Finance Minister Snubs Parliament, Delaying Key Bill
By Benjamin S Conteh
The current Minister of Finance, Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura, has failed to appear before Parliament for the approval and endorsement of the State-Owned Enterprise Act 2025.
As a result, Speaker of Parliament Hon. Sengepoh Solomon Thomas had no choice but to adjourn the session to Thursday, March 20, 2025. Despite having two deputy ministers, neither was present to represent the ministry and facilitate the reading and approval of the bill.
Leader of Government Business Hon. Sahr Mathew Nyuma expressed frustration over the absence of the finance minister and his deputies, describing it as a blatant disregard for Parliament. He noted that their failure to attend has slowed down legislative proceedings.
Beyond delaying the bill, the absence of these officials results in financial losses, as Members of Parliament (MPs) will still receive sitting fees funded by taxpayers despite the stalled proceedings.
This is not the first time ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) have failed to honor parliamentary summons. Lawmakers, including those from the ruling party, have frequently voiced their dissatisfaction over MDAs disregarding the authority of Parliament. However, no concrete measures have been taken to address this issue.
During last year’s Sub-Appropriation Committee hearings, several key institutions including the Office of the Chief Minister, the Office of Presidential and Infrastructure Initiative, and the Governance Advisory Unit also failed to appear before Parliament.
Before the 2025 national budget hearings, Speaker Thomas urged MDAs to actively participate in discussions. However, many ignored the call. While he previously warned that non-compliant MDAs would face consequences, no action was taken.
The persistent failure of MDAs to engage with Parliament raises concerns about accountability and respect for legislative oversight, undermining the effectiveness of governance.
