By Ragan M. Conteh
Speaker of Parliament has promised to take action strong disciplinary action against members of parliament for lateness and absenteeism.
The MPs, Dr Abass Bundu said, had not been attending Parliamentary sittings for which they were elected saying he would inform the state broadcaster, SLBC (Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation) to broadcast the proceedings publicly.
The public broadcasting, he went on, would enable the constituents to know about the behaviours of their representatives.
He went on to state that the people would like to know what is happening in parliament, but that right would be deprived of the people if parliamentarians do not attend meetings.
Dr Bundu also reminded parliamentarians of their fundamental duty they owe their constituents.
“Members of Parliament are elected to perform very unique… functions law-making and oversight functions and to hold the executive accountable,” the Speaker reminded parliamentarians.
The Deputy Leader of government business, Hon. Basiru Silikie also urged leaders of all political parties in Parliament especially whips to urge their membership to attending Parliamentary sittings in order to avoid embarrassment.