MPs Sidestepped in €3 Million Kenema Market Project
By Joseph F. Kanu
On Wednesday, 20th August 2025, the Parliamentary Committee on Transparency and Accountability raised concerns over irregularities in the €3 million European Union funded ultra-modern market project at Maxwell Kobie Street, Kenema.
The Committee, during its oversight engagement with the Kenema District Council, discovered that the project was initiated without the participation of Hon. Kai Samba, the Member of Parliament representing Kenema township.
Committee Chairman, Hon. Maada Lebbie, stressed that Members of Parliament, as constitutional representatives of the people, must be involved in all district-level development projects. He warned against the practice of sidelining MPs until challenges emerge.
“Not after the project has gone wrong that’s not when you call us. Work with us from the beginning. It will be to your own advantage,” Hon. Lebbie cautioned.
He reminded the Chief Administrator of Section 119(2) of the 1991 Constitution, which mandates parliamentary oversight of public funds, and cited the Memorandum of Understanding between Parliament and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) as a legal framework for accountability.
Key issues raised included:
The exclusion of Hon. Kai Samba from project planning and oversight.
Weak compliance by the Kenema District Council with constitutional provisions on parliamentary involvement.
Documentation gaps in council records relating to revenue mobilisation and project accountability.
The Committee warned that donor-funded projects risk reduced transparency and accountability if MPs are not engaged from inception. It urged councils to involve Members of Parliament in all constituency-level projects and to strictly comply with Section 119(2) of the Constitution.
Additionally, the Committee called on the Kenema District Council to strengthen internal systems for revenue mobilisation, record-keeping, and documentation, while stressing that internationally funded projects must uphold transparency standards to maintain donor confidence and ensure community benefit.
The Committee pledged to continue monitoring the Kenema market project to guarantee value for money and direct benefit to the people of Kenema
