Hon. PC Bai Kurr Kanagbaro Sanka III from Tonkolili district was the third to give comments (after Hon. Chernor Bah and Legacy Sankoh) during Parliament’s session on the approval of six Presidential nominees, and especially limited his speech on the need to improve the energy sector.
The Hon. Paramount Chief emphatically highlighted the importance of ensuring sustainable electricity supply in Freetown and the rural areas. He said, referring to the new Minister, “we want to see light in Kailahun, Kono, Magburaka, Port Loko, Kambia, Lunsar, Moyamba, Pujehun, Segbwema and all bigger towns in the provinces and the western rural areas.”
He said the supply of electricity should be stable without spontaneous blackouts “we would not want to experience blackout when President is meeting with investors at State House, we don’t want to experience blackout when Parliament is in session…” adding that constant supply of electricity should not only be limited to certain areas of the city but should be distributed evenly so that everybody, including industries and factories benefit.
But the Paramount Chief and every other MP recognised the mammoth challenges of the Energy and Water Resources Ministry and proffered that the Minister should use his expertise to make things work, and make his mark as a young Minister.
The Minister himself (Oluniyi Robin Coker) is not oblivious of the challenges that lie ahead of him, as he clearly explained it during a brief interview upon his approval. He said he is not expected to perform miracles to improve the ministry but poised to work as a team to change the energy sector in the country for the betterment of all.
Robin Coker said the Ministry has projects in the pipeline which he would be working ardently to accomplish.
He expressed gratefulness for the confidence President Koroma reposed on him to serve his country, and he vowed to do his utmost best.
The General Manager of the National Power Authority Dr. Zubairu Kalokoh was hail and hearty, moving in all corners of Parliament’s Lounge yesterday in disposition of his happiness on the approval of Oluniyi Robin Coker as the new Minister of Energy and Water Resources.
The GM was bold to have confessed that the new Minister is “his match” as he was addressing journalists at Parliament’s Lounge.
Questioned by Awoko why he regarded the new Energy Minister as his match, and that whether the former Minister was a mismatch, he said “you see you journalists, that is why I don’t like talking to you. You always go in for bad news. Always get good news.”
But he (GM) managed to attribute his matching choice in the context of administrative cadre that you need to have somebody of like minds to work effectively and move the institution forward.
Hon. Elizabeth Lavalie gave a word of caution to the Minister and said, “You are going to serve in a very crucial position and you have to prove your competency as a young Minister. If you don’t perform we would send you out and posterity will judge you.”
Oluniyi’s ascendancy to the number one position in the Energy Ministry is considered by members of the public as “a serious challenge” following the sacking of his predecessor Prof. Ogunlade Davidson. He is expected to serve initially for nine months until the 17th November General Elections. He expressed confidence that he would do what is expected of him.
On another hand, Parliament also endorsed five other Presidential nominees for respective public offices. Among them were Sullay Daramy as Ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary, Abubakarr M. Kamara as Ambassador to China, Ms. M’Balu Mamadi Kamara as Board Member, Local Government Service Commission, Ms. Hannah Ahmed; Board Member, Independent Media Commission Mohamed Pa Momoh Fofanah; Board Member, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, and Mrs. Millicent Lewis-Ojumu (nee Hamilton Hazely) as Board Member Sierra Leone Cable Commission.
By Poindexter Sama
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