children are protected and given the best in terms of protection in their respective institutions and at home.

So, we do not have a problem with that.

11 Mr Speaker, Honourable, also Madam Rakiatu O.R.


Kasim, after reading your profile we have no doubt that you can serve well in the Cooperate Affairs Commission because of your wealth of experience as a Financial Services Manager and having worked at KPMG which is a reputable Firm, we know that the experience acquired will add value to the Cooperate Affairs Commission and we wish you well.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, now, coming to Mr Timothy M. Kabba, Mr Timothy M. Kabba is one person you hardly know whether he is a Temne, Mende, Limba, Koranko or whatever.

Because in whatever tribe you talk to him, he will respond and he also speaks English, he talks fluent French because of his wealth of experience in the Industry that he had served over the years.
Having somebody of that nature to serve, though this is a statutory appointment, because of his job, yet there cannot be somebody more fitting in that role than the man that we have in front of us, Mr Timothy M. Kabba.
So, we wish you well and hope that you are going to serve this Country, but like I normally say, let us all put away partisan commitments and look to the national commitment when you are given the office to serve because we have gone past politics now, now it is about national issues not about partisan issues.

So, please let us focus on doing something for Sierra Leone and not for our Political parties.

We wish you well and hope you will serve.


Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, of course, Mr Sahr H. Ensah, you have been an Accountant at the Ministry of Health, so you must have interacted with a lot of Health Care professionals.

We hope that you will come to add value to the Drug Laws Enforcement Agency because of the wealth of experience that you have acquired over the years.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, on that note I want to wish you all well and hope you perform your duties for the Country not for self and partisan reasons.

I thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

THE SPEAKER: I thank the Honourable Member for his contribution.
Without the Member trying to catch my eye, for very obvious reasons that the Honourable speaker mentioned, I would like to call on the Mama of the House for the simple reason that 12 indeed for the first time, we are presented with a 50/50% situation and she has been the foremost advocate of that equation since the beginning of this Parliament.

HON.

VERONICA K. SESAY: Thank you very much Mr Speaker.


Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, when my colleague from Tonkolili rose up to commend His Excellency for the 50/50% that we have seen today here, I was lost in wonder, I said in an undertone, we are gradually coming up there.

I have no doubt in the ladies I am seeing up there.

Of course Madam Joyce Wuyah Abu, I have known her for the past years as a teacher and an advocate for children.

During her days as a teacher, she used to be my second son’s mother.
Each time that boy cried, he would just go to Joyce and lie down on her lap then Joyce would start to say, who is the owner of this boy?

One day, when I went to collect my son, she said, are you the mother of this boy?

I have a son but I never knew his mother and I said I am the mother.

So, from that time, I knew she is a woman of substance and indeed a mother.

So, I have no doubt for her to be a Commissioner for Children.
Madam, you are going there to do justice to our children and I have no doubt in you.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, of course, to our lady Ms Rakiatu O.R.

Kasim, you will do it; I have no doubt in you.

Today, I can say I am the happiest because we are seeing 50/50% and this is what we want to be seeing for each nomination or nominations that we would be having in Parliament to be 50/50% or 30/30%.
Talking of Affirmative Action, I know my Speaker and the Leaders are here to do justice to us because behind any successful Leader there are women, behind any successful Government there are women and behind any successful Speaker there are women.

I have no doubt, I always say this, we the women are there to help you men achieve, we the women are there as medicines [Applause].
You can attest to the fact that we the women are medicines, we the women are mothers, we the women are teachers, we the women are multipliers, we the women are business partners and we are the development partners.

My gentlemen out there, work together with us the women, we are there to help you correct your excesses.

Sometimes you would be filled with some 13 viruses though not the Coronavirus, but we the women are there to make sure that we eradicate those viruses in you overnight.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I want to say thank you to His Excellency for this good start, and I am very much happy alongside my colleagues here of the Parliamentary Female Caucus, I know they would join me to congratulate my ladies and to say to you men, our men, husbands and brothers help approve these fine beautiful ladies and gentlemen out there.

Thank you very much [Applause].

THE SPEAKER: I thank the Honourable Member, she never disappoints.

Good!

You are quite right!


I want to recognise the Honourable Catherine.

Are you people getting jealous or that [Laughs]?

HON.

ZAINAB C. TARAWALLY: They are Mr Speaker!

Thank you very much Mr Speaker for recognising we the women this morning.

Before my contribution Mr Speaker, I want to send a message of caution to the Clerks of the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service.
Mr Leader of Government Business, mistakes are always in the report of the Appointments and Public Service Committee and it is not good for us as a House, especially with the caption, is it always the “Thirteenth Report”?

And this is again the “Thirteenth Report”, which is which?

So, we do not want to see a situation wherein people would always stand outside to question our own work.
So, please, clerks of the Appointments and Public Service Committee and the Hansard Department, be mindful of these mistakes.

The one for the approval of the Inspector General of Police [IGP] was the “Thirteenth Report”.

THE SPEAKER: It was amended; it was the “Twelfth Report”.

HON.

ZAINAB C. TARAWALLY: Alright, it was not to my knowledge.

THE SPEAKER: No, I saw that and I drew the attention of the House to that.

HON.

ZAINAB C. TARAWALLY: Okay, thank you very much Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, we want to say a very big thank you to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone for appointing these nominees and I want to say a very big thank you to His Excellency for bringing Madam Joyce Wuyah Abu here.

I 14 Being the Chairperson of the Gender Committee in this House, I am pleased and honoured to see Madam Joyce Wuyah Abu in front of us this morning and I want to assure Madam Joyce Wuyah Abu of my fervent commitment of working with her.
I have started it, we have opened the Office in the Northern Region few weeks back, and I want to assure her of my commitment.

About the opening of the Office, I assured her of my commitment which I did and I also asked other members of the Commission to always work with Parliament because initially we were having problem with the Commission but thank God for her intervention and today we have a smooth running of the Commission and the Committee.
So, I want to say a very big thank you to her for that as a Chairman of the Committee.

And I want to assure her of my commitment of working with here.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, for my brother Timothy M Kabba, we have worked for a very long time, he has been a rival, he has been a brother and he has been a very close friend.
Timothy M. Kabba has been a workaholic, he is my brother, Timothy M. Kabba has been a brother, he is a Franciscan and I am a Conventonian, we are from the great City of light; Bombali-Makeni.
So, I know him very well, I know what he is capable of doing and I have a very big trust in him and then being the Chairman of the Environment Protection Agency, I know he is capable because he is a member already by statutory law but we cannot just allow you to go and work, we should do what we think is right for us as Parliament.

So, we want to assure you of our commitments, we want to assure you of our supports, but please do the needful for Sierra Leone.
You have been in the Petroleum Agency, we know what you have done and we have been following you closely.

We are sure of your great work, so continue to do the work for Sierra Leoneans.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I want to support my Mama.

In the House, we are very few, just 16 of us out of 146.

Today, we are very much happy seeing two women and two men made us feel relief.

We want to assure His Excellency and all of you here of our commitments.
We are very few but we have been working closely with you.

We are very strong, without us, I am not sure of the continuity of this House [Applause] 15 but because of us, the House is running smoothly and ladies, please let us do the needful in our various offices, represent us well and represent the women of Sierra Leone.

You are not there to represent any Political Party but Mama Salone.
Madam Joyce Wuyah Abu, you have been in the HIV/AIDs Secretariat, we know what you have done, you have been a Child Protection Officer and we know what you have done.

So, please, do the needful for the Commission.

We want the Commission to be very vibrant, it has been a quiet and just cool Commission, make it very active, make it vibrant for the children of this Country.
We have so many children outside Sierra Leone that are suffering in the streets of Sierra Leone and that need your intervention, please do the needful for Sierra Leone.

I want to assure you of our commitments and I am also calling on all Members in this House, please let us do the needful for us to ratify them and pass them for them to do the work that we all want them to do for the good of Sierra Leone.

Thank you very much Mr Speaker [Applause].


THE SPEAKER: I thank the Honourable lady for her contribution.

I recognise the Honourable Shiaka M. Sama.

HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: Mr Speaker, thank you very much for this opportunity.

I am happy that the young man Timothy M. Kabba is before us this morning.

I first met Timothy M. Kabba in Guinea at the Sierra Leone Embassy.
I went to Guinea to secure a Visa for me to attend a Conference in Geneva as I was invited to attend a United Nations [UN] Conference on Business and Human Rights defenders.

I met him in the Office of the Ambassador; I was very much impressed by his utterances.

I know him to be a young man that has a lot of energy for work.

Before he came into this Well, I met him outside and I asked, how is your work going?

He said, he is doing his best.

My next question was, are you making some change?


He said yes, he is working very hard.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, what we need is change.

We have on several occasions approved Presidential nominees and we have said a lot of beautiful things about them, what we need is changing the misfortune of our Country Mr Speaker.

So, I would urge nominees to work very hard, it should not be business as usual.
I think this 16 Parliament should provide opportunities for people who are approved to be called before us to tell us the changes that they have caused in their various institutions.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, with that, I would move on to my sister who will be serving on the Commission for Children, Madam Joyce Wuyah Abu.

There are a lot of street children, if you move around the provinces and the Urban centres, we have got a lot of children who assist elder people to beg for their living.
We should focus on catering for the needs of those children, if we abandon them they are going to grow into beggars like their parents.

So, one way we can help them is to help those disadvantaged families.

If you move around you cannot see many beggars, if you go to some other cities, I was recently in Niamey, we have a lot of beggars on the streets, I am sure our brothers and sisters who are begging on the streets with their children could be helped.
So, I want to appeal to the Commission to put a lot of priority on helping street children and their families because that is one way we can empower a nation.

We could not afford to have a lot of street children and beggars on the streets; they will remain scars on our consciences.

You have to help them, some of them are beggars not because they choose to be beggars- they are beggars because they have been disabled.
So, this Commission and with support from the Government should be able to help those families who have been sentenced to a life of begging.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I would come to my brother who will be serving as a Board Member of the Drug Laws Enforcement Agency.
Like earlier speakers have mentioned, we have a lot of fake drugs, I listened to BBC report that stated that, over 30% to 40% of the drugs in our pharmacies are fake, most of the drugs we are buying are fake, this is very serious and it has serious health implications Mr Speaker.

I am sure this Agency, in collaboration with some other related agencies would be able to carry out proper checks of these pharmacies.
We have a lot of peddlers in the streets selling drugs, If you go down to the villages, you have a lot of people posing to be Medical officials, they move around the villages treating people, some of them even inject our people wherein they do not have any medical experience, they are causing a lot of harm to our people.

So, people who serve in these agencies should move from 17 the Air-conditioning offices and go into the communities, if we do that we are going to change the system.
I normally say, some of these things that happen are not partisan, they are systemic.

If you want to break the system then we have to be seeing doing things differently.

It is not about sitting in offices and writes a report, it is about going to the communities and identify the things that have gone wrong and seeking to correct them.

So, I would want to urge you to work very hard to bring about the changes that our hearts desire.
You are very lucky like us seated here to be amongst the few who are given the opportunity to serve this Country, but what we need more is change that would be seen and that would be felt by the majority of Sierra Leoneans.

So, I want to congratulate you on your nominations and I would want to urge this House to approve your nominations.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, we have to find time to be inviting some of these nominees after they would have taken up offices to come before us to answer questions on the changes that they have implemented in those offices.

With that, I want to say thank you, Mr Speaker for this opportunity.

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

The Honourable Sahr Charles, followed by Honourable Wuyatta Songa and Honourable Edwin in that order.

HON.
HON.

SAHR CHARLES: Thank you very much Mr speaker.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, today is another day; we have a set of nominees that we will be approving.

Whenever we have an opportunity like this, I always reflect on the situation that these nominees, if they go through this House are going to face in their various offices for which we approve them.

I will start by addressing the proposed Commissioner for the Children’s Commission.
The children of Sierra Leone are faced with a myriad of issues, as you go through the streets of Sierra Leone, you will see them.

We want to see concrete measures, measures that will address the needs and affairs of these kids.

The affairs of children should not be politicised.


When you go there Madam Joyce Wuyah Abu, you have been an advocate, you have served in that particular Commission, you 18 are going there with a wealth of experience, you know the issues, we would want to see the issues of our children addressed.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I would also go on to comment on the nominee of the Corporate Affairs Commission Ms Rakiatu O.R.
Kasim, the Commission that is responsible for the registration and regularisation of companies in Sierra Leone.

This Commission has been very dormant over the years and it’s sad to point out here.

With your experience, having served in so many financial capacities, we believe you are knowledgeable enough to see how this particular Commission can be revitalised.

We hope your knowledge and expertise will help to boost the Corporate Affairs Commission.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I need not talk about Mr Timothy M. Kabba.

Of course, he has been through this House for approval and we know his capability.

He is a man that cuts across boundaries; I still find it difficult to identify the Political Party his allegiance is to.

That is the kind of Civil Servant that we want to see in this Country, We want to see people who whatever their Political parties might be, as long as they are serving the public interest should keep off from politics.
Do not associate yourself too much with politics, do not affiliate yourself too much with politics, that would earn you respect.
These are the kinds of Civil Servants that we want to see in Sierra Leone, people who would say yes I got this job as a result of my Membership with Sierra Leone People’s Party [SLPP], All People’s Congress [APC], Coalition For Change [C4C] or whatever Political Party but now that I am in this capacity, I am not only going to serve the Political Party that made it possible for me to be in this position, but I am going to serve Sierra Leoneans.
These are the Civil servants we want, these are the Public servants we want, people that will forget about politics and serve Sierra Leone [Applause].

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, now to Mr Sahr H. Ensah.

Much is not known about you personally but I am happy for your Appointment.

It is not on tribal line; let us forget about tribe here, this is about Sierra Leone.

We are here as Sierra Leoneans, it is the interest of Sierra Leone that we are focused on.
The C4C as a Political Party is not only a Political Party for Kono District or for C4C Members.

It is a Political Party for 19 Sierra Leoneans and whatever concerns that are in the interest of Sierra Leoneans, C4C will be there to give 100% support.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, the report we have in front of us is the unanimous view of the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service, we believe they have done their job well, the only words of caution to the nominees as always is, go and serve Sierra Leone and make this Parliament proud.

We would not want a situation where you would cause this Parliament to regret giving you its approval.
Go and serve our people, Sierra Leoneans are in need of action, they want to see action, they want to see things happening, especially to you Mr Timothy M. Kabba.

We know the EPA where you have been appointed as Board Member is very key because the Petroleum Directorate that you are heading has a lot to do when it comes to environmental issues.
We want to see how you would help the EPA for it to be able to provide better protection to our environment especially in areas that have to do with Industrial wastes.

At this point I want to say that the nominees are all fine, from what the Committee has done, we appreciate their work.

I have nothing to say but to give you the blessing of this House.

Thank you.

