Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Parliamentary Committee on Transparency and Accountability has completed a four-day oversight tour across various local councils in Sierra Leone, aimed at scrutinizing the operations and compliance of those institutions.
The oversight activities, which commenced on Monday, August 18, 2025, are notably part of the Committee’s ongoing efforts to enhance transparency and accountability within local governance.
In his opening address, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ambross Maada Lebby, underscored the Committee’s mandate as outlined in subsection 3 of section 93 of the 1991 Constitution.
He emphasized that Parliament’s role is not to witch-hunt but to ensure full compliance and effective service delivery for the people of Sierra Leone.
He further urged local councils and ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to remain calm and responsive to inquiries from Committee members.
The Committee engaged with numerous councils, including Kambia District Council, Portloko City Council, Kono District Council, and several others.
During those engagements, Chief Administrators, Finance Officers, and other key staff presented their councils’ activities, successes, challenges, and ongoing projects.
As part of its mandate, the Committee is tasked with examining executive decisions, reviewing significant expenditures, and holding council leadership accountable for their stewardship.
Throughout the oversight tour, several critical observations were made. The Committee found that many councils were in breach of section 119 of the Local Government Act 2022 and noted discrepancies in documentation from some councils. Additionally, it was observed that delayed allocations were hindering the operational capabilities of several councils.
The Committee also highlighted concerns regarding the mismanagement of funds intended for facility construction, indicating a lack of value for money in certain projects.
Gender inclusiveness within councils was recognized as a positive observation, while violations of procurement laws, particularly related to advertisement for procurement purposes, were also noted.
In a statement, Chairman Lebby informed attendees about an existing Memorandum of Understanding between the Transparency and Accountability Committee and the Anti-Corruption Commission, which is currently under review.
The findings from the oversight tour will serve as a foundation for further actions aimed at improving governance and accountability within local councils, reinforcing the Committee’s role as a key engine of oversight in Sierra Leone’s democratic framework.
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