By Mabinty M. Kamara
President Julius Maada Bio has appointed a new Executive Director for the Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA). The new boss, Paul Sobba Massaquoi, who was announced on Wednesday, replaces the embattled Ken Philip Sondai.
Prior to Massaquoi’s appointment, Sondai’s Deputy, Festus Cosbie, had been acting as the head of the institution.
Massaquoi is the third person to take charge of the SLMA in just over two years. His immediate past two predecessors were Dr Sarah Bendu, who was sacked amidst corruption allegations, and most recently Sondai, who has been sacked amidst accusation of “insubordination.”
Massaquoi comes into office in the wake of a tussle surrounding the suspension of Sondai by SLMA’s supervising ministry, the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, a move that was overturned by the SLMA Board.
Sondai was suspended by the Ministry under controversial circumstances, only for the decision to be overturned by the Board Chair, Alhaji Umaru Dumbuya.
An internal memo announcing the suspension cited “insubordination” as Sondai’s offense.
The new Executive Director was picked out of the institution. He will now wait for Parliamentary approval before he takes office.
When he takes charge, Massaqoui will need to restore public confidence and decorum in what seems like a frail institution, after all these scandals.
Copyright © 22/05/20 Politico Online