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

Madam Honourable Songa, you have the Floor.

HON.


WUYATTA B. SONGA: Thank you very much Mr Speaker.

Mr speaker, Honourable Member, Good morning.

I have promised myself some time ago not to praise-sing nominees that come to this Well For a very simple reason; we have people who come to this Parliament, they go to their different offices and they do not perform to the expectations of the Parliamentarians or to the President himself that appoints these people.
Some of them are letting us down and when we go to their offices they treat us as nothing.

They probably feel we are going to beg them, forgetting that we are representing people and we only go to them because of our constituents [Applause].
For such reason, I stopped myself from standing in this Well, but today I cannot stop myself for a very strong reason which is because today we have some fine nominees amongst us and people that I know genuinely have served in the New 20 Direction and have served with all they have and one of such persons is Mr Timothy M. Kabba.

Mr Timothy M. Kabba has served in his office and by no mistake as my colleagues have said, he is one of the few nominees that we are very proud of in this New Direction.
He has served with everything within him, he has served the nation and every corner you go, I have never been to his office, I have never visited him, but you hear from different people the kind of job he is doing, the kind of thing he is doing and it makes you feel proud as Parliamentarian to say that yes this person went through Parliament and we made no mistake in approving him.
So, today for me I just want to assure him of our supports as my colleagues have said and to encourage him not to relent at all from what he has started, he needs to continue, there is a need for him to continue the good work he has started, for him to continue serving his people the way he should and even more.

Our expectations are high; let him continue doing what he does best.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, the second person that has served this New Direction Government diligently is Aunty Joyce Wuyah Abu.

In her capacity as Deputy Commissioner, she has proven herself to be one of the most reliable people that I have grown to know.

I know her personally and I know the kind of job she does.

Today, I am saying to you Aunty Joyce Wuyah Abu, continue making us proud.

You are by no means any mistake; your position is by far the best.
Knowing you as a mother and that children are very close to your heart, I know you will take it with every breath within yourself to ensure that the needs of these children are addressed.

Aunty Joyce Wuya Abu, I am particularly saying to you, in my Constituency I have an Orphanage Home that has so many issues and those issues I have raised previously.

I am pleading with you that when you take over your Office please look into the issues of my Constituency with regards that Orphanage Home.
It is not something different; it is something that every Sierra Leonean child goes through.

These are the things we see every day and we ask ourselves, how do we address them?

Sometimes, the Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs [MSWGCA] Ministry started addressing issues of this nature but you realise it is so interconnected, by the time you untangle everything 21 is difficult, the resources to address these issues are another challenge for us.
I am begging, when you go out there, we are mothers, we know what we want for our children, we know that the children of this country deserve better and there is more we can give to them.

I know you work closely with the MSWGCA, do your best and continue to make us proud.

I have no iota of doubt that the Office you are going to, will not be the same again.

You know the job, you know the issues and you know what needs to be done and you know what needs to be addressed.
The President has made no mistake in appointing you and I know you would want to do your best to make him proud, to make this Parliament proud and to make your family proud.

We know you for who you are and I know you will deliver to the best of your ability.

Go out there and do what you do best.

We are very proud of you and continue to make us proud.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, to all the other nominees, I wish you well in your different offices.
I know you will take upon yourselves to know that you are not the special ones at this time; you have been given an opportunity to serve your country, do it with the best of your abilities and do not let the President down or let this House down.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, please, let us approve them speedily because I know their offices are waiting for them to do their jobs.

Thank you.

THE SPEAKER: I want to thank the Honourable lady for her contribution.
Honourable Members, today is a very special day, as you may have noticed, the Leader of Government Business amended the Order Paper to insert a new item on the Paper; a matter that has arrested the attention of this House for some time.
I see so many empty seats which truly bothers me and I hope by the time we reach that particular item, I would see those seats filled up with their rightful occupants, otherwise their constituents would have every reason to ask them where they were when such an important issue that affects the lives of this Nation was under consideration in Parliament.

So, wherever they may be, I am appealing to them to hasten and return to their seats in the Well before we reach that particular item.
I need hardly remind all of us what this global pandemic is doing to the World?

Mercifully, it has not yet reared its 22 ugly head in our own Country and we are trying to do everything possible to ensure that it is kept at Bay.

And every Member of this House owes it to himself or herself and to their constituents and the nation as a whole to make sure that they are in this Well when that issue is been discussed.

I now want to recognise the Honourable Edwin to contribute to this Debate.

HON.
HON.

MOSES A. EDWIN: Thank you Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, the nominees are fine nominees.

It is no mistake made by the President for choosing them.

I would zoom in on to two of the nominees.

I am not going to be Gender biased but I have known Mr Timothy M. Kabba, and Mr Sahr H. Ensah whom most colleagues are missing to be a Ghanaian or Kono- he is a Kissi by tribe and a Sierra Leonean by Nationality.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, Mr Timothy M. Kabba has a proven character and he has excelled himself exceedingly that is why the President thought of giving him another responsibility to double step up so that, that institution would be very much confortable in executing its functions.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, Mr Sahr H. Ensah, has served with no blame for 37 good years in the Civil Service and up to the time of his retirement, no issue was found about him that was adverse and having such person in that capacity who knows about Youth Affairs and drug related issues, he will excel himself and he will improvise all sort of strategies that will enhance his operations.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, of course Madam Joyce Wuyah Abu, going through your Résumé has given a proven evidence that you will do your utmost best to bring that Commission to the highest apex.

You have served as a teacher and being a teacher, your concern greatly relates to children as we have a lot of street children.

You have served as Deputy Commissioner and have acted as Commissioner; you know the situation in that Commission.
Please, you are going there now in that capacity as the substantive Commissioner, you are no longer going to act but you have to prove yourself, you have to step up, you do not need to disappoint us.

As the last speaker spoke, many times we have approved in this Well nominees that we have praised to be 23 so nice or so worth to do their jobs but most times some of them prove otherwise, and we may not be going to your offices to beg but to raise concerns pertaining our constituents.
So, please open your doors wide to welcome any Member of Parliament that would be at your door steps.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, the other Nominee who is a lady, I think your profession will serve you well, will do you right to perform very well in your new capacity.

I wish you well and I do hope that you will raise the Green white and Blue Flag high to the peak.
With those few words, I ask the entire House to speedily approve these fine nominees so that they can take up their various functions immediately.

Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

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

Very well, I will take the Honourable Marray Conteh, are you amongst the Paramount Chiefs or you are seated next to them?

HON.

ABDUL S. MARRAY CONTEH: Yes, Mr Speaker.


THE SPEAKER: Okay I will take Honourable Marray Conteh and I will take you next, and you next, identify yourselves by name please.

Honourable “Tamemkor” you have to do the needful today for me to recognise you, you know what I mean.

So let me start, Honourable Marray Conteh, you start please.

HON.

ABDUL S. MARRAY CONTEH: Thank you very much Mr Speaker.
First of all, I want to thank His Excellency for giving qualified nationals of this country the opportunity to make meaningful contributions to national development.

By their Résumés, it is clear that they were not appointed by coincidence; they have what it takes to make a difference.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, normally, the Appointment speeches are very similar.

So, I am going to make mine very short by zooming in on some of the nominees.
Firstly, Aunty Joyce Wuyah Abu, you are an exceptional mother, a woman with a kind heart, passionate about children and a woman of integrity.

You did it before and I have no doubt that you will do it again.

The task you face now is to ensure that 24 you go and make a change and not allow the system or whatever wrong things there to change you because we have seen that before.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, to the other nominees, your Résumés also speak clear that you have what it takes and you really do not look like the appointees that over promise and underperform when they find themselves in those places.

You have the chance to make the President, your family and of course this Country proud.

So, please do not disappoint, go and serve with a kind heart, go and serve with integrity, and Parliament will also be proud of you.
I want to urge colleagues to please speedily approve these nominees because they have key roles to play in repositioning Sierra Leone in the development agenda.

Thank you very much.

THE SPEAKER: I thank the Honourable Member.

Yes, you are next.

HON.

EMMANUEL S. CONTEH: Thank you very much Mr Speaker.
I want to join my colleagues to thank the President for nominating these fine nominees for various positions to serve in his New Direction Government, but more especially I want to zoom my lens on a friend and colleague by the name of Mr Timothy M Kabba.

Mr Timothy M. Kabba has been a colleague of mine in the Oil Industry.
I could remember vividly when we started the Oil Exploration in the Year 2000; I came to know Timothy M. Kabba when he was appointed as Director-General [DG] for the Luke Oil; a Russian Oil Company exploring oil in the waters of Sierra Leone.

He is a very nice technocrat with wealth of experience in the Oil Field.
I could remember three months ago when we were invited by the EPA to do their Impact Assessment Program at the Petroleum Directorate Office at Kingtom, Mr Timothy M. Kabba was very eloquent and very strong in his knowledge and might to explain to some of us the impacts on the Environment when it comes to Oil Exploration.

I have no doubt that he can perform because he has been a great transformer.
Mr Timothy M. Kabba, when he was appointed as DG, they were housing an Office at IMMAT wherein they were paying a colossal sum for rent but when he was appointed as DG, he ensured that the money that was paid for rent was transformed to the construction of a new office building at Kingtom.

If most of the DGs that are appointed, that are nominated in various MDAs can emulate the good example 25 of the DG of the Directorate of Petroleum, who is Mr Timothy M. Kabba, it will save the Nation a great amount.
Mr Timothy M. Kabba was able to use the money for his rent at Hill Station to build a magnificent building.

With his wealth of experience in the Oil Industry, I am sure he will perform well as Chairman Board of Directors of the EPA.

Mr Timothy M. Kabba and all other nominees, I want to encourage you, I want you to go and do what is expected of you guys.

Do the needful, serve your country best devoid of politics and we wish you well in your new appointments.
So, I would join my colleagues so that we can join others to have their nominations approved.

Thank you.

HON.

JAMES O. THOLLEY: Yes, Mr Speaker.

THE SPEAKER: You have my attention now.

HON.

JAMES O. THOLLEY: Thank you very much Mr Speaker.


Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I stand not to praise sing the fine nominees that are been presented to us for approval this morning, neither to assassinate their characters but as a representative of the people of Sierra Leone, I want to say they are here to work for the people of Sierra Leone.
We are going to give you the blessing of this House by approving you so that you go to your different offices and work for the people of Sierra Leone irrespective of the Political parties, the tribes and the regions you come from.

On that note, I want to straight away go to the proposed Drug Laws Enforcement Agency Board Member Mr Sahr H. Ensah.
This is a fine Office, and I believe if you work according to the expectations of Sierra Leoneans with regards that Office, Sierra Leone would be a very fine Country.

If you walk along the streets of Freetown and all over Sierra Leone today, you see lots of lunatics, imbeciles and morons dominated by young boys and girls; this is as a result of drug misuse.

Very recently, we heard about a drug called “pampers” and a man came up on the air by explaining that he discovered that drug in Sierra Leone.
I wonder what has been done to control the “pampers” in Sierra Leone.

If you go along the streets of Freetown, you will see young boys that are crazy, they behave abnormally and they cause trouble in the City and all over the Country.

I think this Agency is the right Agency to take care of those problems by enforcing Drug laws that will minimize or control the use of drugs.

26 When you go to the hospitals today some medicines are not available.
Medical doctors or Community Health Officials [CHOs] will give you prescription and when you go out there in the dispensaries, you will meet fake drugs, and being that you have no knowledge about drugs, you just take them for the use and they cause problems in the body that is why we have indiscriminate deaths in this Country.

So, this is a very important Agency and I want you nominees that have been brought forward today, as we approve you, you work together with your team to enforce the Drug laws.
We know Health is a very important aspect of human being, without a good state of health you cannot do anything, we are here this morning because we are healthy and there is a saying: “Health is Wealth”, if you have all the monies in the world and you are not healthy, you still continue to suffer.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, the next Nominee I want to talk about is the proposed Commissioner of the National Commission for Children Madam Joyce Wuyah Abu.
Children are very important, so important that without children we do not have leaders for tomorrow.

So, I want to say to this Nominee who is a female to take this noble Agency very important as children are being misused in this Country today.

A child yesterday is an adult today and a leader today; children today are the future leaders.

So, I want you to take note of that and to take the children as very important aspect of the human race.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, finally, I want to talk about the Nominee to the EPA and that fine Nominee is Mr Timothy Kabba.

Unfortunately, he is not in the Well of Parliament.

So, I want to appeal to him that he should take this Office very important because he is a man I know and I believe, and he is man that is very hard working.

On that note, I want to ask my colleagues to join me to approve these nominees before us.

I thank you very much.


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

Is there any other Member wishing to catch my eye?

Okay, I recognise Honourable Sorieba Alhaji Turay.

HON.

SORIEBA .A.

TURAY: Thank you very much Mr Speaker.

It is Sorieba Alhaji Turay again today.


First of all, I want to thank His Excellency the President for His lens, 27 He has a very good lens and with that lens, I think the President can see beyond the borders of this Country and that is why He decided to choose these fine nominees [Applause].

These four nominees I saw this morning in the Well of Parliament are very nice nominees.
As I speak here, the person I see in front of me is a mother to all of us here who is Madam Joyce Wuyah Abu and the President decided to appoint this woman as a Commissioner for the Children’s Commission and as I am speaking, she is my mother and for the New Direction I think the New Direction is moving from Helina junction to Cape Coast the City of progress [Laughter].

Cape Coast is the City of progress and this morning we see some progress from these four nominees.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, my own contribution is very short and sharp.

Sometimes we do not need to waste our time to approve fine nominees like these people.

So Honourable Members, let us speedily approve these people [Applause].

Thanks to the New Direction for these four nominees, I am well satisfied, very satisfied.

So, Honourable Members, please let us approve these four nominees [Applause].

I thank you very much.

THE SPEAKER: I thank the Honourable Member for his contribution.
Honourable Members, we shall now wind up the Debate.

I now recognise the leader of the Opposition.

HON.

CHERNOR R.M.

BAH: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, having listened to my colleagues this morning, I am considering the fact that, I was a Member of those that interviewed the nominees, I endorse them for approval by this House.

THE SPEAKER: Over to you Leader of Government Business.

HON.

SIDIE .M.
HON.

SIDIE .M.

TUNIS: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I support the nominees and I call on my colleagues to please approve them.

Thank you.

[Question Proposed Put and Agreed To].

[Motion of the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service has been approved].
28 THE SPEAKER: It is now my pleasant duty to add my own voice of congratulations and the entire House seems to naturally expect the highest level of performance considering the pedigree of the appointees and the performance they have already demonstrated in the their present or previous assignments and we have no doubt whatsoever that they will live up to the expectation not only of His Excellency the President but also this entire House and consequently the general public.
We wish them well in their new assignments and we know you will do the best you can to raise the Flag of our Country.

