By Nasratu Kargbo
The Parliamentary Director for Programmes, Research, and Partnership, Gilbert Nhabay has spoken about an initiative to get the Clerk’s Office to become independent by depoliticizing it.
Speaking during a Parliament and Press Gallery Engagement Forum, Nhabay noted that they want to make the office independent so its work can be effective.
He said the position of a clerk not being a political appointee comes with a lot of merits as it is done in other countries.
However, he stated that in the case of Sierra Leone’s parliament, it will take time, but emphasized the ambition to do so. Nhabay added that the office of the clerk used to be a non-political appointment, but some years back a change was made.
He said they want to ensure clear and defined legislative processes and unambiguous rules, hence the need to review the Standing Orders
Speaking on the achievements made, Nhabay pointed out that the country’s parliament is becoming more effective by the day, noting that they now have a legislative calendar, which gives everyone the opportunity to know the signs of progress made with regard to the laws and every other action taken by the institution.
He also mentioned that from the 25th May 2018 to present, the parliament has held 246 plenary sittings, enacted 52 bills into law, approved 55 statutory and constitutional instruments, 139 loans, and 98 committees and delegation reports tabled in parliament. 51 protocols, conventions, and treaties were also ratified.
The Director of Parliamentary and Public Relations Office, Sheku Turay stated that in order for the vision to become a reality, there should be a constitutional review of section 82(1), as it gives the president the responsibility to appoint the clerk of parliament in consultation with the public service.
He noted that when reviewed, the office can be depoliticized by ensuring that the parliamentary service commission recruits the clerk and mentioned Ghana where the parliamentary service is charged with the responsibility of recruiting the clerk of parliament.
Explaining what used to obtain, Turay explained that before now, individuals appointed as clerks were people who had risen to the level of Permanent Secretary, an appointment that was done by the president in consultation with public service.
“The only departure we had was in 2011, and it was the president who appointed the clerk, but this time it is in the opinion of the president, someone he thinks should serve as clerk of parliament that was when we first had a former member of parliament appointed as clerk of parliament” explained Turay.
He added that when the current administration came in 2018, they also followed a similar trend by appointing a former member of parliament to serve as clerk.
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