By Sulaiman Jalloh

Members of Parliament from both aisles of the well have showered endless praises on one of the State Owned Enterprises (SOEs), Rokel Commercial, for its growth in leading the financial sector.

During the 37th plenary sittings of the sixth Parliament, while debating the State-owned Enterprises and Governance Act, 2025, MPs showered these praises on the bank while calling on other SOEs to follow suit.

According to Members of Parliament, other State Owned Enterprises are badly degenerating, unlike Rokel Commercial Bank, which they say is setting the pace and is helping the government to generate revenue.

Making his submission, the Whip of the opposition All People’s Congress APC, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara representing the people of Kambia district revealed that the Rokel Commercial bank was almost collapsing until it was bailed up by the government and now through the leadership of Dr. Gilpin, the bank is one of the State-owned Enterprises that are leading by examples for others to emulate.

MPs noted that if the leadership of Rokel Commercial bank can transform that institution into an enviable government entity there is every possibility for others to do the same.

The MPs cited example of the Sierra Leone State Lottery which should have been able to generate income for the state is relatively going down the drains.

Rounding up the debate, the Deputy Leader of the opposition All People’s Congress APC, Hon. Daniel Koroma said that since the Speaker has established a public interest committee, the committee should summon all State-Owned Enterprises to come and deliver challenges.

Lawmakers furthered that apart from the none non-performing State state-owned enterprises, there are success stories, which include the Rokel Commercial Bank and National Petroleum, among others.

Hon. Daniel Koroma said the leadership of some of these institutions should be invited to come and share how they were able to metamorphose from almost-dying institutions to where they are now.