Freetown: Parliament witnessed a debate on Thursday surrounding the proposed National Security and Central Intelligence Act 2025, legislation designed to overhaul the nation's security architecture. Lawmakers engaged in examination of the Bill, which seeks to repeal and replace the existing 2023 statute while addressing critical gaps in the country's protective framework. According to Sierra Leone News Agency, Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh grounded the legislative initiative in constitutional imperatives, asserting that citizen security stands as the State's foundational obligation. He argued that peace remains the prerequisite for attracting investment and catalysing development. Dr. Sengeh further outlined that enhanced security services, alongside executive protection, would ensure seamless governance, with presidential oversight of the State Security Service (SPS) serving as a central operational tenet. Chairman of the Committee on Defence, Hon. Alex M. Rogers, characterised the Bill as a prud ent measure, noting that responsible governance demands commitment to national safety. He acknowledged existing deficiencies within the country's security architecture, expressing optimism that the proposed law would harmonise with broader national security policy objectives. Hon. Abdul Marray Conteh shifted focus toward institutional clarity, warning that the State protection apparatus had long endured political entanglements. He stressed the necessity of delineating roles to eliminate duplication, advocating for the depoliticisation of the SPS. Echoing concerns over overlapping functions, Hon. Rebecca Yei Kamara, representing Kono District, underscored the Bill's significance while pressing authorities to prioritise women's inclusion within security services. She invoked the contributions of women during Sierra Leone's eleven-year civil war as both a historical justification and a contemporary imperative for gender integration. Hon. Joseph Williams Lamin, representing Bo District, anchored his contributi on on constitutional fundamentals, asserting that the protection of lives and property remains non-negotiable. The legislator offered an assessment of national sentiment, declaring the citizenry's collective rejection of war while urging colleagues to conduct thorough legislative scrutiny before advancing consideration. Hon. Charles Abdulai, also from Bo District, identified specific overlapping functions embedded within the Bill, calling for enhanced clarification to enable Parliament to exercise judgment in safeguarding national interests. Hon. Bashiru Silikie concentrated his debate on provisions within Part 7 of the legislation, which establishes a specialised protection wing. He insisted that such a unit must remain insulated from political influence to ensure effective service delivery. Raising concerns regarding eligibility for State security coverage, Silikie formally requested that parliamentary leadership receive dedicated SPS protection. He cautioned that imposing term limits on the SPS Director could inadvertently entrench politicisation, urging colleagues to examine the document given its sensitive nature. Concluding deliberations, Leader of Government Business, Hon. Sahr Mathew Nyuma, categorised the Bill as indispensable to State security, outlining its primary objective: safeguarding Sierra Leone's internal and external interests. He emphasised the necessity for concentrated parliamentary focus to prevent functional duplication among security agencies, drawing attention to Clauses 3, 6, and 52 as requiring legislative attention. Nyuma advocated for legal consistency, though he expressed disappointment regarding what he termed a lack of innovation within the Bill, questioning how the 'Chief Innovator' could present such a document. He further voiced objections concerning perceived attempts to abrogate Section 61 of the 1991 Constitution, insisting that legislation must not engender discrimination. Invoking Standing Order 51:1, Nyuma moved to refer the Bill to the Legislative Committee for scruti ny. Responding to legislators' concerns, Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh offered clarifications while reaffirming the government's commitment to security, growth, and development. He concluded by reiterating the State's need for a robust and effective State Security Service.