As Controversy erupts… 5-Man Committee Set Up To Look at Mass Redundancy in Parliament
In recent days, controversy has erupted over the massive sacking of staff In Parliament with fingers being pointed at the leadership of Parliament.
In one hand, the Clerk of Parliament, Paran Tarawally, being accused of unilaterally taken the decision of redundanting over 100 Parliamentary staff unknowingly to the Parliamentary Commission mandated the power to hire and fire Parliamentary staff. While others are saying that it is unanimous decision, the Chief Whip of Parliament, Hon. Tawa Conteh, said the Speaker is aware of the sacking decision although he has dissociated himself from the action.
As the arguments unfold, the Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Abass Bundu, denied knowledge of knowing neither being brief, stating that “I am yet to be briefed by the Clerk or anyone else about that action or the legal basis thereof… I consider it incumbent upon Parliament to ensure that the decisions it makes especially those that affect the lives and livelihoods of people must be based on the laws that we make, otherwise the trust and confidence of the people which is so crucial for the legitimacy of our actions will wane.
Precisely for this reason, I have directed the Clerk of Parliament to prepare to convene a meeting of the Parliamentary Commission on 4 January, 2024 so that the organ of Parliament in which the power to hire and fire the staff of the Parliamentary service can be fully apprised of the decision”.
In a Public notice, the office of the Clerk of Parliament, informs the general public about the summoning of a Parliamentary Commission meeting on Thursday 4th January,2023.
Following discussions during the course of the meeting, a five- man Committee consisting of the Honourable Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, leader of the opposition and the Hon. Clerk of Parliament has been constituted to look into the matter relating to redundancy in parliament and present its recommendations to the Parliamentary Commission within two weeks.
