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A recent revelation by Augustine Sorie-Sengbe Marrah, a prominent lawyer and activist in Sierra Leone, has stirred public debate over the government’s spending habits. Marrah took to Twitter to share a data image detailing the overseas travelling costs incurred by the Sierra Leone government since 2018. The figures, presented in USD terms, are as follows:
2018: USD 3,484,000
2019: USD 4,235,000
2020: USD 2,825,000
2021: USD 2,201,000
2022: USD 6,254,000
2023: USD 8,920,000
In total, these figures amount to approximately USD 28 million spent on overseas travelling by the government over the past six years.
The sharp increase in overseas travel expenses from 2022 to 2023, more than doubling from USD 6.254 million to USD 8.92 million, has particularly raised eyebrows and prompted concerns among citizens. Many are questioning the necessity and justification for such a significant rise in spending, especially considering other pressing financial obligations the government faces.
Marrah emphasized the contrast between the government’s travel expenses and its outstanding debts. He highlighted, “Information in the public domain indicates that our government owes Turkish Kapowership a sum of USD 27 million for electricity services from 2022 to date.”
This revelation has further intensified the scrutiny of the government’s financial management and priorities. With the country grappling with economic challenges and a growing debt burden, citizens are increasingly demanding transparency and accountability in how public funds are utilized.
The disparity between the amount spent on overseas travel and the debt owed for essential services like electricity has sparked outrage and calls for the government to reevaluate its spending priorities. Many argue that funds should be directed towards addressing urgent domestic needs and settling outstanding debts rather than on what is perceived as excessive or unnecessary overseas travel.
Civil society organizations and opposition politicians have also joined the chorus of voices calling for greater transparency and responsible financial management. They are urging the government to provide detailed explanations for its spending decisions and to implement measures to curb excessive expenditures.
The recent revelations about the government’s overseas travel expenses and outstanding debts serve as a reminder of the importance of fiscal responsibility and prudent financial management in building a prosperous future for all citizens.
This is so disheartening
My brother lawyer Sengbeh with this media transparency am afraid if the outcome of BAR election will favor you. In Sierra Leone today,’ man nor tok true’.
Wow $28 million can buy a big generator to supply light in Sierra Leone. Paying $27 million only for electricity to a stinking ship. No am lost of words.
Aaaaaaaaa salone
This is the kind of messy we get and put up with when we put our collective destinies in the hands of inexperienced and unproductive individuals. If only the political opposition were a serious outfit this mess could be challenged. The so-called, self-appointed activists are the only people with balls to stand up to the ignorant politicians.
Spending this king of money only on overseas traveling without any income to the country development, bo dis na nonsense
Why should the BAR Election not favour him , these are the kind of people that must occupy such seat, thanks to Sorie S Marrah for unraveling such info to us bcos the so-called evil societies ar dumb on such revaluations
And they were the same ones claiming to close all loopholes when they come to power. $28 million on useless traveling is really appalling to say the least. And they can’t even pay the debt they owe for citizens to enjoy electricity. Why was I even born in this country??
Sierra Leone isn’t ready to develop yet…our learned lawyer, some would “you ought to bring something better to the fore as a topic of debate “… something legal. I guess, he’s said this in a political view point… otherwise he should engage himself talking about those groups of incompetent, immoral, lackadaisical legal practitioners in that country…he should direct his activism in his field…is he blind to see the rotten judiciary system in which he belongs???
I feel pity for my country…let’s change our way of thinking…go deep into your thoughts!!!
Can Mr Lawyer tell us, in Dollars, what gains these travelling has brought to the country? He cannot because lawyers like him will not table an unbiased debate.
Some of his travels are not state sponsored. Did the lawyer highlight that?