Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698841531278.pdf (Sierra Leone)
OAU DRIVE, TOWER HILL, FREETOWN P A R L I A M E N T A R Y D E B A T E S ____ [HANSARD] ______________ OFFICIAL HANSARD REPORT SECOND SESSION -SECOND MEETING TUESDAY, 28TH APRIL, 2020 SESSION – 2019/2020 OAU DRIVE, TOWER HILL, FREETOWN P A R L I A M E N T A R Y D E B A T E S ____ [HANSARD] ______________ OFFICIAL HANSARD REPORT VOLUME: I NUMBER: 43 Second Meeting of the Second Session of the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone.
Proceedings of the Sitting of the House Held Tuesday, 28th April 2020.

2 CONTENTS I. PRAYERS II.

RECORD OF VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS FOR THE PARLIAMENTARY SITTING HELD ON THURSDAY 26TH MARCH, 2020 III.

ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR SPEAKER IV.

LAYING OF PAPERS [A] THE LEADER OF GOVERNMENT OF BUSINESS THE NATIONAL PUBLIC PROCUREMENT AUTHORITY [NPPA]-2018 ANNUAL PUBLIC PROCUREMENT ASSESSMENT REPORT.
[B] THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE THE IMPOSITION OF CURFEW ORDER, 2020 THE CONSTITUTION OF SIERRA LEONE, 1991 [ACT NO.

6 OF 1991] CONSTITUTIONAL INSTRUMENT NO.

7 OF 2020.

[C] THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FOOD SECURITY SIERRA LEONE SEED CERTIFICATION AGENCY ACT, 2020 THE SIERRA LEONE SEED CERTIFICATION AGENCY ACT, 2028 [ACT NO.

5 OF 2018] STATUTORY INSTRUMENT NO.

8 OF 2020.


V. RATIFICATION THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE THE CONSTITUTIONAL INSTRUMENT NO.7 OF 2020 ON THE IMPOSITION OF CURFEW ORDER 2020, WHICH WAS LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE HOUSE ON TUESDAY 28TH APRIL 2020, BE RATIFIED.
3 THE CHAMBER OF PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE Official Hansard Report of the Proceedings of the House _____________________________________________________________ SECOND SESSION – SECOND MEETING OF THE FIFTH PARLIAMENT OF THE SECOND REPUBLIC _____________________________ Tuesday, 28th April, 2020.

I. PRAYERS [The Table Clerk, Mrs Bintu Weston, Read the Prayers] [The House met at 11:15a.m.

in Parliament Building, Tower Hill, Freetown] [The Speaker, Hon.
Abass Chernor Bundu in the Chair] The House was called to Order 4 Suspension of S. O.

5[2] COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR THE SPEAKER: Honourable Members, before we deal with the Record of Votes and Proceedings, as you all know, Parliament has the authority to regulate itself.

These are extraordinary times requiring us to apply extraordinary measures, one of which is of course to ensure that we comply as a Parliament with the Social Distancing regulations that has been Proclaimed by the State.
In keeping with those regulations, I have directed the following Sitting adjustments: The principle one I have applied is that all Political parties represented in Parliament should reduce their attendees by 50% across the board.
Accordingly, the Sierra Leone People’s Party [SLPP] is entitled to 29.5 which I am rounding up to 30; the All People’s Congress [APC] is also entitled to 28.5 which I am rounding up to 29; the Coalition For Change [C4C] to 4; the National Grand Coalition [NGC] to 2; the Independent Members to 1½ which I am rounding up to 2 and Paramount Chief Members to 7.

So, we would have a total attendance until further notice of 74 Members.
Now, each Political Party will decide on their own who their attendees should be, I would bear no responsibility in that direction.

No visitors are allowed!

Only the accredited Members of the Press will be admitted to the Press Gallery.

I had given that directive long ago, which I understand have been communicated to the respective Leaderships and I take notice of the fact that you have taken care to distance yourselves in keeping with the regulations for which I want to thank and congratulate you.
So, on that understanding, we shall proceed.

11.

RECORD OF VOTES AND PROSIDINGS FOR PARLIAMENTARY SITTING HELD ON THURSDAY, 26TH MARCH, 2020 Honourable Members, we now go to the Record of Votes and Proceedings for Thursday, 26th March, 2020.

Incidentally, every Honourable Member attending any sitting until further notice must wear a face mask.

So, we shall now take up our Record of Votes and Proceedings.

HON.

ABDUL KARGBO: Yes, Mr Speaker.

5 THE SPEAKER: No!

HON.


ABDUL KARGBO: I rise to suspend S.O 3[2] Sir.

THE SPEAKER: Yes, of course, with the adjustment that we have made, you are not compelled to observe S.O 3[2].

You can speak from where you are, it is in keeping with the Social Distancing regulation.

Inevitably, many of you would have shifted and please I do not know whether you were informed before the Sitting started that you should not remove your name-plates to the new seats that you are occupying.

