By Sulaiman Jalloh
The Sixth Parliament of the Republic of Sierra Leone, at its 62nd plenary sitting, has debated and passed into law the supplementary appropriation Act 2025, following a spirited session marked by cross-party commendation and criticism, July 29, 2025
Presented under the theme Fiscal Consolidation and Budget Credibility to Sustain Macroeconomic Stability, the Act authorizes revised government expenditure from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the second half of the year, covering July to December 2025.
The revised legislation reflects a downward adjustment of SLL 871.84 million from the originally approved SLL 27.7 billion 2025 Appropriation Act. In its place, Parliament approved a new supplementary allocation of SLL 14.46 billion, finance minister cites progress, caution Amid Global Uncertainty presenting the Bill, Minister of Finance Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura highlighted notable improvements in macroeconomic indicators, including, a sharp drop in inflation, from 54.5% in October 2023 to 7.1% in June 2025
A strengthening of the Leone declining treasury bill rates, despite these gains, Minister Bangura cautioned that global economic volatility, reduced aid inflows, and lower-than-expected domestic revenue have necessitated budgetary revisions. He stressed that the revised budget seeks to:
Reduce the fiscal deficit from 3.9% to 3.8% of GDP Ease pressure on the banking sector preserve macroeconomic stability going forwar Parliamentarians Respond Praise, Criticism, and Calls for Accountability
Hon. Francis Amara Kaisamba, Chairman of the Finance Committee, welcomed the revised budget and applauded the government’s economic management, he stressed the need for timely disbursement of funds to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and called for enhanced domestic revenue mobilization.
However, Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma, deputy Leader II of the opposition, criticized the revised plan as an Austerity Budget, he expressed concerns about budget cuts in agriculture and youth employment and pointed to delays in funding to local councils and MDAs as detrimental to service delivery.
Hon. Mustapha Sellu of Moyamba District defended the fiscal policy, commending the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Sierra Leone for stabilizing prices and exchange rates despite a challenging global environment.
In a sharp critique, opposition leader Hon. Abdul Kargbo called the budget’s theme ironic, arguing that it contradicted actual allocations. He criticized what he described as an over-reliance on state institutions like NASSIT, warning of potential long-term harm to pensioners and economic sustainability. He also urged government to:
Reduce excessive spending, particularly on foreign travel lower fuel prices, aligning them with global market trends wrapping up the debate, leader of Government Business Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma defended the budget and highlighted key government achievements:
Successful inflation controls Economic resilience within the ECOWAS sub-region, continued delivery of key services, such as free quality Education. He also praised the government’s efforts to depoliticize petroleum pricing and maintain responsible debt repayments.
With the passage of the Supplementary appropriation Act 2025, government expenditure for the remainder of the year will proceed under a revised fiscal framework, the updated strategy aims to safeguard macroeconomic gains, protect essential public services, and respond adaptively to both domestic needs and global economic pressures.
.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Friday,1st August 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
