The Parliament of Sierra Leone on Thursday 30/01/2025 debated and approved ten Presidential Nominees for the country’s development.
The following Presidentialnationn were approved by Parliament:
1. Ms Saptieu Elizabeth Saccoh, Deputy Minister of Justice
2. Mr. Joseph John Senessie, Director-General of Sierra Leone Correctional
Service
3. Madam Susan Baby Koker, Deputy Director -General, Sierra Leone
Correctional Service
4. Mrs Edwina Francess Momodu (Esq),Board of DirJusticeBank of Sierra
Leone
5. Rev. Solomon Hindolo Bakiz-Kainjami Butsher- Member, Sierra Leone
Water Company (SALWACO)
6. Mr. John Gbondo Margai, Member, Sierra Leone Roads Authority Board
(SLRA)
7. Madam Elenorah Jokomie Metzger, Member, Independent Commission for
Peace and Natl Cohesion
8. Mr. Thomas Mustapha Lahai. Chairman, Sierra Leone Roads Safety
9. PC Bai Shebora Lion, Member, Board of Director Maritime Administrator and
10. Major General Rtd. Christian Fayimba Marah, Commissioner, National Commission for Arms and Ammunition.
Presenting the Nominees to Members of Parliament, the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma who also doubles as the Chairman of the Appointments and Public Service Committee, assured the House that the Presidential Nominees were scrutinized and certified by the Committee of Appointments and Public Service under oath and procedures relative to their qualifications.He assured the Plenary that the Report of the Committee is the unanimous decision of the Mmbers of the Committee who conducted the interview.
Seconding the motion, on the Deputy Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie from Bo District, thanked President Bio for appointing those fine nominees. He told the Nominees that they were the chosen few among the seven million population and admonished them to work in the best interest of the nation Hon. Bashiru Silikie cautioned the nominees to lead with open-door policies, especially for their supporters. He zoomed in on the Deputy Minister of Justice for her result-oriented leadership at the Registrar General’s Office where she previously worked. He said the performance of the Deputy Minister of Justice at the Office of the Registrar General precipitated the President to promote her to the position of Deputy Minister of Justice. The Member of Parliament also affirmed that the Director General of the Correctional Centers is qualified and fit for the position. He called on the him to help address the challenges in that institution. He expressed optimism that the challenges of the prison offices would be addressed by the newly approved DG of the Sierra Leone Correctional Center. He also advised the DG of the Sierra Leone Correctional Center to treat the prison officers with respect and dignity.The Deputy Leader of Government Business also admonished the DG of the Sierra Leone Correctional Centre to work with his Deputy especially latter is a woman.
He said consultation is very important for any decision they intend to make. He also admonished the SLRSA boss to transform that sector, especially in the areas of reckless driving, accidents, and other traffic-related offenses. He called on the Newly approved SLRSA boss to be a unifier of that institution. He concluded by wishing all the, nominees the very best in their respective positions.
Contributing to the debate, the Whip of Opposition, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara from Kambia District expressed elation for the approval of the PC Bai Shebora Lion as a Member of the Board of the Maritime Administration. He acknowledged that the appointment of PC Bai Shebora Lion is a meritorious one adding that, the PC Bai Shebora Lion would add value to that institution. He called on him to go and contribute to national development taking into consideration his astute leadership in that sector over the years. Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara also commended female representation among the Presidential Nominees.He said the Deputy DG of the Sierra Leone Correctional Center would actually help reform that institution. He highlighted some of the eminent challenges in the institution ranging from supply of foodstuff and other logistical supports. He added that prison facilities across the country lack befitting health facilities. He added that the prisons lacked practicing nurses coupled with medical supplies. He said a huge percentage of the country’s youthful population are languishing in the correctional centers.The MP from Kambia called on the DG and Deputy DG to work together in the interest of providing better conditions of services for the inmates.
He called on the nominees going to SALWACO to go with value addition to the institution, especially with the provision of providing water for the people in the provinces. He raised concerns over the lackadaisical nature of previous Presidential Nominees who went to head SLRSA. He therefore, urged the new Chairman of the SLRSA to go and transform that institution. He wished all the other nominees to serve well.
Hon. Wuyatta Songa from Kailahun District who also doubles as President of the Parliamentary Female Caucus, thanked President Bio for ensuring that the 30% quota was reflected in the just approved nomination of Presidential appointees. She lavished praises on the Deputy Minister of Justice for her leadership legacy she left at the Office of the Registr,ar General. Hon. Songa expressed optimism that those women would serve well in their respective positions if approved.
Hon. Amie Moriba from Bo District also applauded the impressive women’s representation among the Presidential nominees. She called on the Deputy DG of the Sierra Leone Correctional Center being the first Female Deputy DG to go and make other women proud. She called on the other nominees to work in the interest of the nation.
