By Mohamed Jaward Nyallay
The House of Parliament has committed the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) Act of 2019 to the Legislative and the NaCSA Committees. The bill which was presented to Parliament on Tuesday seeks to permanently establish NaCSA as a government agency.
NaCSA is currently a semi-autonomous government agency that helps in implementing the development work of Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs). Among its many functions, it embarks on social safety programs and other projects geared towards improving the lives of the urban and rural poor in Sierra Leone.
NaCSA was first established in 1996 as the National Commission for Rehabilitation, Reintegration and Resettlement. It assumed its current nomenclature in 2001, through an Act of Parliament, which has been amended in 2008 and 2015.
NaCSA has played a vital role in rebuilding the country following the end of the 1991-2002 civil war. But unlike other agencies, its founding Act demands that it renews its mandate to continue to operating after every ten years. Its last mandate expired in 2018.
The Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Dr Francis Kaikai, under whose ministry NaCSA operates, said the need to establish NaCSA as a permanent body is important for the institution’s confidence.
“This is very significant, as everyone said NaCSA cannot continue to operate as a temporary institution. Every other ten years it had to come to Parliament to renew its mandate. This bill is now to enact NaCSA into permanent existence and once that is achieved, I think it gives comfort to the staff, it gives the institution more predictability. They will be able to raise funds and donors are able to see them as a permanent fixture in the development landscape of Sierra Leone,” he told Politico after the session.
During Tuesday’s debate, lawmakers from across the aisle in Parliament seemed to agree on the essence of seeking for a permanent status for NaCSA, but the contention was on some of the details in the proposed Act.
Ibrahim Ben Kargbo, the acting leader of the main opposition All Peoples Congress party, said: “We support having a permanent status for NaCSA, but if there is need to do some necessary corrections on the details, then we should.”
Bashiru Silikie, an MP representing the Sierra Leone Peoples Party, had concerns regarding the oversight role that was shared between the House of Parliament and Office of the Vice President of Sierra Leone.
“We have a bill before us that gives the power of oversight over this institution to His Excellency the Vice President. Mr Speaker, Honorable Members, the constitution is very clear that the Vice President has only one function; to act in the absence of the President. All other institution should be under the President and not under the Vice President,” Silikie said.
The Chairman of the Legislative Committee, Hindolo Ngevao said the bill will probably need an overhaul. His main contention was on a section in the bill that gave board members of the agency immunity for their actions if they acted in ‘good faith’.
“Who determines good faith?” Ngevao asked.
“Is like if this one stands; we will be giving a carte blanche or an umbrella to members of the board to do anything under the Act,” he said.
“We have to make ourselves accountable. I see no reason why we should have an immunity clause,” he later added.
Following almost an hour-long deliberation, the bill was finally committed for some major scrutiny. Ngevao was later approached by Politico to comment on the specific changes they will be making. He declined to comment, saying he will do so once the bill is passed.
Sources in Parliament said the Legislative committee and the NaCSA committee were scheduled to meet on Wednesday to make the necessary changes on the current document.
If completed in time, the bill could be brought back to the Well of Parliament for approval as early as Thursday, 7th November.
© 2019 Politico Online
