By: Aminata Sesay
The Parliament of Sierra Leone, through its Legislative Committee, has held a stakeholder consultation on the proposed Military Veterans Agency Act, 2026, and the National Explosives Regulatory Authority Act, 2026, to solicit public input and inform parliamentary scrutiny of the two bills before their enactment.
The consultative session, chaired by the Chairman of the Legislative Committee, Hon. Marray Conteh, brought together Members of Parliament and relevant stakeholders to examine the proposed legislation, assess their implications and make recommendations to strengthen the bills.
Speaking at the session, Chairman of the Defence Committee, Hon. Alex Mattia Rogers, described the two bills as significant legislative instruments requiring thorough scrutiny, particularly because of their implications for national security and the welfare of former military personnel.
On the proposed Military Veterans Agency Act, Hon. Rogers explained that the legislation seeks to promote the welfare of men and women who had served in the country’s armed forces. He noted that their sacrifices in defending Sierra Leone’s sovereignty deserved national recognition, dignity and institutional support.
He urged Members of Parliament to carefully scrutinize the bill to ensure that former service personnel receive adequate assistance and protection after leaving active service.
Contributing to the deliberations, Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, expressed support for the proposed legislation, drawing on his personal experience of growing up in military barracks as the son of a former military officer.
He said he had witnessed the difficult conditions faced by military personnel and their families, both during active service and after retirement.
Hon. Kargbo observed that some former service personnel continue to suffer from physical disabilities, hearing impairments and psychological trauma arising from their military experiences, particularly those associated with the civil war.
He emphasised that the State has a responsibility to recognize their sacrifices and establish adequate support systems to protect their welfare, dignity and families.
He further encouraged lawmakers to engage directly with war veterans to gain a better understanding of their experiences and ensure that the proposed law adequately addresses their concerns and needs.
Turning to the National Explosives Regulatory Authority Bill, the Opposition Leader also expressed support for the proposed legislation, stressing the importance of establishing a comprehensive legal framework to regulate the possession, importation, manufacture, transportation, storage and use of explosives in Sierra Leone.
He called for stronger accountability and enforcement mechanisms, including proper licensing procedures, background checks, accurate record-keeping and traceability systems to prevent explosives from falling into the wrong hands.
Presenting an overview of the proposed National Explosives Regulatory Authority Act, Major Joseph Carter Esq., representing the Ministry of Defence, explained that the bill seeks to repeal and replace the Explosives Ordinance of 1955, which he described as outdated and inadequate to address contemporary regulatory challenges.
He said the proposed legislation would establish a National Explosives Regulatory Authority with a clearly defined institutional structure comprising a governing board, a Chief Inspector of Explosives and deputy inspectors.
The authority would be mandated to coordinate the regulation of explosives nationwide, maintain a national register and oversee their importation, exportation, manufacture, transportation, storage and use.
The presentation also outlined provisions relating to licensing, enforcement, the appointment of technical consultants and experts, financial accountability, annual reporting and the establishment of specialized committees to oversee different aspects of explosives management.
According to Major Carter, the bill is intended to address gaps and inconsistencies in the existing legal framework, particularly in relation to the issuance of licences and the quantities of explosives authorized for importation and use.
He further noted that the existing ordinance provides for inadequate penalties, with some fines inherited from the 1955 legislation, rendering them insufficient as deterrents against regulatory violations.
The proposed law therefore introduces stronger enforcement measures, including provisions for the revocation of licences where operators fail to comply with established regulatory requirements.
In his concluding remarks, the Chairman of the Legislative Committee, Hon. Marray Conteh, emphasised the importance of consolidating fragmented laws governing explosives into a comprehensive and coordinated regulatory framework.
He explained that the proposed authority would build on the existing military institutional structure rather than create entirely new arrangements, while strengthening regulatory oversight, accountability and coordination.
Hon. Conteh also highlighted the need for clear subsidiary regulations to guide the effective implementation of the proposed legislation, particularly in defining operational procedures and addressing areas requiring further administrative guidance.
The consultation forms part of Parliament’s legislative scrutiny process, providing an opportunity for stakeholders to contribute their views and recommendations before the two bills proceed to further parliamentary consideration.