By Ragan M. Conteh

The Sierra Leone People’s Party  (SLPP) Member of Parliament who doubles as the Chairman of Tertiary Education Committee in Parliament, Hon William Lamin, has stated that he stands for the truth regarding the ongoing investigation into the issue of Milton Margai Technical University and Brookfields Hotel.

“I have been based, accused of soliciting money from the university. I never collected penny from any official nor do I urged them to give me money. Never I don’t need any support from anyone. I stand for the truth and nothing but the truth” Hon William Lamin made the submissions on Thursday 29th August 2024 at the Committee Room one in Parliament.

However, he said his committee is driving towards amicable resolution on the fracas between the two entities.

He said he is not siding any one on the ongoing saga, adding that he intend to make sure a win win situation between the two entities.

Hon Lamin has ordered the two entities to go and settle and make their positions clear and dialogue then report to the Committee.

The authorities involved have asked the Committee to give them two weeks and final settle the saga.

They said they have started a fruitful dialogue and they will continue on Thursday coming and will revert to the Committee in Parliament after wards.

They thanked the Chairman, Hon William Lamin and his committee for their intervention.

The Chief Whip of the opposition party in Parliament, Hon Abdul Karim Kamara has  added that the two entities were far gone with the agreement regarding the portion of land which the hotel wanted to lease from the university not until the Ministry of Higher and Technical Education and Tourism interrupted the peaceful cool atmosphere that were existing between the two entities.

He said it important to note that the hotel needs specialists and that the university trains the specialists.

She described such a relationship as symboyotic relationship between them.

However, he warmed President Bio to very  becareful in bestowing and authority people like the minister of Higher and Technical Education Madam Wurie.

Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara (AKK), has expressed strong disapproval of the government’s decision to prioritise the interest of a private institution, New Brookfields Hotel over a government entity Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU).

Allegedly $60, 000 is said to be paid for as rent  yearly the government of Sierra Leone thereby giving way for the hotel to occupy the portion of land.

Hon. Kamara disclosed that the land dispute encompasses issues of litigation, law, and the plight of the President Bio, stressing that there are individuals under President Bio’s administration who consistently make poor decisions, which ultimately reflect poorly on him.

He referneced it to the  decision to favour the New Brookfileds Hotel over the university which he described it as a “bad leadership and decision.”

He recounted that the land dispute between MMTU and the above-mentioned hotel started years back during  the post civil war era in Sierra Leone, when the House of Parliament allocated the land and property to Hotel and Tourism Trade Center at Congo Cross under the Polytechnic Act to MMTU.

Additionally, he said, when the University Act was passed and enacted in 2022 and 2023, Milton Margai was upgraded to a University and granted the same portion of the land to MMTU.

The Chief opposition added that since 2001, the Ministry of Tourism has had no involvement with the said  property.

He highlighted the issue between MMTU and New Brookfields Hotel and confirmed that the Ministry of Tourism has no jurisdiction to claim the property or negotiate on behalf of MMTU.

He urged the President to review the genuine agreement between New Brookfields Hotel and the Ministry of Tourism between the two entities as both entities are separated and unconnected.

Interestingly, he said the Minister of Higher and Technical Education, Madam Wurrie who is  responsible for overseeing tertiary education, is supporting the interests of a private institution over or aganist the university.

The lawmaker doubted Madam Wurie’s priorities and asked if she is truly focused on empowering young people in the country and also disappointed at her actions.

AKK disclosed that since the agreement with New Brookfields Hotel in 2015, they have been paying $60,000 annually, which he believed that MMTU could also afford same amount to the government of Sierra Leone.

He noted that it is disheartening that a university is facing challenges over $60,000 when the President could easily cover the cost.

He said it interest to know MMTU is the  only university in Sierra Leone that  trains specialists in  tourism.

According to his investigation, the hotel sought to extend their land through an agreement with the university, which was nearing completion before the intervention of the Ministry of Higher Education and Tourism. He reminded the hotel that the specialists the hotel needs are trained by the same university.