By Ragan M. Conteh
The just concluded by-elections in Kailahun has brought in a female from the Sierra Leone People’s Party in Parliament, Hon. Hon. Zainab Kama Brima. She won the seat in Constituency 010, replacing late Hon. Hon. Samuel G. Panda.
As a result of the victory, the Clerk of Parliament, Hon. Dr. Paran Umar Tarawally, has administered Oath of Office to the new Member of Parliament on Thursday 4th March 2021.
Hon. Zainab Kama Brima had subscribed to the Oath of Office as inscribed in Third Schedule of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.
The Clerk of Parliament handed copies of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, the Standing Orders of Parliament and the Parliamentary Prayers over to Hon Brima for efficiency and procedural guidance before she was conducted to her seat.
Welcoming her to Parliament, the acting Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, congratulated Hon Brima and wished her a healthy and positive deliberation in the House.
In light of current standings, of political parties in Parliament, SLPP has 59, APC 58, C4C 08, NGC 04, Independent MPs 03, and 14 Paramount Chief Members of Parliament, totaling 146 Hon Members.
Following the death of colleague MPs, in the Fifth Parliament, the Opposition Whip, Hon Hassan Sesay, has raised concern for a speedy intervention by the Leadership of Parliament regarding the welfare of Members of Parliament. The entire House applauded his concern as legitimate and needs immediate attention.
Following an intervention by the Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Chernor R.M. Bah, a minute’s silence of prayers was observed by Parliament in respect of nine footballers from Bombali District, who lost their lives in a gruesome road accident.