Congratulations and good luck in your new assignments!

You may now take leave off us.

I want to continue to appeal to all absentee MPs to please make it a duty to come.

Let me foretell what is likely to happen at the end of our deliberations today.

We all know what is going on around the World, the affliction that we are all suffering from COVID 19 also known as Coronavirus.
At the end of our deliberations today, we expect to take a very long adjournment, the purpose for that is to give every single Member of Parliament an opportunity to go to your Constituencies and engage your Constituents to understand and appreciate the gravity of the situation threatening this Country.

Mercifully, that dreadful disease has not yet come but it is threatening to come.
We have seen how it is been handled even by countries in the West and beyond whose health facilities we thought previously had every enhanced capability to handle every threat of a disease, now they have suddenly realised that they are not up to the mark.

I can just imagine compare with our own capability, what the situation would be God forbid if we are confronted with an actual situation and not just a threat.
So, it is very, very important that we pay heed to the advice that we have been given by the Executive of our Country, by the World Health Organisation [WHO] to take the evolving situation very, very seriously.

Every day, I see reports that deepen my own sense of fear and trepidation more and more and I am sure I speak for most of you; but let us continue to pray.

If the Attorney-General is with us, we shall now take the next item on the Order Paper.

IV.
IV.

BILL 29 THE NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY ACT, 2020 COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE THE HOUSE RESOLVES ITSELF INTO COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE HOUSE I now call on the Chairman, Legislative Committee to present his report.

HON.

CHERNOR R.M.
HON.

CHERNOR R.M.

BAH: Mr Chairman, considering the fact that we just received the report this morning, I would implore that the Chairman of the Legislative Committee takes his time and do the reading very slowly so that we would be referring ourselves in tandem with the Bill itself.

Otherwise, we will be approving something that we do not know about.

That is all I want to say Mr Speaker, it is very, very important.

THE CHAIRMAN Very well.


So, go through your report as slowly as you possibly can so we can follow it.

I am a bit pleased to observe that some Honourable Members have indeed returned to the House and are taking their rightful seats, I would like to see more and more of them return.

Today is a very sombre day, I was full of praises for what I observed to my left but now, I do not know what to think; maybe I spoke too soon.

Honourable Gevao, you have the Floor.

HON.


HINDOLO M. GEVAO [Chairman Legislative Committee]: Thank you Mr Chairman.

Fifth Report of the Legislative Committee, Second Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone on the Bill entitled: “The National Disaster Management Agency Act, 2020” presented to Parliament on Tuesday 24th March, 2020.
Introduction Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, I rise to present the Fifth Report of the Legislative Committee, Second Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone on the Bill entitled: “The National Disaster Management Agency Act 2020” 30 being an Act to provide for the establishment of the National Disaster Management Agency; to manage disasters and similar Agencies throughout Sierra Leone; to establish offices of the Agency throughout Sierra Leone; to establish National, District, Regional and Chiefdom Disaster Management Committees; to establish a National Disaster Management Fund, to provide finances for the prevention and management of disasters and similar emergencies throughout Sierra Leone and to provide for other related matters.
Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, the Bill having gone through the Second Reading, was committed to the Legislative Committee for scrutiny pursuant to Standing Order [S.O] 51[1].

Subsequently, the Committee met on Wednesday 18th March, 2020 in Committee Room No.

1 of Parliament Building with the following objectives: 1.

To scrutinize the detailed provisions of the Legislative Proposal after the Second Reading in the House; 2.
To ascertain the Constitutional and legal implications contained therein and to report to Parliament in accordance with the provisions of the Standing Orders of this Honourable House.

Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, in attendance were the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, First Parliamentary Counsel, Officials from the Office of National Security [ONS] and Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority who made meaningful contributions.
Recommendations: Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, the Legislative Committee having scrutinized the Bill line by line, and Clause by Clause recommends the following amendments to the House for approval.

1.

The Long Title of the Bill be approved.

2.

Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, the Committee agreed that, wherever the word ‘”Board” appears in the Bill, it be amended to read the “National Platform”.

31 3.
31 3.

The Committee also agreed that, wherever the words “District Assembly’” and “Chiefdom Assembly’” appear in the Bill, it be amended to read: “the District Disaster Management Committee”.

Part I – Preliminary 1.

The definition of the words “Agency’” and “Authorised Officer’” be approved 2.

That the definition of the word “Board’” be deleted.

3.

From the definition of the word “Counsel’” to the definition of the words “Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency’” be approved 4.
The definition of the word “Minister’” be redefined to mean: “a Minister appointed by the President to perform a specified function under this Act”.

Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, the Committee made consideration on the following definitions to be included in the Interpretation Section: Mr Chairman, the definition of the words has been annexed to the report before.

Honourable Members, if you look at your reports, the definition of the words are thereby annexed: a.

Disaster b.
Disaster b.

Disaster Management c. Disaster stricken or threatening area d. Disaster affected persons e. Chiefdom Disaster Management Committee f. District Disaster Management Committee g. Provincial Disaster Management Committee h. Emergency i.

Emergency Preparedness j.

Emergency Response Operation k. National Platform for Disaster Reduction l. Prevention m. Response n. Vulnerability 32 Part II – Establishment of the National Disaster Management Agency 1.

Clause 2 sub-clause I and II be approved 2.


Sub-Clause III[a] be amended by inserting immediately after the word “Chairman” [Interrupted] THE CHAIRMAN: Hold on!

Hold on!

I think the Leader of the Opposition is proving himself to be fully vindicated when he forewarn that we should go through this very slowly.

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Yes, Mr Chairman.

THE CHAIRMAN: Can you go back to your paragraph 4.5 that you have just read out?

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Under rubric Preliminaries?


Suspension of SO 5[2] THE CHAIRMAN: We would continue.

I want you to go back; you have dealt with that part of the long title of the Bill, you said that should be approved and then you have also drawn attention to where you said the word “Board’” should now be replaced by the words “National Platform’” and then you go on.
Now, when you go to paragraph 4.5, you said: “Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, the Committee made consideration on the following definitions to be included in the Interpretation Section”.

And then you are reading now from ‘A’ through to ‘N’.

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Yes, Mr Chairman.

THE CHAIRMAN: But where are the definitions?

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Annex thereto.

Mr Chairman, there is an annex.

THE CHAIRMAN: Oh!

I see, I see; but you did not say that at all.

HON.
HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Mr Chairman, I did say so.

Maybe it is due the distance between the seat of the Speaker and that of the Legislative Committee Chairman THE CHAIRMAN: No!

No!

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: I said it, Sir.

33 THE CHAIRMAN: Read what is written.

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: I did say the definitions to the words are annexed to the report.

THE CHAIRMAN: In your rendition, you may have said so.

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Yes, Mr Chairman.


THE CHAIRMAN: But what is written in your report is different.

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: I take the queue, Mr Chairman.

THE CHAIRMAN: You said: “the following definitions” and I was looking for the following definitions.

HON.
HON.

DANIEL B. KOROMA: Mr Chairman, on that note, I suggest that, based on this paragraph 4, these definitions, we go straight to the Annex as a completion to this portion of the report, to see whether we agree with the definitions as they are defined.

The Annex is part of this page.

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Grateful Mr Chairman, I will do just that if that is the consensus.

THE CHAIRMAN: Well, it will certainly enhance our understanding of what you have done.

HON.
HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Grateful, Mr Chairman.

THE CHAIRMAN: Because the moment you said: “the following definitions”, I immediately turned to the next page expecting to see them; but now you are referring us to an Annex, so let us go to the Annex then.

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Grateful Mr Chairman.


So, Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, if you turn to the back of the report, there is an Annex, and I shall be going through the Annex where it is set out expressly the definition of the ones referred to: SECTION 1- INTERPRETATION 34 A.

Disaster means; an occurrence which is widespread or localised, natural or manmade: a.
Which causes or threatens to cause death, injury or disease, damage to property, livelihood, infrastructure or the environment and destruction to the lives of the community; b.

Which is of a magnitude that exceeds the ability of a person affected to cope with its effects by the use of personal resources c. Requires a multi-sectorial and multi-disciplinary response B.
Disaster Management means: a continuous and integrated multi-sectorial, multi- disciplinary process of planning and implementation of measures aimed at: a.
Preventing or reducing the risk of disasters; b. Mitigating the severity of consequences of disasters; C. Emergency Preparedness: a rapid and effective response to disasters; Post disaster recovery rehabilitation, reconstruction and resettlement; D. Disaster Stricken or threatening Areas means: an area affected by or prone to a disaster; E. Disaster Affected Person means: a person who is injured, or whose property and means of a livelihood has been destroyed by a disaster; F. Chiefdom Disaster Management Committee means: a Chiefdom forum of people from different sectors and areas of study with diverse knowledge and skills brought together to advocate, plan, advise and promote the implementation of the framework for action to prevent and mitigate disasters; G. District Disaster Management Committee means: a District forum of people from different sectors and areas of study with diverse knowledge and skills brought together to advocate, plan, advise and promote the implementation of the framework for action to prevent and mitigate disasters; H. Regional Disaster Management Committee means: a Provincial forum of people from different sectors and areas of study with diverse knowledge and skills 35 brought together to advocate, plan, advise and promote the implementation of the framework for action to prevent and mitigate disasters; I.
Emergency means: a sudden serious event or situation which requires immediate action to avert a disaster J.
Emergency Preparedness means: a state of readiness which enables Ministries, Departments and Agencies [MDAs], Local and International Organisations [NGOs] the Private Sector, Communities and Individuals to mobilize, organise and provide relieve measures to deal with and impending or current disaster or the effect of disaster K. Emergency Response Operation means: any action taken to mitigate the effect of the disaster; L. National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction means: a national forum of people from different sectors and areas of study with diverse knowledge and skills brought together to advocate, plan, advise and promote the implementation of the framework for action to prevent and mitigate disasters; M. Prevention means: measures aimed at stopping a disaster from occurring or preventing an occurrence or a situation from degenerating into a disaster; N. Response means: measures taken during or immediately after a disaster in order to bring relief to people and communities affected by the disaster; O.
Vulnerability means: the degree to which an individual, members of a household, a community or an area may be susceptible to a disaster.

Mr Chairman, Honourable Members that is the Annex which ties in with the terminologies added to the Bill and defined under the rubric Part I – Preliminaries.

HON.

DANIEL B. KOROMA: Mr Chairman, I think I have problem with the definition of “Emergency”.
I do not think it should be limited to actions just to “avert”; because there can be situations described by Emergency wherein the disaster is already in 36 existence.

So, in addition to “avert”, we can also add “mitigate”, this is to say the Emergency is already in existence but to “mitigate” the effect rather than just to “avert”.
That is No.8, the definition of “Emergency” to read as follows: “Emergency means: a sudden serious event or situation which requires immediate action to avert or mitigate the effect of disaster”.

THE CHAIRMAN: Hold it right there, take your seat.

Let me guide the House or the Committee, otherwise we are going to get lost in the process of considering this rather complicated Bill.

Rather than take the Bill as proposed Parts 1, 2, and 3; I would take it in parts.
Let us deal first with Part 1 which includes mainly the Interpretation Section of it.

Honourable Members, this is going to require your fullest attention.

Let us do it this way, let us allow him to read his report from start to finish and then we come back and dissect it into parts then we can take it now part 1 and then we will consider the kind of amendments that you stated.

So, let us allow him to go through the report and present the report before we debate it.

So, continue!

HON.
So, continue!

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Part II- Establishment of the National Disaster Management Agency.

1- Clause 2[1&2] be approved, sub Clause 3[a] be amended by inserting immediately after the word: “Chairman” the following words: “of National Platform”.

2- Clause 3 be amended as follows: sub Clause 1 be amended to read; “the governing body of the agencies shall be the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction which shall be responsible for the control and supervision of the Agency”.
Note: the side note also amended to read: “National Platform for Risk Reduction”.

Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, the Committee made several adjustments and restructuring on the Bill for proper fitting; one of such is on the composition of the National Platform.
37 2- Clause 3[2] be amended to read as follows: “The National Platform For Disaster Risk Reduction shall comprise: [a] The Vice-President who shall be the Chairman, [b] The National Security Coordinator Office of National Security who shall be the Deputy Chairman, [c] The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, [d] The Mayor Freetown City Council, [e] The Executive Chairman Environmental Protection Agency, [f] The Commissioner National Commission for Social Action, [g] The Director-General Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency, [h] The Chief Social Service Officer Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender And Children’s Affairs, [i] The Chief Medical Officer Ministry of Health and Sanitation, [j] The Permanent Secretary Ministry Of Internal Affairs, [k] The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Lands, Housing and the Environment, [l] The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, [m] The Chief Agriculture Officer Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Food Security, [n] The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Water Resources, [o] The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, [p] The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Tertiary and Higher Education, [q] The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Information and Communications, [r] The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, [s] The Inspector General of Police, [t] The Chief of Defence Staff Ministry Of Defence, [u] The Chief Fire Officer Sierra Leone Fire Force, [v] The President Sierra Leone Institute of Engineers, [w] The United Nations Residence Coordinator, [x] The Director-General National Minerals Agency, [y] The Secretary-General Sierra Leone Red Cross Society, [z] Two Representatives from International Non-Governmental Organizations in Sierra Leone appointed by the Chairman, [aa]Two Representatives from Civil Society Organizations Specializing in Disaster Management or Environmental issues appointed by the Chairman, [bb] A Representative from Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organizations specializing in Disaster Management or Environmental issues appointed by the Chairman, [cc] The Executive Director National Protected Area Authority, [dd] The Financial 38 Secretary Ministry of Finance, [ee]The Director-General Ministry Of Foreign Affairs and International Corporation, [ff] The Director-General Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority, [gg] The Director-General who shall be the Secretary.
That Clause-4 [b] be approved”.
Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, Clause 5 “Meetings of National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction” was restructured to read as follows: “Clause 5 [1], The National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction shall meet during a disaster or for the dispatch of its business at the time and place as the Chairman may consider appropriate [2] The Chairman shall convene extraordinary meeting of the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction at [a] the time and place as he may determine or [b] the request in writing of not less than one-third of the membership of the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction [3] The quorum at the meeting of the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction is twenty-three (23).
[4] The Chairman shall preside at meetings of National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction and in the absence of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman shall preside and in his absence, a Member of the Platform elected by Members present from among their number shall preside.

[5] Matters before National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction shall be decided by a majority of the number present and voting and in event of an equality of votes, the Chairman shall have a casting vote.
[6] The National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction may co-opt a person to attend a meeting but that person shall not vote.

[7] That Clause-6 to Clause-9 be approved [8] Clause 10 be deleted.

[9] Clause-11 to now read as Clause-10 and is amended as follows: [a] the new Clause-10[1a] be amended by inserting immediately after the word Chairman, the following words, of National Platform.
[b] Sub clause [b] be amended to read: in the case of a Member, the Chairman shall subject to this Act have another person appointed to the Platform.

