These were the words in a press release issued over the weekend by the Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI); emphasizing that the recent motion moved in parliament for an increase to the salaries of Members of Parliament be squashed for now until the economy picks up.
The Campaign for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI) is leading the call for government to reject salary increment for parliamentarians.
CHRDI and Sierra Leoneans are calling on the SLPP government not to allow members of parliament to pass the bill on the gargantuan increase of their salaries and other benefits, including wardrobe allowances.
“We believe this decision represents a backward step in the desire to affect adherence to the rule of law and fundamental rights for Sierra Leone citizens across the country,” a CHRDI press statement reads.
“The general public’s trust in political institutions, including parliament, has been undermined in recent decades by prominent scandals, allegations of corruption, and other breaches of acceptable behavior by elected officials across the country. At first glance, political representation in a liberal democracy such as Sierra Leone is a straightforward concept.
“About every five years, at national level, there is an election where citizens elect their representatives in parliament. CHRDI believes that a strong representative democracy needs an open and transparent government and that politicians should represent their communities and protect the public interests.
“We are actively involved in promoting participatory democracy, accountability and gender equity, through social, economic, political and human capacity building of the populace.
“We see this as a total disregard of the will of majority Sierra Leoneans to build a better economy after a decade of plunder by the same politicians and we wish to reiterate our avowed stance against wasteful economic practices, going forward.
“Therefore, we are calling on parliamentarians to withdraw their proposal with immediate effect in the public interest,” the CHRDI release added.
