In Apparent Disapproval of Lower Niumi NAM’s View

In what is arguably her strongest address yet to a fellow member of the National Assembly since her appointment, Hon. Fatoumata Jahumpa- Ceesay, Speaker of the National Assembly, on Monday admonished Members of the National Assembly, notably Hon. Cherno Cham, to respect the views and opinions of each other at all times.

Speaker Jahumpa-Ceesay’s warning came in the wake of a statement made by the National Assembly Member for Lower Niumi, Hon. Cherno Cham, urging fellow members to be mindful in criticizing issues pertaining to matters brought before the National Assembly. “When we want to criticise issues pertaining to what is brought before the house, we should be mindful and do our home work very well rather than wasting precious time of the house,” Hon. Cham stated.

According to the Honourable Speaker, each and every member of the National Assembly is at liberty to have his or her opinion on anything that is laid before the honourable house. “I think honourable members should respect the views and opinions of each and every member in the Assembly,” she said, adding that members have the right to say what ever they want and how they feel like putting themselves across.

She however advised her fellow members of the house to debate on parliamentary proceedings and not otherwise. “That is why we are true representatives of the electorates,” she averred.

Heeding the Speaker’s warning, Hon. Cherno Cham apologised to members for any inconvenience his statement might have caused. “I think we are a corporate body that is out to examine issues holistically and I was speaking in that light but am very sorry about the statement,” he concluded.