By Lemuella Tarawallie
Parliament has issued a strong warning to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) that continue to absent themselves from parliamentary committee hearings during budget scrutiny, declaring that accountability is no longer optional in the approval of public funds.
Presiding over the Tuesday sitting, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, emphasized that budget approval is inseparable from oversight, stressing that Parliament does not merely approve figures but the policies, programmes, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that underpin them.
He explained that the Budget Estimates submitted to Parliament clearly outline policy priorities and spending intentions, making it mandatory for MDAs to appear before committees to professionally justify how allocated resources are utilized.
“This is a professional exercise,” Hon. Conteh stated. “When Parliament approves a budget, it approves it together with the estimates, the policies, and the KPIs. MDAs must come and explain how they are using public funds.”
Backing the Deputy Speaker’s position, the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Matthew Sahr Nyuma, raised serious concerns over delays in the submission and availability of budget estimates, warning that Parliament cannot proceed with scrutiny in the absence of complete documentation.
Hon. Nyuma questioned whether the House had officially received all budget estimates, insisting that Parliament must be given adequate time to review them before deliberations continue.
“We cannot proceed without the estimates,” he said. “Parliament needs time to examine them properly before moving forward.”
In a clear and uncompromising message, Hon. Nyuma warned that MDAs which repeatedly fail to appear before parliamentary committees will face consequences in future budget cycles.
“This House will not consider any allocation for such MDAs in the 2026 Fiscal Year,” he declared.
Meanwhile, the President of the Parliamentary Female Caucus, Hon. Bernadette Wuyatta Songa, who also serves as Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Oversight and Chair of Committees on Supply (Group 13), presented a comprehensive report to the House focusing on strengthening procurement compliance, improving financial accountability, and reducing over-reliance on supplementary budgets and donor funding.
She noted that effective implementation of the committee’s recommendations would enhance fiscal discipline, transparency, and service delivery outcomes across the country.
“These measures will ensure that public resources translate into tangible development outcomes and sustainable national growth,” she told Parliament.
The Chair confirmed that several MDAs and institutions complied with the oversight process, including the Ministry of Health, National Public Health Agency, Office of National Security, Ministry of Transport and Aviation, National Medical Supply Agency, Teaching Hospital Complex Administration, Health Service Commission, Local Content Agency, and various local councils.
Lawmakers further reminded the House of international commitments requiring governments to allocate at least ten percent of national budgets to health. Sierra Leone, they noted, currently stands at approximately eight percent.
“Health is fundamental,” she stressed. “Without proper investment in health, gains in life expectancy will be reversed, and the consequences will be dire for the nation.”
During deliberations on the Appropriation Committee report, lawmakers expressed deep concern over chronic underfunding in the health sector, warning of serious consequences if urgent action is not taken.
Members highlighted the suspension of HIV and AIDS support programmes, describing the situation as increasingly worrisome despite the national prevalence rate being estimated at one percent.
“Even one percent of one million people is still significant,” a Member argued, warning that HIV could escalate into a major public health crisis without sustained funding for treatment and surveillance.
Parliamentarians also raised alarm over the looming depletion of free healthcare drug stocks, citing failure to meet counterpart funding obligations to development partners.
“If these payments are not honoured, partners may withdraw support by the end of next year,” the House was warned.