Fine!
Fine!

Let them stay as they are [Undertone].

HON.

DANIEL B. KOROMA: Mr Speaker, on that note, I think for the purpose of record and precedent, it is not contentious, the best thing to be done is, as he has risen on that Motion, let it be seconded and you put the Question and then it is done; for the purpose of precedent and record.

THE SPEAKER: For S.O 3[2] to be suspended?

HON.

DANIEL B. KOROMA: Yes, for it to be suspended, so that seating positions can be adjusted.
It is for the record and for precedent.

THE SPEAKER: Honourable Kargbo, did you stand on a Motion just now?

HON.

ABDUL KARGBO: Yes, Mr Speaker.

THE SPEAKER: Any Seconder to that Motion?

HON.

JOSEPH WILLIAMS-LAMIN: I so second Mr Speaker.

[Question Proposed, Put and Agreed To] [Motion for the Suspension of S.O.

3[2] has been carried] THE SPEAKER: So, indefinitely, we shall suspend S.O 3[2] until I decide otherwise, that Standing Order [S.O] stands suspended.
Shall we then proceed with our Votes and Proceedings please!

We shall as usual skip pages 1 through to 4 and start from Page 5.

Page 5?

Page 6?

Page 7?

And Page 8?

Can someone please Move?

HON.

SIMEON FEFEGULA: I so move Mr Speaker.

6 THE SPEAKER: Any Seconder?

HON.

JOSEPH WILLIAMS-LAMIN: I so second Mr Speaker.

[Question Proposed, Put and Agreed To] [Record of Votes and Proceedings for Thursday 26th March 2020 has been adopted] II.
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MR SPEAKER THE SPEAKER: Honourable Members, I shall now like to make the following announcements relating to the Leadership in Parliament of the SLPP Party.
Following communication that I have received from the Leadership of the SLPP in particular the Chairman and Leader of that Party, the following shall now be the new Leadership of the SLPP in Parliament: Honourable Matthew Sahr Nyuma, Leader of Government Business [Applause]; Honourable Bashiru Silikie [Applause], he is the new Deputy Leader of Government Business [Applause]; Order!

Order!
Order!

Honourable Veronica Kadie Sesay, Chairperson SLPP Parliamentary Council [Applause]; Honourable Sidie Mohamed Tunis currently serving as Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament [Applause], he shall serve as an Ex-officio Member of the SLPP Leadership in Parliament.
Honourable Members, the following shall be the seating arrangement of the front Bench to my right: Leader of Government Business [Applause]; next to him will be the Deputy Leader of Government Business [Applause]; next to the Deputy Leader of Government Business will be the Deputy Speaker; next to the Deputy Speaker will be they Chief Whip; next to the Chief Whip will be the Honourable Veronica Kadie Sesay and next to the Honourable Veronica Kadie Sesay will be Honourable Sidie Mohamed Tunis; next to him will be the Honourable Francis Amara Kaisamba followed by the Honourable Nenneh Lebbie, followed by the Honourable Moses Baimba Jorkie, followed by the Honourable Festus Mohamed Lansana and followed by the Honourable Alusine Kanneh [Applause].
That will be the order of the seating arrangement in normal circumstances.

For today, of course, we would continue to observe and respect the Social Distancing regulations.

In that connection Honourable Members, may I take this opportunity to reorganize the presence in our midst, Mrs Frances Nyuma [Applause] Director of 7 National Security; who is the spouse of the Leader of Government Business [Applause].

Shall we proceed?

IV.

PAPERS LAID [A] THE LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS HON.
MATHEW S. NYUMA: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, thank you very much for your pronouncements and thank you very much for your applause.

I beg to lay on the Table of the House the National Public Procurement Authority [NPPA] 2018 Annual Public Procurement Assessment Report.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I beg to lay again another document from the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice on the imposition of Curfew Order 2020.

HON.

DANIEL B. KOROMA: Point of Order Mr Speaker!


THE SPEAKER: What is your Point of Order?

HON.

DANIEL B. KOROMA: In the first place, according to the Order Paper, there are two separate items of which each requires announcement by the clerks before we proceed to the next.

According to the announcement based on the Order Paper, the clerk announces Laying of Paper of the first one [A] and not [B], when we come to [B] we will cross that please [Applause].

HON.

MATHEW S. NYUMA: Noted!


But I beg to differ Honourable Member.

The clerk said, I recalled vividly, she said: “Laying of Papers” and I came in.

She did not call the items by alphabetically order, but I have noted.

I would follow what you have said, thank you [Applause].

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, let me go over it; I beg to lay on the Table of the House, the National Public Procurement Authority [NPPA] 2018 Annual Public Procurement Assessment Report [Applause].
8 [B] THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE.

HON.

DANIEL B. KOROMA: May I be heard Mr Speaker!

On the announcement made by the clerk for Laying of Papers, particularly item [B] of the Order Paper.

