By: Mohamed M. Sesay
During the first day of the official induction for Newly elected Members of the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone, the Rt. Speaker of the Sixth parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone Hon. Dr. Abass Bundu, has on Thursday the 10th of August 2023, called on President Julius Maada Bio to leave a legacy at the end of his final term of office by establishing administrative offices for Members of Parliament embedded with a research officer and Secretary attached to each Member of Parliament.
In his keynote address, Speaker Abass Bundu admonished Members of the Sixth Parliament that he had been supportive and very adamant towards the championing the welfares of Members of Parliament of which the newly enacted Parliamentary Welfare Act stands as a testament of his commitment. He therefore, reaffirmed his commitment in ensuring that all Member of Parliament are accorded offices coupled with a research Officer and a Secretary.
He said MPs showed great enthusiasm and resilience during their election considering their efforts to become Members of Parliament. He used the opportunity to extend his felicitation to the electorates and reminded them of their responsibilities.
He informed them of the challenges ahead of their responsibilities in tandem with their abilities to deliver. According to him, MPs would only be able to deliver in Parliament based on experience gained from the induction. “You have to learn Parliament and Parliamentary rules” he stated and went on to say the induction is the beginning of the process.
He reminded the MPs of the nature of their work considering the high expectations of the people. He cautioned them to consider the people greatly. He advised them to solve the problems both in Parliament and their localities and went on to describe it as a big task.
He encouraged the MPs to collaborate with the Parliamentary Staff in order to deliver. He expressed hope to leave a legacy where a Member of Parliament would have an office and staff members attached to him or her for service delivery as practice in some countries.
The Speaker used the opportunity to refer to Late President Mandela and quoted him as saying” Education is the only weapon that someone can use to change the world” he stated and referred to a constitution and Sanding Order. He admonished MPs with regards their privilege of and immunity, considering their conducts, and representation of the people of Sierra Leone.
