AYV News, July 10, 2024
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Sierra Leone’s Parliament has issued strong warning to government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to honor the water bills, thereby directing the Guma Valley Water Company to install Water Meters in all MDAs excluding hospitals.
This move comes in response to chronic issues of unpaid water bills by MDAs, significantly impacting GVWC’s operations. The company has struggled to pay employees and meet tax obligations due to outstanding debts.
PAC Chairman, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh said: “Numerous MDAs have accumulated significant debts with Guma Valley, jeopardizing the company’s financial stability and hindering their compliance with National Revenue Authority (NRA) and National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) contributions”.
He further expressed concern about the delayed transfer of deducted PAYE taxes by MDAs, including GVWC, to the NRA and NASSIT, adding; “to address this issue, I am ordering Guma Valley Water Company to install prepaid water meters in all government institutions, except for Connaught Hospital, PCMH and other hospitals, beginning immediately, with a progress report submitted by the end of July.”
Hon. Conteh emphasised the importance of this measure in achieving targeted revenue collection by the NRA.
Hon. Aaron Koroma echoed these sentiments, highlighting the persistent problem of non-payment by MDAs and the necessity for decisive action to prevent its recurrence.
The PAC’s intervention aims to establish financial accountability within MDAs and ensure timely payments of taxes and social security contributions.
