By Ragan M. Conteh
Parliament of the Republic of Sierra Leone is set to institute tougher punishment measures for those Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that would be reluctant to appear before the Sub-Appropriation Committee on Supply to defend their 2019-2020 allocations.
Parliament has divided itself into Committees to look at the financial expenditures of various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) for the Financial Years 2019 and 2020.
The Committees are responsible for diagnosing the challenges and successes of MDAs and proffer solutions/recommendations and report in the Well of Parliament for debate and approval. When this is properly done it will enhance the work of MDAs. At least they would be able to carry out their functions effectively and efficiently.
The press release, published by the Clerk of Parliament, states, “Following the commencement of work by the Committee of Supply on Monday 30th November 2020, in Parliament, to look into the budgetary estimates of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAS), of Government for 2021, any MDA, which fails to appear on its appointed date before the Committee of Supply, will have its budgetary estimates for 2021 withheld.”
The release continues that this position shall be applied without exception whatsoever in order to enhance the budget approval process for the Financial Year 2021 to provide services for Sierra Leone and other related matters. Year-in-year-out, MDAs have not been treating the summons of Parliament with the seriousness they deserve.
In another development, the Tourism Committee has probed into the financial activities of the National Tourist Board at Committee Room No. 2 in Parliament.