Parliament Speaker Warns MPs To Be Punctual
By John Kelly Marah
The Rt. Hon. Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas has issued a strong reminder to Members of Parliament (MPs) about their primary duty to the people of Sierra Leone, referencing Section 97 (b) of the 1991 Constitution.
During sitting on Tuesday, 24th March 2026, Speaker Thomas emphasized that MPs must see themselves as representatives of the people and avoid any conduct that could lead to personal enrichment or disconnect them from the citizens they serve.
Quoting the Constitution, he stressed: “All Members of Parliament shall regard themselves as representatives of the people of Sierra Leone and desist from any conduct by which they seek improperly to enrich themselves or alienate themselves from the people.”
Welcoming MPs back after a prolonged recess, the Speaker reaffirmed that their central responsibility is service to the nation. He made it clear that parliamentary duties must take precedence over political party interests.
Speaker Thomas also clarified that the extended adjournment was deliberately planned to allow the All People’s Congress (APC) Party to complete its lower-level elections, while also taking into account the Eid holiday period. He noted that this decision was made in good faith to avoid placing APC members at a disadvantage.
Declaring the resumption of parliamentary work, the Speaker urged MPs to be fully committed, noting that sittings will now be frequent.
“You have been elected by your people. You come to this House of Parliament to serve the Republic of Sierra Leone. All other considerations are secondary,” he stated.
He further cautioned MPs against using absenteeism as a tactic to pressure government, emphasizing that there are numerous legitimate ways—“more than one hundred and ten”—to engage and influence governance without neglecting parliamentary responsibilities.
In conclusion, Speaker Thomas invited the leadership of the APC in Parliament to a special meeting in his chambers scheduled for tomorrow at 1:00 PM prompt.
