By Ragan M. Conteh

The Deputy Opposition Leader in Parliament, Hon Daniel Koroma, has urged the ambassadors appointed by President Julius Maada to visit Sierra Leoneans in foreign countries.

According to Hon Daniel Koroma there is an agreement between Sierra Leone and Nigeria that Sierra Leonean students studying in Nigeria should not be treated like foreigners, equally so Nigerian students in Sierra Leone are not foreigners and should be treated like citizens.

Hon. Daniel Koroma Acting leader of opposition said, “there are hundreds of Sierra Leoneans in Saudi Arabia that are on two years contract job; they need your protection,” the APC deputy leader advised ambassador Mohamed Barrie.

Hon Koroma urged the Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to work with the Saudi Arabian government to ensure that students’ religious beliefs are respected which are not in conformity with Islam.

He said there are many Sierra Leoneans who are now working in Saudi Arabia who are Christians, adding that the government of Saudi should respect their Christian faith just as Sierra Leone encourages Saudi nationals in Sierra Leone in the practice of Islam.

He stressed that Sierra Leone has enjoyed bilateral relationship between Sierra Leone and Saudi Arabia for a very long time and as Members of Parliament they are happy to have a good diplomat to Saudi Arabia who’ll protect Sierra Leoneans there.

Hon Koroma urged the ambassador to keep an open door policy to all Sierra Leoneans irrespective of their political and tribal affiliations.

He pointed out that Saudi Arabia has a lot of investment opportunities that the ambassadors appointed could tap into for the benefit of Sierra Leoneans.

He urged the ambassador to work towards addressing the needs of Sierra Leonean communities in Saudi Arabia and to admonish the nationals there to respect the laws of Saudi.

Hon. Bash thanked the president for appointing Mr. Barrie as ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and urged him to do due diligence and lure investment opportunities for the people of Sierra Leone.

“Whenever you see a call from a member of parliament please pick their call,” the speaker advised the public servants.