The Third Session of the Parliament of Sierra Leone began yesterday with series of controversial issues.
Before the MPs could start their debates, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Chukuma Johnson welcomed them from their long recess but strongly reminded them that those laws governing the conduct of MPs and Parliament shall this time be fully enforced.
The Deputy Speaker, known for over ruling MPs on issues he deemed as controversial, was at it again yesterday when he presided over debates.
The first MP whose contributions were deemed as controversial was that of Hon. Dr. Bernadette Lahai of SLPP. She was informing the House about what she said she saw at the Sierra Leone Embassy in Washington. The MP disclosed that it was startling for her to have seen the pictures of the Foreign Minister hung in the embassy building rather than that of the President and his Vice.
But the Deputy Speaker told him it was a controversial issue and should be communicated to the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
The next MP to face the Deputy Speaker’s gauntlet was Hon. Moinina Conteh of SLPP. He was trying to inform the House about plans for the conversion of the Daru Barracks in to a military training camp. Again, he was told his concern was controversial but should let the Presidential and Defense Committee know about it.
From the Majority Party, Hon. Mohamed Kamara from Lungi was narrating how three of his constituents were killed by Police officers and sixteen severely wounded when the Deputy Speaker told him that since the matter was being investigated, it was controversial to be discussed.
Hon. Borbor Sawyer of SLPP was also not spared when he tried explaining that he had made a complaint against the Health Minister at the CID Headquarters when he was not allowed.
These MPs stood under Standing Order 23 which is interpreted by the Deputy Speaker to mean giving commendations but not criticisms. Some MPs have said it was under SO23 as it is referred to that they agitate and raise concerns on issues bordering on the lives of their constituents. They also said they use that standing order because they were not given enough time to debate.
Parliament is adjourned to October 9 for the State Opening by President Ernest Bai Koroma.
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