By Africa 24 newsman

The Deputy Speaker of Parliament who doubles as the Chairman of the Public Account Committee (PAC) in Parliament, Hon Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, says people should stop politicizing the councils.

According to Hon Tawa Conteh, people should allow “the councils to operate freely without political interference.”

The Deputy Speaker made these submissions on Tuesday 20th August, 2024, during his Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing with officials from the Freetown City Council and the Western Area Rural Districts at the Administrative Building in Parliament, Tower Hill in Freetown.

PAC’s boss was looking at findings from the Audit Report for the Fiscal Year 2021 and 2022 respectively.

The engagement aimed at looking at financial management and accountability issues within local councils in the country.

The audit report revealed several discrepancies and areas of concerns, including irregularities in expenditures but stressing the need for improved financial management in the councils.

The PAC members questioned council representatives about specific allocations and expenditures that rose during the audit.

The Chairperson of the PAC, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in local governance.

“The findings of the audit are alarming and require immediate attention. We must ensure that public funds are used effectively for the benefit of our communities,” Hon. Conteh stated.

Officials from the Freetown City Council (FCC) acknowledged of the audit findings and committed to implementing corrective measures.

“We take these concerns seriously and are already working on a plan to address the issues highlighted in the report,” said the Chief Administrator while highlighting ongoing efforts to enhance financial controls.

As the session concluded, the PAC outlined next steps, including follow-up meetings and a timeline for implementing recommendations from the audit.

The committee reiterated its commitment to holding local councils accountable and ensuring that public resources are managed responsibly.

This engagement marks a significant step in promoting good governance and accountability in Sierra Leone’s local councils, thereby reflecting PAC’s dedication to fostering a culture of transparency in public financial management.