AYV News, January 21, 2025
Following its third sitting on queries raised by the Auditor General on the accounts of Sierra Leone for the financial year 2023, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Sierra Leone’s House of Parliament, under the auspices of Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh has unanimously passed a resolution signifying an efficient and effective handling of imprest accounts.
The PAC also directed the retrieval of funds and paid into the consolidated revenue funds by the Accountant General, who is managing cash for and on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone.
After long deliberations during the course of the proceedings relating to transactions on special and standing imprest accounts without supporting documents, the Public Accounts Committee has resolved in unanimity that no payment should be honoured by the Accountant General in respect of imprest and donor funded accounts if it fell below the threshold of accountable documents in the public financial management regulations and certified by the Internal Auditors before such payments are made by the Accountant General for purposes of transparent and accountable financial governance.
In anther development, In a befitting Lying-in-State ceremony in Parliament, the Leadership and Members of Parliament accorded last respect to the late Hon. Moinina Conteh, former Member of Parliament representing of Kailahun district.
In his tribute on behalf of the Government, the Leader of Government Business Hon. Mathew S. Nyuma, described the late Hon. Moinima Conteh as a very good debater when they were in the Third Parliament especially when enforcing his position during his debate.
“The Lord giveth and the Lord has taketh” the Leader of Government Business solemnly said. He called on the family of the late Hon. Conteh to accept God’s decision, adding that the late man was selfless and astute in his leadership.
Hon. Nyuma added that the late Hon. Moinina Conteh was not just used to fighting for himself, but for the survival of his people. He concluded by wishing the late man a perpetual rest in Heaven.
The Leader of the opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, also paid a solemn tribute to the late Hon. Conteh. He expressed mixed feelings, both happiness and sadness, as they celebrated the life of an individual who served the nation in various capacities.
Hon. Abdul Kargbo described the late Hon. Conteh as a politician who knew no political or regional boundary.
He Commended the late Hon. Conteh for serving both political parties ( SLPP & APC) noting that, APC and SLPP are Sierra Leonean parties. He referenced section 26 of the 1991 constitution which makes it very clear for freedom of association.
“ So today we are here to salute him for the sacrifices he had made for our nation. May his soul rest in peace”, Hon. Abdul Kargbo mournfully concluded.
Similarly, Parliament has debated and approved two Presidential Nominees to serve in various offices of the State.
Michaella Barbara Eddina Swallow was apprved as Deputy Permanent Representative 2 (Legal) of the United Nations and Allan Spaceline Tuboku Metzger asMember of the Electricity Generation and Transmission Company (EGTC).
The House also debated the Bill entitled: ‘The National Petroleum Regulatory Authority Act, 2024’. The Bill seeks to provide for the continuation of the Petroleum Regulatory Authority which shall now be known as the National Petroleum Regulatory Authority and shall continue to provide for the regulation of the petroleum downstream industry including the licensing, monitoring and supervision of refineries, transportation, marketing and retail activities and to provide for other related matters.
Presenting the Bill, the Minister of Trade and Industry, Ibrahim Alpha Sesay said global crisis for oil has engendered Government action to meet the products demand and supply. He also reassured Parliament about the protection of the interest of the consumers and the providers. He underscored the need for review of parent documents to meet with the global trend in tandem with new transformations including Storage facilities and others. Explaining the objective of the document, the Minister noted that the document intended to ensure enforcement mandate, to achieve efficiency, eliminate barriers for market entrance amongst.
