By: Saidu Jalloh
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA), Mr. Fodie J. Konneh, has officially presented the Annual Public Procurement Compliance Assessment Reports for the years 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 to His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio at State House. The reports highlight major improvements in compliance and emphasize the urgent need for accelerated digital reforms to enhance transparency and minimize public sector waste.
Covering procurement practices across 178 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as local councils and government-funded projects nationwide, the reports provide a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness, efficiency, legal compliance, and transparency of Sierra Leone’s public procurement system. They also identify persistent challenges and propose actionable recommendations to improve accountability and ensure greater value for public spending.
Presenting on behalf of the NPPA Board, Management, and Staff, Mr. Konneh thanked President Bio for granting the audience and reiterated that the presentation fulfills the Authority’s statutory mandate to submit annual reports on the performance of the public procurement system, including a profile of procurement activities.
Mr. Konneh emphasized that the reports were developed through an evidence-based assessment framework, focusing on legal compliance, contract management efficiency, procurement methods and thresholds, and institutional performance. He noted a steady rise in the use of competitive procurement methods—particularly open bidding—across MDAs. Compliance levels have improved significantly, from 40 percent in 2021 to over 60 percent in 2023.
Despite this progress, Mr. Konneh acknowledged continuing challenges, including weak recordkeeping, inadequate procurement planning, and shortcomings in post-award contract management.
He reaffirmed the NPPA’s commitment to transformative reforms, noting that since his appointment, the Authority has laid the foundation for the digitization of procurement processes. Embracing digital systems, he said, will enhance transparency, eliminate inefficiencies, and ensure better use of public resources.
In his response, President Bio expressed gratitude to the NPPA leadership and staff for their diligence in compiling the reports. He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to ensuring value for money in public expenditure and welcomed the push for digital transformation in procurement processes.
“As a government, we are focused on delivering value for money. That’s why we have laws and institutions to enforce accountability,” the President stated. “I commend your reform efforts, especially the shift toward online procurement, which will reduce physical handling of funds and minimize wastage.”
Acknowledging the resource limitations faced by the NPPA, President Bio praised the team’s commitment to fiscal discipline. He urged the Authority to remain vigilant and ensure that integrity remains central to public procurement, even in the face of attempts to circumvent the system.
He also encouraged the NPPA to invest in developing future procurement professionals: “Use your expertise to mentor and train others. This is a statutory duty and essential to strengthening public service delivery. Your continued dedication is crucial to preventing misunderstandings about the important work you do.”
The presentation ceremony marks a significant step in Sierra Leone’s ongoing effort to institutionalize transparent, accountable, and efficient public procurement practices for the benefit of all citizens.