[c] That the new Clause-10[2] be deleted”.

39 Mr Chairman, Honourable Members the Committee proposed the insertion of a new Part three III to read: “Functions of the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction”.
10 Part III- Functions for the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction: 1- this new Clause 11 be inserted to read: “Clause 11[1], the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction shall ensure that; a.

- there are appropriate and adequate facilities for the provision of rehabilitation, reconstruction and recovering in the event of any disaster throughout Sierra Leone.

b.
b.

– Liaise with Public institutions, Non-Governmental Agencies, and Donor agencies for financial support and the provision of logistics for the Management of Disaster throughout Sierra Leone.

c. – Perform any other function incidental to the functions of the National Disaster Management Committee, 2- The National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction shall where a National Disaster occurs perform its function expeditiously and effectively in accordance with the Act and regulations made under it.
3 – The Public or private Institution may provide the National platform for Disaster Risk Reduction with the assistance necessary to deal with a National Disaster.

4 – A platform for Disaster Risk Reduction shall collaborate with other relevant Government agencies in the Management of National Disaster.

5 –The National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction shall report to the Chairman of the National Security Council [NSC] of its activities as deemed necessary for National Security Council [NSC] meetings.
11- Part 3 to now read as part 4; Functions of the Agency 1 that Clause [12] 40 be approved.

12 – Part 4 to now read part 5- Administrative Provisions”.

Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, the Committee made a number of adjustments and renumbering to provide a chronological flow of ideas on these Sections: 1- Clause 15 originally on the Bill to now read: “new Clause 13”.

2- Clause [13] originally on the Bill to now read: “new Clause 14”.

3- And Clause 14 to now read: “new Clause 15”.


4- The new Clause 13 and 14 be approved.

5- The new Clause 15 be amended to read: “15[1] The Director-General may establish offices of the Agency in each of the Administrative Regions of Sierra Leone and in such District and Chiefdom as the Platform may determine.
[2] The Regional or Chiefdom office Established by the Director-General under [1] shall be provided with such officers and staff as may be necessary for the proper and effective performance of its functions”.

Sub Clause 3 be approved.

6- That Clause 16 to 20 be approved.

13.

Part V to now read: “Part 6 amended to read: “Regional District and Chiefdom Disaster Management Committee” 1- Clause 21, 22, and 23 be deleted.

2- That Clauses 24 to now read: “Clause 21”.

3- Clause 25 to now read: “Clause 22”.


4- Clause 26 to now read: “Clause 23”.

5- Clause 27 to now read: “Clause 24”.

6- Clause 28 to now read: “Clause 25” 7- Clause 29 to now read: “Clause 26” 8- Clause 30 to now read: “Clause 27” 9- Clause 31 to now read: “Clause 28” 10- That the new Clause 21 to 25 be approved 41 11- New Clause 26 be amended by inserting a new paragraph to read: “J - one Councillor per Chiefdom nominated by the District Chairman of Council” 12- The new Clause 27 and 28 be approved.
13- Part 6 to now read: “Part 7 Declaration of State of Emergency and Responsibility for Disaster”.

1.

Clause 32 to now read: “Clause 29” 2.

Clause 33 to now read: “Clause 30” 3.

Clause 34 to now read: “Clause 31” 4.

Clause 35 to now read: “Clause 32” 5.

Clause 36 to now read: “Clause 33” 6.

Clause 37 to now read: “Clause 34” 7.

Clause 38 to now read: “Clause 35” 8.

Clause 39 to now read: “Clause 36” 9.

Clause 40 to now read: “Clause 37” 10.

Clause 41 to now read: “Clause 38” 11.


New Clause 29, be amended in sub Clause 2 by deleting the word “Committee” and replacing it with the word “Platform” 12.

New Clause 30 and 31 be approved 13.

New Clause 32[2], be amended by deleting the words regional and replacing it with the word “residence”.

14.

That new Clause 33 to 38 be approved 15.

Part 7 to now read: “Part 8 Financial Provisions” 1.

Clause 42 to now read: “Clause 39” 2.

Clause 43 to now read: “Clause 40” 42 3.


Clause 44 to now read: “Clause 41” 4.

Clause 45 to now read: “Clause 42” 5.

Clause 46 to now read: “Clause 43” 6.

Clause 47 to now read: “Clause 44” 7.

Clause 48 to now read: “Clause 45” 8.

That the new Clause 39 and 40 be approved 9.

New Clause 41[1] paragraph [F] be amended by deleting the words: “Minister of Finance” and replacing it with the word: “President” 10.

That the new Clause 42 to 45 be approved 16.


Part 8 to now read: “Part 9 Miscellaneous Provisions” 1.

Clause 49 to now read: “Clause 46 be approved” 2.

Clause 50 to now read: “Clause 47 be approved” 3.


Clause 51 to now read: “Clause 48 be amended as follows: [a] sub Clause 1 by deleting the word “Board” and replacing it with the word “Director- General” [b] sub Clause 3 by deleting the word: “summary” before the word: “conviction” and by deleting the words: “not more than” and replacing them with “not less than” and by deleting “5 Million” and substituting it with “30 Million” and “2 years to 3 years”.

4.

Clause 52 and 53 be deleted.

5.


Clause 54 to now read: “Clause 49” and be amended as follows: “sub clause 2 by deleting the word “summary” before the word “conviction” and by deleting the words: “not more than” and replacing them with “not less than” and by deleting “5 Million” and substituting it with “10 Million”.

6.
6.

Clause 55 to now read: “Clause 50” and be amended as follows: “[a] sub clause 2 by deleting the word: “summary” before the word: “conviction” and by 43 deleting the words: “not more than” and by replacing them with not “less than” and by deleting “5 Million” and substituting it with “10 Million”.

7.

Clause 56 is now read: “Clause 51” and be amended by deleting the words: “the officers of”.
Clause 57 to now read: “Clause 52” and be amended by deleting the words: “not more than” and replacing them with “not less than” and by deleting “5 Million” and substituting it with “30 Million” and “2 years” to “3 years”.

8.

Clause 58 to now read: “Clause 53” and be amended in sub paragraph 1 by deleting the word: “board” and replacing it with “Platform through the Minister”.

17- Conclusion.
17- Conclusion.

Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, the Legislative Committee having scrutinized the Bill entitled: “The National Disaster Management Agency Act 2020” recommended these proposals to the House for approval.

The report reflects the consensus of Honourable Members of the Committee.

I therefore move that the Honourable House pass the Bill entitled the “National Disaster Management Agency Act 2020” through Committee Stage, Third Reading and pass into Law.

I thank you for your attention.


Signed: Honourable Hindolo M. Gevao, Chairman.

THE CHAIRMAN: We are going to dissect it.

We are going to dissect this report and consequently the Bill into parts, we are not going to take the composite parts as mentioned 1 to 3; we take them one after the other otherwise, we are going to be lost in this haze of detail.

So, Madam Minister, maybe you would like to first of all move that Part 1 only stands part of the Bill.

Let us take it part by part.

HON.


ALPHA A. BAH: Mr Chairman, please, before the Minister moves the Motion, I have just realised that under Part 1 with respect to the Annex, the word “Regional” as used in paragraph 7 should have been “Provincial”.

THE CHAIRMAN: We shall come to that, do not worry.

44 HON.

ALPHA A. BAH: It is okay, thank you.

THE CHAIRMAN: We shall come to that, do not jump the gun.

Madam Minister, please go ahead.


DR. PRISCILLA SCHWARTZ [Attorney-General and Minister of Justice]: Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, I move that Part 1 stand part of the Bill.

Question Proposed THE CHAIRMAN: Honourable Members, Hold on!

Hold on!

This is a very complicated Bill, so we have to be very careful.

Part 1 deals with the Preliminary part of the Bill and it also includes the Interpretation Clause which is annexed to the report.
So, maybe, let me start by recognizing the Honourable Daniel Koroma, he was the first to rise on this issue.

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, let me just add some flesh to it.

Colleagues would realise that under the Interpretation Section, the annex, none of the wordings in the annex is found there, so what the Committee did was extra research to get those definitions to come under the Interpretation Section.

It is just for colleagues to know.


THE CHAIRMAN: I think Honourable Members note that, that the annex is part of the Preliminary, the Interpretation part of the Bill.

So, let me give the Floor to Honourable Daniel Koroma, he was making a point earlier.

HON.

DANIEL B. KOROMA: Thank you very much Mr Chairman.

In as much as the legal Draftsman will have to arrange the alphabetical order in the definition, but let me just raise a concern on the definition of “Emergency”.
The definition of “Emergency” as I earlier said should take into consideration both “prevention” and “mitigation” in the event it prevails.

So, I suggest to read the definition of “Emergency” as follows: “Emergency means, a sudden serious event or situation which requires immediate action to avert, and or mitigate disaster”.

Because “Emergency” is not only seen as imminent but sometimes exists already, it affects already so, something needs to be done since it has applied as an “Emergency”.
Something can 45 be done to mitigate the effect of the “Emergency”.

I can give an example, sometimes even the Fire Force, when they are putting off a particular fire on a particular house, based on the extent of that fire destruction they would now deem it fit rather than waste their time on the building that is already burnt down, but protects neighbouring households so that that fire could not affect neighbouring households.

So, that is a form of “Mitigation”.


Because the house is on fire already and has the potential to burn more houses therefore, something needs to be done so that the effect would remain to a single house rather than burning of more houses.

So, in my opinion, it should not be limited to just “avert” but to also “mitigate” or even both, and or “mitigate”.

HON.
HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Mr Chairman, I have listened to my colleague carefully, but Mr Chairman, we have to take his concern from the context of the word “Disaster” itself, what we are defining is the word “Disaster” and not the action to be taken on “Disaster”.

It is a definition of the word “Disaster”, but when you take “Mitigate” in its contextual sense, “Mitigate” could mean an act done in a disaster and we are defining the word “Disaster”.
It is a Definitional Section, so if you say “Disaster” means “Mitigate” then you have already imputed an action in the word of occurrence.

That is my take Mr Chairman.

What we are doing is defining the word “Disaster” that is why we have said “Disaster” means an occurrence which is well spread or localised natural or manmade.

So, “Mitigate” cannot sit in well with an act that would not have happened, mitigate would sit in well when it would have happened, or an action to prevent disaster.

HON.
HON.

DAINEL B. KOROMA: Mr Chairman, maybe our noble Chairman and I are not on the same page.

I am talking of the definition of an “Emergency” not definition of “Disaster”.

About the definition of “Emergency”, I am saying we need to add the word “Mitigation” not to the definition of the word “Disaster”.

Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, it is not about the definition of “Disaster”, it is the definition of “Emergency”.
An “Emergency” cannot be limited to a situation wherein it is imminent; as Coronavirus is now, it is imminent, so as a result, a State of Emergency may be declared today or may not but it is imminent.

So, that can also 46 include the definition of “Emergency” but “Emergency” can also be described in the event it actually comes.
For example, if they say a case of Coronavirus is confirmed today then the definition of the same “Emergency” should include not only imminence but existence and Coronavirus is a clear example now because it is imminent and therefore, it might be in place to declare a State of Emergency, but that should not exclude it coming, what about if it comes tomorrow God forbid?
It is still under “Emergency” and in fact, it is more of an “Emergency” when it actually exists than when it is imminent and in that case something can be done to “mitigate” the effects, it is already here but we can limit it, we can limit the spread.

So, you need certain actions to be taken to limit it spread.

THE CHAIRMAN: Alright, so what are you suggesting?

HON.

DAINEL B. KOROMA: I am suggesting that, we add the word “Mitigate” to the word “Avert”.
“Avert” is also applicable but it is not conclusive in defining “Emergency”.

It should be “to avert and or mitigate”.

THE CHAIRMAN: So, what you are suggesting then, is the annex 8?

HON.

DAINEL B. KOROMA: Yes Sir, annex 8.

THE CHAIRMAN: Where you attempt to define “Emergency”?

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Yes, Mr Chairman.


THE CHAIRMAN: According to the Honourable Member, he is proposing that, that should now read: “Emergency means a sudden serious event or situation which requires immediate action to avert or mitigate a disaster”.

That is what he is proposing at the addition of the words “or mitigate a disaster”, do I understand you correctly?

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: I take the queue, it is a fitting word.

THE CHAIRMAN: Madam Minister, do you have any objection to that?
Any other objection?

Honourable Lahai Marrah, I am the one directing the affairs of this 47 Committee.

He is an Independent Member; let them negotiate between the two of them.

Honourable Sama you have the Floor.

HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: Mr Chairman, Page 11 on the annex.

THE CHAIRMAN: Yes.

HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: Mr Chairman, on page 11 the second line, “knowledge and skill”, I want us to add “s” to now read as: “knowledge and skills brought together”.

THE CHAIRMAN: “Diverse knowledge and skills”.

HON.
HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: Then on the third line Mr Chairman, the word there is a-d-v- i-c-e, it should be a-d-v-i-s-e, it should be a verb.

THE CHAIRMAN: To advise “s” instead of a “c”.

HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: It should not be a noun but a verb Mr Chairman.

THE CHAIRMAN: I think you went to a good school.

HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: I went to Bo School, Mr Chairman.

There are only two schools in Bo, Bo School and the rest.

THE CHAIRMAN: That is just a matter of your opinion [Laughs].

HON.
HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: It is a fact Mr Chairman.

I go to page 13, Mr Chairman, if you look at page 13 it is not in line with the other Paragraphs, they go straight to say “response measures”, it should be “response means a measure”.

It should be like the others, it should not go straight to say “response measures taken” it should be written as “response means a measure taken during”, it should be written like the others.

THE CHAIRMAN: Mr Chairman of the Legislative Committee, any objection?

HON.
HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: No Sir.

THE CHAIRMAN: Madam Minister, again are you comfortable with that?

HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: Thank you Mr Chairman.

For now, I rest my case.

48 HON.

ALPHA A. BAH: Referring to Paragraph 7 on the annex.

THE CHAIRMAN: Yes.

HON.


ALPHA A. BAH: From the list of items to be defined, roman figure five, Paragraph g reads: “Provincial Disaster Management Committee” and I suppose it is in line with Paragraph 7 of the annex and therefore, it should read, “Provincial” instead of “Regional Disaster Management Committee”.

THE CHAIRMAN: Hold on!

Hold on!

You want to align paragraph g?

HON.

ALPHA A. BAH: Yes, from the list of items to be defined.
THE CHAIRMAN: So, instead of “Regional” you prefer the word “Provincial”?

HON.

ALPHA A. BAH: That is my understanding because the list of items here Mr Chairman, says: [a] disaster [b] disaster management [c] disaster stricken or threaten area [d] disaster affected person [e] Chiefdom Disaster Management Committee [f] District Disaster Management Committee and [g] Provincial Management Committee.
Then when you go to the actual definition in the annex, I stand to be guided; it should read “Provincial” instead of “Regional” Mr Chairman.

