By Kadijatu Bangura, Reporter, Daily Scope
Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in the Sierra Leone Parliament, has ordered the Guma Valley Water Company to cease water supply to all government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) within 48 hours due to their failure to settle outstanding water rate bills.
This directive was issued during a committee hearing at the Administrative Building in Parliament Tower Hill, Freetown, where representatives from Guma Valley Water Company were summoned to address the alarming issue of unpaid water bills. The urgency of this action is underscored by findings from the Auditor General’s ledger report, which revealed significant debts owed by Guma Valley, including withholding taxes amounting to Le 1,617,597.26 and unremitted Pay As You Earn (PAYE) taxes totaling Le 17,153,696.46.
A representative from Guma Valley attributed the company’s financial difficulties to inadequate revenue generation from its clients, particularly the MDAs. This decline in revenue has led to a cycle of noncompliance with tax obligations and increasing debt.
Addressing a full room of lawmakers and Guma officials, Hon. Conteh expressed frustration over the apparent negligence shown by various ministries regarding their water payment responsibilities. He emphasized that the repercussions of unpaid bills extend beyond mere inconvenience; they disrupt governmental operations and hinder essential services, ultimately affecting the state’s functionality.
Highlighted among the ministries with substantial debts are the Sierra Leone Parliament, the Youyi Building—which houses multiple ministries—and the Ministry of Defence, along with the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. Hon. Conteh argued that this systemic failure must be corrected immediately. “Guma must notify these ministries and cut off their water supply within 48 hours if they do not comply with their payment obligations,” he instructed. He particularly noted the Youyi Building as a concern, stating that multiple ministries are using government resources without fulfilling their financial commitments.
The PAC Chairman emphasized the cascading effects of such noncompliance, warning that it not only hampers individual departments from performing effectively but also impedes the government’s overall capacity to generate the revenue necessary for national operations. “It is irresponsible for ministries to ignore their financial obligations while expecting uninterrupted services. They are jeopardizing the government’s ability to provide for its citizens,” he stated.
Lahai Kanu, a representative from Guma Valley Water Company, echoed Hon. Conteh’s sentiments, outlining the company’s challenges amid the ongoing crisis. Kanu presented two clear options for the ministries: either settle their outstanding water bills or face an immediate cutoff of water supply. He stressed that compliance is imperative for the sustainability of services provided by Guma Valley Water.
This directive aligns with a broader narrative of fiscal responsibility within Sierra Leone’s governmental framework. The lack of accountability among government agencies raises serious concerns regarding governance and resource management. Under Hon. Conteh’s leadership, the PAC aims to foster a culture of compliance among ministries and reinforce the expectation that government entities adhere to their financial commitments.
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