Deputy Speaker Flags Security Risk in Netpage E-Passport Contract
ByBenjamin S Conteh
The Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, has raised serious security concerns over Sierra Leone’s E-passport production contract with Netpage SL Limited. Speaking on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, during a PAC session in the New Administrative Building, Hon. Conteh warned that the contract’s expiration, coupled with alleged non-compliance by Netpage, poses a security risk for the country.
According to Hon. Conteh, the contract between the government of Sierra Leone and Netpage SL Limited expired in December 2023. Despite this, Netpage continues to produce E-passports, which he believes jeopardizes the security integrity of the national passport system. “The ongoing production of Sierra Leone’s E-passports by a contractor with an expired agreement raises significant security concerns,” he emphasized.
The PAC hearing was prompted by queries in the 2021 and 2022 Auditor-General’s reports, which highlighted irregularities in the Ministry of Social Welfare and other agencies. During the session, additional financial issues regarding Netpage’s contract came to light. Sahr Mustapha, head of PAC at the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL), reported that Netpage owed the government a priority payment of 8% on each electronic passport issued. This payment, amounting to $429,627 USD for 2022 alone, remains outstanding.
Mustapha noted that the audit team has recommended Netpage expedite payment of the outstanding funds into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF), a critical action to uphold contractual obligations and ensure transparency. In response, Hon. Conteh directed both Netpage and the Sierra Leone Immigration Office to provide the PAC with all relevant contract documents, expressing frustration over the lack of financial accountability and transparency.
Further probing revealed multiple issues related to the contract’s validity and adherence to legal procedures. Hon. Conteh disclosed that there were two distinct contracts related to passport production, and evidence suggests an intent to formalize a third agreement. He explained that a contract amendment, introduced by the previous administration in December 2013, added the priority payment clause after the initial contract had already been approved. However, this amendment was not tabled before Parliament for ratification, rendering it legally questionable under Section 40 (4) of Sierra Leone’s 1991 Constitution, which requires presidential agreements to receive Parliamentary approval for validity.
“Since the amended agreement was never ratified by Parliament, enforcing payment obligations becomes complex,” Hon. Conteh stated. He advised that instead of compelling Netpage to pay the outstanding funds, Parliament should negotiate a settlement with the company to secure some form of payment.
Hon. Bernette Wuyata Songa, another member of the committee, echoed these concerns. Although the amendment had not been formally ratified, she maintained that Netpage still had a responsibility to meet its financial obligations. “Failure to ratify the agreement does not negate the contractor’s duty to pay the required amount to the CRF,” she said, adding that the contract should be presented to Parliament next week to facilitate official deliberations and a formal ratification process.
Hon. Songa further emphasized the urgency of resolving the issue: “This document must be brought to Parliament promptly for ratification to ensure lawful oversight and accountability.”
In conclusion, Hon. Conteh recommended that both Netpage and the Sierra Leone Immigration Office be given two weeks to negotiate a settlement and provide a detailed report to Parliament on the outcome of their discussions. Although he ultimately considered the matter closed, he stressed that such unresolved issues, if left unaddressed, could continue to threaten Sierra Leone’s national security and financial integrity.