THE CHAIRMAN: Again, Mr Chairman of the Legislative Committee, what do you say?

He is aligning the language.

HON.


HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Mr Chairman, we purposefully defined “Regional” because in the Western area, you have regions and not provinces, and the dissection of the Nation to affect the Western area, will fit in well if it is defined as “Region” and not “Provincial”.

THE CHAIRMAN: No!

No!

You have to align.

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: We can realign now on this one changing it from “Provincial” to “Regional”.

THE CHAIRMAN: Okay, fine.

I hope the rest of the House is with us?


So, the change that has been effected here actually is on page 2 of the report.

Instead of the word 49 “Provincial”, it is now replaced by the word “Regional”.

Yes, the next Independent Member, you have the Floor.

HON.

QUINTIN SALIA-KONNEH: Thank you very much Mr Chairman.
Mr Chairman, if we go to the interpretation page on the annex, I am not quite comfortable with the definitions for bullet points 5, 6 and 7 which talked about the Chiefdom Disaster Management Committee, District, regional as the case maybe.

I see these definitions as being generic and to a very large extent; they are subjective in terms of who should be part of the Committees.
So, I was of the opinion that, for such Committees at different levels, defined people should be listed in terms of who and who should be part of such Committees, Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, secondly, I was thinking for us Honourable Members to be Members of the Disaster Management Committee, representatives of the different Chiefdoms Committees should be selected to form the District and representatives from the different Districts within the Region should be selected to form the Provincial Disaster Management Committee, this is to ensure continuity and sustainability.
THE CHAIRMAN: Honourable Member, I am now with you but go through the amendment you are seeking to make slowly.

HON.

QUINTIN K. SALIA: Yes Sir, thank you very much.

THE CHAIRMAN: Is it in the annex?

HON.

QUINTIN SALIA-KONNEH: Yes.

Let me just go through the report then I will end up with the draft Bill.

THE CHAIRMAN: The definition in the annex?

HON.

QUINTIN SALIA-KONNEH: In annex 5, 6 and 7 on the definitions of Chiefdom Disaster Management Committee, District and Regional as the case maybe.
If you look at the three definitions, they appear to be generic, same definitions and things like that, which to me means the definitions are somehow subjective in terms of who should be 50 selected to these Committees and at the end of the day if the selection of members to these Committees become subjective then vital people might be left out.
And so, that is the more reason I think if we are to define this Clause, there are key personalities that must be part of these Committees and if you go through the Draft Bill, there is nowhere where Honourable Members are been included in any of the Committees.

Taking it from Clause 24, 25 and 26 across the board, Honourable Members are not been part of any of these Committees and I wonder what will be the situation if there is a disaster in our communities.
THE CHAIRMAN: Allow the Honourable Member please.

HON.

QUINTIN SALIA-KONNEH: I wonder what the situation would be like if there is a disaster in any of our communities and by default we are not part of such Committees to discuss the issues, it become disenfranchising for us as Honourable Members, and that is why I think as Honourable Members, we are the ones making the Laws and how can we commit such grave mistake in terms of leaving ourselves out of such Committees.
I think as Honourable Members, we should be represented in at least one or two of the Committees, be it at regional or Chiefdom levels as the case maybe.

THE CHAIRMAN: I am not confused anymore, but I have a question for you.

In the first place, consistent with the amendment that was approved just now in page 7, the word “Provincial” is now replaced by the word “Regional”, let us get that straight.

Are you with me?

HON.

QUINTIN SALIA-KONNEH: Sure.

THE CHAIRMAN: Fine.


Now, what you are suggesting is to incorporate Members of Parliament [Applause].

Are you suggesting for example if you are dealing with the Regional Disaster Management Committee that all the Members of Parliament [MPs] from a particular region should be members of that Committee?

HON.

QUINTIN SALIA-KONNEH: No!

That is not what I am saying.

THE CHAIRMAN: Because you were saying, let us move from the subjective to the objective, that is what you said.
51 HON.

QUINTIN SALIA-KONNEH: Yes, that is what I said.

THE CHAIRMAN: Who are you going to include and who are you going to leave out?

HON.

QUINTIN SALIA-KONNEH: No!

Mr Chairman, I am not saying that all Honourable Members should be represented at regional level, at least the whole thing starts at the Chiefdom level and even at the Chiefdom level, we are not Members of that Committee.
How is that possible for me to be the Honourable Member and a Chiefdom Committee is set up to look into the affairs of the Chiefdom and I am not part of that Committee?

THE CHAIRMAN: Wait a minute!

You see, it is so easy to constitute.

Honourable Member, be careful not to create Committees that will become terribly unwieldy.
At whatever level; be it Chiefdom, District or Regional, if you say Members of Parliament should be in those Committees then you are likely going to create a body that is extremely unwieldy depending on the numbers of MPs from that region.

HON.

QUINTIN SALIA=KONNEH: Let us say for instance, Kailahun we have ten MPs.

THE CHAIRMAN: Do you want all ten of them to be there?

HON.

DAINEL B. KOROMA: Mr Chairman, let me help Sir.

THE CHAIRMAN: No!

I am coming please.

HON.


QUINTIN SALIA-KONNEH: In the situation of disaster, the number of people involved to manage the situation does not count because any Honourable Member who is here representing his or her people should be represented or should be part of every discussion.

THE CHAIRMAN: Okay, let me refer that particular matter to the Chairman of the Legislative Committee first.

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Thank you very much Mr Chairman.


Mr Chairman, I cannot relate with what my colleague is saying.

Mr Chairman, if you look at the Interpretation Section, it is knowledge based.

We have made it knowledge based 52 because disaster itself is a technical and specialised issue.

So, even at Chiefdom level, we have made it knowledge based.
So, let us assume I come from a Constituency where there is a Chiefdom and I have a knowledge about a particular disaster that ensued, my people can simply say let Honourable Gevao be part of this Committee taking it from the realm of me being a Politician to me being somebody who can render some services to my people.

Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, we have even included Councillors because at Chiefdom level, we have said Councillors should be nominated by the District Chairman.

HON.
HON.

DICKSON M. ROGERS: Mr Chairman, the Chairman of the Legislative Committee has yielded to me and I want to throw some lights on this argument.

THE CHAIRMAN: Go ahead.

HON.

DICKSON M. ROGERS: Mr Chairman, as far as some of us are concern, the Councillors are representing us as politicians in those Chiefdoms.

Therefore, if we have included Councillors among those that should be members of the Chiefdom Committee, I think that can suffice.
Having said that Mr Chairman, let us hasten to say, I am sure my colleague on the other side was not here when our Paramount Chief was talking last week, every Member of Parliament is part of a Chiefdom Committee even as that Mr Chairman, we do not want to have members just because we want to have members.

What if the day the Chiefdom Disaster Management Committee is meeting we have Sitting?
That is the reason why we have included the Councillors and by Political protocols Mr Chairman, the Councillors are representing us.

HON.

DAINEL B. KOROMA: Mr Chairman, may I be heard?

THE CHAIRMAN: You will be heard.

HON.

DAINEL B. KOROMA: Thank you Mr Chairman.

THE CHAIRMAN: Hold on one second!

Hold on!

You will be heard, I will call on you in a minute.

I just want you to be satisfied that a way can be found to incorporate Members of Parliament.

Let me refer you to the original Bill.


If you look at Clause 24, 53 forget about what it has become now, the original 24 you would see there the composition clearly spelt out for the Regional Committee.

Have you seen that?

Honourable Member, are you with me?

Have you seen Clause 24?

Have you seen the Membership proposed?

Fine!

Do not bother to read it, go to 26 you would see the one proposed for the “District Disaster Management Committee”, you see that?

Then, go on!
Then, go on!

You would see under 29 the “Chiefdom Disaster Management Committee”; have you seen that?

You would also see the composition of the Committee that is proposed there, are you with me?

Now, considering the fact that every Member of Parliament is Ex-officio; member of the Chiefdom Committee.

Maybe what we now need to spell out there is the fact that he is also going to be part and parcel of that Chiefdom Disaster Management Committee.

Will that answer your concern?


Will that answer your concern Sir?

HON.

QUINTIN SALLIA-KONNEH: Yes Sir.

HON.

DANIEL B. KOROMA: Mr Chairman, we can even make it better.

THE CHAIRMAN: Well improve on it.

HON DANIEL B. KOROMA: Fine!

Now, to make it better, I would make direct reference to the current Local Court Act, 2011.

In the current Local Court Act 2011, Parliamentary representations are being made only at Regional level.
At Regional level, every Region has a caucus; you sit down and appoint the most knowledgeable person, as the Chairman rightly said, to represent the Local Court Service Commission at Regional Levels.

So in this case, it will be better if we can copy the same: not at Chiefdom or even District levels because at Chiefdom Levels, as the Chief Whip said, we are represented by Councillors, we are represented by District Chairmen at District levels.
But by appointing one caucus representative at Regional Level by way of Oversight, the different MPs in their respective Constituencies, having conferred with their District, Chiefdom or their Constituency Managements, they can now report to their representative.

And that representative at Regional level can address those concerns at Regional levels.
So you report to your representative at Regional level and during Regional Meetings, the concerns of all MPs of that Region can be made known to 54 those Regional Committees, rather than every Member of Parliament being a member of every Chiefdom Committee; because we are represented by Councillors and District Chairmen at Constituencies and District levels.

That is how the Local Courts Act is implemented.

THE CHAIRMAN: Thank you Honourable Daniel Koroma for your proposal.
Now, Mr Chairman of the Legislative Committee, you have drawn our attention just now to the fact the composition of these Committees was driven by knowledge, it was a knowledge based composition that you have for each of these Committees at the various levels?

HON.

HINDOLO M GEVAO: Yes, Mr Chairman.

THE CHAIRMAN: But the concern of the Independent Member is to see a Member of Parliament represented at the lowest level which is the Chiefdom Level.
And since it is an accepted fact that every Member of Parliament is ipso-facto a Member or Ex-officio member of the Chiefdom Committee, then address the issue whether you should not also make him a member of that Chiefdom Disaster Management Committee.

I would throw the question to you first and after you, Madam Minister.

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Mr Chairman, I still hold the view that MPs should not be members at the Chiefdom Committee level.
Mr Chairman, let us ask ourselves a question; what about Constituencies wherein we have two or three Chiefdoms?

and, let me land [Undertones]!

And we have a single MP being a member of all three Chiefdom Committees, and there is a disaster wherein you want to be represented in all the three Chiefdom Committees at the same time.

THE CHAIRMAN: Okay, you have made your point.

Let us listen to Madam Minister.

HON.


ALPHA BAH: Mr Chairman, may I just add my voice to what the Chairman of the Legislative Committee has just said?

Firstly, I believe in the [Interrupted] THE CHAIRMAN: Do not broaden the question, do not broaden the question!

Let us take it step by step.

HON.

ALPHA BAH: I take the queue.

55 THE CHAIRMAN: I have addressed a specific question which the Chairman has tried to answer and I have now referred it to Madam Minister, wait for your turn.

HON.
HON.

ALPHA BAH: It is okay!

DR. PRISCILLA SCHWARTZ: Thank you very much Mr Chairman.

I respect all the views that have been raised by the Honourable Members and I can understand their sentiments and the need, given the nature or disasters that happen.

But I want to underscore what the Chairman of the Legislative Committee is mentioning.
My business is to work with the House to arrive at an amicable solution but all be it, notwithstanding that we maintain the integrity of the Constitution and what our respective responsibilities are.

I understand the role of Members of Parliament and that they know what their role is; why they were elected to become Members of Parliament is Law making: that is essentially what the Constitution abrogates to you wholesomely without any derogation.
Your business is to make law for the country and the people you are representing here; your role is to ensure that you make perfect laws.

You make sure that you are in tune with what your responsibilities are and to watch out for the interest of the people at the local level; you do have an Oversight function.

The whole point of this is that we have a Platform that is essentially executive- structured.
To craft you as representatives within an executive function subordinates you at the top level of the Platform in decision making; you would have compromised your overall power that is given to call any Member or region or Committee to question and to Oversight.

That is the Constitutional position: there is complete separation of powers; you are elected not as Paramount chiefs, you are elected as MPs.

As it has been mentioned; you are engrafted as ex-officio member.
The meaning there is that you are in tune with what is happening locally so that you are able to hold accountable for your people anything that you think is going against the processes that are due which you have to watch out for.

I would believe in your roles you are connected with these levels, but specifically the crafting of the Provision is not undermining your responsibility to contribute in a decision making capacity by virtue of the expertise that you have, or knowledge on the 56 subject.
That is why even the Sections for your appointments as MPs also provides for professionals; that professionals can sit as Members of Parliament.
Again, what I want to underscore Mr Chairman, is that we do not try to broaden your role so as to subordinate yourself to an Executive function or to craft yourself into the Executive domain whereby you can undermine substantially your ability to conduct your Oversight which at all purpose you are supposed to be truth to and to be loyal to and you are not compromised- that is all I wish to say, Mr Chairman [Applause].

THE CHAIRMAN: Honourable Member, did you follow that?

HON.
HON.

QUINTIN SALIA-KONNEH: In a way, but I have something to respond to.

THE CHAIRMAN: No, no, no!

Hold on!

Order!

Order!

Order!

Implicit in what the Minister has said, it is a substantive Constitutional principle involved.

These are Committees set up at Executive level and what she is trying to advice is for you as a Member of the Legislature not to put yourself in a situation that will compromise your constitutional functions of Oversight.
How can you play Oversight of a body of which you are a part [Applause]?

That is the point she is making.

There will be a potential conflict of interest!

That is the point that Madam Minister is trying to drive at.

I hope you follow up?

It is like an MP asked me the other day; “Mr Speaker, why are MPs not made Members of the various Boards”?

I said what do you want to go and do there?


What do you want to go and reduce yourself to the level of a Board Member when you are already responsible for overseeing the functions and activities and performance of that Board?

You want to go and compromise your position?

HON.

LAHAI MARAH: Thank you very much Mr Chairman.

Mr Chairman, you are right in what you just stated.
And I could remember when we passed the Anti-Corruption Act recently in this Parliament, and in that Act, the Commissioner is now part of the procurement process.

And we know the function of the Commissioner to that of being part of the procurement process and that does not stop the Commissioner in any way from performing his duty of asking when things go wrong for them to report accordingly.
Again, Mr Chairman, as a Member of Parliament, I have been here for the past six years now and when disasters occur in various Chiefdoms, the first point of call 57 is the Member of Parliament.

And on several occasions Members of Parliament have been standing in this Well under S.O 23 calling on ONS and other parties to report on things that are happening and do relate to disasters in their various Chiefdoms.
Mr Chairman, I listened to the Minister talking of our role as law makers- she is right, you are perfectly right!

