Samuel Kallon 
By Ragan M. Conteh
The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) Member of Parliament from Bo District, who doubles as the Deputy leader of Government Business in Parliament, Hon Bashiru Silikie, has told the Presidential nominees that colleague MPs will not be going to their offices to beg them for alms.
He said MPs would only be going to their offices to discuss important government issues around development.
He emphasized that MPs would also always be knocking the doors of offices of Presidential appointees to deliberate on national issues which are in the interests of the public.
Hon Silikie stated that some Presidential appointees after their approval won’t visit parliament, adding that but when MPs would visit them for the good of their institutions they would become reluctant to open their doors for them.
“Presidential appointees in various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) are primarily responsible for the development of the nation and not MPs,” he stated.
Hon Silikie buttressed that MPs have faced enormous challenges from their constituents who are in a daily basis called by the constituents to make culverts, bridges and sometimes for making roads which are the responsibility of government institutions.
Parliamentarians are mandated to make laws, conduct oversight functions and above all represent the people.
He underscored that the government through institutions have devolved functions to councils who are now primarily responsible to transmit development in their localities.
He urged the Presidential appointees to do good for the nation, adding that posterity will tell on those who fail to work for the people and they do otherwise.
In his submissions, the Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Hon Matthew Sahr Nyuma also buttressed his view on the need for the Presidential appointees to work with the best interest of development.
He said President Bio appointed them in various offices not for their beauty but to help him achieve his agenda.
“Only President Julius Maada Bio is bestowed with the powers to hire and fire. He has the prerequisite power to execute his duties at any time and whenever he wants to,” he said.
He emphasized the quest for President Julius Maada Bio to empower women as his top priority.
He pleaded on the appointees to do the due diligence by working hard for the development of the nation and not for them and their family survival.
