Lawmakers from Sierra Leone’s ruling and opposition parties on Thursday called for unity, accountability, and urgent reforms in transport, aviation, and social welfare during a parliamentary session to approve new public board appointments.
In a rare show of bipartisan consensus, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, Minority and Opposition Leader from the All People’s Congress (APC), urged appointees to prioritise national interest over political loyalty.
“There is no political party on your passport,” Kargbo told the chamber. “We will be judged by what we do for this country — what problems we solve and what challenges we overcome.”
Kargbo expressed alarm over Sierra Leone’s rising road fatalities, citing official data showing 9,622 accidents recorded between January and September 2022, with 269 deaths in 2023. He called for stronger road maintenance, regular vehicle inspections, and stricter enforcement of traffic laws.
The opposition leader also pressed for reforms in the aviation sector, saying airfares within West Africa remained disproportionately high. He cited The Gambia and Senegal’s model of treating regional flights as local routes to cut costs, urging Sierra Leone to pursue similar bilateral agreements.
Hon. Bashiru Silikie, Acting Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business from the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), echoed the call for unity and responsibility.
“When nominees bow before Parliament, they are bowing to the people of Sierra Leone,” Silikie said. “You have been given a responsibility to deliver, not to disappoint the confidence reposed in you.”
He urged newly approved appointees to collaborate with Parliament, maintain transparency, and focus on effective service delivery.
Parliament approved all nominees presented by the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service. Appointees will serve in key institutions including the Sierra Leone Roads Safety Authority (SLRSA), the Civil Aviation Authority, and the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) Board of Trustees.
Speaker Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas praised both leaders for their “constructive engagement,” saying the sitting reflected growing parliamentary maturity.
“We must stop doing the same thing over and over again and expect different results,” the Speaker said. “Let this approval mark a new beginning of dedication, performance, and progress.”
The session ended with broad agreement across party lines that Sierra Leone’s development depends on collaboration and national commitment beyond politics.
