By: Aruna Kamara-(BO)
The suspension of three members of Parliament by the Speaker of Parliament, has been an action lauded by some of the Youths at Ataya Base and other social gathering platforms in Bo.
Speaking to A-Z Newspaper at Wise Youth Ataya Base in Bo, Brima Theophilus Koroma said that the MPs who make the law should be seen as role models in the society. He however expressed that MPs are doing the opposite in parliament as they were seen in the full view of the public fighting on electoral processes to be followed.
“But the action of the Speaker of Parliament has been seen as unprecedented by suspending the three MPs and this should not be politicised and no one should be above the law,” Mr. Theophilus said,
Another youth Fofanah Musa said that “if the MPs are fighting in parliament who are also parents, what do they expect from us? But I am of the view that the action taken by the speaker of parliament will serve as a deterrent”.
He added that they are deeply concerned about the action of youths in the 2023 elections and they are telling their fellow youths to be conscious of what happen to the riotous MPs.
Josephine Kamara noted that if action can be taken against MPs, what about the youths, pointing out that this is a wakeup call for the youths that they should not be allowed by politicians to use them perpetuate violence before during and after the 2023 elections.
The Directives from Speaker Abass Bundu were that, Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma of Constituency 048; Hon. Lahai Marah of Constituency 042 and Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara of Constituency 059 shall withdraw indefinitely from all proceedings in the House until a final determination is made by the House from the recommendations of the Committee of Privileges to which their misconduct is hereby committed. Until then all their privileges, immunities, remuneration and allowances are withdrawn; they pay equally to Parliament within two weeks the total amount of NLe380,000 being the cost of the properties of Parliament damaged as a result of the attack on the Chamber on 23rd November 2022 .
The ruling from Speaker Bundu also stated that if the three Members of Parliament fail to pay the said amount within the time thus stipulated that it shall be deducted from any gratuities due to them at the end of the life of this Fifth Parliament; with immediate effect no strangers be allowed into the galleries of the Well of Parliament except by official invitation from the Office of the Speaker and all strangers so invited shall be subjected to proper search before admission