The Leader of opposition government in Parliament, Hon Abdul Kargbo, has informed President Julius Maada Bio’s appointees in the Chambers of Parliament that, “Your Successes as political appointees will never prevent my political party from coming into power.”
The Leader of Opposition said appointees appointed in various Ministries Departments and Agencies should learn to treat their staff fairly in work places.
Hon Kargbo made the submission on Wednesday 20th December 2023 during the approval of 11 Presidential appointees in the Well of Parliament.
He continued that, people should also make friends on the other side of the aisle and therefore urged the appointees to make the necessary change while in their offices and ensure that changes happen.
“You are not appointed by the President to make enemies and besides we met the SLPP and APC and so we will leave them tomorrow. So why the enemies,” Hon Kargbo told the appointees.
He stressed that, as opposition party, they want all the Presidential appointees and the government at large to succeed and they also want the country to progress.
“This is the land that we all love and you will one day give account of your stewardship when you shall leave office. Let politics don’t prevent you from having excellent working relationship with the people,” he emphasized.
Addressing the Deputy Bank Governor, the Director General, the lawmaker said, they should make sure that they have perfect working relationship with their colleagues.
He raised the issue of diplomatic consignments at the SLPA to be addressed so as to avoid embarrassment as a country, adding that the dollar has left behind the Leones and, that appointees especially the Deputy Bank governor and his Boss should work hard to stabilize the situation.
The opposition Leader also spoke on the need to attracting direct foreign investment in the country which will help bring investors and boost the economy and subsequently change the narratives on the current economic downturn.
In his part, the SLPP Member of Parliament from Kenema who doubles as the Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Hon Matthew Sahr Nyuma, thanked all the MPs that contributed to the debate on the approval of Presidential appointees.
The leader said changes on the economy depend on production and he was optimistic that the economy will change when the right policies and reforms are made.
He pointed out that many things have happened even before the appointment of new NRA Director General, and he urged her to apply the principles of the rule of law to change the narratives in generating revenue for the development of the country.
The MP from Kailahun District, Hon Quinton Sallia, said the appointment of the new NRA Boss, Jeneba Bangura, is timely but however; cautioned that, she should not allow distractions.
“NRA is polluted. Fixed each and every pillar. Go there and sanitized the institution. Those who come and tell you about others are the backbiters. Don’t encourage them at all,” Hon Quinton Sallia warned NRA Boss.
Many MPs also made similar sentiments and warned the newly appointees to set the pace and work not for their political parties or personal interests but for the good of the nation and its people.
Other MPs said NRA is the life wire of Sierra Leone existence, adding that the newly appointed DG should strive to maximize revenue generation in Sierra Leone.
They emphasized that NRA is the “life blood” of Sierra Leone’s economy and urged the new boss to work with business people as they are crying because of the current chaotic business environment being inflamed by government heavy imposition of taxes on business owners.