By Ragan M. Conteh

The Deputy Leader of government business who doubles as the Member of Parliament from Bo district, Hon. Bashiru Silikie has warned presidential nominees that they should not regard themselves as demigods in their offices.

According to Hon Silikie, most of those appointed in various institutions have abandoned their people, adding that they often close their doors whenever they see people coming to them.

“The offices you are appointed to are not your personal properties. You are there temporarily because other people have to occupy them in future and remember you have to go back to your communities and meet your people again,” he stated.

The MP made the submissions on Thursday 30th January, 2025 during the debate on the approval on the presidential nominees in the well of Parliament.

He said President Julius Maada Bio appointed them to perform and work in the best interest of development for the people of Sierra Leone.

Hon. Silikie stressed that excuses will not be tolerated and the only option is to perform.

He spoke on how presidential appointees are pivotal for the winning chance of the SLPP in 2028.

He also warned that his Excellency President Julius Maada Bio has the sledgehammer for those who are seated in their offices doing nothing, claiming that most of the appointees used to switch off their phones thereby preventing their followers from accessing them.

The Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Solomon Segepoh Thomas also admonished the appointees to go into their offices and do something different.

“Don’t go into your offices and continue doing things as usual as that negative attitude has debarred development of this nation for long. All of us are responsible for the current state of affairs of this country. We should not blame a single political party for our backwardness,” the Speaker insisted.

He warned all of them that as they were appointed by the president so shall they be fired by him when deemed necessary.

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh on the other hand reminded them that they should consider themselves lucky and work hard, because there are other people who wanted those offices before they were appointed.

Hon. Tawa Conteh informed that the success of the SLPP in 2028 depends on the performance of those appointed in offices.

He said the success of the appointees could positively impact on their children and the president in the future, adding that the latter appointed them to help him further strengthen and develop Sierra Leone.

“You are the marrow of His Excellency the President in your offices. Remember you’re representing him so please do due diligence by work to succeed,” Hon. Conteh admonished.