I feel more sadden today to have such an issue on the very day when we have our new Leader of Government Business.

I wish everything would have been done accordingly, so we would have no need for all these objections.
According to the procedure, before the Paper is laid, copies have to be served to all Members of Parliament [MPs] which has been duly done.

Having seen this copy, I do not think proceeding with this one will help the situation.

We are here to make sure the President succeeds in this fight and by extension the entire Sierra Leone; and for us as their representatives, I believe this is not enough.
For the attention of the public, by a way of regulation, there is reference to only one issue and that is the imposition of Curfew Order and above all, it is also limited to only Kambia District.

In our opinion, for the President to succeed, we need the imposition of the Curfew Order throughout Sierra Leone as provided by the 1991 Constitution, Section 29 [A] and [B] and even [2] of Section 29.

I believe proceeding with this one alone will not help you as Leader of Government Business.
To limit a Curfew Order just to one District, assuming that we have cases that would manifest in Bombali, Tonkolili, Port-loko, Western area and there are also potential cases, I am not praying to manifest in Moyamba.

So why limiting this Curfew Order to only Kambia District?

It would not help the situation.

If we are to help His Excellency the President to succeed, the imposition of Curfew Order needs to be nationwide.
It should not just be one area, even though, affecting part of the Nation is provided for in the 1991 Constitution, but it is also provided for in the same Constitution, if there is need for the whole of Sierra Leone and in this case, the whole of Sierra Leone is more important, let it be so.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, secondly, the imposition of Curfew Order is not conclusive to fight against COVID-19.
As I speak, there is inter District lockdown and maybe other stiffer measures maybe appropriate with the support of this Parliament.

We do not want you to doubt this Parliament in doing the right things.

Some of us, we 9 may have been condemned by some of our kinds or kings in our little corners, but what we are praying for is conscience.

And as far as we are concern, we were right to support the Declaration in the first place.
Even though some might feel disgruntled and not happy, I say sorry, but that is the right thing to Mr Speaker.

As far as my conscience is concern in saving this Nation, we were right on this side as APC to support His Excellency to declare a State of Emergency.

If we can support Declaration of a State of Emergency, why not support regulation which is just subsidiary [Applause]?

We have no reason to forestall the efforts of His Excellency.
On that note Mr Speaker, I move that this laying of Paper…[Interrupted].

THE SPEAKER: Before you move.

HON.

MATHEW S. NYUMA: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, thank you very much.

I have an admiration for you Honourable Member, you are a righteous man and you do righteous things.

For us to discuss the business of State of Emergency, it all started from the other side of the House, Kudus to you.

You have hand sight in doing it because when you were in administration, you saw what happened.
Today, all what you have said, we have discussed it in camera and also discussed with my Leadership, but we were waiting for you to bring this one up.

So, I am really happy that you brought it up.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, without wasting much time, let us allow the other item to be laid and then we will have our Leadership meeting to discuss this particular item, because you have given us the real point for us to discuss and to look at it again.
We need a holistic approach towards these regulations.

So, that is my submission.

I doff my hat to you, for a job well done today and we will keep to that line [Applause].

HON.

DANIEL B. KOROMA: Mr Speaker, on that note, I take the queue that we leave this item [B] for now and then we proceed with the rest.

Later on, item [B] will be discussed by the Business Committee.

THE SPEAKER: Very well!

I like the spirit.


I hereby give notice to the leaders of all Political parties represented in Parliament that when we rise, I will like to have a 10 meeting with you in my Chambers, considering the fact that we have a new leadership in the ruling Party and considering also the fact that new circumstances now prevail both out of this well and inside this well.

I believe that there is a need for us to meet and discuss.
Honourable Members, as you know, my office extends to my Conference Room.

So, I agree with you that we can observe the regulation relating to Social Distancing there.

So it will be in the Conference Room.

But I would like to meet with leaders of the Political parties represented in Parliament immediately after we rise.

Now, let me take your Point of Order.

HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: Thank you very much Mr Speaker.


Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, let me start by congratulating the new Leader of Government Business and it has shown that if you are to lead at any circumstance, you have to move to Constituency 132.

If you are in Constituency 132, leadership is certainly on your side.

THE SPEAKER: Let me warn you while you are beginning to congratulate, I came into this Well expecting to rise after one hour, not more than one hour.

HON.
HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: Certainly Mr Speaker.
Mr Speaker, it is in relation to the documents just laid by the Leader of Government Business and considering the prevailing circumstances surrounding the NPPA, particularly referencing two situations; the first is, the fact that there was a Procurement Directorate that was nullified by this House and it is still in existence at the Ministry of Finance and the 2020 Finance Act makes significant changes to the actual powers of the NPPA and quite recently, the Deputy Minister of Finance laid the Public Procurement Regulation 2020.
I would want to ask that this House looks at this document in ta den with all these changes and see how the report or the Authority can re-echo the importance of Section 41, which is principally the main source of its powers and which can give it the force to regulate and reduce the huge loses we have seen in successive audit reports on procurement issues.

