Of Parliament & Presidential speech debate

My visit yesterday to the House of Parliament was brief, very brief and in fact only lasted for seven minutes. I sat with colleague journalists, listening to the presentation of one particular MP, and that was Hon. Shiaka Sama of the People’s Movement for Democratic Change. I went there to know if any of our MPs were going to talk on the statement by the President on the performance of the National Revenue Authority.

The President recently stated that he was impressed by the performance of the NRA. This is something good to have come from the President for the NRA and there is now every justification for the NRA to keep pushing, for a greater success story.  I often have stated that what the NRA is doing at the moment in terms of economic growth and development should not be downplayed. It is performing extremely well.

So I was actually longing to hear some of our MPs also commending the NRA. But that shall come soon; I want to believe, since they have only started the debate. I didn’t witness any of them making reference to the NRA but I couldn’t stay long anyway. But what I saw in seven minutes was enough to state that indeed, democracy is at play in Sierra Leone.

I listened to Hon. Shiaka Sama’s presentation with the greatest attention for no reason other than the fact that his party, the PMDC formed a coalition with the ruling APC and so I was actually exploring the possibility of him criticizing the government on a number of issues. He attempted to do that but it was not direct to the point that I tapped a friend’s shoulder to ask what he thought was the position of the PMDC in the governance of the country. Well, he told me, they are playing quite diplomacy, they appear not wanting to offend the ruling party but at the same time trying to please the opposition SLPP , as it(PMDC)was formed out of the SLPP.

Democracy @ play

Sama made some brilliant points, ranging from his take on the President’s speech on education, corruption, agriculture and infrastructural development, but save for the fact that, within seven good minutes, he pronounced the word “Mr. Speaker” over 20 times. And I wonder what is the rational behind that. I can understand calling the attention of the Speaker once, twice or thrice but doing repeatedly in my opinion, sounds monotonous.

I also enjoyed the clapping and shouting of MPs from the other side whenever a point is being made by another MP.  Oh how I wished that the democracy at play in the House of Parliament is also being displayed when it comes to electioneering moments. If we could learn from our MPs in the way they debate issues, I think our youths would stand a better chance to realize that there is no need to fight when they disagree on issues.  MPs would literally climb the top of Parliament to take credit when something good is uttered by especially a member from the ‘other side’.

Indeed, as stated by Shiaka Sama, there are poor conditions of service for not only the teachers he was referring to in Pujehun, but also across the country, including Bonthe, Kailahun, Bombali and even Kambia. Corruption is all over the place but as he stated, there is some progress in the direction of combating it.

It is good news that President Koroma has emphasized the need for an improved road network across the country. I visited Kailahun before the rainy season and it was just too terrible. With good roads, we are sure of having an improved agricultural environment as farmers would  be prepared to trade their goods in the country rather  going to neighboring Liberia or Guinea(at least when Guinea was politically stable).

I need not overemphasize the fact that as also stated by Shiaka Sama party politics is not the problem in improvise Sierra Leone but the unwillingness on the part of Sierra Leoneans to view things from the point of view of nationalism. Until that is done, we are bound to remain where we are; at least this is my opinion.  From Kailahun to Kabala to Kambia unto Bonthe, it matters not which party is in power but all the people should care for is the service delivery performance of a given government. I think this is what our political elites should be reminded of.

At least when there is adequate power supply in places like Bonthe and Kailahun or Bo and Kenema, the party in power stands the chance of re-election. So I was impressed when Shiaka Sama paid tribute to the recent past government of SLPP and that of the ruling APC for working towards the completion of the Bumbuna Hydro project. At least with a regular electricity supply, we could be in a position to get more investors in the country.   But by the way, why was Shiaka Sama not static in giving praise to just the SLPP or APC for the Bumbuna project. Was he trying to be smart? Or is he the proverbial parent that is suckling twins; in this case the APC and SLPP, and as such would always try to satisfy both? Am afraid…

Yes, there is some semblance of democracy at play towards Sierra Leone’s effort for the maintenance of democratic credentials. We keep making strides; institutional reforms were once built by Ex-President Kabbah and President Koroma is now ensuring that those reforms are maintained and improved upon so that our strides could not go in vain. I want to say bravo to both Kabbah and President Koroma for their efforts towards national development. Ex-President Kabbah established the ACC and president Koroma has added value to it by giving it more powers to prosecute. What a shining example indeed.

