By Ragan M. Conteh

Following what he referred to as an embarrassment to President Maada Bio by some Parliamentary Committees’ Clerks, the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas on Wednesday 30th April, 2025, summoned all the clerks in his chamber to address the ugly issue.

According to Speaker Thomas, he had an engagement with President Julius Maada Bio last week where the President expressed dismay over certain committees that are in the habit of summoning diplomatic officials and private businesses in Parliament.

The Speaker revealed that the President has frowned at such embarrassing situation and urged the Speaker to immediately address the unhealthy situation once and for all.

Speaker Thomas said he believes that certain committee clerks are even doing so without the knowledge of the Committees Chairmen.

“Maybe those clerks summoning diplomatic missions officials are doing so for certain reasons best known to them. This is an embarrassing situation,” Speaker Thomas frowned.

Notwithstanding, he urged all committees’ clerks to attend the summon, after which any clerk found wanting will face severe consequences.

“Drastic actions will be taken gainst defaulters,” he emphasized.

Other schools of thought have it that MPs spend more time attending Committee meetings than Parliamentary sittings.

Others Committees have made parliamentary work a full-time job for MPs.

A Parliamentary Committee is a small group of lawmakers, created and empowered by Parliament to perform a specified task.

A Committee consists of Members drawn from political parties in Parliament based on the strength of their representation in the House. (Section 93(5) of 1991 Constitution).