By Isata Fofanah
The Citizen Rights Network Sierra Leone (CRN SL) has on Friday 14th October, 2022 informed pressmen that the organization has concluded its comprehensive report that contains observations and recommendations on the budget hearing for the Financial Year 2023. He made that disclosure while addressing journalists during a Press Conference held at his Naimbana Street Office in Freetown.
Speaking during the Press Conference, the Executive Director of Citizen Rights Network Sierra Leone, Ibrahim Bai Koroma, stated that the organization on Wednesday 21 September 2022 embarked on the monitoring of the Financial Year 2023 budget discussions held at the Ministry of Finance.
He added that after 13 days of observations or monitoring of discussions on the budget, the organization put together and has concluded its comprehensive report which outlines best practices, corrupt practices that were identified, gaps in the process noted and concerns about the process.
The Executive Director, however, commended the Ministry of Finance over its recent activity status updates during the launch of the bilateral budget discussions on the 21st September 2022 at the Ministry of Finance conference hall, furthering that it is however important to emphasize that such an update is needed.
He informed pressmen that during the budget hearing the Vice President, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh, highlighted the tight fiscal space in the national budget due to external forces referencing the Russian war in Ukraine which he said is having negative effects on the world economy.
He continued that the Vice President, however, advised senior Government officials of the Ministry of Finance to prioritize activities related more to service delivery rather than administrative spending.
Underscoring some of the observations made during the process, the Executive Director disclosed that the organization observed that 65% of MDAs were not present on time and that the Ministry of Finance technical teams eclipsed the financial year bilateral discussions, adding that the organization further observed that the technical team of the Ministry of Finance turned a blind eye to the process of standing down MDAs during the hearing.
Ibrahim Bai Koroma, however, said that the organization wishes to make the following recommendations: Firstly for the sake of transparency and accountability the Ministry of Finance should have given right to CSOs, NSAs to stand down MDAs based on improper presentations.
Secondly, all presentations in different groups should be conducted in Virtually.
Thirdly, that the Ministry of Finance should timely disbursed allocations to MDAs furthering that the Ministry of Finance should enforce the 2018 Finance Act (41) in all public institutions among others
The Executive Director noted that they are of the firm conviction that the right of citizens must be guaranteed and that every citizen of Sierra Leone must be given a fair chance to participate in any Ministry of Finance budget discussions for the general good of the State and for good governance to prevail.
He concluded by reaffirming their commitment to continue to work and advocate for and on behalf of the people of Sierra Leone with the objective of promoting their democratic rights in the country.
