The Parliamentary Committee on Transparency and Accountability has completed a four-day nationwide oversight exercise, probing the operations of local councils as part of its constitutional mandate to ensure accountability in governance. The engagement, which ran from Monday, August 18 to Thursday, August 21, 2025, focused on compliance, procedural, financial, and procurement matters within councils and other state institutions.
Opening the sessions, Committee Chairman Hon. Ambross Maada Lebby underscored the importance of oversight as provided for in subsection 3 of section 93 of the 1991 Constitution. He stressed that Parliament’s role is not to target individuals but to ensure that institutions comply with the law and deliver effective services to the people. He called on local councils and ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) to respond openly to questions raised during the hearings.
The Committee engaged a wide range of councils including Kambia District, Port Loko City, Port Loko District, Kono District, Koidu New Sembehun City, Koinadugu District, Karene District, Tonkolili District, Bombali District, Makeni City, Kenema District, Kenema City, Kailahun District, Pujehun District, Bo District, Bonthe District, Bonthe Municipal, and Bo City Council.
During these sessions, Chief Administrators, Finance Officers, and other senior staff highlighted the successes and challenges of their councils, particularly in the implementation of projects and service delivery. The Committee noted several concerns, including breaches of section 119 of the Local Government Act 2022, discrepancies in official documents, and delays in the disbursement of government allocations, which have hindered operations. It also flagged instances where funds meant for public facilities were misused, resulting in little or no value for money, as well as violations of procurement laws relating to advertising.
Despite these issues, the Committee acknowledged improvements in gender inclusiveness across the councils.
Hon. Lebby further reminded participants of an existing Memorandum of Understanding between the Committee and the Anti-Corruption Commission, which is currently under review. He said the agreement reinforces Parliament’s commitment to strengthening accountability and ensuring strict compliance with the laws of Sierra Leone.
