Excessive Parliamentary Clerks Strain State Resources
By Musa Paul Feika
An investigation conducted by this medium has uncovered a concerning trend in the Sixth Parliament, where an excessive number of committee clerks are being assigned to various parliamentary committees. This growing influx of clerks is not only redundant but also poses a serious threat to the efficient use of state resources.
Findings indicate that approximately four to five clerks are attached to a single committee, all performing the same clerical duties. This duplication of roles raises serious questions about whether the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) is using these appointments to create positions for party loyalists rather than addressing the country’s pressing governance challenges.
While job creation is a key responsibility of any government, it should be done in a manner that fosters national development. Employment opportunities should be transparent, merit-based, and free from political favoritism. Unfortunately, the current trend suggests otherwise, as positions appear to be awarded based on party affiliation rather than competence.
Parliamentary Committees: Oversight Falling Short
Parliamentary committees play a vital role in scrutinizing government actions, investigating critical issues, and providing expert guidance to enhance accountability and efficiency. However, despite having sixteen committees, only a few have been actively performing their oversight functions.
Had these committees been genuinely executing their duties, many pressing social issues—such as the lack of electricity, inadequate water supply in Freetown, and the struggles of vulnerable groups like the blind, deaf, elderly, and disabled—would have been significantly mitigated, if not resolved entirely.
Due to the government’s failure to address these fundamental needs, many citizens, particularly the most vulnerable, have been forced into street begging as a means of survival.
Financial Oversight: A Major Lapse
A striking example of parliamentary inaction is the failure of the Committee on Finance to address rampant fraud in the banking sector. Despite ongoing financial misconduct in various banks, the committee, led by Hon. Kaisamba, has yet to summon banking executives for accountability.
By failing to hold financial institutions accountable, lawmakers are missing an opportunity to identify systemic issues and enact policies that would protect public funds and restore confidence in the banking sector.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has focused primarily on recovering stolen government funds rather than implementing robust policies and preventive measures to curb financial fraud. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance and bank executives have not been compelled to explain the persistent irregularities in the financial system.
The Way Forward
Unless proper policies, strict implementation, and effective monitoring mechanisms are put in place, the government will continue to fall short in meeting the needs of its citizens. Accountability and efficiency should take precedence over political patronage, ensuring that public resources are allocated wisely for the benefit of all Sierra Leoneans.
