By: Saidu Jalloh
The National Monitoring and Evaluation Agency (NaMEA) concluded a two-day validation workshop on 10 public investment projects aimed at assessing project implementation, strengthening accountability, and ensuring the effective utilization of public funds in Sierra Leone.
The workshop brought together government officials, project implementers, and development partners to review the progress of selected projects and identify challenges affecting implementation and service delivery. Discussions also focused on improving monitoring mechanisms and ensuring that public investments align with the country’s national development priorities.
Speaking during the workshop, the Director General of NaMEA, Dr. Edwin James, explained that the agency is carrying out its mandate through intensive monitoring of projects across the country. He disclosed that NaMEA had written to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) expressing concerns about the functionality of certain projects and the underutilization of allocated funds.
Dr. James stated that NaMEA selected 10 projects for validation and monitoring after identifying implementation concerns. He further revealed that some of the projects had commenced before the introduction of the government’s “Big Five Game Changers” initiative, adding that project implementers were later required to align aspects of their work with the national agenda.
He commended participants for their contributions during the engagement and noted that most of the issues raised during the validation process were relatively minor. According to him, the discussions form part of NaMEA’s broader monitoring and evaluation responsibilities.
“We are not surprised by some of the concerns raised during the meeting because that is what monitoring and evaluation is all about,” Dr. James remarked.
He further disclosed that the agency’s next step would involve follow-up engagements to ensure that recommendations are implemented and to determine whether the monitored projects should be scaled up after validation. He added that more than 150 projects approved by Parliament are expected to undergo similar monitoring exercises.
Dr. James also clarified the distinction between the roles of NaMEA and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC). He stressed that NaMEA’s responsibility is to monitor projects and report findings to the President and Parliament, while the ACC is responsible for investigating corruption-related matters and enforcing sanctions against defaulters.
He additionally highlighted provisions within the NaMEA Act of 2024, warning that individuals or institutions that refuse to provide information requested by the agency could face punitive measures under the law.
Meanwhile, Mambu Sheku, speaking on digital transformation, stated that Sierra Leone must not be left behind in the era of technological advancement. He noted that significant progress has been made in digital monitoring systems, although challenges still exist in certain technological areas.
According to him, the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation has continued expanding its technological initiatives through skills development programs targeting young people and civil servants, particularly in the area of e-governance.
Also speaking at the workshop, Morlia Moses Conteh, Director of Human Capital Development at NaMEA, discussed the evaluation of the Youth in Fisheries Project. He explained that the initiative, which began in 2014, targeted seven coastal communities, including Pujehun, Bonthe, Moyamba, Port Loko, Kambia, and Freetown.
Conteh noted that the project primarily benefited young men and women in coastal communities. He recalled that following the Ebola outbreak, many young people lost their jobs, prompting the government to invest in youth-led enterprises within the fisheries sector.
He further outlined some of the achievements and challenges of the Youth in Fisheries Project and offered recommendations aimed at improving future implementation and ensuring the sustainability of similar initiatives.