The decision was made based on the refusal of the ministry to show up when summoned by the committee to answer to different issues the committee found out like the frequent transfer of chief administrators which affects the work of the Transparency committee in parliament in terms of trying to probe into certain issues but because of the transfers, the new Chief administrator is unable to account except they have to call for the old one. Another is the suspension of certain Chief administrators who are yet to be reinstated, complains on chieftaincy and local government bye elections. When asked if these reasons were enough, he said parliament should be taken seriously and given leeway to do their job as a committee that oversees them.
The house unanimously agreed that the budget of the ministry be withheld for the integrity of parliament is upheld after the motion was moved by the Chairman of the Local Government Committee in Parliament Hon. Musa Fofanah and seconded by Hon.Lahai Marrah. Although the motion was contended by Hon. Emerson Lamina and Hon. Francis Kaisamba but the rest of the house stood with Hon Musa Fofanah which saw the laying of committee four report without the local government ministry’s budget. The said action is described as an example for other Ministries, Department and Agencies to take parliament seriously.
Responding to some of the allegations, the deputy minister of Local Government and Rural Development said they are not aware of any call by the committee stating that there is only one they know about which is the one they have been called for on Wednesday 18th December 2019. She said as new ministers they will ensure they comply with the committee to solve the problems.
