By Ragan M. Conteh
“I came to Sierra Leone few days ago on Sunday night from Lungi through Sea Coach to Goderich. The capital was in complete darkness. There was no electricity and sadness descended on me. I felt so bad,” ACC czar laments.
The Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Francis Ben Kelfala made the disclosure when addressing the media on corruption related issues on Wednesday 24th January 2023.
Apart from the statement of the ACC Commissioner, Sierra Leoneans have on a daily basis complained about the lack of electricity supply in their communities which they said have become a perennial problem.
The people are worried about the protracted lack of power supply in their communities, adding that regime after regime have continued corrupt activities which has ultimately debar the progress of the country.
Many people believe that the misplacement of resources has been a major challenge to the Ministry of Energy, EDSA and EGTC.
It could be recalled that most recently, the Members of Parliament from the Public Account Committee ordered Members of Golf Club to refund the sum of Nle 48,450 paid by Electricity and Supply Authority as Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS).
The Committee also discovered that some senior management officials of EDSA are also members of the Golf Club which by all indication is a conflict of interest.
The Auditor General’s Report claimed that there is no justification on expenditures paid as Corporate Social Responsibility (CRS) to several organisations including the Gulf Club with whopping sum.
Making his submission, the Chairman Public Account Committee (PAC), Hon Sengepoh Thomas said there is no gain saying that the Auditor General’s report is terrible and it is not good for this country.
The Chairman said paying a whopping amount to an association of rich people is a disservice to the people of Sierra Leone, adding that EDSA should have given such monies to the less privilege organisations than the Gulf Club.
He said normally citizens blame Parliament for the mishaps in adding that Parliament approved the budgets of MDAs and when such mishaps occur in these MDAs the people blame Parliament.
According to the Chairman the Committee will not tolerate excuses, adding that the only excuse Parliament tolerates from MDAs is when the President summons an individual to at that material time.
Hon Sengepoh Thomas stated that Parliament will not accept any concocted documents this time around.
The Chief Finance Officer Mr. Sannoh of EDSA said the government has to pay EDSA over Nle 450 and as a result they prefer to settle with the IPCs than to pay the GST to government.
The Minister of Energy, Alhaji Kanja Sesay also told newsmen recently that, his ministry will not protect any MDA that has to pay EDSA, adding that all MDAs are allocated funds for electricity on a yearly basis and they should honor their electricity bills.
He urged EDSA to go after those MDAs that failed to pay their electricity commitment.