By Sulaiman Jalloh

The parliament of Sierra Leone, during its 55th plenary sitting in the second session of the Sixth Parliament, has unanimously approved ten presidential nominees to serve in key national positions, Tuesday, 1 July 2025, the appointments were confirmed following the adoption of the thirteenth report of the committee on Appointments and the Public Service.

Presenting the report, the Leader of government Business and chairman of the appointments committee, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, informed the house that all nominees were thoroughly vetted during interviews held on Monday, 30 June 2025, at committee room one, Tower Hill, Freetown.

He stated that the interviews were conducted under oath and focused on the nominees’ professional backgrounds, experience, tax compliance, asset declarations, and visions for their respective offices, he then moved the motion for the report to be adopted and for the nominees to be approved by the House.

List of Approved Appointees, Abu Bockarie Kokofele  Director General, National Social Protection Authority, Prince Bernard Comatech Cotay Member, Statistics Sierra Leone Council, Mohamed Kpana-Gbato Kemokai Member, Statistics Sierra Leone Council, Alhaji Alie Badara Yillah Member, Statistics Sierra Leone Council, Prince Terenah Quee Member, Statistics Sierra Leone Council, Kalie Sallue Samura Member, Statistics Sierra Leone Council, Brima Baluwa Koroma Director General, National Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Michael Hallie Kendoh Chairman, National Petroleum Regulatory Authority, Brima Abdulai Sheriff Chairman, National Commission for Persons with Disability, Josiah Murphy Kargbo – Member, Sierra Leone Water Company (SALWACO)

Seconding the motion, Hon. Bashiru Silikie, Deputy Leader of Government Business, extended appreciation to President Julius Maada Bio for the appointments and emphasized that the nominees’ future performance will reflect the credibility of the administration, he urged them to prioritize service to the nation and treat citizens with dignity in their official capacities.

Hon. Emelia Lolloh Tongi of Kailahun district encouraged the appointees to contribute meaningfully to national development. She particularly called on those in the petroleum sector to closely monitor fuel pricing disparities and enforce safety regulations, especially in areas where fuel stations are built in residential zones.

Hon. Ing. Falah Tengbeh congratulated the nominees and cautioned them against politicizing or personalizing public office. He advocated for fuel price stability and underscored the importance of transparent leadership.

Hon. Mariama Zombo of Pujehun district described the appointees as capable and qualified individuals. She lauded Mr. Kemokai’s suitability for his role, praised Mr. Kokofele’s service record in Kenema, and highlighted the appointment of the disability commissioner as a progressive step especially following a recent international award won by a Sierra Leonean living with albinism.

Concluding the debate, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma expressed gratitude to his fellow MPs for their constructive input, he addressed concerns raised about Mr. Brima Abdulai Sheriff, noting that a petition filed against his appointment lacked merit and had no bearing on the approval process.

He also commended Mr. Baluwa Koroma’s transformative leadership at the petroleum regulatory authority and reiterated the government’s commitment to effective service delivery. reflecting fondly on his personal and professional relationships with some of the appointees, including Kokofele and Koroma, Hon. Nyuma stressed that public officials must always act in the interest of the people, when in office, remember you are there to serve the people, not yourselves, he said, while urging the House to approve the committee’s recommendations.

The speaker of parliament extended heartfelt congratulations to all the approved nominees and wished them success in their new roles, he emphasized the importance of integrity and accountability in public service, encouraging them to uphold the trust bestowed upon them by the president and parliament.

Credit – Parliamentary PR

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Friday,4th July, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)