By Fatima Kpaka
Kenema, Sierra Leone — August 20, 2025: The Parliamentary Committee on Transparency and Accountability has raised serious concerns over the implementation of a €3 million European Union–funded market project in Kenema, citing a lack of parliamentary involvement and weak institutional compliance.
During an oversight visit to the Kenema District Council, the committee discovered that the construction of an ultra-modern market on Maxwell Kobie Street was initiated without consulting Hon. Kai Samba, the elected Member of Parliament for Kenema township.
Committee Chairman Hon. Maada Lebbie condemned the exclusion, emphasizing that Members of Parliament are constitutional custodians and must be engaged in all district-level development initiatives.
“Not after the project has gone wrong—that’s not when you call us. Work with us from the beginning. It will be to your own advantage,” Hon. Lebbie warned.
He reminded council officials of Section 119(2) of the 1991 Constitution, which mandates parliamentary oversight of public funds. He also cited the Memorandum of Understanding between Parliament and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) as a legal framework for ensuring transparency and accountability.
Key Findings from the Oversight Visit:
- The Kenema market project was launched without parliamentary consultation
- Hon. Kai Samba was excluded from planning and oversight processes.
- Documentation gaps were found in council records related to revenue mobilisation and project accountability.
- The council demonstrated weak adherence to constitutional provisions on parliamentary involvement.
The committee expressed concern that bypassing MPs in donor-funded projects could undermine transparency and erode public trust. It urged district councils to involve elected representatives from the outset of any community development initiative.
Hon. Lebbie stressed the need for strict compliance with constitutional oversight mechanisms and called for enforcement of the ACC-Parliament MoU to safeguard public fundsThe committee also recommended that the Kenema District Council strengthen its internal systems for record-keeping, revenue tracking, and documentation to meet international transparency standards and maintain donor confidence.
The Parliamentary Committee pledged continued monitoring of the Kenema market project to ensure it delivers value for money and tangible benefits to the people of Kenema.