By MUHAMMED S. BAH & Abdoulai G. Dibba
A motion for the adjournment of the National Assembly was moved to allow the selection committee to revisit
their selection procedures on Wednesday 19 April 2017 by Hon. Halifa Sallah member for Serrekunda Constituency.
In moving the motion before Deputies, Hon Sallah asserted that the select committees are the key elements in parliamentary work and in fact he said, they are the working bodies of the National Assembly.
“We are dealing with the key institutions of the National Assembly without which we would not be able to function,” underscored Halifa. Sallah
Mr Sallah indicated that the reason for calling for an adjournment is found in section 75 paragraph (6) of the Standing Orders which clearly stipulates how the select committees are to be constituted.
He said section 75, paragraph (6) stated categorically that “except as provided in standing order number 75, every committee shall be constituted so far as is possible to ensure that the balance of the parties in the Assembly is reflected therein”.
He said the fundamental basis of constituting the committee is precisely provided in this section.
Halifa went further to state that there are also 9 select committees under section 75 and that, looking at it very quickly, he cannot even see the select committee on the standing order being catered for.
“So what I am saying is that I would want to move a motion that adjourns this particular discussion to allow the members of the selection committee to truly scrutinise the list intended and then come back to make a decision,” posited Halifa.
In seconding the motion, the member for Banjul North Hon. Ousman Sillah underscored the need to give more time for the Hon. Members of the committee to go through the proposed recommendations to be in line with section 75 of the Standing Orders.
The Hon. Speaker at this juncture announced to members to decide as to whether the motion will be adjourned or not and later put it in a vote and the yea have it.
Earlier the Deputy Speaker Momodou LK Sanneh moved a motion entitled report of the Committee of selection on the composition of the Committees and international parliamentary delegations of the National Assembly 2017-2022.
This motion was Seconded by Hon. Fatoummatta Jawara member for Tallingding. However, the motion could not proceed because of Halifa’s motion for adjournment.
