By Ragan M. Conteh

The Speaker of Parliament, Hon Segepoh Solomon Thomas has pledged to expose Members of Parliament who are in the habit of engaging in personal  business whilst abandoning parliamentary functions for which they are elected.

The Speaker made the strong statement on Tuesday 1st July, 2025 in the chambers of Parliament, tower Hill in Freetown.

Speaker Thomas has also vowed to complain and recommend those MPs who are not punctual in their duties and those who are effective in their Parliamentary duties and responsibilities.

He expressed dismay over those parliamentarians who are engaged in private businesses and neglecting Parliamentary duties, stating only effective lawmakers will be advocated for their come back to parliament while those who are not committed will be removed on the list of any political party.

However, Speaker Thomas promised to give attendance list of MPs to their respective political parties, at the end of this parliamentary session.

Hon. Segepoh Thomas also also raised concern over Parliamentarians habitual absence and tardiness, calling it as a long-standing problem that undermines the legislative process’ integrity and efficiency.

The Speaker critiqued MPs’ constant lateness and absence during important sessions, warning that the behavior jeopardizes the capacity to create a quorum and undertake essential legislative activity.

“Most legislators are in the habit of attending sittings late, affecting the required quorum of significant proceedings,” he stated. “This thing did not just start yesterday. It has been here over the past 15 years.

The Speaker said that the issue is not something new, but rather a repeated one that reflects deeper difficulties in political culture.

To address the situation, he has called for an urgent internal conference to deliberate and implement disciplinary measures to ensure MPs fulfill their constitutional obligations.