The Speaker of Sierra Leone’s Parliament, Hon. Chernor Abass Bundu has reprimanded the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Kabineh Kallon for failing to appear before Parliament whenever he was called upon.
The Speaker of Parliament, said that anytime important papers are laid in parliament for debate or rectification, the Minister of Transport and Aviation, Kabineh Kallon, would not be present. He added that, on Tuesday, 7th February 2023, the minister also skipped his appearance before parliament.
The Speaker told the house that the minister is his old personal friend and that it bothered him so much that he had to say this in the well of parliament because, at every material time his old friend would not surface only his Deputy, Rex Bonapha, would do.
The Speaker noted that there are concerns from his ministry he should come forward to clarify, such as the air ticket, the $25 security, and many other issues. He said that the minister, not his Deputy, needs to come out and clear the air on those concerns.
However, the Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Hon. Matthew Sahr Nyuma told parliament that he had spoken with the minister a few days ago and the minister informed him that he would be out of the country to seek medical treatment.
He said that the minister assured him that, anytime he returned he would avail himself to parliament.
Hon. Nyuma added that the Deputy Minister is a very capable person and can deliver on behalf of the minister.
AS deliberations on the matter continued, Hon. Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella of the NGC party noted that is the reason why Sierra Leone still has one of the most expensive air tickets in the sub-region. He further devised ways in which it could be made cheaper.