In fulfillment of his promise to change all those whom he considers to be political appointees in areas that should be professionally manned President Koroma yesterday effected changes in the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC), the National Revenue Authority (NRA) and the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA).
According to the announcement on state radio, “Mr Abdul O.B Tejan Cole Chairman Anti Corruption Commission replaces Professor Joko Smart whose resignation has been accepted by the President”
Mr Saidu Conton Sesay becomes the new NaCSA Commissioner replacing Alhaji Kanja Sesay while his Deputy Justin Bangura is also replaced by Charles Rogers.
NRA Commissioner General Dr John Karimu “ has been relieved of his duties with immediate effect” which is the official jargon for being sacked, and his Deputy Ibrahim Barrie will act in his position until an appointment to the position is being made.
Mr Abdul Tejan-Cole has been deputy director of the transitional justice program based in South Africa. One of the very few promising young lawyers Abdul has been President of the Bar Association and was among the first batch of Sierra Leonean lawyers to work with the Special Court prosecution team. He has been a steadfast human rights defender and anti corruption campaigner.
Mr Saidu Conton Sesay who is now the Governance Adviser at ENCISS goes back to NaCSA after resigning from there almost three years ago. He was before he left the Director of the biggest aid program the National Social Action Project (NSAP). Saidu is reportedly a very strict and principled individual.
His Deputy Charles Rogers comes from the World Food Programme where he has risen to the top levels through dint of hard work and dedication.
Barrie unlike his former boss (John Karimu) whose qualification is related to geography is an accountant who had been working at the Ministry of Finance before being appointed to the position of Deputy Commissioner replacing Nat Cole. Opposition elements see this move as the steady replacement of SLPP appointees from top positions in government run institutions.
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