By Mohamed Konneh
Dr. Denis Moinina Sandy, Minister of Works and Public Assets, is at the center once again entangled in a fight with the Chief Director and professional Head of the Minister Ing. Paul Bockarie.
On the 8th of September 2025, the Chief Director /Professional Head Ing. Paul Bockarie received a query and a directive to proceed on leave with immediate effect pending full administrative review. According to the letter, the Chief Director/Professional Head took his phone into a meeting after it was instructed that nobody should come along with their phones into the meeting.
The Chief Director/Professional head had refused to proceed on leave on the note that the procedure used to send him on leave was not correct. Ing Bockarie also argued that the letter sent to him was not from HRMO’s office neither the Permanent secretary of the ministry of Works and Public Asset but rather from the Minister.
Procedurally, a letter of that nature should come through the permanent secretary of the Ministry which accordingly was not the case.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Nyuma has denied knowledge of the letter stating that he is not the author. The situation has now created confusion at the ministry leading to animosity among staff members. A staff meeting called on Thursday 18th September 2025 almost ended up in a fist fight.
The Minister Dr. Sandy is also accused to have appointed one Mr. Max Kosia as a consultant Chief Director/Professional Head without due process. Information gathered reveals that Mr. Kosia is not a civil servant neither works for the government. The minister is bent on bringing this man to that position with disregard to the civil service code.
Mr. Kosia is also said to lack the requisite qualification for the position of Chief Director and Professional head an allegation Mr. Kosia deny.
‘’I have a master’s degree in architecture from Russia and I am very much qualified for that position, Mr. Kosia said on the phone.
This is Sierra Leone when people do not want you for a particular job they say anything, he continue.
Meanwhile the animosity between the Minister of Works and Public Asset and the Chief Director/ Professional Head continues. Despite several messages and calls, the Minister has refused to comment on the allegations. This situation is now hampering progress in the ministry with no work done for the past days.
Staff are left wondering as to what is happening, while the minister is bent on continuing this saga having his boxing gloves on waiting to fight whosoever comes his way.
All of these is coming to light as a result of government contracts for the construction of Presidential lodge in the provinces. The minister according to report wants to have his way in the award of contracts while the Chief Director/Professional head wants to go through strict procurement procedures. There is now a standstill at the ministry with fighting forces on both sides ready to enter the ring.
Earlier this year Dr. Denis Sandy was agt the center of another scandal involving claims of document forgery and judicial misconduct.
Dr. Sandy was alleged to have fraudulently secured a divorce from his wife, Mary Kai Sandy.
Court filings reveal that Betts & Berewa Solicitors, a prominent legal firm in Freetown, accuses some unknown individuals of using its name without authorization to obtain a Decree Absolute on November 27, 2024.
Adding to the gravity of the matter, a letter issued by Michael & Michael Solicitors, acting on behalf of Mrs. Sandy, describes the decree as being procured through questionable and potentially illegal means.
The latest allegation of forgery by the Minister of Works remains another test case for the government of President Maada Bio.
