Newly Appointed Consultant’s Qualification Under Scrutiny
Freetown, 18th September 2025 — The Ministry of Works and Public Assets was thrown into fresh controversy on Thursday, September 18, 2025 when Minister, Dr. Denis M. Sandy declared during a general meeting with staff that he had sent the Chief Director/ Professional Head, Ing. Paul Bockarie, on leave and replaced him with a consultant, Max Kosia, as Acting Professional Head.
The move, which many insiders describe as a blatant abuse of power, has raised alarms about political interference, favoritism, and the erosion of public service rules.
When a staff member boldly questioned whether sending the legally appointed Chief Director on leave fell within his mandate, and what procedures he had followed to reach such a decision, Dr. Sandy responded by insisting that Section 63 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone gave him the authority to send a civil servant on leave. His interpretation, however, has been widely disputed.
Civil service experts note that a Minister does not have the legal authority to send a Chief Director or any senior civil servant on leave, as such actions fall strictly under the Public Service Commission. By bypassing protocol and installing a private consultant into a statutory role, Dr. Sandy has deepened concerns about arbitrary decision-making at the Ministry.
“Replacing a seasoned professional with a consultant who is not part of the career civil service sets a dangerous precedent,” said one staff member, speaking on condition of anonymity. “This is no longer about performance — it is about control and personal loyalty.”
When the question was put by journalists whether the new consultant is qualified for the job, he answer in the affirmative. The developments come against a backdrop of growing unease over the Minister’s combative leadership style, with critics pointing to repeated clashes with senior officials.
Staff now fear that the Ministry’s integrity and stability are being undermined by what they describe as personal vendettas and favoritism from the top.
As of press time, Ing. Bockarie has not publicly responded to the accusations. However, legal and governance analysts are already questioning the legitimacy of the Minister’s actions and warning that the latest power play could destabilize one of the country’s most critical institutions.
