By: Aminata Sesay
Parliament of Sierra Leone on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, formally tabled two key reports from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), detailing significant recoveries of public funds and progress made in addressing issues raised in the 2023 Auditor General’s Report.
The reports were presented before the House by the Deputy Chairman of the PAC, Desmond Kargbobai, in accordance with the relevant provisions of parliamentary procedures and Standing Orders.
During deliberations, the Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Hon. Tawa Conteh, highlighted the Committee’s achievements in strengthening financial accountability.
According to Hon. Conteh, in its review of the 2023 Auditor General’s Report, the PAC facilitated the recovery of Le24,025,499.86 from Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and Public Sector Corporations (PSCs), including recoveries secured through appropriate enforcement measures.
In addition, the Committee oversaw the deduction and settlement of US$760,000 in outstanding royalties owed to the Government of Sierra Leone by Zulab.
The PAC also collaborated closely with the National Revenue Authority to recover Le13.5 million in underpayments and undervalued taxes for the 2024 financial year.
Hon. Conteh described these recoveries as clear evidence that Parliament’s oversight function is producing measurable and tangible results.
“The figures clearly demonstrate that the Public Accounts Committee has been able to recover substantial public resources from ministries, departments, and agencies,” he stated.
The Committee resolved 60% of the issues raised in the 2023 Auditor General’s Report relating to MDAs. Additionally, 42% of issues concerning Councils, Agencies, and State-Owned Enterprises (CASOs) were fully resolved.
Hon. Conteh emphasized that the PAC’s work reflects Parliament’s firm commitment to enforcing public financial discipline, countering claims that oversight reports fail to yield meaningful outcomes.
He further noted that the PAC has been working in close collaboration with the Transparency and Accountability Committee and the Finance Committee to ensure that partially resolved or outstanding matters are comprehensively addressed.
He encouraged the relevant committees to produce follow-up reports on unresolved issues to maintain strong and effective accountability mechanisms nationwide.
The two reports tabled before Parliament include the Public Accounts Committee Report on the consideration of the Auditor General’s Report on the accounts of Central Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies for the financial year 2023. The Public Accounts Committee Report on audit findings relating to local councils and other public bodies.
The tabling of these reports underscores Parliament’s continued commitment to fiscal transparency, prudent public expenditure management, and the recovery of state resources to support national development.