As Parliament unanimously approved the Zoodlab Agreement, the Opposition Leader in Parliament, Hon Chernor Ramadan Maju Bah on Thursday, 28 April 2022 warned the Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rahman Swaray to never again attempt delaying the laying of agreements in Parliament as stipulated by law.
According to Hon Bah, the minister has taken too long to bring the Zoodlab Agreement documents to the Parliament for approval. ‘We are not encouraging this in the future,’ he warned.
The leader pointed out that the Zoodlab Company contract is considered as non-controversial, but asked what prompted the minister to delay bringing them to Parliament, saying it remains doubtful. He said due procedure of the law especially the Constitution should be followed.
Speaking during his submission, the Leader of Government Business in Parliament, MP Matthew Sahr Nyuma thanked Hon Chernor Maju Bah for applying immense pressure to ensure that the agreement is brought in the Well of Parliament for approval.
Hon Nyuma said this shows the spirit of oneness and democracy, adding that the agreement is non-controversial because it promotes the digital industry in the country.
He also dilated how Zoodlab Company is taking over from the Sierra Leone Cable Limited (SALCAB) and the benefits the country had accrued.
The Paramount Chief Member of Parliament from Tonkolili District, PC Kanagbaro Rosanka III said after a year and six months, the Zoodlab Agreement is only now being laid in Parliament for approval. He continued that Zoodlab started operations on the fibre optic cable on 1 December 2020 without any agreement brought to the House of Parliament. He thanked the Ministry of Information for bringing such an important document to Parliament for approval
The Deputy Leader of Opposition, Hon Ibrahim Ben Kargbo explained how the fibre optic cable landed in Sierra Leone. He said the former government negotiated the landing of the cable which aims at Sierra Leone joining the rest of the world in the digital revolution.
According to IB Kargbo, the Zoodlab Agreement is far from controversial because the agreement also aims at improving both the infrastructure and service provided to Sierra Leoneans.
The Member of Parliament from Port Loko District, Hon Abdul Latif thanked the Ministry of Information for bring the agreement to the Well of Parliament for approval, adding that the agreement is a good one.
He urged the entire House to speedily approve the agreement.