“Parliament is not responsible for development and government is not giving MPs a dime for the development of our districts.”

The SLPP MP who doubles as the Deputy Leader of Government Business, Hon Bashiru Silikie, had told Presidential nominees in the Well of Parliament on the current above situation.

He said the expectations of the people on development are very high and encouraged the nominees to deliver in the interest of the State.

He warned Presidential Nominees to live up to the expectations of Parliament and the President in terms of performance.

He also highlighted the work and the important functions of Parliament, Parliamentarians including law making functions, oversight functions among others.

The Deputy Leader heaped praises on the nomination of the NRA Commissioner General for her astute personality in executing her role as Deputy Minister of Finance.

While admonishing all the nominees, he called, on the Deputy Bank Governor to be a team player and to use his experience to acquire positive changes for the development of the State.

“Excuses would not be tolerated but result”, and warned the Ombudsman and NPAA appointees to do the needful.

The Deputy Opposition Leader II, Hon Aaron Aruna Koroma from Tonkolili District, said the nominees are eminently qualified and went on to praise the new Deputy Minister of Finance.

He encouraged the nominees especially the Deputy Minister of Finance to step up to address overspending on the National Budget and went on to reference the Public Financial Management Act and the Constitution. “It is only Parliament that approves budgetary allocation to MDA’s and not Finance Ministry,” he said.

He called for the timely disbursement of funds to MDAs.

On the Audit Report, he advised, that the needful had to be accomplished for defaulting MDAs and called on Parliament for enactment of penalties.

Hon Koroma applauded the appointment of the NRA Commissioner General and wished her well in her new assignment.

The MP also questioned the issues of duty waivers and requested the NRA Commissioner General to immediately look into the issue, citing that the Government loses a lot of revenue on the same.

Hon Zainab Cathrine Tarawally, Opposition Whip I, from Bombali District commended the appointment of female nominees.

She praised the appointee of NRA and advised her to do the needful for the mobilization of revenue for the nation.

She used the opportunity to encourage the appointees to work in line with the interest of the State.

She emphatically encouraged the appointee on the Wages and Compensation Commission to transform and to do justice to harmonize salaries for the good of the nation.

Hon Falla Tengbeh from Kailahun District applauded the nominees on their appointments and went on to advise them to embark on the implementation of the President’s Big Five Changers.

“Please maintain an open door policy in executing your functions,” said the MP.

The lawmaker praised various appointees for their nomination by the President.