November 25, 2021
BY MOHAMED M. SESAY
Due to the appalling attendance of representatives from Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the ongoing 2022 budget debate, the Acting Speaker of Parliament Hon. Solomon Segepoh Thomas has on Wednesday 24th November 2021, ruled that Parliament will not approved budget for any MDAs who failed to attend the 2022 annual budget debate.
“I have been informed and I do believe that notice was sent to all MDAs. Let me say for the benefit of the public that today is the grace period. Tomorrow any MDA who is not represent in the well of this House will not be considered for budget allocation”, Hon. Thomas warned.
The Deputy Speaker also expressed his dismay of the poor attendance of Parliamentary session By Members of Parliament. He added that punitive action will be taken against Members of Parliament for not attending Parliamentary sitting.
He stressed that effective today; the House of Parliament will start doing roll call in order to monitor the punctuality of Members of Parliament in the well.
Oh his part, the Deputy Leader of Government Business Hon. Bashiru Silikie acknowledged that they were voted for based on public trust which must not be betrayed.
Hon. Bashiru Silikie also considered the unpunctuality of Members of Parliament as a disservice to the people they represent.
He added his voice to the warning of the Deputy Speaker about delinquent Ministries, Department and Agencies to be present when the 2022 annual budget is debated.
“We have a quorum and that is the more reason why Parliament is sitting which obliges the Ministries and Department and Agencies to witness the debate’.
He added that during the reading of the budget by the Minister of Finance, any of MDAs never attended the session. He therefore suggested that the House of Parliament summons all the Permanent Secretaries to witness the debate of the 2022 Appropriation Bill.
Hon Bashiru Silikie stressed that the 2022 national budget concerns the livelihood of the people of Sierra Leone and therefore, MDAs are under obligation to attend listen to the representatives of the people during the budget debate.
Leader of the Main Opposition All People’s Congress Party Hon. Chernor Bah also agreed with the Deputy of Leader of Government Business that MDAs are treating the House of Parliament with contempt.
He conceded that the ruling of the Speaker of Parliament amounts law. Hon. Chernor Bah continued that during the Budget Hearing on Friday, the Speaker made a pronouncement reminding all MDAs to be present during the debate, noting that none of the MDAs heeded to call. . He further indicated that the lackadaisical action of MDAs has become an unacceptable trend.