By OKC
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone, chaired by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, on Saturday, August 24, 2026, finally concluded its oversight engagement with all 21 local councils across the country on issues raised in the Auditor General’s Report for 2024.
The oversight exercise was undertaken as part of Parliament’s constitutional mandate to scrutinise public financial management and ensure accountability in the use of public funds by Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as local councils.
In his opening statement, the Dpt. Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Hon. PC Desmond Mahayei Kargobai from Bo District, reminded representatives of the various councils that the PAC is one of Parliament’s Standing Committees with constitutional authority under the 1991 Constitution, Act No. 6, and the Standing Orders of Parliament to examine and seek clarification on issues highlighted in the Auditor General’s Reports.
Hon. PC Desmond Mahayei Kargobai explained that the Committee’s oversight exercise was not intended to witch-hunt Ministries, Departments, Agencies or local councils, but rather to conduct further investigations into audit queries raised by the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) and establish whether the issues identified by auditors were accurate and properly addressed.
He noted that the Committee’s engagements with the councils were aimed at providing institutions with an opportunity to respond to audit findings, clarify discrepancies and demonstrate the steps taken to address weaknesses identified in their financial management systems.
Hon. PC Desmond Mahayei Kargobai further explained that, in carrying out their audits, officials of the Audit Service Sierra Leone examined several key areas of local council operations. These include the councils’ financial statements, grants budgeted and provided by the Central Government, and the performance of councils in mobilising own-source revenue.
He said these areas are critical to ensuring that local councils are operating transparently, efficiently and in accordance with established financial management laws and regulations.
The Dpt. Chairman stressed that the PAC’s role goes beyond simply identifying audit queries, noting that the Committee also has a responsibility to ensure that institutions provide satisfactory explanations and take appropriate corrective measures where weaknesses or irregularities are established.
The conclusion of the oversight exercise involving all 21 councils marks another significant step in Parliament’s examination of the Auditor General’s Report for the financial year 2024 and its broader efforts to strengthen accountability and prudent management of public resources across Sierra Leone.
