After being passed by members of Parliament on April 24th, 2023, the controversial Parliamentary Act 2023 has granted Sierra Leone’s outgoing speakers of Parliament the ability to retain one of their official vehicles, and one-term MPs will receive a one-time pension of US$50,000. The Act has sparked widespread outrage among Sierra Leoneans due to its lack of public scrutiny and debate before being passed just hours before the dissolution of the 5th Parliament.
As a result of this new Act, the government will incur a pension cost of $6.6 million and purchase 132 new vehicles for incoming MPs, according to popular media personality Vickie Remoe. Many citizens have taken to social media to express their displeasure with the government's disregard for the welfare of ordinary people.
Prominent journalist Amadu Lamarana Bah, who broke the news, has urged civil society organizations to challenge the Act in court, claiming that it is unconstitutional and an abuse of public funds. The Act's passage has also raised concerns about the state of democracy in Sierra Leone, with many observers questioning the accountability and transparency of the country's political leaders.
As the country prepares for general elections later this year, the passage of this Act is expected to be a significant issue for voters. Opposition parties and civil society organizations are already calling for the law to be repealed.