Deputy Speaker Launches Probe into Ministry of Tourism’s Financial Management

Hon. Ibrahim Tawa, Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), began a formal investigation on Monday, January 27, 2025, into the financial management of the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs.

The inquiry, held at the New Administrative Building in the House of Parliament, aims to address concerns raised in the 2023 Auditor General’s Report regarding the Ministry’s management of government-leased properties.

The Auditor General’s report revealed significant lapses in oversight and documentation within the Ministry. Key issues highlighted include inadequate control over government-leased properties, incomplete records, and failure to submit timely financial reports to the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL). The lack of an updated fixed asset register and a comprehensive database to track lease agreements was also noted as a major concern.

Properties such as the Bintumani Hotel, Conference Center, and New Brookfields Hotel were cited for mismanagement. Notably, the Bintumani Hotel had been granted a $500,000 government loan for upgrades that auditors found were not carried out. Furthermore, the Ministry failed to renegotiate expired leases, including those for high-profile properties like the Bintumani Hotel and Conference Center.

Responding to the findings, Mohamed Jalloh, Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, defended the Ministry’s practices, stating that some properties were leased as buildings only, with furniture and fittings provided by hotel management. However, auditors noted that unresolved issues remained, particularly in relation to the absence of comprehensive records for lease payments and agreements.

The report also raised legal concerns, citing violations of Regulation 166, which governs the leasing of national assets. Leases exceeding the ten-year maximum duration, without parliamentary ratification, were identified as a breach of the regulation.

Inconsistent lease terms and delayed reviews were further criticized, with calls for improved governance and accountability in the Ministry’s operations. The Auditor General’s Report urged the Ministry to update its fixed asset register, establish a comprehensive database for lease agreements, and implement more rigorous monitoring and reporting processes.