By Politico Staff Writer
The Sierra Leone parliament on Friday voted to remove a controversial section in the 2020 Finance Act which would have given an open cheque to the President, Vice President and Speaker of Parliament while traveling abroad.
Section 42 of the Finance Act of 2020 which was passed last month relates to a non-accountable imprest given to the three top government officials for overseas travel. It exempted them from accounting for how they spend the money.
The passing of the Act provoked a huge public debate and condemnations from accountability groups who called on President Julius Maada Bio not to sign it to become law.
President Bio responded by not signing the decument.
And on Friday, a motion in front of the House was voted on by MPs to expunge the section from the Act.
Governing Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) MP, Hindolo M. Gevao, moved the motion which was seconded by Daniel B. Koroma of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC).
An amended version of the Section is expected to be Included in the Act for subsequent resubmission to the President for signing into law.
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