By Sulaiman Jalloh

In the first sitting after the election of new Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, lawmakers on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, unanimously congratulated newly elected Speaker Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas and his Deputy Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh. The lawmakers similarly called on the new Speaker and his Deputy to deliver for the people of Sierra Leone so that they would be remembered as parliamentary leaders who worked well in the interest of the nation.

Making her submission, Hon. Alice Kumabeh prayed for wisdom and protection of the new Speaker and referred to him as his brother from Bonthe District. She admonished the new Speaker and Deputy to serve well in their new offices. While Hon. Sulaiman Marry Conteh from Western Area Urban expressed confidence in the leaders. “I know you as an outstanding personality who respect the feelings for everyone and I believe you can deliver,” he said while showering praises on the new Deputy Speaker for his outstanding input and achievement in Parliament. He encouraged both the speaker and his deputy to solved the challenges of Parliament relatively which includes office space for MPs, welfare issue and staff of Parliament, among others

Hon. Rose Marie Bangura from Tonkolili District, on behalf of the Pan-African Parliament West Africa Bureau Caucus, congratulated both the Speaker and his Deputy on their election, while praying for their tenure to be marked with blessings. Hon. Joseph Williams-Lamin appreciated both the Speaker and his Deputy and prayer for God’s guidance in their new assignment. “We stand with you and we will always protect and give you our support,” he assured.

Hon. Rosay Kanu from Western Area Rural said the opposition will work with them in order to create a new dimension for the engagement of Parliament. She called on them to represent Sierra Leone and not the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and ended with a wonderful prayer for both elected Speakers of the House.

Hon. Shar Musa Fofanah from Kono District congratulated both the Speaker and his Deputy on behalf of the people of Kono District whilst he expressed kindness for both Speakers and wished them well in their new assignments while Hon. Unpha Sorie G Koroma expressed joy and happiness for their elections, saying through their election, section 79 and 80 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone was exhausted. He said their election respectively was a true testament for democracy.

Hon. Alpha Mohamed Jalloh from Falaba District congratulated both Speakers in their election to the position of the Speaker’s. He emphasized the need for them to serve well so that they could be remembered as those who served well for the people of Sierra Leone. “How do you want to be remembered?”, he concluded by asking.

Hon. Mohamed Tarawallie from Kambia District applauded them and wished them well and admonished them to serve well and also considered the welfare of MPs very strongly while Honn. Veronica Kadie Sesay from Moyamba District calls on the speaker and his deputy to support and promote the cause of women’s empowerment.

For his part, Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma from Tonkolili District, who acted as the leader of opposition in Parliament, said for the records, there is two elections for Speaker’s that are currently members of Parliament while assuring the opposition’s commitment to work with the speakership of Parliament. He underscored the important of dialogue within the House. “We want to see the speakership who are in respect of the opposition and also free speech by opposition MPs “, he asserted while calling on the leadership of the House including the speaker and his deputy to call for the debate of the Auditor General’s report.

The Acting Leader of Government Business Hon. Bashiru Silikie commended the Speaker of Parliament for raising through the ranks from a member of Parliament, deputy Speaker and now Speaker of Parliament. “The two of you are representing the young people of the Republic, if you failed, you have failed the people of Sierra Leone and I want you to succeed and you will succeed,” he spoke.

“With the support of the Speaker and the Clerk, Parliament would raise again”. He called on the speakership to control the environment of Parliament. “Make this Parliament an enviable and also make it the supreme legislative body of Sierra Leone”. He concluded.

Copyright –Published in print in Expo Times Newspaper on Friday, May 10TH, 2024 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)