By Ragan M. Conteh

The Opposition female Member of Parliament who also doubles as the Deputy Whip of the opposition has said, “Politics has killed Sierra Leone.”

“Our people are dying gradually.”

The female MP made the assertions on Wednesday 17th April 2024 during a familiarization meeting with the Committee on Public Administration and Political Affairs at Committee room one in Parliament.

Addressing officials from the ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs, the MP said Sierra Leone is facing serious challenge on the Salary harmonization.

She told Minister Amara Kallon that the country has serious problem regarding salaries and pensions.

According to Hon Katherine Tarawally, other countries are much more serious when it comes to salaries and pensions for public and civil servant.

She maintained that the salary discrepancy has created a whole lot of problems, while politics has worsened the situation.

She appealed to the Ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs to work with the political affairs committee in parliament for a proper scrutiny of salary harmonization in the country.

She commended the Minister Mr Amara Kallon for his steadfast in making the ministry a better MDA that is good for all.

The Deputy Leader of opposition II, Hon Aaron Koroma, said before now the Political Affairs wing was consider as a dumping grown but through the current Minister Mr Amara Kallon the Ministry has been very vibrant.

“We want to see the Ministry and the Committee as a strongest partner.  We have a lot of issues on payroll, we need to correct that.

“You have our own support. Don’t also forget about the recent fight on education; about the (WASSCE) saga  because education is a political issue,” Hon Aaron Koroma said.

The Chairman of the Committee on Public Administration and Political Affairs, Hon Kemokoh Conteh, thanked the minister and team for his explicit explanation on the ministry’s work.

He said as a committee, they are always working towards development and salary harmonization and that there are moves for legislations to be in top gear.

Hon Conteh urged the Minister, Amara Kallon for partnership which will help address laws that are has to do with the ministry advancement.

Responding to the issues, the Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs, Amara Kallon revealed that the ministry is currently reviewing the Civil Service code; Policy for Public services and it is working towards harmonization of salary in the country.

Speaking on the challenges, Minister Kallon said his office currently has lots of challenges ranging from lack of adequate office, working to change the mindset of Sierra Leoneans and among others.

He said they want to recruit 142 staff but only have 3 rooms in the whole ministry.

Hon Kallon called on MPs to work in partnership for the advancement of the Ministry.

Other MPs also spoke on the toxic political space in the country and how the ministry will help de-escalate the toxic situation.