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The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Technical and Higher Education was abruptly adjourned on Monday following the absence of key officials from the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education and the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. The meeting, which was convened to address the escalating land dispute between Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU) and the New Brookfields Hotel, was led by Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh.
Deputy Speaker Conteh, who stood in for the Speaker, expressed deep frustration over the absence of the Permanent Secretaries from both ministries, describing it as a “blatant affront” to parliamentary protocol. “The agreed-upon date for this meeting was disregarded by those who should be here,” Conteh remarked, emphasizing that such actions undermine the authority of Parliament.
The meeting was deemed critical as it aimed to resolve the ongoing land dispute that has reportedly disrupted the operations of MMTU. The dispute involves the alleged unauthorized occupation of university premises by the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, which includes the installation of a 40ft container and the establishment of a Loan Scheme Office on university grounds.
Conteh suggested that the absence of the ministry officials might indicate a reluctance to address the issues, possibly to delay the resolution of the conflict. He raised concerns about potential ulterior motives and conflicts of interest, particularly regarding financial transactions and rental agreements tied to influential figures within the Ministry.
In light of these developments, Deputy Speaker Conteh announced the rescheduling of the meeting to August 22, 2024, stressing the importance of full participation from all relevant parties. He called on stakeholders to respect parliamentary proceedings and fulfill their obligations to avoid further delays in resolving the dispute.
Representatives from Milton Margai Technical University, New Brookfields Hotel, and Surveys and Lands were present at the meeting, marking a significant step in the ongoing efforts to address the contentious land issue.
The outcome of the rescheduled meeting is highly anticipated, as the resolution of this dispute is seen as crucial to restoring normalcy to MMTU’s operations.
