Parliament Rejects Incomplete Documents, Summons Fisheries and Tourism Ministries
By Benjamin S Conteh
The Parliament of Sierra Leone, through the 2024 Sub-Appropriation Committee Group Six chaired by Hon. Ambrose Maada Lebby, has stood down the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources and the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs for presenting incomplete documentation required for the appropriation process. The Committee also issued a stern warning to other Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) about the importance of thorough preparation.
The two ministries were dismissed on Thursday, 5th December 2024, following a brief engagement with the Committee at the Parliament Administrative Building’s conference room. According to Hon. Lebby, the ministries appeared unprepared and presented incomplete documents, prompting the Committee to stand them down and summon them to reappear on Monday.
In an exclusive interview with journalists covering the parliamentary proceedings, Hon. Lebby explained that his Committee was scheduled to meet with four MDAs that day: two ministries and two agencies. “We met with the Sierra Leone Road Authority and the Monuments and Relics Commission, and their performances were quite satisfactory. We requested a few supporting documents from them and referred them for subsequent submissions,” the Chairman stated.
However, regarding the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources and the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Hon. Lebby expressed his frustration over their lack of preparation. He revealed that the two ministries were required to submit their documents on 11th November but failed to do so until the morning of their appearance before the Committee. “They were sorting through their documents in front of us this morning, and I had to dismiss them. That was a complete affront to Parliament, and we cannot tolerate such negligence,” he asserted.
Hon. Lebby further noted that many MDAs face recurring challenges, including delays in receiving their budgetary allocations, which hinder their operations. He added that some MDAs had raised concerns about inadequate budgets and made appeals for increases during the appropriation process.
Sending a strong message to other MDAs, Hon. Lebby emphasized the importance of accountability and transparency in managing public funds. “If you are dealing with public funds, you must be accountable. I urge all MDAs to prepare adequately and be open to scrutiny. This is the only way to rid Sierra Leone of corruption,” he concluded.
