By Ragan M. Conteh
Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon Solomon Sengepoh Thomas has called for the return of the National Protected Area Authority (NPAA) Bill 2021 to the Legislative Committee for thorough scrutiny.
Hon Thomas made it clear that the dissatisfaction of parliamentarians with the bill caused him to make the call for the bill to be sent back.
“It is time to have bills that are of public interest and not for political or individual interest. The bill should be re-scrutinised to meet standards. Even if this bill will be recommitted to the legislative Committee ten times, it will be no problem, but we will make sure that it has the national taste” he appealed.
The motion which was voted by unanimously voted by MPs was seconded by the opposition whip, Hon Hassan Sesay.
Member of Parliament who represents one of the constituencies in Kambia District, Hon Abdul Karim Kamara said it was the first time for parliamentarians to return a bill to the legislative Committee without debating it.
The Legislative Committee, he said, should do due diligence on the bill for public interest noting that it required thorough scrutiny before bringing it to the plenary for ratification.
“Line Ministries should be contacted during the legislative hearing so that they can make their inputs to the documents,” he appealed.
Kamara also added weight to the call for parliament to make laws that protects public interest and not that of individuals.
Other committees, he urged, should also be part of the process.
Speaker of Parliament, Dr Abass Chernor Bundu endorsed his deputy’s motion on the return of the bill saying it was scanty. “It needed thorough scrutiny,” Dr Bundu said.
He urged parliamentarians to make their inputs during committee hearing.