By Sulaiman Jalloh
Sierra Leone’s Parliament during its sixth sittings of the second session on Thursday, October 31st, 2024, vetted and approved Eight (8) Presidential Nominees to serve as Board Members at the National Revenue Authority (NRA) and the Consumer Protection Commission of Sierra Leone.
Among the approved nominees is; Mathew Younge-Deputy board Chairman-National Consumer Protection Commission of Sierra Leone, Andrew Pessima, board Member-National Consumer Protection Commission Sierra Leone, Madam Memunatu Rogers, board Member-National Revenue Authority Board, Dr. John Arouna Karimu- Member-National Revenue Authority Board and others including, Madam Susan Williams – Member- National Consumer Protection Commission Sierra Leone.
Acting Leader of Government Business Hon. Bashiru Silikie while moving the motion to approve the nominees said the Second Report of the committee on appointment reflects the unanimous view of the Committee and that nominees should be approved. “I, therefore, move that the Second Report of the Second Session of the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service be adopted by the House and that the recommendations contained therein be approved.”
Seconding the motion Deputy 2 of the opposition In Parliament, Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma from Tonkolili District, said the nominees were very fine people who would create the needed change in their respective offices, the president would have considered their qualifications for such jobs. The opposition Law maker however raised a concern about expired goods in the market something he said is affecting including the terrible network of the Mobile Network, which the Consumer Protection Agency had not been effective in protecting the consumers of those offices.
Hon. Mustapha Sellu from the ruling bench representing the people of Moyamba district said the duties of the Consumer Protection Agency are not felt in the lives of citizens, noting one is only heated about the agency when they come for approval of presidential nominees. He said the history of NRA would not be written in completion without mentioning one of the Newly approved Board Members, Mr. John Karimu. He said the NRA does not have an office space, adding that all of the offices for NRA across the country are rented properties, for which they pay about half a million dollars annually. He, therefore, called on the NRA to invest in building their offices.
Opposition chief Whip Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara commonly called AKK from Kambia district, joined the queue regarding the Consumer Protection Agency to be very effective in their responsibilities while calling on Members of Parliament to support the agency to effectively do their work. He emphasized on the need for Standard Bureau to maintain standards in terms of goods and services for citizens. “Standard Bureau is a death trap” he alluded.
Hon. Abdul Kargbo leader of opposition from Kaffu Bullom, Port Loko district, noted that the consumer protection agency is one of the country’s most powerful institutions for protecting citizens’ well-being, saying their job was to make recommendations to the ministry for action. He said most of the food poisons are from Expired foods while he decried the Consumer Protection Commission, saying they had been very inept in addressing the issue of consumer protection from fake goods and substandard services.
Hon. Bashiru Silikie acting Leader of Government Business, lavished praise on President Bio for appointing those foreign nominees, pointing out that most nominees, after approval, close their offices from Members of Parliament and that Government is not giving them money to develop their respective constituencies or districts. He clarified that before now, they had the responsibility for primary development, but that had been revoked and placed on the head of Local Councils while outlining the responsibilities as MPs which are to make laws, provide oversight, and adequate representation. He concluded by encouraging the nominees to work in the nation’s interest.
Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, deputy Speaker who presided over the sitting on behalf of Parliament congratulated the approved nominees and encouraged them to support the government of the president to achieve its big five game changers.