The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Parliament of Sierra Leone has ordered the physical verification and further investigation of projects implemented by the Kambia District Council following concerns raised in several audit queries contained in the Auditor-General’s Report of 2024.

The decision was taken on Saturday, August 22, 2026, as the Committee concluded its engagement with local councils in the Northern and North-Western regions at the Port Loko District Council Hall.

The hearing brought together the Port Loko City Council, Port Loko District Council and Kambia District Council as part of the PAC’s nationwide review of audit findings concerning the management and utilisation of public funds by local councils.

Kambia District Council came under particular scrutiny over several issues, including payments made without adequate supporting documents, weak own-source revenue mobilisation, excess funds received above budgetary allocations and withholding tax deductions that had not been paid to the National Revenue Authority (NRA).

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The Committee also raised concerns over insufficient evidence of community participation and awareness in the budgetary process, as well as questions surrounding the implementation of several projects.

Acting Chairman of the PAC, Hon. PC Desmond Kargobai, said the Committee could not rely solely on documents presented during the hearing to determine whether the concerns raised in the audit report had been adequately addressed.

He called for members of the Committee to travel to Kambia District to physically inspect the projects referenced in the Auditor-General’s Report and establish their actual status on the ground.

The Committee subsequently ordered that the relevant projects and parties involved be brought before it for further engagements at the Kambia District Council. It also called for an investigative team to examine the issues and submit its findings without delay.

Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma, Deputy Opposition Leader II, supported the decision, describing the matter as serious and requiring urgent attention. He stressed the importance of visiting the project sites to independently establish the facts.

“We are going there as a Committee, likely with the ACC, for investigations,” Kargobai stated.

The Opposition Whip of Parliament, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, who hails from Kambia District, also expressed concern over the issues raised and supported the Committee’s decision to pursue further action.

The PAC said the investigation would help establish how public funds were utilised, whether the projects were properly implemented and the overall performance of the Kambia District Council during the period under review.

Meanwhile, the Committee also reviewed audit queries involving the Port Loko City Council and Port Loko District Council.

Port Loko City Council presented additional documents in response to a query concerning payments made without supporting documentation. Outstanding NASSIT contributions were also addressed and subsequently cleared.

The City Council’s Internal Audit Unit was commended for producing quarterly internal audit reports, which the Committee described as important to strengthening accountability and internal financial controls. A query concerning salary backlogs affecting some staff was also resolved.

Port Loko District Council, meanwhile, received positive recognition for its efforts to improve own-source revenue mobilisation, with the PAC encouraging the Council to explore additional revenue-generating opportunities.

The conclusion of the regional engagements forms part of the PAC’s broader nationwide oversight exercise aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability and responsible financial management across Sierra Leone’s local councils.

The decision to physically verify projects in Kambia underscores the Committee’s determination to go beyond documentary explanations and establish the facts surrounding the use of public resources and implementation of development projects.