The Ministry of Finance, through the Directorate of Stores and Inventory Control Management, is rolling out the operationalisation of the National Regulatory Framework and Policy Document on Assets and Inventory Manual for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, including Local Councils, in a two-day training workshop for staff of Stores and Inventory Control Management on Thursday, 19th, and Friday, 20th June 2025, at the Ministry’s Conference Hall on George Street, Freetown.
The Director of Stores and Inventory Control Management, Joseph Ngegba, in his welcome statement, stated that the Directorate was established in 2019 to take over the control and management of government assets and inventory management functions that were previously under the Accountant General Department, operating under the Stores Rule of 1963 and 1964, respectively.
He noted that following the establishment of the Directorate, they conducted a nationwide assessment of all Government Stores, equipment, store personnel, and Store Accountable documentation used by the Store Personnel. They realised that there was no policy document to guide the operations of Stores and Assets in the country.
He encouraged participants to remain focused and attentive, expect proper management of capital assets, and effectively handle Inventory Control Management Operations while reducing abuse, misuse, or misappropriation of government property.
The Principal Deputy Financial Secretary (PDFS), Samuel E.B. Momoh, in his Keynote Statement, cited the Auditor General’s report for the period 2017-2019, published in 2020, which identified significant challenges in Inventory and Capital Asset Management across MDAs in Sierra Leone.
He further stated that in 2021, the government partnered with the European Union (EU) and the National Asset and Government Property Commission to establish the Stores Inventory and Asset Management mission under the State Building Contract Phase III Project for Sierra Leone.
Mr. Momoh also disclosed that these policy documents were successfully developed and validated through a stakeholder workshop with broad representation from various MDAs in March 2022 and extended appreciation to the European Union for their support.
He, therefore, encouraged all participants to take the session seriously and wished all a fruitful deliberation.
The Independent Consultant, Fatorma S. Koroma, in his presentation, explained the topics in the manuals, such as non-compliance with legislation, Inventory Management Expertise, Execution and Recording of Stock Movement, Inconsistent Stores Processes and Stores Processes not Documented, Proactive Inventory Management Practices, etc.
Following the training sessions in Freetown and the regions, Stores and Inventory Management staff are expected to be equipped with the knowledge to implement the policies and manuals.
Credit: MoF Communications
