By Binta Jaiteh
Hon Muhammed Kanteh, National Assembly Member for Busumbala harped on President Adama Barrow’s speech on peace and unity in the concluding part of his speech delivered last Thursday during his State of Nation Address, saying “We cannot have Peace and Unity if the leadership of the Assembly is bias and (adopted) preferential treatment among the members.”
According to Hon Muhammed Kanteh, he said the President emphasized on maintaining of peace between the members of the National Assembly, saying peace and unity are very sacrosanct and important to have that “amongst ourselves to advance the development of this country.”
This peace and unity, he expressed, “cannot be realized if we bent on partisan consideration that takes the center stage of our national interest. We have seen that ugly face in this National Assembly and any time you rise to make an important motion based on party lines people distract you.”
“I reiterated that the President’s call for that peace and unity should be strengthened by all members in this assembly to have the development we desire. We cannot have peace and unity if members of the National Assembly are bent on bullying each other,” he hit the nail on the head.
Hon Kebba Lang Fofana, a nominated member raised a point of order (29) ( 5) that no member shall impute improper motives to any other members adding that the member does not have any right to preempt the motives of another member saying “he has the right to his own opinion and equally they have their own opinion.” He, therefore, urged Hon Kanteh to withdraw his statement.
The Deputy Speaker, Seedy Njie, representing the Speaker said Hon Kebba Lang Fofana’s point of order is sustained and he told Hon Kanteh that he is directly contradicting the call for unity and call for decorum by attacking the leadership.
He said constantly this created a commotion in the National Assembly and the other member, Hon Yahya Sanyang, a member for LatriKunda also insisted to raise a point of order saying that the deputy speaker also by way of ruling is deviating from the standing order which made him raised a point of order.
The Deputy Speaker still speaking, said the member was disturbing and he should not put on his microphone, saying “I appeal that members read and acquaint themselves with the rules, procedures and the standing orders.”
He stated that they should focus on the State of the Nation address and avoid personal attacks in the interest of decorum and time. However, Hon Kanteh said he maintained his position on the matter just trying to nurture and foster the call for President’s unity and peace, and “I pray we adhere to it.”