By Nasratu Kargbo
Members of Parliament have called on the new Minister of Internal Affairs Major-General Retired David T. O. Taluva to ensure that porous borders are well secured in a bid to stop smuggling of drugs and weapons into the country.
Paramount Chief Cyril Gondor Foray II from Kailahun District called on the newly- approved Minister to make sure that he upgrades security within the country and the borders with other countries.
The PC during the debate for the approval of the first group of newly –appointed minsters on the 25th July 2023 explained that the security checkpoints within the country and those along the borders are not well-manned; stressing that the manner in which they check vehicles make it less of a hurdle for criminals to sneak things through.
“I want to suggest let us have iron bars along those check points so that any Jack and Jill cannot pass through” the PC said.
He explained that few weeks ago a lot of weapons were discovered in a vehicle, emphasizing that every private vehicle with the exception of the President and Vice President’s convoys should be searched at checkpoints. “The border is so porous, we have many unofficial crossings, we have to make sure the borders are properly manned” the PC said.
He said peace and security are the bedrock upon which all development hinges on, saying he has heard that certain people want to put the country on a stand still.
Whilst addressing the Minister of Internal Affairs designate, Leader of Government Business Mathew S. Nyuma said “The proliferation of drugs is all over the place”.
He warned that if the Minister and the Parliamentary Committee of Internal Affairs do not do their work and oversight function, they will be destroying the country’s future generation.
Veronica K. Sesay asked that the porous borders be secured, stating “We want security, peace and tranquility”.
The MP called on the appointees to ensure that they work with their deputies by giving them work to do, and should not make them redundant.
She said they have received complaints from deputies that some ministers only ask that they be represented when they cannot attend certain programmes, stating that aside, they are not made to feel as part of the ministry. “Give them assignments, because in the future they will take after you” Sesay said.
MPs approved the first set of nominees appointed by President Julius Maada Bio to occupy ministerial positions. Amongst the thirteen approved ministers, three were women- Minister of Water Resources Sao-Kpato Hannah Max-Kyne, Minister of Social Welfare Melrose Karminty and the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Princess Dugba.
Amongst the big names of Ministers designate that were approved were Minister of Energy Alhaji Kanja Sesay, Minister of Foreign Affairs Timothy Kabba, Minister of Finance Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, and Minister of Health Austin Demby.
Copyright © 2023 Politico (26/07/23)
