Tonkolili MP Calls For Collaboration Between Parliament, Economic Development Ministry

By Lemuella Tarawallie

The Member of Parliament for Tonkolili District, Hon. Aruna Papay Larkoh who is also a member of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Planning and Economic Development, has called for stronger and regular communication between and the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and MPs to enable them effectively monitor government development programmes.

Hon. Larkoh made the call during the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Planning and Economic Development’s engagement with the Ministry, where Minister Kenye Barlay and her technical team presented an overview of the Ministry’s programmes, achievements and future plans.

While commending the Ministry for what he described as “a comprehensive presentation”, Hon. Larkoh said the information provided demonstrated the need for Members of Parliament to have regular access to development data.

He warned that without timely and accurate information, Parliament could face difficulties in effectively carrying out its oversight responsibilities and debating national development issues based on facts.

“Members of Parliament, especially from the ruling bench, will be comfortable to debate because we have facts to present to the people of this country,” he said.

The Tonkolili Member of Parliament urged the Ministry to establish regular channels of communication with the committee, stressing that engagement should not be limited to formal oversight meetings.

He noted that, “the Planning Ministry occupies a strategic position because its work cuts across sectors and provides the framework for implementing the Medium Term National Development Plan”.

On the forthcoming census, Hon. Larkoh stressed the importance of Parliament’s involvement, noting that credible population data would be critical to national planning and the work of development partners.

He urged the Ministry to keep the committee informed throughout the process so Members could better understand and explain the importance of the exercise to their constituents.

The MP also welcomed the Ministry’s international resource mobilisation efforts, including engagements in Germany and Spain to attract support for development projects in agriculture, fisheries and sea transportation.

However, he noted that Parliament must receive adequate information on such projects to effectively monitor implementation and communicate their impact to the public. He encouraged the Ministry to revive similar collaboration, while clarifying that MPs were not demanding participation in every activity or overseas mission.

Instead, he proposed their involvement in selected critical engagements where their presence would strengthen oversight. He further suggested low-cost mechanisms for improving communication, including periodic briefings by the Minister, Deputy Minister, directors and heads of relevant departments.

Hon. Larkoh also raised concerns over Parliament’s access to information on NGOs operating in Sierra Leone, calling for stronger coordination and information sharing between the Ministry and parliamentary committees.

He said the activities of government, development partners, NGOs and Parliament were interconnected through the implementation of the national development plan.

“If we are not well informed as a committee, it will not give us the required information to be given to the leadership of Parliament,” he cautioned.

He maintained that stronger collaboration was essential to ensuring that Members of Parliament must the facts needed to scrutinise government programmes, track development gains and account to the people.

He thanked the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Kenya Barlay, and the Ministry’s technical team for responding to the committee’s invitation, while urging the Ministry to keep communication lines open and provide Parliament with regular, accurate and timely updates.