By Nasratu Kargbo
The newly- elected Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ibrahim Tawa Conteh said parliament will not be business as usual and that they will lead a parliament that is ‘people centred’.
Speaking to Journalists just after he was announced winner for the position of the Deputy Speaker on the 2nd May 2024, Conteh said “The aspiration of the Speaker is to lead this parliament in a different way by ensuring that whatever bill, law, agreement and assignment we have, constitutionally or otherwise that is to be passed through this parliament, it has to reflect the interest of the people of Sierra Leone”
Conteh acknowledged that the erstwhile Speaker Dr. Chernor Abass Bundu has done a lot, noting that the bar is high but that with the plans and huge target the new Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas has set, they will transform and change the face of parliament.
Conteh assured Sierra Leoneans that he will work with the Speaker to ensure that they do their best in the interest of the masses.
Whilst responding to a question on what his message to the sixth parliament, Conteh said “The message is sit tight a different sheriff is in town”.
Newly- elected Speaker of Parliament Segepoh Solomon Thomas whilst giving his maiden and acceptance speech vowed to serve the people of Sierra Leone.
Thomas said “I will not sit on my laurels, instead I will consider this a new fold in my service to this nation. I pledge to provide excellent service to the people at all times and never to fail, God be my helper”.
He called on members of the public to help parliament understand how they would want to be served, stating that he wants to hear ideas, get feedback and find more ways on how he and the members of Parliament can better serve them. He added that the people should feel free to express how they feel and think, pleading that they should not judge MPs before understanding the reasons behind certain decisions that they make.
Thomas who was the then Deputy Speaker in the fifth and sixth parliament before being elected Speaker is from Bonthe District and is said to be the youngest ever at 47 to occupy the position.
Thomas won the elections by simple majority of one hundred and twenty-eight (128) votes, after three rounds of voting for a two third of total votes which was supposed to be ninety-eight votes. According to the procedures of parliament one should attain two thirds of the total votes cast before they are elected speaker and if after three unsuccessful attempts, they can then go into a vote for simple majority.
When the question was put to the house as to whether they wanted Thomas as Speaker during the first, second and third balloting he got ninety three (93) , ninety-six (96) and ninety-five (95) votes respectively in his favour.
The second Candidate for position of the Speaker was the Deputy Leader 1 of the Opposition All Peoples Congress party, Daniel Brima Koroma said “In the interest of progress, national cohesion, parliamentary unionism and peace and national security, I Honourable Daniel Brima Koroma candidate for the position of speaker, hereby withdraw my candidature”.
Koroma withdrew even before his strength was tested, after the third round of voting for Thomas who was the first candidate to be voted for, saying he does not want to derail the process of the house and deemed it fit to withdraw.
He said the law shows that going forward they need a consensus to amend bills amongst other things.
Election of the Deputy Speaker was done on a basis of simple majority, and Conteh won with ninety-four votes in his favour.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (06/05/24)
