Meet The Ten Presidential Nominees Approved by Parliament

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Last updated: 2023/12/21 at 4:19 PM

By Sallu Kamuskay Published December 21, 2023 11 Min Read

11 Min Read

Sierra Leone’s parliament has on Wednesday, 20/12/2023 unanimously approved the Eleventh Report of the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service, chaired by the Leader of The Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Wednesday, 20/12/2023 unanimously approved the Eleventh Report of the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service, chaired by the Leader of Government, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma. Government, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma.

Hon. Koroma applauded the appointment of the NRA Commissioner General and wished her well in her new assignment. The MP also questioned the issues of duty waivers and requested the NRA Commissioner General to immediately look into the issue, citing that the Government loses a lot of revenue on the same.

On his part, the Deputy Leader of Government Business, Hon.Bashiru Silikie said the expectation of the people on development is very high and encouraged the nominees to deliver for the interest of the State. He warned them to live up to the expectations of Parliament and the President in terms of performance. He also highlighted the work and functions of Parliament. “Parliament is not responsible for development and Government is not given MPs a dime for the development of our districts”, he asserted.
The Deputy Leader heaped praises on the nomination of the NRA Commissioner General for her astute personality in executing her role as Deputy Minister of Finance.

While admonishing all the nominees, he called on the Deputy Bank Governor to be a team player and also use his experience to acquire positive changes for the development of the State “Excuses would not be tolerated but result”, he warned and went on to advise the Ombudsman and NPAA appointees to do the needful.

Hon Zainab Cathrine Tarawally, Opposition Whip 1, from Bombali District commended the appointment of female nominees. She praised the appointee of NRA and advised her to do the needful for the mobilization of revenue for the nation. She used the opportunity to encourage the appointees to work in line with the interest of the State. She emphatically encouraged the appointee on the Wages and Compensation Commission to transform and do justice to harmonizing salaries for the good of the nation.

Hon.Ing. Falla Tengbeh from Kailahun District applauded the nominees on their appointments and went on to advise them to embark on the implementation of the President’s Big Five Changers. “Maintain an open door policy in executing your functions”, he advised and went on to praise various appointees for their nomination by the President.

On his part, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, Opposition Whip from Kambia District narrated the tremendous work of Apha Timbo Esq. in the development of the State “He is the man that cut across all political divides”, he said and went on to admonish him to do the needful to address the wages and salary matters.

On the Drugs Law Agency appointee, he said there is a huge tax ahead of her and called on the House to speedily address the effect of drug abuse in the country. He said the issue of qualifications from Sierra Leoneans is not a problem but rather an implementation.

Hon. Mohamed Tarawallie Fofanah from Kambia District commended the appointment of the Deputy Minister of Finance for her dedicated services to the SLPP North America Branch and went on to praise the other nominees and encouraged them to deliver for the nation.

Hon. Francis Amara Kai-Samba from Kenema District said the nominees are hugely qualified and noted that qualification had never been a problem in the country but rather the implementation of tasks and execution of work. He called on the nominees to manifest experience and performance for the development of the State.

Hon.Mariama Bangura from Western Area Urban commended the appointment of Apha Timbo and went on to describe him as a transformative leader.
The female MP called on the appointee of the Drug Law Agency to do the needful to address all drug-related issues. On the NRA Commissioner General, she applauded her appointment and wished her well in her new assignment.

Hon. Sarty Banya from Kailahun District commended President Bio for appointing 40% of women to positions of trust and went on to note that the President had been a Nationalistic Leader, in light of appointing fine Sierra Leoneans. On the appointees, he advised them to measure up to expectations and work in line with the President’s agenda.

On her part, Hon.Veronica Kadie Sesay commended the appointment of women and urged them to work in the interest of the State. “I believe you can perform and all of you are more than qualified”. She said. She called on the ombudsman and NPAA appointees to change the narrative in those institutions.

On his part, Hon Alpha Amadu Bah Esq. commended Hon. Timbo and referred to him as a “National season man”. The MP went on to note that the personality of Hon.Alpha Timbo Esq. is unique and unpretentious. He called on politicians across the aisle to emulate his good character. The MP encouraged other nominees to serve well for the country.

