Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698079989439.pdf (Sierra Leone)
1 HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT OAU DRIVE, TOWER HILL FREETOWN E-mail: 0 Usierraleoneparliament@hotmail.comU T UFOURTH SESSION OF THE FOURTH PARLIAMENT OF THE SECOND REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE UFIFTH REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENTS UAND THE PUBLIC SERVICE ON PARLIAMENTARY VETTING UOF PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATIONS 1.
UINTRODUCTION Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the Committee on Appointments and the P March Public Service, conscious of its constitutional duties, met on Thursday 31P 2016 and interviewed nine Presidential nominees for appointment as follows: st i. ii.

iii.

iv.

v. vi.

vii.

viii.

ix.


Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation Minister of Information & Communication Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Commissioner, Anti-Corruption Commission Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, Deputy Minister of Political and Public Affairs Deputy Minister of Education Science and Technology Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs 2.
UPROCEDURE The Committee conducted the hearings within its set framework of procedures.

The nominees were interviewed on issues pertaining to their educational background to ensure that they have the relevant education and necessary backup experience to man such important offices of state.
Further probing questions put to the nominees covered wide ranging issues relating to their track T 0 2 records in pertinent work situations, declared assets, tax obligations and their vision for a nationally productive tenure.

The Committee did due diligence to issues of unsuitability and unconstitutionality or otherwise raised in protest letters against some candidates.

(See minutes of the Fourth sitting attached to the Fourth Report of the Committee.)
I wish to thank members of the public who contributed to the vetting process by providing relevant information to assist the Committee.

By your contributions, you enriched the hearings and I wish to encourage you to continue doing so.

3.

SIXTH SITTING OF THE COMMITTEE ON THURSDAY 31ST MARCH 2016 3:1 The following nominees were interviewed on oath: i. Hon.

Mohamed Alieu Jalloh -Proposed Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation Hon.

M.A.
M.A.

Jalloh is a cattle farmer and former Member of Parliament for the Koinadugu District (2002-2007) In Parliament; he was the Deputy Majority Party Leader of the SLPP and served on several Committees.

Reacting to the concerns of the Committee, Hon.

Mohamed Allieu Jalloh assured the Members that “in these days of emboldened terrorism, I am going to make it a point of duty to collaborate with the Minister to tighten security at our international airport and seaports.
We will ensure that no stranger comes to this country without going through the appropriate checks,” he said.

ii.

Mr. Mohamed Bangura –Proposed Minister of Information & Communication Mr. Mohamed Bangura is a prominent politician, journalist and communication expert whose work experience span 1991-2003.
Mr. Bangura worked as a reporter for the ‘New Breed Newspaper.’ Mr.Bangura first made his debut in Sierra Leone politics in 2006, when he was appointed as the National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Movement for Democratic Change (PMDC).

In 2010, he broke away from the PMDC and founded the ‘United Democratic Movement Party.’ Mr. Bangura later served as Interim Chairman, ‘All Political Parties Association.’ (APPA).
3 Reacting to the Committee’s inquiries about his capacity to serve as Minister of Information and Communications, Mr. Mohamed Bangura said, “I am a media person and I have practised extensively both locally and internationally as a journalist.

As a media practitioner, I have worked closely in the media landscape of this country.
If approved by this Honourable House, I will work closely with the Parliamentary Committee on Information and Communication to address the problems relating to information technology in the country.

I will work to the best of my ability to make our Parliament, an e-Parliament.” iii.

Ms. Elesabeth Mans- Proposed Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Ms. Elesabeth Mans is a strong ruling Party activist and current President of the APC Women’s Congress (2008 – date).

She is also.
She is also.

2014 - Date – Chairperson, Women Rise up against Ebola 2013 - date – President, All Political Parties Women Association.

2012 - Date – Chairperson, Prosperity Women.


Described as “a Woman of substance and not a woman of circumstances,” and better still as “the Women’s Mama,” because of her passion for women and women’s empowerment, Ms. Elesabeth Mans was commended across political party lines for her patience, resilience and organizational ability to garner women across the political spectrum and all walks of life in the fight against Ebola.
Reacting to the Committee inquiries, Ms. Elesabeth deposed that if approved by this Honourable House, she would ensure that structures are put in place to ensure that women take the drive to market fish in every corner of this country.

