Deputy Speaker Exposes Socfin Agricultural Company for Breach of Contract
By Benjamin S Conteh
The Deputy Speaker of the Sixth Parliament, who also chairs the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), has revealed that Socfin Agricultural Company Sierra Leone Limited, operating in Pujehun District, has utilized over 200 acres of land far exceeding the area granted to them by the Government of Sierra Leone. This figure is more than ten times the concessionary land initially allocated to the company.
The revelation was made on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at the New Administrative Building in Parliament, during PAC’s examination of the 2021 and 2022 Auditor General’s Reports.
Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh stated that the company must compensate the government for the excess land they have utilized.
“Socfin Agricultural Company Sierra Leone owes the Government of Sierra Leone. Initially, they were granted a concessionary portion of land, but they have utilized over 200 acres beyond what was agreed. They must pay for it,” Hon. Conteh asserted.
He emphasized, “What they have used is more than ten times the amount stated in the agreement.”
The Deputy Speaker also warned the Deputy Commissioner of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), Salia Konneh, not to grant Socfin any corporation tax benefits. He highlighted that the company had previously declared they had exhausted their investment and would not be reinvesting further.
“There is no need to renew the agreement or grant them corporation tax benefits,” Hon. Conteh advised.
Contract Expiration
Hon. Conteh revealed that the agreement between Socfin Agricultural Company and the Government of Sierra Leone, signed in 2012, had expired for one year before it was eventually renewed. According to the Deputy Commissioner of the NRA, Socfin has written to the authority requesting a corporation tax benefit.
In response, the PAC chairman cautioned the Deputy Commissioner to ensure that any correspondence with the company is copied to the PAC Secretariat.
“When responding to their letter, send a copy to us. Their previous contract expired a year before it was renewed, and the renewal was not ratified retroactively,” Hon. Conteh stated.
Legal and Financial Irregularities
The Deputy Speaker clarified to NRA staff that Socfin is not eligible for any financial benefits from the Government of Sierra Leone, stressing the company’s contractual non-compliance.
He further disclosed that the original agreement, presented to Parliament in 2023 by then-Minister of Trade and Industry Ibrahim Sesay, had been ratified at the beginning of the Sixth Parliament. However, the agreement had expired since 2022, and no new agreement has since been signed.
Additional Findings
The PAC also uncovered that Marampa Mining Company owes the Government of Sierra Leone $5.9 million in unpaid taxes.
Hon. Conteh’s remarks underscore the importance of accountability and adherence to contractual agreements, as the government continues its efforts to ensure proper land and tax management in Sierra Leone.
