By: Thaimu Bai Sesay
On Thursday, November 7th, 2024, the Parliament of Sierra Leone unanimously approved three presidential nominees to serve in prominent national roles, following an extensive vetting process and parliamentary debate.
The appointees include Mr. Stephen Tommy Garnett as Chairman of the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA), Dr. Kishore Shankerdas as Member of the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA), and Ing. Barton Cole, also designated to serve at EDSA.
Commencing the session, Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew S. Nyuma, presented the motion to endorse the nominees. He assured Parliament that the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service conducted a thorough and transparent vetting process, examining the candidates’ professional backgrounds, qualifications, and commitment to public service.
Nyuma noted that the committee had evaluated each nominee’s experience, financial transparency, and visions for their respective roles, emphasizing the importance of proven competency and dedication to national service.
Seconding the motion, Majority Deputy Whip Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay commended the nominees, highlighting key focus areas. She urged Mr. Garnett to prioritize tackling encroachment, pollution, and other challenges facing Sierra Leone’s protected areas.
For EDSA appointees Dr. Shankerdas and Ing. Cole, she emphasized the need for collaborative efforts to strengthen the country’s electricity distribution and sustainability, calling for actionable strategies to address long-standing issues in the sector.
Opposition Whip Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara echoed environmental protection and energy provision concerns. He underscored that while expertise is abundant in Sierra Leone, delivery often lags, particularly in sensitive sectors like the NPAA, where environmental degradation remains unchecked.
He urged authorities to take a firm stance to safeguard Sierra Leone’s natural resources and suggested prioritizing sustainable energy solutions, such as the Bumbuna Phase Two Project, over-reliance on foreign power sources like Karpowership.
Adding to the dialogue, Acting Opposition Leader Hon. Daniel Brima Koroma raised issues related to the nation’s dwindling protected areas and threatened species.
He stressed the need for enhanced protection for vital areas like the Loma Mountains and the Guma Valley water supply, warning that unchecked encroachment endangers both the ecosystem and public health. Koroma also recommended exploring the Rogbere River as a supplementary water source for Freetown.
In his concluding remarks, Hon. Nyuma acknowledged challenges within the energy sector, including infrastructure and human resource deficits, and voiced support for private sector involvement.
He also highlighted the need for the NPAA to undertake comprehensive environmental assessments to avert potential disasters while advising all nominees to perform due diligence in their new roles.
Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, Acting Speaker of Parliament congratulated the nominees and underscored the immense responsibility that now lies before them. Emphasizing that the energy sector is undergoing a critical transformation, he encouraged the appointees to recruit experienced volunteers and focus on innovative solutions to longstanding issues. He concluded by wishing them success in their respective national duties.
This approval reflects Parliament’s strong support for the nominees and sets a renewed focus on advancing environmental protection and improving electricity distribution across Sierra Leone.
