In his solemn speech delivered in the Well of Parliament on Wednesday 20th December 2023, the Leader of the opposition in Parliament, Hon Abdul Kargbo, has informed Members of Parliament and the nation that, “We met SLPP and APC and so we shall someday leave both parties while we may have gone, so why the political conflict.”
Hon Kargbo says, “I see no reason why the fights for political party, let politics don’t destroy family ties. We will someday leave these political parties.”
He said the appointees should not work to separate people apart because of their political belonging, adding that ‘cabal’ in offices only creates lots of problems.
The leader went on that, what most times result to poor performance of appointed leaders is the lack of a working synergy in offices, political- hatred and lack of work ethics in work place.
He urged that leaders in various areas of responsibility should show no political boundary in workplaces, should “avoid cabal, politics, tribe or region if one can perform.’
“Those in authority are always victims of sackings in their offices. Workers will are always creating the problem because of the incompetence of their bosses. Manchester United Coach was sacked because the players hate him. Eastern Lions Coach has also been relieved of his duty because the players fail to perform,” he stated.
He said sometimes failures of appointees are due to their attitude shown in workplaces, adding that appointees should give responsibilities to deserving staff in their institutions.
He buttressed the point that, state institutions and government should note that in any actions there must be reactions.
Hon Kargbo also told visitors in Parliament that as MPs they have their political differences but are united and after their time in office their friends continue from where they stop.
“I have friends in the SLPP and when I go to Bo I will be accommodated by an SLPP MP, he gives me all that I needed until I return. Make friends in the other side in politics,” he encourages others.
The Leader of opposition further generally advised the appointees to work in the interest of the nation together with Staff members under their purview.
“Treat all staff fairly. Embrace all staff fairly and never victimize anyone,” he said.
He called on them to treat staff seriously and respectfully.
“We should build bridges and not fences”, he advised.
In his tweets, he says Section 26 (1) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone guarantees the right of citizens to belong to any registered political party of their choice.
Hon Kargbo further says in one of his tweets he stated that the Security personnel should stop intimidating the opposition to the extent of confiscating their phones at various checkpoints.
The Acting Speaker of Parliament, Hon Segepoh Solomon Thomas, admonished the appointees to work hard and make a positive difference upon their appointment.
He asked that they must work in collaboration with their subjects as he wished them well in their pursuits.
Parliament abandons fake degree investigations
Parliament of Sierra Leone has been accused of downplaying fake university degrees investigation psssesed by certain people in Sierra Leone.
The investigation had been carried out by a Committee set up in Parliament years ago.
Sierra Leoneans are asking many questions regarding the progress on the investigation by the audit Committee in Parliament, chaired by Dr Kandeh Yumkella who now holds a different post, about some Fake Degrees awarded to certain people in Sierra Leone.
It could be recalled that, the former Coalition for Change (C4C) Member of Parliament (MP), Hon Paul Saa Sam, informed the Speaker about a motion he raised in the Well of Parliament for a special audit on undergraduate degrees possessed by many officials in the country.
He said the aim of raising the, “certificates audit motion” in Parliament was to save the integrity of Sierra Leone’s education, adding that the objective stems from the disclosure of fake degree holders, including PhDs in government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).
According to MP Saa Sam, the news about Dominion Christian University in Sierra Leone had the tendency to put the integrity of some reputable Sierra Leoneans at stake in terms of academic qualifications.
He said as a sign of how serious Parliament was taking the issue about the certificates audit, it should start with all MPs then to the administrative staff and down to MDA officials.
In his submission, former APC MP, Hon Amadu Alpha Bah, representing Constituency 115 then buttressed the point that the certificates audit should not only be limited to MDA officials, but should also include MPs ‘for moral standards and integrity’s sake’.
He said the influx of doctorates and degree holders in MDAs was alarming, adding that government through Parliament should use the current saga to audit the academic qualifications or documents of all government officials.
He cited that ‘Dominion Christian University degree holders are too many in the country’, the university he described as non-existent and fake.
The Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Solomon Segepoh Thomas, said earlier that, it was a good idea to do certificates audit, adding that Parliament should be excluded because MPs were not elected to the House because of their qualifications.
Notwithstanding, Dr Yumkella was selected as the Chairman of the Fake Degree Audit Committee in Parliament, and he had put many structures to ensure that issues of fake degree issue are speedily addressed.
Meanwhile, the 6th Parliament is yet to revitalise the Committee for the audit of certificates and PHDs to make it a reality.