By Allieu Sahid Tunkara-The Watchpen
Via BBC media link, 400,000 cases of Corona Virus and 4,000 deaths have been recorded worldwide.
India and other Countries have shut down for citizens to stay at home. Those whose countries are considering similar measures are stockpiling on their food supplies to ensure self-sufficiency. The measures are to contain the spread of Corona Virus that is wreaking havoc on many countries in the world including African countries.
Geopolitical considerations have prevented most countries from shutting down their borders.
Although Sierra Leone has gone without a case, proactive measures are being taken to forestall the outbreak.
A state house press release indicates that that public gatherings of up to 100 people have been banned, hand washing at public places is compulsory, the use of hand sanitisers is recommended, tricycles carry only two passengers, Mini bus vehicles convey four instead of five passengers, no vehicle or motor cycle plies the highways at 10pm among other measures.
Government institutions and other corporate bodies have been supporting government’s move in the measures embarked upon.
However, the proclamation of a state of Public emergency by President Julius Maada Bio has been seen as the greatest measure in the Corona Virus prevention but, has been met with stiff resistance from the opposition.
According to the government, the proclamation is purported to last for one year. The period is the bone of contention among parliamentarians who referred to the one-year period as too long.
The opposition parties in parliament spoke in complete unison on the proclamation of a state of public emergency which they have vehemently opposed.
Parliamentarians say the proclamation lacks well-defined paragraphs and deficient in rules and regulations.
The main opposition All People’s Congress, Coalition for Change, National Grand Coalition and the independent members of parliament were embroiled in a debate to pass the disaster management bill into law when the state of public emergency proclamation was made.
However, section 29 of the constitution of Sierra Leone Act No.6 of 1991 confers on a sitting President to proclaim a state of emergency when the state or any part thereof is threatened either by war or natural disaster.
The provision, if upheld by parliament, confers sweeping powers on the President to arrest and detain persons for unspecified periods without trials, suspend the operation of any law in force, enactment of regulations to restore order, restriction on freedom of movement among others.
The law also states that the actions of the President during and after the emergency period could not be inquired into any court of law.
The proclamation must be supported by one-third majority votes in parliament. But, the house seems divided on the approval of the state of emergency.
DrAbassBundu, speaker of parliament and members of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party found it difficult to convince members of the opposition to speak with one voice over the Presidential proclamation.
The opposition is viewing the government’s proposed state of emergency with suspicion considering the ensuing bad blood between the two sides of the political divide. Members of the opposition, by all indications, suspect that they would be hunted considering the unlimited powers of the presidency in such situations.
Owing to the stand-off between the ruling and opposition parties, the parliamentary speaker adjourned the proceedings to today.
A change in stance of the opposition is expected in the parliamentary proceedings. However, other parliamentarians are apprehensive that the impasse would continue.
The proclamation of the state of public emergency coincides with the release of the findings of the commission of inquiry. Many party stakeholders fear that the white paper would come out during the emergency period.
The public become panic-stricken since the proclamation of the state of public emergency by the government.
A great number of Sierra Leoneans depend on petty-trading for their survival. Most petty traders consume what they make for the day and life seems difficult for them especially if the one-year period is endorsed.
Idrissa Kamara is a petty trader dealing in assorted goods. He looks worried and jittery about the proclamation of the state of public emergency. “I became worried since yesterday when I heard that the country is now under an emergency,” he said. “Most of us eat what we sell for the day. We can’t survive if we don’t come to the street and sell, most times, at night,” he stressed.
One would argue that the stipulated 10pm when everybody would have gone home is enough. But, Idrissa says he sells more at night precisely between 10pm and 11: 30 pm. Most times, he tells Nightwatch, he leaves Sackville Street for his residence at Calaba Town after the day’s sales. For now, Idrissa cannot do that for fear of being arrested either by the state security operatives or the Freetown City Council Police.
Another trader at Abacha Street, Mabinty Kamara seems totally paralyzed too as news of the state of emergency gripped her. “Early in the morning, I am at Abacha Street to do my business. I sell throughout the day and go home around 11pm. But the time for now 10pm which is very bad for me,” he said. Mabinty has a debt burden of Le 7,000,000 (Seven million Leones) making her to sell all day long to offset the debt since time flies.
Idrissa and Mabinty represent the great number of petty traders who call for a slight extension of time. Most, if not all, say they live on hand-to-mouth survival.
They complain that life is extremely difficult prior to the pronouncement of the state of public emergency talk less of what would befall them if the one-year period is approved.
By all indications, a trying time awaits Sierra Leone. Powerful nations are being devoured by the virus, but Sierra Leone remains a zero-case country.
However, the government does not want to be seen relegating to complacency. It wants to keep its head above waters by ensuring that the country remains safe throughout the Corona crisis.
It is the achievement of such an objective that the government has pronounced temporal measures. But, the measures have been perceived life-threatening by men in the streets more than the virus itself.
The public is quite aware of the government’s determination to protect the lives of Sierra Leoneans. But, a balance between survival and preventive measures must be struck. In as much as the people want to see measures for their prevention from Corona Virus, they are equally concerned about livelihoods.
As parliamentarians converge today at the well, the public wait ambitiously for the outcome. But, hopes are high that the one-year state of emergency would be reduced to three months if approved by parliament.
Sierra Leone is marked for its abject poverty and under-development. A great number of Sierra Leoneans are trapped in endemic poverty making them to hustle against all odds to ends to meet.