Since the commencement of Sub Appropriation Committee hearing that commences on Monday 2nd December, 2024 several Ministries Departments and Agencies MDAs including the Office of the Chief Minister, Office of Presidential and Infrastructure Initiative, Governance Advisory Unit among key institutions dodged and eschewed for the Sub Appropriation Committee hearings in the Sixth Parliament.
It could also be recalled that during a debate on 2025 national budget, the Speaker Hon. Sengepoh Solomon Thomas encouraged MDAs to avail themselves to participate in the budget discussion.
Notwithstanding, many MDAs defied and disrespected the House by not available themselves throughout the five day discussion.
At the conclusion of the debate on the National Budget, the Speaker, Hon. Sengepoh Solomon Thomas left with no opinion but rather announced indefinitely seizure of MDAs who failed to avail themselves for the budget discussion
In Sierra Leone’s Parliament, Sub-Appropriation Committees are responsible of presenting reports on the activities and deliverables of MDAs. In return, the committees recommend that the government ensure that funds are released in a timely and adequate manner for the effective implementation of projects.
They also recommend that all supporting documentation, including a breakdown of expenditures, be returned to Parliament before budget hearings.
The Sierra Leone Constitution also provides for Supplementary Appropriation Bills to be introduced in Parliament.
They provide for the appropriation of the sums approved for the purposes specified in the estimates.
Expressing concern on the persistent and persistent ceremonial absence of the MDAs, the Executive Director of Building the Future Foundation, Sierra Leone, Mohamed Alimamy Bangura said the situation is a serious concern on the part of the MDAs as they are responsible and accountable to give detail explanations of how monies being allocated to them have been utilized before another set of funds can be released.
Alimamy disclosed that the MDAs are not taken ownership entire process which it appears that there is familiarity between these MDAs and the House of Parliament.
According to Mr. Bangura the MDAs have no respect and regard for the House of Parliament as the people’s representatives.
He said the continuous absence of MDAs it is clear indication that 2025 will not be a good finance years in the future.