By Joseph F Kanu
On Tuesday, 27th May 2025, the Parliament of the Republic of Sierra Leone debated and passed into law the Bill entitled ‘The National Early Warning and Response Mechanism Centre Act 2025’. The Bill seeks to establish a National Early Warning and Response Mechanism Centre, which shall be responsible to provide early warning on issues relating to human security and peace in Sierra Leone, and to provide for other related matters.
As she presented the Bill, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, said an early warning centre would be established to provide early warning in Sierra Leone. She added that the centre would also provide means to ensure peace and security in the country. The Minister furthered that the mechanism centre would provide a comprehensive centre to ensure problem solving in the sector. Minister Barlay informed Members of Parliament that the center would generate data to handle issues regarding disaster in the country. She assured Members of Parliament that the centre would also improve early warning and strengthen technical management to ensure effectiveness in the early warning system. She continued that the enactment would benefit the government and people of Sierra Leone through the establishment of legal frameworks. “it will mitigate crisis situation for the people of Sierra Leone,” she said.
Contributing to the debate, Chairman for the Committee on Planning and Economic Development in Parliament, Hon. Musa Fofanah from Kono District, affirmed that the Bill is timely and that the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development should be appreciated for their tireless efforts in improving the sector. He continued that the creation of Early Warning Centre is good to ensure potential disasters are handled before getting escalated. He called on Parliament to speedily pass the Bill into law.
Deputy Opposition Whip 1, Hon. Catherine Zainab Tarawallie from Bombali District, said the Bill is not political and that it’s for the bennefit of all Sierra Leoneans. Referencing Clause 4 of the Bill, Hon. Catherine Zainab Tarawallie said the Legislative Committee should further look at certain areas in the Bill for the benefit of Sierra Leone. “The Bill is not hurting anyone, but the Bill is to provide for every Sierra Leonean,” she said.
Hon. Joseph Williams Lamin from Bo District said the Bill is good and that it should not be politicised. He used the opportunity to encourage the Executive Director of the National Early Warning Centre to do her best and persevere in order to deliver for the people of Sierra Leone. He concluded by saying that the Bill is precise and needs expeditious parliamentary approval.
Hon. Mariama Bangura from Western Urban District said that most of the time, women are worried when it comes to disaster management, because they are most likely vulnerable. She questioned the creation of other agencies instead of supporting the existing one, such as the Office of National Security and the National Disaster Management Agency. “I know the Bill is good, but there is also a need to sustain and support the existing institutions,”she said.
Rounding up the debate, the Acting Leader of Opposition, Hon. Daniel Brima Koroma, said the Bill is not controversial and that the Bill is for the good of Sierra Leone. “The opposition party in Parliament is in support of the Bill, the because the Bill is good for the country”, he said.
Hon. Daniel Koroma expressed dissatisfaction about the constitution of the board and asked for a review of that clause at the committee of the Whole House. He also requested for the modification of requirements for appointment positions, with the vehement consideration of women in those positions. “Avoid copy and paste”, he warned.
Concluding the debate, the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, extended appreciation to the opposition for supporting the Bill. The Leader added that the purpose of the Bill is to provide early warning for potential futuristic disasters in the country. He furthered that Early Warning Mechanism Centre is important, because it would provide early warning on issues that have inimical effect on the state and citizens. He said that if institutions adhere to some of the warnings provided by the National Early Warning Centre, most of the challenges faced as a nation would have been circumvented, referencing Mpox, Yenga and other disasters. Hon. Nyuma continued that when reports are produced with recommendations provided, such reports should be complied with in order to mitigate and prevent potential disasters in the country.
Responding, the Minister clarified several issues and concerns that were presented by Members of Parliament.