In response, the Vice President firmly stated that public funds were not used for the fund.
The follow-up question sought clarity on the interest rate attached to any loan taken to finance the initiative.
However, before the Vice President could respond, nominated member Kebba Lang Fofana rose on a point of order, citing Order 434. He argued that a supplementary question must not introduce matters not included in the original question and answers. He maintained that the interest rate query was unrelated and should be ruled out.
The Speaker sustained the point of order and disallowed the supplementary question.
The Majority Leader and Member for Kantora, Hon. Billay Tunkara, then moved a motion to remove all three questions from the Member for Latrikunda Sabiji relating to the fund, arguing that the Vice President’s initial answer had sufficiently addressed them.
The Speaker rejected the motion, insisting that the authority to administer questions rests solely with him noting that the questions had already been admitted weeks earlier.
Further attempts to probe whether the loan required collateral or guarantees by Member for Latrikunda Sabiji were also ruled out of order.
Tensions escalated when another question raised by the same member Hon Yahya Sanyang on why a separate D15 million enterprise fund was launched specifically for women of a single political party rather than channeling support through the existing Women’s Enterprise Fund under the Ministry of Gender.
The Vice President responded that matters relating to a political party were purely party affairs and should not be directed to him in his official capacity.
The member also asked again whether the disbursement of the D50 million complied with the Election Act 2026 and the code of conduct for public officers regarding vote buying or unfair use of executive influence in an election year.
The Vice President again maintained that such issues fall under the jurisdiction of the Independent Electoral Commission.
The exchanges grew increasingly tense; as issues also arose about the possible use of state resources, including government vehicles and civil servants, during the launch event.
The Vice President said he was not aware of any state resources being used.