And again when you relate to the Chiefdom, our specific role in those Chiefdoms, Mr Chairman, we do not know.

We do not have any power absolutely in our respective Chiefdoms and we are representing them.

We should be involved in decision making that has to do with our own very selves.
Mr Chairman, sometimes I wonder why Members of Parliament are undermining their own functions, undermining their own authority.

I can understand for some, like the Honourable from Lumley; he does not have Chiefdom, so I can feel your pain.

Mr Chairman, some of us who have Chiefdoms know how important it will be for us to be part of the process.

That does not in anyway undermine our Oversight functions, Mr Chairman- that you know.
And we on this side are insisting for our colleagues to understand that it is very much important for us to relate with our people directly and in relating with our people directly, we need to be given certain authority, certain direct functions that we can perform also directly.
Mr Chairman, under the Local Government Act, I think the Councillors have political authority over their Wards and when you go to those Wards, I have witnessed on several occasions in Western Area where Councillors are telling the MPs “you do not have power here, this is my Ward and I have the authority”, then I ask the question: what are our own specific roles we perform apart from Law Making, apart from Oversight function and apart from Representation?

No!
No!

Listen to me please, allow me, I am talking for you people!

[Undertones] THE CHAIRMAN: Order!

Order!

Allow him!

HON.

LAHAI MARAH: I am talking for Members of Parliament and I do believe you should be applauding me and that is why we are definitely in this state and that is why we do not have that respect; when we go into our Chiefdoms, we are not given the due 58 respect because the Laws are not clear.
If we have the opportunity to start making ourselves relevant in our various Chiefdoms and in our various Constituencies, let us do it for God’s sake.

This is my second term; I do not know if I will be coming back, but for you the young people that may want to come back to this place, we are protecting your interests.

Therefore, Mr Chairman, I support my Honourable Independent Member of Parliament for us to be members, I repeat; for us to be Members of the Chiefdom Disaster Management Committee.
In that regard Mr Chairman, I want you to note Section 108 of the Constitution.

Thank you very much.

THE CHAIRMAN: You know, we are going to spend the rest of the day just on Part 1.

Now, if you feel so strongly, if any Honourable Member feels so strongly about becoming a member of the Chiefdom Disaster Management Committee, as you seemed to be saying in your initial contribution - Independent Member, would you like to put it in a form of a Motion so I can put it to the House?
Otherwise it will stay as it is.

HON.

QUINTIN SALIA-KONNEH: Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, at this point, I move that Honourable Members be part of the Chiefdom Disaster Management Committee [Applause].

THE CHAIRMAN: Sorry, my attention was distracted.

Can you move again please?

HON.

QUINTIN SALIA-KONNEH: Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, at this point, I move a Motion that Honourable Members across the board be part of the Chiefdom Disaster Management Committee.

THE CHAIRMAN: Any Seconder?

HON.


LAHAI MARAH: Mr Chairman, I so second.

[Question Proposed, Put and Disagreed To] [The Motion for Honourable Members to be part of the Chiefdom Disaster Management Committee has not been carried] HON.

DR MARK M. KALOKOH: Mr Chairman?

THE CHAIRMAN: On this same matter or a different thing?

59 HON.

DR MARK M. KALOKOH: Yes, Mr Chairman.

I rise on S.O 46 for the House [interrupted] HON.

MUSA FOFANAH: Very opposite!

Very opposite, Mr Chairman!

Thank you very much Sir.


Mr Chairman, we would have to put[Interrupted], I have the Floor, I have the Floor [Undertone]!

Mr Chairman, the bottleneck or the reality here is; I happen to be a victim of the disadvantages Members of Parliament are going through, even the Ministers we have [interrupted].

THE CHAIRMAN: No!

No!

I would not allow you to make a speech here.

HON.

MUSA FOFANAH: Thank you very much.

Mr Chairman, no problem.

THE CHAIRMAN: What are you asking for?

HON.


MUSA FOFANAH: I am not asking.

THE CHAIRMAN: No!

No!

I have made a ruling.

HON.

DR MARK M. KALOKOH: Mr Chairman, may I be heard?

Mr Chairman, I rise on S.O 46 for a division of the House to be applied.

THE CHAIRMAN: Honourable Kalokoh?

HON.

DR MARK M. KALOKOH: Yes, Mr Chairman.

THE CHAIRMAN: You are one of the most conscientious MPs that I know; very conscientious!

Very conscientious!
Very conscientious!

You love your Constituents more than yourself- that, I can attest to.
But if every ruling that I make here you are going to invoke S.O 46, when in fact the reason why we are trying to pass this particular Bill today has a direct bearing on what is going to follow next on our agenda: which is, you heard the Leader of Government Business amended the Order Paper before we started this deliberation; that this House has to address a very important related matter; the matter of the declaration of a Public Emergency, today!

Today!
Today!

So if we are not careful, if I go by what you are insisting on, let us braze ourselves to stay here till mid night, is that what you want?

60 HON.

DR MARK M. KALOKOH: Mr Chairman, I am not advocating for us to stay here unending, I am merely saying we should follow the due process, and in following the due process, Mr Chairman, on the voice collection, it was clear that the “Ayes” had it.
But by your decision, as an Ordinary Member of Parliament I can only challenge that decision through the Standing Order that gave us the mandate and that was why I rose on S.O 46, Mr Chairman.

I am not in any way derailing the process but I am following the due process, Mr Chairman.

THE CHAIRMAN: Very well!

HON.

MARK M. KALOKOH: And this House, as you earlier on said before the commencement of Parliament, [interrupted] THE CHAIRMAN: Okay!
And I can assure you this is a House which is going to be a respecter of due process under my watch.

So, if you insist on S.O 46 so it shall be!

Now you know what S.Os.

46 says?

HON.

DR MARK M. KALOKOH: Yes, Mr Chairman.

THE CHAIRMAN: May I now invite the Chief Whips to ensure that if there are any Members of Parliament within the precincts to please come to the Well before I put the Question for the second time.

Ring the bell!

Ring the bell!

Ring the bell!


Honourable Members, take your seats; take your allotted seats please!

Chief Whip of the Government side, where are your Members?

Honourable Members, please take your allotted seats, I am about to put the Question for a second time.

Where are the Chief Whips?

Are you satisfied, your Members are now in the Well?

HON.

ALUSINE KANNEH: Very much Mr Chairman , very much Sir.

THE CHAIRMAN: I have a Motion that I am going to put for the second time.
Honourable Members, for the benefit of those Members who were not present in the Well; when the question was first put, I have a Motion on the Floor.

We are dealing with the composition of the Chiefdom Disaster Management Committee.

As defined in Clause 29 of the original Bill entitled: “The National Disaster Management Agency Act 2020”.

The Motion is that, Members of Parliament should be Members of the 61 Disaster Management Committee at Chiefdom Level.

That Motion has been seconded.

Order!


The first time it was put, in the opinion of Mr Chairman here, the Nays had it.

My attention has now been drawn to S.O 46 and I am putting it for the second time.

We are great respecters of due process, [Applause] and Parliament should be a shining example.

If you lose be good losers, now please no matter the decibels you raise my ears are wild open.
[Question Proposed Put and Disagreed To] [The Motion for Honourable Members to be part of the Chiefdom Disaster Management Committee has not been carried for the second time] HON.

DR MARK M. KALOKOH: I rise on S.O [46].

THE CHAIRMAN: At this point going by S.O [46], I am going to put the Question again.
[Question Proposed, Put and Agreed To through counting] [The Motion for Honourable Members to be part of the Chiefdom Disaster Management Committee has now been carried] THE CHAIRMAN: Honourable Members, Order!

Order!

Order!

The clerks will take note that we have a new paragraph “K”.

There would now be a new paragraph “K”.

Order!

If you do not allow me to make the ruling I will not make it.
If you recall, the Legislative Committee came with a recommendation for a new paragraph “J” that the Councillor should be a Member, am I correct Mr Chairman of the Legislative Committee?

So, therefore, we are going to have a new paragraph “K” That the Member of Parliament shall also be a Member, and that amendment will be taking care of by the clerks.

Shall we then proceed?

HON.


IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: Mr Chairman, as a Member of the Western area, we are so far satisfied, we have given them the nod, let them have their representation.

THE CHAIRMAN: Take your seats; I have not giving anybody the Floor.

We are still dealing with Part 1, any other matter in Part 1?

62 HON.
62 HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: In Part 1, if you go to the annex that was presented, 1. the meaning of “Disaster”, if you come to the last line of the definition, it refers to “Livelihood”, “Infrastructure or the Environment”.

Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, if you come to the first page, page 2 roman figure 4, it says: “The definition of the word “Minister” be defined to mean a Minister appointed by the President to perform a specific function under this Act”.
Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, let me draw your attention to some other related Acts before I make my point.

If you go to the EPA Act of 2008 the word “Minister” is defined to mean: “The Minister Charged with the responsibility for the Environment”.

If you go to the Telecommunications Act 2006, the word “Minister” is defined to mean: “The Minister of Transport and Communication”.
If you go to the National Cavil Registration Act of 2016 the word “Minister” is defined to mean: “The Minister responsible for Internal Affairs”.

If you go to the Public Procurement Act of 2016 the word “Minister” is defined to mean: “The Minister responsible for Finance”.
Quite recently on the 11th of March 2020, the Secretary to Cabinet and head of Cavil Service Commission communicated to the Ministry of Environment their mandate and in the mandate of the Ministry, it says: “Our mandate says we are to ensure effective Disaster Management Governance”.
Which means the Agency before us should come under the Ministry of Environment because other Acts passed by this Parliament give specific responsibility to a Minister and in the instance, looking at our mandate; it is but clear that it should be stated in the Act clearly “the Minister responsible for the Environment”.
The point I am making is for us to revisit roman figure 4, instead of defining the word “Minister” as: “The Minister appointed by the President to perform a specific function under this Act”, let it be defined as: “The Minister responsible for the Environment”.

THE CHAIRMAN: You know, you are making a very drastic assumption that every disaster envisaged by this Act will be one for which the Ministry of Environment will be responsible; it may not necessarily be the case.

63 HON.
63 HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: Mr Chairman, while I agree with you, I would also want to say that in the mandate given to us, we also have the responsibility to coordinate with agencies or Government, and thereto, if I can make reference to an Act that I saw this morning.
THE CHAIRMAN: I think there is a lot of wisdom in the definition as contained; rather stating specifically that the Minister there means the Minister of the environment, I think there is flexibility and wisdom in maintaining; it might be the definition of Minister as contained.

HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: Mr Chairman, in the flexibility aspect, can I also say we redefine it to mean, if it is technological disaster, let us state in the Act.

THE CHAIRMAN: No!

HON.


IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: I stated it clearly that it categorized the level of disaster par Ministry and assigned responsibility to the various Ministries.

THE CHAIRMAN: Let us leave it to the discretion of Mr President, depending on the character and nature of the disaster for him to make that determination [Applause].

HON.
HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: Mr Chairman, can I state something that when there is disaster, if disaster strikes today, the Agency that suffers the most is the Environment and for us or for me, as a Member of Parliament.

THE CHAIRMAN: Let us leave that; no let us be flexible here the way I read that … HON.
IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: Mr Chairman, I would have thought that for flexibility, we could have allowed the President on all other Acts passed by this Parliament to determine the Ministers accordingly and to construe the Ministry as such.

THE CHAIRMAN: Okay, I have listened to you, let me listened to one or two Honourable Members.

Yes, Honourable Sahr Sam.

HON.


PAUL S. SAM: Mr Chairman, when we also look at this Coronavirus Pandemic we are talking about, it is also a disaster, and that has to be allocated to the Minister of Health.

64 THE CHAIRMAN: Thank you.

HON.

PAUL S. SAM: So, if you bring the issue of Disaster Management Agency under a single Minister, it is very wrong.
So, it has been opened because when we look at the possible disasters that would be unfolding, then the President would appoint the appropriate Ministers to take over them.

So, that is my submission Mr Chairman.

HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: Mr Chairman, can I also state that other Presidents in Europe and America [Interrupted].

THE CHAIRMAN: No!

You have had your bite.

HON.


IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: Mr Chairman, let me remind the House that the Coronavirus is also a security challenge and other Presidents in Europe and America are referring to the Coronavirus as a war.

So, it is not also fully qualified to be classified as a Health disaster but it can also be Security disaster.

THE CHAIRMAN: Thank you, all the more reason why we maintain flexibility and repose that discretion in the President.

Let us go forward!
Let us go forward!

Let us move forward!

I have no other issue, we have Part 2.

HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: We have Mr Chairman.

THE CHAIRMAN: Which one again?

Part Two, page three of the report.

Now we do not waste time.

Do you have something to say?

HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: Yes, I have an amendment to make.

Mr Chairman, if you look at the name of the proposed Agency, “National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction”, I am not comfortable with it because it is too long, we can make it shorter.
Then if you look at the other structures established [Interrupted].

THE CHAIRMAN: Then propose something shorter.

HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: I would want it to be called “The National Platform for Disaster Management”; there are advantages to that Mr Chairman; “National Platform for Disaster Management”.

For the District, Chiefdom and Regional levels, they are referred to as Chiefdom Disaster Management Committee, I used the words: 65 “Disaster Management”.
When you reduce it to words “Risk Reduction” it does not capture the other forms of the Disaster Management.

THE CHAIRMAN: Fine, that is point one.

HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: Yes.

THE CHAIRMAN: Mr Chairman of the Legislative Committee, what do you say?

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Mr Chairman, it is for scientific reason and it is the way it obtains in the Sub-region West Africa and the region of Africa.
When you look at all Disaster Management Agencies that is the nomenclature they carry “The Platform for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction”.

I mean we do not want to have a Legislation that stands all on its own.

Most of these legislations are legislations that other countries had actually legislated upon and for scientific and broader meaning to the subject matter that was why as a Committee, we decided to leave it at that because when you leave it at that it encapsulates so many other things.
THE CHAIRMAN: Okay, thank you.

Madam Minister, can we be guided by you?

Madam, are you with us?

DR PRISCILLA SCHWARTZ: I think the question is for the nomenclature of “National Platform” and rather or not mitigation or reduction is the question.

THE CHAIRMAN: The question is, he is suggesting that we change the term “National Platform for Risk Reduction” to “National Platform for Disaster Management” consistent with what we have at the Regional Level and the other levels.
DR PRISCILLA SCHWARTZ: Actually the “Reduction” is what we have at the global and the universal Level not the “Management”.

So, I would advise the House to stick with what is there “Risk Reduction”.

THE CHAIRMAN: “Risk Reduction”?

DR PRISCILLA SCHWARTZ: Yes, Mr Chairman.

THE CHAIRMAN: Yes, Honourable Member.

