Politicotorial
The issue of the long drawn-out Freedom of Information Bill is embarrassing us as a nation. The stop-start nature or even the complete stall of the process is incomprehensible. May be nonsensical. No Member of Parliament has the conviction of their conviction to tell the people of this nation why such a progressive piece of legislation, which has been promised and assured the people of this nation, is still covered with dust in the House. Years on!
On Labour Day (1 May) Minister of Information, Ibrahim Ben Kargbo assured journalists, at a workshop on the country’s draconian and obsolete media laws, that the Freedom of Information Bill would be passed into law by the 11 May this year. In fact, “next week” he said.
Two days later, the Majority Leader in Parliament, SBB Dumbuya who leads the business of the minister’s party in the House sought to not only embarrass him but to entrench the hold on the people of this country to ransom by reportedly saying to journalists who’d gone on a peaceful procession, that the bill would not see the light of day as had been promised.
Apologists may argue, in clay-legged fashion, that the Executive arm of government does not dictate the business of Parliament. We agree that there is separation of powers in Sierra Leone as propounded, in a way, by Baron De Montesquieu. But certainly there is no absolute separation of powers either legitimately because of some legislated fusion of power as it happens all over the world, or otherwise through some political backroom dealings, which we see happen in Sierra Leone with our parliament every day.
How many times have executive orders not led to bills being passed perhaps even before they were read by the MPs? In order of significance, very few bills meet the importance that the FOI bill does. If we need to say it again, this is a bill, which, when, or IF, passed into law, will open governance and entrench democracy, respect for human rights and good governance perhaps more globally than any other instrument does at present.
But despite the apparent lack of keenness at the leadership, Politico is of the string view the Minister of Information has done all he humanly can do in making this bill a reality. He collaborated with civil society and the media in in having it drafted. He took it to all the four corners of the country to let the people own it – unnecessary but still appreciated. He and his team, with civil society and media collaboration, have defended it in parliament and everywhere else it needs to be defended.
In our view, therefore, it will be unfair for anyone to blame the dithering and brinkmanship over FOI Bill on the Minister of Information and Communication, Ibrahim ben Kargbo.
We believe the blame for this volte face lies squarely on the court of parliament who should be taking more of their cue from the people as they voted them in than the minister who is an appointee of the president’s. We damn this action by the House who were told by the people through a nationwide consultation organised by the government that they needed a Freedom of Information Law. What else do they want!
