By Ragan M. Conteh
The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Hon. Chernoh Maju Bah, has disclosed that the Midterm Census, planned by the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) government, is something Sierra Leoneans must have a rethink.
According to Chernoh Maju Bah, he wants to believe that, even before the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) incident last year, when they issued a press release that was not in line with what the law says, before engaging with the voter registration and subsequently come out with another release, the President, in his wisdom, came out and deemed it fit to cancel the registration.
Hon. Bah informed that people have misadvised the President on this Mid Term Census, adding that, as an opposition, they have said, times without number, that they were ready for development in doing what is right because they are partners in development.
He said it was difficult and impossible to support this census exercise, adding that procedures have not been followed by NCRA.
“How can you do cartography in less than three weeks? The last cartography in 2014-15 was done over twelve months’ period. GPS are not accurate, but they can provide a basic guide that will help you to estimate, but they are not accurate in any form,” he said.
The opposition Leader furthered that NCRA must go beyond what they are doing. The issue of numbering names of certain streets in the country is a difficult one. He cited remote villages in Krubola and Bonthe, which are not the same as the streets in Freetown.
He pointed out that the GPS is not as effective and adequate as ‘we want it to be,’ adding that the country has not yet advanced to that stage. The internet is not effective, and, most importantly, section 2 of the Census Act is very clear. Before the President makes a pronouncement, he must have sought for an advice from a minister. And after that advice, it must come to Parliament because it has to be done through statutory instrument. Sections 2 and 17 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone are very clear, adding that whichever statutory instrument must come to Parliament for its validity.
Hon. Bah said there is no Statutory Instrument before Parliament to confirm the commencement of the process, adding that the census is out of place.
The Opposition Leader therefore urged the President to go back to the books and get those that have advised him to re-advise and make sure they advise him properly.
He revealed that all what has been done is not correct; adding that, as a representative of the people, their duty is to represent and protect their interest in the House of Parliament.
Hon. Bah furthered that, as Members of Parliament, all of them are provided the same responsibility, including oversight functions, representation and law making.
“As representatives of our people, we want to believe that this Mid-term Census is not timely,” he told colleague MPs.
“This census is not necessary and it adds little or no value to the economy of the country. Let us, as a nation, use the resources, that we are planning to use, to cater for the bread and butter needs,” he charged.