By Ragan M. Conteh

 The newly elected Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, has informed legislators in his Chamber of Parliament that the “honeymoon is over.”

According to Hon Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, his phrase meant that the 6th Parliament will not be business as usual.

Speaker Conteh made the comment when reacting to members of Parliament from both side of the aisle during their statements of felicitation in the Well of Parliament.

“Hon Members, me and my boss have engaged and will continue to engage for the good of this nation. We will see what will happen next after the engagement,” Speaker Tawa said.

The Deputy Speaker, Hon Ibrahim Tawa Conteh made this reactions when presiding over the sitting on Tuesday 7th May 2024 in the Well of Parliament, at Tower Hill in Freetown.

He said according to MPs from both side of the aisle, he learnt from them that there was a “he-for-she” before he became Deputy Speaker.

The MP has worked relentlessly to ensure that women are promoted.

On the  mantra, he for she, female MPs said they had bestowed serious confidence in the newly Deputy Speaker to create an enabling environment for female MPs irrespective of their political, regional and tribal affiliations.

MPs across the ailse said they have no doubt on Hon Tawa Conteh because he has good track-record of transparency and accountability in terms of discussing national issues.

The erudite Deputy Speaker has been named as a man who is steadfast, dedicated, corrupt-free as well as a man that has high profile of dignity and respect for law and order.

In terms of grassroots, many MPs including the opposition MP Hon Mamoud Kamara from Lumley have named Tawa a man of the poor who has done so much for his people in Lumley.

Hon Tawa Conteh is said to have an overwhelmingly support from the opposition MPs due to his cordial relationship with all and sundry.

During the felicitation’s talk, MPs said Hon Tawa Conteh was duly elected as Deupty Speaker due to his long-standing record on none-compromise, on national issue and has been very robust on fighting corruption.

Hon Aaron Koroma said as opposition they are pretty sure that the new Deputy Speaker who was very vocal to debate on the Audit report during ex-Speaker Abass Bundu era will now actualize the same ability during his time.

The Deputy Speaker was also urged to change the wrongs over the years and if changed will earn him more respect after he will have retired.

“Where you are today, another person was there yesterday and tomorrow there will be another person.

“Make use of the opportunity and work for the interest of the populace,” Hon Aaron warned.

However, the MP from Koinadugu, Hon Jalloh said: “My Koinadugu people have asked several questions about the new Speaker and Deputy. “And so how can you be remembered?”

The MP from Western Area Urban East District, Hon Rugiatu Rosy Kanu said the newly elected Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon Tawa Conteh is a man who MPs believe in and have confidence in.

“We are praying for you to succeed and we hope our welfare as MPs will be addressed shortly,” MPs sated.