On Wednesday, October 30, 2024, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), led by Deputy Speaker of Parliament Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, abruptly suspended its proceedings with the Ministry of Transport and Aviation due to insufficient documentation for a contract worth over one billion Leones.

The contract, awarded to Tropical Auto, was for procuring two vehicles intended for the heads of the Hospitality and Communication departments at State House.

Hon. Conteh requested access to the contract, particularly the advance payment guarantee, as stipulated in the 2021 Auditor General’s Report, which flagged concerns over potential financial safeguards. Key questions were raised during the session about the existence of a performance guarantee to cover any contract breaches, as well as the failure of Tropical Auto to deliver the vehicles by the agreed deadline. While the supplier cited global disruptions for the delay, this explanation was deemed inadequate in the report.

The contract mandated a 30% advance payment, with an additional 40% upon submission of the bill of lading. However, the vehicles were not delivered on schedule, and the PAC chairman demanded that the vehicles be presented to Parliament for verification.

Charles Kamanda, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Aviation, disclosed that the ministry had sought advice from the Ministry of Finance and the Attorney General’s Office regarding the potential termination of several contracts, including the one with Tropical Auto. Following advice from the Ministry of Finance, the transport ministry has ordered Tropical Auto to repay all funds received into the consolidated fund. Kamanda added that all contractors who received advance payments without fulfilling their contracts have been formally instructed to return the disbursed amounts.

In conclusion, Hon. Conteh announced that the PAC would issue a press release summoning all responsible parties to discuss strategies for fund recovery. If explanations are unsatisfactory, the PAC warned that it would consider additional enforcement actions.