232News
_____________________________
The Manager of Sea Coach Express has referred to the Parliament of Sierra Leone as ‘Bull Shit”. He made this statement after he was questioned over the inconsistencies of the paperwork he presented to Parliament on Thursday 7th March 2024.
During the interrogation with the Committee on Labour and Social Security and Transport, it was found out that the documents which the Human Resource Manager of Sea Coach Express, one Tackie had presented were not in line with what they had asked him to present.
It could be recalled that in February, the committee on Labour summoned Sea Coach stating that they wanted documents of their staff salaries, NASSIT, PAYE, the number of expatriates they have and whether they are paying their work permits. Mr. Tackie had earlier appeared before the committee in February without the necessary documents so he asked for an adjourned date which is March 7th 2024.
On March 7th 2024, a joint committee sitting was convened at Committee Room No.1 to look into the issue. Hon Rebecca Yei Sam asked Tackie whether he had brought along the documents required. When he presented the documents, Hon Maada Lebby Chairman of Transport Committee found out that the documents were not comprehensive. Hon Musa Fofanah said he was seeing 164 staff with no NASSIT Number. Hon Rebecca Sam asked how can they pay NASSIT for employees who do not have NASSIT numbers. She also questioned why there was no corresponding position against that of the General Manager. Hon Lobby also demanded to know the staff strength.
Mr. Tackie informed the committee that all of them were Sierra Leoneans unless him a Ghanaian and another member of staff. Hon Sam said in the documents he was seeing shows a decrease of staff since 2021 when there were 151 staff. Hon Lebby said from 2021 they have been deducting 5% salary for NASSIT. Hon Rebecca Sam pointed out that the committee had given Tackie enough time to put the documents together. Hon Lebby Sea Coach was failing to produce the required documents to the committee and that Mr. Tackie was taking the committee for granted. One Mrs. Kamara apologized to the committee and ensured that the documents will be handed over to the committee.
Hon Musa Fofanah further stated that Sea Coach should stand down and called on NASSIT official to be part of the meeting on the next adjourned date.
Mr. Tackie told the committee that most of their employees do not have NASSIT. Hon Sam said since the operation of Sea Coach their employee had not had NASSIT number, and that the committee would have to stand them down. Hon Fofanah stated that the documents were misleading and there was no local national in charge. Hon Peter Yamba Koroma asked the committee to not only stand them down but to detain the sea Coach Officials until the others appear in parliament. Hon Alpha Amadu Bah said there is payment that did not show NASSIT payment whether they have made any payment., The committee then asked them to bring along the correct documents on Wednesday March 13th when the committee would call them to answer to this document. After the committee has released them, Tackie said Parliament was Bull Shit and that they had provided all the documents required.