If they dry well and sell well, I am sure the much needed fish protein will be taken to every part of this country.
I will work with the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Social Walfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs to ensure that the women of this country are empowered.” Alternately, she agreed with the Committee that aqua culture which would give every provincial woman the opportunity to “grow, harvest, eat and sell their own fish,” was the best solution for the availability of fish in all parts of Sierra Leone.

4 iv.
4 iv.

Mr. Ady Macauley- Proposed Commissioner, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Mr. Ady Macauley is a practising Barrister and Solicitor.

He joined the Anti- Corruption Commission in 2011 and is currently the Chief of prosecutions at the ACC.

Answering to probing questions, Mr. Macauley deposed that if he were to review the ACC Act, ” the area he would seek to incorporate is the confiscation of ill- gotten wealth.
When you look the ACC Act,” he said, “there is nothing that specifically makes provision for the tracing of illegally obtained wealth or corruptly obtained wealth.

So it is an area that the ACC is facing serious problems with.

Someone could steal, say 500 million leones and he is convicted.

If it is a misappropriation count, then the law provides that it is either three years imprisonment or a fine of not less than Le30 million.
If you deduct 30 million from 500 million, the man would gladly go home with 470 million leones.

That would make corruption a lottery.

So that is one area I would seek to incorporate.” Responding to further questions, he said” the ACC has complete autonomy to institute and prosecute matters in court.” v. Ms. Zuliatu M Cooper- Proposed Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation Mrs. Zuliatu Cooper is a Registered Nurse who has lived and worked in the USA.
(1994-2010) Since returning to Sierra Leone, she has been a political activist.

When Ebola broke out, Mrs. Cooper was the coordinator, District Ebola Response Centre for the Western Rural District.

Mrs. Zuliatu M Cooper was commended across political party line for her selfless effort in the fight against Ebola.
Asked to proffer advice on how to prevent Ebola from coming back, Mrs. Zuliatu Cooper said, ” I have to say that with Ebola, like any other disease, there is a possibility that it will come back to Sierra Leone.
What we need to do is to strengthen our health system, establish emergency response system nationwide, to forestall Ebola, so that we will be able to swiftly deal with it when and wherever it raises its ugly head.” Answering to further questions, Mrs. Zuliatu Cooper promised to work closely with the Minister to procure basic health equipment like dialysis machine to treat Sierra Leoneans that are terminally ill.’ 5 vi.
Mr. Akhmad Femi Mansaray-Proposed Deputy Minister of Political and Public Affairs Mr. Akhamad Femi Mansaray is the Regional Assistant Secretary of the Ruling Party who also doubles as the Project Secretary at the Party’s Regional Headquarters in Makeni.
Prior to his departure to the United Kingdom, (2002 - 2007) Mr. Mansaray was a police officer and close protection officer/body-guard to the late President Ahmed Tejan Kabba Responding to Members’ inquiries, Mr. Akhmad Femi Mansray promised “to work closely with all interest groups, political parties and key stakeholders to maintain political harmony and tolerance in Sierra Leone.” vii.
Mr. James Morlai Kamara- Proposed Deputy Minister of Education Science and Technology Mr. James Morlai Kamara started his working life with the noble profession of a class room teacher, 1973 – 1983.

He had a long sojourn in the NGO world and ended up as Education Secretary for the Baptist Mission.

Answering to pertinent questions, Mr. Morlai James Kamara said that he has served as a teacher and as Education Secretary for the Baptist Mission.
“I will draw on experience gained to help mitigate challenges facing the Ministry and the entire educational system.

We are going to work as a team to find solutions to the problems.

One issue that I am going to be pre-occupied with is the girl child education, to give every girl child an opportunity to learn how to read and write,” he said.

viii.
viii.

Mr. Cornelius Deveaux - Proposed Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Mr. Cornelius Deveaux is a journalist whose work experience in that field span 1995- date.

He is the current Editor of the “We Yone Newspaper.” In his response to probing questions, Mr. Cornelius Deveaux opined that “information and communication are the drivers of progress and development in any nation.

Communication is a knowledge building process.


Managing information and communication is necessary for sustainable development.

Information Technology is also a very important part of that process.

