By Nasratu Kargbo
Member of Parliament Mohamed Billoh Shaw of constituency 039 has called on parliamentary committee chairpersons to be more active, saying many matters are brought up in the Well but few reports and actions are made by committee chairmen. He said committee heads should be more responsible and asked the parliamentary leadership to take note.
Shaw explained that if one is privileged to be a chairperson for a committee, when matters are brought up, they should take it seriously. He emphasized that those MPs should know that they are privileged, claiming that there are other competent MPs. He asked colleagues to be more serious in addressing issues raised up by fellow colleagues with regards their constituency.
Explaining some issues in his constituency, Shaw said when he went there, he had to give his fuel for the work of the “youth farm” and that the operators do whatever they want because they are not paid or taken care of. He said “if government has paid for hundred acres to be ploughed and harrowed for the youth, where is the money going? How can those service providers abandon the work they are being paid for.”
Another MP Briama Mansaray of constituency 017 said that year in year out, he has been complaining that his people suffer too much during the rainy season due to the deplorable state of the Ngendema ferry. Mansaray said he was aware of a huge sum of money that was given for its maintenance, yet it cannot operate properly now due to what he said was reckless maintenance.
He stated that those using the ferry are risking their lives and pointed out that the life of the citizen is of utmost importance. He explained how the contractor when reached by the people had said he has no business with them as they never gave him the contract.
The MP explained how MSF provided materials for the people but the SLRA Regional Engineer allegedly refused the materials on the basis that MSF has no right to do procurement for them. Mansaray pleaded with the speaker to order the chairman of Works Committee to look into the issue.
Parliamentarian Peter Yama Koroma of constituency 033 said he had made a request to the house in previous sittings that EDSA be summoned. He said he made that request following some arrests in Makeni over electricity theft. The MP said EDSA Makeni went into agreement with customers without the knowledge of EDSA Freetown.
In his reaction to this, the Acting Speaker, Sengepoh Solomon Thomas stated: “If you do not summon people there is no way we are going to develop as a nation, even when a minute issue is brought up, summon those involved.”
He advised committee chairpersons to summon people and make sure the MPs that raised the issues are in attendance during the questioning. He also requested for all those who have issues to write a formal letter to the different committees.
Copyright © Politico Online (16/07/21)
