*83 Recommendations Implemented
*5 Directorate ToCut Down
By AlimamyLahai Kamara
“We are gathered here to assess the extent of work of the Tripartite Secretariat, to examine the implementation of the tripartite recommendations, and to list the next steps in our approach to build necessary structures to carry our governance infrastructure and strengthen our democracy. I am impressed at the turnout of the meeting; it shows our commitment to deliver; it emboldens our resolve to serve the people of Sierra Leone; and it confirms our inclusiveness in discussing national issues and taking national decisions,” Chief Minister, David MoininaSengeh told a Steering Committee meeting.
The meeting, which took place at the Foreign Affairs Academy auditorium, is held routinely to update committee members, but this time, development partners, Civil Society and other guests were invited to get firsthand information on the implementation of the tripartite recommendations.
For the Chairman, Dr. David Sengeh, the environment provides a bipartisan supervision to agencies taking action on the tripartite recommendations, and offers direction on how the Tripartite Secretariat works.
Coordinator of the Tripartite Steering Committee Secretariat (TSCS), NgoloKatta said he has held thirty five stakeholder engagements with relevant players and institutions including the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, ECSL, ONS, APC, SLPP, APPA, NEW, CSOs,Ministry Information and Civic Education, the Moral Guarantors, among others; and three technical donor coordination meetings with technical members of the development partners.
According to NgoloKatta, the TSCS is well placed to commence rolling out a number of public engagements in a bid to take the tripartite recommendations to doors, to communities, to chiefdoms and to districts. This includes informing the public on the management and functional reviews being conducted on PPRC, SLBC, IPCB and ECSL.
The Management and Functional Review on Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone is now complete, and has been formally handed over to the Chief Minister. The bulky document contains some 83 recommendations touching on every area of concern on ECSL relative to management and operation of the institution. The review cuts down on the number of directorates at ECSL from fifteen to ten and recommends that some commissioners sit in the regions.
The Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay, drew attention to drafting of pieces of legislations, which, he said, is at an advanced stage. The legal team is fast arriving at a point of commencing consultations in respect of the drafted laws. This allows professional entities, interest groups, the private sector and the general public to participate in the process and own their laws related to elections and bordering on good governance. All recommendations proposing legislative changes in the constitution do not require a referendum. After their drafting and consultations on them, a report will be forwarded to Cabinet for review before taken to Parliament for approval.
The Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah emphasized the need for informing the public on ongoing reforms as proposed by the tripartite. He said his civic series will continue to feature prominently, issues around the tripartite to annul opportunities for fake news and misinformation.
By July a presidential civic town-hall will be organized in Kenema, hosting the President as the guest of honour. Several clarifications were made by institutional representatives on issues raised before the report was finally presented to the Chairman for its launch.
