The Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, has announced significant financial recoveries secured from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) during the Committee’s public hearings on the 2023 Auditor-General’s Report.
Hon. Conteh made the disclosure while presiding as Acting Speaker after the PAC reports were tabled in Parliament by the Deputy Chairman of the Committee, Hon. PC Desmond Kargobai, on Tuesday, 17 January 2026.
Hon. Conteh revealed that as a direct result of the PAC’s scrutiny and enforcement actions, the Committee secured total domestic recoveries amounting to NLe24,025,499.86. The recovered funds have since been paid into government-designated accounts.
He further confirmed that the PAC facilitated the resolution of outstanding obligations owed to the Government of Sierra Leone, including a US$760,000 royalty settlement from Zoodlabs relating to the management of the fibre landing station.
The Deputy Speaker stated that the Committee made substantial progress in addressing audit findings. More than 60% of audit issues reviewed across MDAs were either resolved or substantially resolved during the PAC process.
Regarding Local Councils, he disclosed that 34 audit issues representing 42% were fully resolved through documentary submissions, corrective actions, and compliance by council management teams.
Hon. Conteh commended members of the Committee for what he described as the outstanding performance of the Sixth Parliament in enforcing accountability and recovering public funds. He emphasized that these achievements were the result of a deliberate and collaborative approach, with the PAC working closely with the Finance Committee and the Transparency and Accountability Committee to advance the national interest.
He urged the Finance Committee and the Transparency and Accountability Committee to sustain engagement on unresolved matters and to produce follow-up reports on negotiated settlements. According to him, the values and principles of the Sixth Parliament must translate into tangible improvements in public financial management and service delivery nationwide.
Hon. Conteh expressed appreciation to the Rt. Hon. Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas, the leadership of Parliament, Honourable Members of Parliament, and members of the Public Accounts Committee for their continued support throughout the oversight process.
He underscored that the PAC’s work demonstrates the Sixth Parliament’s firm commitment to accountability, transparency, and sound public financial management. The public hearings on the Auditor-General’s Report, he noted, reaffirm Parliament’s critical oversight role in promoting good governance and safeguarding public resources.
The PAC reports are expected to provide a comprehensive assessment of the financial performance of MDAs and Local Councils, clearly identifying systemic weaknesses and areas requiring corrective action, with the overarching goal of strengthening fiscal discipline and improving the management of public funds for national development.