STATEMENT BY H.E THE VICE PRESIDENT COMMISSIONING OF PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION TEAM 2007

STATEMENT BY H.E THE VICE PRESIDENT
COMMISSIONING OF PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION TEAM 2007

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen let me take this opportunity to welcome you to this all important occasion at the State House. As you are well aware on 17th September 2007, His Excellency, Ernest Bai Koroma was sworn in as President of the Republic of Sierra Leone following his pronouncement as the Winner of the 8th September Presidential Run-off Poll by the Chairperson of the National Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone. It is the intention of the President to make the transition as smooth as possible and to allow for a comprehensive handing-over from the outgoing government. To accelerate the transition process the President therefore wishes that  a rapid assessment be conducted   on the  current status of government institutions, and make recommendations on the way forward. This background informed the directive from His Excellency the President  on the 19th of September 2007 that all government functionaries should report back to their respective positions and continue with their respective assignments.

The objectives of this exercise include the following:
1.     To work with the out-going government to ensure a smooth transition.
2.     To assess the current state of Government Institutions in terms of policy, programmes and resources.
3.     Take stock of the present situation in the machinery of government including assets, liabilities, measures and actions awaiting implementation.
4.     Make recommendations on possible directions and follow-up action points.

The strategic output expected from this exercise is a final report outlining:
(i).     the current state of Government Institutions with detailed policy, programmes and resources.
(ii).     inventory of assets, liabilities, measures and actions awaiting implementation.
(iii).    recommendations on possible directions and follow-up actions that will facilitate a transition results based framework for Government response.

The reporting  and  communication structure  for  the presidential transition team is as follows:
Members of the Technical Coordinating Team will be led by the Vice Chair : Hon. Haja Afsatu Olayinka Kabba.  The  Technical Coordinating Team will provide strategic guidance and direction to the Committee Leaders. Committee Leaders  will report directly to the Technical Co-ordinating Team or a designated member of the Technical Co-ordinating Team. All Committee Members  will report to their respective Committee Leaders.
In view of the urgency of this assignment I expect the 1st Draft consolidated report from the Technical Coordinating Team to be delivered to my office by the  5th  October 2007.  That means it is incumbent on all of you the members of the various committees to work assiduously and present the 1st Draft report from your committees to the Technical Coordinating Team within seven calendar days with effect from 25th September 2007.  We expect the duration of the assignment  to be completed within three weeks.
Let me convey His Excellency’s heartfelt appreciation to all of you for the immediate response to his call for national  service at this crucial period of democratic transition in our beloved country. It behoves us all as patriotic Sierra Leoneans to put our shoulders to the wheel and work assiduously to effect a peaceful handing-over that will set the pace for sustainable economic and social development.
The team is led and coordinated by the Vice President and assisted by the Vice Chairperson, Hon. Haja Afsatu Olayinka Kabba. The Technical Co-ordinating Team which includes Dr. Lancelot Ayo Lake, Ms. Jeannette Eno, Mr. Abu Bangura, Dr. Richard Konteh, Mr. Oluniyi Robbin-Coker, Mr. Alie Fornah, Mr. David Tam-Mbayoh and Mr. Momoh Conteh are responsible for overall coordination, interface with donors and development partners, Monitoring and Evaluation  of committees and  report consolidation.

The Committees on the Transition Team cover the following clusters:

1. Finance, Trade and Development
2. Governance Reform
3. Infrastructure
4. Agriculture, Forestry & Environment
5. Social Services
6. Mineral and Marine Resources
7. National Peace and Security
8. Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

Members of the team have been assigned to these committees based on their professional and academic competencies. This team has been officially endorsed by His Excellency, the President. It is therefore my pleasure to officially commission the Presidential Transiton Team.

Thank you for your attention and I look forward to receiving the report by the 5th of October .