By Dadson A. Musa
On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, the Right Honourable Segepoh Solomon Thomas, Speaker of Sierra Leone’s Parliament, delivered a stern warning to Members of Parliament (MPs) and administrative staff during a session in the parliamentary chamber.
The erudite lawyer-turned-speaker, the youngest in Sierra Leone’s history, expressed deep frustration over persistent absenteeism, punctuality issues, and procedural lapses, vowing to take decisive action to restore discipline.
Speaker Thomas minced no words in addressing the chronic issue of MPs failing to attend sessions promptly, a problem that has reached alarming levels. Our people elected us to represent them, and we must do so diligently,” he declared, visibly angered after waiting an hour for a quorum to form to address critical state matters. He emphasized that recent improvements in MPs’ conditions of service and remuneration heighten their responsibility to deliver value to their constituents and the nation. Do not mistake my actions for high-handedness when I act,” he warned, signaling his intent to enforce strict measures against defaulting MPs.
The Speaker also raised concerns about the haphazard summoning of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), private institutions, and foreign service entities without adherence to due process. Describing the practice as embarrassing, he cited instances where a single institution was summoned by multiple committees simultaneously, some of which came to the attention of President Julius Maada Bio. To address this, Speaker Thomas summoned all committee clerks to an urgent meeting to curb such procedural frivolity. He pledged to implement punitive and disciplinary measures swiftly to ensure accountability.
Despite his youth, Speaker Thomas dismissed any notion that his age or tolerance could be exploited, asserting his authority as a no-nonsense leader committed to parliamentary integrity.
His legal background and affable demeanor have earned him respect, but his resolve to uphold standards was evident as he cautioned subordinates against testing his patience.
Following the Speaker’s remarks, the House proceeded with the business of the day, with MPs and staff on notice that disciplinary actions are imminent. As Sierra Leone’s Parliament navigates its role in advancing national development, Speaker Thomas’s call for professionalism and accountability underscores his vision for a more effective and respected legislative body.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on Friday, May 2nd , 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