Therefore, what we need is a robust information technology system to garner, manage and 6 disseminate relevant information in a friendly and compelling manner to all facet of society to successfully implement the Agenda for prosperity,” he said.

ix.
ix.

Mr. Adrain Dixon Bellah Fofanah- Proposed Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Mr. Adrian Bellah Fofanah is currently a: 2012 - date – Part-Time Lecture, IPAM 2011 - date – Part-time Lecture, Makeni University College 2000 - date – Managing director, Ngoila Construction and Trading Ltd.
Reacting to Members’ inquiries, Mr. Adrain Bella Fofanah said that the very first thing he had done after his nomination was to make an appointment with the newly appointed Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs.

“We have held several meetings on how to transform and rebrand the tourist industry.

”In Sierra Leone, he said, “there are lots of potentials for eco-tourism.

We have plans to reintroduce culture in the school system and to resuscitate the National Dance Troupe.” 4.
RECOMMENDATIONS Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the Committee adjudged the following Presidential nominees to be suitably qualified for their proposed appointments and are recommended to the House for approval: i. ii.

iii.

iv.

v. vi.

vii.

Hon.


Mohamed Alieu Jalloh -Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation Mr. Mohamed Bangura –Minister of Information & Communication Ms. Elizabeth Mans, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Mr. Ady Macauley, Commissioner, Anti-Corruption Commission Mrs. Zuliatu M Cooper, Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, Mr. Akhmad Femi Mansaray- Deputy Minister of Political and Public Affairs Mr. James Morlai Kamara, Deputy Minister of Education Science and Technology 7 viii.
Mr. Cornelius Deveaux, Deputy Minister of Information and Communication ix.

Mr.Adrain Dixon Bellah Fofanah, Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the Fifth Report is the unanimous view of the Committee.

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

Hon.
Hon.

Ibrahim R. Bundu Chairman Date…………………………… 8 HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT OAU DRIVE, TOWER HILL E-mail: sierraleoneparliament@hotmail.com FREETOWN FOURTH SESSION OF THE FOURTH PARLIAMENT OF THE SECOND REPUBLICOF SIERRA LEONE MINUTES OF THE SIXTH SITTING OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENTS ANDTHE PUBLIC SERVICE IN COMMITTEE ROOM NO.1, PARLIAMENT BUILDING, ON THURSDAY 31ST MARCH 2016 AT 1:00 P. M. 1.

Prayers - Members observed a moment of silent meditation.

2.
2.

Attendance 2.1 The following Members of the Committee were present.

i. ii.

iii.

iv.

v. vi.

vii.

viii.

ix.

x. xi.

xii.

Hon.

Ibrahim R. Bundu – Chairman Hon.

Chernor R. M. Bah Hon.

Dr. Bernadette Lahai Hon.

Claude D. M. Kamanda Hon.

Komba E. Koedoyoma Hon.

Amadu Kanu Hon.

Benneh Bangura Hon.

Veronica Sesay Hon Jusufu Barry Mansaray Hon Mabinty H Bangura Hon Habib Mundu Hon PC Joseph Alie Kavura Kongomoh II 2.2 The following Members of the Committee were absent: i. ii.

iii.

iv.

Hon.
iii.

iv.

Hon.

Alhaji Ansumana Jaia Kaikai Hon.

Leonard S. Fofana Hon Patrick L M Kargbo Hon Abie Kalok 9 4.

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

5.

Consideration of Presidential nominations for appointments as listed: 5:1 The following nominees were interviewed on oath: i. ii.

iii.

iv.

v. vi.

Hon.


Mohamed Alieu Jalloh -Proposed Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation Mr. Mohamed Bangura –Proposed Minister of Information & Communication Ms. Elizabeth Mans, Proposed Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Mr.Ady Macauley, Proposed Commissioner, Anti-Corruption Commission Ms. Zuliatu M Cooper, Proposed Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation, Aviation Mr. Akhmad Femi Mansaray-Proposed Deputy Minister of Political and Public Affairs vii.
Mr.James Morlai Kamara, Proposed Deputy Minister of Education Science and Technology viii.

Mr. Cornelius Deveaux, Proposed Deputy Minister of Information and Communication ix.

Mr.Adrain Dixon Bellah Fofanah, Proposed Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs 6.

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

The Committee rose at 6:45 p.m. Director of Committees Peter J. Kulagbanda 10 11