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The Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) and the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) formalized their commitment to collaboration by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a ceremony in the Conference Room of the Audit Service, located at the Freetown City Council Building.
The MoU aims to strengthen the partnership between the two institutions, enhancing service delivery and accountability in the public sector. Aiah Gbondo Tugbawa, Deputy Auditor General and Chairman of the ceremony, emphasized the significance of the MoU in leveraging collaborative efforts to improve governance and accountability for the benefit of the public.
Abdul Aziz, Acting Auditor General, highlighted the critical role of the NPPA in national development and stated that many financial irregularities identified in Auditor General reports stem from procurement activities. He urged for a united approach to address these procurement-related issues, stating, “We should work together as a team to resolve that menace.”
Aziz proposed a shift in focus for auditors, suggesting that their assessments should extend beyond financial documentation to include evaluations of service delivery. He stressed the need for the MoU to be actively implemented and called for “working the talk” to ensure effective action.
In addition, he proposed establishing a separate account for funds recovered from procurement-related activities, advocating for these resources to be reinvested into community projects rather than redirected to the consolidated fund.
Continuous engagement and communication between the ASSL and NPPA were highlighted as essential for maintaining the MoU’s effectiveness. Aziz noted that auditors rely on procurement review reports during the audit planning phase and emphasized the importance of joint investigations into procurement irregularities to enhance oversight.
Mr. Fodie J. Konneh, CEO of the NPPA, recognized the Audit Service as a cornerstone of accountable governance and praised the MoU as a crucial step towards ensuring compliance among Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). He called for capacity-building initiatives and proposed formulating a policy on micro-purchases to improve cost-efficiency within MDAs.
The signing of the MoU between the ASSL and NPPA marks a significant advancement in enhancing oversight, accountability, and service delivery within Sierra Leone’s public sector, positioning both institutions to contribute meaningfully to national development and public welfare.
