By: Melvin Tejan Mansaray
Having totally vouch for the competence and qualification of Major General Sullay Ibrahim Sesay newly appointed Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Deputy Speaker of Parliament who also doubles as a Member of the Committee on Appointment and the Public Service and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee Honorable Solomon Sengehpoh Thomas wasted no time in calling on the Defence Chief Brig. Gen. Sullay to stop the malaise of soldiers involving in land grabbing in the country.
It is apparent that on Monday 22nd June, 2020 the Committee on Appointment and the Public Service vetted the presidential nomination of Major General Sullay Ibrahim Sesay and some Appeals Court judges at the famous Committee Room No. 1, Parliament Building, Tower Hill, and Freetown.
During the public hearing, Hon. Thomas said, “General Sullay, I want you to look at two things after parliamentary approval. The first one – reclaim all military lands, it is your right and you are duty bound as CDS to ensure that those lands are reclaimed and speedily too.” This comment was triggered by numerous submissions of Members of the Committee citing encroachment and squatters illegally occupy several military barracks across the country, to wit Man. Gen. Sullay said, a survey on eligible occupants and eviction of illegal occupants is on course.
On the second issue, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament said: “The second thing I want you to do is to ensure that you stop military officers from being land grabbers, because this is a malaise all over the place now. “He said they have heard several complaints relating to military officers using their juniors to grab lands. It is unfortunate and the military should not be seen by the public in that particular light, Hon. Thomas said.
The Deputy Speaker also disclosed that the leadership had discussions with a certain military leader who used military land as justification for a land issue and, “we came to realized that he was not telling the truth” “Address this particular malaise, it is very important for the image of the military. I am sure you can address this appropriately,” the Deputy Speaker said.
However, it was at this juncture that House Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew S. Nyuma intervened by saying that “you can address this issue bilaterally just after this meeting,” but Hon. Thomas was undeterred, continued by saying very soon the House will invite the CDS in a personal meeting where the said issue will be looked into much more deeper. Hon. Thomas stressed, “The complaints are so many, and so please do something.” In conclusion, the Hon. Deputy Speaker assured that Major General Sullay will do wonders as he is just too good for the job.
Major General Sullay could however not respond to the issue of military officers involving in land grabbing directly but however conceded that accommodation is a serious problem in the military, spelling out that infrastructural projects ate capital intensive and over and above what he described as political willingness to fund capital intensive projects is now visible. He promised that the RSLAF is thinking about building the capacity of the Army’s engineering department to be able to construct their houses and even compete with other construction companies. But he was told to first fix the problem from within before venturing outside. Major General Sullay has served the rank and file of the military both at home and abroad and he is expected to pass the House’s confirmation when the House meets on the 23rd June, 2020 or subsequently.