Hon. PC Haja Fatamata Meama Kajue Koroma from Moyamba District praised the President for appointing fine Sierra Leoneans to the position of trust ” One day a female Sierra Leonean would be a president of this country “, she said and went on to admonish the female appointees to serve the people.

Hon Quitain Sallia Konneh from Kailahun District said he is short of words in commending President Bio for appointing female compatriots into a position of trust and went on to commend the nominees for their appointment. He advised the new NRA Boss to take proactive measures and sanitize the NRA office. On the appointee on the Wages and Compensation Commission, he admonished him to transform the work of the Commission.

In rounding up the debate, the Opposition Leader Hon.Abdul Kargbo from Port Loko District generally advised the appointees to work in the interest of the nation together with Staff members under their purview. “Treat all staff fairly”, he advised and emphasized, “Embrace all staff fairly and never victimize anyone”. He called on them to treat staff seriously and respectfully. “We should build bridges and not fences”, he advised.

He commended Hon.Timbo and called for regional connectivity to promote the interest of peace and tranquility for the nation.
On the National Protected Area Authority, he admonished the mitigation of climate change and urged the nominee to protect the environment.

On the appointee of the Office of Ombudsman, the Leader warned that the young and dynamic appointment to perform and said the Government has to step up and promote the interest of the people. “As a young man I trust you to deliver,” he said.

On the appointee in the Ministry of Finance, the Opposition Leader called on her to change the narrative in that Ministry and work in line with the laws of the land in terms of disbursement of funds to MDA’s
On the NRA Boss, he referred to her as a good Leader and went on to reference her work on the just concluded process of the National budget in Parliament as Deputy Minister of Finance.”You are a coach of NRA and you should work with all players in the NRA office”, he advised and went on to call her to do the needful to promote the interest of the country.
On the disparity of Salary, he called on Alpha Timbo to work assiduously to address the wages and salaries. “This subject has been there for ages and I know you can do it to address the Wage Bill”, he concluded

On the land commission and NMA appointees, he called on them to perform and ensure that people benefit.

On drugs, the Leader said, a good number of youth are dying from drugs (Kush) and called on appointees on the Drugs Commission to be proactive in their work to address the “Kush” issue.
On the economy, he requested for due diligence to be done and also admonished on the improvement of economic policies. He prayed for the success of the country to alleviate the hardship.

In concluding the debate, the Leader of Government Business, Hon.Marhew Sahr Nyuma said all of the nominees were qualified and went on to applaud the nominations of women. He appreciated MPs for their contributions to the debate and commended the work of the Appointment Committee for scrutinizing the appointees

On behalf of Parliament, the Acting Speaker of Parliament Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas admonished the appointees to work and make differences in their appointment and wished them well in their pursuits.

In another development also, The Parliament of Sierra Leone, on Wednesday 20/12/2023, ratified the Amendment to the Build-Operate-Transfer Agreement For the Construction Financing and Concession of Freetown International Airport and Between the Government of the Republic Of Sierra Leone and FIA Limited (Formerly known as SUMMA Airports Sierra Leone Limited Dated 8 -December -2023.

Credit: Parliamentary and Public Relations Department, Parliament of Sierra Leone

