28 January, 2021 (SALONE TIMES)
FREETOWN – Speaker of Parliament Dr. Abass Bundu has said that the former Minister of Land and Country planning Dr, Denis Sandy who was relieved off his duty in January must face parliament.
According to Dr. Bundu, the sacked minister supposed to have faced parliament in September 2020 but he failed to appear.
The speaker maintained that it does not mean that after he has been relieved from his duty, he should not appear before parliament, noting that he should appear now as former Minister of Lands because there are issues which he should have clarified concerning lands.
Disputing the speaker, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon Sengepoh Solomon Thomas said the speaker should summon the office not the minister because he has been relieved from his office.
The speaker informed the deputy speaker that the summon letter was sent to the minister not his office so he should face parliament to answer to question concerning land issues.
Deputy Opposition Whip, Hon Hassan Sesay said that according to the press release from the President, the minister has been relieved from his office and that up to January 25th 2021, Dr. Sandy is signing document on behalf of the ministry.
Hon Thomas said he would not comment on the issue until the document is brought before parliament.
The Opposition Leader of APC Chernor RM Bah said he is not saying that Denis Sandy should not appear before parliament but they should focus on the ministry not the individual because the house of parliament does not want the new minister to fail.
Hon Abdul Kargbo in his contribution said the action of parliament should not be exempted by the executive or the judiciary, highlighting that Denis Sandy must face parliament because he has something to answer.
Deputy Leader of Government Business Hon Bashiru Silikie said that whether Denis Sandy is in parliament or not, they expect the outgoing minister to do a handing over note to the newly appointed minister.
Hon Abdul Karim Kamara said when he was watching international news about transition, one can be a minister today and tomorrow one cannot and aggreed that Denis Sandy should face parliament so the public would know how he left the ministry.
Hon Silikie said they should discuss the issue in the speaker chamber.
