By Nasratu Kargbo
Members of Parliament have expressed serious concern and dissatisfaction over their inability to amend certain agreements that are brought to them for approval. The Speaker of Parliament Segepoh Solomon Thomas promised that he’ll ensure they amend that part of the law which barred parliament from making amendments in agreements, constitutional and statutory instruments.
They were debating the Arise IIP’s Dry Port Concession agreement on the 5th July 2024, when some MPs raised concerns on certain clauses in the agreement that they could not amend because they do not have the mandate to do so. They therefore want the authority to do so.
The Acting Leader of the Opposition Daniel Brima Koroma said he was surprised how such a law came into being that states that they cannot amend aspects of agreements and instruments except they annul and reject all together, or accept them in totality.
The MP said some annulments might not be prudent or helpful to the country, citing the Arise agreement which entails good ideas but has a clause or two which they would have loved to adjust.
He emphasized that it is very key that parliament can make adjustments in agreements, noting that certain clauses in some agreements are not good for the country’s growth. Koroma called on the Speaker to ensure they do something to tackle the issue.
The Acting Leader of Government Business, Bahiru Silikie agreed with his colleague, saying they are usually blamed for certain aspects of agreements that are flawed since the populace do not know that they do not have power to make adjustments, but to either accept or reject.
Silikie said amending such a law will allow them to change aspects of agreements that they think are bad.
“We will all try to locate that law and amend it, it is very important, the law that says that this house cannot interfere or amend statutory instruments and agreements, that law did not do justice to Sierra Leone”, the speaker said.
Speaker Thomas asked the Attorney- General, Mohamed Lamin Tarawally to ensure he finds the law that forbids them from amending agreements, statutory and constitutional instruments. He stressed that they should be able to make adjustments when such documents are brought to parliament, stressing that if there are bad elements in some agreements, they should be able to get rid of those areas.
The Speaker said he has noticed that Sierra Leoneans are lazy to read, stating that those who should advise the Ministers do not read. So, when the agreements are taken to parliament, MPs notice these issues.
He said he’ll organize a meeting for the legislative committee and the leadership in bid to locate the law that bars them from making amendments. He promised that very soon agreements will be brought to parliaments and that they’ll be able to amend them for the good of the nation.
“We need to have a say, which is why we are seated here, to represent our people. It is unconscionable” he said.
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