By Josephine W. Lagawo
FREETOWN, Nov. 15 (SALONE TIMES) – Members of Parliament last Thursday November 112021 have approved agreement on Defence Industry Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Turkey and the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
Presenting the agreement to members of Parliament, Minister of Defence Rtd Brigadier General Kellie Conteh said that the agreement will make the military carried out mission and that it also looks into the affairs of human capital, Health, Free Quality education and will developed the engineering and agriculture units at the RSLAF.
“This agreement will enhance and capacitate the military in all discipline and the agreement is for two years,” he noted
Chairman of the Defence Committee Hon Sahr Juana pointed out that this agreement is a good one for the military.
That the way the military has conducted themselves it is better than before and that the agreement will create capacity for the military to conduct training outside the country.
Hon Dr. Mack Mahmoud Kalokoh said the committee on defence was on oversight and that they visited various units in the military, pleading to the leadership at the RSLAF for the marine wing to be capacitate so they can protect their water because there are lot of illegal fishing that is taking place but that the military did not have patrol boats to protect our territorial water.
Hon Abdul Karim Kamara said the military is a discipline force and that the agreement is for two years which according to him is short, noting that when they go for peace keeping they have never done anything that will put them on the spotlight.
He revealed that the salary of the military need to look at and the barracks need upkeep, pointing out that at present, the 34 military hospital is better than before.
Hon Alusine Osiao Kamara said the road leading to the maternity ward at the 34 military hospital is in deplorable state, highlighting that the whole hospital only has two pressure machines, so he wants this agreement to look at those issue.
Hon PC Bai Kangbaro Sanka 111 of Tonkolili district said they used to have engineering department at the military and that Government should capacitate that department so that they can bid for the construction of roads because the roads which the contractors construct are sub- standard.
Hon Lahai Marah said the Wilberforce barracks is in deplorable state they need to rehabilitate it and the conditions of military need to be look at.
The minister responded that he knows that the time of the agreement is short but the way they comport themselves will prompt the Turkey government to extend it.
