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The Parliamentary oversight committee on Environment and Climate Change, chaired by Hon.Yusuf Mackery, in Committee Room One, engaged the Ministry of Environment, National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), Environment Protection Agency (EPA), National Radiation Protection Authority (NRPA), and the Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency.
The discussions focused on administrative inefficiencies, weak financial systems, and gaps in policy implementation.
In his statement during the engagement, the Parliamentary Chairman on Climate change, Hon Yusuf Mackery, emphasized the need for the engagement cognizant of its constitutional mandate, adding that issues of the environment must be discussed and actions taken to curtail the effects of climate change affecting the country.
The Ministry of Environment came under scrutiny for failing to provide essential documents and for weak enforcement in forestry management. Concerns were also raised about the sustainability of tree planting initiatives due to delayed payments and poor maintenance strategies.
The NDMA was commended for its disaster response efforts, which have supported over 65,000 households, but the Committee emphasized the need to strengthen preventive measures, particularly in flood-prone areas, while addressing financial and operational challenges.
The EPA received praise for strong performance, including exceeding revenue targets and advancing environmental monitoring. However, the Committee urged improvements in financial reporting, procurement processes, and internal controls.
Operational challenges were highlighted by the NRPA, especially limited logistics affecting nationwide inspections.
Additionally, the Meteorological Agency also faced scrutiny over financial management practices, with calls for improved documentation and adherence to modern systems.
The Committee issued key directives, including the submission of outstanding documents, improved financial reporting, and stronger enforcement mechanisms. Several engagements were adjourned to allow institutions to provide further clarifications.
Finally, Parliament reaffirmed that its oversight role is essential to ensuring public institutions operate in the national interest, emphasizing that compliance with its directives is mandatory to maintain public trust and strengthen environmental governance in Sierra Leone.
