By: Aminata Sesay
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament on Monday, June 30, 2025, convened a critical session with officials from the Road Maintenance Fund Administration (RMFA) to address concerns raised in the 2023 Audit Report regarding unplanned procurements and unauthorized payments.
The hearing, held at the Parliament Building, focused on two major audit findings: The procurement of vehicle maintenance and repair services totalling Le517,264.80 from two contractors, which were not included in the approved annual procurement plan.
The payment of Le335,017,000 for services rendered without a signed contract agreement.
Audit officials stated that these actions violated the Public Procurement Regulation 2022, particularly Section 149(1), which explicitly prohibits the execution of procurement activities without formal contracts. They warned that such breaches compromise financial planning, risk budget overruns, and open the door to potential mismanagement.
In defense, RMFA officials acknowledged the irregularities but attributed them to urgent operational needs especially to ensure uninterrupted mobility of engineers and staff. They informed the committee that the previously unsigned contracts had since been formalized and signed.
PAC Chairman, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, while expressing concern over the procedural failures, accepted the explanation but emphasized that urgency does not excuse non-compliance. He acknowledged the challenges of maintaining new vehicles still under warranty but insisted that all future payments must be backed by signed agreements.
A representative from the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) reinforced this stance, stating that even under emergency circumstances, entities are required to update their procurement plans and obtain formal approvals before implementing new activities, as outlined in Regulation 28(3) of the 2020 Procurement Regulation.
RMFA confirmed that a revised procurement plan had been prepared and that a corrected version would be submitted to the NPPA and Audit Service Sierra Leone for verification.
The PAC concluded that the audit issue would only be considered resolved upon submission and validation of: The signed contracts, and the revised and updated procurement plan.
The Committee reiterated the importance of strict adherence to procurement laws to safeguard public resources and maintain public trust.
This session formed part of Parliament’s ongoing efforts to ensure transparency, accountability, and compliance within public institutions.