By Thaimu T. Kamara

In a landmark decision to strengthen Sierra Leone’s disaster preparedness and peace infrastructure, the Parliament of Sierra Leone on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, debated and enacted with amendments the National Early Warning and Response Mechanism Centre Act 2025.

The newly passed legislation provides for the establishment of a National Early Warning and Response Mechanism Centre, which will be responsible for monitoring and issuing early warnings on threats to human security and peace across the country, the Centre is also expected to coordinate responses to potential disasters and related emergencies.

Presenting the Bill to Parliament, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, emphasized that the Centre will serve as a strategic hub for monitoring, data collection, and proactive response to crises. She explained that the centre will not only strengthen Sierra Leone’s capacity to respond to disasters but also improve peacebuilding and conflict prevention through the generation of timely and actionable data.

The Centre will enhance the government’s ability to manage potential crises and establish a legal framework that will benefit all Sierra Leoneans, minister Barlay stated, it will strengthen early warning systems and ensure the country is better prepared to address emerging challenges.

Chairman of the Parliamentary committee on planning and economic development, Hon. Musa Fofanah of Kono District, expressed strong support for the Bill, describing it as timely and essential, he praised the ministry for its consistent efforts in advancing the development sector and underscored the importance of acting before disasters escalate.

Deputy opposition whip I, Hon. Catherine Zainab Tarawallie of Bombali District, also backed the Bill, stressing that it is non-political and designed for the collective good. Referring to Clause 4, she recommended that the Legislative committee revisit certain provisions to ensure they align with national interests, the Bill is for every Sierra Leonean, she remarked.

Hon. Joseph Williams Lamin of Bo District reiterated the non-partisan nature of the Bill and encouraged the Executive Director of the National early warning Centre to remain committed to delivering results. He called for swift passage and implementation of the legislation.

Meanwhile, Hon. Mariama Bangura of the Western Urban District raised concerns about overlapping mandates. She questioned the need for creating a new agency when institutions like the Office of National Security (ONS) and the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) already exist. while the Bill has merit, we must also ensure existing structures are adequately supported, she advised.

Acting Leader of the opposition, Hon. Daniel Brima Koroma, voiced his party’s full support for the legislation, describing it as a non-controversial and beneficial step for the nation. However, he called for a review of the composition of the Centre’s governing board and urged that women be strongly considered for leadership roles. Let us avoid a copy-and-paste approach and ensure the Bill reflects Sierra Leone’s realities, he cautioned.

Wrapping up the debate, Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, expressed gratitude to the opposition for their cooperation. He highlighted the importance of the Centre in forecasting and preventing crises, referencing the Mpox outbreak and other recent national emergencies as examples where early warnings could have made a difference.

“If we had listened to some of the early warnings in the past, we might have prevented many of the issues we faced,” Hon. Nyuma asserted, he emphasized the need for institutions to implement the recommendations produced by the Centre to mitigate and prevent disasters.

Following clarifications by the Minister of Planning and Economic Development and consideration of amendments during the Committee of the Whole House, the Bill successfully passed through all legislative stages,the enactment of the National Early Warning and Response Mechanism Centre Act 2025 marks a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s commitment to disaster resilience, human security, and peacebuilding.

Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 30TH, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)