May 26, 2021
By Ilyasa Baa
Clerk of the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic, Hon Dr. Parans Tarawallie has said they don’t call police or have control over their presence in the House of Parliament adding that it is their responsibility to provide security.
He was reacting to concerns raised by members of the public that the House has been calling on the police for opposition Members of Parliament. Defending the House, the former lawmaker submitted that the presence of police officers during parliamentary functions is beyond their control .
He noted that 90% of the proceedings are under their control except for security which squarely lies in the hands of the Inspector General of Police. He said he has the responsibility to maintain law and order as a seasoned and potent policeman.
He called on members of the public not to judge the House over one or two events of confusion that had taken taken place which required the intervention of police. He said the House is calm despite the undertones or overtones of lawmakers noting that it is part of the beauty of Parliament. He called on the public to pardon the House for what he referred to as misbehavior by APC MPs.
According to the Clerk, debate on the Presidential State Opening of Parliament will commence mid-June.
Meanwhile, MPs are expected to peruse the speech and debate the issues raised by President Julius Maada Bio.
It could be recalled the President was in Parliament for the State Opening of the Fifth Session of the Second Republic last Tuesday which went quite well.