By Donstance Koroma
In a significant financial recovery effort, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Sierra Leone, chaired by Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawah Conteh, has successfully collected thirty-eight billion old Leones in Goods and Services Tax (GST) liabilities for the financial year 2021. This was confirmed by the PAC Secretariat following a series of hearings with business entities and individuals.
Musa L.A. Fullah, a senior staff member of the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone attached to the PAC, highlighted the high level of compliance from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies regarding the payment of backlogged taxes. He mentioned recent engagements with the Ministry of Finance, the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) and the Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (EGTC) to resolve longstanding payables and receivables issues.
Additionally, Musa L.A. Fullah noted that both the Guma Valley Water Company and EDSA are addressing similar financial obligations. Plans have been made for these institutions to offset their respective liabilities by 2025. Currently, Guma Valley Water Company owes EDSA over five billion old Leones, while EDSA has a reciprocal debt to Guma Valley Water Company amounting to over one billion old Leones.
He praised the Deputy Speaker and PAC Chairman Hon. Ibrahim Tawah Conteh, for revitalizing the Committee. Under his leadership, the PAC has been equipped with new laptops, printers and an ICT technician, significantly enhancing its operational capacity. Communications between the PAC and the public have also improved, fostering greater transparency and engagement.
Collaboration with the National Revenue Authority (NRA), the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Accountant General has further bolstered the PAC’s effectiveness. Musa L.A. Fullah commended Hon. Conteh for his dedication to financial recovery and national development, expressing confidence that with more political figures like him, Sierra Leone’s future looks promising.
In a significant development, land has been allocated for the construction of a new PAC Secretariat, with a feasibility study already completed. This new facility will provide the PAC with a dedicated space for conducting hearings and other official activities.
