By Saio Marrah
Sierra Leone Parliament has approved the appointment of William Fayia Sellu, as the new Inspector General of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) together with seven other presidential appointees to serve in different capacities.
The approval of the former Head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the SLP by lawmakers on the 4th of August 2022 came after President Julius Maada Bio recently replaced the Former Inspector General of Police Michael Ambrose Sovula and his Deputy Elizabeth Turay.
The other presidential appointees that were also approved by parliament include Ahmed Amadu Turay, as Director General of Sierra Leone Correctional Centre, Morris Salieu Conteh, Board of Trustees, National Social Security and Insurance Trust, and Sorie Fofanah, Chairman, Board of Directors National Civil Registration Authority.
The others include; Musa Kargbo, a member of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority’s (SLRSA) board, Joseph Sherman Kamara, member of the board of Trustees, Sierra Leone Student’s Loan Scheme Fund, Amara Sheik Mohamed Sowa, Deputy Permanent Representative (Political Affairs) to the United Nations, New York.
The approval of the seven other members was applauded by both opposition and ruling party MPs. However, the opposition members of parliament were concerned about the appointment of Colonel Sahr David Thomas Ngauja as the Deputy Director General of Sierra Leone Correctional Service, saying that military personnel should not be appointed to serve in the correctional service.
The Deputy Leader of Government Business in the house of parliament, Silikie Bashiru, admonished them that their performance will determine the success of the government as they hold key positions.
He told the new IG of the many challenges within the SLP ranging from corruption, to other challenges in the force, and also called on the new IGP to address the highlighted issues within the force.
Silikie also called on the other senior police personnel to work with the new IGP so that they can achieve their goals together.
A Paramount Chief Member of Parliament (PCMP), Bai Kurr Kanagbaro Sanka III of Tonkilili District said the peace and tranquillity of the state lie on the shoulder of the IGP.
He also admonished especially the IGP not to be biased in his service but to serve his conscience.
The PCMP noted that most youths are being arrested for smoking cannabis and jailed for over 15 years without charges, but that older people in high positions are being left to do the same action without arrest.
He also cautioned the new police boss over the issue of power from above, saying that only God should be regarded as power from above.
Another Member of Parliament, Mohamed Bangura representing constituency 006, Karene District, called on the new IGP to restore the trust of the public in the force, after citing the various brutality during the regime of his predecessor.
Bangura also mentioned the poor conditions of service for the police officers ranging from housing, and uniform, to the untimely delivery of their rice, among other things, which he called on the IGP to address.
Another Opposition Member of Parliament, Dr. Mark Mahmoud Kalokoh representing constituency 032 in Bombali District, highlighted the inconsistency in public data and called on the new Board Chairman of the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) to address the issue.
He also called on the new IGP not to use disproportionate force in executing their work as police, after citing a killing in his constituency during the course of an arrest of an individual. He said the primary duty of the police is the protection of the citizens.
Other lawmakers also called on the new police boss to make sure the force is professional, and not biased in executing their job.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (05/08/22)
