By: Thaimu Bai Sesay
One of the systemic challenges undermining the effectiveness of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in Sierra Leone is the persistent issue of overlapping mandates. This silent but critical problem has led to duplication of efforts, inefficient use of government resources, and, ultimately, a failure to deliver essential services.
Across many MDAs, similar or identical functions are being executed, often with no clear coordination. Alarmingly, these institutions receive separate funding to perform overlapping tasks, yet in many cases, these tasks remain unfulfilled. This structural dysfunction has its roots in conflicting provisions enshrined in the enabling acts of these institutions. The lack of clarity in these mandates often results in wasted resources, delayed progress, and inter-agency disputes, particularly when funds are allocated for specific tasks.
The Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Road Maintenance Fund Administration (RMFA), Bashirr Sheriff, recently brought this issue to light in an exclusive interview. He underscored the challenges the RMFA faces due to overlapping mandates with other institutions, including the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), the Smallholder Commercialization and Agribusiness Development Project (SCADEP), and the Ministry of Agriculture.
“MDAs such as NaCSA, SCADEP, and Agriculture are all undertaking road maintenance tasks without proper coordination with the RMFA. This creates inefficiencies and confusion,” Sheriff noted.
He further highlighted that the Road Maintenance Fund Administration Act, the Sierra Leone Roads Authority Act, and the Councils Act are riddled with conflicting clauses, exacerbating tensions among institutions. Sheriff called on Parliament to urgently harmonize these laws to delineate roles clearly and streamline operations.
“Parliament must intervene swiftly. These legislative conflicts not only delay progress but also jeopardize service delivery to the citizens,” Sheriff emphasized.
The issue of overlapping mandates extends beyond road maintenance to other critical sectors. During a government press briefing held in November, the Director of the Public Service Reform Unit (PSRU), Sulaiman Phoray-Musa, shed light on similar challenges in the security, justice, and health sectors. Despite significant reforms in these areas, poor coordination and fragmented efforts have hindered their impact.
“President Bio has prioritized addressing this issue, focusing on harmonizing fragmented reforms. A major lesson learned is that duplication of efforts among institutions has led to competing roles, wasted resources, and a lack of clarity in institutional mandates,” Phoray-Musa revealed.
To tackle these challenges, the PSRU organized a landmark consultative conference, bringing together stakeholders from diverse sectors. This conference resulted in the creation of a comprehensive Master Plan—a strategic roadmap aimed at aligning institutional roles with national policy objectives. The plan focuses on eight critical areas designed to eliminate redundancies and foster synergy among institutions.
The recommendations from the RMFA and the PSRU are pivotal for ensuring clarity, efficiency, and effectiveness in public service delivery. However, their success hinges on decisive action from Parliament and robust implementation by the Public Service Reform Unit. Parliament must prioritize harmonizing conflicting laws governing MDAs to eliminate duplication of efforts and create a seamless framework for institutional cooperation.
Moreover, the Public Service Reform Unit must ensure the Master Plan is not merely a document but a living guide that is rigorously implemented. Stakeholder engagement, transparency, and political will are essential to sustain these reforms.
If these measures are implemented effectively, Sierra Leone could see a significant reduction in inter-agency tensions, improved service delivery, and a more efficient public sector. This is not just an administrative challenge; it is a national imperative. The time for action is now.
A government that functions efficiently is the backbone of national development. It is time to fix the cracks in our institutional framework to build a stronger, more accountable Sierra Leone.