Parliamentary Committee on Transparency and Accountability has concluded a four-day oversight activity across local councils in the country. The oversight, which began Monday 18th August 2025 to Thursday 21st August, is part of the Committeeβs ongoing oversight activities to scrutinize the activities and functions of the various institutions regarding Transparency and Accountability across the country and to also do fact findings. The Committee entirely deals with compliance, procedural, financial, and procurement related matters.
In his opening remarks, Hon. Ambrose Maada Lebby, the Chairman of Parliamentary Committee on Transparency and Accountability emphasized on the mandates of the Committee as enshrined in Subsection 3 of Section 93 of the 1991 Constitution, adding that Parliament does not witch-hunt anyone but strictly ensure that full compliance and effective service delivery is done for the people of Sierra Leone. He admonished Local Councils and MDAs to be calm and respond to questions raised by Members of the Committee.
The Committee held engagement with the following Councils: Kambia District Council, Port Loko City Council, Port Loko District Council, Kono District Council, Koidu New Sembehun City Council, Koinadugu District Council, Karene District Council, Tonkolili District Council, Bombali District Council, Makeni City Council, Kenema District Council, Kenema City Council, Kailahun District Council, Pujehun District Council, Bo District Council, Bonthe District Council, Bonthe Municipal Council and Bo city Council.
Speaking about activities, operations, and different projects, the Chief Administrators, Finance Officers, and other core staff from various councils highlighted successes, achievements, and challenges encountered by the different councils.
The Committee on Transparency and Accountability is one of the engines of accountability tasked with examining executive decisions, reviewing major expenditures, and holding heads of MDAs, including council leadership, accountable for their stewardship.Β During the Committee Oversight tour, the following observations were made: –
- The Committee discovered that most of the councils were in breached with Section 119 of the Local Government Act 2022
- The Committee discovered discrepancies in other documents prepared by some councils
- The Committee observed that most councils have not received their allocations on time, which is affecting the full operations and activities of the councils
- The Committee further observed that certain funds received to construct some facilities were not utilized judiciously, and there was no value for money in some cases
- The Committee observed gender inclusiveness in councils across the country
- The Committee discovered violation of procurement laws by some councils with respect to doing advertisement for procurement purposes.
In his serial statements, the Chairman informed his audience of an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Transparency and Accountability Committee and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), which is currently under review, to ensure accountability and full compliance with the laws of Sierra Leone.
Credit: Parliamentary and Public Relations Department,Β Parliament of Sierra Leone