66 HON.


SHIAKA M. SAMA: If you look at the definition of “Disaster Management” on page 1 of the annex, “Disaster Management” includes what she is talking about “Risk Reduction” it involves prevention and mitigation.

It does not mean if they are using that word in some other places, we cannot correct it here Mr Chairman.

Disaster Management is the best, we do not always have to follow, we have to lead too Mr Chairman, if it is correct let us accept it.
THE CHAIRMAN: There are times when you follow for the sake of consistency, you do not want to go off tangent on the limb of your own and get misunderstood.

If for example countries around us use that terminology, why not follow it?

HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: There is no evidence Mr Chairman that countries around us are using that.

THE CHAIRMAN: The Chairman of the Legislative Committee said it just now that that is the terminology that is invoked internationally.

HON.
HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: Mr Chairman, it is not about just “Risk Reduction” it is about Managing disasters, I think that is the best.

THE CHAIRMAN: I am no specialist in this area, but if they tell us that is the terminology invoked internationally, why do we quarrel with it?

HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: Mr Chairman, let us move ahead.

THE CHAIRMAN: Thank you.

HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: I have other amendment to make.

THE CHAIRMAN: Yes, the next one.

HON.


SHIAKA M. SAMA: Mr Chairman, if you go to page 4 [Interrupted].

THE CHAIRMAN: Before you go to page 4, I have something to say on page three 3.

HON.

ABU KEMOKAI: Mr Chairman, I also have something to say on page 3.

THE CHAIRMAN: Yes, let me allow you first.

67 HON.

ABU KEMOKAI: Thank you Mr Chairman.

On page 3, Clause 3[3k] where we have the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Lands and Housing, now we have a separate Ministry that is [Interrupted].
THE CHAIRMAN: That is correct I also spotted that.

Madam Minister, what do you say to that?

The Ministry of Lands and Housing has now been separated from the Ministry of Environment, so you have two different Ministries instead of one.

So, can we reflect that here?

DR PRISCILLA SCHWARTZ: Yes, Mr Chairman.

THE CHAIRMAN: Thank you, so it will be so reflected.

HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: Mr Chairman, in the instance, it would mean the Ministry of?
THE CHAIRMAN: Lands and Housing and the Ministry of Environment.

HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: So in the instance, it would mean the Ministry of Environment would be represented as a Ministry, as EPA and as Metrological Agency.

THE CHAIRMAN: We do not know at what level please.

Yes, Honourable Member.

HON.

DANIEL B. KOROMA: Mr Chairman, paragraph H, page 3 of the report.

HON.
HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Mr Chairman, I seem lost, I think if I took your queue right, you said we were going to dissect going through the report by the sections and we have just finished the Interpretation Section, preliminary.

THE SPEAKER: Yes, we are now dealing with Part 2, were you sleeping?

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Okay.

HON.

DANIEL B. KOROMA: That is why I made the corresponding reference.

THE CHAIRMAN: Yes, please.

HON.

DANIEL B. KOROMA: Thank you Sir!


In the Bill, paragraph “d”, of sub clause 2 of Clause 3.

THE CHAIRMAN: In the Bill?

68 HON.

DANIEL B. KOROMA: In the Bill and also in paragraph “h”, THE CHAIRMAN: What page?

Take me to the page.

HON.

DANIEL B. KOROMA: Page 3 of the Bill.

THE CHAIRMAN: Page 3, yes.

HON.


DANIEL B. KOROMA: Clause 3[2d] as mentioned in paragraph “h” in the Report, the name of that Ministry,” the Chief Social Service Officer Ministry of Social Welfare Gender and children’s Affairs”, that is no longer the name of that Ministry.

THE CHAIRMAN: Okay!

Thank you; the appropriate title will be inserted.

The clerks would make sure the appropriate title is inserted, you understand?

Okay page 3, any other comments on page 3?

HON.


SEGEPOH S. THOMAS [Deputy Speaker]: Yes, Mr Chairman.

Mr Chairman, mine has to do with inclusion as well.

Coordination for me I think is a very necessary ingredient for the effectiveness [Interrupted].

THE CHAIRMAN: Are you making a statement?

HON.

SEGEPOH S. THOMAS: I am, following a suggestion Mr Chairman.

THE CHAIRMAN: Go direct to the proposal!

HON.


SEGEPOH S. THOMAS: What I see, like in the Committees that have been proposed in the Bill is Coordination.

For me, I would have thought that representatives from the lower level should make it to the national level.

For instance, a representative from the Chiefdom Platform represented at the District Platform and one from the District Platform represented at the Regional Platform and from the Regional Platform to the National Platform.
When that is done, then you are sure that some levels of coordination will exist but as it stands, it seems to me that these Committees are standing alone.

THE CHAIRMAN: Assuming that, there would be reports coming from the lower level to the upper level, it should not necessarily be representation but reports.

69 HON.

SEGEPOH S. THOMAS: Well, let it be made clearly in the Bill Sir, otherwise it is ambiguous; there is some level of ambiguity.
THE CHAIRMAN: Mr Chairman of the Legislative Committee, what do you say?

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Mr Chairman, the Platform in itself like we have said, comprises of institutions that are expected to come with specialised knowledge.

So, if you are saying we take Members at levels to be represented therein, we have tried to decentralize the process in such a way that it trickles right down to the Chiefdom.
THE CHAIRMAN: I do not think he is insisting on that now, but there should be a system of reporting from the lower level to the upper level so that the upper level knows what the lower level is doing, and proposing not by way of representation but by way of reporting if I am right.

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Mr Chairman, I will not be averse to that.

THE CHAIRMAN: Madam, Can you help?


DR PRISCILLA SCHWARTZ: There is an understanding that it is not always that we are even going to need the Regional Platform sitting when the Local chiefdom Platform is meeting because it might be that, there is disaster issue that is at that level that is not regional.
So, what is inbuilt in it is that a whole process there is a coordination when there is that national event that is to happen but it also makes provision that there is some autonomy in terms of the decision making.

Remember there is still the ONS which is having an overall security role relating to this, bringing in coordination.

Essentially, it is also assumed that there are feeders within the provisions that would complement each other.
So, I do not personally in looking at it legally see any contravention in what my colleague is suggesting, it is just to enhance it but I think that enhancement is already provided for.

THE CHAIRMAN: Good!

Shall we proceed to page 4?

HON.

P.C BAI KURR KANAGBARO SANKA III: Still on page 3.

Mr Chairman, I have looked at the National Platform, I have seen the composition but Mr Chairman, looking 70 at the Platform, it is purely a bureaucratic system that is set up and given to the Civil Servants.
I have been in so many Committees, most times where they put in Civil Servants, the heads of those Civil Service institutions, when they say Permanent Secretary, Director-General, most of the times they send in younger Deputy Representatives.

I can give a lot of examples about that and when you go and get all of them to form two-third, for me I would accept the Vice President, the National Coordinator of Security ONS, the Attorney-General, the Mayor, the Executive Chairman [Interrupted].
THE CHAIRMAN: Honourable Paramount Chief?

HON.

P.C BAI KURR KANAGBARO SANKA III: Yes, Sir.

THE CHAIRMAN: With the greatest respect sir, I really do not mean to interrupt; it is just that I have to manage our time.

HON.

P.C.

BAI KURR KANAGBARO SANKA III: Yes, Sir.

THE CHAIRMAN: Now, where the National Platform the Chairman is the Vice President of the Republic, do you sincerely think the Permanent Secretary would dare send representation other than himself?

HON.

P.C.
HON.

P.C.

BAI KURR KANAGBARO SANKA III: Mr Chairman, that is why I said I will accept that, I am not saying they are not going there but I would have wanted to have some experts on Disaster Management to be part of these Committees, that would have been something that they go to really look into the disaster because when you look at the Sector from the Chiefdom to the District, Region and to the National Platform, it will take time for some of those decisions [Interrupted].
THE CHAIRMAN: I thought they have got into power to co-opt, and to their members, they are there.

Let us proceed Chief please!

I have a problem with page 4; please let me draw attention to a problem I see in page 4 of the report.

HON.

PAUL S. SAM: On page 3, Mr Chairman.

THE CHAIRMAN: Still on Page 3?

71 HON.

PAUL S. SAM: Yes, Mr Chairman.

THE CHAIRMAN: Okay!

HON.


PAUL S. SAM: The National Platform, of course the Vice president is the Chairman; the National Security Coordinating Officer is the Vice Chairman.

I know he is going to be taking jottings.

HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: Mr Chairman?

THE CHAIRMAN: Yes!

HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: It is also about correcting the name of the Ministry of Works, it is not “Ministry of Works and Infrastructure” it is “Ministry of Works and Public Asset”.
THE CHAIRMAN: Okay, thank you that will be duly taken note of.

HON.

OSMAN WURRI JALLOH: Mr Chairman, just a point of observation.

THE CHAIRMAN: I hope the clerks are taking note of these things?

HON.

OSMAN WURRI JALLOH: A point of observation Mr Chairman.

For me, my greatest concern here is we are laying more emphasis mostly on educated people while the issue of disaster cuts right across.

I would have preferred to include for example; the Drivers Union, Okada Riders Union and Traders Union.
Let us consider them for the reason that they are also important When it comes to the issue of disaster, let us just do not focus on MDAs and we the educated ones whiles leaving the non-educated ones out.

THE CHAIRMAN: It is Knowledge based.

HON OSMAN WURRI JALLOH: Thank you.

THE CHAIRMAN: No!

The composition is knowledge driven, knowledge based broadly.

Yes, sir.

HON.
Yes, sir.

HON.

JOSEPH WILLIAMS-LAMIN: Mr Chairman, on page 4, “two representatives from International Non-governmental Organizations [INGOs]”, but there is no 72 representation of National Non-governmental Organisation [NNGOs] and these people bear huge chunk of activities when it comes to the issue of Disaster Management Sir.

THE CHAIRMAN: What about “aa”?

What would you say about “aa”?

Is that not covered?

HON.


JOSEPH WILLIAM-LAMIN: Mr Chairman, what I see here is “Sierra Leone Association of Non-governmental Organizations”, that is the Secretariat of the organizations which comprises of both International and National Non-governmental Organisations.

I know that the “International” is here but there is no “National” THE CHAIRMAN: Is it not encompassed in “aa”?

HON.

JOSEPH WILLIOAMS-LAMIN: No!

What is in “aa” is the “Civil Society Organization”.

THE CHAIRMAN: “Specializing” HON.


IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: “specializing Disaster Management or environmental issues” let us underline the word “environmental issues” continuously.

THE CHAIRMAN: Let us move on.

Hold on!

I have a question for both the Chairman and Madam Minister.
My question relates to “w” on page 4: “United Nations Resident Coordinator”, now we are setting up a National Body, the United Nations Body is an International Body, what authority do you think we have to bring the United Nations Development Program [UNDP] Resident Representative into a national body?
We can co-opt them but to make them part and parcel in an Act of Parliament, I have my own doubts because frankly we are parties to protocols, International treaties which recognize the independence character of these bodies and we are duty bound to respect that character.

How much control or authority can we exercise over them to an extent of making them members of a platform like this, I have my own doubts.

But that does not comprise their standing madam Minister?

73 HON.
73 HON.

DICKSON M. ROGERS: Mr Chairman, before the Minister speaks, I think I want to buy your idea, I mean the Vice President is the Chairman of this Platform, if for any reason the Vice President deem it fit to involve the United Nations [UN] I think he will do it, but like you have said for us to include them in our National Law, I will not support that idea Mr Chairman.
THE CHAIRMAN: For me, the reason for raising it, I see a conflict, a potential conflict between what we are trying to insert in a National Law and our International obligations.

DR PRISCILLA SCHWARTZ: Thank you very much Mr Chairman.
I recognize your point, it may have been an Oversight or the coordinating role because this Platform is actually working, it is a Platform that we have, even if we have a disaster God forbid today, without this Bill this is the Platform that has been in existence but I can understand your sound wisdom.

In as much as we are part of the UN system, we are a Member of the UN.
When it comes to national issues like this, to get the independence that we would require, it will be useful to represent them as co-opted members rather than having them described.

And I would also suggest now that we are taking this line, to consider the same for the INGOs.

THE CHAIRMAN: I thank you for that observation.


So, we would delete the “United Nations Resident Coordinator” as a Member especially since this is going to be a National Law and the other INGOs that too should be deleted, instead we leave it to the National Platform to co-opt those entities.

HON.

DANIEL B. KOROMA: Then on the same area, I have problem with that word “specializing”, I think it should be “specialized”.

THE CHAIRMAN: Where?

Sorry!

HON.


DANIEL B. KOROMA: The same area, “two representatives from Civil Society organization specializing disaster management”.

THE CHAIRMAN: It should be “Specializing”, it is continuous.

74 HON.

DANIEL B. KOROMA: I think it should be “Members who are specialized in disaster management”.

THE CHAIRMAN: You say what?

HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: On Page 4.

THE CHAIRMAN: Yes, page 4.

HON.


SHIAKA M. SAMA: Mr Chairman, if you look at the composition of the Platform, the Members are heads of their various institutions, but when it comes to NGOs and Civil Society, Sierra Leone Association of Non- governmental Association [SLANGO], it is the Chairman that is making appointment.

I suggest that, the heads of those institutions be members of the Platform instead of them been appointed by the Chairman of SLANGO.
All the members are heads of their institutions; we are not making law for this moment but for the future.

THE CHAIRMAN: They are appointed on the recommendation of those bodies.

HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: But it is not stated in the recommendation Mr Chairman.

THE CHAIRMAN: It is understood.

Let us proceed please!

Page 4, anything else?

Page 5?

HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: Yes, there is something else Mr Chairman on page 4.
There is another group that is very much important during emergencies and disasters which is; the Inter-Religious Council, I want us to have them as Members of that Platform.

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: They may be co-opted when the need arises.

We do not want to have an over bloated Platform that cannot be controlled because everybody would say I am supposed to be there.

There is a provision for members to be co-opted if the need arises.

HON.
HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: Mr Chairman, I am just talking about one group, one cannot make the Platform over bloated.

THE CHAIRMAN: Yes, Chief.

75 HON.

P.C BAI KURR KANAGBARO SANKA III: On page 4, Clause 5 subsection 6 of the report: “The National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction may co-opt a person to attend a meeting but that person should not votes”.

So, that means like what you said, when something goes wrong, the Vice President and the others could call in people to give their expertise.
THE CHAIRMAN: Indeed!

In the interest of time, shall we move on then to page 5?

We are still dealing with Part 2.

HON.

DICKSON M. ROGERS: Mr Chairman, I am sorry Sir.

Before we go to Part 3, there is something that is ambiguous here and I need clarification.

On page 5 [b]: “in the case of a member, the Chairman shall subject to this”, I do not know what does that mean.

I do not know the new Clause 10, give me clarification on that.
This is standing alone it is not referring me to Clause 10[Undertone].

