By Ragan M. Conteh
SLRA’s newly appointed Deputy Director General, Ing. Vandy Chrispin James French, marveled MPs on Wednesday.
He was heaped praises by MPs from both sides of the aisle for his outstanding track-record over the years while at the Sierra Leone Road Authority.
They perceived Ing French as a man that does not know party segregation but has a progressive record of showing cordial relationship with everyone irrespective of one’s political, regional and tribal affiliations.
In his submissions, the Deputy Leader of Government Business told colleague members of parliament that the nominees were interviewed on pertinent issues including about their educational backgrounds, their track-record, declared assets, tax obligations, and other related matters.
The Chief whip of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara from Kambia district said the nominees have contributed immensely to the development of the nation.
He zoomed in on Ing. French, pointing out his outstanding performance shown toward the community people in the construction of a road around Ribbi and he talked of Ing. French’s hospitality to the people.
He used the opportunity to ask the authorities to reconstruct the road leading toward parliament.
The MP encouraged Mr. Amara to improve on the growth of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank.
“Go and do us proud and add value to the Commercial Bank,” he maintained and he went on: “go and do the right thing for this nation”
On his part, Hon Quintin Salia-Konneh from Kailahun district admonished the nominees to work in respect of the expectations of the President and the people of Sierra Leone.
He singled out the deputy minister to continue his good style of always communicating the good work of the government to the people.
The MP advised the Ing. to deliver on his tasks practically and professionally; to continue to improve on the construction of the road network started.
He also advised the Chairman Board of Directors to improve the status of Sierra Leone Commercial Bank.
“Please go and serve your various institutions,” he stated.
Hon Brima Mansaray from Kenema district thanked the President for appointing the nominees particularly Mr. Amara.
He heaped praises on Mr. Amara for his longstanding performance in the banking sector and advised him to consider the interest rate of Sierra Leone Commercial Bank. He used the opportunity to reveal the bad networks of certain roads in his district and asked Ing French to help in that regard.
Hon Dr. Unfa G. Koroma from Western area urban classified the various institutions as important and that the nominees should deliver in respect of same.
He made reference to various scholars relative to addressing the information gap and advised the deputy minister to stand up to meeting their tasks, in light of showcasing positivity and responsibility in civic education.
The MP used the opportunity to speak about the maintenance of roads and buttressed the earlier speakers on consideration of Commercial Bank’s interest rate.
Hon Musa Fofana from Kono district asked the nominees to go and work to their various offices and to make the State becomes proud.
He recalled the hard work and professionalism of Ing. French, citing him as an individual from whom they should emulate.
The MP used the opportunity to ask the Ing. to improve on their road construction and rehabilitation drive. Hon Ben Mansaray from Moyamba district recalled and thanked the government for road construction and the interest shown in the construction of the Mabang Bridge.
He appealed for additional road construction in the Moyamba district.
In rounding up the debate, the Opposition Leader, Hon. Abdul Kargbo from Port Loko district, vehemently advised the nominees to trend on a positive footprint in nation-building. The MPs zoomed in on the deputy minister and went on to speak on his versatility of services.
MPs encouraged the nominees to do more while Hon Kargbo also singularly heaped praises on Ing French for demonstrating some high levels of patriotic tendencies.
Hon Kargbo used the opportunity to advise MPs to patronize with Sierra Leone Commercial Bank and described Mr.Amara as an intelligent man.
He outlined his enormous experience and asked him to perform to the best of his moral obligation.
The Leader asked the House to expeditiously approve the nominees.
The Acting Leader of Government Business Hon. Bashiru Silikie from Bo district thanked all MPs for their various contributions made toward the debate.
He used the opportunity to ask the nominees to accord MPs with respect, especially in a situation where they would visit the nominees in light of seeking for onwards support for their people.
He reminded the nominees about the status of some bad road networks in their districts which needed maintenance and asked them to support them in that direction.
He reiterated that failure to undertake development in some instances had affected the re-election of some MPs.
“If you don’t perform it would affect us,” he said.
He predicated on the service delivery of the nominees especially on the deputy minister and asked them to equally perform.
He encouraged Mr. Amara to take along with his experience to the bank.
In his felicitation, the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu wished the nominees well.
Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara said the nominees have contributed immensely to the development of the nation and zoomed in on the Director General of Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) Mr Chrispin James French for his outstanding performance towards the constituencies.