By Ragan M. Conteh
Lawmakers in Sierra Leone have on Tuesday 4th February 2020 during their first sitting after a very long recess from Parliament have castigated Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) of the New Direction Government for frustrating the efforts of President Bio.
Main Opposition Member of Parliament, Hon. Daniel Koroma told the Well that a lot has transpired for the almost two years of the New Direction’s in which Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and other Civil Servants have been shown the exit door by the President on allegations of impropriety.
He has specifically recounted that public servants have habitually developed the attitude of failing to account for gift and donations they receive in their official capacities on behalf of the Government and People of Sierra Leone.
The APC MP further noted that section 118 (7) of the 1991 constitution of Sierra Leone has clearly stated Parliament shall be notified by the appropriate Minister or Authority of all gifts, donations, grants and pledges made to the state of Sierra Leone.
Ministers and other public servants serving under this government according to him have flagrantly breached this constitutional provision and noted that public official have been receiving these gifts without reference to Parliament.
Hon. Koroma therefore raised a motion in Parliament to coerce MDAs and other authorities who received gifts, donations and pledges on behalf of the people and Government of Sierra Leone to notify the Parliament of Sierra Leone.
Leader of National Grand Coalition in Parliament, Hon. Dr. Kandeh Yumkella who seconded the motion told MP’s that they have approved a total of 395 Presidential appointees in the almost two years life of the Bio Government.
President Bio he noted is not working in those offices but instead has bestowed the responsibilities in these public officials to work in the best interest of the country.
He indicated that MDAs are not respecting the laws and that Parliament should stand up and put a stop to this menace.
The Deputy Leader of opposition, All People Congress Party, Hon. Ibrahim Ben Kargbo said the submission and motion of Hon. Daniel Koroma is bent on ensuring that President Bio’s government succeeds.
He said, there are lot of donations and gifts from China and other places that are never reported to Parliament for deliberations.MDAs according to him had preferred to parade the news on donations in social media or mainstream media platforms.
The Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Abass Bundu said the issue raised by Hon. Daniel Koroma of the APC is very important and therefore ordered the Acting Leader of Government Business, Hon. Matthew Nyuma to issue out Memo to all MDAs on what the constitution and the Parliamentary requires of them in relation to gifts and donations to Sierra Leone