By Jariatu S. Bangura
Minister Alpha Ibrahim Sesay (Minister of Trade at the top, Deputy Minister, Fatmata Kargbo at the bottom)
Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Madam Fatmata Kargbo, publicly apologized to Members of the Parliamentary Committee on Trade on Thursday for the Ministry’s consistent disregard for parliamentary summons.
Her apology came during a session in which the Ministry, along with representatives from Duraplast and Ferro Fabrick—companies engaged in plastic and iron rod production—were summoned to explain delays in their operations since their agreement was ratified in 2021.
Chairperson of the Committee, Hon. Veronica K. Sesay, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Ministry’s perceived disrespect for the committee.
She attributed this to a sense of familiarity and called for immediate change, warning of serious consequences if the Minister failed to attend an upcoming session.
“This level of disregard must stop. We have critical issues affecting the lives of citizens that require your attention, yet you fail to take them seriously,” she stated.
Hon. Sesay emphasized that if the Minister did not appear before the committee on Friday, the committee would recommend withholding the Ministry’s 2025 budget allocations and reevaluating the operating licenses of companies under its purview.
“I might have to step down as Chairperson of this committee someday and ask Parliament’s leadership to assign someone else, maybe then your Ministry will show respect,” she added.
The Committee also criticized Duraplast for failing to meet its obligations, particularly in areas such as corporate social responsibility, employment creation, and transitioning casual laborers into permanent roles.
Hon. Sesay argued that the company’s documentation process, as explained by its representatives, could not realistically be completed within the proposed 20-day timeline. She urged Duraplast to collaborate more effectively with the Ministry to address these issues.
Representatives from Duraplast and Ferro Fabrick defended their efforts, explaining that construction on their site officially began in December 2022. They acknowledged delays but attributed them to ministerial transitions and logistical challenges.
“We have made reasonable progress,” stated the General Manager. “The plastic factory is on track to commence operations in April 2025, while the iron rod production will begin in November of the same year. We have kept the Ministry informed of our challenges and progress.”
The Parliamentary Committee emphasized its authority to ensure national development and its power to hold defaulters accountable. Hon. Sesay warned both the Ministry and the companies involved that Parliament would no longer tolerate negligence.
The session ended with a renewed call for collaboration between the Ministry and Duraplast to address the operational delays and prioritize commitments to citizens.