THE SPEAKER: And you thereby rise by way of?

11 HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: A Motion.

THE SPEAKER: Any Seconder?

HON.


SAA F. BHENDU: I second the Motion.

[Question Proposed, Put and Agreed To.]

[Motion to Debate the Audit Report has been carried] THE SPEAKER: Honourable Member, you still wants the Floor?

HON.

SAA F. BHENDU: I want to congratulate the new Leaders that we have in our midst.

On behalf of this side of the aisle, we congratulate them; we wish them well in their new positions.

Mr Speaker, the last time before we rise…[interruption] THE SPEAKER: Before we rose.

HON.
HON.

SAA F. BHENDU: Thank you Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, before we rose during the last Sitting, there was a Motion moved and in that Motion it was agreed that in fourteen days, we should have the regulations before this Well for discussion.
After that there was a lockdown; later, after the Sitting, there was a Press Conference held in this Well by all Political Leaders in the Parliament and assurance was given to the general Public that they should not be worried about the regulations and that the State of Emergency was going to be approved on three months basis.

Since then, nothing was heard from the Attorney-General thereby putting the integrity of this Parliament at stake [Applause].

THE SPEAKER: Let us get the record straight.

HON.


SAA F. BHENDU: Mr Speaker, I am coming.

THE SPEAKER: Honourable Member!

HON.

SAA F. BHENDU: Yes, Mr Speaker.

THE SPEAKER: Please, do not misinformed the House or the Public.

What did you say just now?

12 HON.

SAA F. BHENDU: I said, the State of Emergency was approved for twelve months pending the submission of the regulations to be approved on three monthly basis.

THE SPEAKER: That is not what you said.

HON.


SAA F. BHENDU: That was what I said Mr Speaker.

THE SPEAKER: Carry on.

HON.

SAA F. BHENDU: Mr Speaker, maybe you did not get what I was trying to say, but that was exactly what I said.

Mr Speaker, it was agreed and there was a Press Conference held here on that day by all Political Parties leaders giving assurance to the general public that there will be a regulation that would be approved on a three monthly period.
Mr Speaker, up ttill now, as we speak, there has been no regulation brought before this House for debate.

But if you go down to the general public, you would see security forces intimidating people, chasing people here and there with no regulations.

We are very much aware of the danger and the seriousness of COVID 19 in this Nation, but we cannot also ignore the fact that we are in Democratic State thereby respecting the rights of every individual in this country is paramount.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, already, we have Inter District lockdown indefinitely and there is nothing to support all of these as part of the regulations [Applause].

Why is it that the Attorney-General is afraid of putting these regulations together and bring them to this Parliament instead of bringing them in piecemeal?
Now, they are bringing a Declaration of Curfew Order for us to approve for Kambia District and there is already an existing Curfew Order nationwide from 9:00 p.m. to 6: a.m. [Applause].

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, from this side of the Aisle, we have agreed that we will not proceed with these documents until we have full regulations to save our neck from the general public [Applause].
In the best interest of this Parliament Mr Speaker, you use to tell us in this Well that we are not a rubber stamp Parliament, so we should not be controlled by the Executive Arm.

The Attorney-General was here and she gave 13 us the assurance that the regulations will be brought.

What is the problem for bringing the regulations?

HON.

MATHEW S. NYUMA: Mr Speaker, Point of Order.


THE SPEAKER: Honourable Member, you have made your point listen to the Leader of Government Business and he will respond to you.

HON.

SAA F. BHENDU: Mr Speaker, I am still in mid-flight, let me land.

THE SPEAKER: I have told this House that I have planned to rise from this seat within one hour.

HON.

MATHEW S. NYUMA: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker and thank you very much for your point Honourable Member.
I heard my brother, Honourable Daniel Koroma raised the issue about us having such regulations.

I said Mr Speaker, we need to do further consultations after Adjournment and those are the issues we are going to discuss when we meet in the Conference Room.

A point well taken, we will discuss this intensively.

I will assure this House that we will allow nobody to embarrass us in this House; we will not allow people to embarrass us, but please be patient with us.
You have your Leader of C4C and other Leaders, we will meet and discuss all of these issues.

So, let us just suspend as we have agreed the very item on the Order Paper.

So, I crave on your indulgence to give us time to go into the caucus and discuss it better.

I thank you very much.

HON.

CHERNOR R.M.

BAH [Leader of Opposition]: Thank you very much Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I wonder what the Chairman of SLPP is doing in this Chamber.

Dr Prince Harding, why are you here today?


Are you on our invitation list?

THE SPEAKER: I want to recognise his presence in the same breath, Leader of the Opposition.

I would like to recognise the presence of the following C4C officials: Mr Tamba Sandi, National Chairman, Madam Maria Kainday Bangura, National Women’s Leader and Laurence Coker, National Public Relations Officer.

I thank you.

