Opposition Slams Govt Over GST Evasion, Budget
By Musa Paul Feika
In a heated parliamentary session on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, the Leader of the Opposition in Sierra Leone’s Sixth Parliament, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, delivered a scathing critique of the recently approved “Sub Appropriation Supplementary Budget Act 2025”, calling out the Chief Minister’s Office and several Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) for failing to pay Goods and Services Tax (GST), as highlighted in the 2023 Auditor General’s Report.
Addressing Parliament during the debate, Hon. Kargbo raised concerns over the inclusion of additional funds to the Chief Minister’s Office, despite their alleged role in evading tax obligations. He criticized the supplementary budget as lacking substance, saying it falls short of boosting revenue mobilization and addressing economic realities.
“There is no robustness in this budget. It’s simply a textbook of austerity under President Bio’s leadership,” Kargbo declared, pointing out that the budget was filled with unrealistic expectations, especially the projected overperformance of the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT), which he warned could pose a serious threat to the national economy.
The opposition MP highlighted what he described as budgetary loopholes and poor revenue strategies that risk undermining the government’s own financial goals. He further called for a stronger commitment to plugging revenue leakages and increasing transparency in public spending.
“Some of the provisions in this budget are not workable. The people of Sierra Leone didn’t vote for hardship. They expected responsible leadership and sustainable economic policies,” he said.
Kargbo didn’t hold back in his criticism of Finance Minister Sheku Fantamadi Bangura, suggesting that the current government has done little to improve the economy despite being in office for over seven years. He also tackled the government’s claim of reducing fuel prices, recalling that in 2018 the price stood at Le6,000 (old Leones), while it now sits at NLe24 (Le24,000 in old currency) a sharp increase that he argues is unjustified, even with global fuel price reductions.
“The people should not be made to applaud a minor drop in fuel prices after such a drastic increase. The government must do more to ease the burden on citizens,” Hon. Kargbo insisted.
Despite his criticisms, he concluded his remarks by expressing cautious support for the bill’s passage, with the hope that the government would adhere to a more realistic fiscal trajectory.
Responding to the opposition’s concerns, Leader of Government Business, Hon. Shar Mathew Nyuma, defended the government’s economic strategies. He pointed to recent achievements, including the reduction in the price of a bag of rice and a slight fuel price cut from NLe27 to NLe24. He urged bipartisan support for the Supplementary Budget Act, which was ultimately approved by Parliament.
