By Sorie Ibrahim Fofanah
A Press Release dated 14th January 2024 from the National Grand Coalition (NGC) has criticised the Speaker of Parliament, Dr. Abass Bundu, for ‘aiding and abetting’ alleged corruption by Clerk of Parliament, Paran Tarawally.
‘’The NGC finds it appalling that despite the serious allegations against the Clerk of Parliament, no concrete steps have been taken by the Parliament’s leadership to address the issue. This lack of action raises serious questions about the commitment of Parliament to uphold integrity, accountability, and transparency as a legislative organ of government,’’ part of the release reads.
Speaking to Politico, the Deputy Secretary-General of NGC, Alhaji Tarawally, said they believe the Speaker of Parliament is the political head in Parliament and is expected to be ‘’independent with regards discharging his role and responsibility.’’ He went on to say it is the ‘responsibility’ of the Speaker of Parliament to ask the Clerk to resign.
He said Parliament should have set up a special committee, allowing for an internal investigation to look into redundancy in Parliament.
All that we ask for, the Secretary-General said is consistency from the House of Parliament, saying they find the whole matter ‘appalling.’
‘’We urge the Anti-Corruption Commission to reverse its approach in dealing with corruption matters as a civil approach rather than a criminal offence,’’ he said, noting that would help in the fight against corruption.
In response to the said alleged corruption against the Clerk of Parliament, Paran Tarawally, the ACC stated in its press release that they had granted bail to the wife of the Clerk who was said to have been employed by her husband as a worker of Parliament and collecting salaries, but has never reported for work. “While investigations continue, as a condition of her bail, Mrs. Abibatu Tarawally returned the sum of One Hundred and Thirty Thousand (New) Leones ( Le 130,000) from the One Hundred and Fifty-Six Thousand (New) Leones (Le 156,000) she received as a Salary for the 10 months she was on a payroll, according to records obtained from the Accountant General,’’ the release goes on.
Politico did contact the Public Relations Unit in Parliament to know the stance of Parliament, but they could not comment on the said issue.
On December 18, 2023, Paran Tarawally, issued dismissal letters to over 100 workers of Parliament. However, the Speaker of Parliament had before the sacking of the said staff assured the House that no worker would be laid off. He had reportedly on 4th January this year, summoned an emergency Parliamentary Service Commission meeting to question the Clerk of Parliament on his decision to sack the workers.
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