Freetown — In what has been described as an unprecedented move, Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora have sent a petition to the office of the President calling for the appointment of US-based head of DENI-SL, Amadu Massally as the new director of the Office of Diaspora Affairs.

The petition, signed by some 218 persons leaving in the diaspora, paid glowing tributes to the development activities Massally has been engaged in.

The former Diaspora director, Dr. Michel Sho-Sawyer, was relieved of his duties "for acting beyond his official remit". However, the petition notes that the diasporans cannot afford to have the former director replaced with someone that may not be up to the task of handling such an important office.

The diasporans covering letter to the president states: "The Office of Diaspora Affairs is critical in bridging the gap between the numerous opportunities to reinvest, rebuild and develop Sierra Leone and the technical skills, know-how and economic resources that exist in abundance in the diaspora. Strong effective leadership of this office is essential to its success".

The letter goes further to state that there are hundreds of thousands of migrants and their families working outside of the country, and if just a fraction of them could be encouraged to contribute to the development of Sierra Leone with the right policy and nurturing environment, the development potential and speed at which it can happen would increase exponentially.

They said many of them in the diaspora have taken the initiative to propose a candidate that they believe is the best suited person to lead the office. "Over the years, our candidate has proven, repeatedly, that he has the vision, leadership skills and tenacity required to accomplish the goals of this office. He is especially skilled at mobilizing people from all walks of life, nationalities and interests towards a common goal - national development," the letter reads.

Speaking to Concord Times, Massally said he felt honoured that his rank and file can repose such confidence in his abilities to lead the diaspora to Sierra Leone and vice versa.

Massally is currently in the country working on the DENI-SL program that is supposed to be helping Sierra Leoneans, by themselves, take concrete steps to eradicate poverty in the country.

He is also offering voluntary advisory services to the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Political Affairs.