By Kadijatu Bangura, D.S
The National Tourist Board (NTB) and the Sierra Leone Correctional Service (SLCS) have tabled their budget proposals for the 2027 fiscal year, requesting NLe15.46 million and NLe194.29 million respectively.
The two institutions presented their estimates on September 25, 2026, during the ongoing Annual Bilateral Budget Hearings at the Miatta Civic Centre. The hearings were attended by District Budget Officers, MDA representatives, civil society organisations and the media.
NTB General Manager, Fatmata Mida Carew, presented the Board’s proposal before Deputy Minister of Finance II, Isata Marah, and Deputy Director of Budget, Illara Mahdi.
The Board said its 2027 priorities include destination marketing, product diversification, quality and standards, and expansion of the tourism market. It is targeting a 15 percent increase in visitor arrivals and length of stay, 10 percent increase in registration and licensing of tourism establishments, and 15 percent growth in revenue.
NTB projected NLe374.28 million in revenue for 2027 from licensing and registration, land development and beach-front user fees, beach events, the US$2 tourism levy and betting and gaming licence forms.
It also reported growth in digital promotion, with Instagram followers rising from 1,200 in 2025 to 7,087 in 2026, TikTok from 20,100 to 22,847, and YouTube subscribers from 2,600 to 2,870.
Meanwhile, Correctional Service Director General, Joseph J. Senessie, presented a recurrent budget of NLe194.29 million, exceeding the NLe149.53 million ceiling by about NLe44.77 million.
The Service listed recruitment of 1,500 correctional officers, rehabilitation of inmates through entrepreneurship training, construction of correctional centres in Lungi, Karene, Falaba, Bo and Makeni, and construction of a hospital at the Freetown Male Reintegration Centre as key priorities.
SLCS projected NLe460,000 in revenue for 2027, compared to NLe202,986 in 2026 and NLe9,000 in 2025, from correctional industries, canteen operations, brass and jazz bands, agricultural produce and its garage.
Its Public Investment Programme includes procurement of rehabilitation equipment, construction and relocation of facilities, a maximum-security correctional village to relocate the Pademba Road Male Correctional Centre, and procurement of specialised vehicles.
For 2026, the Service cited completion of the New England administrative building and Waterloo Correctional Centre, with Moyamba Correctional Centre at 85 percent completion.
The budget panel engaged both institutions on allocations, revenue strategies, achievements, challenges and deliverables for 2027.
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