By: Aminata Sesay
The National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) has raised concerns over delays, labour shortages and security challenges affecting four BADEA-funded education projects, warning that contractors face mounting pressure to meet the December 2026 completion deadline.
The concerns followed a special monitoring exercise conducted from October 9 to 12, 2026, to assess construction progress, workmanship, compliance with technical standards and challenges affecting project delivery.
The projects cover Bunumbu Teachers College, Government Secondary School in Kenema, Government Secondary School in Bo and Magburaka Boys High School. The exercise was authorized by the Minister of Finance and led by Engineer Sheku Lieed Sheriff, Director of Engineering at the NPPA.
Findings from the inspections revealed varying levels of progress, with some rehabilitated facilities already occupied by students, while others remained significantly behind schedule.
At Bunumbu Teachers College, the project was estimated to be approximately 85 per cent complete, although the contractor reported progress of between 85 and 90 per cent. The project involves the rehabilitation of 33 existing buildings and the construction of 34 new ones.
Despite the reported progress, the monitoring team found that none of the buildings undergoing rehabilitation had been fully completed in accordance with project specifications. The team also expressed concern over the limited number of workers on site, warning that the situation could jeopardise timely completion.
The contractor, IDEAS Limited, reportedly cited difficulties in securing skilled labour and repeated theft of installed windows, tiles and other construction materials as major challenges.
The NPPA recommended that the contractor increase the workforce, strengthen site security, ensure workers use appropriate personal protective equipment and clear overgrown vegetation around construction areas.
The monitoring team maintained that completion by December remained achievable if the contractor accelerated the outstanding works and addressed the labour and security challenges.
At Government Secondary School in Kenema, rehabilitated classrooms and dormitories had been completed and were already occupied by students. However, additional works remained outstanding.
The monitoring team urged the contractor to speed up implementation and improve coordination with the project consultant responsible for quality control.
Progress at Government Secondary School in Bo was comparatively better, with the dormitories completed and occupied. The NPPA assessed the quality of work as good and consistent with expectations, while urging the contractor to maintain progress in Bo and accelerate the remaining works in Kenema.
Magburaka Boys High School recorded the most significant delays among the four projects inspected.
The project involves the rehabilitation of 39 buildings and the construction of nine new buildings, alongside the installation of a water supply system supported by three boreholes, which the monitoring team was informed, had been drilled.
However, rehabilitation works were assessed at only 10 per cent completion, while construction of the new buildings stood at 60 per cent.
The monitoring team estimated that at least six additional months would be required to complete the outstanding works. However, it expressed uncertainty over whether this timeframe could be achieved because of the inadequate workforce on site.
Outstanding activities included tiling and plumbing installations, while recurring theft and inadequate security continued to pose challenges.
Site engineers reportedly attributed some of the delays to the consultant’s failure to visit the site before preparing the Bill of Quantities (BOQ). They said this resulted in additional works, variations and a subsequent contract addendum.
Despite an original contract period of one year, implementation had extended to approximately three years, leaving the school principal disappointed with the slow pace of construction.
The NPPA consequently called for a substantial increase in the workforce, stronger security arrangements and accelerated implementation to bring the project closer to completion.
The monitoring exercise highlights the challenges of delivering public infrastructure within agreed contractual timelines, particularly where labour shortages, security concerns and implementation difficulties affect progress.
With the December 2026 deadline approaching, the NPPA expects contractors and consultants to address the shortcomings identified during the inspections and ensure that the projects are completed in accordance with the required standards.
The Authority said it would continue monitoring public procurement contracts to promote compliance with contractual obligations, strengthen accountability and ensure value for money.
The successful completion of the projects is expected to improve educational infrastructure and provide better facilities for students and teachers at the beneficiary institutions.