By Ragan M. Conteh
The Opposition All People’s Congress ( APC) Party Leader in Parliament, Hon. Chernoh Maju Bah, have informed colleague Members of Parliament that the issue of the Two-Sim must be addressed in Parliament because he was not afraid of competition.
He made the disclosure when contributing to the debate on the repeal of Part 5 of the Public Order Act in the Well of Parliament.
According to him, the POA is an age old law that has been used by authorities to clampdown on people, especially the media who are mostly affected.
Hon. Bah pointed out that the opposition is supporting the repeal but furthered that the Two-Sim issue in our law, which has prevented people from the Diaspora who are holders of two books, must be looked into, because it throws away many other people from participating in the politics of the country.
The MP said Parliament is more than ready to support the Two-Sim issue, adding that Sierra Leoneans must acknowledge the process of development, adding that the process of repealing the POA is a testament to the fact that governance is continuity and must be acknowledged at all times.
He commended former Presidents Kabba and Koroma for their efforts in setting the stage for the repeal of the draconian law in our books.
The Leader of the National Grand Coalition, Hon. Kandeh Yumkella, informed that NGC believes in freedom of expression but there should be safe guidelines or regulations as one expresses him/herself.
Hon. KKY said reputation is hard to build on, and admonished the authorities, especially the regulatory bodies, to work closely to prevent reputational damage of innocent people by reckless journalism.
Hon. Kandeh also appealed to the government to address the issue of Two-Sim that has disenfranchised many Sierra Leoneans across the country. He intimated that the issue of the 30% quota is also another important issue to discuss in Parliament.
“This will make women have more representation in the governance of the state,” he said.
The Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Hon. Matthew Sahr Nyuma, expressed thanks and appreciation to the former APC regime for starting the repeal process of the draconian law in our books.
He informed that it was in 2016 that all the repeal processes of the Bill started. He said credit should be given to the former regime, adding that even though politicians are not respected, especially Members of Parliament, they will continue to work to promote decent journalism.
He urged MPs not to be afraid of the repeal of the POA, citing that “If you don’t have a skeleton (s) in your cupboard don’t be afraid.”
Hon. Nyuma however announced that the Bill be sent to the Legislative Committee in Parliament for further scrutiny.