THE CHAIRMAN: You have to read the Bill in tandem with the Report.

HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: Mr Chairman, in Part 3, I think we should have swapped Part III because what is entailed in Part III is also what is detailed in Clause 22 of the Bill “The functions of the National Platform”, it is what is now the new Clause 3.

So, instead of deleting it, let us just realign the numbering, instead of Clause 22, we bring it under numbering.
THE CHAIRMAN: No!

Let us leave that to the clerks to do please.

HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: Mr Chairman, I have some amendments to make.

If you look at Clause 11[1], it reads: “The National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction”, we should remove that same statement from sub-clause 2 and 4.

Sub- clause 2and 4 are also starting with “The National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction”.

It has earlier been stated so there is no need for repetition.

There is repetition Mr Chairman.

THE CHAIRMAN: Where?

HON.


SHIAKA M. SAMA: In Clause 11[1] 76 THE CHAIRMAN: Of the?

HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: On page 5 of the Bill.

Clause 11[1] starts with: “National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction shall” if you come down to Clause 11[2] and [4], there is a repetition of that same statement.

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: And I take the queue THE CHAIRMAN: Okay, so you want the word “Disaster” removed?

HON.
HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Mr Chairman, what he wants removed is the “National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction shall”, all of that should be removed after “shall” in Clause 11[1].

So, we just say: “where a national disaster occurs”.

THE CHAIRMAN: Mr Chairman of the Legislative Committee?

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Yes, Mr Chairman!

THE CHAIRMAN: What page of your report are you dealing with?

HON.

HINDOLO M. GEVAO: We are on page 5.

THE CHAIRMAN: What Clause?

HON.


HINDOLO M. GEVAO: The first one is sub-clause 2, the opening statement of Clause 11[1] says: “The National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction shall” after that “shall” the ensuing paragraph should flow thereafter but there is a repetition of the “National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction” in 4[11] and that of 5[11].

So, we delete “The National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction” in sub-clause 2, 4 and 5 THE CHAIRMAN: Okay, I follow, that is editorial really.
Have you finished?

HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: Mr Chairman, if you look at page 3, Clause 11[3], it is not stated as a function, it is saying: “A Public or Private institution may provide the National Platform”.

I want it to be [Interrupted].

THE CHAIRMAN: Where?

HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: Clause 11[3] 77 THE CHAIRMAN: What Page?

HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: Page 5 of the report, part 3 Clause 11[3] THE CHAIRMAN: Clause 11 what?

HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: [3] THE CHAIRMAN: Yes!

HON.


SHIAKA M. SAMA: It reads “a Public or Private institution may provide the national platform for National Disaster Risk Reduction”.

It is not stated as a function, so it has to be reconstructed.

I suggest it reads: “shall solicit assistance from private institutions”.

THE CHAIRMAN: It is editorial, let us leave that.

HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: Yes, but if we do not correct it [Interrupted].

THE CHAIRMAN: No!
THE CHAIRMAN: No!

I will not allow ‘group drafting’ here; the clerks will take care of that.

HON.

SHIAKA M. SAMA: I just bring it to the attention of the House, Mr Chairman.

HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: Mr Chairman?

THE CHAIRMAN: Yes!

HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: I do not know whether it will make sense.

THE CHAIRMAN: If it does not make sense, do not say it!

HON.
HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: If you look at number 5, it is talking about the Chairman for the National Security Council, I do not know whether we can include as enshrined in Section 2[2] of the National Security Central Intelligence Act 2002, so as to reflect accordingly what the National Chairman means.

It is the National Security Council and the President is the Chairman for the National Security Council but that is enshrined in the National Security and Central intelligence Act of 2002.

THE CHAIRMAN: No!
THE CHAIRMAN: No!

Make your point, I do not quite get it.

78 HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: Okay.

The point is, it is saying that the National Platform for the Disaster Risk Reduction shall report to the Chairman of the National Security Council and the mentioning of the Chairman of the National Security Council is enshrined in Section 2[2] of the National Security and Intelligence Act of 2002, whether we can reference it here for clarity.

MR CHAIRMAN: No!

Is there any other Chairman?

HON.


IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: There is none.

THE CHAIRMAN: Fine!

So, there is no avoidance of doubt here, leave it.

There is only one Chairman.

Let us go on to page 6, any observation on page 6?

That is good, page 7?

HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: Mr chairman, on page 7 as well.

THE CHAIRMAN: Yes.

HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: On page 7, part 4 roman figure 9, in the new Clause 41[1] paragraph “f” says: “be amended by deleting the words Minister of Finance”.
If we do that it will also contravene other Acts of Parliament especially the Public Financial Management Act of 2016 which gives the Minister the power to invest monies.

In Part 4 of roman figure 9, it does not give the President the power.

I am saying it would conflict with another Acts of Parliament, it is just an observation, whether is taken or not.
That is on page 7 of Clause 9, it is conflicting with another Acts of Parliament like the Public Financial Management Act that regulate the financial business of Sierra Leone that says: “the Minister of Finance is responsible for the investment of monies”.

It is just an observation whether it is taken or not.

THE CHAIRMAN: Please bear with me.

In the original Bill, what is the Clause?

HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: In the original Bill, it is Clause 44[f].

THE CHAIRMAN: Clause 44[f] HON.


IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: Which now stands, as the new Clause 41.

79 THE CHAIRMAN: Where it talks about “with the approval of the Minister responsible for Finance”?

HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: No!

it says: “with the approval of the Minister of Finance, monies of the fund in securities that are safe and financially beneficial to the fund”.
So, now the report is saying they should substitute the word “Minister” with the word “President” which by my observation is saying it would conflict with another Act passed by this House.

THE CHAIRMAN: I would ask the Honourable Minister to guide us here.

Madam Minister, can you please guide us?

DR PRISCILLA SHWARTZ: Yes!

Mr Chairman, I see the point the Honourable Member is raising but I do not see where the conflict is.
The Minister of Finance is appointed by the President, the President is the Supreme Executive Authority in the Country, but specifically this Bill is under the management of the Presidency and the monies that are accrued to this is in the Ring Fund, it is not in the Consolidated Fund, it is for a specific purpose and therefore the wise interjection to replace the Minister of Finance who will be directed by the President if they do need his expertise.
Also, remember there is a platform which also manages this and there might be that need to take decisions that the Minister of Finance may impose necessarily.

So, that is the reason why there is need for the President to direct that.

Whenever such Bills come before you, the intention is that, if the Bill brings something before you that deliberately contradict another, it should so be understood as contradicting.

Thank you.

HON.
Thank you.

HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: Mr Chairman, Can I also say in that Act by this Constitution, since monies are received for and on behalf of the Republic of Sierra Leone should be paid into the Consolidated Fund and the Minister of Finance is put accordingly in charge of the Consolidated Fund of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
So, be it that the Minister is saying it is going to be in a Ring Fund which may also sound a little conflicting to us as Members of Parliament, I would want to advice that for the avoidance of doubt, we maintain consistency in the Act that we pass as a Parliament.

Be it that the Public Financial Management Act is responsible for the management and 80 regulation regulating Financial Business in Sierra Leone and the Agency so intended to be transformed into an Act is going to be operating [Interrupted].
THE CHAIRMAN: Do you see any conflict here?

Look at Clause 42 of the Original Bill.

HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: Mr Chairman, the conflict would come in the issue of taking business decision.

The President would not have time to look at what security would be meaningful to invest in, the President would not have time to study interest rate and the President would not have time to look at the investment environment.
THE CHAIRMAN: But as the Minister has said, the operation of this particular Body is vested in the Presidency which is outside the remit of the Minister of Finance as envisaged by the Acts that you have just mentioned, this is a special function.

HON.
HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: But Mr Chairman, not until when we got to Part 3 that we talk of the issue of the Presidency and I can remember when this Bill was first introduced in this House, it was clearly stated that it is going to be under the Office of the Vice President hence the reason for making the Vice President the Chairman.
Now, that we have the National Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction is providing some reports to the Chairman of the National Security Council, for me, I think for business decision and business investment in the event they have monies and we are talking about investment and in investment we expect returns, the President cannot have time to look at the investment dashboard, to look at the investment environment and to make investment decisions.
THE CHAIRMAN: He did not do it himself; he delegates that responsibility surely.

Do you have any problems with that?

Thank you.

Is there any other observation?

We have gone as far as Page 7, the last page now, Page 8?

Good!

Shall we now?

HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: Mr Chairman?

THE CHAIRMAN: Yes!

HON.


IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: I think in Clause 58 of the Act, there was an issue that came to this House some time ago that you refused the laying of Papers and in Clause 81 58 it is saying that the Director-General may on the advice of the Platform by Statutory Instrument make regulation as he considers necessary or expedient for giving effect to this Act.

I do not know what your take is.

THE CHAIRMAN: Oh!
THE CHAIRMAN: Oh!

In fact, there is a a directive issued yesterday from the Speaker’s Office on that issue with regard to authentication of Bills and the presentation of Bills of Papers to Parliament.

HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: The only amendment on Clause 58 is saying: “to now read as 53 and be amended in [1] by deleting the word Board” which I have done whiles reading “and replacing it with the words: “platform through the Minister”.

THE CHAIRMAN: That should be the amendment, where is it?
On the last page?

Yes, “through the Minister”.

Are you happy with that now?

Good!

HON.
HINDOLO M. GEVAO: Mr Chairman, if you may allow me before we pass the Committee Stage, I would want to state that for this particular Bill, as a result of your proactive nature and you wanting it to actually happen as a result of what the nation is experiencing, we were able to meet, and the Honourable Attorney-General even though it was her birthday, spent the entire day here in Parliament on the day that we met, we did not leave here until 7:00 p.m. and Committee Members were highly committed and heavily involved to produce this report that we just presented to the entire House.
HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: With all due respect, we extend a belated happy birthday to the Attorney-General but for the Members of Parliament, that is their job, and that is why they are been paid.

Whether they stay here till morning, they should work.

THE CHAIRMAN: Madam Minister, will you please move?

DR PRISCILLA SCHWARTZ: Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, I move that Parts 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9 stand part of the Bill as amended.

82 HON.

P.C.
82 HON.

P.C.

BAI KURR KANAGBARO SANKA III: Mr Chairman, point of observation.

THE CHAIRMAN: Yes!

HON.

PC BAI KURR KANAGBARO SANKA III: Usually, after the report, we cannot move, we have to go back to the original Bill, maybe there are Members who have some amendments or concerns to make beside what the Legislative Committee had done before we move.

THE CHAIRMAN: That is what we have been doing.


Going back to Clause 58 of the original Bill in place of the “Director-General” it should be “the Minister”.

Yes, Madam Minister DR PRISCILLA SCHWARTZ: Mr Chairman, the Minister does have the function to lay before this House any instrument, the Director-General cannot but the Director-General has the technical expertise and derives his instructions from the Board, the Platform and the Agency governing institutions.
So, if we relegate the technical function of the Director General [Interrupted].

THE CHAIRMAN: Madam Minister, just a moment.

Suspension of S. O 5[2] being passed 3:00pm THE CHAIRMAN: Madam Minister, if you look at Clause 58, we simply saying there that the Minister on the advice of the Board by Statutory Instrument would make the regulations.

DR PRISCILLA SCHWARTZ: To execute like his signature on it, then that it was referred to it, but the regulations themselves emanate from the Platform.
THE CHAIRMAN: From the Platform Yes, but it is the Minister who will sign because it is not the Director-General who is answerable to Parliament, it is the Minister.

DR PRISCILLA SCHWARTZ: The Director-General takes responsibility for the running of the Agency not the Minister Mr Chairman.

THE CHAIRMAN: Yes, but they are not answerable to us, they are answerable through their responsible Ministers.

83 DR PRISCILLA SCHWARTZ: I will take the queue, Mr Chairman.
THE CHAIRMAN: So, let us amend that to read: “whoever is appointed or designated by the President”.

Madam Minister go ahead please, starting from Part 1 right through to Part 9.

DR PRISCILLA SCHWTZ: Mr Chairman, Honourable Members, I move that parts 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9 stand part of the Bill as amended.

[Question Proposed, Put and Agreed To] [Part 1, 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 and 9 Clauses 1 to 53 form part of the Bill as amended] THE HOUSE RESUMES THE SPEAKER: Madam Minister, Carry on.
DR PRISCILLA SCHWARTZ: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I report that the Bill entitled the National Disaster Management Agency Act, 2020 having gone through the Committee of the whole House with amendments, I now move that the Bill be read the third time and passed into Law.
[Question Proposed, Put and Agreed To] [The Bill Entitled the National Disaster Management Agency Act, 2020 being an Act to provide for the establishment of the National Disaster Management Agency to manage disasters and similar emergencies throughout Sierra Leone; to establish offices of the Agency through Sierra Leone; to establish National, Regional, District and Chiefdom Disaster Management Committees; to establish a National Disaster Management fund; to provide finances for the prevention and management of disasters and similar emergencies throughout Sierra Leone and to provide for other related matters has been read the third time and passed into law] THE SPEAKER: Madam Minister, thank you very much.
At this point I will stand the House down for one hour.

Okay, you have a Speaker who listens to advise, I want the Leader of Government Business, the Leader of the Opposition, the Leader of NGC and the others to please come forward.

I am not standing the House down; we are moving 84 ahead because I know the implications of standing down.

Keep all the doors shut, no Member of Parliament is allowed out.

HON.

ABU KEMOKAI: Even when you want to attend to nature?

THE SPEAKER: No!
THE SPEAKER: No!

I will allow you to do that.

Where are the Leaders for C4C and NGC?

Honourable Hassan A. Sesay, are you acting as Leader for the APC?

HON.

HASSAN A. SESAY: Yes.

THE SPEAKER: Fine!

Come.

Honourable Members, please take your allotted seats.

Honourable Members, last Friday at the invitation of Parliament, some Ministers came to this House to brief us on the state of preparedness of Sierra Leone for the ravaging pandemic the entire world has come to know as the Coronavirus.
We deliberated on that occasion for two days; Thursday and Friday, and we were not able to arrive at a definitive outcome.

Today, the President of the Republic has declared a State of Public Emergency pursuant to the powers vested in him by Section 29 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone Act No.

6 of 1991.

To all intents and purposes, He has fulfilled His duty to this Nation by that Proclamation.
It is now left with us Parliament to decide what next to do because we are still in the process of consulting as to what our response should be.

This House stands Adjourned to Thursday the 26th of March at 10:00 a.m. in the morning, with the expectation that this House would have been able to arrive at a definitive decision as to how to proceed on this most critical matter that is affecting the life our Nation.
ADJOURNMENT [The House rose at 4:35 p.m. and was adjourned to Thursday, 26th March, 2020 at 10: 00 a.m.

prompt.]

85 86