Hon. Daniel Koroma, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, emphasized during recent parliamentary debates that the problems facing Sierra Leone can only be effectively tackled through a robust and committed Parliament.

Hon. Koroma’s remarks come as the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), led by the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, intensifies its efforts to recover missing state funds across the country. The Deputy Speaker is currently touring the provinces, focusing on reclaiming funds that have been mismanaged or unaccounted for by local councils. His mission is to address the “grey areas” highlighted in previous audit reports and ensure that billions of Leones are recovered from those sectors that have defaulted.”Our goal is to clean up the system,” stated Hon. Tawa Conteh. “By the end of our PAC work, we expect to have collected hundreds of billions of Leones from sectors that have failed to account for state funds.” He further assured the public that his commitment to this task is unwavering, even if it means holding family members accountable. “Family ties do not influence my work. When it comes to recovering President Bio’s money, there will be no compromise.”Hon. Koroma, echoing this sentiment, pointed out that Parliament’s ability to enforce accountability is crucial for the nation’s development. He highlighted that many MPs who did not secure a second term were sidelined for standing firm on national issues, often against their party’s agenda. This, he said, is a reflection of the broader problem where party loyalty overrides national interest.”If Parliament is serious about fighting corruption and ensuring accountability, we can make significant progress within six months,” Koroma stated. He argued that the strength of Parliament lies in its legislative power, which could render other institutions redundant if wielded effectively. “The only thing Parliament cannot do is change a man into a woman. If we are robust, we don’t need numerous agencies to enforce accountability.”