During the Sub Appropriation Committee of Supply meeting on the 2023 National Budget, the Deputy Chief Whip of Parliament also doubles as the Chairman of the Committee Hon. Alusine Kanneh decried Mayor Komba Sam of the Koidu New Sembehun City Council for committing contempt.

In his Group report, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Alusine Kanneh told Members of Parliament that the Chief Administrator of the Council told them that Mayor Komba stopped the tax collectors in certain areas within the Municipality which he considered a serious crime.

He disclosed that the Committee stood down the CA and immediately summoned the Mayor to appear before them last Thursday to answer the allegations but he refused.

After serious debate on whether to approve their budget or not, the Kono District MPs however appealed for the budget to be approved.

The House has however resolved to call on the Oversight Committee to look into the matter but the issue remains a serious concern to the Speaker.

In another development, Hon. Alusine Kanneh told the House how the government is treating the National Drug Enforcement Agency. He said the Agency will not be compared to other enforcement agencies in the sun region.

He disclosed that the Agency has 14 staff, noting that they are facing serious challenges including lack of mobility, less budgetary allocations and disbursement. He, therefore, called on the government to look into the issue very seriously.