14 HON.

CHERNOH R.M.

BAH: Thank you very much Mr Speaker.


Mr Speaker, I thank you very much for giving me such opportunity.

I am very happy with the way the new Leader of Government Business has been conducting himself since this morning [Applause].

I know Honourable Nyuma more than any other individual in this Chamber with the exception of the wife, even Dr Alex Prince Harding knows that I know Honourable Nyuma better.
So, I am happy that he is taking up that cap which he wore some years ago at some place, some time.

Mr Speaker, as I said, am happy with the way he has conducted not just himself.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, we listened to the Deputy Leader of the C4C and I am happy that he has mentioned that the meeting we are going to hold, our discussion will be centred around some of these issues which some of us have maintained since the inception of the COVID 19 that we do not want to politicise the fight against COVID 19 and that is why prior consultations before sittings is always imperative.
We are going to support the President in executing His duty to fight COVID 19 but we will not support Him outside the laws and our Constitution, we will not and the President himself re- echoed that yesterday.

He called for national cohesion and he called for collaborative efforts in the fight against the COVID-19.

We can only collaborate when the playing field is level, when there are no suspicions and misconceptions.
So, I am happy that the Leader of Government Business is taking this route and with your support and the support of the Deputy Speaker, I am sure if we continue with this trend, the issues we are complaining about now we would not complain about in the future.

We pray that yourself and Honourable Dr Yumkella keep re-echoing the Bo Declaration all the time.
I talk little about the Bo Declaration, because some of us were deprived in Bo and we just spent one night there, other things happened that we never took part of.

They know what happened for the other two days.

We had to travel, so we left.

Mr Speaker, when we go to your chamber as your have suggested, please give us sufficient time to talk, so that we will lay all cards on the table.

There are a lot of issues for us to discuss.


We heard about the case in Bombali and what transpired before it happened; the gentleman that was arrested and sent to Prison, we as a Parliament and 15 Leadership should discuss all these issues, so that we would advise Government on the right step for them to take.

I thank you very much [Applause].

THE SPEAKER: I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his comments.

Yes Honourable Kandeh, you have the Floor.

HON.


DR KANDEH K. YUMKELLA: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I rise to congratulate the new Leadership; I had done it in a text message to them, but I want to recognise the new SLPP Leadership in Parliament.

For what we begin to see today, we see the Bo Declaration being gradually implemented; we pray that that spirit would continue.
The new Honourable Leader of Government Business indeed called some of us to say he wants full cooperation and we assure him of our full cooperation…[interruption] THE SPEAKER: Would you please hold on?

Today, we are entertaining no visitors; I made that declaration before the commencement of this Sitting.

I want the visitor’s Gallery therefore cleared, no visitors are allowed until further notice.

Only duly accredited members of the Media will be allowed in the Press Gallery.
So, please have your accreditation documents ready for examination.

THE SPEAKER: Honourable Dr Yumkella, you have the Floor.

Suspension of S.O 5[2] HON.

DR KANDEH K. YUMKELLA: So again, like I said, we congratulate you and we hope that the spirit of the Bo Declaration prevails.

And that the items we listed about how we can ensure harmony in the House, good consultations, meetings of the Business Committee and other elements will now be the new way of doing business in the Parliament.
Having said that Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I am very pleased that you have called for Leadership to consult on one of the items on the Order Paper which is the State of Emergency.

We look forward to those consultations.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I concurred what Honourable Bhendu of the C4C and Honourable Chernoh R.M Bah of the APC said, that there are several issues to be discussed.
Some of us also have had practical experience after spending one full week 16 in the Border Area; we were very pleased that the Military Intelligence Wing sent people down to our area that is very difficult to manage for the security forces.

So, we look forward to sharing the experiences we have gained and I am sure many Members of Parliament here went back to their constituencies and that is the spirit we believe will help the Government.
The fact that 146 of us went to our constituencies to see how we can help prevent Coronavirus from overcoming this Country, I think that experience will be very useful to Government, the practical knowledge and the feedback can speak about what is working and what is not working.

We look forward to the consultations.

I thank you [Applause].

HON.


IBRAHIM B. KARGBO [Deputy Leader of Opposition]: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, our Leader on this side had already made the point relating to the appointment of the new Leadership, but more importantly making the point about the congratulations that he made relating to Honourable Mathew Sahr Nyuma.
Mr Speaker, this was a good appointment, but I must also state that Honourable Mathew Sahr Nyuma is a very dedicated man and it will be unfair if we do not say a word or two on his behalf.

I thought Mr Speaker, you could have putted two or three minutes aside for us to make statements because this is historic and I hope after the laying, we will have the opportunity to do that.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, may I say that in as much as I congratulate the new Leader and his Deputy, I also would not want to ignore the statement made by the C4C Member of Parliament from Kono.

He was actually moving towards stating what the general populace is talking about in his town and throughout the Country about the need for the Military Personnel to be placed under control.
But I am going to leave that for another day and I am going to leave that until we get to a closed door meeting where all of us could hang heads to find the solutions to some of these issues.

