Speaker Advises Public Not to Protest On Issues Before Parliament

The Speaker of Parliament, Rt Hon Anita Among, has asked the public against staging demonstrations on issues already before the August house.

During the Plenary on Tuesday, Among stated that those protesting at parliament are wasting time as this will yield no results.

“I ask our people out there to be patient enough,the people you have here are your representatives. The voice to the voiceless and they will speak for you and resolve issues.So you don’t need to demonstrate in Parliament because it will not yield anything. We will allow you to protest and move on. “Among stated on Tuesday 

Her comments followed a demonstration in Parliament over the coffee seedlings.

Coffee farmers in August 2022 petitioned Parliament to direct the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to allow coffee nursery farmers to supply seedlings to farmers and payments be made later.

The petitioners, however, claim this has not been implemented and yet the planting season is nigh, prompting the demonstrations.

The Speaker also cautioned Members of Parliament against advising their constituents to demonstrate against processes of Parliament, saying  Parliament will resolve the matter by debate.

“The issue of the coffee seedlings is going to be handled. It was discussed in this House. I do not think it is right for us to advise our voters to come and demonstrate at the gate because demonstrating is not going to solve a problem,” she advised.

The Speaker informed MPs that the House will receive a report on the coffee seedlings on Wednesday, 07 September 2022.

In her communication, she also requested committees that have not completed their work to do so as the work of Parliament is measured by the number of bills passed and other business concluded before it.