By Shadrach Aziz Kamara
In a passionate and wide-ranging address during a parliamentary session, Deputy Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business II, Hon. Emerson Lamina, expressed his gratitude to President Julius Maada Bio for his constitutional authority in making key appointments to various government institutions. Lamina hailed the appointments as a demonstration of confidence and a continuation of the government’s commitment to effective service delivery and national development.
Hon. Lamina praised the President’s use of executive power to create, appoint, and restructure institutions stating that the day’s confirmation hearings were evidence of a government serious about fulfilling its promises. “Mr. Speaker, we have never disappointed this government. We have always availed ourselves with the necessary legislative instruments to ensure that the government succeeds in delivering development,” he noted.
The Deputy Leader called on the new appointees to adopt a leadership style that is rooted in integrity, performance, and evaluation. He reminded them that public service is a trust that must be earned and maintained. “Leaders must question themselves critically before others do. Ask: ‘What have I achieved? What departments do I oversee? What impact am I making?’ Leadership is about showing the way especially in difficult times,” he emphasized.
Particularly, Hon. Lamina directed attention to strategic institutions such as Statistics Sierra Leone, the National Petroleum Regulatory Agency (NPRA), the National Commission for Persons with Disability, and the Social Welfare sector. He underscored the pivotal role these bodies play in shaping the country’s development trajectory.
“Statistics is not just numbers it’s the life of governance. Without accurate data, there’s no planning, no development,” he said. On petroleum regulation, Lamina heaped praise on Mr. Brima Baluwa Koroma, the Executive Chairman of NPRA, for his exceptional administrative acumen and his leadership that earned Sierra Leone international recognition as a leading petroleum regulator.
“Mr. Koroma’s tenure saw an increase in fuel storage capacity, improved regulatory transparency, and strategic petroleum reserves that shielded the country during regional crises,” Lamina stated. He called out political detractors, labeling them as “scavengers playing cheap politics,” and insisted that Koroma’s performance transcends partisanship and deserves national commendation.
Highlighting the significance of transparency in public finance, Lamina referred to the Income Tax Act of 2000, which mandates the publication of names of companies and individuals who owe the state. He emphasized that such legal instruments must be enforced to ensure accountability and fiscal responsibility.
The Deputy Leader also commended the government’s gender empowerment agenda, noting that women have been granted 30% representation in line with statutory commitments. He encouraged appointees to champion inclusivity and remain accountable to the public, urging them to “reach, research, and review” a mantra he described as vital for sustainable leadership.
In conclusion, Hon. Emerson Lamina reiterated his belief that true leadership cuts across politics, region, religion, and tribe. He urged new leaders to follow the example of those who have led with vision, and called on Parliament and the nation to support these leaders as they embark on their new roles.
“Let us highlight competence, let us applaud effectiveness. Sierra Leone must remember its champions. The world is watching and we must not fail,” he concluded to loud applause.
