By: Aminata Sesay
Hon. Alhaji Musa Bamba III, Paramount Chief Member of Parliament (PCMP) representing Tonkolili District, on Thursday officially tabled a public petition in Parliament on behalf of aggrieved constituents from the chiefdoms of Dansogoia, Sambaia, and Diang.
Addressing the House, Hon. Musa Bamba III described the petition as a constitutionally grounded appeal, submitted in accordance with Parliament’s Standing Orders and Rules of Procedure. He explained that the petition was endorsed by a “cross-section of former residents and rightful landowners” from the affected communities.
“This petition reflects the lawful right of our people to voice their grievances and seek redress through legitimate and democratic channels,” he stated.
The petition centers on ongoing land ownership and usage disputes, allegedly involving activities by the Sierra Leone Mines and Minerals Development and Management Corporation (SLMDM) and the Gento Group of Companies. The petitioners make the following key requests:
That Parliament refer the matter to the Public Petitions Committee, in accordance with Standing Order 17; That a thorough investigation be conducted into the actions of the SLMDM and the Gento Group concerning land usage;
That a special parliamentary hearing be convened to review and potentially amend government processes involving the California Iron Corporation;
That the petition be understood not as a motion of no confidence, but as a genuine plea for constructive dialogue and accountability.
Hon. Musa urged his fellow lawmakers to treat the petition not with suspicion or hostility, but with urgency, empathy, and wisdom.
“I pray that the House sees this petition not as an attack on the Government, but as an opportunity to respond meaningfully to the voices of our people,” he declared, before formally laying the document on the table for consideration.
In response, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, acknowledged receipt of the petition and assured members that it would be forwarded to the appropriate committee for review and appropriate action.
This development underscores Parliament’s role as a platform for citizen engagement and a venue for addressing complex disputes through democratic means.