PAC STANDS DOWN ZOODLABS AND ABSOLVES LEONE ROCK METAL GROUP OF NO WRONGDOING

Following the commencement of its public hearings on Monday 13/01/2025 by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), chaired by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh on the Auditor General’s Report for 2023 on the accounts of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Management of Zoodlabs was stood down and on Tuesday 14/01/2025 the Management of LEONE ROCK METAL GROUP was absolved by the PAC of any financial wrongdoing to the State.

In light of an audit query on page 8 of the said Report relating to Zoodlabs owing Government over $ 700,000 in respect of a contractual agreement, after extensive probing by the PAC for the production of documents relating to same, the Management of Zoodlabs conceded to the concerns raised by the PAC and appealed for a stand down which was granted by the PAC pending a compilation and submission of the payment schedules, subject to verification by the Auditors and the Public Accounts Committee.

Following a query on the same page 8 of the same Report relating to LEONE ROCK METAL GROUP owing Government over $ 5 Million outstanding payments for the agreement regarding the operations of the rail and port, after much deliberations and documents submitted, the Public Accounts Committee has cleared and absolved the Management of the said Company of any financial wrongdoing to the State. The PAC further praised LEONE ROCK METAL GROUP for being adherent and compliant to the legal and regulatory frameworks guiding the operations of business entities in the country. Furthermore, given its corporate social responsibility, the Public Accounts Committee recognized LEONE ROCK METAL GROUP for supporting the LEONE ROCK PREMIER LEAGUE and called on them to expand support to other sporting disciplines in the country including golf, cricket and volleyball.

Tomorrow being the 15/01/2025, the PAC will be having a long day with the Accountant General’s Office relating to the General Purpose Financial Statements in respect of queries raised in the Auditor General’s Report for 2023 on the accounts of Sierra Leone.

Credit : Parliamentary and Public Relations Department

Parliament of Sierra Leone.