By Ragan M. Conteh
Hon Hafiju Kanja has informed parliament about the on-going destruction of the environment through burning of forest along Peninsular Road in Freetown.
The MP who rose under Standing Order-23 expressed deep concern about how Freetown had been gradually going down owing to forest fires.
“The outbreak inside the forest particularly at night hours is very alarming,” she emphasised.
Hon Kanja links the forest burning to the low water supply which has badly affected the main water supplier, Guma Valley Water Company.
The forest guards, she said, were of no help to the situation.
“The guards reside in the forest, but whenever they are asked about the fire incidents, they will say they don’t know,” Hon Kanja informed parliamentarians. The guards she, went on, always say their mandate is to protect the wet land and not the forest.
If measures, she says, are not put in place to protect the forest around along Peninsular Road leading to the Guma dam, it would be catastrophic in the future.
The MPs claims did not go in vain as the Minister of Environment was ordered to investigate and take prompt actions to save the forest.
In a related development, Member of Parliament from Kono, Hon Sahr Charles too has called on the Speaker to ensure that the Auditor General’s reports are debated as promised.
The MP made reference to an assurance made by the Speaker that he would invite ministries, departments and agencies for questioning based on the reports.
“Since the Speaker made such promise, no authority has been dragged before Parliament. For the public to take MPs seriously, Parliament should act tough and must be serious on their commitment as well,” Hon Charles urged.