I thank you, Mr Speaker.

THE SPEAKER: I thank the Honourable Member for his comments and observations.

With that, we shall now proceed.


17 [C] THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FOOD SECURITY MR DENNIS K. VANDI: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, with your leave, I beg to lay on the Table of this Honourable House the following Papers: Sierra Leone Seed Certification Agency Regulations 2020 Sierra Leone certification Agency Act 2028 [Act No.5 of 2018] Statutory Instrument No.

8 of 2020.

HON.
8 of 2020.

HON.

MATHEW S. NYUMA: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, we agreed to suspend item “[B]” of “IV” that one will also be in ta den with item “V.

RATIFICATION – THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE.” We need to also suspend that one because we have not taken care of item “[B]” so there is no need for us to discuss item “V.” So, in the interest of oneness, I think we need to do that.

THE SPEAKER: Any Seconder?

HON CHERNOH R.M BAH: I agree with him Sir, I so second the Motion.
[Question Proposed, Put and Agreed] [Motion for the suspension of items “IV [B]” and “V” have been carried] HON.

SAA E. LAMINA [Leader of Coalition for Change, C4C]: Mr Speaker, I have an announcement.

THE SPEAKER: Yes, carry on.

HON.

SAA E. LAMINA: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I would not rise without at least saying congratulations to the New Leader of Government Business and the Leadership of the SLPP.
I here personally have no scintilla of doubt in his capacity and his Leadership prowess that he had demonstrated in the African Caribbean Pacific- European Union [ACP-EU].

I am sure the prowess he has in that Union will definitely be replicated here.

I know he is a fine gentle man that will work well.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, now that we all realise the spirit of the Bo Declaration, I want to believe that in the next couple of hours, we will be privileged to 18 discuss the fight against COVID-19, believing that if there is anything that should supersede in this House for now should be the fight against COVID-19 and the regulations will be definitely discussed.

I have read about regulations in Kenya and they are working well.
We are not plagiarising, but Sierra Leone can get a very fine case study from Kenya and it would work here well.

In the spirit of good Leadership Mr Speaker, by the time we visit your Chamber, brilliant ideas will come up, all the suspicions and all the innuendos will be something of the past.

I wish all of us well, I thank you.

HON.

CHERNOR R.M.

BAH: I see that the ACP-EU want to take over this Parliament, but we would not allow them.
If I have your permission, I would also want to delegate to the Honourable Aaron Koroma to extend our congratulatory massages right across.

With your permission Mr Speaker!

HON.

AARON A. KOROMA: Thank you very much Mr Leader and I also want to thank Mr Speaker for accepting your plea.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, on behalf of Members of Parliament on this side, specifically the Members of the APC, I want to say congratulations to Honourable Mathew Sahr Nyuma who is now the new Leader of Government Business.
I have known the Honourable Mathew Sahr Nyuma for like two years and I am sure colleagues here will always bear me witness that based on interaction I have had with him, I am very much convinced, I want to relay that conviction to Members of Parliament that we indeed have a very good Leader [Applause] who will listen to us and act accordingly.
Like I said, he is not a boss, when we were in the ACP-EU, he believes every Member of Parliament or every Member of that delegation should have a say on what happens in the ACP-EU.

He believes that whatever he does he has to consult and I want to assure you that we are having a Leader who is going to consult every Member of Parliament to ensure that we have a Parliament that will stand a test of time.

And to make the situation more perfect, he is having the Honourable Bashiru silikie as his Deputy.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, the Honourable Bashiru Silikie happens to be one of us.

I am sure his appointment has given hope to all Members of Parliament that we are 19 no longer too young to lead [Applause].

We can start to lead now, I want to thank the Leadership of the SLPP for believing in this young man and I am sure the Honourable Bashiru Silikie actually deserves this appointment.

I could remember he was one of the MPs who were trading the “PAOPA” brand in this Well.
So, if he is rewarded, not just because he was one of the marketers of that brand, but I am sure he was also a fire brand, he was very much committed in ensuring that the SLPP regains victory.

So, I want to thank you.

On our own side, we are open in order to support your Leadership, to see that we work for the good of this Nation.

On that note Mr Speaker, I thank you very much.

HON.
HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, it will be unfair on our own side if we do not express felicitation to our very own new Leader of Government Business.

It is no gainsay, I have said this earlier that if you want to lead, you have to move to Constituency 132.
President Bio was at Spur Loop in 2012, where he attempted the shot at the Presidency of this Country he was unsuccessful and as God could have it, the spirit administered to him that he should move to Constituency 132 and he moved and in 2018, he won the hearts and minds of Sierra Leoneans and today he is the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone.
The same goes for the Honourable Leader of Government Business and the Deputy Leader of Government Business, Honourable Bashiru Silikie, they are constituents of Constituency 132.

