Sierra Leone’s Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara (JFK) has expressed deep concerns regarding the soaring wage bill amidst the ongoing economic turmoil in the country.

In a recent statement, JFK highlighted the urgent need for fiscal responsibility and prudent management of government finances.

Sierra Leone has been grappling with economic challenges, including high inflation and a struggling currency. The country’s wage bill has been a major contributor to its fiscal woes, with a significant portion of the national budget allocated to public sector salaries.

JFK, a seasoned politician and member of the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) emphasized the importance of addressing this issue promptly to stabilize the nation’s finances. He called for a comprehensive review of government expenditures and the implementation of measures to curb the rising wage bill without compromising essential public services.

He said, “I keep wake watching the exponential growth of wage Bill. Something isn’t right. In the midst of economic turmoil, we choose to increase Government spending on staff cost, with a penchant to multiplicity of functions. Errors of judgment deepening the chasm with sense with sense of judgment.”

JFK’s statement raised questions on the wisdom of increasing government spending on staff costs, especially with a tendency to multiply functions within the public sector. In addition, the concern raised by JFK reflects the growing anxiety among Sierra Leoneans about the state of the economy and the need for decisive action to mitigate the impact of the economic turmoil. The government now faces the challenging task of finding a balanced approach to reduce the wage bill while ensuring the well-being of its citizens.

In other words, JFK calls for a more prudent approach to government spending is resonating with growing number of citizens who are feeling the impact of rising costs of living amidst a weakening economy.