The Members of Parliament of the main opposition Sierra Leone Peoples Party {SLPP} will today start scrutinizing the speech of President Koroma delivered on the State opening of Parliament.
The speech delivered by the President has been laid on the table of Parliament to be debated for five allotted days. This is the norm in Sierra Leone as speeches delivered from the throne are debated.
The opposition MPs unlike the ruling MPs from the All Peoples Congress (APC) are not wholly expected to commend or laud the President’s efforts but to highlight his short comings and critique unrealistic statements.
MPs spoken to from the opposition immediately after the President’s speech refused to comment stating that they needed time to critically analyze the speech whilst some of the ruling APC MPs expressed their satisfaction stating that the President highlighted his achievements.
At the last debate on the President’s speech, the opposition was prevented after Hon. Dr. Bernadette Lahai’s outburst caused control from the Speaker to advise MPs in their debates.
Issues that will be seriously examined include the appalling health situation in the country which Hon. Eric Jumu has been a campaigner against and the falling standards in the educational sector which Hon. Robin Farlay has now and again strongly criticised.
One of the thorny areas which might cause a row was the President’s speech on the unification of the country which has come under serious criticism from the opposition who have been accusing the ruling party of tribalism and regionalism. The President shall also be criticized for not speaking on the solutions of the bad economic situation for which some opposition MPs seem poised to highlight the government’s inability.
By Ishmael Bayoh
ADVERTISEMENT