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Bonthe District Council in NLe3.2 Million Audit Scandal

By the editorial team

Bonthe District Council has emerged as the worst offender in financial mismanagement among local councils in 2024, according to the latest Auditor General’s Report released by Audit Service Sierra Leone.
The report reveals that the council failed to properly account for more than NLe3.2 million of taxpayers’ money, raising serious concerns over expenditure control and financial transparency.

Under the category “Expenditure Management and Control,” auditors flagged two major irregularities which were “NLe1,225,021”, recorded as ‘payments without supporting documents and “NLe2,013,652” listed as payments without adequate supporting documents.”
However, detailed audit findings show even higher questionable figures.

The report states that auditors observed payments totaling NLe1,348,999.15 made without payment vouchers or other relevant supporting documents.
“Additionally, we observed that payments totaling NLe2,564,040.34 were without adequate supporting documents such as delivery notes, invoices, receipts, back-to-office reports and signed beneficiaries’ lists,” the report further disclosed.

The absence of basic financial records such as vouchers, receipts, and invoices makes it impossible to verify whether public funds were properly utilized.
Financial experts warn that such lapses create opportunities for fraud, misappropriation, and abuse of public resources.

The findings place Bonthe District Council at the top of local councils cited for financial irregularities in the 2024 audit cycle, intensifying calls for accountability and possible investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).
As public confidence in local governance remains fragile, residents and civil society groups are demanding urgent action to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that public funds are safeguarded.

AVDP’s IVS project in limbo as Auditor flags major lapses

By our Editorial Team

Serious concerns have emerged over the implementation of the Inland Valley Swamp (IVS) Project launched in 2024 under the Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (AVDP), following damning revelations in the latest Annual Report of the Auditor General.
Under section 4.5.3 – “Outstanding Issues Identified During Audit Field Verification of Inland Valley Swamps (IVS)”, the Auditor General disclosed significant gaps in project delivery across several districts.

According to the report, auditors who visited AVDP operational sites observed that “ploughing machines were not delivered to several beneficiary communities; many communities lacked grain storage facilities to protect harvested produce.
As a result, harvested grains were reportedly left exposed to theft, spoilage, and harsh environmental conditions.

The audit further revealed that “Some IVS sites did not have AVDP signposts; farmer groups failed to maintain proper records of financial and material support received under the project, particularly for grain storage facilities; supplied items lacked unique project identification markings, raising accountability concerns.
The Auditor General warned that these shortcomings pose a serious risk that public funds may have been expended without achieving the intended results — potentially amounting to waste of public resources.

In response to the findings, the Audit Service recommended that the Project Manager “Expedite delivery of ploughing machines to remaining communities; construct and operationalize grain storage facilities at all IVS locations; install AVDP-branded signposts at intervention sites to improve visibility and accountability; prioritize and complete ongoing construction of hand-dug wells” and “Implement strict documentation and tracking systems for distributed items, ensuring all materials are clearly marked with AVDP identifiers.”
The report also accused AVDP of delays in delivering environmental testing devices and in constructing hand-dug wells — key components meant to support sustainable agricultural productivity.

The Auditor General stressed that the Project Manager must ensure that contractors immediately complete the work or enforce recovery of funds already paid.
In a striking development, the Auditor General dismissed AVDP management’s official response to the audit queries.
“Additionally, contrary to management’s response, the detailed work plan and the engineer’s report were not submitted for review. Therefore, the issue remains unresolved,” the report stated.
This contradiction suggests that despite assurances from project management, critical documentation required to clear the audit concerns was not provided.

The IVS Project was designed to boost food security and increase agricultural productivity in rural communities. However, the audit findings now raise pressing questions about project ex*****on, oversight, and value for money.
With millions invested in agricultural development, stakeholders are calling for urgent corrective action to ensure that the intended beneficiaries, local farmers, do not bear the cost of administrative failures.

Sierra Roads: theatre of unbearable tragedy

By Joseph Fomolu

The roads of Sierra Leone have become our most recent theatre of unbearable tragedy.
Week after week, headlines scream of horrific collisions, overturned vehicles, and needless loss of life. From the bustling streets of Freetown to the winding highways linking our provinces, a relentless wave of fatal road accidents is claiming lives, shattering families, and inflicting deep wounds on our nation. This is no longer a series of isolated incidents—it is a full-blown national emergency that demands immediate, decisive, and sustained action.

The consequences of this carnage are devastating. Every fatality represents a father, mother, daughter, son, or breadwinner lost forever. Families are plunged into grief and economic hardship. Survivors often suffer life-altering injuries, placing additional strain on an already overburdened healthcare system. The economic cost—lost productivity, medical expenses, damaged vehicles, and infrastructure—is enormous, slowing national development. Beyond the statistics lies a deeper crisis: a growing fear that grips families every time a loved one sets out on the road.

This crisis is multifaceted, born of a deadly convergence of factors. Reckless driving, speeding, dangerous overtaking, and impatience, remains a leading cause. Vehicular neglect is widespread, with many cars, buses, and lorries operating with bald tyres, faulty brakes, and non-functional lights. Poor road infrastructure, including potholes, inadequate signage, and missing road markings, turns routine travel into a gamble with death.

Compounding these dangers is a culture of indiscipline fueled by weak enforcement of traffic laws, perceived corruption, and inconsistent driver education. The rapid growth of commercial motorbikes (okadas), often operated by poorly trained riders, has added yet another volatile layer to an already fragile road safety environment.
We cannot—and must not—accept this as our fate. Concrete and enforceable measures must be implemented without delay.

First, ruthless enforcement of traffic laws. The Sierra Leone Police Traffic Division must be empowered to carry out relentless, corruption-free enforcement. This includes strict speed monitoring, sobriety checks, and mandatory roadside inspections to immediately impound un-roadworthy vehicles. Penalties must be severe enough to deter reckless behavior, not merely inconvenience offenders.

Second, zero tolerance for un-roadworthy vehicles. A rigorous, transparent vehicle fitness certification system must be enforced nationwide. All public transport vehicles—especially buses and heavy trucks—must undergo regular mechanical inspections. Roadworthiness must be a verifiable fact, not a document for sale.

Third, urgent investment in road infrastructure. Government must prioritize the repair of critical road networks, install clear signage and reflective markings, and create safer pedestrian crossings and protective barriers. Particular attention must be given to known accident black spots where tragedies recur with alarming frequency.

Fourth, comprehensive driver education and licensing reform. The driver licensing process must be overhauled to genuinely test competence, knowledge of traffic laws, and defensive driving skills. Mandatory retraining and certification for professional drivers, including okada riders, is essential. Public road-safety education campaigns must be continuous, visible, and impactful.

Finally, legislative and institutional strengthening. Parliament must review and update traffic laws to impose stiffer penalties for offenses that result in injury or death. Adequate support must be given to establish a well-resourced National Road Safety Authority capable of coordinating policy, enforcement, and education beyond political cycles.
Yet the responsibility does not rest with government and law enforcement alone. As citizens, we must change our behavior. Passengers must refuse to board overcrowded or visibly defective vehicles.

Communities must speak out against reckless driving. We must cultivate a new culture of patience, responsibility, and respect for human life on our roads.
Every life lost on our tarmac is a stain on our national conscience. The time for committees and hollow condolences is over. We need action—now. Let us unite to affirm that the people of Sierra Leone deserve safe passage. Let us steer our nation away from this deadly path and toward a future where our roads lead to opportunity and prosperity, not premature graves.