By: Aminata Sesay
A spirited session in Sierra Leone’s Parliament this week saw lawmakers call for a revitalization of oversight functions and improved accountability within parliamentary committees, emphasizing the need to fully utilize existing Standing Orders to strengthen governance.
Hon. Dixon Rogers voiced strong concern over the limitations of Standing Order 23, which restricts the types of questions MPs can raise due to its non-controversial requirement. Instead, he advocated for the more assertive use of Standing Order 19, which allows for direct questioning of ministers a tool he described as critical for effective policy oversight and public accountability.
“SO-19 is a crucial tool that we must use effectively in this Parliament,” said Hon. Rogers. “In almost every democratic country, ministers are regularly questioned, and the public benefits from that level of transparency. We should be no different.”
He also emphasized the need to rejuvenate committee work, noting that many important reports generated by committees are never debated. “Reports are brought to Parliament but are not tabled or discussed. That undermines the purpose of oversight. We must ensure these reports are scheduled on the Order Paper and debated regularly,” he urged, calling on the Speaker to take a more proactive role.
Echoing these concerns, the Chief Whip supported the idea of introducing deadlines for the submission and debate of committee reports. “When reports are debated in this Well, it motivates committees to be more proactive. We must create that standard,” he said. He also proposed the formation of a dedicated subcommittee to address reports related to religious institutions.
Adding a practical dimension to the discussion, the Chairman of the Committee on Oversight encouraged committees to prepare concise concept papers justifying their oversight visits. “We cannot distribute funds without clear purpose,” he stated. “Committees must submit oversight plans to their leadership for approval before funding is released.”
He disclosed that only one concept paper had been submitted in recent weeks, raising concerns about coordination and communication. He warned against claims of unequal funding distribution and urged committee leaders to take greater initiative.
In response to the various concerns, the Speaker of Parliament pledged to collaborate with the Business Committee to enforce more consistent oversight practices. He also summoned members of the Works Committee to convene immediately after the session to address outstanding oversight issues.
The debate highlighted growing momentum among MPs to strengthen Parliament’s oversight capacity and hold ministries and public agencies more accountable. If implemented, these reforms could significantly improve transparency, efficiency, and responsiveness in the country’s governance systems.