By Ragan M Conteh

Following audit queries on the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) on the accounts of Sierra Leone for the financial year 2023, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in its fourth sitting on Friday 17January 2025 ordered 33 listed staff to come to Parliament for physical verification on Monday 20 January 2025 or names being deleted from Government payroll.

Most of the queries include some staff and could not be verified by Auditors on contract extension after retirement, payment of study leave without due approval, no bonding timeline and payment of arrears without deduction of PAYE (pay as you earn) taxes.

The PAC resolved that they be holding engagements with the Secretary to President, the Head of Civil Service and the Accountant General to resolve the issues above.

On contract extension, the PAC is of the view that the jobs should be given to young, energetic and qualified Sierra Leoneans.

The erudite Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh eloquently made a passionate plea to SLPP and APC to have frank discussions and come out with a road map for the development of Sierra Leone.

This road map, he continued should be implemented through and through by any of the two major parties in governance without deviations.

Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh called for depolitization of the civil service, discipline, fair recruitments and merit-based promotions devoid of political considerations.