Rt. Hon. Dr Abass Chernor Bundu
Speaker of Sierra Leone Parliament, Rt. Hon. Dr Abass Chernor Bundu has encouraged member of the sixth parliament to cultivate a culture of respect for time.
Dr. Bundu said: “From this Parliament we can start by cultivating a culture of respect for time. When our Standing Orders require us to start the work of Parliament at 10 o’clock prompt and to end at 3:00 pm or beyond, let us all agree to obey.
“Let this Sixth Parliament, therefore agree to set an example for the rest of mankind in this country to follow so that together we can establish a new work ethic for this nation.”
Accepting his re-election as Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Dr. Bundu said: “By your collective vote last Thursday, 13th July, and in consonance with the provisions of Section 79 of the Constitution (Act No. 6 of 1991) you, Members of Parliament, made a momentous decision.
“You agreed overwhelmingly to renew my mandate and repose your trust and confidence in me by electing me as Speaker of this Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic. For this singular honour you have bestowed on me to continue to serve my beloved country, Sierra Leone, I want to thank all of you, old and new Members alike, and I do so most profoundly.”
He said by the oath of office he has sworn, he has pledged faithfully and conscientiously to discharge his duties as Speaker of this Sixth Parliament and to do right to all manner of people in accordance with the sacred and supreme law of the Constitution of Sierra Leone and to uphold the laws and customs of Parliament without fear or favour, affection or ill-will.
He said: “All of us in this chamber seated as Members of Parliament owe one of the greatest responsibilities that anyone can undertake for this country. Together, we alone are the chosen people exclusively vested with the power to make laws for this country and, more particularly, to make laws for the peace, security, order and good government of Sierra Leone.
“That power is inalienable and is given to us by the Constitution of Sierra Leone, which is the supreme law of the land, (the Grund norm as the Germans would call it). I am sure every Member has been given a copy of this most important document together with a copy of the Standing Orders of Parliament. By the principle of separation of powers, Members are now enjoined to stoutly defend and protect this power zealously.
“To underline just how onerous this power of Parliament is, it is enshrined in Section 73 of the Constitution. Precisely because it is so enshrined, it cannot be taken away from us. Because when we exercise this power to legislate, we are doing so on behalf of the entire citizenry who have voted us to Parliament mainly for that purpose as well as to make their voices heard on matters that touch and concern the interests of our country.
“The awesomeness of this power is further emphasized by subsection (8) of Section 108 of the Constitution which makes it abundantly clear that any attempt by any Bill to take it away from Parliament or to alter it in any shape or form, can only be done if at least two-thirds of all the Members of Parliament approve and this approval goes for every stage of the legislative process.
“Equally importantly, even after two-thirds of the Members of Parliament shall have approved, the Bill must also be subjected to a referendum of the people. Because of all these stringent essential preconditions, Section 73 is generally referred to as an entrenched provision of the Constitution. It is alongside many other provisions that belong to this unique class all of which are listed under Section 108 of the Constitution.
“Parliament is the gatekeeper of the country’s great principles, values and virtues, including, for example, upholding and defending the Constitution and its supremacy and also respecting and maintaining the supremacy of the Rule of Law.
“As such no sooner a Member has taken the oath and taken his seat in this House, he is qualified to carry the high title of Honourable; he also becomes the alter ego of the House. To maintain that coveted title the Member must always demonstrate that he can be relied upon to defend the Constitution of our country. This means he must himself not be an offender of the Constitution. To do so is to run the serious risk of expulsion from Parliament.”
The Speaker called on Member of Parliament not to put themself in a situation where they are perceived to approbate on the one hand and to reprobate on the other, adding that they must always stand above board and always stand on the right side of the law of the Constitution.
“Accordingly, Members must conduct themselves as role models for others to emulate and they must therefore not make themself violator of the Constitution in any way. So, if there is any Member who thinks wittingly or unwittingly, he may do something that is in violation of the Constitution, he is best advised to consult with the Clerk of Parliament to establish whether there has been an infraction and how it could be remedied quietly and discreetly.” Dr. Bundu stated.
