Deputy Speaker and PAC Chairman, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa ContehIn a decisive move, following audit inquiries regarding the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) accounts for the financial year 2023, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has mandated that 33 specified staff members report to Parliament for physical verification on Monday, January 20, 2025.
Failure to comply with this order could result in their removal from the Government of Sierra Leone’s payroll.
The audit raised several concerns, including the inability of auditors to verify the employment status of certain staff members, questionable contract extensions granted post-retirement, unauthorised payments for study leave, unclear bonding timelines, and the disbursement of salary arrears without appropriate deductions for Pay As You Earn (PAYE) taxes.
In light of these issues, the PAC has resolved to engage with key government officials, including the Secretary to the President, the Head of Civil Service, and the Accountant General, to address these discrepancies. The PAC also expressed a strong stance on contract extensions, advocating for positions to be filled by young, qualified Sierra Leoneans, except in cases where specialised technical expertise is required. During the committee’s fourth sitting on January 17, 2025, the esteemed Deputy Speaker and PAC Chairman, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, emphasised the need for both the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and the All People’s Congress (APC) to engage in candid discussions.
He urged the development of a cohesive roadmap for the nation’s progress, which should be adhered to by any governing party without deviation. Highlighting one of the key pillars of the government’s “Big Five” initiatives, Hon. Conteh called for the depoliticization of the civil service, advocating for discipline, equitable recruitment practices, and merit-based promotions free from political bias, all aimed at enhancing efficient and effective service delivery within the civil service framework.
