Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Parliament has ordered several staff members of the Ministry of Health (MoH) to refund salaries received while absent from duty without proper notification as a way to enhance accountability and transparency in public institution.
This directive follows alarming findings from the 2023 Auditor General’s report, which highlighted multiple instances of MoH employees being paid despite not being verified as present during routine staff checks.
During a recent PAC hearing, the MoH’s internal auditor defended the ministry, asserting that the staff in question had been brought before Parliament for verification. However, PAC Chairman Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh emphasized the distinction between verifying presence and addressing habitual absenteeism. “This is about people receiving taxpayers’ money for work they didn’t show up to do,” he stated.
Hon. Conteh cited specific cases, including Sulaiman Forray Musa and Mohamed Conteh, who reportedly received NLe 29,000 and NLe 27,000, respectively, despite being unaccounted for during the committee’s verification process. The internal auditor claimed that some absentees were on official assignments abroad, including China. However, it was confirmed that Conteh did not travel and failed to sign the official attendance register, despite being present in Parliament on the verification day.
The auditor requested another chance for Conteh to sign in, citing colleague testimonies that confirmed his presence. However, the PAC remained firm. “If he failed to account for his presence at the right time, then the payment is unjustified,” Hon. Conteh declared. “All such salaries must be refunded to the state.”
In a related matter, the PAC also inquired about the recruitment of new nurses in the health sector. Dr. Kargbo from the Ministry of Health acknowledged that new nurses had been recruited but could not provide their names. The committee then consulted the ministry’s Human Resource Manager, who stated she was unaware of the new hires, explaining that they were brought in before she assumed her role. The PAC has deferred its decision pending a full report from the HR department.
“We will not relent in our oversight duties,” Hon. Conteh asserted. “The people of Sierra Leone deserve a public service that is efficient, honest, and accountable.” These hearings are part of the PAC’s ongoing efforts to ensure transparency in the use of public funds.
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