By Ragan M. Conteh
The Opposition Chief Whip in parliament who doubles as Member of Parliament from Kambia District, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara (AKK), has stated that, “it’s evident that corruption has become more fashionable under the administration of President Maada Bio”.
“Mr. President, he requested, please read the audit report! It is not about the cash being looted, but the recommendations therein…”
According to Hon AKK, although, President Bio initially promised the citizens that he would “wage war” against corruption and anyone who attempted to engage such the individual would be dealt with according to the laws of the land.
The MP said Sierra Leoneans were very much enthusiastic over the proclamation thinking that the menace would be mitigated; especially when they were hunting the opposition members by accusing them for the misuse of public funds. He said, not knowing that the war is meant for those who are not within the circle.
Few months down the line, he said, those who were championing the war later became perpetrators, adding that they have indeed shattered the optimism of the people as almost all the institutions have cordially become babysitters of corruption.
The Kambia MP pointed out that, to ascertain that, the recent Audit Report speaks volume as the document clearly stated how public resources were embezzled by cloak of individuals at the expense of the majority.
He maintained that, according to the laws of the land, every audit report is supposed to be debated in parliament as that would help to bring those rogues to book.
But what is currently unfolding with the report, he said, it seems as if the report will be placed under the green carpet.
Opposition Chief Whip, Hon Abdul Karim Kamara, has been calling on the Speaker to allow the audit report to be tabled in the well.
As a gentleman who stands to speak truth to power, I have become skeptical about the silence of the president as corruption has taken the centre stage in the country, he said.
According to him, the audit report is not an exception as it will help the President to know exactly what is going on within his administration yet [it’s]nowhere to be seen.
Hon. Abdul Karim continued to call on the President to go through the audit report as it contained enough evidence of corruption not limited to looting; yet as well the implementation of audit report recommendations as it is significance for the progress of the nation.