By Mustapha Kamara
Publicity Secretary of the main opposition SLPP party has questioned the existence of “the many vacancies in strategic government ministerial positions” saying his party demands answers.
Addressing a press conference in Freetown, Musa Tamba Sam said that about a year ago works minister, Alimamy P. Koroma and deputy education minister Mahmoud Tarawally were sacked “but they have still not been replaced”.
He said a deputy finance minister was also appointed to take up the position of central bank Governor without a replacement at his former position.
“We do not know why there have not been replacements to fill in these positions and the president is yet to inform us whether or not he himself will be taking over these ministries”.
He said the SLPP believed that “those gaps in the country’s governance should have been filled long ago”, adding: “we as a party, demand answers because we want to know if those offices are now closed”.
A government spokesman, Abdulai Baratay told Politico that the vacancies “have not in any way affected the operations and functions of the government. The president, in his wisdom can appointment other people to replace sacked public officials as and when he pleases”.
© Politico 19/11/14
