By Ragan M. Conteh

The Public Account Committee(PAC) headed by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, has ordered Director General of Foreign Affairs ministry to write various heads of chanceries abroad to face  parliament of Sierra Leone.

The Committee asked for heads of chanceries to submit documents through the Director General of Foreign Affairs, Dr Victoria Suliaman on issues raised by the Auditor General’s Report, which concerns the failure to account for huge monies spent in some missions between 2021 and 2022 respectively.

The report raised double dipping of officials in foreign missions.

The call, according to the committee, is meant for answers to be given on queries raised by the Auditor General’s Report.

Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh has also ordered the summoning of Mr Prince Cole, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Heath, Mr. Alhassan Condeh, Permanent Secretary at Ministry of Trade, Mr Septimous Johnson, now retired, to answer to audit queries.

The report has alleged that nine vehicles’ documents, given as gifts from the Chinese government, were not presented to the Audit Service at the time of the audit by Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL).

It was stated that distribution of lists was not done but vehicles were not taken to parliament which is a violation of the law.

“The donation given to foreign affairs was not brought to parliament, and it’s against the laws.”

It was also discovered that foreign affairs are to account for the remaining four vehicles, the auditor says at the time of audit, adding that those vehicles were unregistered.

The DG of foreign affairs stated that none of them sitting before the committee were at the helm of affairs or representatives of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Hon. Tawa suggests for 2021 Audit Report to be laid aside while they’re inviting the permanent secretaries and officials at the time to appear before the PAC.

He said despite the fact Septimous Johnson has been retired, but should face parliament for questioning.

“Retirement is not death,” Hon. Tawa.

The current director of admin said he was in Liberia at the time of the audit.

The chairman said there are a number of serious issues that PAC needs to be looked into.

The issue of remitting funds to government’s fund account was also raised by the Auditor General’s Report.

Hon Tawa said whatever people collect they should remit it.

Hon Koroma has informed that “you don’t have the power to utilize money generated without going through the PFM Act,” Hon. Aaron Aruna.

He said the ministry of foreign affairs should do something on the Finance Act.

However, because of the serious issues and failure of certain officials to appear before the PAC, the meeting was stood down until a date to be communicated.