By Jariatu S Bangura
Several Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), including the Judiciary of Sierra Leone, have failed to appear before Parliament’s Sub-Appropriation Committees for the 2025 national budget scrutiny, citing their independence as a separate arm of government.
The budget hearings, which began on Monday, December 2, 2024, were convened to assess MDAs’ financial performance, budget implementation, and funding needs for the coming fiscal year.
However, repeated calls from Parliament for compliance went unheeded by several MDAs, prompting serious concerns over accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.
During the 2025 national budget debate, Speaker of Parliament Hon. Sengepoh Solomon Thomas issued a stern warning, emphasizing that all MDAs must appear for budget discussions or risk punitive measures. Despite that directive, many MDAs failed to show up throughout the five-day deliberations.
In response, the Speaker announced the indefinite appropriation of budgetary allocations for non-compliant MDAs, asserting that such behavior undermines parliamentary oversight and violates democratic accountability principles.
The Sub-Appropriation Committees are mandated to review MDAs’ financial activities, ensuring that funds are spent effectively and transparently. They evaluate reports detailing expenditures, project implementations, and supporting documents, including bank statements for operational accounts.
However, some MDAs reportedly submitted incomplete or last-minute documentation on their scheduled hearing dates, limiting lawmakers’ ability to conduct thorough reviews. This practice has drawn criticism from Members of Parliament, who argue that such delays obstruct budget transparency and hinder effective project monitoring.
The Judiciary’s absence has sparked a broader debate about the balance of power and the need for accountability across all branches of government. Lawmakers have called for decisive actions, including possible sanctions, to uphold parliamentary authority and ensure adherence to the nation’s financial oversight framework.
The public awaits further developments as Parliament deliberates potential disciplinary measures against defiant MDAs, signaling a crucial moment for governance and accountability in Sierra Leone.
