The Parliament of Sierra Leone on Tuesday, 27/05/2025, debated and passed into law, with some amendments, the Bill entitled ‘The National Early Warning and Response Mechanism Centre Act 2025’ for the development of Sierra Leone.

The said Bill seeks to establish a National Early Warning and Response Mechanism Centre, which shall be responsible for providing early warning on issues relating to human security and peace in Sierra Leone and to provide for other related matters.

Presenting the Bill in parliament, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Kenyeh Barlay, said an early warning centre would be established to provide early warning in Sierra Leone. He 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.

Furthermore, Minister Barlay informed Members of Parliament that the centre would generate data to handle issues regarding disasters 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 crises for the people of Sierra Leone,” she said.

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During 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 the Early Warning Centre is good to ensure potential disasters are handled before escalating. 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 benefit 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.

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 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 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 the Early Warning Mechanism Centre is important because it would provide early warning on issues that have an inimical effect on the state and citizens.

The Bill went through the various stages and amendments, including the Committee of the Whole House.