The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has flagged the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) for breaching procurement regulations after unauthorized payments totaling Le335 million were made in 2023 for vehicle maintenance services without a signed contract.
Chaired by Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, the PAC raised the issue during a recent hearing, citing the 2023 Auditor General’s report, which revealed that SLRA continued business with a key service provider—Seeker—despite the expiration of a formal agreement on May 31, 2022.
“This is a clear case of mis-procurement and a violation of Section 149(1) of the 2022 Public Procurement Regulations,” Hon. Conteh said. “Any payments made in the absence of a valid contract leave the government legally exposed and financially vulnerable.”
In their defense, SLRA officials admitted the contract had expired but said procurement processes for a new agreement were already underway. They blamed delays on price renegotiations, with Seeker reportedly refusing to operate under the original contract terms due to inflation and spare part cost increases.
Despite the absence of a signed agreement, the administration continued to engage the contractor to maintain operational mobility, especially for engineers.
“We could not wait,” said one senior official. “The vehicles were essential for ongoing field operations. While we were negotiating revised prices, services had to continue.”
Conditional Acceptance from PAC
PAC members acknowledged the operational urgency but emphasized that financial regulations must still be followed. Hon. Conteh warned that even in emergencies, actions taken without contractual safeguards are not protected by law.
The PAC accepted the administration’s explanation on the condition that a revised procurement plan and signed contract are submitted promptly. The officials confirmed that both documents have now been finalized, with the procurement plan being printed for distribution to the PAC, the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA), and Audit Service Sierra Leone.
Procurement specialists advising the PAC recommended that the administration should have sought a price adjustment instead of letting the contract lapse. This would have preserved the legal framework while allowing for updated pricing.
They also cited the Public Financial Management Act, particularly Section 63 (4 & 5), which prohibits payment for services rendered without a valid contract.
Hon. Conteh confirmed that once the revised procurement plan and signed contract are reviewed and validated by NPPA and the Auditor General, the matter will be considered resolved.
“We appreciate the cooperation from the administration. We are hopeful this will serve as a reminder that due process must always be followed, regardless of the situation,” he said in closing.
This case adds to ongoing scrutiny of procurement practices in public institutions and reinforces Parliament’s stance on transparency, contract enforcement, and legal compliance in public spending.
By Feima Sesay