And like every other President that has ruled this Country, the likes of former President Kabba, Momoh and Stevens did reside in Constituency 132.

If you go there wholeheartedly, you will gain power.

The Chairman and Leader of the SLPP is also a constituent of Constituency 132.
So, if you want to live, move to Constituency 132.

THE SPEAKER: And since you are the apex of Constituency 132, we should be expecting something from you as well [Laughter].

HON.

IBRAHIM T. CONTEH: Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, that is what I am doing now out of a very good felicitation on behalf of Constituency 132 to the newly appointed Leader of Government Business.

He is a plain and open hearted man, if he is angry he will let you know.
He does not play gossip game, he is a very strong Leader 20 and we expect him to stay on that part, because in Parliament there are lot of games, but I know he understands the tricks of Parliament.

On behalf of the SLPP, I want to assure you that we are going to support your Leadership.

There is no division on this side and we are fully supportive.

We are supportive of the decision of the SLPP and we are supportive of the decision of Parliament.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, I want to re-echo this before I take my seat that some two years ago, I was told by Dr Prince Harding that it is very good to be a Deputy and we have seen it in two successive Parliaments.

The former Leader of Government Business in the last Parliament was replaced by his Deputy and in this Parliament we have seeing the Deputy Leader of Government Business replace the Leader of Government Business.
So, in the next Parliament, I will appreciate, if I am considered as Deputy, because I know that is equal to Leadership.

So, Mr Speaker, I want to assure the Leader of Government Business and his Deputy that we are fully committed to supporting him and we are ready to work for the good of Sierra Leone [Applause].

THE SPEAKER: I want to thank the last speaker along with all those who had taken the Floor before him in congratulating the new Leader of Government Business.
Honourable Kaisamba, you have to speak on behalf of Kenema District.

HON.

FRANCIS A. KAISAMBA: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, I happen to be the Leader of the Caucus Members of Parliament of Kenema District.

On behalf of the people of Kenema District, I want to take this opportunity to thank the Leadership of SLPP for appointing Honourable Mathew Sahr Nyuma to be our new Leader of Government Business.
He is a Member of Parliament representing Constituency 19 in Kenema District and we equally want to take this opportunity to thank all those who sent felicitations to Honourable Mathew Sahr Nyuma and also the Honourable Bashiru Silikie who is the newly appointed Deputy Leader of Government Business.

I thank you very much [Applause].

THE SPEAKER: Are you a Member of the female Caucus?

HON.

EMILIA L. TONGI: Yes, Mr Speaker.

21 THE SPEAKER: Are you speaking in their name?

HON.

EMILIA L. TONGI: Yes, Sir.


THE SPEAKER: I am sorry, from the inception of this Parliament, I made it abundantly clear that I will not recognise the Independent Members as a group.

So, you cannot speak on behalf of that group.

HON.

EMILIA L. TONGI: Please, Mr Speaker let me have a say.

THE SPEAKER: If you are speaking on behalf of the Parliamentary Female Caucus, I will allow you.

HON.

EMILIA L. TONGI: I am the Secretary of the Parliamentary Female Caucus, Mr Speaker.
THE SPEAKER: On behalf of the Parliamentary Female Caucus?

HON.

EMILIA L. TONGI: Yes Mr Speaker.

THE SPEAKER: Not on behalf of the Independent group?

Do you have the permission of your President?

HON.

EMILIA L. TONGI: I think so.

THE SPEAKER: Because I would not want after you have spoken, for your President to take the Floor.

Madam President, does she have your permission?

Go ahead!

HON.

EMILIA L. TONGI: May I?

THE SPEAKER: You may, if you want to.

HON.


EMILIA L. TONGI: Thank you very much, Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, on behalf of the Parliamentary Female Caucus, I extend my felicitations to our President for given us this new Leadership in the House of Parliament and I also want to congratulate our new Leader of Government Business.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, the newly appointed Leader of Government Business is not an ordinary person to me, but a son.
Because I attended school together with his father.

I think this position is actually meant for us Kissy and we are going to celebrate 22 this one [Applause].

This is actually why I stood up to congratulate the Eastern Province of this Country for this appointment as this is the very first time in history this has happened.

We would like to recognise him and to let the Kissi Community where I hailed from to know that we are improving.
I thank the SLPP Party as a whole for appointing my son as the Leader of Government Business.

Congratulations son and I wish you success in your new office.

I thank you.

THE SPEAKER: Thank you Honourable Member.

I will not entertain anymore.

I want to thank the Honourable Lady and all Honourable Members who have taken the Floor to congratulate the new Leader of Government Business and his Deputy.
Let me just say briefly that personally, I feel very proud of the new Leader of Government Business, he has been a prodigy of mine for a very long time.

I think he knows what am talking about and I think also Dr Harding would know what am talking about.

Our relationship goes back many years within a certain context which I would rather not mention now, but I just want to say congratulations.

And a great deal is expected from you and your Deputy.
You have already started to deliver in the context of the Bo Declaration [Applause].

