By: Thaimu Bai Sesay
The Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone has on Tuesday 24th October 2023 approved another set of six presidential nominees who would be occupying critical government offices including the Sierra Leone Port Authority, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, National Mineral Agency and others.
The approved nominees were Andrew Jaiah Kaikai, Executive Director – National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Henry Mustaph Sheku, Deputy Commissioner – National Children’s Commission (NCC), Mr. Joseph Boboh Tucker, Director, Board of Directors – National Mineral Agency (NMA), Mrs. Alice Musu Lansana, Member Board of Directors – National Mineral Agency (NMA), Mr. Yankuba Askia Bio, Director General – Sierra Leone Ports Authority and Judith Kosseh, Deputy Director General – Sierra Leone Ports Authority
Congratulating the approved nominees, the Acting Speaker of Parliament Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas commended the appointees and urged them to deliver in the interest of the State, “Please do this nation proud as you are all extremely qualified”.
Presenting the Ninth Report of the Committee Appointments and Public Service, the Leader of Government, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, who also double as Majority Leader told Members of Parliament and the Acting Speaker, Hon. Segepoh Thomas Esq., that all the Presidential Nominees were interviewed on issues about their educational backgrounds, experience and track records, tax obligations, vision for designate offices amongst others requirements.
Seconding the motion, the Deputy Leader 1 of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie, who also doubles as Deputy Majority Leader thanked President Bio for appointing nominees that would help to promote his agenda. He recommended the Appointments Committee for doing due diligence in the interview and urged the nominees to perform. According to him, the services of the nominees would determine their re-elections and explained to them the structure of primary development. The MP strongly expressed the difficulties they are going through to satisfy the people in light of bringing development.
He described the Director General of Sierra Leone Port Authority as a grassroots man with respect and related his position to the level of confidence President Bio has for young people. He heaped praises on Andrew Jaiah Kaikai and labeled him as a very popular man. He vehemently advised the nominee to combat drug abuse in the interest of the State. He rendered similar advice to all the nominees and wished them well.
Hon. Wuyata Songa spoke about national services from the nominees and zoomed in on the NMA to look at matters that have to do with community benefits. Described Mr. Kaikai as a man of the people. “Mr. Jaiah Kaikai is simply one of the best grassroots men this country has produced” she stated. She assured the House that the nominee would deliver talked about some social media differences and told the Constituents that it was because of the man of people. He sometimes wondered How these men are coping because they give Rice and open their gates at any time to the Grass Roots.
Deputy Majority Whip, Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay while characterizing the nominees as qualified people, cautioned them to deliver positively. She told the Commissioner for the Children’s Commission to get children out of the streets. The Seasoned MP spoke about the horrendous situation of illegal drugs (kush) and proffered remedies including rehabilitation of victims in farms. She advised the nominees for Ports to work together. She promised to carry out robust oversight.
Hon. Francis Amara Kai-Samba said reports of the Committee were a true reflection and urged the nominees for Ports Authority to work assiduously with the National Revenue Authority (NRA) in light of the tax obligation to accrue the required revenue. He asked Andrew Jaiah Kaikai to work holistically with other State parties to combat illegal drugs and also review the laws related to the same. He referred to the NMA nominees as highly qualified persons expressed hope for their performance and asked the Commissioner for Children to collaborate with the Drugs Law Agency
Hon. Francis Amara Kaisamba said reports of the Committee were a true reflection and urged the nominees for Ports Authority to work assiduously with the National Revenue Authority (NRA) in light of tax obligation to accrue the required revenue. He asked Andrew Jaiah Kaikai to work holistically with other State parties to combat illegal drugs and also review the laws related to the same. He referred to the NMA nominees as highly qualified ones expressed hope for their performance and asked the Commissioner for Children to collaborate with the Drugs Law Agency.
Rounding up the debate, the Acting Leader of the Opposition, Alfred Thompson zoomed on Jaiah Kaikai to continue his philosophic support and also vehemently combat illegal drugs (Kush). “I am begging you to focus on this job” he stated and went on to remind Henry Sheku to protect the children. He reminded all the nominees to put the country first also he asked the Director General to try to evoke Street trading and stop street Trading for children and Sexual Harassment and torturing them. He requested for the speedy approval of the Nominees in order to serve the Nation and the Country.
While concluding the debate, Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma denounced the publication of an immature publication relating to one of the nominees, Andrew Jaiah Kaika during the interview. He recalled what transpired during the Appointments Committee observation about drug enforcement laws relative to the protection of the people, backed up with Constitutional provisions. He recalled his efforts in governance and pointed out the Deputy Director General of SLPA. He spoke well of other seasoned nominees including those from NMA.
