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Momodou
Denmark
11828 Posts |
 Posted - 11 Jun 2006 : 17:55:58
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“WE HAVE FAILED”
SAYS MAJORITY LEADER
In winding up the debate on the resolution for the National Assembly to conduct its affairs and business in strict conformity with the provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders, the Majority Leader and Member for Upper Fulladu West, Hon. Churchill Falai Baldeh, told his colleagues that they have failed by committing the mistake they have committed. He thanked God for putting sense in them.
He told his colleagues that there are many constitutional provisions that require an ACT of the National Assembly to be operational but that those Acts are still not enacted. One such Act, the Majority Leader said, is provided for by Section 92 of the constitution which empowers the electorate to recall their representatives if they are found wanting. The Majority Leader pointed out that there is no authority that can increase or reduce salaries in this country. That responsibility he said is vested in the National Assembly. He told his colleagues to take the blame of making the mistake for not strictly conducting the business and affairs of the National Assembly according to the provisions of the Constitution.
NAMS ASSERT THEMSELVES
Registering his support to the motion to conduct the business and affairs of the National Assembly in strict conformity with the provisions of the constitution and the standing orders, the member for Tumana, Hon. Netty Baldeh, asserted that they must legislate against perennial absenteeism of Secretaries of State. He indicted that Secretaries of State do not read their constitution and thereby fail to attend Assembly sittings unless they cannot help it. Hon. Baldeh indicated that Section 74 of the constitution stipulates that “the Vice President and Secretaries of State shall be collectively responsible to the National Assembly for any advice given to the President in cabinet and the Vice President and each Secretary of State shall be accountable to the President and the National Assembly for the administration of the departments and other businesses of Government, committed to his/her charge.” Hon. Baldeh asserted that Section 77 (4) States that “The Vice {resident or a Secretary of State shall, when requested by the National Assembly, report to the National Assembly on any matter concerning a department or other business of Government, committed to his/her charge and shall be entitled to attend and speak in the National Assembly whenever any Bill or other matter concerning such department or business is being debated.” Hon. Netty Baldeh asserted that they must come up with a private members Bill to force Secretaries of State to attend National Assembly sittings or be fired. Hon. Baldeh argued that in such a situation too, members of his party would pull out.
Source:Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 43/2006, 5-7 June, 2006
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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