By Thaimu T Kamara
The Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) has issued a strong public notice highlighting widespread non-compliance among public institutions that have failed to submit their financial statements for the 2025 fiscal year within the legally mandated timeframe.
According to the notice released in Freetown, 44 public entities have not adhered to statutory reporting obligations, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.
And these are :
1. Sierra Estates management company limited
2. Universal Access Development fund
3. National Telicommunication Authority
4. National public Health commission
5. Office of ombudsman
6. law Reform Commission
7. Sierra leone Metrological Agency
8. West Africa Holding ( Radison blue)
9. Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation
10. Sierra Leone seed Certification
11. Sierra blocks
12. Independent media commission
13. National Cuber Security coordination center
14. Sierra Leone housing cooperation
15. Sierra Leone National Shipping Company
16. National Comission for Social Action
17. parliamentary Service commission
18. medical and dental Council
19. Earnest Bai Koroma University
20. Guma Valley water company
21. Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone
22. Sierra Leone Road Authority
23. National minerals Agency
24. Central intelligence and security agency
25. Freetown polytechnic
26. National public procurement Authority
27. justice Sector coordination office
28. National Comission for Children
29. income tax of Appellate Comissioners
30. National tourist Board
31. National fertilizer Agency
32. National Comission for Democracy
33. Sierra Leone produce marketing company
34. National investment Board
35. Sierra Leone postal service
36. conservative trust fund
37. Nuclear safety radiation production Authority
38. Sierra Leone students loan scheme
39. justice and legal service commission
40. National Drugs law Enforcement Agency
41. National HIV & AIDS Comission
42. Monument & Reics Comission
43. Consumer Protection Comission
44. Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority.
The Auditor-General emphasized that this failure not only disrupts the national audit cycle but also undermines confidence in public financial governance.
Under Section 86(1) of the Public Financial Management Act 2016, all public entities are required to submit their annual financial statements within three months after the close of the financial year. This legal provision places responsibility on vote controllers the heads of public institutions to ensure timely preparation and submission of accounts for audit review.
Additionally, Section 11(g) of the Audit Service Act 2014 mandates that the Auditor-General must receive these financial statements in order to carry out independent audits. These audits are essential for verifying the accuracy of financial records and ensuring that public funds are used in accordance with established laws and policies.
Despite these clear legal requirements, ASSL reports that a number of public entities have defaulted. While the notice did not list all the institutions involved, officials indicated that the scale of non-compliance is significant enough to warrant public attention and immediate corrective action.
“The failure to submit financial statements on time has serious implications,” the notice stated. “It derails the annual audit process and raises concerns regarding the accountability for public funds, including those received through government allocations and internally generated revenues.”
Financial statements serve as a critical tool in public sector governance. They provide a detailed account of how funds are collected, managed, and spent. Without these reports, auditors are unable to assess whether institutions are operating efficiently, lawfully, and in the best interest of the public.
Experts in public finance warn that delayed or missing financial reporting can create opportunities for mismanagement or even corruption. It also hampers the government’s ability to make informed policy decisions, as accurate financial data is essential for planning and budgeting.
The Auditor-General has therefore called on all defaulting entities to act with urgency. Institutions are being urged to submit their outstanding financial statements to ASSL without further delay to avoid potential sanctions and restore confidence in their operations.
This development comes at a time when Sierra Leone continues efforts to strengthen its public financial management systems. Over the years, reforms have been introduced to improve accountability, including stricter auditing standards and enhanced oversight mechanisms. However, compliance remains a persistent challenge.
Civil society organizations have also weighed in on the issue, calling for greater enforcement of existing laws. They argue that repeated non-compliance without consequences weakens the rule of law and sends the wrong signal to both public officials and citizens.
“The laws are clear, but enforcement is key,” said a local governance analyst. “If institutions fail to comply and face no repercussions, it undermines the entire accountability framework.”
ASSL’s notice serves as both a warning and a call to action. By bringing the issue into the public domain, the institution aims to increase pressure on defaulting entities while also informing citizens about the importance of financial transparency.
As the deadline lapses further into the year, attention will now turn to how quickly these institutions respond and whether corrective measures will be enforced. The effectiveness of Sierra Leone’s audit system—and by extension, public trust in government financial management—may well depend on it.
For now, the message from the Auditor-General is clear: compliance is not optional, and timely financial reporting is a cornerstone of good governance.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 4th May 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
