By Ragan M. Conteh

As public hearings is set to commence on Monday 13th January 2025, the Public Account Committee (PAC) chaired by the Deputy Speaker Hon Ibrahim Tawa Conteh has vowed to recoup over two hundred billion leones (Le200Bn) as reported missing in the 2023 Audit Service Report.

The PAC will commence hearing with Zoodlab, Kingho Mining Company, Ministry of Agriculture and host of other institutions including the Human Resource Management Office.

The hearing is part of the committee’s roles and responsibilities to investigate allegations made by the Audit Service against MDAs.

It could be recalled that during the Public Account Committee (PAC) hearing last year 2024 the Auditor General’s Report at the new Administrative Building in Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Chairman of the PAC, reported significant progress in financial accountability.

The Deputy Speaker disclosed at one of the hearings that he successfully collected and deposited billions of leones into the consolidated revenue fund (CRF), emphasizing that the funds belong to the government and must be used with utmost responsibility and accountability.

He revealed that substantial amounts had been deducted from the accounts of prominent individuals and Ministries Departments and Agencies and transferred to the consolidated account.

Hon. Tawa stressed the importance of legal compliance and clarified that the PAC’s role does not extend to receiving documents but focuses on financial oversight and collection.

Under his leadership, the PAC has made notable strides in recovering billions of leones from the Ministries, Departments and Agencies. Hon. Conteh’s diligent efforts have uncovered financial discrepancies and irregularities within the government, reinforcing transparency and accountability.

His leadership has fostered greater discipline within public institutions and enhanced public trust in the parliamentary process.

As Deputy Speaker and PAC Chairman, Hon. Conteh has exemplifies effective oversight and dedication to fiscal responsibility and ethical governance, showcasing the crucial role of rigorous financial scrutiny in driving positive change within the government circle.

This year, Hon Tawa has promised to recoup any penny that is misused by any MDA.