In a public hearing with the remaining Councils in the Northern Region including Makeni City, Bombali and Koinadugu Districts, the Chairman thundered that “in future the late submission of auditable documents such as receipts and delivery notes tendered before the PAC will not be accepted after the entire auditing process had been concluded”. He continued that “the PAC will ensure the repayment of those funds into the Consolidated Revenue Fund”, adding that “the conclusion reached by Audit Service Sierra Leone will be deemed conclusive, for failing to submit the relevant transaction documents within the stipulated audits time”.

The PAC has directed that both “Bombali and Koinadugu District Councils pay the sum of Le 14 Million and Le 8 Million respectively into the CRF not later than the 23/08/18”, otherwise they “will cause their detention for failing to pay or present the appropriate documents that will be tested and verified for authenticity”.

The PAC has also advised Chief Administrators and Finance Officers in the various Councils “not to pay sitting fees to councilors without the production of minutes, attendance lists or valid written excuses” to that effect.

However, the suspended and former Chief Administrator including the Procurement Officer and the Finance Officer of the Bombali District Council has been summoned by the Committee to appear in Freetown not later than the 23/08/18 for further probing on its fixed assets register.

The Committee has now proceeded to Kenema to probe the Councils in the Eastern Region in view of the queries raised in the Auditor General’s Report of 2016.