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By Sallu Kamuskay

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Sallu Kamuskay is a Sierra Leonean communication strategist, fixer, blogger, youth organiser, event manager, spokesperson, and public relations expert. His work has been regularly referenced and published by national and international media and public policy institutions. Sallu Kamuskay was a child during the brutal war in Sierra Leone. Growing up in the midst of conflict, Sallu witnessed unimaginable abuse of children and gross violations of human rights. The horrors he witnessed during the Civil War had a terrible impact on him at a very tender age. But despite the shock of the war, Sallu never lost hope. He started on a journey of recovery, studying, and working for a better future. At age 15, Sallu entered into the world of activism and advocacy. Sallu Kamuskay was the Vice President of the Young Leaders Organisation, a member of the National Youth Council. The Young Leaders is one of the oldest youth-led organisations in West Africa. The organisation was formed by a group of young leaders, and launched by the then Head of State/President of Sierra Leone. Sallu was part of the group of young leaders who participated in and contributed to the establishment of the National Youth Council. The Commonwealth supported the training for trainers programme with line ministries and youth stakeholders in which key, representatives of youth council, student union and civil society/private sector youth platforms were engaged and empowered in the effective engagement and inclusion of youth. Sallu is co-founder and Executive Director of the Salone Messenger, a global multimedia and public relations firm based In Sierra Leone. Sallu has worked on various developmental and policy issues such as Poverty, Climate Change, Human rights, Child Rights, Education, Health, Gender Equality, Civic Engagement, Government policies, Information Communication Technology for Development and the Sustainable Development Goals, and has also been contributing to various global events and advocacy campaigns. Sallu Kamuskay is the co-founder and Executive Director of the Salone Messenger, a global Multimedia and Public Relations Firm based in Sierra Leone with the latest news and information, on top stories, business, politics, entertainment, and more. Sallu is working with a leading technology company in Africa, Techfrica, that has recently developed and launched a social media, messaging Supfrica with over 150,000 downloads on the Google play store in less than 4 days. He is the Adviser and Media coordinator for the App to give people the platform to connect and communicate to help shape their future with a very fast internet that allows users that live in deprived and hard-to-reach areas with poor internet facility to be able to communicate as it allows and stronger on 2 and 3 G network reception. Sallu has over 9 years of experience in youth engagement, inclusion, and coordination both at local and global levels, giving voice to young people and engaging young people to build a better world. He has served as coordinator for the Wave Alliance which brought together youth-led organisations who attended an international training in South Africa organized by the International Organization – Waves for Change. Sallu is working with the MLT, Waves For Change, and the Government to develop safe spaces for young people, with a view to contributing to the overall development goals of young people including health, as well as to community rebuilding. Sallu is currently the Programme Director for the Wave Alliance, which is a coalition of youth-led and community-based organisations that have successfully introduced evidence-based Surf Therapy programs to young people in communities, with a focus on mental health, peace building and sustainable development. Sallu is currently the focal point and face of Africa’s Faces Social media platform which is a global Social media platform that brings together people from across the world to share their moments, connect, share videos, and interact with friends giving more preference to excluded continents like Africa. Sallu Kamuskay has devoted his time to working for or contributing to a number of national and international organizations and companies, including the Techfrica Technology Company, United Nations, ECOWAS, European Union, Commonwealth Africa Initiatives. This work has led him to travel to a number of countries to contribute to global youth platforms. Sallu is the lead Coordinator for Peace Tour programme, an initiative supported by the European Union, Africa Union, ECOWAS focusing on uniting and empowering young people and local communities. Over the years, Sallu Kamuskay has been using his Techno phone to be able to tell stories, the phone he used to tell the story of Gbessay during Ebola who was admitted at one of the Ebola treatment centers after rumors that she had Ebola when the actual sickness was ulcer, she was almost abandoned at the treatment canter with no medication provided to her. She could have died. Sallu told the story via social media and was able to secure funding from the United Sierra Leone to buy her medication and advocated for her. She was later discharged and taken home, He did the same to a patient that died and was abandoned in the street, Sallu Kamuskay used his phone and shared the message across, the corps was later taken and buried. It could have been more disaster without his voice. The story of late America Stress 3-year-old daughter. The hero’s daughter was abandon after his father's death. He shared her sad story and was able to get a sister who has taken the child as her own and is currently providing her with educational support. The article of America Stress can be read on the link below http://ayvnewspaper.com/index.php/k2-categories/item/7350-america-stress-a-hero-to-recognize. Sallu Kamuskay feels the stories of Gbessay, America stress and that of many others need to be told. The media house we have cannot better tell these stories, they are better reporters than telling human interest stories. He created the Salone Messenger platform and brought together passionate storytellers to be able to tell these compelling stories.