By:Aruna Kamara (BO)
For the recent tug of war among Members of Parliament, Civil Society Activists in the Southern Region have urged the Members of Parliament to tender their unreserved apology for fighting in the well of parliament as they should be seen as role models.
Speaking to A-Z Newspaper in BO, the Regional Convener for Civil Society in the Southern Region, Mustapha Kpaka, said that it is ironical to see Members of Parliament who should be seen respecting the laws made by them, now becoming law breakers in Parliament as they debate on sensitive constitutional instrument.
He considered such behavior as very unfortunate and uncalled for by honourable Members of Parliament to fight in parliament especially in the full view of the gallery. “as the footages of their fight have gone viral on the social media,’’ Mr. Kpaka said. He added that ‘’ some members of parliament have advanced the point that fight happen during parliamentary debate but the magnitude of the fight and destruction that happen, which warranted the police to intervene is uncalled for.’’
He said that they are happy to hear that an investigation would be mounted into the fight in parliament and that it is good that perpetuators be brought to book.
The Regional Chairman of Civil Society in the Southern Region, Jeremy Ben Simbo is quoted to have said on a radio station in Bo that ‘’ it a huge disrespect for the Mace in parliament , which is the symbol of authority for the speaker and for the parliament to be handled in that manner.’’
He said that the Speaker of Parliament should ensure that action is taken against the MPs who fought in parliament and disregarded the symbol of authority. He added that if the MPs are fighting in Parliament, that shows negative signal to the public. He encouraged all Members of Parliament to appropriately channel their ordeals for possible redress instead of fighting in the Well.
However, the speaking of parliament has vowed to take action against the MPS who misbehaved in parliament last week.’