Sources from the corridors of Parliament have it that President Julius Maada Bio has reportedly signed the Parliament Welfare Act 2023, an Act many Sierra Leoneans described as a move to puncture the country’s economy.
It could be recalled that the controversial document was approved by all MPs representing their interests as parliamentarians and then approved conditions of service of MPs which caused widespread uproar among the population across the country.
The document according to sources contains salary and benefits increase for MPs and was sent to the Minister of Finance for consideration.
Citizens stated that it is a big shame to MPs for using their position to reap off the country and exploit the vulnerable men and women who work so hard every day to earn their meagre wages that cannot even meet the basic needs of their families.
‘Parliamentarians should know that they were not forced or coerced to put themselves forward for service to their people. Nobody pushed them into it. What have they done to create a safe environment, employment and wealth for the citizens they represent in Parliament? What is the GDP of Sierra Leone that should make them put such fabulous conditions of service to legitimately steal from the state? How do they intend to cover the cost of the huge sums they think they are entitled to? Through donor aid for development?’ citizens asked.
At the time when the documents leaked, some MPs from both the ruling SLPP and opposition APC parties described the document then containing their proposed salaries and allowances as fictitious, erroneous and misleading, not knowing that it was true.
Citizens said increase of MPs salaries is a total manifestation of greediness and selfishness, adding that the masses believe the people of Sierra Leone voted for them to advocate and protect them, not to enrich themselves.
‘This is a big shame. Before they think about themselves they should first think about the people who couldn’t afford food and medical,’ they said.
The Parliament Act 2023 was tabled in Parliament through a private member motion orchestrated by then Coalition for Change (C4C) Member of Parliament, Hon Musa Fofanah.
It was a private member’s Bill piloted by Hon Musa Fofanah with the view of harmonising laws that are dealing with the welfare of Members of Parliament.
The bill then was rejected by the opposition MPs after a thorough perusing of the content of the bill. After tabling the bill, the opposition APC MP then, Hon Alpha Amadu Bah, rejected the “The Parliament Act, 2023”.
The bill was withdrawn after a motion was moved by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon Segepoh Solomon Thomas, and seconded by the Leader of Government Business, Hon Mathew Sahr Nyuma, on Thursday 6th April 2023.
The Bill was reportedly seeking to provide for the establishment of a parliamentary commission, to provide for the leadership and government structure of Parliament, to provide for the establishment of a parliamentary service, to provide for salaries and other benefits of Members of Parliament and other staff, and to provide for other related matters.
Before withdrawal of the said Bill then, the Clerk of Parliament, Hon Paran Umar Tarawally, said the Bill was seeking to codify laws from 2003 into a single document that is far from making a new law.
During the tabling of the Bill, Hon Musa Fofanah who moved the private member’s motion, acknowledged the solid achievements of the current Parliament assembled in the promotion of good governance and democracy and representation at international parliamentary forum and the hosting of international conferences successfully.
Furthermore, he said the Bill was about the codification of existing laws into a single document and not the introduction of new laws.
Contributing to the debate prior to withdrawal then, Hon Quintin Sallia-Konneh said he was about to contribute to the debate with mixed feelings because six MPs had died in want of good medical facilities.
Supporting the Bill, he said they were not asking for much except good medical conditions and other benefits for Members of Parliament, some of whom are critically ill.
The Member of Parliament from the East District, Hon Dr Umpha G. Koroma, observed then that the Bill was more for the running of Parliament, questioned its timelines and said it catered more for the leadership and staff of Parliament, and less for Members of Parliament.
Hon Francis Amara Kai-Samba, Chairman of Finance Committee then, supported the Bill on the grounds that it was going to maximise the welfare of Members and staff of Parliament. He also said that the Bill was timely and it was not introducing any new law.
The opposition APC MP, Hon Alpha Amadu Bah was vehemently opposed to the Bill citing the economy.
He said the lives of the six MPs who died were not more important than the hundreds of ordinary Sierra Leoneans who had died in want of good medical facilities.
At the time, Hon Titus Kamara said he was ill and in support of the passage of the Bill into law. Hon Ibrahim Tawa Conteh supported the Bill for its passage into law adding that most of the MPs who were leading the campaign for the Welfare Bill were opposition MPs.
The opposition MP, Hon Dr Markmoud Kalokoh, said he was tasked to represent a group and not himself to maximise the welfare of Members of Parliament.
The Leader of Government Business, Hon Mathew Sahr Nyuma, was disappointed with MPs who were playing to the gallery by displaying a high level of hypocrisy in opposition to the Bill relating to their welfare.
He also recalled how he had been defending the welfare needs of MPs and deemed the conduct of those in opposition to the Bill of having affronted the dignity, clerk and leadership of Parliament.
Expressing shock and dismay on the grounds of unimaginable political hypocrisy, the Speaker of Sierra Leone Parliament, Dr Chernor Abass Bundu, also then recalled how on countless occasions MPs from across the aisles had visited his Chambers advocating for their welfare and conditions of service to be improved.
Sources from Parliament stated that after through scrutiny of the Bill then, MPs unanimously approved it into an Act.
Sources went further that, President Julius Maada Bio has finally approved the Parliament Act which has given so much fabulous benefits to Parliamentarians at the expense of taxpayers.