Presenting the gifts in line with the relevant provision in the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, Hon. Mathew Nyuma said that the Chinese Government had agreed to use its grants to assist the Government and the Parliament of Sierra Leone with materials which include 390 chairs for the Chamber, lower and upper galleries, and 500 arm-chairs for committee and conference rooms.
The grants also include 10 office chairs, 6 executive chairs for the leadership of Parliament, 52 chairs for the conference room at the New Administrative Building, 400 chairs for the State Hall, 150 microphones, speakers and other audio equipment for the Chamber, committee room 1, State Hall and the conference room at New Building, 2500 meter square of green and red carpet for offices of the Leadership, Members’ Lounge and the Chamber, 50 multi-purpose tents, 2 air-conditioners, 4 laser jet printers, and 2 black and white photocopiers.
He also said that the technical work of installation of these items would be done by experts from China, who are due to arrive in the last week of February and work is expected to be completed by the end of March, this year.
Concurring, the acting Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Ibrahim Ben Kargbo said it is no novelty for the Chinese to assist Sierra Leone in promoting good governance, whilst thanking the Government of China and the Communist Party for strengthening bilateral ties between the two countries, through the award of scholarships to Sierra Leoneans to study in China, in addition to technology and infrastructural development.
Hon. IB Kargbo recalled the role Sierra Leone played during the course of the debate in the United Nations, through SAJ Pratt for mainland China to be recognized as the true representative of the Chinese people, adding that “it will come to a time when we will ask for a little bit more, don’t be surprised because we are friends.”
In another development, the Parliament of Sierra Leone on Thursday 24th January 2019 debated and unanimously approved the twenty-sixth report of its Committee on Appointments and the Public Service, chaired by the acting Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew S. Nyuma.
The following presidential nominees were approved by Parliament:
1. Mr. Abu Augustus Brima – Member, Minerals Advisory Board
2. Mr. Anthony M.B. Aruna – Member, Judicial & Legal Service Commission
3. Mr. Sheku A.T. Tamu – Member, Judicial & Legal Service Commission
4. P.C Foday S. Faba – Member, Board of Trustees, Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation
5. Mr. Michael M. Laggah – Member, Minerals Advisory Board and
6. Mr. Tejan Koroma – Member, National Youth Commission