I have no doubt in my mind that the manner in which you have started executing your new role will continue in enhancing both the prestige and the dignity of this House which is under pinned by regularly and continuous consultations amongst the leaderships in Parliament.

As long as we continue along that part, then the possibility of us running in deadlock would be greatly minimised.

HON.

MATHEW S. NYUMA: Mr Speaker!


THE SPEAKER: Do you have an Announcement to make?

HON.

MATHEW S. NYUMA Yes, Sir.

THE SPEAKER: By all means.

ANNOUNCEMENTS HON.

MATHEW S. NYUMA: Thank you very much Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, on behalf of me and my Deputy Leader, I want to thank you all for your kind remarks.
There is a adage which says: “It is not by your appearance, but 23 by your actions, it is not by words but by what you do.” We will follow the path of Unity for this House in order to maintain some line of discipline and for working relationships.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, in line with the Bo Declaration, I will now make this announcement for Members to know what we have at the Clerk’s Office in terms of Internal Notice Paper.

I will take my time to read the Notice Paper.


The Notice Paper simply means, what is supposed to be put on the Order paper, it does not necessarily mean what I would give you here would appear on the Order Paper, but would help Members to have an idea about documents that we would have in our hands.

So, I will just read it out and you will take note of that and I will be doing that before every Siting we will be having.
Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, before I read the Notice Paper, let me inform the House that the Business Committee will meet tomorrow at 12:00 p.m. after the meeting, depending on what we will discuss in Conference Room with Mr Speaker.

Mr Speaker, you are invited to attend that Meeting, because the Business Committee needs you there please.

I thank you.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, let me now read the Notice Paper.

THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION 1.
AGREEMENT ON CULTURAL AND ARTISTIC COOPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF SIERRA LEONE AND THE STATE OF KUWAIT.

2.

AGREEMENT ON COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SERA LEONE AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF KUWAIT.

3.

AGREEMENT ON ESTABLISHING JOINT COMMISSION OR COOPERATION BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF SIERRA LEONE AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF KUWAIT.
24 GOVERNMENT MOTION THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE HONOURABLE HOUSE RATIFY THE FOLLOWING AGREEMENTS WHICH WERE LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE HOUSE ON TUESDAY, 17TH MARCH, 2020: 1.

AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE ON THE EXEMPTION ON VISA REQUIREMENT FOR HOLDERS OF DIPLOMATIC AND SERVICE PASSPORT.

2.
2.

GENERAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF RWANDA AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE.

3.

GENERAL COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PERMANENT COMMISSION FOR COOPERATION.

4.

MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE ON POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS.

5.
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF UGANDA ON POLITICAL CONSULTATIONS THE MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION Be it resolved that this Honourable House ratify the following Agreement which was laid on the Table of the House on Thursday, 20 February, 2020: CABINET DECISION TO ESTABLISH THE SIERRA LEONE FOREIGN SERVICE ACADEMY AND PROPOSAL FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE AGREEMENT WITH THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE SIERRA LEONE FOREIGN SERVICE ACADEMY.
25 BILL 1.

PUBLIC ORDER AMENDMENT ACT 2019 INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS THE SECOND READING, COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING THE MINSTER OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS 2.

THE SIERRA LEONE NURSING AND MIDWIFERY COUNCIL ACT 2020.

INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND SANITATION SECOND READING, COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND SANITATION 3.

THE OVERSEAS EMPLOYMENT AND MIGRANT ACT 2029.


INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING THE MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY SECOND READING, COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING THE MINISTER OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL SECURITY 4.

THE CONSUMER PROTECTION ACT 2019 INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING THE MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY SECOND READING, COMMITTEE STAGE AND THIRD READING THE MINISTER OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, this is what I have on the Notice Paper.

I thank you very much [Applause].


26 THE SPEAKER: I thank the Leader of Government Business.

I think all of us would have noticed a new direction and it is indeed the right direction that you have been notified of the content of the Notice Paper.

I cannot recall a time that this was done before since my assumption of Office as Speaker; this is the way it should be done [Applause] so that Members of Parliament will now have notice of what is to come.
But please bear one thing in mind that what is read out by the Leader of Government Business as listed in the Notice Paper, not necessarily appear in the next Order Paper because that is the Business Committee’s business.

So, we shall go through what is read out and decide on how to proceed.

HON.

MATHEW S. NYUMA: Mr Speaker, I just want to make an addendum.

I want to add an item of “Government Motion on Appointments” on the Notice Paper.
THE SPEAKER: Let me also remind the Leader of Government Business that there is the debate on the Auditor-General’s Report which is outstanding and there are many other Motions that are still outstanding.

So, all of those should appear but we will take care of that when we meet as the Business Committee.

ADJOURNMENT [The House rose at 12:30 p.m. and was adjourned to Thursday, 7th May, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.] 27