By Sulaiman Jalloh
Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, Speaker of Sierra Leone Parliament is expected to drag to Parliament all defaulting mining companies across the country, especially on things that have to do with Cooperate Special Responsibilities (CSR).
While presiding over Parliament on Thursday, March 4, 2025, the Speaker ordered all Members of Parliament who have issues with specific mining companies in their different districts to channel written complaints to his office for actions.
According to him, most mining companies have issues with either their workers or with the people in their operational communities, and as such, companies must face parliamentary scrutiny. He, however, vowed to take robust actions against such companies. “Members of parliament have the right to know what the companies in their communities do. If even without funds, they should know the company’s activities,” He stated. He empathized that all MPs who have specific problems with companies should write the company concern and bring the issue to his notice for action.
His assertions follow after some Members of Parliament across the aisle raised issues against certain mining companies in their various districts.
He stressed that these issues are very important and should not be ironed out, adding “You can be an MP in your district or constituency and things are happening without your notice”
The Speaker believes that Members of Parliament should know what is happening or to happen in the district/constituents they represent even without having access to funds.
His ruling underscores parliament’s commitment to ensuring proper representation and effective oversight functions for the good of the country and its citizenry.
Speaker Thomas furthered that the people’s representatives have the right to be involved because many times, their constituents blame them for things happening, but MPs are not involved or do not contribute to anything happening. “Please, MPs, just note down the name of the company and the issues you have with that specific company and forward it to me by Friday,” he urged.