October 26, 2021
BY MOHAMED M. SESAY
The Committee on Appointment and the Public Service headed by its Chairman Hon. Mathew Shar Nyuma who also doubles as the Leader of Government Business, has yesterday the 25th of October 2021, vetted five (5) presidential nominees.
The appointees include Zainab Umu Moseray who is designated to occupy the position of the Electoral Commissioner for the entire Western Region.
In his welcoming address, Chairman of the Committee Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma said, their responsibility as members of the Parliament especially the Committee of Appointment and the Public Service is to make sure they interview presidential Nominees on oath.
He added that they have duties to perform and that they don’t represent political parties but rather represent the interest of the people of Sierra Leone.
Hon. Mathew Nyuma reiterated that their responsibility is to scrutinize presidential nominees properly.
“Your office is to serve the people of this country and you don’t service your own interest. People don’t have respect for Parliamentarian for our representation but people have respect for what we do because we are good listeners. We are changing the narratives and that is the more reason we are scrutinizing these nominees”, he said.
With regards to section 32 subsection (3) of the 1991 constitution regarding consultation prior to the appointment of Zainab Umu Moseray as Electoral Commissioner for Western Region, Hon. Nyuma said that he is in possession of letters written by political parties acknowledging receipt of adequate consultation with respect to the appointment of Zainab Umu Moseray to serve as Electoral Commissioner for Western Region.
He referenced the United National People’s Party (UNPP), Alliance for Democratic Party (ADP), the United Democratic Movement (UDM), and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) among others that acknowledged that they were consulted.
He also affirmed that, government was in compliance with the provision of the 1991 constitution in appointing Zainab Umu Moseray.
The Chairman of the Appointment Committee also disclosed that the Anti-Corruption Commission wrote a letter to him vindicating the proposed Electoral Commissioner of all corruption allegations against her.
On her part, Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay noted that they as women are asking for 30% of women in high leadership positions and for women with integrity to hold public offices.
She added that for the president to present a lady to them who is qualified, has all what it takes to serve as Electoral Commissioner, has the integrity to lead, made her strongly support Zainab Umu Moseray to be the Electoral Commissioner for Western Region.
She also appealed for the house to approve the presidential nominee during the Plenary especially when the committee has thoroughly scrutinized the presidential nominees.
The Leader of the Coalition for Change (C4C) Party Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina said he has been following Madam Zainab Umu Moseray for over ten years and therefore, assured that the integrity of the nominee is of high standard.
He added that Sierra Leone constitution gives the National Electoral Commission to transfer power from one government to another government adding that, Zainab Moseray has the emotional stability to man such office. He concluded by assuring that the nominee will do well.
The deputy Leader of the All People’s Congress Party Hon. Ibrahim Ben Kargbo however noted that, the allegation against the Nominee which the ACC has already vindicated her from, has already affected the reputation of Madam Zainab Umu Moseray to serve as the Electoral Commissioner for Western Region.
He added that on the aspect of consultation, the other political parties does not have the final say in order to convince the president to appoint or not to appoint madam Zainab Moseray. He concluded that had the president done formal consultation with all the political parties, they would have never questioned the appointment of the nominee.
In his response to questions raised by Members of the Committee regarding her preparedness to serve as the Electoral Commissioner for Western Region, Madam Zainab Umu Moseray intimated that, she has worked with political parties for the past eleven years. Zainab Moseray said she has learnt a lot during those periods and have a thick-skin to executive the task she has ahead.
Having approved, Madam Moseray said she will have a duty to perform to the state and assured that, no form of intimidation or abuse will impede the task she has ahead.