As part of the three-day open day of Parliament, the European Union (EU) Technical Assistance program to Parliament engaged stakeholders including Civil Society Organizations and staff of Parliament on side events on the national budget discussion. According to the European Union Technical Assistance Mr. Adams Fusheine the discussion focused on how the Parliament of Sierra Leone can improve citizen participation in the budget cycle process, to improve budget outcomes in socio-economic development.
EU Technical Assistance Program to Parliament, Mr. Adams Fusheini said the discussion was to enable the government Parliament and Civil Society Organization to work together for a better understanding of the budget. He lauded Parliament for signing MOU with CSOs and establishing CDOs Desk.
Mr. Abubakarr Kamara, the Coordinator for Budget Advocacy Network (BAN) explained that the networks consist of seven institutions, adding that their works gear toward transparency, accountability, and citizens’ participation. He said they are looking to see the budget achieve service delivery and use the budget as a tool for transparency and accountability to benefit the lives of citizens. He noted that most of the time the vulnerable including the Albion and the aged are not targeted in the budget process, noting that through their advocacy and engagement with the Ministry of Finance and Social Welfare they have included them in their budgets.
In his contribution the principal Committee Clerk responsible for the Oversight Committee of Finance, Mr. Mohammed Barrie said the 1991 Constitution provides provision for the Oversight Committee of Finance to monitor government financial institutions including the Ministry of Finance.
He said the public had not been involved in the committee of supply except the media, adding that Parliament needs to open up. He added that there was a need to review the Standing Order to allow public participation in the budget process.
Making his point, the Deputy Director of Parliament Budget Office, Faiz Rahman said the department was established in 2007 through the Parliamentary Service Commission but started operations in 2018. He said he looks at the revenue and expenditure of the government and the financial policies of the government and also looks at how businesses are performing. He continued that the reports are independent and will be presented to the leadership of Parliament and the Clerk’s office. He intimated that their work is uploaded on the Parliament of Sierra Leone website with access for citizens’ participation.
In a similar line, Mr. Abu Brima from CSOs said over the years Parliament was very difficult to access, adding that Parliament should have a strategy for the citizens. He said a lot of things need to change to open Parliament for the citizens. He said citizens should be involved in planning the budget, which helps achieve service delivery.
Fatmata Sorie, the President of L.A.W.Y.E.R.S said the Bill is not only for the women, adding that they made the same mistake with the Gender Act. She said they should look at how the Bill will benefit women.
She disclosed that some boards are hundred percent male-dominated, stressing there are so many women that are qualified. She said the males are predominantly in the country but should give the women the chance to champion.
Madam Juliet Anderson from Women’s Forum Network said the Bill will have opportunities, adding that Bill is participatory. He emphasized that the Bill is not perfect like any other Bill. She talked about the gaps in the Bill. She disclosed that the Parliament of Sierra Leone will go down in history to pass the Women empowerment Bill, noting that it is one of the Sustainable Development Goals SDG.
By Mohamed Amara Gando
