By Sulaiman Jalloh

Parliament through the Public Account Committee (PAC) has during the recent Audit Service Report hearing recovered a whooping sum of over ten billion old Leones.

In a snap interview with the Deputy Speaker of Parliament who doubles as Chairman of PAC, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh disclosed that he has ordered the National Revenue Authority (NRA) to collect about 3.3 billion old Leones, money that was transacted between the Bank of Sierra Leone (BSL) and Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB), adding that said amount is now in the account of the NRA. He furthered that Parliament has already recovered some money that was supposed to be paid to the NRA from one supplier while promising to recover about 39 billion old Leones before the end of the month. “We are implementing the law to the letter, we have forced NRA to write letters to banks and those letters will enhance direct recoveries of monies that belong to the State and paid to the consolidated revenue funds,” the vibrant lawmaker stated. He maintained regardless whoever or institution involved, Parliament will go after the person or institution in order to recover the last penny as many big and small entities owe government which, according to him, could spell doom for development.

Hon. Tawa Conteh further disclosed that the General Proposal Financial Statements (GPFS) were wrongly paid or given to tax payers, pointing out that they are on the path of recovery and his Committee is putting out names of those found wanting in order to get them paid within a shortest possible time. He also pointed out that PAC has nothing to hide and it is working hand in gloves with Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASL) as the Committee is determined to adhere to the rule of the Law.

Hon. Tawa Conteh also disclosed that this time under his watch the PAC has established a sub-committee which comprises Civil Society Organisation (CSOs) that are dealing with transparency and accountability, citing Budget Advocacy Network (BAN) and some media institutions to cover most of the hearings at the said sub-committee. The reason for the establishment of the sub-committee, he said, is to look over some of the recommendations of the PAC.  He furthered that PAC is responsible for accountability across the corridors of governance, noting this year’s audit report hearings has been conducted live in order to keep citizens informed about what is happening at the hearings. “Transparency and accountability remain centre stage and we are therefore taking Parliament to the people,” the Deputy Speaker asserted.

Copyright –Published in print in Expo Times Newspaper on Monday, June 24th , 2024 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)