By Shadrach Aziz Kamara
The Parliamentary Sub-Appropriation Committee (Group 3), chaired by Hon. Sallieu Osman Sesay (Hon. SOS), has on Wednesday 10th November 2025, rigorously questioned the Sierra Leone Mines and Minerals Development Might Corporation (SLMMDMC) regarding its 2024 expenditures, procurement processes, staff costs, international travel, and overall financial accountability.
Appearing before the Committee, senior officials of the corporation including the Executive Director Karifa Kargbo, Account Manager, Legal and Human Resource Manager updated Parliament on progress made since their last appearance, noting that the institution was still in its formative stage during the 2023–2024 financial year.
The Executive Director, Sierra Leone Mines and Minerals Development Might Cooperation (SLMMDMC) disclosed that it had spent the year working toward the acquisition of a large-scale mining license. Key achievements presented included:
Completion of feasibility studies on resource estimates
Development of export route solutions
Ongoing Environmental, Social, and Health Impact Assessments (public disclosure scheduled for Thursday to Saturday this week)
Provisional mining license granted by the Ministry of Mines
Completion of an external audit by the Auditor General’s Office
Submission of its 2026 operational and administrative budget to the Ministry of Finance
The Executive Director emphasized that the corporation is focused on “actualizing the assets provided by Parliament” and ensuring all resources allocated by the state are properly accounted for.
MPs raised serious concerns about the number of overseas trips undertaken by the corporation, particularly to China, South Africa, and the United States.
Officials confirmed that:
Two high-level delegations traveled to China in 2024
Additional visits were undertaken in 2025, including participation in the Mining Indaba in South Africa
Delegations included officials from the Ministry of Finance, Attorney General’s Office, and Ministry of Mines
Committee members demanded supporting documents for all travel-related expenditures, including breakdowns, EFT numbers, and bank statements.
The Committee queried the cost and process of purchasing three vehicles for the corporation. MPs insisted on seeing:
Procurement documents
Supplier bids
Evaluation reports
Payment receipts
The Executive Director stated that he avoids direct involvement in procurement decisions to prevent conflicts of interest, but procurement documents would be made available to the Committee.
Another major issue was the corporation’s decision to rent office space in the Chinese Estates at Aberdeen. MPs questioned the cost-effectiveness of spending an estimated Le 449 million for generator and utility services over a two-year period.
The ED justified the decision, stating that:
The Estates’ central generator system was the only acceptable option
The facility provided higher security and better working conditions
It was allegedly the “cheapest option available in Freetown”
Committee members, however, expressed skepticism and called for the lease agreement and utility breakdowns to be submitted by tomorrow.
During a detailed page-by-page review of SLMMDMC’s submissions, the Committee identified inconsistencies, including:
Incorrect quarterly allocations
Missing supporting documents
Unclear cashbook references
Typographical and formatting errors
The Committee ordered the corporation to correct the discrepancies and present complete documentation, including cashbook page references and updated fourth-quarter receipts.
MPs also questioned:
The corporation’s staff costs
Board sitting fees
High administrative expenditures
Lack of gender balance in staffing
Officials admitted difficulties in recruiting women for certain positions, including drivers, but promised improved gender representation in 2025.
In closing, Hon. Sesay informed the corporation that:
All missing documents must be submitted before 2:00 PM on Thursday 11th November 2025.
The Committee expects minutes of board meetings, justification for retreats, procurement breakdowns, and verification of all payments
He emphasized the need for “value for money, transparency, and accountability,” especially for a new government-funded corporation with a strategic national mandate.