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, admonished the nominees to consider themselves lucky as they were appointed among over seven million population. He said the nominees are the building blocks to make and unmake the SLPP in the upcoming 2028 elections. He called on the Deputy Minister of Justice to pay more attention to the Sierra Leone Police force. He acknowledged that the Deputy Minister of Justice is widely celebrated as a reformer. He also admonished the newly approved Board Member of the Bank of Sierra Leone and noted the aforesaid is the Economic hub of the nation. The Deputy Speaker also admonished the DG and the Deputy DG of the Sierra Leone Correctional, Center to serve well in that institution. He concluded by wishing the other Presidential Nominees well in their respective positions.
The Hon. PC Bai Shebora S. Gbereh the III from Kambia applauded the nominees and also considered them as the fittest appointees for such positions. He, however, brought the attention of the Chairman of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority that road accidents are increasingly increasing. He called on the SLRA to help prevent the occurrence of acci,dents especilly those caused by stationary vehicles. He also wished the other nominees well.
Hon. Mariama Bangur, from Western Urban appraised the appointment of the nominees. She lauded the newly appointed Deputy Minister of Justice and described her as a dedicated woman. She expressed optimism in the Deputy Minister of Justice to address justice-related issues across the nation. She also admonished the SLRSA Chairman to designate, to pay more attention to the roads in the East-end of Freetown. She admonished the Board Member of SLAWCO to also help address the issue of water supply. She concluded by wishing all the nominees well.
Hon. PC Kandeh Paria Kawaleh from Karene District lauded the appointment of PC Bai Shebora Lion as a Board Member of the Maritime Administration. He, assured the house that PC Bai Shebora Lion would serve well in the Maritime Administration.
Hon. PC from Falaba District PC Alhaji Sheku Marah III congratulated the Presidential Nominees. He however expressed dismay that since the commencement of the Sixth Parliament, he had never seen any Presidential Nominees from Falaba District. He used the opportunity to call on the President to consider the appointment of good citizens from Falaba.
Rounding up the debate, the Opposition Leader Hon. Abdul Kargbo, said the nominees were appointed to serve not only Members of the SLPP, but the people of Sierra Leone. He called on the nominees going to the National Peace Commission to ensure that considerations are given to the National Peace Agreements with specific reference to Resolution (4). He considered the content of resolution (4) of the Peace Agreement to be a very pivotal tool for a peaceful nation. He noted that the Appointment of Mr. Marah is a very laudable one adding ,that, Mr. Marah had served this nation diligently. He also cautioned Mr. Marah that his appointment is key, adding that, he had to deliver as posterity would judge him at the end of the day.
The Opposition Leader zoomed in on the newly appointed DG and the Deputy DG for the Sierra Leone Correctional Center with specific reference to the last prison break adding that, no report had been issued for that prison break. He noted that a lot has to be done in the correctional service. He noted that the prison houses housed a huge number of citizens and therefore, called for rehabilitation and vocational support for those inmates. He referenced a situation wherein, a prison officer taking drugs in the prison for inmates which he considered as very inimical. He said all the problems he highlighted which are prevalent in the correctional centers would not be addressed, if financial support is not given to the correctional centers. He used the opportunity to advocate for an increased budget allocations to correctional centers. He also advocated for correctional facilities to be capacitated for modern technologies.
The Opposition Leader admonished that the appointment of the Presidential Nominees would be either a blessing or a curse contingent on the manner in which they serve. He lavished colossal praises on the newly approved Deputy Minister of Justice due to her past leadership legacies. He encouraged her to serve the people of Sierra Leone with the justice they deserve. The Opposition Leader decried the booking system within the SLRSA. He said there are vehicles that are licensed but had never gone for a check-up. The leader concluded by the encouraging the Presidential Nominees to serve with their conscience adding that, people would judge them at the end of the day but God is the greatest judge.
Concluding the debate, the Leader of Government Business Hon. Mathew S. Nyuma, from Kenema, commended Members of Parliament for the mesmerizing praises lavished on the nominees. Hon. Nyuma noted that the Presidential nominees reflect over the 30% quota for women’s representation in government. He expressed thanks to the Paramount Chiefs Members of Parliament. He said one of the Paramount Chiefs had been appointed by the President to serve as a Board Member of the Maritime Administration. Hon. Nyuma said the designated DG for the correctional services completed the challenges in the correctional center during the interview and also assured the committee to fix the challenges. He said the DG has assured the Committee to support the female officers within the correctional center and match them with their male counterparts. He lavished praises on the Deputy Minister of Justice for her transformative leadership in bringing to the Office of the Registrar General. He concluded by wishing the nominees well.
Credit: Parliamentary and Public Relations Department, Sierra Leone Parliament.
