Open Letter to the Speaker of Parliament
3rd June, 2020
The Speaker,
Chamber of Parliament
Tower Hill, Freetown
Dear Dr. Abass Bundu,
CONCERNS OVER THE CONSTITUTIONAL INSTRUMENT NO. 26, THE CORONA VIRUS DISEASE EMERGENCY FUND REGULATION 2020
Since its inception in 2006, Forum of Sierra Leonean Youth Network (FoSLYN) had enjoyed partnership with the Parliament of Sierra Leone i.e. taking Members of Parliament to their constituencies across the divide from different political parties to interface with their constituents. During those constituency meetings in which we partnered with Democracy Sierra Leone, constituents were opportune to ask questions on topical/contemporary issues, whilst responses came from their Honorable Members based on laws passed, bills, contracts and grants.
Mr. Speaker, the membership of those meetings were Young People (Male, Female and Persons with Disabilities). The outcome of those meetings since 2009 with the Peoples Movements for Democratic Change (PMDC), Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the All People’s Congress (APC) still continue to teach us that they are interested in what transpires in the House of Parliament especially laws enacted.
Mr. Speaker, our beneficiaries command tremendous respect for the House and they are expecting much from Honorable Members of Parliament not to pass any bill that will taint the image of the House and it Members such as the Constitutional Instrument in question, ‘the corona virus disease emergency fund regulation 2020’. These set of regulations essentially seek to enable those handling/managing the Covid-19 response funds avoid accountability check mechanisms. The regulations in Sections 9 (1) & (2) stipulate that Public Financial Management Regulations Act, 2016 (Act No. 13 of 2016) and the Public Procurement Act, 2016 (Act No. 1 of 2016) shall not apply to the management of Covid-19 funds.
Mr. Speaker, if such a bill is passed giving blank check to those handling public /Covid -19 money, it will be a travesty; it also makes a mockery of all the efforts to fight against corruption which the Bio led administration prides itself on.
Sir, if an instrument of this nature is passed into law in front of your watchful eyes, it will damage your hard worn credibility which you’ve worked for over the years and will further bring to disrepute the House and it Members.
Sir, as May 29th, 2020 marks another milestone in the country’s democracy during which His Excellency President Bio prorogued the Second Session and proclaimed the Third Session of the Parliament of Sierra Leone, on behalf of the young people of Sierra Leone which forms the greater percentage of the total population, we call on you ‘not to approve’ such an instrument as it undermines the fight against Corruption, Transparency and Accountability which is the bedrock of the New Direction manifesto.
Finally, I want to draw your attention to a very important issue that touches and concerns your office and has a far reaching effect in the country and that if not discussed by the Public Accounts Committee will make the public to believe that the Government is not an anti-graft Government, i.e. the Audit Report. The call/concerns from young people from every nook and cranny of the country is that there is too much delay on the side of the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee. “Justice delayed is justice denied”. Young people want to see live streaming of the PACs discussions on the 2018 Auditor General’s report.
Sir, whilst you were relish on your youthful age serving at the Commonwealth and later ECOWAS, you developed strong credibility and trust which we ask that you transfer to the Parliament of Sierra Leone. We further advise that you don’t allow any more bills like the Finance Act of 2019 which empowered the President (Commander in Chief) to be the Chief Procurement Officer of Military hardware leaving the Procurement Directorate at the Ministry of Defense redundant.
Interestingly, Mr. Speaker our Parliament has passed into law the longest State of Emergency in the world on the COVID -19 unlike countries that are badly hit but have lesser days of State of Public Health Emergency. Nevertheless, we advise that you inform the Legislative Committee in Parliament that we still await the REGULATIONS on the SOE to guide citizens. We also advice that a mask policy be developed for future disasters of such nature.
Mr. Speaker, for your name to go down the annals of Parliamentary history, please use your enviable position to judiciously stimulate and adopt legislation(s) on natural disaster and pandemic.
As a vivacious Civil Society Organization, we call on you as we recommend the following:
- Don’t stimulate or encourage any discussion on the Constitutional Instrument 26: “the corona virus disease emergency fund regulation 2020”.
- Please inform the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to table the Audit Report for discussions.
- Please ask the Finance Committee in Parliament to give pieces of advice to the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to understand the Financial damages this will cause to the country and the lack of trust from the International Community and International Financial Institutions.
- The same approach for the non-accountable imprest for the Presidency (the Finance Act of 2019) be used, i.e. throw it out of Parliament.
- Please put together a law on natural disaster and pandemic.
- We ask for a Mask Policy to be put together.
Looking forward to a very prompt action from your office.
Long live Sierra Leone.
Long live the People of Sierra Leone.
Long live the Parliament of Sierra Leone.
Long live the Speaker of Parliament.
Yours faithfully,
Thomas P. A. Babadie
Executive Director
…………………..
Forum of Sierra Leonean Youth Network (FoSLYN)
Cc: Clerk of Parliament
Leader: Sierra Leone Peoples Party
Leader: All People Congress Party
Leader: Coalition for Change Party
Leader: National Grand Coalition
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CONTACT US
Office Address: Ground Floor, 64 Fort Street, Freetown
Cell: +232 77 595 421/ 079 699 400
Email:foslynsalonepupils@gmail.com
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ABOUT FoSLYN
FoSLYN works with young people on Health Education, WASH in schools, peace and the consolidation of democracy, Human Rights and the Rule of Law. The aforementioned forms the core of our five (5) years Strategic Plan 2012-2017.
FoSLYN (Forum of Sierra Leonean Youth Network) is a network connecting youths and children in order to enable them showcase their talents through peer mentoring in public speaking, debating, quiz competitions, games, sports etc. Its supports and provides added value to the quality and standards of education in Sierra Leone which has been ineffective, especially in the areas of Information Communication Technology, Human Rights and the Rule of Law, HIV/AIDS and other health related issues, like STD’s and STI’s and SRH&R in comparison to other developing countries. On a whole, Information Communication Technology is the embedded learning tool used.
FoSLYN works to engage and empower young people and children between ages 11-29 to enhance their contributions to development. We do this in partnership with young people, children, our partners, likeminded donor agencies and other key stakeholders.
Since its inception in April 2006, we have enjoyed funding from various partners, British High Commission in 2007 and 2009, UNDP Access to Justice Program 2009, Outreach Section: Special Court for Sierra Leone, ENCISS/Christian Aid, Africel, Airtel, Sierra Leone Brewery Ltd etc.
