On NASSIT Appointment and the Concept of Integrity and Competence

With the recent appointment of Edmond Koroma, former Director General of NASSIT to serve as Financial Secretary at the Ministry of Finance, his position which by all indication requires a high level of competence and integrity became vacant. As the case should be, a possible replacement requires a competent personality of integrity to fill the vacuum thus sustaining or even furthering the good work that may have been done. Securing such position like all strategic management positions often takes a dimension that could best be regarded as cantankerous and or unhealthy. The reason being that possible candidates often resort to a  high level politicking, lobbying, or ‘dog eat dogism’ just to clinch the hotly contested seat. I have reliably learnt that five people have so far been short – listed for the position and the interview will be conducted soon. The appointment for the position of Director Generalship of NASSIT requires prudence, tactfulness, fairness, and rationality and above all should be devoid of any form of sentimental attachment. Sierra Leone is at the cross roads of economic growth and political stability and a sensitive institution like NASSIT should by all indication be overseen by a person of high integrity and competence.

On the issue of Integrity

Integrity is the bulwark for sustainable growth and economic advancement. The lack of this vital ingredient in any social, political or economic structure is a recipe for failure and eventual conflict. Thus the necessity often and again arises for the setting up of governance structures such as the Anti Corruption Commission. It was in line with this that His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma strengthened the Anti Corruption Commission by granting it the power to prosecute  those found wanting for nefarious and corrupt practices. This should also be a factor in the appointment of people to head certain key state institutions like NASSIT. To appoint an individual without the requisite qualification, experience and integrity to head this institution will be counterproductive to the commitment of H.E. to the success of Sierra Leone as a nation. In this regard, I would therefore like to draw the attention of the general public on the disposition and attitude of a particular applicant for this position whose activities caught my attention and eventually necessitated the publishing of this Article. I am herein referring to Idrissa Daudis Koroma purportedly holding a PhD degree.

Dr. Idrissa Daudis Koroma worked for the Sierra Leone Ports Authority from 1971 to 1981 where he rose to the rank of Senior Management Clerk. If the best case is assumed for him, he should be 23 years as at 1971 and SLPA his first place of work. This gives Dr. Koroma at least 61 years in this world to his credit although it is understood he is far above the said age. Except he has revised his age downwards but one can consider him to be too old for the position. 

Again the advertisement makes the educational requirements very clear. His credentials can not easily fit into the job requirement. He is a certified Chartered Marketer with the Chartered Institute of Marketing. He holds a PhD degree in Marketing having completed a research titled “The Contribution of Marketing Strategies to the Development of Tourism in Sierra Leone and the Gambia”. With a Master of Commerce degree also, Dr. Koroma is well qualified to work for a marketing organization and not an institution like NASSIT.

I have even gone further to look at his work experience in addition to his clerical job at SLPA. He was an Account Manager at British Gas and a Business Adviser with Harringey Business Development Agency Ltd. He did not gain any experience in a pension fund institution contrary to several publications on him about his experience suitability.

What is also striking about Dr. Koroma is his desertion of his job at the SLPA. Having been sponsored by SLPA, Dr. Koroma failed to report and work for this country only to return now when he no longer has a place in the UK and seeking retirement life.

My sources at the SLPA say he was given a deadline of 31 January 1983 to report for duty but failed. His position was declared vacant on 2nd February 1983. Is this the kind of person to be projected in the media about his candidature? This raises a question of reliability especially so for a sensitive position like that of the DG of NASSIT. The Director Generalship of NASSIT requires a high degree of integrity, it must be emphasized.

On the issue of competence

Putting square pegs in round holes has long been a problem in Sierra Leone. This problem has often been cited as one of the major challenge stifling the forward advancement of this nation.  Political leaders in Sierra Leone often come under immense pressure from either party loyalist or high financial contributors in the politicking process for certain key positions. At times such leadership is compelled to do so in order not to antagonize top Vons in the party or members of the party in general. The position of Director General Calls for a strong background, knowledge and experience in social security both in theory and practice and I truly doubt whether Idriss Daudis Koroma has any of these. This man has no solid background in social security and no first degree. What he actually has are accumulated diplomas and a PHD in tourism. The million dollar question that is begging for an answer is what Tourism has got to do with social security. Surely Pa Ernest is looking for technocrats to help turn this nation around not unqualified party loyalist otherwise Sierra Leone is doomed.

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