IN PARLIAMENT Parliamentarians: Should Be Representatives of The People Posted by Alhaji Saidu Kamara on May 1, 2008, 12:20

The complexities of modern governance and the tremendous increase in the size of the population today cannot allow all the people to converge at a particular point and take decisions on national issues affecting the nation, which used to obtain in Greek city states.  This was direct democracy.

As a result of the above, states today resort to electing people to represent their interest in politics and in all forms of decision pertaining to their welfare.  It is the considered view of this writer that if such is to be achieved, then we should elect representatives who do not see their entry into parliament as an easy way of amassing wealth.  They should not be people behaving like mendicants. Parliamentarians have a traditional role to play, firstly to represent their people by bringing their needs, goals, problems, and concerns to the fore. Secondly, the making of laws for the state, meant to be implemented by the executive branch and interpreted by the Judiciary.  Laws made by any parliament are intended to ensure order within any given state.  It is therefore expected that in making such laws the interest of the people should be paramount to the law makers.  Thus, in the 1991 constitution of Sierra Leone 73(3) states that “Parliament may make laws for the peace, security, order and good governance of Sierra Leone.  In addition to these, parliament also performs the vital role of thoroughly debating issues that has to do with the general welfare of the people. 

At a workshop held at the British Council on Tuesday this week, for parliamentary reporters the national democratic institution (NDI) Country Director Madam Honorine Muyoyete said that the media has a role play, to inform the public about the activities of parliamentarians in the house of parliament.  She told journalists that the media is one of the most important actors involved in helping the public to enjoy its “right to know”.  Along with parliament, the media shares the responsibility to contribute to political, economic and social developments in ways consistent with democratic principles by pursuing facts and report the accurately and correctly.

The workshop was organized by the NDI, which has contributed immensely to strengthen the democratic values in Sierra Leone.  Since it was launched in Sierra Leone in 2001 NDI has worked with various stakeholders in the democratic system of Sierra Leone.  This includes parliament, political parties, the security sector, in a bid to strengthen political institutions and civic participation in Sierra Leone.  Presently, the current crops of parliamentarians are very grateful to NDI for conducting a programme for them and the staff of parliament to strengthen the capacity of the parliament of Sierra Leone to serve as a democratic and responsive legislative body.  That programme, according to one of the newly elected Members of Parliament, Hon Edward Soloku noted that the programme is focused on gaining  better understanding of the role of parliament, parliamentary processes and functions, parliamentary oversight, constituency outreach, and the principles of accountability and representation.

So far the parliamentarians are determined more than ever, to carry out their parliamentary functions, but yet they are currently faced with some logistical constraints that may hamper their effectiveness and efficiency. Currently there are twenty-seven oversight committees with only four committee clerks to Mann all the committees.

As representatives of the people, parliamentarians have the right to discuss and debate issues of public interest in parliament.  It provides a unique opportunity for the voices of Sierra Leoneans.  However in carrying out their functions it must be in accordance with certain rules and regulations which must be adhered to, through the standing order of parliament and the 1991 constitution of Sierra Leone.  It is in light of this that the 1991 constitution (98) states that “There shall be freedom of speech, debate and proceedings in parliament and that freedom shall not be impeached or questioned in any court or place out of Parliament.

This is just one area that this writer intends to pick up with the Members of Parliament particularly with Mr. Speaker and the minority leader, Mr. Momoh Pujeh.