– Deputy Speaker
By Ragan M. Conteh
The deputy speaker of Parliament, Hon Segepoh Solomon Thomas has informed Sierra Leoneans in the Chamber of Parliament that ‘Parliamentarians are not beggars’.
According to Hon Thomas, some members of the public are in the habit of using the names of members of parliament (MPs) and other state functionaries to extort monies from businesspeople and other Sierra Leoneans.
‘Don’t use the names of MPs to extort monies from members of the public. Members of Parliament are not beggars; MPs did not send anyone to extort monies from anyone,’ he reiterated.
The deputy speaker said although MPs’ salaries are not attractive as compared to other countries’ they are satisfied with the little they earn, adding that their salaries will not push them to belittle themselves to begging.
He further explained that scammers use the media, WhatsApp, Facebook and other media platforms to extort monies on behalf of MPs.
He warned all those who are engaged in such practices to desist henceforth as they are now ready to arrest and prosecute anyone involved.
In a related development, Hon Dr Kandeh Kolleh Yumkellla (KKY) has disclosed during the approval of the presidential nominees that the problem of youths in Sierra Leone is very complex, adding that the problems in this country don’t need a quick fix.
According to Hon KKY, the country is slowly losing its values especially when people are now using social media to heap invectives on innocent people, adding that the society should have values.
He admonished the approved nominees to work for the youths and for the best interest of the nation, going as far as urging them to use the Cyber Crime Law diligently as the country’s bank accounts are not safe from criminals.
KKY continued that MPs should recommend that the president fires nonperforming heads of ministries, departments and agencies.