By Ragan M. Conteh

The Chairman of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Transport and Aviation, Hon. Dixon Rogers has laid before Parliament a detailed report on the progress and financial trajectory of the Banana Island Port project following a recent engagement with Gento Group of Companies, the developers behind the initiative.

The report, based on a meeting held on April 10, 2025, outlines the company’s early efforts in delivering what is expected to become a transformative national infrastructure asset. According to the committee, the Banana Island Port-once completed-holds the potential to boost tourism, streamline maritime administration, improve connectivity, and generate significant youth employment across the region.

While commending the efforts of Gentle Group in initiating mobilization and preliminary works, the report also mentioned critical challenges that could hamper the successful delivery of the port project.

These include gaps in government concessions, community engagement shortfalls, environmental concerns, and the overall stability of the project’s financing.

“The work done so far is commendable, but there are pressing areas that must be addressed with urgency,” the chairman noted during his presentation.

“This report should be seen not only as an update but as a call to action for all stakeholders.”

The session quickly turned into a lively debate not on the content of the report but over the procedural processes guiding when and how committee reports should be tabled, debated, and adopted. Tensions flared between members who argued for immediate deliberation on the report and others who insisted that proper notice must be given before such debates.

The Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, intervened to clarify the rules.

He reiterated that while the Business Committee plays a central role in determining the parliamentary agenda, all committee reports should ultimately be considered, but should be based on a scheduled sequence.

“There is no room for selectivity in what reports come to the House,” the Speaker said firmly.

“The Business Committee’s job is not to reject reports but to schedule them for proper debate. We must protect the integrity of parliamentary procedure.”

Others, however, urged flexibility in urgent national matters, calling for parliamentary procedures that support timeliness and transparency.

As discussions continued, a consensus appeared to form around improving internal processes for handling committee reports.

“Let us allow our committees to do their work,” one MP said. “When there’s a gap, leadership can intervene. But our goal should be unity and efficiency in oversight.”

The Banana Island Port report now awaits a date for formal debate, and its adoption could pave the way for stronger accountability on the project.

In the meantime, Parliament is expected to revisit its procedural guidelines to ensure better coordination and flow of committee business.