Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Independent Procurement Review Panel (IPRP) has ordered the Freetown City Council (FCC) to immediately surrender the Garrison Street Market construction site to the Textiles Dealers Association following a breach of procurement law.
The tribunal ruled that the FCC caused an “unjustified delay” in handing over the property, despite a valid lease agreement being signed over two years ago.
In a summary judgment, the IPRP directed the FCC to grant the association “full and unencumbered possession” of the site within seven working days. The council has until the close of business on February 7, 2026, to comply with the order.
The dispute began after the Textiles Dealers Association won a competitive tender for the market project. Investigations revealed that although a lease was surveyed and signed by the Mayor of Freetown in December 2023, the council subsequently blocked the association from accessing the site.The panel found that the FCC’s actions constituted a “fundamental breach” of the Public Procurement Act of 2016. According to the IPRP, the council admitted it had not handed over the site but failed to provide any lawful justification for the delay.
“The Panel finds no reasonable defense for the Council’s failure to fulfill its obligation after completing the procurement process,” the ruling stated, describing the council’s conduct as “unfair treatment.”
The IPRP issued a stern warning to all public institutions, noting that such violations undermine the integrity of Sierra Leone’s procurement system and damage public trust.
The case is seen by observers as a critical test of the tribunal’s power to enforce transparency and accountability within local government authorities.
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