By Ragan M. Conteh

The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) Member of Parliament who is the Deputy Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Hon. Bashiru Silikie has confessed in the well of Parliament that, “Parliamentarians are compromising when undertaking their duties.”

According to him, before MPs do their work diligently in the best interest of their people, they often ask the question “if beteh dae,” otherwise…

Hon Silikie made the revelatiion 13th February, 2025 during the approval of the presidential nominees in parliament.

The parliamentarian insisted that the job MPs is not a “dregman” job, adding that Parliament is a career job that needs serious people as MPs.

He also revealed that most Sierra Leoneans do not know the work of parliament and its parliamentarians.

He said Parliament is the only arm of government that approves budget, undertake oversight functions and can impeach President.

The honest legislator stated that Sierra Leone will only develop if Parliament is serious and do the work diligently.

He expressed dismay over the negligence of colleagues and urged them to stand up and work towards ensuring that those appointed in offices are using the monies allocated to them for development for the intended purpose.

Hon Silikie has also stated that MPs are now doing the work of Presidential appointees, adding that the work of Parliamentarians are tied up to oversight, lawmaking and representation and anything rather than those duties is just a willingness by MP.

He also raised concern over what he said is the media’s failure to educate the people about the responsibilities of MPs as most of them are undertaking developemnt projects in their respective communities including constructing roads, schools and bridges.

He alluded to the fact that MPs have caught in the middle of the game, noting that billions have been allocated to the MDAs but they ended up embezzling them with nothing done.

“MPs best offices is their cars. When they receive documents they just take them to their cars,” he said.

He admonished appointees to work in the best interest of the nation against personal aggrandizements.

“When you fail in your offices, you fail Parliament and President Julius Maada Bio,” he stressed.