The Thirteenth Report of the Committee on Appointments and Public Service, chaired by the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma has on Tuesday 01/07/2025 approved by Parliament containing ten (10) Presidential Nominees.
The following Presidential Nominees were approved by Parliament:
- Mr. Abu Bockarie Kokofele, Director General, National Social Protection Authority
- Mr. Prince Bernard Comatech Cotay, Member, Statistics, Sierra Leone Council.
- Mr. Mohamed Kpana- Gbato Kemokai, Member, Statistics Sierra Leone Council
- Mr. Alhaji Alie Badara Yillah, Member, Statistics Sierra Leone Council
- Mr. Prince Terenah Quee, Member, Statistics ,Sierra Leone Council
- Mr. Kalie Sallue Samura, Member, Statistics ,Sierra Leone Council
- Mr. Brima Baluwa Koroma, Director General, National Petroleum Regulatory Authority
- Mr. Michael Hallie Kendoh, Chairman, National Petroleum Regulatory Authority
- Mr. Brima Abdulai Sheriff, Chairman, National Commission for Persons with Disability and
- Mr. Josiah Murphy Kargobai, Member, Sierra Leone Water Company(SALWACO)
Presenting the Nominees to the plenary, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma told colleague Members of Parliament that the aforesaid were interviewed on Monday, 30th June 2025, at the Committee Room One Parliament Building at Tower Hill in Freetown. According to the Leader of Government Business, the Nominees were interviewed under oaths and issues pertaining to experiences gained over the years and track records. Other requirements include tax obligations, asset declaration, and vision for productive tenure of their appointments. He also told colleague Members of Parliament that others’ matters were critically looked into. The Leader of Government Business categorically stated that the Report reflects the unanimous views of the Committee.
Seconding the motion, the Deputy Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie thanked President Bio for the appointment of the nominees. He underscored that the performances of the nominees would serve as a scorecard for their reelection. He advised them to diligently serve the people of Sierra Leone. The MP emphatically stated that the failure of nominees to serve the people through development would affect the reelection of Members of Parliament and government. The Deputy Leader of Government Business advised all nominees to treat the people with respect when serving in designated positions.
The young leader commended Mr. Kokofele for his tremendous support and resilience to governance and advised him to learn from his past mistakes. He zoomed in on Mr. Baluwa Koroma for his positive track records in the Petroleum sector and support to people of Bo. He admonished the nominee to look into the safety of the people around gas stations. He heaped praises on Mr. Kemokai and other nominees. He also used the opportunity to advise the nominees to support the people.
Hon. Williams Lamin from Bo District described the nominees as distinguish personalities and urged them to perform. He pleaded with them to befriend the people and also not to forget themselves. “Please do not starve your home,” he appealed. He mentioned Mr. Baluwa Koroma and Mr. Kargobai for exceptional characters. He encouraged other nominees to go home and prepare themselves for the new offices.
Hon. Emelia Lolloh Tongi from Kailahun advised the Nominees to go and contribute to nation building. She used the opportunity to speak about the good policies of the government. The MP drew the attention of the House and nominees to very risky location of some petrol stations and also variance in prices of petrol commodities, especially in hard to reach areas. She advised the nominees to do robust oversight on fuel dealers. She used the opportunity to request Mr. Sheriff to liaise with NaCSA to ensure that persons with disabilities benefit from the social safety funds.
The Deputy Leader 2 of Government Business, Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina from Kono District thanked President Bio for the appointments. Hon. Lamina admonished all nominees to work in tandem with the expected deliverables and play a leadership role to ensure that the current government is retained in power. He advised nominees to be diligent and enhance commitments. “Read and survey in order to evaluate yourself,” he noted. He used comparative analysis of other countries and advised the nominees to replicate the same in Sierra Leone positively. He commended Baluwa Koroma for outstanding performance in the Petroleum sector.
Hon. Boston Munda from Kenema District said the Report on the nominees speaks well and also underscored that they, as family of Mr. Abu Kokofele thanked President Bio for reapponting Abu Kokofele to another sector. He described Kokofele as a man with a wealth of experience and resilience. He zoomed in on Mr. Prince T. Quee and admonished all nominees to do well.
Hon Ing. Falah Tengbeh from Kailahun District congratulated the nominees on their appointments. He lauded their commitment and competence and advised them not to personalize their offices. “Don’t transform the offices into private possession,” he advised. He told the nominees to maintain fuel price or reduce it. He advised all nominees to address social protection issues and improve on value addition.
Hon. Mariama Zombo from Pujehun District described the nominees as the fittest amongst other compatriots. She described Mr. Kemokai as someone who has the capacity to serve in the reassigned office. She praised Mr. Kokofele for his popularity in Kenema and experiences gained in the child and social protection scheme. She emphatically spoke on social protection in light of future circumstances. She also used the opportunity to acknowledge the appointment of the Disability Commissioner and the international award recently bestowed on a Sierra Leonean albinism.
Hon. Mustapha Selu from Moyamba District made reference to the Constitution of Sierra, emphatically stating that the appointments of the nominees could be revoked as stated in section 58. He informed the House that some nominees who had gained Parliamentary approved are in the habit of disrespecting MPs when they visit their offices. He recalled and zoomed in on Mr. Kokofele and trended on his leadership perfection and generosity. He also spoke positively about Mr. Baluwa Koroma. He used the opportunity to suggest to the House to consider petroleum prices on transportation and distance. He spoke well of Mr. Kemokai and wish all the nominees the very best in their various assignments.
Hon. Abu Kemokai from Pujehun urged the nominees to be efficient and effective to support the government to succeed. He commended Mr. Kemokai for positively delivering tasks bestowed on him. He recalled that Mohamed G. Kemokai successfully managed the COVID-19 outbreak as the coordinator for Pujehun District. The MP wished all the other nominees well and called on Members of Parliament to expeditiously approve the nominees.
Hon. Mohamed T. Fofana from Kambia District said the nominees were appointed based on the confidence bestowed on them by President Bio. He, therefore, asked the nominees to do well. The MP lavished praises on Baluwa Koroma for transforming the petroleum sector. He drew the attention of the nominee to dangerous locations of some fuel stations and asked the latter to investigate them. He assured the House that he has confidence in Mr. Yillah.
Concluding the debate, the Leader of Government Business Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma thanked all colleague Members of Parliament for their various contributions. He clarified and told colleague Members of Parliament that the petition against one of the nominees, the Commisioner for Persons Disabilities, Mr. Sheriff was not tenable. He underscored positive transformation in national offices with special reference to Mr. Baluwa Koroma on Petroleum Authority. He noted that the government policy trajectory is very good, hence positively affecting the lives of compatriots. The leader recalled his relationship and the good old days with some of the nominees, including Mr. Kokofele and Baluwa Koroma. He also dilated the pricing formula for the good of the people. “When you are in office, behave like you are serving people,” he stated. He also spoke well about Prince Quee and all other nominees. He concluded by calling on the House to look into the Report of the committee and that the recommendations contained therein be approved.
In another development, the Parliament of Sierra Leone, on Tuesday 01/07/2025, ratified an agreement entitled ‘African Road Safety Charter’ with intent to domesticate it. The motion was presented by the Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Rex Bonapha.
