By Mackie M. Jalloh
The Institute for Governance Reform (IGR) has intensified calls for greater accountability and transparency in government procurement and revenue management, emphasizing that secrecy in state-awarded contracts continues to erode public trust and weaken institutional oversight.
In February 2026, IGR published two detailed investigative reports, titled Di Hade Pa Di Case, Parts 1 and 2, which examined systemic weaknesses in state financial management, highlighting recurring patterns of inefficiency, opaque transactions, and underreporting of revenue. The reports drew attention to several alarming discrepancies. For instance, toll collections on the Wellington–Masiaka highway reportedly generated an estimated $172 million over nine years, yet only $1 million was remitted to government coffers. Similarly, while Sierra Leone earns between $7–9 million annually from passport sales, no royalties have been credited to the consolidated revenue fund since 2016.
Procurement practices also came under scrutiny. According to the reports, approximately 80% of NLe211 million allocated for prison rice between 2016 and 2023 was wasted, with records indicating an average daily ration of just 10.2 cups of rice per prisoner. While the Sierra Leone Correctional Service (SLCS) issued a formal response, it did not contest the scale of wastage, effectively confirming significant lapses in resource management.
Following the publication, IGR engaged with lawmakers, briefing the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and opposition Members of Parliament. Many legislators admitted to limited access to critical financial data, including details of the Wellington–Masiaka toll road loan, such as repayment terms and interest obligations. Despite repeated calls for an independent audit, government clarity on the project remains minimal.
The reports also raised questions regarding revenue collection mechanisms. Netpage reportedly remitted NLe3 million in passport royalties to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, prompting concerns over whether such funds should have been credited directly to the Immigration Department. IGR argued that these ambiguities underscore broader governance challenges in public revenue management and contractual accountability.
IGR highlighted two key lessons from its findings. First, business interests appear to exercise disproportionate influence over executive decision-making, often outweighing the oversight capacity of elected representatives. Second, citizen-led evidence, coupled with persistent and constructive engagement, can drive incremental reforms even within entrenched bureaucracies
“Neither side can always achieve all objectives in a single engagement,” IGR noted, “but slow and steady progress through dialogue, transparency, and accountability mechanisms can lead to meaningful institutional change that benefits the wider citizenry.”
The findings underscore the urgent need for reform in Sierra Leone’s governance structures, particularly in areas of public contract transparency, revenue reporting, and independent oversight, to restore public confidence and strengthen institutional integrity.