Helping Frank Kposowa

But wait a minute; I am still reading the speech of the President line by line, and I promised one MP that I shall highlight areas of concern to me and then brings them to his attention. But I am specifically now referring this issue to Hon Frank Kposowa, a man I still see as a journalist.

Mr. President spoke well during the State Opening of Parliament but there was something missing in his speech and I implore on Hon. Kposowa and Hon. Legacy Sankoh to raise it up. And that is the issue of press freedom. He spoke on governance issues-fine, but what about the need to decriminalize free speech? I saw Umaru Fofana a week ago after months, and I almost missed him; he has not had his hair cut for months, I want to believe for the reason being, he is still protesting against the Supreme Court’s decision of not passing a verdict on the SLAJ matter.

I asked Umaru Fofana when he is going to do his hair cut and he said, only when the Supreme Court gives a ruling, and I think Both Hon Kposowa and Legacy Sankoh should give a helping hand in this direction. I am calling on both of them because of their media background and they know what it means when we have a law like the Public Order Act 1965.

One may not like Umaru for some reasons but definitely for the fact that he has given a facelift to SLAJ (doubt it, visit SLAJ’s new Secretariat at Campbell street and see) should be enough for him to be appreciated. Also, the fact that this government is trying to ensure it meets what is contained in its manifesto, should serve as grounds for the government to rule on the matter.  I look forward to seeing my colleague journalists, now MPs advocating for a repeal of some of our laws, especially the criminal and seditious libel law of 1965.

To Hon. Robin Fallay

I now call on Robin Fallay, (a man I would as well call the Robin White of our Parliament) to adequately see that our government puts premium on education. Education is the bedrock for national development and so when a country’s educational setup is in mess, it becomes worrisome to say the least. Hon Fallay, please help me tell the Speaker that we need an overhaul in the educational system in our country.

The President stated during the State Opening that ‘Our children are also saddled with too many distractions: foreign football games, foreign films, and a belief amongst many that they could get good certificates, good jobs and good wages without working very hard for them. Tackling these challenges will require a concerted partnership between government, teachers, parents and other stakeholders. Together, we must rebuild the schooling infrastructure, improve the quality of teaching and learning, and strengthen the links between education and employment’.

This is true but may I ask, what concrete solution has been offered in addressing some of the factors that the President has stated? I think our MPs should now come with other solutions to this problem. Education has gone down the gutter, this is my opinion. And I think there is need for a national consultative conference on how to revive Sierra Leone’s past glory in terms of education. Let there be good salary for teachers, just as I advocated recent for good conditions of service for MPs.

To Hon. SBB Dumbuya

He is the gentleman from Edwards. He is a good speaker no doubt about that. He articulates well and he has command over the Queen’s language. But your help is needed. I have traveled the length and breath of this country. I must state that indeed this government has score marks as far as the provision of electricity is concerned but may I implore you to work hard in ensuring that, it is not only limited to Freetown but cuts across before the end of your first term in office.  The President stated that he ‘made a commitment to radically transform the energy sector and improve the supply of power in this country. Honourable Members of Parliament, we are well on course. It gives me great pleasure to announce that my government has completed the Bumbuna Hydro Electric Project’

I am asking that we decentralize the distribution of electricity, even in the capital city. It has taken weeks for residents of Kissy precisely in Looking Town, First Street, and Guard Street et al to get power.

Hon. SBB, you are a member of the ruling party and the extent to which you handle the Bumbuna issue will determine the longevity of your party in power. This is also the same with the fight against corruption. The success of Tejan Cole shall be used to judge your performance three years from now. So do something for the betterment of mama Salone. In a whole, as Hon Shiaka Sama would say, ‘Mr. Speaker… Mr. Speaker’, democracy is at work in Sierra Leone.

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